Chapter 30: Absorption (2)

“How…?!”

Commander Balthazar shot up from his seat.

“Lieutenant, did you see that?”

“Sir? See what?”

“I swear I just saw… Ah.”

Slowly, Commander Balthazar closed his gaping mouth.

His lieutenant, despite knowing the depths of his commander’s insight, did not share the same divine blessing.

So perhaps it was natural that he couldn’t see it.

But Commander Balthazar had seen it clearly.

The crimson energy pulsing through Cerberus’s remains.

The blessing of the most savage, battle-hungry god among the three deities.

And that very power…

Had just seeped into Kayron’s body.

“Sir? Are you feeling unwell…?”

“No… It’s nothing.”

Shaking his head, Commander Balthazar slowly sat back down.

‘What are the gods thinking…? It may be fine for now, but in the future…’

He recalled the conversation he had with Kayron the day before.

The fearless declaration the young warrior had made.

“As you know, I’ve already slain two hidden demons. And that’s just the beginning. Every single one I find—I’ll wipe them out.”

Then, with unwavering determination, he had raised his dagger and added—

“And if the opportunity arises…”

“…I’ll eliminate you, too.”

At the time, Commander Balthazar had answered without hesitation.

He had told him—

To go ahead and do it.

“You absolutely have to do it, because it sounds fun.”

That’s what I had said back then.

But now, thinking back on it.

“Haha.”

Commander Balthazar let out a hollow chuckle.

“Maybe… I really did dig my own grave.”

“What do you mean by that, Commander?!”

His lieutenant, startled by the sudden remark, pressed him for an answer.

But Balthazar merely smiled silently, offering no reply.

***

It didn’t take long for the crimson energy to completely seep into my body.

The moment all of Cerberus’s power transferred to me, its corpse vanished in flames—leaving no trace, just like all the other demons.

“What in the world…?”

“You okay?”

Avelin approached me, her expression tense.

“I asked if you’re okay! You looked like you got caught in the flames for a second.”

“I’m fine. I pulled my hand away just in time.”

“Good. That’s a relief. And…”

For a brief moment, Avelin wore a stern expression, scolding me for my recklessness.

But then, she softened and smiled.

“You did great. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to take that thing down.”

“What makes you so sure? You were the one who drove it into a corner with your speed.”

“That’s true, but… Every time I stabbed it, I could feel it. No matter how many times I struck, it barely dealt any real damage. In that sense, your way of fighting might be a little brutish, but it was the perfect counter against that thing.”

“So, is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? Because somehow, you always manage to call me an idiot in every sentence…”

“Anyway.”

She patted my back twice.

“Good work, Kayron. Just this once…”

Avelin hesitated, staring at me like she wanted to say something.

But in the next moment, she suddenly turned her head away.

“Hmm…? What were you going to say?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Let me guess. You were about to insult me while pretending to compliment me again, weren’t you? You don’t even have to say it—I already know.”

“I—No! Why would I insult someone who just did a good job?! What do you take me for?!”

Her face flushed slightly in frustration.

Seeing that, I decided to tease her a little.

“What do I take you for? Oh, I don’t know… The famously irritable and strict Princess?”

“…Excuse me? Kayron, you’re really pushing your luck! Do you want to start another fight right after we just finished one?”

“The rude one here is you, Avelin. Do you know what the most frustrating thing someone can do in a conversation is? The first is stopping mid-sentence. And do you know what the second one is?”

“When… did I do that?”

“See, that’s exactly it.”

Avelin blinked, clearly unsure what I was talking about.

She looked up at me, slightly nervous, as if she had unknowingly made a mistake.

Seeing that, I grinned—

And then—

Whoosh—

I bolted away, leaving her behind.

“W-Wait! Why did you stop mid-sentence… Ah!”

Avelin gasped, realizing it.

“This is exactly what you were talking about, isn’t it?! Stop right there!”

She took off after me with even more determination than when she had been chasing Cerberus.

It didn’t take her long to catch up.

