Reincarnated as a failed hero?! Watch me Defy Fate! - Chapter 93

Chapter 93: My Promise to Freya Chapter 93: My Promise to Freya I watched as Freya reluctantly endured Cain’s embrace.

Her body stiffened, her arms hung limply at her sides.

She wasn’t reciprocating, yet Cain didn’t seem to care.

The sight of it made my chest tighten with irritation.

“Come on, Nao!

Are you seriously just going to stand there?

Go out there and say something!

You can’t let Cain have her!” Envi’s voice rang out in my head, filled with urgency.

It was as if he could feel my frustration, fueling it further.

I clenched my fists so tightly they trembled.

I wanted to act, to march over and tear her away from him.

But then, Freya took a step back, pulling herself free from Cain’s hold.

“It’s getting late, Cain-sama.

I need to rest now.

Please excuse me,” Freya said softly, her gaze lowered.

Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked away, leaving Cain standing alone under the dim moonlight.

But Cain only chuckled, his smile wide and triumphant.

“Come out, Naoki.

It’s impolite to spy on a man’s intimate moments,” he called out, his eyes narrowing as he looked straight at the tree I was hiding behind.

I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

He knew I was there?

How long had he noticed?

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the open.

“Intimate moments?

That looked more like harassment to me.

What lies did you tell Freya to make her listen to you?” My voice was steady, but my glare carried all the venom I felt inside.

Cain let out a booming laugh, clearly amused by my words.

“What are you implying, Naoki?

All I did was offer to teach her Flamemore Swordsmanship.

Freya’s talented-more than I expected from someone in a branch family.

I only thought it fitting to help her grow stronger.

Of course…” He paused, a sly grin spreading across his face, “…I’ve decided to make her my future wife.

A talent like hers deserves to be kept close.” “Future wife?” The word left my mouth, dripping with disbelief.

“You’re insane.

That so-called relationship isn’t built on love-it’s nothing but your one-sided coercion!

I could see the sadness in her eyes from here.” Cain’s smile twisted into something darker.

“Coercion?

She agreed to my terms!

I only told her the truth: that friendships are pointless and only make people weak.

I advised her to cut ties with her so-called friends, and she listened.

She understands strength is all that matters.” “And love?” Cain scoffed.

“Who needs it?

I just need a strong woman to bear strong children.

That’s all that matters in the end.” I took a step forward, letting my anger seep into my voice.

“Freya isn’t some tool for your ambitions!

She’s kind, strong, and resilient.

She’s amazing in ways you could never understand.

She deserves someone who values her for who she is, not what she can give you.” My aura flared as I spoke, and for the first time, Cain’s footing wavered slightly.

But then he smirked and pushed back with his own aura, a suffocating wave that pressed down on me like a heavy storm.

“HAHAHA!

You’ve got guts, Naoki, challenging me, the hero of Braveheart Kingdom.

I could crush you here and now, but that wouldn’t be satisfying.” Cain’s aura surged again, stronger this time, forcing me to my knees.

“Nao!” Envi’s voice echoed in my head, filled with alarm.

“Don’t let him win!” I gritted my teeth, my hands digging into the dirt as I struggled to breathe.

Yet, through the suffocating pressure, I found myself laughing softly.

Cain’s eyes narrowed in confusion, his aura faltering for a brief moment.

That was all I needed.

Dark Magic began to swirl around me, tendrils of shadow rising like smoke.

The oppressive weight of Cain’s aura began to lift as my power surged.

Slowly, I rose to my feet, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.

“You bastard…

Freya’s not your pawn.

I’ll defeat you and break whatever hold you think you have over her!” Cain’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of my magic.

Then, he laughed, loud and wild.

“So the rumors were true!

I’d heard whispers of your Dark Magic, but I didn’t think they were real.

And to think, when we first met, you were nothing but a weakling who couldn’t even wield a sword properly.

What a transformation.” His grin turned predatory.

“I like it.

There’s no thrill like fighting someone strong!

But alas, we’re at the academy.

I’m an instructor, a hero.

Crushing you here would tarnish my reputation.

HAHAHA!” I rolled my eyes.

“You’re insufferable.” Cain’s expression turned serious, his eyes glinting with mischief.

“Let’s make a bet, then.

I hear the third-year graduation exam involves a dungeon conquest.

As an instructor, I’ll accompany you all.

Let’s see who defeats the dungeon boss first.

If I win, Freya stays with me.

If you win, I’ll let her go.” A notification appeared before me.

— [!!!

NEW QUEST !!!] Defeat the Dungeon Boss Before Cain!

Reward: 40 Goddess Points Failure Penalty: Freya will marry Cain, and you will fall into eternal despair.

— I stared at the screen, my resolve hardening.

“Fine.

If I win, Freya will be free to choose her own path.” “And if you lose,” Cain added with a smirk, “you’ll leave Freya alone forever.

