Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Russel's Secret
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'Do these guys think they've never seen a person before? I ought to give them a good black eye!'
It seemed the rumors had already spread throughout the Kirfone Sky Legion. Whenever people saw me, they'd whisper among themselves or get out of my way.
It wasn't like I had some contagious disease, but I was still being subjected to silent quarantine.
On my way to Bebeto's hangar with the appointment certificate in hand.
I inwardly cursed at those avoiding me as I marched forward confidently.
Thud!
"Guh!"
"Heh heh, you dare defy us without fear? You must be dying to get yourself killed!"
'Huh, what's with these guys?'
Off in a corner, separated from the other hangars—Bebeto's hangar.
Soldiers who supplied food for the wyverns, like pigs and onions, were kicking a man.
'These bastards!'
Derval, writhing on the ground in pain after taking a blow to the gut.
"You think some gutless trainee knight can help you? Heh heh heh. You're serving that guy His Highness the Crown Prince is about to send to his death, and you dare give orders! Hah!"
"Stomp him! This guy's bad luck just to look at!"
My eyes flashed with rage.
Thud! Thud!
"Keuk!"
They didn't even notice me approaching as they gleefully beat Derval.
I clenched my teeth and silently closed in on them.
"Having fun?"
"Wh-who's there!"
"Gasp!"
The two oblivious fools, too busy stomping Derval to notice my approach.
They jumped in fright at my cold voice.
"..."
They scowled upon spotting me.
"What? Keep at it."
Derval was taking a severe beating but grit his teeth and endured.
"N-no, we were just..."
They stammered excuses.
"Derval, what's going on?"
"I asked for one pig for Bebeto to eat, and..."
Derval wiped the blood from his mouth with his clothes and answered.
I glared at the two soldiers with blazing eyes.
"Is that so? So where'd the pig go, and why are you the one getting beat?"
I could feel what they say about anger turning emotions ice-cold.
My feelings had chilled to the bone.
Beneath it all, fury like ice at the Arctic depths had solidified.
"That cursed wyvern's been eating scraps until now. But this fearless punk insists on a whole pig, so..."
The loudmouthed soldier spat out his excuse.
"So you beat him?"
"..."
They bowed their heads, sensing the rage in my voice.
"And what's that pig over there?"
"Th-that... It's leftovers from today's feeding."
"Yeah? Then can I take it?"
"N-no, that's... You can't."
"Why? Because I'm not an official Sky Knight? Or because Bebeto's a cursed wyvern?"
I flashed a rage-filled smile.
"Either way, no. Those are for the other wyverns this evening..."
Thud!
"Keuk!"
My steel-hard fist slammed into the gut of the one who'd said no.
"Kuh... Heuk, heuk."
He gasped for air, unable to breathe after the direct hit.
His face turned deathly pale, on the verge of passing out.
Swish.
I drew the large slaughtering sword attached to the wagon.
Slash!
Thud.
Splatter!
A casual swing severed the head of the horse pulling the wagon.
Blood sprayed wildly.
"If you don't bring the freshest food starting tomorrow, next time..."
Drip, drip.
I pointed the dripping blade at the soldier's ashen face.
"You'll be wyvern food."
"Y-yes, sir. We'll bring the freshest food. Gulping."
They nodded frantically at the bloodied sword before their eyes.
Sorry for the horse, but I had to send a bloody warning.
"Get up and take that fresh horsemeat to Bebeto."
"Yes, sir!"
Derval sprang up with a vigorous reply, thrilled by the satisfying revenge.
"Leave the pig."
"Y-yes, sir!"
The soldier responded in military fashion, just like Derval.
'I'll make sure they get the whip later.'
After this incident, no one would dare ignore Derval or Bebeto anymore.
No matter how fearless, no one stands tall before death.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Crunch, crunch.
'He's eating well.'
Bebeto, thanks to me, feasting on horsemeat.
He devoured the horse down to the bones without leaving a scrap.
Crackle, crackle.
'Damn, it'd be perfect with some booze.'
The soldiers had cleanly butchered the pig on my orders and left.
At the end, they bowed ninety degrees, heads nearly touching the ground.
They dragged the wagon of livestock in place of the horse, struggling.
After that, a modest promotion party for a noble in the hangar.
We gathered stray wood and held a whole-pig barbecue.
"Sir Kayer, did the Marquis say anything else?"
As pig fat sizzled and dripped onto the firewood, Derval cautiously asked.
"His final courtesy was assigning me a dedicated instructor."
