Chapter 16: The Human Who Loved a Demon (2)

“Alright, that’s enough for today’s training. Good work, everyone.”

“Yes, sir! Black Iron Brigade, form up!”

As soon as I declared the end of the afternoon training, the members of the Black Iron Brigade swiftly aligned themselves in perfect rows and columns.

“Captain, could you say a few final words?”

“Alright. You all did well today. You know the waves will come the day after tomorrow, right? Make sure to rest up tomorrow, but be ready to gather without any delays when the signs appear.”

“Yes, sir! Thank you for your hard work!”

With a resounding response, the day’s training for the Black Iron Brigade officially came to a close.

Almost immediately, groans of exhaustion erupted from all around.

“Ugh, finally! It’s over. That was brutal.”

“Still, every drop of sweat we shed on the training ground is one less drop of blood we spill on the battlefield. Let’s go grab a drink!”

The Order of the Oath had one rule.

The day before the waves arrived, everyone was free to do as they pleased.

Because when the demonic waves came pouring in, it was nothing short of a calamity—an unpredictable disaster. The rule allowed members to sort out their affairs before facing it head-on.

After helping me oversee today’s training, Plymouth gave me a respectful nod.

“Then, I’ll be heading off with the others for a drink. What about you, Captain?”

“I have plans with Avelin.”

“With Avelin-ni, huh… I see. Then, I hope you have a great time.”

“And what exactly makes you think it’ll be a ‘great’ time?”

Waving off my subordinates as they made their way to the tavern, I turned toward the Silver Guard training grounds.

Last time, Avelin had come to find me, so this time, it was my turn to go to her.

But while I had agreed to train with her, I hadn’t actually put much thought into how we should train.

Not that it really mattered. Both of us were so skilled that finding a worthy sparring opponent was difficult.

The best method, then, was probably to fight without rules—just like last time…

As I pondered over this, I approached the Silver Guard training grounds—only to quickly step back and conceal myself.

A familiar voice had reached my ears.

“…So you’re saying you haven’t noticed anything unusual, Avelin?”

“Yes. He hasn’t behaved any differently than usual.”

“I see. Then keep a close watch on Kayron. If you notice anything suspicious, report to me immediately.”

“Understood.”

I heard it clearly.

My name—Kayron.

I held my breath, tracking the sound of footsteps as they gradually faded.

I had to wait until the owner of that voice was gone.

Because it belonged to none other than Captain Balthazar.

Only after the footsteps completely disappeared did I cautiously reveal myself.

“Kept you waiting?”

“You’re a little late, Kayron.”

“Sorry. My subordinates were really persistent about grabbing a drink.”

“…….”

Avelin narrowed her eyes and gave me a scrutinizing look.

“So I’ve told you before—don’t lie.”

“Aha… You saw right through me again? My bad.”

“There’s no need to apologize. Just tell me the truth. Why were you late?”

“…….”

I couldn’t lie. But at the same time, I couldn’t tell the truth either. So, I slightly lowered my head, avoiding Avelin’s gaze.

How was I supposed to explain?

That I had been secretly eavesdropping when Captain Balthazar ordered her to spy on me?

“…I was handing some out.”

“Hm? What was that?”

Raising my head, I saw Avelin glaring at me, her expression brimming with fury.

“I even shared my precious chocolate milk with you! And yet, not only are you late, but you’re also hiding something from me? Does that even make sense? Right now…!”

Without hesitation, Avelin drew her sword and pointed it directly at me.

“Draw your weapon, Kayron!”

She gripped her sword so tightly that the tip wavered slightly.

“…That’s exactly what I was hoping for!”

The situation had escalated rather suddenly, but I firmly grasped my greatsword.

Lately, Avelin had been oddly kind to me.

If all of that had been under Captain Balthazar’s orders…

There was only one way to find out.

As swordsmen, the best way to have an honest conversation was through the clash of blades—a dialogue of steel.

And since there were no onlookers this time, we could fight freely, without holding back.

Without a need for words, we both lunged at each other at the exact same moment.

In mere seconds, countless merciless strikes were exchanged, neither of us yielding an inch.

“Argh! Give me back my chocolate milk, Kayron!”

“I already drank it all! If you want it back, try fishing it out of my stomach!”

“You don’t have to tell me…!”

Taking advantage of her superior speed, Avelin found a small opening in my stance and struck.

But that opening… was intentional.

Before her sharp blade could pierce my body, I swung my greatsword close to me like a shield, deflecting her attack with a powerful blow to the side.

Blocked from landing her decisive strike, Avelin staggered, momentarily losing her balance.

“Urgh…!”

