Chapter 17

The crow whispered something into Benedict’s ear.

As Benedict leaned in to listen intently, Abelin asked me with trembling eyes, “What does this mean, Kairon? Did you kill someone?”

“Don’t falter. It was the same situation as with Rajeing.”

“……Ah!”

Fortunately, Abelin caught on immediately. She had seen Rajeing reveal his true form right before her eyes, alongside me.

“I can roughly guess what happened. But what is Sir Benedict doing now?”

“……I don’t know. But I can tell he’s not in his right mind.”

Unlike Abelin, who quickly grasped the situation, Benedict was nodding fervently, passionately communicating with the crow.

“Yes, that’s right. Yes. Exactly, that’s correct. I can’t just let that creature who took someone precious from me go!”

‘That’s not even a person, you know…….’

Having said its piece, the crow stepped on Benedict’s shoulder and flew off into the distant sky.

And the madness in Benedict’s eyes grew even darker after his conversation with the crow.

“What on earth did you talk about with that crow, Benedict?”

“Watch your mouth, Kairon. The crow raised by the Advisor is no ordinary crow. It possesses mysterious and vast knowledge!”

“I know crows are smart, but at least ordinary crows don’t whisper something sinister into people’s ears.”

“Enough!”

Benedict pointed his sword at me and shouted.

“Let’s cut the small talk. Draw your sword, Kairon!”

“Wait. Benedict, you’re misunderstanding. Did you hear about Rajeing recently? The truth is…….”

“I said shut your mouth!”

Benedict cut me off and charged at me.

And not just any charge—he had already enveloped his entire body with mana for reinforcement.

*Clang—*

“Ugh……!”

The sound of our swords clashing was unlike any other.

Though it wasn’t hard to block his attack since he charged from a distance, Benedict, as the squad leader, was no pushover.

Moreover, the tremors from the sword and the stinging pain in my hand made it clear.

Benedict truly intended to judge me.

Seeing the fight about to escalate, Abelin stepped in.

“Sir Benedict, stop! Calm down and listen to Kairon…….”

“Shut up! Are you on his side too? Stay put. After I finish this guy, it’s your turn!”

“Ah…….”

Now he was even lashing out at Abelin.

Seeing that made me frown.

But perhaps this situation arose because of the white lie I told.

“Step back, Abelin.”

“Huh? But…….”

“It’s my fault. So I should be the one to fix it.”

I tightened my grip on the sword locked with Benedict’s.

“Benedict. Vent your anger on me. I’ll take it all!”

With a shout, I pushed Benedict’s sword away.

But after staggering briefly, Benedict quickly regained his stance and charged at me again, swinging threatening slashes.

Each strike was a powerful blow infused with mana.

If I failed to block even one and let it hit me, it would be over.

“Die, Kairon. Just die!”

Benedict genuinely wanted me dead.

As I focused solely on blocking his attacks while probing, a thought naturally crossed my mind.

‘Was Benedict always this strong?’

In the Vanguard, aside from Commander Balthazar, Abelin and I were indeed the strongest.

But now, I realized Benedict was no weakling either.

Since he never showed his true strength during practice matches, fighting him was a completely new experience for me.

“I see it, Kairon. I see your openings!”

Despite not being in his right mind, Benedict fully utilized his exceptional reflexes and judgment.

His threatening combat style never missed even the slightest opening.

Feeling Benedict’s strength firsthand, another thought followed.

‘If this guy had survived and stayed with us…….’

Perhaps our Vanguard could have held out a little longer.

The decisive reason the Vanguard weakened in my past life.

It was because, with each wave, comrades fell one by one, and our strength dwindled.

‘If I hadn’t stopped Sophia, Benedict would have met the same fate as in my past life. So…….’

Even if he was possessed by a demon, I couldn’t just give up on such a valuable asset.

“Another opening, Kairon!”

Benedict mercilessly swung his sword at the exposed gap.