"Hmm... I see."
Derval nodded at my words.
"Probably two weeks at most."
He mentioned "two weeks" as if he knew something.
"Normally, it takes at least six months for a Sky Knight to master various attack maneuvers and formation flying. But it seems we only have about two weeks."
"I'll get reassigned somewhere else?"
"Probably. The high nobles won't like a cursed wyvern being officially stationed in the Kirfone Sky Legion, the empire's pride. Their own children train or serve here as knights. And Sir Kayer, you've fallen out of His Highness the Crown Prince's favor too."
'Rotten bastards, just wait. I'll flatten your noses!'
Treating Bebeto, who wasn't some monster, worse than a beggar.
Someday, I'd make them regret it big time.
"The problem is they won't let us go quietly. We'll likely get demoted to the front lines or some border post. And on the way, we'll pass through at least dozens of territories... That's the issue."
Derval looked worried.
'He's useful after all.'
More than talented enough for cleaning wyvern shit and tending to it.
"Just trust me. I'll handle everything."
"Yes, sir."
'What, what's with that baseless confidence?'
I'd just said it as courtesy, but Derval nodded with eyes beaming respect and trust.
He looked at me like a god.
"Whoa! What's that smell?"
'That voice...'
I'd been focusing amid the savory aroma of roasting pig filling the hangar and the complicated thoughts swirling in my head when a familiar voice rang out.
Creak.
The hangar's side door opened.
"Puhahaha! Baronet Kayer, throwing a little celebration party here?"
Two people entered.
'Rosero... Countess Irene.'
Surprisingly, two Sky Knights had come to the hangar.
Each holding bottles that looked like liquor.
"Congratulations, Baronet Kayer."
Countess Irene, knowing of my baronetcy, offered stiff congratulations.
"Amazing! Amazing! I knew you were the real deal from the start, but to claim a wyvern in just a few months as a trainee. And a hybrid wyvern everyone shuns, no less."
Grooo...
"Ah! Calm down, calm down. I didn't mean you were bad."
Bebeto growled as Rosero pointed at him.
Rosero waved his hand to soothe him.
"Here, take it."
"Huh?"
Countess Irene suddenly offered me the bottle in her hand.
"Take it. And sprinkle it on Bebeto's wings."
"Why?"
Derval's advice made "why" slip out.
I had no idea why to waste precious liquor on Bebeto's wings.
"It's a rite to the overseer of winds and freedom, Lord Bormio, guardian of the skies."
'Oh! They have rituals here too.'
Like the rite my father performed recently when buying a car.
It seemed the Kaliyan continent had similar customs to Earth.
"Hurry up and do it. The pig's done."
Rosero rubbed his hands and licked his lips.
Pop!
I uncorked the bottle with mana.
The fragrant grape wine aroma tickled my nose.
"Pray to the god with sincere heart."
Derval's following advice.
'Bormio? No, Lord Bormio! Please take care of us from now on. Help no blind birds crash into us mid-flight. Rain or shine, I trust only in you, Lord Bormio. All I ask is 365 days of safe flying, and if I can wish a bit more, help me snag a pretty wife before I hit adulthood. If things go well, I'll treat you to a big one later!'
Splash.
I sprinkled the wine on Bebeto's wings, praying earnestly(?) with all my heart.
Grooooaaar.
Bebeto startled as wine soaked his wings.
'What a waste of your size, you wimp.'
Laughter bubbled up at Bebeto showing timidity unfit for his massive frame.
"Alright, let's properly celebrate Sir Kayer's noble promotion and becoming a Sky Knight! Countess, please sit."
Rosero, in high spirits.
True to a free wind spiritist, he naturally took the lead.
'Heh, eccentric guy.'
Sir Rosero had caught my eye from first sight.
Cynical vibe, but with a smile, he seemed like a good neighborhood big bro.
"Congratulations, Sir Kayer. On entering the world of winds."
Countess Irene smiled softly.
'Big Sis, you're the best!'
A beauty with fairy-like transparent silver hair fluttering and blue eyes.
She offered me a wine bottle.
"Please take care of me from now on."
"Yeah! Let's do this! We'll conquer those skies together!"
I bowed deeply to the two who'd come to celebrate.
"Drink up! Tonight we eat till we drop!"
Rosero already chugging from a wine bottle, grabbing smoked meat with one hand.
Gulp.
'Delicious!'
Sweet wine aroma as it went down smooth.