“I thought you didn’t fall for lies?”

Seizing the opportunity, I launched a powerful counterattack.

“…I might’ve fallen for it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll go down!”

At the last second, Avelin threw herself backward, completely breaking her stance, narrowly avoiding my swing. Using the momentum, she flipped in the air, performing a full midair somersault before landing gracefully.

“Whoa… That move was incredible. I could never pull that off.”

“You’re one to talk, Kayron. No matter how confident you are, showing an opening on purpose? That’s reckless.”

Avelin bent her knees slightly, bracing herself.

“You’re bold to the extreme!”

With that shout, she sprang forward like an arrow, aiming straight for me.

It was a reckless gamble for her as well, but if I blocked it half-heartedly, I could end up seriously injured.

So my decision was…

“Agh! Where do you think you’re running?!”

No shame in running!

I quickly shifted my body to the side, dodging her attack at the last moment. With her target gone, Avelin landed with a frustrated stumble.

“What the hell, Kayron?! What kind of cowardly move was that?!”

“A safe coward is better than a wounded hero!”

Shaking with frustration, Avelin gritted her teeth and charged at me again, even more fiercely than before.

Once again, our swords clashed relentlessly, neither of us yielding an inch. But this time, the strikes were even fiercer than before.

“What’s the difference between that move you just made and the way you’re acting right now?”

“You tell me! You know full well that I arrived on time. So why, despite being here on time, did I have to stay hidden before showing myself?”

Clang!

It was Avelin who withdrew first, stepping back.

“…So, you were listening.”

“When someone talks that openly, wouldn’t it be weirder if I didn’t hear?”

I tightened my grip on my sword.

Then, I channeled mana throughout my body, reinforcing myself.

“Alright. I told you why I was late. Now it’s your turn. Why did Captain Balthazar order you to ‘continue keeping an eye on me’?”

The second round had begun.

This time, it wasn’t just a battle of physical strength—mana was involved, elevating the fight to an entirely different level.

“Mana…?”

For a brief moment, Avelin hesitated, then grinned.

“I’ve made up my mind. First, I’m going to beat you into the ground. Then, I’ll explain everything calmly. Sound good?”

“Save that kind of talk for after you actually manage to take me down. Because once I win, I plan to pin you down and interrogate you myself.”

“No more words. Just bring it on.”

“Exactly what I was about to say…”

“Kayron.”

Both Avelin and I instinctively halted mid-motion, suppressing our battle-ready stances.

Because an unexpected voice had called out to me from the entrance of the training grounds.

“…Benedict?”

At the entrance stood Benedict.

His face was unusually shadowed, dark circles forming beneath his eyes. He gazed at me in silence.

“…Why did you do it?”

The moment I heard those calm words, I understood.

I didn’t know how, but Benedict had discovered the truth.

“What now? What did Kayron do this time?”

“…Yeah. Avelin, I’m sorry, but can you wait a moment?”

“…Go ahead.”

“Thanks.”

With Avelin’s permission, I cautiously approached Benedict.

“Benedict, let’s move somewhere else. I misjudged this situation. I should’ve told you sooner, but… this might take a while—”

“No.”

Benedict cut me off, standing firm.

“There’s no need to go anywhere, Kayron.”

At that moment, I realized something.

His voice wasn’t just calm.

When someone is truly furious, they don’t scream. They go quiet.

And right now, Benedict was exactly that kind of quiet.

“Avelin, the man standing before you—Kayron—is a murderer.”

His voice was unwavering, each syllable crystal clear.

“…What?”

“He killed someone. And not just anyone, but a woman who dedicated herself to treating the wounded in the Order of the Oath, someone loved by all. Then, he twisted the truth, claiming she left to return to her homeland.”

“Benedict, wait. You’re mistaken about something—”

“Shut your mouth, Kayron. You know what happened to my sword, don’t you?”

He unsheathed his weapon and held it up for me to see.

It was a fine sword, but there was a subtle flaw—a portion of the blade had been slightly melted, its edge dulled.

“You killed Sophia. And you did it with my sword.”

“……”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

This happened because I had chosen a gentle lie over a brutal truth.

And now, the truth had come to devour me.

“That’s why I’m going to pass judgment on you, Kayron. Don’t even think about running. One of us is going to die here today—that’s the only right answer.”

Then, Benedict smirked, lifting just one corner of his mouth.

“The Adviser told me so.”

“…The Adviser?”

The unfamiliar term sent a shiver down my spine.

Just as an ominous feeling began to settle in—

Caw—! Caw—!

A bird flew in, landing squarely on Benedict’s shoulder.

It was—

A damn black raven.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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