Chapter 8: A Sense of Bad Rumors (2)

 

“Mm, it’s delicious…!”

 

Avelin smiled blissfully as she took a spoonful of the pudding that was served as the final course of the meal.

 

The food was impeccable, every dish.

 

While the meals provided to the Order weren’t bad, they couldn’t compare to the flavors crafted in a restaurant with high-quality ingredients and luxurious, if inefficient, cooking methods.

 

“I feel a bit guilty for this.”

 

“Guilty? What part makes you feel that way?”

 

“My team members are eating a regular dinner while I’m here enjoying something this good. And it’s not even my money; it’s the commander’s.”

 

“…”

 

Avelin shot me a disapproving look before downing a glass of water in one go.

 

“You’re too dense to realize this, but there’s not a single subordinate of yours who would complain about today’s meal.”

 

“What? Ha… You don’t know how petty they can be. If they even see me sip a glass of water without sharing, they’d all crowd around me demanding a taste.”

 

“...How exactly does the Black Iron Brigade stay intact with someone like you as its commander? A leader who’s duller than their subordinates—how absurd.”

 

“You keep calling me dull, dull… What’s so dull about me?”

 

“Exactly what you just said.”

 

Avelin replied flatly, taking another bite of the pudding with her small spoon.

 

“Have some confidence. We’re the core force of the Order. We deserve to eat at this level.”

 

“Deserve, huh…”

 

I took a bite of the pudding myself.

 

The overwhelming sweetness hit me like a whirlwind, almost making my head spin.

 

“Wow, that’s way too sweet.”

 

“Sweet, right? Think of it as a reward. We’re tasked with the critical mission of stopping demons from spreading across the world.”

 

Even a single spoonful from the small dessert was enough to make my tongue tingle with its intense sweetness.

 

But… it wasn’t a flavor I particularly enjoyed.

 

On the other hand…

 

“Mm…!”

 

Avelin let out a small, delighted hum with every bite she took.

 

“Avelin.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“You can have mine too.”

 

“Really? Thank you!”

 

Without hesitation, Avelin took my pudding plate and began savoring the doubled portion with unrestrained delight.

 

It felt a bit odd to say, but…

 

Avelin looked incredibly beautiful when she smiled like that.

 

Which is exactly why I couldn’t help but wonder.

 

With her striking beauty and exceptional abilities, why had she joined the Order in the first place?

 

“In exchange, can I ask you something?”

 

“Sure, go ahead.”

 

It was a question I had never dared to ask before.

 

Seeing her in such a good mood made this the perfect opportunity.

 

“Avelin, why did you join the Order?”

 

“…”

 

Her hand froze mid-scoop.

 

But instead of answering, she suddenly stopped savoring the pudding and began eating it at a furious pace, shoveling it into her mouth as if in a race.

 

She emptied both puddings in no time, drank water in large gulps, and stood up from her seat.

 

“Let’s head out.”

 

“…Alright.”

 

I didn’t press further because I instinctively knew I’d touched a sensitive nerve.

 

Even if Avelin often called me dull, I wasn’t so oblivious as to miss something like this.

 

The two of us left the restaurant and walked silently back to the Order’s stronghold.

 

As the gates came into view, she suddenly stopped and turned to me.

 

“Kayron.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“You once said you only drink when you lose a subordinate, right?”

 

“That’s usually the case. Why?”

 

“Then that’s all I needed to know. Let’s go back.”

 

Avelin shook her head slightly and started walking toward the gates without waiting for me.

 

“Hey, Avelin.”

 

“What now?”

 

“Do you want a drink?”

 

“…”

 

“Be honest. If you’re truthful, I wouldn’t mind sharing a glass or two with you.”

 

Avelin turned her head and gave me a piercing glare without saying another word.

 

That gaze was sharp, but it wasn’t the look of someone harboring rivalry or hatred.

 

“That’s exactly why I keep calling you dull.”

 

“Here we go again… You’re so stubborn. Fine, let’s go. This time, it’s on me.”

 

“No, thanks. This time, I’m paying. Because I want a drink.”

 

Avelin led the way, taking me to a quiet, atmospheric pub.

 

“Let’s head in.”

 

“I didn’t know a place like this existed in Cresnig.”

 

As soon as we sat down, Avelin skillfully ordered drinks I’d never even heard of.

