Chapter 22: Dinner with the Villain (3)

“Wow, what is all this?”

“Mom, you’re amazing!”

The children’s mouths hung open at the sight of the table overflowing with food, so much that the legs of the table seemed to bow under the weight.

“Commander, this is…”

“My wife put in some effort. After all, today is a special occasion with you visiting.”

The Order might not receive high salaries, but they had the privilege of purchasing goods and meals at discounted prices across Cresnig.

However, among all the privileges, the greatest one was said to be receiving an invitation from Commander Balthazar.

And judging by the mouthwatering spread before them, it was clear why—Commander Balthazar’s wife was an exceptional cook, to the point that even professional chefs would struggle to match her skills.

“Isn’t this too much effort for me, Madam? I hardly deserve this.”

“Not at all, Sir Kayron. Many division commanders have dined in our home, but you, Sir Kayron, are special. Do you have any idea how much my husband talks about you?”

“There’s no need to even mention it. Kayron is our Order’s greatest asset,” Balthazar said, nodding as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You flatter me. I’ve only ever heard legendary tales about how you fought an entire nation and won, Commander.”

“That’s all in the past. You make it sound as if you couldn’t do the same.”

“I’ve never done such a thing, nor do I intend to. My duty is to protect Cresnig, the last bastion of this world, as a member of the Order. We’re already engaged in an unending battle against the demonic army.”

“… Admirable.”

Suddenly, Commander Balthazar extended both hands toward me.

I flinched for a moment, startled by the lingering violet aura swirling around them. But sensing no malice, I held my ground.

His hands rested gently on my shoulders, patting them with an unexpected warmth.

“I never speak empty words. Kayron, you are the very core of our Order—steadfast and dependable. You deserve this kind of treatment, if not more.”

“…Commander.”

For a brief moment, I was truly moved by the warmth and dignity in Balthazar’s voice.

If only he weren’t constantly radiating that ominous violet aura, I might have been fully swept up in the emotion.

“Well then, let’s take our seats. We should eat before the food gets cold.”

“Understood. Hm? But…”

As I took my seat, my eyes drifted toward an empty chair.

“There’s an empty seat. Is someone else joining us?”

“Don’t mind it. It will be filled soon enough. Someone was supposed to join us, but they’re running late. But let’s start eating.”

“No, it’s alright. I can wait a little…”

“Wow, this is delicious!”

“Kayron, you should eat too! Hurry!”

The children, unable to resist the feast before them, had already started eating.

“You little rascals, how dare you start eating without your father? That won’t do—I’ll just have to eat all of your mother’s food myself!”

“Ah! No way! We’re going to eat it all!”

“Oh yeah? Let’s see who eats the most! The one who eats the most wins!”

Laughing, Commander Balthazar joined his two sons in the playful battle of who could eat more.

A warm, kind father through and through.

Which made it all the harder to believe.

That someone so kind and compassionate…

“Why are you just watching? Dig in, Kayron. Otherwise, the kids will finish everything,” Balthazar’s wife urged with a smile.

“Ah, yes. Thank you for the meal.”

With that, I decided to eat first and think later.

As I enjoyed the meal, deeply impressed by the wife’s cooking, I noticed her setting aside small portions in a separate bowl before eating her own food.

Likely for the person who had yet to arrive.

Despite the generous portions, the food was so delicious that not a single dish was left untouched.

By the time we finished, the children, full and sleepy, had dozed off on the couch, their heads resting against each other.

“You had enough, Kayron?”

“More than enough. If anything, I’m worried I’ll be sluggish tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Now, let’s step outside for a bit.”

As Balthazar stood, his wife, who had been clearing the table, asked gently, “Should I cut some fruit for you, dear? Sir Kayron brought some high-quality ones.”

“No need. This won’t take long. We can eat the fruit later. I’ll help clean up when I return, so take a moment to rest.”

“Alright, dear. But make sure you both don’t catch a cold.”

“Haha, don’t worry. I can’t even remember the last time I was sick. I have to stay healthy—to protect you and the children.”

His voice, when speaking to his wife, remained as warm and gentle as ever.

As we stepped into the courtyard, a bitter chill instantly washed over us.

The frigid wind, sharp and relentless, reminded me that we were at the very edge of the world.

I sent a small surge of mana through my body to keep myself warm.