But I was faster.

*Thud—*

“Ugh……!”

Benedict, who had been fixated on the opening I deliberately showed, took a direct punch to the side of his face and tumbled to the ground.

“Get up, Benedict. Get up!”

“Keh……. So you finally show your true colors, Kairon.”

“Yeah, I’ve made up my mind. You won’t listen to anything I say now. So the answer is simple, right?”

I drew in far more mana than I had been using, not wanting to hurt my comrade.

As the abundant mana spread through my body, I couldn’t contain the excitement from the surging power.

The blood of a warrior, facing a proper fight, began to boil.

“Benedict, rest well tomorrow. I’ll knock you out cold today.”

“Big talk, Kairon. I’ll cut you down for sure.”

Benedict, standing up and readying his stance, had madness gleaming in his eyes.

“That tongue of yours, lying to me who trusted you as a comrade……!”

Benedict charged at me again, his eyes blazing with madness.

But,

*Thud—*

“Ugh……!”

With a crisp sound, Benedict’s body flew through the air.

I had swung my greatsword like a club, sending him flying.

Though Benedict lost his balance and floated mid-air, he tried to stabilize himself to land properly.

“You’re just strong, Kair……. Huh?”

Even if he wasn’t in his right mind, Benedict could tell something was wrong when he saw me appear above him.

I had chased after Benedict and leaped into the air.

Then, with all my strength, I brought the flat of my sword down on him.

*Crash—*

With a sickening sound, Benedict’s body slammed into the ground.

The impact shook the surroundings as Benedict was buried in the ground.

“Ugh, keh……. Ugh!”

Benedict, deeply embedded in the ground, could only groan, unable to free himself.

Having successfully subdued Benedict, Abelin and I stood calmly before the squirming Benedict.

“Wasn’t that a bit too much, Kairon? He’s valuable strength. The wave is coming the day after tomorrow.”

“What can I do? He’s out of his mind, swinging his sword at allies, demanding death. It’s better to beat some sense into him and let him rest.”

“But…….”

Abelin glanced at the greatsword I had swung like a club and added, “You’re really strong, Kairon. No wonder you’re the leader of the Black Iron Vanguard. Even Sir Benedict, a squad leader, couldn’t handle you when you got serious…….”

“You’re not weak either, Abelin.”

As Abelin said, Squad Leader Benedict was no weakling.

But his opponent was me, who had spent my entire life training.

Among the many Vanguard squads, the Black Iron Vanguard and the Silver Guards were considered the strongest not just because of their members, but because their leaders were exceptionally powerful.

“Now, Benedict. It seems you’re finally ready to talk.”

Since Benedict was still stuck in the ground, I had no choice but to crouch in front of him and speak.

“Tell me. When and where did you meet this so-called Advisor?”

“…….”

“If you’re still angry, just say the word. I’ll beat you until you calm down.”

I asked again, but Benedict was no longer groaning.

He just looked up at me quietly.

The madness was gone, replaced by a calm, sorrowful gaze.

“Why.”

“Huh?”

“Why did you do it, Kairon?”

“…….”

I couldn’t lie anymore.

I had to tell him.

“Sophia was a demon.”

“A demon? What nonsense is that? You saw it too, how warm and beautiful Sophia’s smile was. How could she be……?”

“……. Look.”

I picked up Benedict’s sword from the ground and pointed to the melted parts.

“See how it’s melted in places? Why do you think that happened?”

“I don’t know. No, I don’t want to know.”

“She was a demon, her entire body glowing with a sickly yellow light. Wounds would heal on their own, and the fluid that dripped from her melted everything it touched.”

I handed the sword back to its owner, Benedict.

“I’m sorry for lying. But please understand my intention to worry for you as a comrade. If you still can’t forgive me…….”

“Kairon!”

Abelin shouted sharply.

I had stretched my neck out in front of Benedict.

“Cut me down without hesitation. It’s fine.”