Randolph prepared for the fight ahead. He equipped a magnificent set of armor but had no time to admire it as his heart and mind were focused on something else entirely. Juliana’s safety was the most important thing for him as selfish as that was. And he had allowed too much to happen in order to confirm she was safe.

“Randolph,” Clark called to him from outside the tent.

“You can enter, Clark,” Randolph replied while attaching his sword to his side.

Clark entered with a downcast expression, his lips slightly parted as if he wanted to speak but the words didn’t escape his mouth.

“Are you nervous?” Randolph asked. “I am too but–”

“Did you know?” Clark asked.

“What?”

“Did you know about it, Randolph?”

“Did I know about what?”

Clark lifted his head to look at Randolph, a feeling of betrayal could be seen deep within his eyes and the latter couldn’t help but to feel guilty.

“They killed them, Randolph.”

“What are you talking about?” Randolph feigned ignorance. Maybe Clark noticed or maybe he pretended not to but he continued speaking.

“The Angels. I witnessed them disposing of bodies with my own eyes.”

“Come on, Clark. That’s nonsense, we have to get ready for the battle.” Randolph chuckled dryly.

“They were killed by Angels...Tell me you didn’t know, Randolph.”

“How do you know they were killed by Angels? Maybe the Angels were just burying the bodies of the dead, right?”

“Without a proper funeral and none of their friends in attendance? Not even a single announcement?” Clark grew angry at Randolph repeated denial.

“We don’t have time to hold a funeral so–”

“You knew!” Clark shouted, his accusations turned into facts at Randolph’s behavior.

Randolph always showed an upright personality so to see him shy away at the possibility of innocent people dying was strange.

“...Ira has Juliana. In order to find her certain things had to happen. You know without her the Angels can’t receive orders from the Gods.”

“You knew.” Clark repeated in pure disbelief as it set in.

“...Don’t act as if you wouldn’t have done the same for Amy!” Randolph barked.

“I wouldn’t have, Randolph.” Clark protested.

“Just ignore what you saw, Clark.” Randolph spoke with gritted teeth.

“I can’t just do that! Some of them were my friends! They had people they care about and now…I don’t care, I have to let everyone know that the Angels aren’t here to help us.”

“Ignore it!” Randolph shouted violently. “You can do that right?! It should be easy enough for you! You watched your father die. You watched your brother die. You watched Amy lose her arm. And now you decide to care about some people who don’t care about you?! Do you know how many people tried to grow closer to you to get on my side?!”

Clark was left speechless by Randolph’s outburst. The hateful words that were spoken cut right to his core.

“That was the case before but not now.” Clark shook his head resolutely.

“What about Amy? Just wait for this war to end and you can have her.” Randolph changed his approach.

“No, as long as she’s happy I’ll be fine, Randolph.” Clark suddenly showed a tranquil smile that made it seem as if he figured everything out. Like a weight being lifted from his shoulders, he seemed to be relieved. “It’s what I deserve for watching those close to me die or get harmed. I understand that and I’m ready to accept it now. From now on I’ll never stand idly by while something bad happens so I can at least know I tried.”

Clark turned his back to leave but not before adding a few parting words. “I’m going to let everyone know, Randolph. I won’t let this happen and not do anything about it, not anymore and I know you would’ve done the same a few months ago. I hope you understand–”

Randolph’s sword found its way into Clark’s chest as soon as he finished speaking, leaving a fatal wound behind as it pierced through.

“Ah…” Blood poured from his mouth he looked down in pure shock to see his wounds. “Y-You…”

Clark tried to turn around but stumbled and fell onto the floor before looking up at Randolph with pure surprise. “Why...did...you?”

“I’m sorry, Clark,” Randolph uttered in a pitiful voice.

The light in Clark’s eyes began to fade but a smile still formed on his face. “This...is fine too...I hope you...end up happy...Randolph...”

Randolph clenched his fist tightly until blood emerged from his palms. He took in deep breaths and averted his eyes from Clark’s body.

Randolph didn’t know how long had passed, but Harith came to find him only to stumble upon the scene.

“Your reason?” Since Harith knew they were close he was slightly curious to see what drove Randolph to commit such an act.

“He...found out about the sacrifices and wanted to tell everyone.” Randolph couldn’t fight the feeling of disgust within himself. Was he any better than Ira? He couldn’t even pretend he was without feeling sick.

“Ah, you’ve done well. Those sacrifices were necessary and if he couldn’t understand that then you only had one choice. The morale of the army could crumble with the slightest mishap and that would be as good as letting millions die.” Harith’s words were cold but they offered a slight comfort for Randolph.

“May his soul find peace with the Gods,” Harith added for good measure. Souls with lasting regrets or extremely painful memories usually went through purgatory to be cleansed and stripped away of such experiences, but Clark was at ease at the very end. It could still be seen in the faint smile that never left his face. Maybe he would find peace, no one could say for sure.

“I’ll have the body removed and see that he’s properly attended to.” Harith removed the sword from Clark’s chest and cleaned it with a wave of divine power before giving it back to Randolph who accepted it with shaky hands.

“Be still, the final battle is approaching and millions look to you as an example. Do not hesitate in cutting down the enemy. Especially if you wish to save, Juliana.” Harith words weren’t necessary as he had other plans in the works. Randolph wasn’t really needed in the end, just his body.

“I understand.” Randolph’s eyes grew unnaturally calm without any effort on his part.

…

Millions, that was how many were spread out among the plains of the Dark Elf Empire. The army of countless enemies filled the horizon to the point where looking around in a 180-degree radius didn’t feel like it was enough to see them completely. Floating above them in an imposing manner were the Angels who had conjured weapons made from divine power. And looming in the background was the massive stone sphere, better known as the Tartarus.

The Angels made their message clear, they were no longer playing Ira’s game and wanted to land a decisive blow.

The army of the Dark Elves reached little over three hundred thousand in total. The losses of the first few clashes made themselves known at that moment. Still, they stood bravely in the face of a daunting battle. Above them, hundreds of Valkyries circled the area with their own weapons drawn. In a way, the two sides almost looked like mirror images of each other.

Obviously, the side with the Angels on it would be seen as good. While the side with the city-eating being would be seen as evil. And Ira wouldn’t contest that assumption at all. Whether he was labeled as good or evil didn’t bother him in the slightest.

“All these people just for me.” Standing somewhere far off Ira spoke happily. “Well, I wonder if it’ll be enough?”

“Are you uneasy?” Avery asked.

“No,” Ira replied honestly.

“Good.” Avery put her helmet on. “Whether we survive this or not is entirely dependent on you, Ira.”

She took to the sky after speaking but not before Ira made his response.

“I love you too.” He looked at her fleeting figure as she flew to the Valkyries who were already in the air.

“It’s all on me, huh?” Ira mumbled and then looked to the army here to kill him. “Well, I guess it's good that I won't die easily then.”