Chapter 10

In his past life, Benedict suddenly disappeared from the Vanguard at some point.


No one knew what kind of ending he met…


But now, it seemed like the reason was clear.

“Did you enjoy your lunch, Sir Benedict?”


“Haha… Of course, Miss Sophia. We’re meeting later, right?”


“Yes. I’m so excited to hear there’s a nice bar in Kresnig!”


“Don’t worry. It’s a place chosen by the famously picky Sir Abelin, so you won’t be disappointed. See you later, Miss Sophia!”

Benedict couldn’t stop smiling after just a brief conversation with Sophia.


Sophia chuckled and headed to the hospital, waving at Benedict as she left.

“So, this is why you wanted to know about the bar I went to with Abelin.”


“Yeah. If it’s just us drinking, a cold, hearty beer is perfect. But I can’t serve cheap drinks to a noble and precious lady like her.”

A noble and precious lady, huh?


Benedict, sorry to say, but the woman you like…

“She’s truly an angel, isn’t she?”


“Huh…?”


“Among all the women I’ve met, Sophia is the only one who truly deserves to be called an angel. I’ve seen you staring at her, Kairon.”

It was true, I had been staring.


Because I could see the aura of demons around her.


Though it was slightly different in color and form from Rajeing’s, that eerie ripple was unmistakably demonic.

“What’s so great about her?”


“Everything.”


“Tch…”

Benedict, saying “everything,” looked like he was about to die from happiness.


“Sophia isn’t just beautiful when she smiles. She’s literally an angel, healing people as a doctor. Her beauty, her gentle personality… She’s the best. A ray of light in my otherwise bleak Vanguard life!”

I wanted to chase after Benedict and strip away her facade before he fell deeper, but it was lunchtime.


Too many eyes were watching.

“Benedict, just one more question. How did you meet her?”


“You know how I got slightly injured in the last battle? It wasn’t even a big wound, but my subordinates forced me to the hospital. That’s where I met Sophia. Even though it was a minor injury, she treated me with all her might.”


“She treated a scratch with all her might?”


“Yeah. She said even small wounds shouldn’t get worse. I fell for her and confessed.”


“You already confessed…?”

But something felt off.


Rajeing, who had been so blatantly destructive, made sense as a demon.


But Sophia, despite her demonic aura, showed no madness or hostility toward the Vanguard.

“Sophia is amazing. I heard from someone at the hospital that she once nursed a nearly dead Vanguard member back to health all night.”


“…!?”

That statement wasn’t something I could easily dismiss.


She saved a nearly dead person?


No matter the reason, I couldn’t forget that she was a demon.


Beneath her calm exterior, there had to be something sinister.

So…


I won’t let her slip away.

***

Late at night.


After a day of intense training and managing supplies, the noisy Vanguard fortress finally quieted down.


“Good work today, everyone.”


“Good work, Miss Sophia. Be careful on your way back!”

Sophia, having finished her work, left the hospital amidst her colleagues’ farewells.


I, hiding in the shadows, quietly followed her.

“Did you wait long, Sir Benedict?”


“Haha… Did you finish work well, Miss Sophia?”

As they had agreed during lunch, Sophia met Benedict at the fortress gate.


Though they didn’t hold hands, the two walking side by side looked quite close.


Their destination was the bar I had recommended.

After confirming they had entered, I cautiously followed.


“Welcome. May I take your order?”


“…”

I deliberately stayed silent, pointing at the menu to order a drink without drawing attention.

“Wow, this is delicious! It’s bitter, but the subtle sweetness wraps around it so warmly!”


“I’m glad. Mine is just bitter without any sweetness… But your beautiful smile makes it all melt away.”


“Sir Benedict…”


“Don’t look at me like that. I might get drunk on your gaze before the alcohol even kicks in.”

I almost let out an audible groan.


They’ve only just confessed, and they’re already this cringey?

To endure the awkwardness, I took a sip and realized—


“Ah, this is what Abelin drank…”


And then I remembered.


Sophia’s loving gaze was tender, but Abelin’s glance at me had also been strangely intense.

Perhaps because of that, the drink tasted even weirder.


“…No, that’s not important right now.”

Shaking off the distraction, I focused on the two again.


An unusual tension flowed between them.


While Benedict happily chugged his drink, Sophia sipped hers, her sharp eyes scrutinizing him.

When Benedict started swaying, unable to hold himself up, Sophia cautiously spoke.


“Sir Benedict.”


“Yes, Miss Sophia. What is it…?”


“Benedict. May I call you Benedict?”


“Gasp…”

Benedict’s eyes widened.


Then, with a broad smile, his face lit up with joy.


“Of course, Miss Sophia. I’m so happy…”


“Then call me by my name too. Not Miss Sophia, just Sophia.”


“Sophia…!”

I frowned.


Not because their affection was overbearing.


My instincts were screaming that Sophia was definitely a demon.


But why was a demon acting like this…?

“Benedict, can I ask you for a favor?”


“Anything, Sophia. I’ll do whatever you want.”


“Today…”


Sophia shyly continued.


“Come to my house, Benedict.”

*Cough*…


I almost spat out what was in my mouth.


They just started calling each other by their first names, and now she’s inviting him to her house?


If this goes further, who knows what might happen…

My head was pounding, maybe from the alcohol.


“Would that be okay, Sophia?”


“I’d really like it if you did, Benedict.”

The two, gazing at each other with deep eyes, stood up without a word.


After paying, they left for Sophia’s house.


Unlike their earlier hesitation, they leaned on each other as they walked.

I felt a bit guilty.


Should I really keep following these two who seem so genuinely in love?

“Come in, Benedict.”


“Then excuse me, Sophia.”


“Excuse? Hurry up and come in. Quickly…!”

But Sophia, pushing Benedict inside, seemed oddly hurried.


And I clearly saw it.


As she pushed him, Sophia’s sharp, sober eyes.


The soft, drunken gaze from earlier was gone.

Sophia glanced around with a sharp, knife-like gaze before closing the door and entering.


“Phew… I knew it.”


My instincts were right.


But at the same time, my heart ached.


…Sophia, you damn demon.

Benedict truly looked like he was deeply in love.


I carefully climbed down from the roof and pressed my ear against the door, focusing intently on what was happening inside.

“Ugh…”


“Did you drink too much, Benedict? Are you okay?”


“I’m sorry, Sophia. To be a Vanguard captain and not even handle my alcohol…”


“It’s okay. Here, drink this.”


“Thank you. But what is it?”


“It’ll make you feel better. Sleep well.”


“Huh? You want me to sleep like this? But…”


“Drink it.”

Sophia’s voice held no softness.


It was firm and cold.


“Sophia…?”


“Drink it, now!”


“Sophia! Stop…! Ugh.”

I couldn’t just listen anymore.


I kicked the door down and burst inside.


“Ah! Who are you!?”


“Sigh… What a mess.”

The situation was ridiculous.


The pungent smell of drugs, Benedict passed out from drinking it.


I drew my sword and pointed it at Sophia, declaring:


“Sorry, but I’m against this love…!”