Chapter 19
The North's winter was merciless. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the wind grew sharper still, whipping snow into a frenzy. Flakes began piling up on the ground. Even with night’s heavy curtain drawn tight, the restless tossing and turning echoing from tents all around kept my eyes from closing easily.
For knights used to the capital's comforts, the sight of Luju Village today must have been a shock. Plenty of them probably wouldn't sleep a wink tonight.
Thud.
"You sure it's okay to pull sentry duty two nights straight?"
Among those staring wide-eyed at the morning light—or lack thereof—was Kal, apparently. He didn't look the least bit sleepy as he draped a blanket over my shoulders and handed me a cup. Steam rose from warm milk, a snowflake settling delicately on its surface.
'Ah.'
Staring at the snow sent chills racing down my spine. I hated snow. I hated its endless, devouring white that swallowed everything whole.
I smoothed my crumpling face and looked away. Pointless, with snow everywhere, but still.
"As I said, Sword Masters don't drop dead from a little lost sleep. It's more logical for me to take watch."
I took the cup with a brief word of thanks and sipped. Honey's fragrance mingled with the milk's creamy richness in my mouth.
Tsk. He clicked his tongue and plopped down beside me. We watched the white flakes blanket the world in silence. I glanced sideways at Kal. His complexion was clear and smooth again, like nothing had happened after checking on the critically injured—no cause for worry there.
The quiet between us was comfortable. Then Kal spoke.
"Tomorrow, we'll head out for the magic beast subjugation."
"That's right."
"I..."
"I'm scared of the magic beasts now."
A frank confession I never imagined from someone whose pride pierced the heavens. Surprised he'd open up to me like this, I listened quietly.
"I never knew magic beasts could be this terrifying. Never dreamed they'd wreak such havoc on human lives."
A single massive magic beast left a village in ruins. It was a calamity, plain and simple.
"How have you faced them all this time? Weren't you ever afraid?"
I gazed up at the sky, where snowflakes fell relentlessly, as if the white fragments of heaven meant to drown the world.
"...Of course I'm afraid. Still am."
I'd never once not been afraid. Gripping my sword tensed every muscle; facing a magic beast made my heart pound with terror. There was no way confronting calamity wouldn't scare you.
"But there was something I feared more than my own death."
Still, there were things I had to protect, pushing my fear aside. I gave Kal, who watched me intently, a slow smile.
"It's normal to be afraid. If it's too much, just say you're sick and sit it out."
Urging him to bail drew a shocked look. He'd probably expected pep talks or grand tales from my exploits.
I could have spun heroic stories or lofty advice drawn from my experience, but I didn't want to. I'd faced fear head-on since childhood. Fleeing meant death, losing meant death—so to survive, I had to win. Always, only one choice.
A life treading the straight and narrow path toughens you, but it also wears you down to the bone.
"If you're scared, run. You've got the status for it, young master."
I hoped my other brother could live a different life—one with the option to flee if fear struck.
Kal stared at me intently. Sensing the heavy mood, I forced a playful grin.
"The strong one can handle it alone, no worries. I'll wrap it up clean, so you rest easy."
Strutting a bit, I earned a strange smile from him.
"You're fun, alright."
"Pardon?"
His usual face returned as he shook his head.
"Nothing. Thanks to you, I'm good now."
His voice was firm, unlike the weary tone from moments ago. A touch worried, I eyed him.
"...You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. Not afraid anymore."
He brushed snowflakes from his hair, then dusted the ones clinging to my hood, grinning wide.
"The strong you will protect me, right?"
I'd never promised that. Swallowing a teasing retort, I smiled back. He was so damn willful.
This subjugation run sprinkled powder midway through the forest to block northern magic beasts from invading, then picked off only those inside the barrier. Long-term, this beat random piecemeal hunts.
Our group split into my squad and Parve's. Kal was with mine.
Our two mages activated detection spells as we pushed east. What followed was routine for me.
"I've got a Sword Master father and seen countless knights, but..."
Kal muttered, face twisted in exasperation.
"You're the only one I've ever seen swing a sword like a berserker drunk on blood—zero defense, pure offense, no rules, no mercy. Mad swordplay."
His sharp words aside, I bit into a rice ball by the campfire, sneezed, and watched my white breath puff out. Huddling in the biting cold, I tilted my head.
