The Weight of the Crown

Karin Balenos was fierce. It looked like a simple clash of swords, but the sound echoing through the air said otherwise. When Rowen and Karin sparred, their blades met with a light, crisp clang! But the sword dance between Arahan and Karin was entirely different. Every time Arahan swung her sword, the air shrieked as if being torn to shreds. Watching this familiar sight after so long, Rowen couldn't help but shake his head in awe. This was the exact reason why, as a child, he had always run away from her to immerse himself in magic. Why had he cooped himself up in the library when most of the knowledge was already in his head? The answer was right in front of him. Arahan, a woman of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠monstrous, god-like strength. There wasn't a single high-ranking adventurer who didn't know her name. After all, she had slain a dragon in her teens...

"She's doing surprisingly well dodging those."

"Even with talent, dodging attacks of that caliber is no easy feat. And who do you think she has to thank for that?"

"...Right, right. You're amazing."

"That didn't sound like a compliment at all. Rowen, I really think you need to learn to be a bit more considerate of others."

"Sira, if you want a compliment, you should probably refrain from being so blatantly self-serving before you even bring up the word 'consideration.'"

"This big sister of yours doesn't like little brothers who lack charm."

"I don't recall ever becoming your brother."

Rowen let Sira Yunseul's chatter go in one ear and out the other, keeping his eyes fixed on the spar between Arahan and Karin. He knew that calling it a "spar" was a massive understatement; it was closer to one-sided violence. But if this was the brutal training method Uba had used to make Arahan so strong... then he couldn't deny its effectiveness.

"My lady. Counterattacking is just as important."

"...Tch."

Karin's movements closely resembled Rowen's. While she couldn't copy him perfectly, she was capable of adapting his style to suit her own. Arahan's sword grazed past her face. Reading the subtle flow of the wind just as Rowen would, Karin smoothly shifted her axis and redirected the trajectory of her blade. Arahan's follow-up strikes came in a rapid flurry. Creak! A sound like cracking glass echoed, but the weapon's durability held. Arahan casually countered Karin's full-force downward strike. A rising slash—the sweep of the one-handed sword drawing a crescent moon—forced Karin's body to its absolute limits.

"The Young Master was able to endure this even at the age of ten."

"Don't compare me to him! Rowen isn't even human to begin with!"

Grind.

"Hey, brat! If I'm not human, then what am I?!"

"...A monster."

"Arahan. You can handle some mental discipline too, right?"

Rowen shot a glare at Sira Yunseul, who was merely laughing as if she found the whole situation highly entertaining. No matter how he looked at her, she didn't seem like the representative of Kaliarun at all. At Rowen's request, Arahan lightly gathered her skirt and bowed, lowering her head. It was a silent confirmation that she would gladly include some "mental discipline" in Karin's curriculum.

"As you command."

"Hieeeek...!"

I'm really looking forward to seeing Karin undergo some mental and etiquette discipline, Rowen thought with genuine anticipation. Their swords clashed once more. And then... Thwack!

"Ah! Arahan, sweeping my legs is cheating!"

"On the battlefield, you must utilize your entire body. Everything is a weapon. Keep that in mind."

"You're so underhanded! Arahan, you're just as underhanded and cold-blooded as my brother!"

"Does that mean... the Young Master and I are alike?"

"Exactly!"

It was burning.

"The Young Master and I are alike...? We resemble each other... Fufu."

"Arahan? What's wrong? Did I... did I say something wrong? You're scaring me..."

Karin's terror swelled at Arahan's sudden shift in demeanor. The sword-wielding witch looked as if she were about to pounce on someone at any second! Rowen was well-acquainted with that look, but it was Karin's first time witnessing it. It was only natural for her to be paralyzed with fear.

"...Um, Arahan?"

"No. You did nothing wrong, my lady."

A soft smile bloomed on Arahan's lips. Her cheeks flushed crimson, and the tips of her ears burned hot. She felt like... she could go a little easier on Karin now.

"Young Master."

"No."

"But!"

"No means no."

"...Yes."

At Rowen's firm refusal, Arahan closed her eyes, feigning deep sorrow. She even squeezed out a couple of tears, looking for all the world like the tragic heroine of a melodrama. Of course, it was entirely an act. But seeing this display only plunged Karin into an even deeper abyss of terror!

"She's a demon! Arahan is a demon!"

"Oh dear, that is blasphemy, my lady."

"...Ugh."

"Blasphemy requires punishment. Shall we resume our lesson, then?"

Crack! Karin instinctively blocked the ferocious opening strike. Though she had managed to deflect the blade without even thinking, Arahan's eyes were already completely vacant of sanity.

"...Hieeeek!"

"Fufu, I am in an exceptionally good mood today. I feel like I can move a bit more freely."

"I didn't ask!"

And so, the completely one-sided sword dance continued well into the night.

What exactly is a rest period? People define it as a temporary pause in one's activities to take a break. If so, shouldn't one actually be able to rest? And yet. Why. On. Earth.

"Why the fuck can't I get any rest?"

"That is because you have been away for so long, Young Master."

"...Why is there so much paperwork?"

It was ten times—no, thirty times the usual amount. Something was seriously wrong.

"War is on our doorstep. Furthermore, as soon as the scouts return, you must draw up a strategy with Sira."

"...And? What does that have to do with this paperwork?"

"With war looming, the anxiety of the populace is bound to skyrocket. Some are already hoarding food, while others are selling their properties and planning to migrate. It is only natural that petitions begging for aid from the King of the North would pile up."

I didn't become king just to deal with this, Rowen grumbled internally. To make matters worse, those who envied him for ascending the throne despite being an "illegitimate child" had begun to make their moves. It was a massive headache, especially with a war right around the corner.