 

“Have you been here before?”

 

“Occasionally. Sometimes with Violette, but mostly on my own.”

 

Violette was the vice-captain of the Silver Guard, tasked with assisting Avelin. She had joined the Order alongside her, and though little was known about her aside from her remarkable skills and composed demeanor, one thing stood out—Avelin treated Violette casually and warmly, while Violette always maintained utmost respect toward Avelin.

 

“Alright, let’s have a drink.”

 

“Sure. What’s the toast?”

 

“...Let’s toast. To us.”

 

Clink.

 

The rich, strong liquor burned as it went down, but it made the moment feel strangely significant.

 

Until now, the only clashes I’d had with Avelin were of cold steel, yet here we were, clinking glasses.

 

Avelin took a small sip, then swirled her glass thoughtfully before speaking.

 

“Do you know something, Kayron?”

 

“What’s that?”

 

“We’ve met before. Before joining the Order.”

 

“Before joining the Order…?”

 

That was news to me.

 

I was certain I’d first met Avelin at the Order.

 

Yet here she was, claiming we’d crossed paths before.

 

“Avelin.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Are you already drunk? You’re probably confusing me with someone else.”

 

“...Tch.”

 

Avelin frowned and drained the rest of her glass in one go.

 

“Barkeep, another one here. No, just bring me the whole bottle!”

 

From then on, Avelin drank in silence.

 

But each time she raised her glass, she held it out, expecting me to clink with hers. And each time, I obliged.

 

The liquor was potent, and before long, Avelin began to sway.

 

“Take it easy. Overdoing it won’t do you any good.”

 

“Shut up, Kayron. Whose fault do you think it is that I’m like this?”

 

“What did I even do…? If you’re going to blame me, at least tell me why!”

 

Yet Avelin still didn’t answer, occasionally shooting me sharp glances but never explaining why.

 

“And what about you?”

 

Her cheeks flushed from the alcohol, Avelin asked in a slurred voice.

 

“You… why did you turn them all down?”

 

“Turn what down?”

 

“I know. I know you won the Imperial Swordsmanship Tournament. And I know that afterward, countless nobles and even kings fought to recruit you under their banners. But you rejected them all and joined the Order instead.”

 

“...!”

 

It was all true.

 

But how did Avelin know this?

 

The Order’s unspoken rule of never prying into the past meant I had never shared this with anyone.

 

“I’d like to know how you found out.”

 

“I already told you.”

 

Avelin clasped her hands together on the table and rested her face on them, emphasizing her next words.

 

“We’ve met before. A long time ago, Kayron Illinad.”

 

“...”

 

She even knew my last name.

 

“Hey. Who exactly are you?”

 

“I’ve already told you enough. Now it’s your turn to think about it. I’ll take my leave now… Aah!”

 

As she tried to stand up, Avelin wobbled and nearly fell.

 

Luckily, I reached out in time to catch her.

 

“...Let go.”

 

“Can’t do that. As you said, we’re the core force of the Order. What would happen if word got out that Princess Avelin was injured because she drunkenly fell over?”

 

“I hate you. Truly.”

 

Ignoring her complaints, I helped her up.

 

“Alright, let’s get you back to the barracks, Your Highness.”

 

“I said I don’t need your help! Ugh, let me go!”

 

She weakly tried to shake off my grip, but her drunken state left her without much strength.

 

Even on her best day, she couldn’t outmatch me in strength.

 

“Stop it. You’re only exhausting yourself further.”

 

“...I’ll pay you back for this humiliation someday.”

 

“Of course you will. I’ll be cheering for you!”

 

After settling the bill, I escorted her out of the pub and started walking toward the gates.

 

But then…

 

“Oh! Isn’t that the commander?”

 

“Huh…?”

 

We ran into a group of my subordinates—members of the Black Iron Brigade.

 

“What are you all doing here?”

 

“We just finished having a drink together. But what about you, Commander? Wait a second… Who’s that with you?”

 

It didn’t take them long to realize who “that” was.

 

The shock in their eyes was unmistakable when they realized I was with none other than Avelin.

 

“It’s… It’s Avelin! Why are you with her, Commander? Don’t tell me…!”

 

Ah, I had a bad feeling about this.

 

A feeling that some truly bad rumors were about to start spreading.

--- The End OF The Chapter --

 

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