Reborn As A Ghost: Time To Build My Undead Army!-Chapter 1306: What Means To Be A Hero

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Jonathan didn't want to kill Artorias, and it was also against the rules anyways. Yet he had never wanted to be so brutal against a young student either. But his stubbornness and powerful abilities forced him to do it… again.

"Give up. Now."

"A-Ah… But I don't… wanna!"

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Artorias slowly stood up again, grasping into his sword, which was slowly falling into pieces. Jonathan felt something within him, a darkness that might evolve into a Nightmare.

If he didn't take care of him now, it could create a catastrophe in the middle of the arena, affecting many people at once, and ruining Artorias' life.

"The sword… is all I have!"

Artorias slowly stood up, glancing at Jonathan, his sword returned to its original form, no longer he had more energy to use its true powers.

"I'm sorry, Artorias…"

"Eh? What are you sorry for?! It's just… Dammit!"

He rushed forward, swinging his blade against Jonathan.

CLASH!

This time, Jonathan didn't evade, or resist, or parry the hit.

He let Artorias hit his shoulder completely.

"Ungh…!"

"H-Huh?"

Artorias realized his sword had pierced Jonathan's muscular shoulders, as blood started coming from the wound.

He had even lowered his strengthening aura to the minimum degree, yet his body was so herculean that even then, Artorias couldn't cut through him completely.

Yet, that didn't matter.

What mattered is what Jonathan did.

Blood came from his wound, as Artorias saw Jonathan making a pained face.

"Is this fine? Is this what you wanted, Artorias?" Jonathan asked, his face full of a resolve the young man could simply not understand.

"B-But why… You could have perfectly evaded, or even parried my attack!" Artorias screamed angrily. "Why did you…?!"

"It's because this is what you wanted, right?" Jonathan asked. "You wanted to see my blood. You wanted to prove you're strong… Artorias, you're strong."

"A-Ah…!"

The young man, and everyone in the audience saw the aura of Jonathan in that moment, the sky above, the sun right behind his head.

It seemed to create a halo.

The power of this man, his experience, and even his compassion.

Was there a man like him anywhere else?

"I'm sorry… for being unable to remember you…" Jonathan sighed, still bleeding as the sword was stuck on the muscles of his shoulder. "But I will never forget you now, for as long as I live. Your strength, your resolve, and your swordsmanship, are all incredible."

"You bastard… Why are you saying… these things…" Artorias cried, as he suddenly started crying.

He lost the strength of his grip, and the darkness within his heart…

It slowly started to dissipate.

"I believe with all my soul and heart that you have a bright future," said Jonathan. "Artorias, this world needs people like you. The Nightmares are ever-growing, the threats never cease. But you have been gifted this power… Use it to save people, use it for what it was made."

"That's…"

Artorias had never actually thought about that since he was a child.

When he was only a kid, saying he would save many people.

After the death of his grandparents in the countryside because of the Nightmare Realm appearing there.

He had sworn he would become strong and one day, protect humanity from them.

Yet where did that dream go to?

He became obsessed with the sword, with winning, with blood…

Was there anything else he could do now?

"The purpose of the strength we have is not to satisfy ourselves, it is not to make others suffer…" said Jonathan. "I believe this strength… is so we can protect those we care for and love. I have cultivated my body and my strength, all for this purpose… And nothing else."

"…"

"I will not slay you, Artorias," he said. "And I could never bring myself to… slay a young, promising knight such as you again."

The many traumas of his past surged within Jonathan's mind, the many times someone turned against him, consumed by greed and pride, consumed by the madness of selfishness and power.

His beloved apprentices and friends, whom he had to kill with his own sword…

"Please… I don't want to do that anymore."

And in that moment, Artorias realized that this wasn't the Jonathan he knew.

This person was someone different…

The Jonathan he knew…

Where did he go?

That smiling young man, prideful and energetic.

Why was he replaced with this hero?

What… was happening?

Something within his mind was being blocked, and he couldn't find an answer.

Yet at the same time, as he looked at him.

He saw his friend again, anyways.

His words were like those of a father, they brought warmth to his heart and inspired him.

"I'm sorry…"

Artorias slowly pulled out the sword.

"Are you alright? We need to treat that wound…!"

"It's fine."

Jonathan smiled, wrapping some cloth around the wound.

"I would've given you the victory if I could, Artorias. But I promised someone I love that I would give her a win… And so, I have to win."

"…I see. Is it a woman?"

"Yes, someone I love. That I've loved since the moment I met her," nodded Jonathan.

"So that's it…" Artorias said.

The entire audience was in silence, even the battle between Cheng Xie and Emeraldine wasn't this intense!

At every moment, they thought one or the other would win.

But right now…

It seemed the victor had been decided.

"I… concede," nodded Artorias. "I once more lose against your swordsmanship, my friend."

Professor Hendrick, who had been shocked about the developments, coughed as he nodded.

"Cough, ahem! Jonathan is the winner of the battle!"

"OOOOHHHHH!"

The audience cheered, many people were already fans of this radiant and handsome young man. Artorias glanced around the audience in silence.

"They sure love you…" he said. "You're lucky, Jonathan."

"They only like the surface, the idea of a strong man," sighed Jonathan. "They don't know me, and I take this praise as nothing, at the end. But I will cheer for you from now on, Artorias. Let's be friends again."

Jonathan extended his hand towards Artorias, as the young man hesitated.

But at the end, shook his hand back.

"Sure… Let's become stronger together."

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