Shadows of the Past, Promises of the Future

Come to think of it, whenever Dersian faced a formidable opponent, he always used Isha as a benchmark. He would say things like, "This opponent is slower than Isha," or "This one is easier to handle than Isha." I had never thought much of it. After all, in the original novel, Isha's strength was depicted as truly formidable. Even Dersian, who had defeated her, insisted it was a mere fluke and often hinted that he was still inferior to her. In fact, among all the swordsmen in the novel—excluding myself—Isha was held in the highest regard. So, I had simply assumed that Dersian's mental image of a "strong foe" had just solidified into Isha's likeness. Besides, he was supposed to be a member of the female lead Elis's reverse harem. Naturally, I had assumed he would fall for Elis. Well, though now he himself admitted his feelings, what could I do? He spoke of falling in love at first sight, his face laid bare with raw emotion. It seemed his frequent mentions of Isha in the original work weren't solely because of her strength. Now that I thought about it, despite his early introduction in the story, it had taken quite a long time for Dersian to actually develop romantic feelings for the female lead.

"I heard this while she was teaching me the sword, but apparently, she loves baking bread. It's been a hobby of hers since she was a child."

"Baking... I see. I'd love to try it myself someday."

Feeling a twinge of pity, I squeezed out whatever words of encouragement I could. If Dersian had indeed fallen for Isha at first sight in the original novel as well, then his life must have been incredibly tragic. Of all people, his first love had to be an assassin sent to kill him. To survive, he had to cut her down, and Isha ultimately met her end in the torture chambers of the Inquisition. And just when he had finally managed to piece his broken heart back together, his second love was snatched away by the Crown Prince. In the epilogue, after the female lead's marriage, Dersian had departed on a journey of self-improvement to become stronger. Now, I felt like I finally understood the true meaning behind that "journey." Well, every happy ending has its shadows. And the losers in the game of love are always left with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Dersian bowed to me once more.

"Thank you so much, Sir Rajen. I look forward to your guidance in the future as well!"

"...Just don't come by too often."

"Understood!"

I don't think he actually understood. At any rate, as soon as our conversation ended, I headed back to my spot. Waiting for me there was Sirien, her cheeks puffed out in a full-blown pout. With just a few words, my beloved managed to multiply my worries.

"Rajen, you cheated on me."

"Where on earth is this coming from? I was right next to you a moment ago, and I only stepped away for a brief chat."

"I saw everything. That man had the face of someone utterly in love while he was looking at you."

"That... that is a horrifying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠misunderstanding. I don't even want to imagine it."

"Hmph, really? Well, hurry up and sit next to me first."

"I completely let my guard down. I never imagined even men would be after you."

"I told you, it's not like that. I explained everything."

Sirien nuzzled her face into my chest. Her soft cheeks rubbed against me, leaving behind a lingering trace of warmth.

"What just happened was a real shock. I thought only women coveted you."

"Misunderstandings like that only bring me pain."

"Well, I'm open-minded."

"Maybe you could afford to be a little less open-minded?"

"I don't care. Hurry up and reassure me."

Peeking at her face, I saw the corners of her lips twitching upward. Fortunately, she was only teasing; she just wanted an excuse to cling to me. Sirien glanced around briefly before shifting her weight to sit right on my lap. Naturally, my arms wound around her waist, cradling her stomach. Anyone passing by could easily see us, yet she was strangely bold when it came to things like this. I couldn't quite grasp her boundaries. Was it fine as long as no one was looking at that exact second? I had a feeling she would die of embarrassment if we actually got caught.

"Yes, yes. You're the only one for me. Where would a knight go without his lord?"

"Hehe, exactly. Rub my tummy too. I think what I ate earlier is sitting a bit heavy. Yes, yes. Just like that."

"I've heard of people nibbling on ears at times like this. Should I try that too?"

"T-That is strictly forbidden!"

Sirien whipped her head away. So rubbing her stomach was fine, but having my lips near her ear was a no-go? A woman's heart was truly an unfathomable mystery.

"Actually, you know... I'm a little scared."

"Scared of what?"

"Once we reach the capital, there might be people who recognize us. And maybe... Count Roxen will be there. If I run into him, even just passing by, will I be able to keep my composure?"

Sirien's voice trembled slightly.

"Well, I think you'll be fine."

The Sirien I knew was someone who grew colder the angrier she got. On the day we lost Therion and Hena, she had suppressed the lava boiling inside her, whispering of vengeance in a low, quiet tone. Letting emotions ruin things was a risk I was more likely to run into, not her. After all, I had let my bloodlust slip in front of Dersian just today.

