Chapter 30

“How…!”

Commander Balthazar suddenly stood up from his seat.

“Lieutenant, did you see that just now?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Just now, I definitely… Ah.”

Commander Balthazar slowly closed his gaping mouth.

The lieutenant knew of his grand ambitions, but since he hadn’t received the same blessing, it was perhaps natural that he couldn’t see it.

But Commander Balthazar saw it clearly.

The crimson energy flowing through Cerberus’s body.

It was the blessing of the most ferocious and battle-loving god among the three.

Commander Balthazar didn’t miss the moment it seeped into Kairon’s body.

“Why are you acting like this? Are you feeling unwell somewhere…?”

“No, no. It seems I must have been mistaken.”

Commander Balthazar slowly shook his head and sat back down.

‘What could they be thinking? It might be fine now, but in the future…’

Commander Balthazar recalled the conversation he had with Kairon just the day before.

The bold statement Kairon had made.

“As you know, I’ve already killed two hidden demons so far. That’s just the beginning, and I’ll continue to hunt down every one I see. If the opportunity arises…”

And then, pointing his dagger, he added.

“I’ll definitely eliminate you too.”

Commander Balthazar had responded cheerfully.

Go ahead.

It would be interesting, so he should definitely do it.

But now, thinking back…

“Haha.”

Commander Balthazar laughed hollowly.

“Maybe I really did dig my own grave.”

“What are you talking about, Commander!”

The lieutenant, startled by the sudden remark, pressed him, but Commander Balthazar just smiled silently and didn’t respond.

***

It didn’t take long for the red energy to completely seep into my body.

Cerberus’s body, having transferred all its energy to me, burned away like other demons, leaving no trace.

“What is this…?”

“Are you okay?”

Abelin came over and asked.

“I asked if you’re okay! It looks like you got a bit too close to the flames.”

“I’m fine. Luckily, I pulled my hand away before it got worse.”

“That’s good. And…”

Abelin, who had been sternly pressing me, suddenly softened and smiled.

“You did really well. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to subdue that thing.”

“Why are you so sure? You were the one who drove it back at such a fast pace.”

“That’s true, but every time I stabbed it with my sword, I could feel it. No matter how many times I attacked, I couldn’t land a proper hit. In that sense, your way of fighting might be a bit crude, but it’s like a miracle cure against demons.”

“So, is that a compliment or an insult? You never miss a chance to call me crude…”

“Anyway.”

Abelin patted my back.

“Good job, Kairon. Other times aside, this time you were a bit…”

Abelin stared at me, about to say something, then suddenly turned her head away.

“Huh? What were you going to say?”

“Nothing.”

“You were about to insult me under the guise of a compliment, weren’t you? I can tell.”

“No, I wasn’t! Why would I insult someone who worked so hard? What do you take me for?”

Flustered, Abelin’s face turned slightly red, so I decided to tease her a bit.

“Who else? The famously cranky and strict princess.”

“What did you say…? That’s too rude, Kairon! Do you want to fight again now that the battle’s over?”

“The rude one isn’t me, it’s you, Abelin. Do you know what’s the most frustrating thing a person can do? The first is starting to say something and then stopping halfway. And do you know what the second thing you just did is?”

“Huh? When?”

“Never mind. The second is…”

Abelin, not knowing what she did wrong, looked up at me with slightly intimidated eyes.

I grinned at her and…

Whoosh-

I leapt past Abelin.

“What, what are you doing! Why did you stop talking… Ah! This, this is it! Don’t stand there!”

Abelin chased after me even more fiercely than when we were pursuing Cerberus, quickly catching up.

“So, where are you going? You’re not helping with the cleanup.”

Abelin’s voice was still annoyed, but she realized I wasn’t moving without a reason.

“I’m going to do the harder work first. Look.”

“Harder work? But this direction… Ah.”

Abelin nodded.

The place I was heading was the forest near Kresnig.

A place with plenty of trees good for firewood.

Thud-

After stabbing the base of the tree a few times with my sword, a large tree fell.

Of course, I didn’t forget to cut the fallen tree into manageable lengths for the ordinary members to carry.

One tree, two trees…

I kept cutting without rest.

“Kairon.”

“…”

“Slow down a bit, Kairon!”

Abelin, unable to stand it, shouted, but I didn’t stop.

“There’s no time to rest. You know how many members died today? Thinking about that, I still have a lot more work to do.”

“I know that too. But you’re… just take a break!”

Abelin grabbed my hand tightly to stop me from swinging my sword.

“I can see exactly what you’re thinking while cutting these trees. You’re not just cutting firewood, are you? You’re venting your anger, aren’t you?”

“…Can you tell?”

“Of course! As you always say, a swordsman speaks with his sword. You’re not efficiently cutting trees right now, you’re just venting your anger. You’ll wear yourself out.”

“Wear myself out? I don’t get tired. As you always say, my strength is my only advantage. And if I work, the other members can rest and mourn.”

“It’s not just the other members who are sad.”

Abelin moved her hand from mine to my shoulder.

And gently held it.

“I can see it. You’re sad too. The jokes you were making with me earlier were just to shake it off, weren’t they?”

“…You know me too well.”

I lightly shook off Abelin’s hand and gripped my sword again.

“Don’t overdo it!”

“I know. I won’t overdo it. Since we’re here…”

I glanced at Abelin and suggested.

“Want to join me? Slowly, calmly, while gathering your thoughts.”

“…Alright. But match my pace. For every tree I cut down, you cut one too!”

***

“Finally, another wave has passed.”

The cremation site.

Commander Balthazar stood before the tall, wide pile of wood and spoke.

“You all did well. Thanks to you, we, and this world, can survive. But we must remember. It’s because of the comrades who fell first that we can survive this time and fight again next time.”

It’s natural to revel in the joy of victory, but we must not forget to honor the sacrifices.

Just as we were given free time before the wave to enjoy life freely, it’s also a set ritual to cremate the fallen and gather our thoughts after the wave ends.

“This time, a huge demon suddenly appeared, resulting in the most casualties we’ve ever had in a wave. It’s unfortunate, but we must grow stronger from these sacrifices. Now, who will light the fire? Who will send off our comrades?”

“…”

Commander Balthazar looked for volunteers, but none of the Vanguard members stepped forward to light the fire.

There were too many casualties, and those who had personally collected their comrades’ bodies were too busy wiping away tears.

Commander Balthazar clicked his tongue at the members lost in grief.

“Tsk tsk, everyone is so absorbed in their sorrow. I guess I’ll have to do it myself…”

“I’ll do it.”

“Oh, Kairon. You’ll do it?”

When I stepped forward, Commander Balthazar’s face lit up.

He clearly hadn’t expected me to volunteer.

“I feel a bit guilty leaving it to you. You’ve already done so much today. You and the Black Iron Vanguard have achieved great feats, slaying a terrifying demon leader. And…”

Commander Balthazar glanced at the high pile of wood, stacked high due to the many casualties.

“You even cut the wood so the members wouldn’t have to suffer.”

“I just did what needed to be done.”

I took the torch from Commander Balthazar and added.

“The Vanguard’s creed. Just as you established it, Commander Balthazar.”

“…It will be a great comfort to the departed. Having the one who fought most valiantly light the fire.”

Commander Balthazar’s expression was as calm as ever.

Utterly shameless.

Thanks to the generous use of good wood, the flames rising from the cremation site were large and fierce.

As if warning that more sacrifices would come from those of us who remained.