Chapter 4: Sometimes, a Demon is Better (1)

Avelin waited patiently in the corner of the training grounds until the troop’s session ended. She really sat there quietly, without causing a scene, waiting for me.

“Good work, everyone. You’re dismissed. I’ll join you after a quick talk with Avelin.”

“Yes, sir! If Avelin tries to harm you, just shout loudly. We’ll drop everything—even our meals—and rush to your aid!”

“Don’t worry. While Avelin dislikes me, she’s at least not cowardly. Now, go eat your fill.”

After sending my subordinates off for dinner, I finally approached Avelin, who had indeed waited, just as she said, until the training was over.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting so long.”

“No need to apologize. I waited on my own terms.”

“So, why did you want to see me?”

“…”

Avelin stared at me intently before answering.

Her gaze was so piercing that I reflexively avoided eye contact.

“Why are you avoiding my gaze, Kayron? I haven’t even said anything yet.”

“It’s just… my imagination.”

“There’s always a reason for everything. It can’t just be ‘imagination.’”

“Let’s leave it at that.”

Truthfully, facing Avelin wasn’t as easy as it used to be.

‘How could anyone remain unaffected after going through something like that…?’

Even now, the memories of what happened before rewinding time felt surreal. They were so unbelievable that the lingering sensation from that event still burned vividly on my cheek.

For reasons I couldn’t fully understand, it had become strangely difficult to maintain steady eye contact with Avelin.

“Be honest, Kayron. You did something, didn’t you?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Your voice is shaking for someone who ‘did nothing.’”

“Ugh… enough with the strange accusations. Just get to the point. Shouldn’t both of us be having dinner by now? Aren’t you hungry?”

“Fine. I’ll be direct.”

Avelin’s gaze grew sharper, cutting through the air like a blade.

“Kayron. Help me with my training.”

“You want me to help you train? You’re asking me?”

“Who else would I ask? There’s no one else here but you and me.”

“Hah…”

“I haven’t improved for a long time. I’ve plateaued, and it’s because I lack a proper sparring partner. And you’re the best match for me.”

“A sparring partner, huh? But you know, our fighting styles are completely different. Would I even be able to help you capitalize on your strengths?”

“Of course. Because…”

Avelin bit her lip hard, hesitating.

“...As much as I hate to admit it, I can tell. I don’t know how or why you’ve suddenly changed so drastically, but right now, you’re stronger than me. So please, help me.”

Avelin bowed deeply as she made her request.

A brutally honest self-assessment—this was one of Avelin’s greatest strengths.

Even before regression, Avelin had always analyzed the results of every battle, meticulously evaluating her shortcomings. She would then work on those weaknesses, returning stronger for the next fight.

Now, I may be stronger due to the countless battles I’d faced before my regression, but the future Avelin was by no means weak.

While well-trained subordinates could handle most common demons, there were those exceptionally powerful ones—too much for ordinary soldiers to confront. Only skilled commanders like Avelin and myself could take them on directly.

The problem was that the demons were growing stronger at an even faster rate than we were.

‘This is actually a good request. If Avelin can absorb the experience I’ve gained, she might grow even stronger than before.’

We needed to grow stronger—there was no other choice.

The Apostle’s warning echoed in my mind.

More powerful demons would emerge. The world would face its end.

If that was true, we had only one option: to grow stronger.

“Alright. I’ll be your sparring partner.”

“You… you mean it?”

“Yes. It wouldn’t feel right to reject you after you asked so earnestly.”

“As expected…”

Avelin’s eyes sparkled with delight as she nodded.

“But…”

“But?”

Her joy quickly turned to unease at my next words.

“You’re asking for this favor for free? This isn’t going to be a one-time thing, right? Hehe, so…”

Avelin flinched at my mischievous grin.

“W-What do you want?”

“For starters, buy me a nice dinner.”

“Dinner? Phew… I thought it’d be something worse.”

Relieved, Avelin let out a sigh she seemed to have been holding.

“That’s no problem. Shall we go now?”

“Sure. What are you buying me?”

“You know the options are limited here. Just pick whatever you want from what’s available.”

This place, the northernmost fortress city of the Crusader Corps, Cresnig, wasn’t exactly brimming with fancy or expensive restaurants. In fact, there were only a few proper eateries here to begin with.

“Well, in that case, how about something a little different from usual…”

I trailed off mid-sentence, pondering my options.

