Iron Demon, Gehenna
Cecile thought for a moment that she'd misheard. The Duke had called her to his side. Considering his usual habit of keeping distance, this was a massive change.
Stay calm. His words themselves weren't strange. He must have some other reason for summoning her close. So, when the Duke called, it was only natural to go to him.
Crackle, crackle.
Even now, beyond the faint glow of the campfire, the Duke looked somehow different from usual. Eyes that seemed to hold a cold flame. His signature serene aura, chilled even before the fire. An overwhelming presence that made the surrounding knights unconsciously aware of him.
"Cecile?"
That's when Kairon called her again.
"Ah, yes! Coming right away!"
Cecile snapped out of it and rose, taking a step forward. She tried to sit a bit away regardless, but Kairon patted the spot beside him demonstratively.
"A little closer."
"Ah, yes."
Cecile's lips twitched for a second before she cautiously settled right next to him. Up close, the Duke's atmosphere was definitely off.
Why? But she couldn't pinpoint why he seemed different. Her heart fluttered inexplicably, and she scolded herself.
Idiot, get a grip. There had to be a reason he'd called her over. The stray thought embarrassed her endlessly.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to check your mana."
Kairon stated the reason casually.
"……Ah. Yes."
Cecile nodded awkwardly as understanding dawned late. Her excitement sank like a lie. She quickly schooled her expression. The Duke was scrutinizing the dark forest beyond the campfire, as if on guard. She scanned the surroundings urgently too.
"Have you sensed something?"
"No, not yet."
He shook his head slowly.
"I haven't sensed anything either. Just… a bad gut feeling."
He replied in a very low voice.
"A threatening instinct, Your Grace?"
"Yeah."
It wasn't a lie. The System had warned of a Calamity coming. But he couldn't say that outright.
Time until Calamity arrives
Staring at the red text floating in one corner of my vision, I clenched my fingertips.
"Word's already out that we left the North to meet Her Highness the Princess."
"You think another faction might make a move?"
"It's possible. And right now, my gut's screaming danger."
Cecile's face paled. She suddenly realized how few escorts they had.
Even if I'm a senior knight. And even if the Duke was known as the North's greatest knight, dangers lurked everywhere. Especially now, with the imperial succession stirring unrest.
She didn't press further. Instead, she pulled her sword sheath forward slightly.
"Will you check my mana directly, Your Grace?"
"Yeah. Give me your hand."
"Understood."
Shh.
Cecile extended her hand carefully. At once, a faint blue light flowed from her fingertips, pushing back the surrounding darkness. A very thin thread of mana. As the flow strengthened gradually, Kairon gazed at her hand before gently grasping it.
"……."
He slowly checked her mana, his eyes narrowing faintly.
As a senior knight. Cecile's mana was far from weak. Vast reserves circulated in her body, with plenty of spare capacity. She was near full strength. Besides, as described in the story, Kairon was the North's top knight—a symbol of its power and might. With me and Cecile handling things, most threats wouldn't qualify as a Calamity.
"Hoo…."
Then Kairon exhaled softly. He slipped off his black glove.
Shh…!
From the hand that grasped hers flowed black mana, thin at the fingertips. In the campfire light, it rippled like a shadow swelling across his palm—utterly alien.
"Your Grace, this mana…?"
Cecile's eyes widened slightly as she entrusted her hand silently.
"Memorize my mana clearly."
"Preparing for emergencies?"
"Yeah. We might get separated, or have to split up."
At Kairon's calm tone, Cecile gazed at his hand unthinkingly. Callused, covered in countless scars. But those scars weren't from years of wear.
…He usually hides it under gloves. Yet now he bared those wounded hands without hesitation, even sharing his mana. Uncharacteristic for the Duke, but it closed the distance strangely, shaking her heart.
"Got it memorized?"
Cecile stared at his fingertips for a moment before nodding.
"Yes. It's like the deep night of the North."
"North's night? What do you mean?"
Kairon paused, asking. Cecile met his eyes with a faint smile.
"Very cold and dark, but it feels like it's always by your side."
He chuckled softly, then nodded.
"Not bad. Anyway, better safe than sorry. My gut's getting worse as time passes."
"Understood. I won't drop my guard for a second."
Just as Cecile finished speaking.
Neigh.
A horse by the carriage whinnied softly.
"Whoa, whoa! What's wrong all of a sudden?"
