"A Reason Not to Die" (死なないリユウ Shinanai Riyuu?) is the one hundred and forty-first chapter of the Seraph of the End: Vampire Reign manga series, written by Takaya Kagami and illustrated by Yamato Yamamoto.
Synopsis[]
It is recalled that Ky Luc led a band of mercenaries when he was a human. As a child he was told by his ailing mother that he should grow stronger to survive. His father was a lord who held a view that whoever wants his throne must be strong. When he was ten Ky Luc's mother passed away and he was sold into slavery. His mercenaries sacked his family home and after Ky Luc's brother was killed he murdered his father. Ky Luc wondered how much stronger his mother wanted him to get.
Presently, Ky Luc battles Ferid. Sensing Ferid has become faster, Ky Luc avoids his sword and chains. Both Ky Luc and Ferid consider how each is stronger than they should be. Ferid advises Guren to get the humans out of here. Shinya and Kureto along with Mito, Goshi, Sayuri and Shigure see Guren again.
In 13th-century Moscow, Urd struck away a challenge from Ky Luc. Wanting to beat Urd to prove he had gotten stronger, Ky Luc wondered what was the point to living otherwise. Urd questioned if Ky Luc had a reason to keep living despite being a vampire.
Characters[]
List of characters in order of appearance:
- Women in the Mercenaries Camp (flashback)
- Ky Luc (flashback as an adult human, and child as well)
- Ky Luc's Mercenaries (flashback)
- Mercenary Loyal to Ky Luc (flashback)
- Ky Luc's mother (flashback)
- People at Ky Luc's Residence (flashback)
- Second Wife (possibly)
- Ky Luc's father (flashback)
- Ky Luc's brother (flashback)
- Ferid Bathory
- Krul Tepes (mentioned only)
- Lest Karr (mentioned only)
- Shinya Hīragi
- Guren Ichinose
- Mito Jūjō
- Sayuri Hanayori
- Shigure Yukimi
- Kureto Hīragi
- Norito Goshi
- Byakkomaru (manifestation)
- Mahiru Hīragi
- Urd Geales (mentioned, as well as flashback)
Summary[]
A past recollection shows Ky Luc thinking that his one reason to live has always been simply to grow stronger. At night among women, Ky Luc was a human and awake in one of the tents set up. Addressing him as boss, one of the mercenaries around said for Ky Luc to let them have some of the women too.[1]
The women were shocked at who was addressed as Lord Luc giving the go ahead before more mercenaries entered the tent. One particular mercenary questioned Ky Luc where they were to advance to next. Where Ky Luc was unsure, the man stated he was not the type to be happy as a mere bandit.[2]
Claiming that he did not have any grand goal, Ky Luc added that he was just trying to scrape by and stay alive. The mercenary noted that Ky Luc had attracted a considerable number of mercenaries. Where Ky Luc commanded enough men, the advisor felt that he could probably take over a small domain or two if he tried.[3]
The mercenary added that whatever the case his life was Ky Luc's and it would be interesting to follow him wherever he went. Considering life, Ky Luc reiterates that he really did not have a plan, he just tried to get a little stronger each day.[4]
Fourteen years earlier from that point, Ky Luc was a boy at his residence and at his mother's bedside. Ky Luc's mom appeared unwell and told him that he must survive, grow stronger, and outlive everyone. Specifying for him to think of nothing else, his mother checked if Ky Luc understood to which he replied he did.[5]
At the time Ky Luc was the son of the fifth wife of a minor local lord. Those also living at the residence expressed pity for Ky Luc. There was a rumor that the second wife had been poisoning his mother's meals and they felt Ky Luc would probably be killed soon after she is.[6]
Entering what served as a throne room, Ky Luc saw others in the chamber with his father. Seeing him, Ky Luc's father spoke that weaklings are no children of his. Whoever wanted his throne must be strong.[7]
Impassive, Ky Luc reflected how his mother died when he was ten. He was sold into slavery shortly after. Indifferent in a cage, Ky Luc contemplated how the weak die and the strong live. However if everyone died eventually he pondered what the point of it all was.[8]
Wondering what his mother would say to that, Ky Luc remembers her words that he is to think of nothing else but becoming stronger and outliving everyone.[9]
At night a fire blazed from Ky Luc's childhood home. Mercenaries were set on killing everyone and taking what they wanted. Seeing him, Ky Luc's brother questioned why he was doing this. In response, Ky Luc happily told his elder brother that it had been too long and he was finally home.[10]
When his brother charged at him with a sword, Ky Luc could effortlessly avoid his strike. Finding he missed, his brother was told that the weak die. Ky Luc ordered his brother to be killed where the mercenary he spoke to before proceeded with this.[11]