"Like what, exactly?"
"A death-wish maniac pouring attacks with no guard up, no form, no technique—just insanity."
I shrugged at Kal's fed-up expression and the others' flushed faces, still stunned by what they'd witnessed.
'Never been trained properly, that's why.'
My sword was purely for survival. Best defense is a good offense—honed on battlefields where if you didn't kill, you died. I swung to protect, and a sword reflects its wielder's life.
"But no one got hurt, right?"
I rolled my throbbing shoulder. Truth be told, this run pushed harder than usual. Aria's impending move to the Freyja countess's house meant I needed to wrap up fast, plus nerves from group hunting.
'...Don't want to see anyone get hurt.'
Every beast we faced was a massive threat. Their swipes barely scratched my mana-clad skin, but they'd cripple knights or mages.
'Better I take the hits and end it.'
Each encounter, I shoved people back and soloed the beasts. No casualties, but protecting everyone while swinging non-stop strained my body.
"Idiot..."
Kal grumbled irritably, though his stoic facade hid a flicker of concern. Recalling last night's confession, my lips drooped.
"You okay, young master?"
"As you see."
He replied indifferently. Untouched by the forest, same as when we entered.
"Thanks to the duke's magic, we finished quick. Impressive."
"Flattery won't work."
His curt rebuke brightened his face noticeably. I bit my cheek to stifle a laugh. Part scolding, part flattery—but true.
'That last one... incredible.'
I recalled his shining moment. Controlling larger targets was tougher with mental manipulation magic, and beasts steeped in demonic energy were top difficulty.
'Stop.'
Kal handled massive ones effortlessly. Countless magic circles bloomed at his casual gesture, slowing them to a crawl. Finishing them off was easy.
"You've rested enough. Time to head back. Tomorrow, push farther, scatter more powder, then just clear beasts near the village."
Checking the darkening woods, I packed up swiftly. Early bed for tomorrow's work.
Sentry was mine again tonight.
'Hope nothing happens.'
Even in a nation at war, I gripped my sheath tightly, tense. Camping in a magic beast-infested forest was leagues riskier than mountains or villages. I'd dodged death from ambushes too many times not to stay sharp.
The northern winter night cut deep. Sniffling through a stuffy nose, I felt snowflakes brush my cheek and looked up. The snow from morning was back, burying the world anew.
'...Hate it.'
Nausea churned. I loathed winter's jet-black nightmares, loathed the snow. Swallowing bile, I shoved stray thoughts aside and focused on watch.
Then, a faint breeze grazed my cheek, carrying a familiar scent that tickled my nose. Only then could I smile a little.
"Using high-level flight magic out here—such a waste of talent."
"My talent can afford the luxury."
Arrogant tone, calm voice. I smiled softly at the figure alighting on the tree opposite mine. Red eyes met mine, warm and gentle.
It was Kal.
"You slept late last night too. It's freezing—go rest inside."
"I'll rest when you do."
"I've got sentry duty. You get some proper sleep."
"I won't if you don't."
A brief tussle, but I yielded to his stubbornness. Worried since he stayed up talking last night, but couldn't force him.
Forgetting my hated winter and snow for a bit, I chatted pleasantly with Kal.
And calamity always strikes without warning.
Ting—One of my aura threads scattered for detecting presences snagged on something. Instinct screamed danger.
"...Mir?"
Mid-sentence, Kal eyed my frozen form curiously, but I had no time for him. Goosebumps prickled my skin, hairs standing on end.
'The smell.'
So familiar, so utterly loathed. Rotting flesh, thick blood, foul demonic stench twisting together.
'Not one. No.'
Too potent. No single beast could exude this pressure. They were coming—a horde.
"Mir! Snap out of it! You okay!?"
Kal flew across via magic, landing on the branch before my pale, rigid self. He shook my shoulders.
I met his eyes, vision shaking.
'My brother.'
We'd known each other mere days. Just days, yet blood truly ran thick.
I didn't want to lose him.
"Young master."
"You alright?"
"Kal."
"You have to—live."
Without warning, I wrapped my arms around his waist, scooping him up. His eyes went wide.
Whoosh!
"What the—?!"
Mana in my feet, I leaped into the air.
"Everyone up! Magic beast horde incoming!"