A shame it wasn't crisp beer or sharp soju, but beggars can't be choosers.
Just sharing wine with a goddess-like beauty delicately holding her hair back with one hand made me happy.
'Kekeke. I'm born under heaven's luck! Uhahaha!'
And my smug skill activated without fail.
Life's about these moments.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
'Huh, what's that guy doing?'
Though now a baronet, I didn't get a private room like other Sky Knights.
Back in my room.
Russel was packing his leather bag with trembling hands.
"Russel, where you going?"
"I'm leaving..."
"Leaving? Where to?"
He spat it out like someone kicked awake from sleep beside the bed.
"Tomorrow's the final exam... But I can't do it. I can't fly in the sky..."
Russel answered weakly.
The damp aura of defeat enveloped him like an aurora.
"You idiot."
"..."
Tremble.
Russel clenched his fists mid-packing.
"D-don't talk like that."
"Got it. Idiot, airhead, eternal bachelor."
"You bastard!"
Russel charged with girly fists.
Thud!
His fist slammed vigorously into my chest.
It stung a bit, but bearable.
"Still got the guts to swing, huh, idiot."
"Shut up! What do you know, yapping away! It's my life, give up or not—mind your own business! Don't mess with me!!!!!!!!"
Russel screamed, flailing fists wildly.
Thud.
Tears streamed down his face like a girl's again.
Grab!
I seized his slender hand.
"You said you'd sell your soul to the devil? You think the devil's crazy enough to buy a soul from someone who can't beat this? Would you want a weakling's soul if you were him?"
I bellowed so loud it echoed in Russel's soul.
"Sniff... Then what do I do? I'm scared of that sky!"
"But how will you get revenge! Wait till your enemies die of old age? Is that your idea of brutal revenge?"
"..."
Russel bit his lip.
"Come with me."
I yanked his slender wrist.
"Let go!"
Slap!
I slapped Russel's resisting cheek hard.
"Don't whine like a loser! If you're a man, make some noise even if you die!"
'Damn, fate's a bitch.'
For anyone else, I'd say "fine, do what you want," but Russel tugged at me for some reason.
After months sharing a room, affection had built up.
Stomp, stomp.
I dragged Russel out of the dorm room.
"What're you looking at! Beat it!"
I glared at trainees peeking out at the commotion.
Slam.
They knew my temper and slammed doors in panic.
'Shit, my temper's flaring today!'
I didn't know when I'd leave.
One gift I could give Russel.
Let him breathe that clear, cold sky air to his heart's content.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Two-seater saddle."
"Yes, sir!"
Russel, dragged to Bebeto's hangar.
His gripped wrist was bruised purple.
Grooo.
Bebeto, woken from sleep, blinked golden eyes at me and Russel.
"Bebeto, let's fly a bit."
Grumble.
The guy who understood human speech nodded slightly, sensing the heavy mood.
"I'll set it up."
"Sorry."
Derval managed with one hand, but saddling was too much.
'He lives here.'
A worn sleeping bag in one corner of the hangar.
Derval slept with Bebeto.
Clank, clank.
I took the saddle and fitted it on Bebeto skillfully.
Rumble.
While saddling, Derval struggled to open the hangar door with one hand.
I liked his smarts and quick wits.
"Get on."
"Wh-why...?"
Russel eyed the bulkier-than-average Bebeto fearfully and asked why.
"You'll see."
Grab!
"Ack!"
I grabbed Russel's collar and leaped onto Bebeto's back.
"Fasten it, unless you wanna fall and crack like an egg."
I sat him behind me and secured the safety harness.
"Bebeto."
Groooaaar!
Late night after promotion party and drinks.
Bebeto didn't mind and roared vigorously, flapping wings.
Thud thud thud.
He charged excitedly toward the open hangar.
"Have a safe trip!"
Derval bowed deeply.
"Eek..."
Russel let out a fearful groan.
"Fly!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whiiish.
Moonless night.
I shouted toward the twinkling starlit sky like countless candles.
Flap!
Bebeto powerfully beat wings and kicked off the ground.
Boom~!
That odd jolt at takeoff.
Squeeze!
Russel clung to my back desperately.
"Bebeto! To the highest you can fly!"
Groooaaaar!
Late night, no flights.
Winds battered Bebeto's wings fully.
Whiiiiiish.
In an instant, Bebeto shot straight up into the cloudless sky.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Haa..."
Addictive night flight.
No helmet, so the piercing cold blue air hit unrelentingly.