Stood in his throne room, Ky Luc's father had an expression of dread. Speaking amicably, his dad gave a display of happiness that Ky Luc was back before praising him of doing well to grow so strong. Unmoved by the attempt to defuse the conflict, Ky Luc impaled his sword though his father.[12]
Taking the throne, Ky Luc did not appear satisfied by it. Congratulating Ky Luc on his victory, the mercenary questioned if he would like to make a public proclamation now that this land was his. While Ky Luc was not interested, the mercenary said he would do it then. When other bandits had a question for the boss, it was corrected that it is Lord Luc now since he was nobility.[13]
The mercenaries were told they could do whatever they wanted to the women around. To himself, Ky Luc considered it weird that it really felt like something just ended. Wondering does he have to keep on living, Ky Luc asked his mother aloud how strong she wanted him to get. Her adamance that Ky Luc grow stronger still so that no one can ever kill him are recollected.[14]
In the present time in Shibuya, Ky Luc and Ferid draw close to one another. Picking up that Ferid is faster than before, Ky Luc wonders if he can dodge this. Concluding no, Ky Luc judges it is better to slice his own torso in half to avoid Ferid's sword aiming there.[15]
While Ferid is entertained to see this occur, Ky Luc immediately restores his severed body and prepared his weapon. When Ferid responds by generating chains from his back, Ky Luc keenly announces that his blade will reach him first. While Ferid is pleased for them to do this at the same time, before each respective weapon can collide, Ky Luc promptly leaps backwards before contact.[16]
Where Ferid appears disconcerted at this occurrence, Ky Luc speaks never mind as he comments that those chains of his are too freaky. Thinking what Ferid just did, Ky Luc sees he is moving faster even than Krul or Lest Karr can.[17]
Observing the multiple chains appearing from Ferid, he thought he was just a seventh progenitor. On Ferid's part he calls to Guren that maybe he should get the humans out of here. Now that he is stronger, Ferid imparts that he can discern that Ky Luc does not move like a fifth progenitor should.[18]
For the group of humans watching close by, Shinya appears uncertain at who Ferid is speaking to. Revealing himself by landing among them is Guren himself. Mito is thrilled to see Guren again as are Sayuri and Shigure. Both Shinya and Kureto note his return.[19]
After Guren tells him that if he does not kill Ky Luc here then the second progenitors will catch on to how strong he has become, Ferid clarifies he never said anything about not killing him. Selecting Mahiru to stick around, Ferid raises that he cannot do this while protecting all the random humans.[20]
Fine with this course of action, Kureto questions where they are to rendezvous. Giving it some thought, Guren answers the hotel they hid in before the Catastrophe. As for whether they remember where that was, Goshi and Mito seem to contemplate the location. Although he knows where it is, Shinya is curious as to whether the hotel even still standing.[21]
Before retreating there, Shinya aims his rifle with the intent to lay down cover fire for everyone to withdraw at once. The spectral Byakkomaru white tigers are launched towards Ky Luc. While he can swipe them away with his sword, the success for the Moon Demon Company members is that they were able to vanish from sight.[22]
With just Ferid and Guren within view, Ky Luc wonders how to kill them. Having a question of how he became so powerful, Ky Luc determines he needs to ask him that. Regarding Guren, he bears in mind the possibility of him being a worthwhile hostage.[23]
As Mahiru manifests beside Ferid she queries how strong he thinks Ky Luc is. Mahiru feels Ky Luc cannot be more powerful than a third progenitor like Krul. Replying who knows, Ferid discloses that Ky Luc has always been second progenitor Urd Geales' favorite.[24]
Once Ferid advises that underestimating Ky Luc is unwise, Mahiru addresses if he is going to pull out his ace in the hole again. Mahiru remarks that fighting higher-grade progenitors is really rough. Where he is, Ky Luc silently stares ahead blankly.[25]
A flashback shows thirteenth Century Moscow during the Winter. Before a towering wall, Urd found Ky Luc lunging towards him. For Ky Luc announcing for him to die, he was struck away some distance. Noting that he had failed again, Ky Luc mentioned how it was yet another loss.[26]
Questioning why he had repeatedly attacked him across the last century, Urd wondered what meaning there could possibly be in that. Noting that Urd was stronger than him, Ky Luc reasoned that if he beat him that would be proof that he had grown even stronger.[27]