"Sigh... the paperwork just keeps piling up."

"You reaped what you sowed."

"Being an illegitimate child isn't a crime. Besides, I'm not even illegitimate."

"The public doesn't know the truth, Young Master. After all, you are the one who chose not to reveal it."

Kasion Balenos, the older brother of Kadan Balenos. Rowen had heard that Kasion had married a woman of the imperial family and fathered him. However, Rowen had never seen either of their faces. It was Kadan who had raised him, and he had been told that Kasion was long dead. He didn't even know his mother's name. Kadan had said Kasion lost his life while suppressing rebels who targeted the imperial family. If so, had Rowen's mother also perished in the chaos of that rebellion? If Rowen had been born then, and Kadan had taken him in to raise him in secret... the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly. It would also explain why Miyabi hadn't been angry with Kadan after learning the truth of Rowen's origin. Well, it was all just speculation on Rowen's part. No one knew the absolute truth. There was only one thing he truly loathed to believe.

"Your Majesty, these are letters sent by the provincial nobles."

"Ah, what a pain in the ass. Seriously."

It was undoubtedly another threatening letter demanding his abdication. He hadn't committed any crimes, and the people of his territory were well-fed and living peacefully. Those pathetic fools were simply throwing a tantrum because an "illegitimate child" had taken the throne. And because of that petty grievance, they were piling more work onto his desk. Having to reply to each and every one of them was driving him insane.

"Should I just kill them?"

"Please restrain yourself, Young Master."

"I know, I know. I'm just venting. I have no desire to become a tyrant."

If only Leah were here... Rowen shook his head. He had grown far too accustomed to this aching sensation in his chest. Promising himself that they would meet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠again someday, he forced his focus back to the documents in front of him.

"This position truly does not suit your personality, Young Master."

"I know. But what choice do I have? Haven't you heard what people are saying? They call me the last remaining Balenos. I can't betray their expectations."

"Indeed, of the three sons of the Balenos family, you are the sole survivor."

"My oldest brother aside, Kain isn't dead yet."

"That bastard is as good as dead."

He had gone to Pandemonium and joined hands with the Demon Cult. If he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was planning to become the vessel for the Demon King, just as they suspected... He had to be killed.

Rowen silently flipped through the documents, lightly dipping his white quill into the black ink. Adjusting the amount of ink on the tip, he began drafting his replies as he spoke.

"Putting that aside, what is Karin doing right now?"

"The young lady has collapsed from exhaustion ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and is fast asleep."

"...You should have gone a bit easier on her."

"She will never improve that way. That is how my master taught me."

"Uba. That bastard always was a brute."

Suddenly, a memory of Arahan's words flashed through his mind. It was an old memory. She had definitely told him that her master was dead. Yet, hadn't Mio say she had met him? She knew he was in Pandemonium. If so, did Arahan mean that Uba was "dead" because he could never escape Pandemonium? He realized her words had been metaphorical. Sigh...

"Well, I'm sure Mio will bring Uba back safely."

"Pardon?"

"It's nothing. More importantly, Arahan, won't you help me with this?"

"Request denied. My duty is to assist you, Young Master. I am currently fulfilling my duties to the fullest, so that paperwork remains solely your responsibility."

She just doesn't want to help, Rowen thought.

"Young Master. Shifting your work onto others is a bad habit."

"...Tch."

"Do I need to rip that tongue right out of your mouth for you to snap out of it?"

Arahan's gaze shifted. A familiar yet subtly different, reddish aura began to bleed into the air. What is this? A strange sense of dissonance washed over him. It felt almost like Leah... But before he could pursue that thought any further, a soft, physical sensation interrupted his mind.

"Your mouth is far too foul."

"Then please, make me shut it."

Arahan claimed Rowen's lips. It didn't end with a simple peck.

"Mnh..."

"Haa..."

Arahan's soft tongue parted Rowen's lips, sliding inside. She drank in his sweetness, exploring every corner of his mouth as if refusing to ever let him go.

"Phew..."

"...That was incredibly sudden."

"Fufu, didn't you say so the day before yesterday? That we would continue this once we returned."

"And 'this' is happening right now?"

"Fufu, do you dislike it?"

"...No, I like it."

With a single wave of Arahan's hand, the guards outside closed the office doors. All personnel were dismissed from the immediate vicinity to secure the perimeter. Seeing how practiced she was at this, Rowen felt a sudden chill of fear. As expected... it looks like I won't be finishing my work on time today either.

Before they knew it, the sun began to sink behind the snow-capped mountains. The office, with its glass windows tightly shut, was thick with the lingering, passionate heat of the two lovers. Rowen pushed open a window, letting the cool breeze sweep the warmth away.

"...It's entirely your fault that I can't finish my work on time."

"Fufu, I'll take that as a compliment."

He gathered his disheveled clothes and began to tidy himself up. Buttoning his shirt, he threw on his coat made of pristine white wolf fur. Still breathing heavily from their intense encounter, Arahan helped him adjust his attire. Normally, his heart would have leaned entirely toward her. Yet, the memory of Leah refused to leave his mind. Leah, Mio, and Arahan. It felt as though three women were tightening their grip on him from three different directions. Rowen found himself standing at a crossroads of choice once again.

"Sigh..."

"What is the matter?"

"It's nothing. Just a little tired."

"...If being with me tires you out..."

"That's not what I meant, so don't worry."

That single sentence was enough to put her at ease. If she went out of control, it wouldn't end with just one round. If he wasn't careful, he might not even finish these letters and documents by tomorrow. Seriously.

...The weight of his duties felt heavier than ever.