The coachman nearby startled, grabbing the reins and soothing it hurriedly.
Cecile glanced at Kairon.
"Even the horses are uneasy."
"Feel any approaching presence?"
"No. I've heightened my senses, but nothing within range."
Short reply. But it was enough for Kairon.
Right, the Calamity won't hit right away. Time remained, and when it ran out, the Calamity would loom before my eyes.
Whoooosh…!
Wind blew from the eastern forest.
Rustle-rustle-rustle—!
The surrounding leaves shook violently in unison.
"…Something's off."
Cecile frowned puzzledly, and I noticed the anomaly too. Wind from the east, yet the campfire flames bent oppositely, pressed down.
"You saw it too, Your Grace?"
"Yeah."
Kairon replied lowly.
Time until Calamity arrives
The message in his vision still showed plenty of time. But signs were already appearing.
Click.
Cecile adjusted her sword sheath quietly beside me. Time passed in the ominous tension.
Crackle, crack.
The campfire dimmed sharply, while bright starlight illuminated the ground. No one slept or rested.
It didn't look good to Kairon.
Did I make them too alert? Maybe it would've been better not to share the bad vibes and let them rest.
Time until Calamity arrives
Three hours now. But it also ramped up the tension.
"Your Grace, what are your orders?"
Cecile approached after patrolling briefly. She was fully armored now.
"We'll hold position today instead of moving. Cecile, you rest a bit too. You're too tense."
"No. How could I rest when you aren't?"
"Then neither of us rests."
Kairon shook his head calmly. Cecile smiled faintly, meeting his eyes.
"You rest first, Your Grace, then I will."
"What're you saying?"
"That's how I feel. I'm sensing real danger now too."
Just as she stepped closer.
Shh.
Kairon narrowed his eyes suddenly, hand on his sword hilt. A chill ran through his gaze. Mana like the North's deep night surged through his body, expanding his domain rapidly.
"Your Grace, something?"
Cecile asked immediately.
"Hold on."
Kairon closed his eyes slowly. A hazy memory surfaced.
The North's fiercest frontline. Amid raging blizzards. Outline of black blood and twisted horns.
Why now? No idea. But his body had a knack for premonitions. This wasn't something to ignore.
"Cecile."
"Yes."
"Among high demons, any with black blood and twisted horns?"
Cecile's face hardened.
"I've never seen one myself, but from what I know…."
She hesitated, then spoke resolutely.
"History records one high demon that once breached the northern walls. Matches Your Grace's description from ancient texts."
"Name?"
Kairon pressed urgently.
"The Iron Demon, Gehenna."
She uttered the name cautiously.
Thump!
Kairon's heart pounded abnormally. Instinct reacted violently, as if warning him upon hearing the name.
"…Cecile, if Gehenna shows up tonight, how do we handle it?"
Cecile didn't answer right away. She scanned around: eastern edge, halted carriage and horses, straight road ahead. She thought deeply, then spoke.
"You must face it directly, Your Grace. The other escorts can't."
"And you?"
"…I can assist, but not replace you."
She bit her lip, voicing her thoughts. She, tasked with protecting him, could only support.
"That's enough."
But Kairon's response differed.
"…Your Grace."
"Don't overdo the support. I'll handle it myself—so actually, this puts my mind at ease."
Kairon chuckled, slapping her shoulder lightly to shake off the heavy mood.
"So sit and rest. Stay alert, but sitting."
"You think Gehenna's coming?"
"Probably."
Kairon grabbed her shoulder casually, seating her beside him with a composed face.
Shh.
Cecile sat reluctantly, staring up at him blankly. It was odd. Much like the usual Duke, yet markedly different. Undeniably.
It's not just his attitude toward Her Highness that's changed. Amid his usual heavy, solemn air, a clear confidence shone now. Foreseeing danger with his famed instinct, yet treating it lightly.
What did that mean?
"……!"
Cecile's eyes widened. Knights were said to hit walls. Not from mana or skill limits, but self-imposed barriers at lofty heights.
And now, Kairon in her eyes showed transcendent change, as if shattering that invisible wall.
No way. But it didn't add up. The Duke was only twenty-six. No knight in imperial history had reached swordmaster so young. Even legendary ones ascended late in life.
"Eh, not bad at all."
The Duke took it in stride. As if even the impending high demon was no big deal….