“So? Where exactly do you think you’re going? You’re not even helping clean up the mess.”

Though she sounded annoyed, she knew I wasn’t moving for no reason.

“I’m taking care of the harder job first. Look.”

“The harder job? But this direction is… Ah.”

She nodded in understanding.

I was heading toward the forest near Cresnig—

A place filled with trees perfect for firewood.

Thud!

I drove my sword into the base of a large tree a few times.

With a deep creak, the massive tree toppled over.

Then, I made sure to cut it into manageable pieces so the squad members could carry it easily.

One tree, then another…

Without stopping, I kept cutting them down.

“Kayron.”

“…”

“Slow down a little, Kayron.”

Avelin couldn’t watch any longer and shouted at me.

But I didn’t stop.

“There’s no time to rest. You know how many of our comrades died today. When I think about that… I still have a long way to go.”

“I know that too. But you—just take a break already!”

She grabbed my wrist, stopping me from swinging my sword again.

“I can see right through you. You’re not just cutting firewood. You’re taking your anger out on it, aren’t you?”

“…You can tell?”

“Of course. You always say that a swordsman speaks through their blade. Right now, you’re not cutting efficiently—you’re just venting. If you keep this up, you’ll exhaust yourself.”

“Exhausted? I don’t get exhausted. Like you always say, brute strength is my only real advantage. And if I keep working, the others can rest and grieve properly.”

“They’re not the only ones grieving.”

Avelin moved her hand from my wrist to my shoulder.

Then, gently, she grasped it.

“I can see it. You’re hurting too. The way you joked around with me earlier… That was just your way of trying to push it aside, wasn’t it?”

“…You really know me too well.”

I lightly shook off her hand and gripped my sword again.

“Stop pushing yourself so hard!”

“Alright, alright. I won’t overdo it. Since we’re already here…”

I glanced at Avelin with a smirk.

“Wanna help? We’ll take it slow—cut some wood, clear our heads.”

“…Fine. But you match my pace. One tree for me, one tree for you. Got it?”

***

“Once again, another wave has passed.”

At the cremation site, Commander Balthazar stood before a towering pyre of carefully stacked firewood.

“Well done, all of you. Thanks to your efforts, we survived once more—and so did this world. But we must not forget… that it is because of those who fell before us that we can fight again next time.”

It was only natural to celebrate victory.

But remembering the fallen was just as important.

Just as the Squad was given a free day before a battle to enjoy their lives, the day after a battle was spent cremating the dead and solidifying their resolve.

“This time, we faced an unexpected greater demon. This was one of the bloodiest waves we’ve ever endured. It’s tragic… but we must grow stronger from this loss.

Now, who will light the fire? Who will send our comrades off?”

-Silence.

Though Commander Balthazar waited for a volunteer, none of the squad members stepped forward.

There were simply too many casualties.

Those who had personally gathered the bodies were too overwhelmed with grief, wiping away their tears instead of speaking up.

Clicking his tongue, Balthazar sighed.

“Tsk. Everyone is too lost in their sorrow. I suppose I’ll have to—”

“I’ll do it.”

“Oh? Kayron, you’ll take the honor?”

His expression brightened in surprise.

He hadn’t expected me to step up.

“I almost feel bad leaving it to you. You’ve already done so much today. You and the Black Iron Brigade fought bravely, and you took down that monstrous demon.

And on top of that…”

Balthazar glanced at the towering pyre, filled with freshly cut wood.

“You even chopped all this firewood, sparing the others the effort.”

“I only did what needed to be done.”

I took the torch from his hand.

“Just as the Squad’s creed dictates. The very code that you established, Commander Balthazar.”

“…That will be a great comfort to the fallen. If the one who fought the fiercest lights the flame, it will be a worthy send-off.”

His words were steady.

Calm.

Too calm.

Disgustingly so.

The fire, fueled by the best wood, roared to life—a fierce and consuming blaze.

Almost as if it were warning us.

That even more of us would be lost in the battles to come.

-- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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