Chapter 22

“Wow, what is all this?”

“Mom is amazing!”

The kids’ mouths dropped open at the sight of the food piled high enough to bend the table legs.

“Commander, this is…”

“My wife showed off her skills a bit. It’s a special day since you’re here.”

Even though the Vanguard received low salaries, they had the privilege of buying things or dining at cheap prices throughout Cresnig.

But among those privileges, it was said that being invited by Commander Balthazar was the best.

Judging by the delicious feast before their eyes, it was clear that Commander Balthazar’s wife had cooking skills that even professional chefs couldn’t easily match.

“Madam, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. What can I say?”

“Not at all, Sir Kairon. Many captains have been invited to our house, but among them, Sir Kairon is special. Do you know how much my husband brags about you?”

“That goes without saying. Kairon is the strongest force in our Vanguard.”

Commander Balthazar nodded as if it were obvious.

“You flatter me. I know the legendary tales of how you, Commander, fought against an entire nation and won.”

“That’s all in the past. Are you saying you can’t do the same?”

“I’ve never tried, and I don’t plan to. As a member of the Vanguard, I must protect Cresnig, the last bastion of this world. We’re already facing an endless horde of demons.”

“…Impressive.”

Commander Balthazar suddenly reached out his hands toward me.

I was startled by the purple energy still flowing from his hands, but since I didn’t sense any malice, I didn’t step back.

Soon, Commander Balthazar’s hands gently patted my shoulders.

“What I always say is never empty words. Kairon, you are the core of our Vanguard. Upright and reliable. That’s why you deserve this treatment. No, it’s not enough.”

“Commander…”

For a moment, I was genuinely moved by Commander Balthazar’s warm yet dignified voice.

If it weren’t for the purple energy still emanating from him, I might have been truly touched.

“Now, sit down. We should eat before the food gets cold.”

“Understood. Huh? But…”

Suddenly, my gaze fell on an empty chair as I took my seat.

“There’s an empty seat. Is someone else coming?”

“It will be filled naturally, so don’t worry. Someone was supposed to come, but they’re running late. But let’s eat first.”

“No, it’s fine. I can wait…”

“Wow, this is so delicious!”

“Brother Kairon, eat quickly!”

The kids had already started eating, unable to resist the feast before them.

“These kids, daring to start eating before their father? No way, I’m going to eat everything Mom made!”

“No, you can’t! We’re going to eat it all!”

“Let’s see about that. Whoever eats the most wins!”

Commander Balthazar joined in, playing along with his two sons as they began their meal.

Truly, he was the epitome of a kind and approachable father.

Which made it even harder to believe.

That such a warm and kind person…

“Why are you just watching? Come on, Kairon. If you don’t, the kids will eat everything.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you, I’ll eat well.”

At the madam’s urging, I decided to eat first and think later.

While I marveled at the madam’s skills and ate heartily, she set aside small portions in a bowl before eating herself.

Probably for someone who would arrive later.

The dinner was plentiful, but thanks to its excellent taste, nothing was left.

The well-fed kids, unable to fight the late hour and food coma, fell asleep on the couch, leaning against each other.

“Was it enough, Kairon?”

“More than enough. I’m actually worried I might be sluggish tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. Then let’s step outside for a moment.”

As Commander Balthazar stood up, his wife, who had been clearing the table, gently asked.

“Shall I cut some fruit, dear? Sir Kairon brought some expensive and good ones.”

“No, it won’t take long. We’ll have the fruit later. I’ll help clean up after we get some fresh air, so you rest for a bit, dear.”

“Alright, dear. But both of you, be careful not to catch a cold.”

“Haha, don’t worry. I can’t even remember the last time I was sick. I need to stay healthy to protect you and the kids.”

Commander Balthazar’s voice was still as kind and gentle as ever when speaking to his wife.

As we stepped into the wide yard, the cold hit us instantly.

A sharp, icy wind reminded us that we were at the northern edge of the world.

I warmed myself by sending a bit of mana throughout my body.

“Thank you for inviting me, Commander.”

