Chương 71: Out of Respect

Felicity launched herself back into the attack with a flurry of swift, precise strikes. Father Leandro dodged them with apparent ease, then drove a brutal kick into her stomach, sending her crashing into the mud. Felicity sprang back to her feet just in time to block a slash aimed at her head, crossing both swords to stop the blow. Father Leandro gave her no respite. He attacked from every angle without pause, maintaining relentless, brutal pressure.

Felicity managed to defend herself, but every parry came at a cost. The pain in her wounded leg slowed her down. She took a few steps back, struggling to catch her breath.

"You're getting tired, Feli", he said calmly.

"That wound must hurt terribly…why don't you let me put an end to your suffering? Stop listening to the devil". In an instant, he was upon her, thrusting straight for her chest. Felicity caught the attack with one sword and, with the other, delivered a sharp, precise slash that tore through his right eye. Father Leandro screamed, clutching his face as blood streamed down his cheek. Felicity gave him no chance to recover and pressed the attack. He began blocking her strikes with only one hand.

"You need both hands. Her blows are growing heavier", the divine voice whispered. Father Leandro obeyed. The moment he gripped his sword with both hands, his defense became noticeably stronger. He tried to strike her with the hilt, but Felicity dodged and lunged for his stomach. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. He stepped back just in time, suffering only a shallow cut. For a brief moment, they both stood still, panting as they stared at each other beneath the pouring rain.

"The sweet Feli I know would never have taken one of my eyes…" he said quietly.

"It's heartbreaking to see how the Devil has corrupted you. Out of respect for Arthur, I have to kill you. I have to destroy the Devil within you". Felicity continued gasping for air. The relentless rain drenched her face. Water poured into her mouth and nostrils, making every breath increasingly difficult.

"Out of respect for the man you once were, I'm forced to do the same", she replied.

"I'll kill you out of respect for that man…for the real Leandro!" Then she charged again, aiming straight for his throat. Father Leandro ducked at the last possible moment and carved a deep slash across her back. Felicity collapsed to the ground with a muffled cry. She tried to get back up, but he planted his foot on her back, pressing down with merciless force. A pained groan escaped her lips as she desperately reached for her swords.

"It's over, Feli. It's over".

"Drive your sword through her back and you've won", the divine voice commanded. Father Leandro raised his sword… … but hesitated. The woman who had been fighting him was gone. Instead, he saw the little girl he had comforted. The child he had saved. Felicity. That single moment of hesitation proved fatal. With one last desperate burst of strength, Felicity seized one of her swords and drove it into his leg. Father Leandro cried out and collapsed into the mud.

He struggled to rise and strike her, but Felicity parried his slash and, without a moment's hesitation, thrust her blade into his chest, straight through his heart. Father Leandro coughed up blood and fell to his knees. The divine sword slipped from his hands and sank into the mud. Felicity walked toward him slowly. He looked up and met her gaze.

"My family…" he whispered weakly as he fell to the ground. Felicity knelt beside him and gently took his hand. Her eyes filled with tears.

"I can see them…my children…they're playing…with you…" Father Leandro reached up and touched her cheek. Then his hand fell limply to the ground. And his breathing ceased. Felicity broke down in tears, resting her forehead against his. The rain stopped all at once. The clouds parted, and the sunlight bathed Father Leandro's lifeless body and Felicity's devastated face.