No interference.” Without another word, Cain turned and walked away, leaving the training grounds.

As his presence faded, I allowed my Dark Magic to dissipate, my body returning to its normal state.

“HAHAHA!

Now that’s what I call guts, Nao!” Envi’s voice rang out, his tone cheerful.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got this.

That lunatic doesn’t stand a chance!” I smiled faintly, Envi’s confidence giving me a small measure of comfort.

I took a detour to avoid crossing paths with Cain again.

As I rounded the arena, I saw Freya standing nearby, hidden behind a wall.

She flinched when our eyes met.

“You heard everything, didn’t you?” I asked softly.

Freya nodded, her gaze fixed on the ground.

“Why would you go so far for me, Naoki-dono?

I’m the one who approached Cain.

I wanted to learn from him, to become a stronger knight…” Her voice broke as she looked up at me, anger flickering in her tear-filled eyes.

“I never asked you to fight for me!” Her tears fell freely now, each one striking my heart like a dagger.

“I don’t want to be a burden to you anymore, Naoki-dono,” Freya said, her voice trembling as her hands balled into fists.

“I want to become stronger so I can protect Lyra, my only friend here.

I want to become strong enough to fight alongside you, Naoki-dono!

I can’t stand being weak, always relying on you.

I don’t want to be a burden anymore!” Her voice cracked as she pounded lightly on my chest with her fists.

“I want to stand beside you…

to protect you, too!” Her words hit me harder than any physical blow ever could.

But then her voice dropped, her next words soft yet heavy, like a falling feather laced with lead.

“To become stronger, I’ve accepted the consequences…

even if it means becoming Cain-sama’s fiancé.

If that’s the price, I’ll pay it…” Freya’s voice quivered as she buried her face in my chest.

She sounded resigned, yet fragile, like she was convincing herself this was the only way forward.

Hearing her reasoning, I finally understood.

Freya wasn’t just thinking about herself-she was thinking about me and Lyra.

She’d chosen this path not out of weakness but because she believed it was the only way to protect the people she cared about.

The tightness in my chest eased, replaced by a warmth that spread through me, a testament to the strength of her feelings.

Before I knew it, my arms moved on their own, wrapping around her tightly.

Freya stiffened in surprise, her face reddening as she looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes.

“I won’t let you go, Freya.

I won’t let you end up with that bastard Cain,” I murmured firmly, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions raging inside me.

Leaning closer, I whispered softly into her ear, “I promise I’ll win my bet with Cain and set you free.

Learn everything you can from him-use him to grow stronger.

When I win, you’ll leave that ridiculous engagement behind and come back to us…

to me and Lyra.” Freya’s eyes shimmered with a mix of hope and determination.

She nodded, a small smile breaking through her tear-streaked face.

“Naoki-dono, I’ll do my best.

I’ll give it my all!” Her voice was filled with newfound resolve as she leaned into me, hugging me tightly.

I smiled at her determination and reached into my pocket, pulling out a small box.

I opened it to reveal a radiant pendant in the shape of a fiery red flower.

“Freya, take this.” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Naoki-dono, this is…” I stepped closer, gently placing the pendant around her neck.

The golden chain glimmered faintly in the moonlight as the flower-shaped charm settled against her chest.

“It’s the Fire Flower Pendant.

I’ve been meaning to give this to you for a while.

I got it after clearing a dungeon-it enhances fire magic and provides protection in critical moments.

But more than that…” I hesitated, my face warming slightly as I smiled.

“Its design reminded me of you-strong, beautiful, and radiant.” Freya froze for a moment, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

She touched the pendant with trembling fingers, her eyes never leaving mine.

“Thank you, Naoki-dono.

I’ll treasure it…

always.” We stood there for a moment, the world around us fading into silence.

Eventually, I loosened my embrace, stepping back slightly.

“You should get some rest, Freya.

Even though the next few months might force some distance between us, it comforts me to know that you’re still the same as ever.

I’ll explain things to Lyra-I’m sure she’ll understand.” Freya nodded, her smile tinged with a hint of sadness but also unwavering determination.

“Yes, Naoki-dono.

For now, I’ll keep my distance from you and Lyra.

I need Cain-sama’s trust.

But when you win…” Her voice softened as her smile brightened, “Let’s go to the Royal Garden together again, the three of us.

We’ll share ice cream like we used to.” I couldn’t help but return her smile.

“I’m looking forward to it.” As Freya turned to leave, her hand lingered briefly on the Fire Flower Pendant.

I watched her go, my heart steady yet burning with determination.

I would win.

Not for glory, not for revenge-just to see her smile without the weight of sadness ever again.

CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NAVIRUNAVIII Hello guys, i’m still here, trying to be better…i would not give up just because i broke up with my gf.