Still, I thought it best to reassure her. I pressed my chest close against her slender back. I knew exactly how to comfort Sirien. Whenever she had cried her heart out back at the castle, I was always the one who comforted her. Our Saintess had always found solace in my warmth. If I held her hand or patted her back while whispering that everything would be alright, she would quickly calm down and stop crying. Though she wasn't crying now, it would surely soothe her mind just the same.

"It's already been four years. We've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spent over four years preparing to end this before Roxen even has a chance to react. Your revenge will be flawless."

"What if I make a mistake?"

"Then I'll take care of it, somehow. I promised to help you, didn't I? Ever since we were at the cabin."

The two of us had always been one. Sirien would cover for my mistakes, and I would cover for hers. That was how we had always done things.

Our ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠procession made its way toward the capital without any further trouble. Having finally left the dreadful Northern Mountains behind, we were likely only a day or two away from our destination. Thanks to this breathing room, neither Sirien nor I were assigned guard duty today. This meant the two of us could idle away the hours inside the cozy carriage. Seizing this opportunity, Sirien seemed eager to discuss our plans for the capital. To begin with, the conclusion she and I had reached regarding our current situation was simple and clear: we still lacked both physical evidence and sufficient power.

"Listen. There are two ways we can bring down Marquis Eloran."

Inside the rattling carriage, Sirien drew a sketch on a small piece of paper. It depicted a scale, symbolizing the court of law, and an eagle, representing the imperial family.

"One is the Imperial Court, and the other is an Imperial Decree?"

"Yes. Honestly, circumstantial evidence is more than enough. If the court were fair, we'd stand a good chance even with physical evidence, and the Emperor is no fool—he'll know the Marquis's collusion with the demons is real."

"But I thought a legal battle was out of the question."

"It is. The Imperial Court is rotten to the core. Unless I step forward publicly, it's out of the question for now. It's far too dangerous."

Sirien drew a bold 'X' over the scales. To hear the word "rotten" describe the courts from the mouth of the Grand Duchy's princess... this Empire was truly beyond saving. Conversely, she drew a circle around the eagle.

"So getting an Imperial Decree is the cleanest way."

"Yes. Which means the real problem is the Emperor."

Politics did not run on simple truth or justice. This was especially true for an ancient nation like the Empire. Extremely tangled webs of conflicting interests had rusted away every corner of the country.

"Think about it from the Emperor's perspective. What does he gain if he does what we want?"

"Baron Isquente's loyalty? And the vacant seat left by Marquis Eloran?"

"He won't find that very appealing. Publicly, Marquis Eloran was neither on the Emperor's side nor allied with the other nobles. The power vacuum left behind would have to be split between them."

The Eloran Marquisate was an ancient and prestigious family in the Empire. Naturally, they held immense influence in central politics. They possessed a value that could not even be compared to Baron Isquente, a mere commander of a border garrison who had risen from commoner roots.

"On the other hand, what if he quietly disposes of Baron Isquente, and instead blackmails Marquis Eloran by ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠holding his weakness over his head?"

"Then he gets a powerful, obedient dog."

"Exactly. That's why we can't ask the Emperor for help just yet."

She drew a triangle over the circle. Then, Sirien drew a long arrow pointing away from the drawing. At the end of the arrow, she sketched a new symbol: a lantern, the mark of Hibras.

"But we do have a way to buy time. We'll demand that the Empire officially recognize the Order of Hibras."

"What difference does that make?"

"The Imperial Court will have to dispatch an envoy to our temple. Marquis Eloran won't dare try anything funny during that time."

"Is that why we have to go to the capital ourselves?"

"That's part of it... but there's actually one more reason."

Sirien took my hand and pulled me closer.

"We need to secure absolute, undeniable physical evidence. And then, we're going to blow this wide open so the Emperor can't sweep it under the rug."

Leaning in, Sirien lightly tapped my lips with her fingertip. Her playfully smiling face was incredibly close.

"What do people need to communicate?"

"A mouth. Or a handwritten letter, at least."

"Exactly. Whatever the case, people have to meet to talk. Especially when it's a secret."

"There must be a contact person. Are they active in the capital right now?"

"Yes. And it's a stroke of luck you secured. It was information only Russell knew."

Sirien leaned in and pressed her lips to mine. It was a fleeting kiss, but her warm, sweet breath lingered on my face.

"This is your reward. Thanks to you, Rajen, things have become so much easier."

As she smiled brightly, Sirien was, without a doubt, the most beautiful girl in the world.