The Eminence in Shadow: The Dark Swordsman

Chapter 38: Kurumi Versus Kirito

Author's Note:
Hey folks, my sincerest apologies for ghosting on the chapter updates lately. I've been too busy these weeks, but I promise I'm back on track now. Thanks for bearing with me!

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Kirito's eyes widened in complete shock as he gazed at Kurumi, struggling to find his words. "Y-you... you are the one who sent me here?" he managed to stammer out.

Kurumi nodded casually, a smirk playing on her lips. "Of course. And I'm the one who altered your body's age too and gave you a mission in order for us to finally meet each other."

His mind reeling, Kirito managed to stammer, "But... but why? Why me?"

Kurumi's smirk widened into a mischievous grin as she replied, "Because you are my Knight."

Kirito clenched his teeth, his frustration boiling over. "Enough! Stop calling me that!" he shouted, his voice laced with anger and defiance.

Taking a step forward, he locked eyes with Kurumi, determination burning in his gaze. "I don't want to be a pawn in your sick games anymore," he declared firmly, his tone unwavering.

Kurumi chuckled softly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Who said you were my pawn?" she countered, her tone teasing. "Pawns are meant to be created, not chosen."

With a flick of her wrist, Kurumi made her pistol disappear, and she extended her hand towards Kirito from afar. "You and I stand on equal grounds," she stated, her smirk growing wider as she observed his reaction.

"But," she added, her tone turning slightly taunting, "it seems your side is unfortunate to have little to no awareness of what is truly going on."

Kirito glared at Kurumi, his anger evident in his voice. "Then what the hell is going on?" he demanded, his frustration mounting.

In response, Kurumi's pistol reappeared in her hand, and she held it casually as she began to speak. "A great calamity," she explained, her tone serious. "The murals you and that pink-haired girl saw in the ancient dungeon weren't just depictions of the past. They were a prophecy."

She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in before continuing. "A prophecy foretelling of a great war, not confined to the annals of history, but rather looming on the horizon."

Kirito's eyes widened in realization as he processed her words. "So, this isn't just some game?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Kurumi shook her head, her expression grave. "No. This is far from a simple game. And you and I, we're players in a much larger, much more dangerous game than you could ever imagine."

Kirito's brows furrowed as he recalled the intricate murals from the dungeon. "If I remember correctly," he began, his voice thoughtful, "those murals depicted people arriving through portals, just like I did."

He turned to Kurumi, a questioning look in his eyes. "Did those people come here like me?"

Kurumi met his gaze with a solemn expression. "You, my dear Knight, are just a bit different," she explained, her tone firm. "You came here through my interference."

A heavy silence hung between them before Kurumi continued, her voice tinged with gravity. "And the others," she paused, her eyes scanning Kirito's face, "They are abnormalities. Beings that don't belong here, flaws to this universe's laws."

She took a step closer to Kirito, her expression serious. "They are meant to be eradicated. And that's why both of us are here, foreigners from different universes but bound by the same fate."