“Thank you for inviting me, Commander.”

“…”

I expressed my gratitude, but Balthazar didn’t respond.

He simply gazed up at the moon shining brightly in the night sky.

“Commander?”

“I won’t drag this out. Not between us.”

Commander Balthazar slowly turned to me and asked,

“Don’t you have something you’re curious about, Kayron?”

The warmth in his eyes had vanished.

Now, he was gazing at me with a piercing intensity—a look filled with wisdom and authority, as if he could see straight through me.

“…You already know everything, don’t you, Commander?”

“Razen. And Sophia.”

“…!”

He uttered those names so casually.

Razen was one thing.

But Sophia… She had been dealt with in complete secrecy.

Even if Benedict, drunk as he was, had found his way to Sophia’s house, how could Balthazar possibly know about that?

“I must admit, I’m impressed. Even when Razen fell, I still had my doubts. But I never expected you to go so far as to track down Sophia and eliminate her.”

“What are you trying to say, Commander?”

“Kayron, do you know why I created this Order?”

“…You’ve told us yourself, Commander. You said you couldn’t stand by and watch the demons destroy the world unchecked.”

“Haha, that’s part of it.”

Balthazar chuckled lightly before continuing.

“But there’s a deeper reason.”

He turned his gaze toward the two children sleeping soundly on the living room sofa.

“All children are born innocent and kind. But you’ve heard the phrase, ‘growing up,’ haven’t you?”

“Yes. It’s said that only after maturing does one truly become an adult.”

“That’s right. But do you know what happens when a child matures? They laugh less. Because they come to realize that the world isn’t as kind as they once believed. They learn that there’s nothing you can solve with a carefree smile. That’s the cold reality.”

There was an undeniable weight creeping into Balthazar’s voice.

“Kayron, you’ve heard the stories of how I fought an entire nation and won. Do you know why I did something so reckless?”

“There must have been a reason you had to fight. A warrior only grows stronger when they have something worth fighting for.”

“Exactly. Because my wife and daughter were killed.”

“…Excuse me? Your wife and daughter?”

Startled, I instinctively turned toward the house where the two children lay sleeping.

Balthazar let out a bitter smile and slowly shook his head.

“They’re already gone. They no longer exist in this world. They were caught in a senseless war started by a foolish neighboring king who simply wanted more land. That was when, for the first time, I screamed at the heavens, demanding answers. I asked if this was truly justice—if a god truly existed…”

Balthazar clenched his teeth as he spoke.

“…I begged that this world would never be left as it was. And when my cries reached the heavens, I was granted this power.”

As he finished speaking, he clenched his fist tightly.

At that moment, the ominous violet flames engulfing his body flared wildly.

Before, they had merely been visible to the eye. But now, I could feel them—the suffocating, unsettling heat radiating from his very being.

“With the power bestowed upon me by the divine, I delivered judgment upon that foolish kingdom immediately. Then, I gathered those who shared my vision. And I opened the gate.”

“…What did you just say? A gate?”

“Yes, I opened it. The rift to another world. The gate from which the demons who will judge this world shall emerge—I opened it with my own hands.”

I struggled to process what I had just heard.

So Balthazar’s strength came from some divine entity…

And the one responsible for tearing open a rift, bringing demons into this world—was none other than the very leader of the Order?

The kind, dignified warrior I had once respected… was long gone.

“That makes no sense, Commander. If your goal was destruction, then why fight against the demons? Why are you holding them back?”

Balthazar grinned widely at my question.

“Because it wouldn’t be any fun if it all ended too quickly.”

“…What?”

“Sure, the demons aren’t that much of a threat right now. But just wait. Soon, stronger demons will come through the gate. The battles will grow fiercer. And eventually—when even the Order can no longer hold the line—”

A twisted, euphoric expression crossed Balthazar’s face.

“I will savor the spectacle. The demons, the so-called warriors of the gods, tearing this complacent, wretched world apart. The world that mercilessly stole my wife and daughter… will finally face its reckoning.”

As Balthazar reveled in his own words, my mind, which had been clouded with confusion, suddenly cleared.

And I reached a single, undeniable conclusion.

This man… must never be allowed to continue.

Slowly, I slipped my hand into my coat.

Hidden within was a dagger.

Sharpened to perfection.

Prepared in advance after my training with Avelin.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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