Chapter 29
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Chapter 29
In truth, I wasn't particularly curious. I arranged my expression into one of polite bewilderment for propriety's sake. I was grateful for his concern for my reputation, and more than anything, I carried a debt of conscience from the memory of having killed him.
"I know a few geniuses. Most notably, our commander, who now sits among the clouds. He was my roommate back at the Military Academy."
Baraha Islaf remained silent with a troubled expression, not inserting himself into their conversation. Dietrich glanced back at him briefly, rubbed his chin, then let out a soft chuckle.
"He's a genius too. Anyway, after observing so many geniuses, I've noticed they share something in common."
"What is it?"
"All geniuses are eccentric. And each reveals their eccentricity in their own way. For an ordinary person like me, it's a world difficult to comprehend, so I simply accept it. Much like your attire."
"...Is that a compliment, calling me a genius?"
"Yeah, you catch on quick. You're a splendid eccentric."
Dietrich laughed pleasantly and patted my shoulders lightly. Whether compliment or insult, I couldn't quite tell. When I twisted my expression subtly, he winked.
"Well, setting aside the eccentricity, your dress really suits you. That's what I meant to say. I like it. So let's be friends going forward, Cadet Echinacea Loaz."
[Is he the one who'll become the Giosa owner soon? That Giosa fellow has unique tastes.]
'So this is what he's really like...?'
I had only remembered his desperate appearance clearly. I made no effort to hide my bewilderment and replied.
"...You seem quite the genius yourself, Knight Instructor Dietrich."
"That's an insult, isn't it? Hey, your adaptability is pretty good? Still, thanks for calling me a genius."
Dietrich chuckled and lightly struck the back of Baraha Islaf's head, who still wore a serious expression.
"Ugh, Knight Instructor Dietrich! What are you doing!"
"Cheering you on. Do well. I'm heading out then."
Having stirred them up thoroughly, Dietrich left his seat. Baraha Islaf rubbed the back of his head with a sigh. Once Dietrich's figure had completely disappeared, he turned to face me and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry."
"You haven't done anything to apologize for, Senior."
"I was trying to help, but my thinking was shallow. I didn't consider what might become of your reputation."
"It's fine, really."
I smiled and shook my head. Baraha Islaf had helped me not because I was a 'lady,' but because I was a junior squire under his instruction. Knowing his sincerity, I didn't dislike it. Seeing my smile, he grinned mischievously and crossed his arms.
"Then, you'll let me keep helping?"
"No, that's not it."
I refused without hesitation. Regardless of my indifference to rumors, there was no need to deliberately create more unfavorable ones. Especially when entangling myself with others. Baraha Islaf chuckled and pointed to the side.
"My tent and the vice-commander's will be set up over there. If something doesn't work out, come ask."
"Yes, thank you."
"Then, work hard."
After Baraha Islaf left as well, I was alone. I finished setting up my tent and Yurien de Harden Kirie's. I had learned from Baraha Islaf during my probation period, so while clumsy, it wasn't difficult. Using mana sparingly meant I wouldn't lack strength.
After finishing the tent setup and unpacking my belongings inside, it was the middle of the night. It took quite some time because I had many clothes and accessories.
Finally, I withdrew a neatly folded cloak from my bag. A dark blue men's cloak with no particular features or patterns—the one Yurien de Harden Kirie had draped over me in front of the Fountain. I placed it on my lap and smoothed it out. A ticklish sensation lingered around my shoulders.
[That's Yurien's, isn't it?]
"Yes. I need to return it, but..."
I hadn't had the courage to call him out and meet him separately just to return it, so I'd kept it all this time. I gripped the cloak and slightly parted the cloth at the tent entrance. The tent next to mine—Yurien de Harden Kirie's—had no light. He'd moved into the Inner Gorge immediately upon arrival and started meetings, which apparently still hadn't concluded.
'I should leave it in his tent. Before he returns.'
Though I would be in close proximity from now on, I still wanted to minimize encounters with him. I scanned the surroundings once more, then quickly entered his tent.
Despite it being May, the northern cold meant the tent fabric was thick enough that not a single ray of light penetrated. Even for someone like me who could see clearly with just moonlight, the interior was difficult to make out. Yet I couldn't help but notice—in such a close, confined space, my senses weren't dull enough to miss a person's presence.
Yurien de Harden Kirie was inside the Tent Camp.
The lamp had been extinguished, so I'd only been watching the outside and failed to notice. Though Baraha Islaf had taken the lead in setting up the Tent Camp, I myself had been the one to establish it, so I'd paid less attention to the interior. Moreover, a Knight Instructor of Yurien de Harden Kirie's caliber could remain perfectly still and be nearly impossible to detect.
It was all an excuse. I had been careless. I should have checked for any presence inside before entering.
I stopped abruptly at the entrance of the Tent Camp. Though I'd entered cautiously, there was no way he could have missed my arrival. Yet from within, there came no movement, no sound for a long while.
I could simply say I'd come to return his cloak. But knowing Yurien de Harden Kirie waited somewhere beyond that invisible darkness, my voice wouldn't come. I tightened my grip on the cloak I held. Why did my mind go so blank whenever I stood before him?