“…”

Though I expressed my gratitude, Commander Balthazar didn’t respond, simply staring at the clear night sky and the moon.

“Commander?”

“I won’t drag this out. After all, it’s between us.”

Commander Balthazar slowly turned to me and asked.

“Isn’t there something you’re curious about, Kairon?”

The kindness in his eyes was gone.

Commander Balthazar looked at me with a piercing gaze, filled with experience and dignity.

“You already know, Commander.”

“Rajeing, and Sophia.”

“…!”

Commander Balthazar casually dropped those names.

Rajeing was one thing.

But Sophia… I had made sure no one knew about her.

Even if Benedict, who had been drunk and gone to Sophia’s house, might know, how did Commander Balthazar know?

“Frankly, I’m impressed. I was skeptical until Rajeing was taken down. But I didn’t expect you to go after Sophia too.”

“What are you trying to say, Commander?”

“Do you know why I formed the Vanguard?”

“…You told everyone yourself. You couldn’t stand by and watch demons destroy the world at will, so you formed the Vanguard.”

“Haha, that’s part of it.”

Commander Balthazar chuckled lightly and added.

“But the real reason is different.”

Balthazar turned his head to look at his two children sleeping on the couch.

“Children are born innocent and kind. But there’s a saying, isn’t there? ‘To come of age.'”

“Yes. It’s said that when you come of age, you truly become an adult.”

“Truly become an adult, that’s right. But when you come of age, you smile less than when you were a child. That’s because you realize the world isn’t as kind and is more cruel than you thought. You realize that nothing can be solved by just smiling innocently. The cold reality, you see.”

I could feel the strength gradually building in Commander Balthazar’s voice.

“Kairon, you know the story of how I fought against a nation and won. Why do you think I did such a reckless thing?”

“There must have been a reason to fight. A warrior becomes strong when they have a reason to fight.”

“Right. It was because my wife and daughter were killed.”

“What? Your wife and daughter…?”

I quickly turned my wide eyes toward the house where the two children were sleeping, and Commander Balthazar shook his head slowly with a bitter smile.

“Those two are already dead and no longer in this world. They were killed in a war started by a foolish neighboring king who wanted more land. That’s when I first prayed to the heavens and cried out. Is this world right? If there really is a god…”

Commander Balthazar clenched his teeth and said.

“Don’t let this world be. And when that prayer reached the heavens, I gained this power.”

As Commander Balthazar said this and clenched his fist.

The purple demonic flames covering his body burned even more fiercely.

Originally, it was just visible to the eye, but now I could feel the eerie, chilling heat with my senses.

“I used the power given by the gods to immediately judge that foolish neighboring nation. And I gathered those who shared my will. And I opened the gate.”

“…What did you just say? The gate?”

“Yes, I said I opened the gate. The rift to another dimension from which demons would pour out to judge this world, I opened it with my own hands!”

No matter how I tried to process what I was hearing, it just didn’t make sense.

So, Commander Balthazar was strong because of the power granted by this god.

Moreover, the one who created the rift and started pouring demons into this world was none other than the leader of the Vanguard?

It seemed the kind, dignified, and respectable warrior I knew had long since disappeared.

“That sounds like a contradiction, Commander. If you wanted to destroy it, why are you holding back the demons now?”

“That’s simple.”

Commander Balthazar grinned at my question.

“If it ends too quickly, it’s no fun.”

“What…?”

“Of course, the demons’ offensive isn’t that threatening yet. But you can look forward to it. Stronger demons will come through the gate. And when the Vanguard finally can’t hold on and collapses!”

Commander Balthazar’s expression was filled with ecstasy as he spoke.

“I’ll leisurely watch. The spectacle of demons, the messengers of the gods, mercilessly judging this complacent and lazy world. The sight of this world, which brutally killed my wife and daughter, paying for its sins…”

As Commander Balthazar trailed off, intoxicated by his own words, my confused mind cleared.

Only one conclusion emerged.

‘This man… must not be left alone.’

Slowly, I reached into my pocket.

Hidden inside was…

A sharp dagger, carefully honed after training with Abelin.