Pure, pristine—no world's filth existed here.
Stars that whispered truths through endless ages nestled in my arms.
Shiver, shiver.
Russel clung to the air plate for dear life.
His terrified tremors transmitted mercilessly.
"Bebeto, fly slower."
Groooaaar.
Bebeto replied with a pleased roar.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Above drifting clouds, we flew level.
"Look! Open your eyes!"
"N-no!"
Russel shook his head no at my command.
Click.
I unfastened the safety harness.
Click click.
"Wh-what are you doing!"
I turned and unhooked Russel's too.
Only then did he open rabbit-wide eyes in shock.
"Can't you tell? Fall and you're done..."
I mimed slitting my throat.
With a cruel smile.
"P-put me down! Take me to the ground!"
"If you can, go ahead."
"Eee! You jerk!"
'Huh? What's with that voice?'
Russel's androgynous tone suddenly shifted to a woman's delicate high pitch.
'Whoa!'
Short hair blown back, revealing white earlobes—Russel's pale face.
Large, soft silver eyes for a man.
Plump red lips bitten in fear.
Long fluttering lashes, straight nose.
So alluring, I forgot the situation.
Drip.
Tears flowing nonstop.
'Why does just those tears hurt my heart?'
If another guy cried, I'd mock him for bawling like a wimp, but Russel's tears stung my heart.
"Sob sob. Sc-scared... This sky where Dad died... I'm scared!!!!"
"..."
'Th-this voice...'
More shocking than the confession.
'A... a girl?'
Lips blue from terror, Russel turned and hugged me, sobbing in a woman's voice.
Boom.
Shock hit like a house-sized wave.
Realizing my roommate Russel might be a woman in disguise left me dazed.
'I see. That's why Russel...'
He'd hated skinship unusually.
Never showed me his naked body once.
"Put me down... I don't qualify. To be a Sky Knight..."
Unaware his secret was out, he trembled in my arms, pleading in a woman's voice to descend.
Smirk.
A wicked smile crept on my lips.
'You fooled me completely? Heh heh heh.'
"Russel."
I quietly called the guy—no, her.
"..."
No reply, just tightening her hold around my waist, trembling.
"Now fly. With our strength."
I hugged the embraced Russel tightly.
"What are you doing!"
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Holding Russel, I stood from the saddle.
"See? You can open your eyes."
Unlike usual, I felt no flight fear.
Like Simcheong leaping into Indangsu, I hurled us into the sky.
"Aaahhh!"
Russel screamed piercingly.
Whirrrrrrrrr.
Sharp wind whistling as we plummeted from sky to dark ground.
"Open your eyes! Look clearly!"
I pressed her tightly shut eyes near my face and yelled.
"Sell your soul to me! I'll help with revenge!"
'Uwaaa! Answer quick!'
Freefall, no parachute.
Acceleration built, speed increasing.
But I couldn't back down.
Fear conquers fear.
I wanted to give ultimate terror beyond riding wyvern.
"You mean it?"
'Huh?'
She asked calmly if real.
Wind roar muffled it, but fear-gone Russel asked.
Nod.
I nodded.
"Mmph!"
Suddenly, something cold soft sealed my lips.
'Ugh! Not this!'
Her lips, leagues beyond a peck.
'Ah...'
Blinding shock.
Heat of Russel's heart on my lips.
'Heuk!'
One sudden thought.
We weren't in sunny fields or cozy bedroom—we fell mid-air.
'Russel! We'll die!'
Magic memorized, but needs chant to cast.
What guts made her trust and ambush-kiss mid-air.
After my innocence, now my life.
I pulled head back gently.
"L-Levitation!"
Flash!
Mana on standby transformed to magic light at chant.
Whiiiish.
But two falling—magic couldn't counter acceleration instantly.
"Levitation!"
Double cast amid surprise.
'Uwaaaaa!'
Turned head—vast dark forest below.
Whirrrrrrrrr.
Dual levitation finally slowed us.
Sloooow.
Mana surged, descent speed plummeted.
"M-magic?"
Russel asked shocked.
As I hadn't guessed she was girl, she hadn't imagined me a mage.
Thud.
Feet touched grass in treeless clearing.
"Ah..."
Ground underfoot, she groaned softly like waking from dream.
Groooaaaar~!
Bebeto, come to find me, circled overhead confirming I'm alive.
Whoooosh.
Gentle night breeze.
Swish swish.
Russel's short hair fluttered cutely.
Her moist lips set my heart ablaze.