An agonizing stretch of time passed before I heard the quiet sound of movement. Yurien de Harden Kirie lit the lamp. Flickering crimson light blazed forth, filling the interior of the Tent Camp.
"Cadet Echinacea Loaz."
He called my name but didn't immediately continue. There was hesitation in his manner. His gaze slipped past me, lingering briefly in empty space before slowly returning to me. The lamplight flickered like flames within his calm eyes.
"...What brings you here?"
His voice was subtly lower than usual. I breathed as though released from shackles and extended the cloak toward him.
"I came to return this... I apologize for the delay."
Yurien de Harden Kirie regarded what I offered in silence. He stood beside the lamp and approached me. With each step, my heart thundered.
He took the cloak from my hands. As he did, his fingertips brushed mine. It was only the briefest contact through our gloves, yet the sensation was vivid and clear. He held the folded cloak and looked down at it. Because he wasn't looking at me, I could gradually calm myself. Tension drained away like sand.
I studied him. Bathed in the crimson-tinged lamplight, he appeared slightly more heated than usual. Each time his lowered lashes blinked, they trembled like butterfly wings, and beneath them, his blue eyes rippled like a turbulent sea. His lips parted as though he wished to speak, then closed again as though he'd swallowed the words, repeating this cycle.
The meaning of all these signals was unmistakable. He was tense.
'Why?'
Something within me suddenly loosened. Until now, I had never been composed in his presence. But for the first time, my heart grew calm.
Now I could finally see how tense he was before me. It was strange I hadn't noticed—he was so careful. Just as I became sharp as a needle's point when standing before him, so too did he become cautious as a mirage when in my presence, reaching out with trembling fingers.
Though it felt like an eternity, the silence was actually quite brief. Yurien de Harden Kirie finally spoke.
"Is that truly the only reason you've come? To return this?"
"Yes."
Should there have been another reason? I couldn't fathom what he meant by such words. I hesitated before adding more.
"Ah, the medicine and ginger tea from before... I was grateful for them."
"...Did those things help you?"
"Yes. Very much so."
At my answer, he lifted his head. He looked at me, and then smiled—so brightly, so radiantly that I flinched. The way his eyes and lips softened was so gentle my chest trembled. Could a person smile so unguardedly? If that smile hadn't been directed at me, I would have sworn he was in love.
If I continued to face him much longer, I might fall into delusion. If not for the suspicion that he might know of my erased past, of the things I had done, I would have surrendered to that delusion in this moment. I quickly turned my head away from him.
"Forgive my intrusion, Commander. I shall take my leave now."
"Cadet Echinacea Loaz, wait."
Yurien de Harden Kirie called out urgently as I turned to go. I stopped, gripping the fabric of the Tent Camp entrance. His hand, which had moved as though to grasp my shoulder, fell short and dropped away—yet my keen senses felt it vividly. He asked quietly.
"...Have you ever encountered demons before?"
It was an oddly abrupt question.
During the time I was wielded by the Demonic Sword, demons would spawn in every ruin I passed through. But the Demonic Sword's purpose was to kill humans, so it didn't engage demons separately.
I became familiar with demons through my experiences gathering Giosa after overcoming the Demonic Sword. Particularly, when one Giosa member was sucked into a "knot," I suffered terribly enough to bathe in demon blood. Of course, as the noblewoman "Echinacea Loaz," I had never experienced such things.
"I haven't had no experience with them."
I answered vaguely. I felt a faint sigh from behind me. He spoke softly.
"Demons possess unusual ecology. Many things differ from how they interact with humans. Have you learned anything about their nature?"
"To some extent."
"Then I suppose that's fortunate, but...."
Again, that hesitation. I was curious what expression he wore, but I was afraid to turn around. If I saw that expression again, the emotions I had once shattered and destroyed might be resurrected. That would be an insult to him, whom I had killed and obliterated with my own hands. If I possessed any shame, I could not allow that. I bit the inside of my mouth firmly.
"Cadet Echinacea Loaz. Beginning tomorrow morning, we will divide the Suppression Unit into two groups to sweep both sides of the White Raven Gorge. The center holds a greater concentration of demons, so after we clear both flanks and rest for a day, the Giosa Owners will lead the charge through the center—cadets will be excluded from that operation. Squires, however, will not be. Therefore, you will participate when we assault the center."
Yurien de Harden Kirie spoke rapidly in clipped tones. He drew a deep breath before continuing.
"I do not doubt your blade... but demons are unpredictable creatures. I would ask that you remain close to me and do not stray."
"You don't doubt my blade? Have you ever seen me wield it?"
This troubled me more than his cautious concern. Had he ever witnessed my swordwork since my return? There had been no opportunity for him to see it. Wasn't that precisely why I had challenged him to a duel? How could he claim to trust me without having seen anything?
I turned to face him directly. After a brief silence, Yurien de Harden Kirie answered readily.
"I witnessed it myself during the cadet selection examination. And I know the results of the ranking tournament. You are exceptional."
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