Dissatisfied with the answer, Urd repeated what the point was. Where Ky Luc knew that vampire strength is determined by who made one a vampire and how long they have been one, Urd told him there was no possibility of him ever winning.[28]
Wanting to know what the point of living was then, Ky Luc asked if he is not growing stronger then why bother. After a moment Urd had his response. Urd questioned Ky Luc if he has a reason to keep on living despite being a vampire.[29]
Quotes[]
| “ | My one reason to live... ...Has always been simply to grow stronger. | ” |
–Ky Luc's thoughts when he was a human mercenary. Page 3 | ||
| “ | I really didn't have a plan. Or any overarching goal. I just tried to get a little stronger every day. | ” |
–Ky Kuc thinking of his sole motive. Page 7 | ||
| “ | Weak. Too weak. And the weak die. Kill him. | ” |
–Ky Luc ordering the death of his brother, before murdering his own father. Page 15 | ||
| “ | Weird. It really feels like something just ended. Do I have to keep on living? How strong do you want me to get? Mother. | ” |
–Ky Luc having claimed his family's domain yet dissatisfied. Page 18 | ||
| “ | He's faster than before. Can I dodge this? No! If I can't dodge it, better just to do this! | ” |
–Ky Luc noting Ferid's increased capabilities, and resorting to slicing himself in half to avoid his sword. Page 20 | ||
| “ | Nope! Never mind! Those chains of yours are too freaky. | ” |
–Ky Luc moves back having reconsidered clashing against Ferid's new weapon. Page 22 | ||
| “ | What the heck did he just do? He's moving faster even than Krul or Lest Karr can. Are you kidding me? I thought he was just a seventh progenitor. | ” |
–Ky Luc evaluating Ferid's newfound power. Page 22-23 | ||
| “ | Hey, Guren? Maybe you should get the humans out of here. Now that I'm stronger, I can see it. Ky Luc doesn't move like a fifth progenitor should. | ” |
–Ferid considers the practicalities of engaging Ky Luc with humans to potentially defend. Page 23 | ||
| “ | If you don't kill him here, the second progenitors will catch on to how strong you've grown. | ” |
–Guren reminds Ferid of the situation at hand should Ky Luc not fall. Page 25 | ||
| “ | C'mon. I never said anything about not killing him. Have Mahiru stick around. But I can't do this while protecting all the random humans. | ” |
–Ferid preparing for the further conflict with Ky Luc. Page 25 | ||
| “ | Byakkomaru. We'll lay down cover fire. Everyone withdraw at once. | ” |
–Shinya helping those around to retreat from Ky Luc. Page 26-27 | ||
| “ | How to kill them? How do I kill them? How did he suddenly get so powerful? I need to ask him that. Is that human a worthwhile hostage, maybe? Maybe not? | ” |
–Ky Luc outwardly calm with inner racing thoughts with a focus on Ferid's strength, and whether Guren would be a good hostage. Page 28-29 | ||
| “ | How strong do you think he is? He can't be more powerful than a third progenitor like Krul, right? | ” |
–Mahiru's question for Ferid. Page 29 | ||
| “ | Who knows? Ky Luc has always been second progenitor Urd Geales's favorite. Underestimating him is probably unwise. | ” |
–Ferid says to Mahiru he cannot say if Ky Luc is as strong as a third progenitor. Page 29-30 | ||
| “ | Why have you repeatedly attacked me across the last century? What meaning could there possibly be in that? | ” |
–Urd's question for Ky Luc when they met in 13th-Century Moscow. Page 34 | ||
| “ | Well, you're stronger than me, right? If I beat you, that'll be proof that I've grown even stronger. | ” |
–Ky Luc's reason for assailing Urd. Page 34 | ||
| “ | It's determined by who made you a vampire... And how long you've been one. That's it. | ” |
–Ky Luc aware of what determines a vampire's strength. Page 35 | ||
Chapter Notes[]
- This chapter reveals the first major details on Ky Luc's background where he it is shown was the son of a minor local lord. In Chapter 105: "Saito and Urd" it was mentioned how Ky Luc became a vampire in a region different to Saitō. Here, Ky Luc is viewed around the time where he had family members. Notably for any flashback, Ky Luc is seen as a human leading a band of mercenaries and then a further recollection shows his time as a child.
- Where Ky Luc had little interests in conquest it would appear that the words of a mercenary are what prodded him to take over a small domain, which turned out to be his own childhood home that he might have continued to turn a blind eye to otherwise.
- In the past it was fourteen years earlier that Ky Luc was a child and saw his mother ill. It is said she passed away when he was ten which indicates Ky Luc's age around this time.
- His mother's words that Ky Luc is to grow stronger may have been influenced by his dad that one must be strong if they are to sit on his throne. In turn, Ky Luc's mother had the greatest impact on him as that would form his reason for living.