***

Avelin and I were leaving the training grounds when I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

“Why did you stop, Kayron?”

“That guy… isn’t that Razen?”

I pointed at someone in the distance.

“‘That guy’? Be respectful. That’s Sir Razen.”

Razen, one of the commanders of a small unit.

There was a reason I referred to him as “that guy” instead of “Sir.”

I didn’t know how he managed to join the Crusader Corps and become a commander, but he was the epitome of incompetence.

Being incompetent alone wouldn’t have been an issue, but the problem was that he constantly caused trouble for other units.

He failed nearly every mission he took on. Even when assigned to rear support, he couldn’t handle the task properly, resulting in severe damage to multiple units.

My Black Iron Troop had also suffered from Razen’s sluggish support.

And when the Wrathful Archdemon appeared, he was the first to run away.

But now…

“Avelin, don’t you see it?”

“See what?”

“His body… there’s a faint purple aura around it.”

“What? Kayron, I think you’ve overworked yourself. Seeing a purple aura around someone? Maybe you should visit a doctor instead of heading to dinner.”

“No, I’m perfectly fine.”

I didn’t know how it was possible, but an eerie, dark purple energy was subtly radiating from Razen’s body.

And I’d seen that energy before.

It was the same energy the Apostle had tried to inject into my body.

“Avelin, sorry, but I need to take a little detour.”

Before she could respond, I strode directly toward Razen.

“A detour? Kayron, where are you suddenly going?!”

Razen noticed me approaching and greeted me with a sly grin.

“Oh? Good evening, Sir Kayron. Finished with training alrea—woah!”

Before he could finish, I grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him off the ground.

I dragged him to a nearby empty barracks, away from prying eyes.

“W-What are you doing?! Let me go!”

“Who are you, really?”

“Who am I? I’m Razen! Commander of the 13th Unit! Now let me go and we can talk!”

“Yeah, you’re Razen. But what’s your real identity?”

I shook him violently by the collar as countless thoughts raced through my mind.

The Apostles, who served the beings intent on destroying our world.

The one who attacked me before had gleefully declared they were acting in service of those beings.

And this guy… He had the same energy as that Apostle.

Could Razen also be one of them?

It was reckless to accuse someone without evidence, but if he truly was an Apostle, everything made sense.

Failing missions, providing weak support…

What if all of it had been deliberate?

“Lady Avelin, help me! Sir Kayron has gone mad!”

“Kayron, what are you doing?! Let go of Sir Razen immediately!”

Avelin’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she caught up to us.

“Why are you suddenly assaulting an innocent man?”

“Innocent? You really think he’s innocent, Avelin?”

“...Yes. Though he’s lacking in skill, incompetence isn’t a crime!”

“Gah…”

Razen, who had also been scolded by Avelin, gave me a desperate, pitiful look.

“Why are you doing this to me? I’ll improve—I promise I’ll do better!”

Though I said those words, being face-to-face with him made it undeniable.

The faint purple aura surrounding Razen was weaker than what I had felt from the Apostle, but it was unmistakably the same kind of energy.

I let go of him, almost tossing him aside.

“Gah… kuh…!”

“Are you alright, Sir Razen?”

Avelin crouched down, checking on the gasping Razen.

Judging by her calm demeanor, it seemed the purple aura was visible only to me.

If it weren’t, I’d have some proof to show her.

But I didn’t need proof.

I was certain.

“Kayron? K-Kayron!”

Ignoring Avelin’s voice, I picked up a sword resting in the corner of the barracks.

And without hesitation, I slashed through Razen’s arm.

“AAAAAH! GAAAHHH!”

Razen screamed, clutching the stump where his arm had been severed.

“Kayron, what the hell are you doing?!”

Avelin yelled sharply, drawing her own sword.

“You understand what happens when you attack an ally, don’t you? No matter the reason—”

“Look at him,” I interrupted calmly.

Avelin froze at my unshaken demeanor, then turned her gaze toward Razen.

“Heh… heh… kuhuhu…”

Razen was laughing.

His entire body was now engulfed in purple flames.

“I was planning to toy with you slowly, but you’ve chosen death yourself!”

His human skin began to peel away, melting as if burned by the flames.

“Aaaaah!”

What emerged was no longer a man but a purple demon with a long, thin tongue flickering out like a serpent.

“Well, of course. I thought dealing with a demon might be better, but…”

I didn’t know.

I hadn’t realized he was literally a demon.

--- The End OF The Chapter --

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