Chapter 40
The Flower That Bears a Sword - Chapter 40
Translation: godsn
"Did it work?"
Baraha called up to her on top of the barracks. Eki nodded.
"My instincts say yes. I think it might have—!"
Before she could finish speaking, the entire Node shook as if struck by an earthquake. Cracks rapidly spread through the empty air. Then, like shattering eggshells, the twilight-stained sky began fracturing and falling away. Beyond it lay a sky of crystal-clear blue. The liquid beneath their feet grew faint and hazy before slowly disappearing. The monster corpses scattered like dust as they vanished. Only the ruined barracks remained.
Space warped and straightened with violent tremors. Feeling nauseous, Eki covered her mouth while Baraha clung to a barracks pillar.
Then all the anomalies abruptly ceased. In the distance, the now fogless White Crow Canyon came into view. The sky was the blue of midday. Exactly where their camp had been—everything swallowed by the Node had returned to its proper place.
"We're really back..."
Baraha muttered as if he couldn't believe it. Eki leapt down from the barracks to survey their surroundings. In that instant, she sensed an overwhelming presence approaching at terrifying speed. She reflexively moved to defend herself, then froze mid-motion upon recognizing whose presence it was.
"Captain... Hup—"
Before she could say another word, she was pulled into an embrace.
A desperate motion. A faint fragrance. Silken strands of hair cascaded wildly over her as they came loose. Through his uniform, she could feel the firm plane of his chest—where his heart pounded so violently she could feel its rhythm against her cheek pressed against him.
A large hand cradled the back of her head. Then fingers combed through her still-damp hair as if seeping between the strands. Another hand lifted her chin, tracing along her jawline before tenderly brushing her eyelids. Then caressing her cheek.
Those fingertips trembled faintly. As if confirming this wasn't an illusion but reality. A low, pained groan sounded above her head. Echinacea looked up. Through the curtain of long silver hair spilling over her, she saw Yurien's face.
The moment she saw that face, words failed her. Her mind went blank.
An expression like someone who had collapsed and barely pulled themselves together. Like a wanderer in a barren desert finally reaching an oasis. Like a blind man regaining lost sight. Caught between sobs and joy, unable to decide which to express first.
His blue eyes shimmered like waterlogged skies. The rims of his eyes were red and disheveled. His lips trembled, uncertain whether to weep or smile. Tears pooled perilously at the corners, swollen to the brink of spilling over.
An expression she never could have imagined seeing on Yurien de Harden Kyrie. No—an expression she'd never seen on anyone. As if she were someone irreplaceably precious to him.
'Why...'
Why are you looking at me like that? Like you're gazing at someone you truly love. Why? That can't be. You remember everything. The things I did. The day I destroyed you.
Ah, right—you don't know I'm that Demon, do you? Is this an act? Pretending affection to catch me off guard and confirm if I'm the Demon? It has to be. There's no way you could love me. Not if you knew me. Not if you remembered.
You don't know who I am. It's impossible for you to love me knowing that. Then... who am I to you? This 'Echinacea Roaz' who isn't the Demon? Who is that expression meant for? Are these emotions you're showing me now... real?
Her thoughts swirled chaotically. Afraid she might succumb to delusion, Eki roughly shoved him away. Yurien yielded weakly to her push, as though he had been holding her completely defenseless—without even a trace of reflexive tension or wariness.
Pushed back, he looked at her with the bewildered expression of a wanderer cast out from heaven. Then, slowly, focus returned to his blue eyes. After his silver lashes fluttered several times, his gaze regained composure. The tears pooled at the corners of his eyes were wiped away without falling, and his disheveled expression settled into calm.
The first thing he did upon regaining his composure was apologize, his voice still unsteady with lingering emotion.
"I acted discourteously toward you. I was... relieved. Forgive me for suddenly embracing you."
"...No, it's fine. I was just a little startled."
"It was truly a mistake. Please pardon my impropriety."
"Not at all, Captain. Please don't worry about it."
"Are you unharmed? Any injuries?"
"None at all. How much time has passed?"
"...Two days."
Their exchange was cautious, as though building a wall between them—each afraid the other might shatter or flee, or that they themselves might lose restraint and cross a line.
Only Baraha, who had been watching the sudden scene in stunned silence, noticed it. His eyes narrowed. What in the world is this? Suddenly, he recalled the incident in the stables—how he had instinctively retreated from Eki the moment Yurien's gaze fell upon her.
Carefully, Baraha inserted himself between them.
"Captain."
"...Baraha. You're unharmed as well."
"Yes. Though there were many monsters inside the Node, thanks to Cadet Echinacea's assistance, we managed to escape."
"What did I even do? It was all Senior Baraha's doing. I only helped a little."
Eki jolted at Baraha's words, shaking her head vigorously. It was as if cold water had been splashed on her dazed mind—she snapped back to reality, seized by the terror of being exposed. She shot Baraha a frantic glare. You promised to keep it hidden, damn senior!