- When Ky Luc entered the throne room it is possible the youth seen there was his elder brother seen later as an adult. Further, the mentioned second wife may have been visually depicted.
- Hardly expressive at seeing his mom ill, nor to his father's harsh words, and showing no feelings at being sold into slavery, neither sleeping with women, Ky Luc displayed his first major emotion of appearing pleased upon greeting his brother who he planned to kill. That was the only instance, he returned to his impassive state in murdering his father and in seating himself on the throne where Ky Luc was not even interested in any proclamations that he was the new lord.
- Noting how he is faster, Ky Luc opts to cut himself in half and leap back to avoid Ferid's weaponry. This is in stark contrast to Chapter 106: "I Am Your..." where Ky Luc was prepared to have one of Saito's chains stab through his own eye in order to reach him.
- In commenting that Ferid is moving faster than Krul or Lest Karr can it may imply that Ky Luc has seen the former fight before although that has not been shown in the story. Alternatively, Ky Luc may be observing how Ferid is quicker than a third progenitor in general.
- From Ky Luc's observations, it may be the case that Ferid's means of empowering himself by absorbing vampire's powers can indeed strengthen him to where he is stronger than even third progenitors at this point.
- Ferid's strength may also be from the Arcane weapon being used, of which his new sword seen may be a manifestation of that. In Chapter 137: "The Queen's Time" it was certainly the case that Krul's Arcane form could dramatically increase her already tremendous strength.
- Both Ky Luc and Ferid are wary that each are stronger than what they should be. On Ferid's part it is due to him absorbing other vampires and likely using Arcane. It is unclear what would cause Ky Luc to be stronger than anticipated, unless he is just a notably strong fifth progenitor. In chapter 106, Saitō would comment on Ky Luc's fighting prowess that he could see him killing a third progenitor.
- Being a third progenitor, Krul could sense that Ferid had absorbed Crowley. Likely due to his lower rank, but Ky Luc seems unable to perceive that Ferid has devoured others where he can only gain an impression of his increased power from observing his new abilities in action. Such observations still serve Ky Luc very well though as it is sensible to avoid the likely poisoned and cursed attacks from Ferid.
- Since their faces were not seen it was highly likely but not confirmed that it was Sayuri and Shigure in the previous chapter. Here it is shown they have also escaped.
- There are more silhouettes of people than Shinya, Kureto, and Aoi, and the four members of Guren's squad, Mito, Goshi, Sayuri, and Shigure. These are possibly further members of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army or Moon Demon Company.
- It is not clear that Aoi is in this chapter but it is all but certain that she would be stood amongst the others.
- Upon hearing Guren's name being called by Ferid, Shinya seems unsure what he means. Guren reveals himself at Ferid's call and not because his team were there. As in the battle against Krul he would have been concealing himself for an ambush on Ky Luc if Ferid required that to give them the edge for a potential victory.
- Shinya and Guren's squad last saw Guren in chapter 83: "Two Demons" when their power was sapped for him to challenge the First who had possessed Shinoa's body.
- Kureto had last seen Guren in chapter 79: "Eternal Hell" when they parted ways as Kureto focused on defending Shibuya from the Hyakuya Sect's invasion and Guren with Mahiru-no-Yo were set on betraying everyone.
- Guren is conscious of the second progenitors who are Saitō and Urd from learning of Ferid's power. Currently, they are hearing Yu and Mika's plan for resurrecting everyone.
- Another high ranking vampire Lest Karr would also likely be in the area, yet evidently has not detected activity from escaped humans or Ferid.
- Set on killing Ky Luc, Ferid requests Guren have the humans leave and just keep Mahiru around.
- In the chapters Byakkomaru was last seen in a flashback when Yu and Mika were delving into memories in chapter 122: "Calories for Travel".
- It is shown that Urd was active in 13th-Century Moscow where he had been in contact with Ky Luc for a century before that.
- Chapter 141, along with chapter 61: "Who Is More Bored?", chapter 68: "Saviors", chapter 77: "Rescue for the Devil", chapter 126: "Purgatory and Paradise", and chapter 136: "The Godtouched" is one of the chapters after which there was a two month interval between the release rather than one.
Gallery[]
- Image gallery: A Reason Not to Die
Manga panels provide a visual overview of the events of chapter 141 with depictions of the characters, Seraph of the End world and scenarios.
References[]
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Overall[]
To view the events of chapter 141 in the overall Owari no Seraph story view Owari no Seraph Manga Story by Chapter: Chapter 141