Chapter 16

“Alright, training ends here for today. Good job.”

“Yep! Black Iron Vanguard, fall in!”

As I declared the end of the afternoon training, the members of the Black Iron Vanguard stood in orderly rows and columns.

“One last word, Captain.”

“Alright, everyone did well. You know the wave is coming the day after tomorrow, right? Rest well tomorrow, but be ready to gather without a hitch when the signs start.”

“Yep! Good work, Captain!”

With a resounding reply, the day’s training for the Black Iron Vanguard concluded.

Immediately after, groans erupted from all around.

“Ugh, finally, it’s over. Today was tough.”

“But every drop of sweat shed in training saves a drop of blood on the battlefield. Let’s go grab a drink!”

There was one rule in the Vanguard.

The day before the wave hits, you’re free to do whatever you want.

The wave, where demons pour out, was a disaster where anything could happen, so it was a way to sort out your life before facing the disaster.

Plymus, who helped me finish the training, bowed to me.

“Then I’ll go have a drink with the members. What about you, Captain?”

“I have plans with Abelin.”

“With Abelin… Understood. Then have a good time.”

“What makes you think it’ll be a good time…?”

Waving off my subordinates heading to the bar, I made my way to the Silver Guards’ training ground.

Last time, Abelin came to me, so this time it’s my turn.

But even though we agreed to train together, I hadn’t really thought about how we should train.

Both Abelin and I are skilled to the point where finding a worthy opponent is hard.

The best way is probably to have a no-rules duel like last time…

While thinking this, I reached near the Silver Guards’ training ground but quickly hid.

I heard a familiar voice.

“…So there was nothing particularly unusual, Abelin?”

“No. He was no different than usual.”

“Good. Then keep a close eye on Kairon from now on. If you notice anything strange, report to me immediately.”

“Yes, I will.”

I definitely heard it.

My name, ‘Kairon.’

I waited for the footsteps to fade, keeping an eye on the sound.

Because the owner of those footsteps was none other than Commander Balthazar.

Even after the footsteps disappeared, I revealed myself as slowly as possible.

“Been waiting?”

“You’re a bit late, Kairon.”

“Sorry. My subordinates kept insisting we go for a drink for a while.”

“……”

Abelin glared at me with narrowed eyes.

“So stop lying, okay?”

“Haha… You saw through me again? Sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Just tell me why you’re late. Why were you late?”

“……”

I couldn’t lie, but I also couldn’t tell the truth, so I slightly bowed my head to avoid Abelin’s gaze.

How could I say it?

That I was secretly hiding and watching as Commander Balthazar ordered you to keep an eye on me.

“…even shared my chocolate milk with you.”

“Huh? What?”

I looked up to see Abelin glaring at me with a furious expression.

“I even shared my precious chocolate milk with you! And yet you show up late and try to hide something? Does that make sense? Right now…”

Without hesitation, Abelin drew her sword and pointed it at me.

“Draw your sword, Kairon!”

She gripped it so tightly that the tip of the sword trembled.

“…That’s what I want too!”

Though the situation was sudden, I firmly gripped my greatsword.

Lately, Abelin had been unusually kind to me.

If all of that was under Commander Balthazar’s orders…

There was only one way to find out.

As swordsmen, we would clash swords and have an honest conversation through our blades.

With no one around now, we could fight freely.

We lunged at each other without a word.

In a single second, sharp, merciless strikes were exchanged multiple times.

“Ugh, give me back my chocolate milk, Kairon!”

“I already drank it all! If you want it, dig it out of my stomach!”

“You don’t have to tell me…!”

Abelin used her speed to exploit a small opening I left.

But that opening was intentional.

Before Abelin’s sharp sword could pierce me, I swung my greatsword like a shield, deflecting her blade forcefully.

With her decisive strike blocked, Abelin lost her balance and staggered.

“Tch…!”

“You said you wouldn’t fall for lies?”

Then, taking advantage of her stumble, I swung my sword wide.

“…I fell for it, but I won’t lose!”

Abelin completely broke her stance, falling back to dodge my sword, then flipped through the air and landed.

“Wow… That move was amazing. I could never do that.”

“You too, Kairon. To deliberately show an opening like that.”

Abelin bent slightly, putting strength into her knees.

“Bold as ever!”

With that shout, she launched herself at me like an arrow.

It was a gamble for Abelin, but if I tried to block clumsily, I could suffer a fatal wound.

So, my response was…

“Ah, where are you running off to!”

Even if it looked bad, I decided to run!

I dodged to the side, and Abelin, having lost her target, landed weakly.

“What’s this, Kairon! That cowardly move!”

“A coward in one piece is better than a brave man in pieces!”

Abelin, unable to contain her anger, trembled and charged at me again.

Once more, a fierce exchange of blows ensued, with neither side giving an inch.

“How is that move any different from the attitude you’re showing now?”

“And you! As you well know, I arrived on time. So why did I have to hide and then reveal myself?”

*Clang-*

Abelin was the first to pull back.

“…You were listening.”

“You were talking so openly, it’d be stranger if I didn’t hear.”

This time, I firmly gripped my sword.

And I charged mana throughout my body to enhance it.

“Alright, I told you why I was late. Now it’s your turn. Why did Commander Balthazar order you to ‘keep an eye on me’ from now on?”

The second round began.

With mana involved, this was now a battle on a whole new level.

“Mana…?”

Abelin was momentarily stunned but soon smiled.

“I’ve decided. First, I’ll knock you down. Then I’ll explain calmly. Okay?”

“Save that talk for after you’ve actually beaten me. I plan to pin you down and interrogate you after I win.”

“No more talk. Bring it on.”

“Exactly what I was thinking…”

“Kairon.”

Both Abelin and I paused our impending clash.

An unexpected voice came from the training ground entrance.

“Benedict…?”

At the entrance stood Benedict.

For some reason, his face looked dark under the eyes as he silently stared at me.

“Why did you do it?”

Hearing his calm words, I realized.

Somehow, Benedict had found out the truth.

“What is it? Did you do something again, Kairon?”

“Yeah. Abelin, sorry, but can you wait a bit?”

“…Go ahead.”

“Thanks.”

With Abelin’s permission, I cautiously approached Benedict.

“Benedict, let’s move somewhere else. I made a mistake. I should’ve told you earlier, but it might be a long story…”

“No. No need to move, Kairon.”

Hearing that, I stopped and realized.

Benedict’s tone wasn’t just calm.

When someone is truly angry, they don’t shout but become quiet.

That was Benedict’s state right now.

“Officer Abelin, the Kairon here has killed someone.”

Benedict spoke clearly, without a hint of tremor.

“What…?”

“And not just anyone. The person who treated patients more devotedly than anyone in the Vanguard, loved by all. And then he tried to distort the truth by saying she left her hometown.”

“Benedict, wait. You’ve got it wrong…”

“Shut up, Kairon. You know why my sword is like this?”

Benedict drew his sword and showed it to me.

It was a fine sword, but parts of it had melted slightly and dulled.

“You killed Sophia. Even with my sword!”

“……”

I could only close my eyes tightly.

This was my fault for choosing a warm lie over a cruel truth.

“So I will judge you, Kairon. Don’t think of running. One of us will die here. That’s right…”

Benedict smiled, lifting only one corner of his mouth.

“The advisor told me.”

“Advisor…?”

Hearing an unfamiliar term, I felt an ominous premonition.

*Caw- Caw-*

A bird flew in and perched on Benedict’s shoulder.

It was…

A damn crow.