Baraha wasn't looking at her. His gaze remained fixed on Yurien as he spoke.
"Had Cadet Echinacea not been there, I wouldn't have returned alive. Her contribution was immense. I consider it no less than her having protected me."
"Senior Baraha!"
Unable to hold back, Eki stepped closer and pressed a hand against his side. To an observer, it might have looked like a light touch, but in truth, she was pinching him sharply. Baraha ignored the sting. Eki forced an awkward smile and muttered under her breath.
"The monsters weren't much of a threat. You're exaggerating my part too much."
Yurien's expression remained impassive. But for the briefest moment—Baraha didn't miss it—his gaze wavered. His eyes lingered on Eki's hand resting against Baraha's side before he spoke, as though nothing had happened.
"I'm grateful to both of you for returning safely from the Node. Upon our return, you will be duly rewarded. Report the details of your experience and your return schedule to the vice-captain. Once again, welcome back. You've worked hard."
His tone was strictly professional. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Others were already approaching them. Among them, Eki spotted Alice, her face pale but visibly relieved. A warmth bloomed in Eki's chest. Keeping her eyes on Alice, she called out sharply to Baraha.
"Senior."
"What?"
"You said you'd keep it hidden."
"I did hide it."
"But you made it sound like it was all my doing!"
"It's the truth. Besides, didn't you say you wanted to show off your improved skills? Take this as an opportunity—say you honed your swordsmanship through a life-or-death struggle."
"You're good with words, aren't you?"
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Meanwhile, Alice had rushed over. Standing before Eki, she took a moment to steady her breath before exploding in anger.
"You had me worried sick!"
"I'm sorry, Alice."
"There's nothing to apologize for!"
"Ah."
Baraha was approached by Vice Commander Baron. The knight fixed him with a heavy gaze before gripping his shoulder firmly. Though Baron's lips remained sealed, the hand on his shoulder spoke volumes. Baraha bowed his head deeply.
May 15, 1629 - The Azure Sky Knights concluded their subjugation mission in White Crow Canyon.
Though a sudden Node had formed, resulting in the death of one cadet, the casualties were otherwise limited to injuries. Considering the unpredictable nature of Nodes, the damage was remarkably light.
Suspicions briefly swirled around the deceased cadet, but given the survivors' testimonies and the circumstances inside the Node, it was quickly dismissed as a tragic monster attack. The fallen was honored as a warrior, and the Knight Commander personally sent a letter of condolence and gifts to the cadet's family.
The Subjugation Squad returned to Agenka two days later, on May 17.
Upon finally reaching the dormitory after the long mission, Echinacea Roaz found a mana telegram waiting for her. The sender was Nicole Sizton.
—Visiting Agenka soon on escort duty with a VIP. Will discuss the White Lion then.
Act 5: What is Revealed and What Cannot Be Controlled
The first thing Echinacea did upon returning to Agenka was collapse into bed. She had been fine the night before—reading the telegram and falling asleep without issue—but by morning, she was so feverish that her roommate, Alice, nearly had a heart attack.
Truthfully, Eki had been unwell since the day after exiting the Node. Given how recklessly she had fought inside, this was an expected backlash. She simply hadn't shown it, knowing she had to push through until the mission's end.
During the return journey, she had traveled with the officer cadets rather than the Giosa Owners, avoiding any chance encounters with Yurien. Privately, she was relieved. If she had faced him, he would've surely noticed her condition.
She had assumed she'd be fine today too, despite moving around while feverish all this time. Even when she first woke up and realized she wasn't well, she brushed it off—until she collapsed on her way to the washroom.
Frankly, Eki was embarrassed. She was no mere Master—she had long surpassed that realm—yet here she was, felled by something as trivial as a fever.
'I should've just used mana to push through. I underestimated it.'
"Eki, shouldn't we call a doctor?"
Alice fidgeted anxiously, bringing over a basin of water. She looked ready to hover indefinitely, so Eki waved her off.
"Why call a doctor? I'm fine. Really..."
"Fine? You're burning up!"
"I just need rest, that's all. Alice, go train. The Overall Ranking Tournament is coming up soon."
"But—"
"It's just a mild fever. Sleep will fix it. So go do what you need to do. Honestly, having you fuss over me is keeping me awake."
Grumbling in irritation, Eki finally managed to shoo Alice out. She didn't want to waste her roommate's time, especially with the tournament so close. Besides, it really was just a fever.
She had expected the physical toll, but forcing herself to endure it had probably made things worse. Her entire body felt drained. She could use mana to move normally, but with no urgent matters, there was no point.
'Today, I'll do nothing but rest.'
Eki burrowed deeper into her blankets. Using mana, she soaked the towel Alice had left in the basin, then levitated it through the air before draping it neatly over her forehead. The coolness was soothing. Pressing a hand to the damp cloth, she muttered:
"Tomorrow's the official Squire appointment ceremony... Knowing Yurien, he'll probably notice something's off. If I rest properly today... maybe I'll feel better?"