By Her Side

Three more days passed. Rene still showed no desire to go to the Holy Kingdom, and Vera trailed after her. If someone asked whether there had been no progress in their relationship at all, he could answer that it felt just a little closer.

Vera's head turned toward where Rene was. Exactly two ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠steps away. Not behind her, but at her side. Yes. Vera no longer followed in her wake. Now, he stood guard by her side.

It wasn't the result of some dramatic event. It had simply happened one day when Rene suddenly closed the distance and said those words.

"You can walk beside me."

Two days ago, in the midst of their walk, those words had slipped out. Afterward came remarks like, "People might think it's strange if you just keep following behind me," or "I can't hear you well from so far away." But Vera hadn't been able to focus on them.

His mind had been entirely filled with the fact that Rene had permitted him at her side, leaving him too distracted to concentrate.

A day after standing beside her, overflowing with heartfelt gratitude, Vera still found it so novel that he kept stealing glances at her.

Her gaze was fixed on empty space. Her snow-white hair, like the first snowfall of winter, caught the sunlight with every step, scattering dazzling light. Her blue eyes, aimed at nothing, still held that soul-captivating gleam. It was beauty that truly inspired awe. Her beauty transformed even her distant stare into something ethereal.

But if asked whether he felt love for her because of it, Vera would shake his head in denial.

He believed the emotion her appearance stirred in him was definitely not love.

...In a way, it was only natural. In his past life, the feeling Vera had nurtured toward her noble spirit was reverence. That reverence hadn't changed for a single moment over those four years, and there was no reason it should now shift to something else just because he beheld her face.

Besides, setting aside such trivial matters, wasn't she still just a fourteen-year-old girl who hadn't even fully grown yet? Vera didn't have tastes perverse enough to feel lust toward a child.

Suddenly, words from his past-life Rene echoed in Vera's mind. When she'd asked if he was certain that everyone who'd seen him had fallen in love, his response had been a simple statement of fact.

Vera recalled it and drew a small smile at his lips.

'You were wrong.'

Others might be different, but at least he didn't feel love for her. A pleasant mood bubbled up. It stemmed from realizing a single flaw in her words, which had sounded as if she knew everything.

It was then, as Vera brimmed with that cheerful air, that Rene spoke up.

"The weather's nice today."

"Yes, it is."

"And the breeze is refreshingly cool."

"Yes, it is."

"'Yes, it is' this time?"

"My apologies."

Such rote responses. A long sigh escaped Rene's lips.

"You don't have to treat me with such formality. I'm not as great a person as you think, Sir Knight."

"To me, you are more than great enough."

"...Let's drop it."

Rene clamped her mouth shut, feeling a stifling tightness in her chest for some reason. It was all because of Vera's attitude. She was truly grateful that he thought so highly of her, but his excessive deference made it impossible to carry on a proper conversation.

No matter what she said, his replies stayed at "Thank you" or "Yes, it is," and if she teased him, all she got was "My apologies." How could she extend the talk like that?

'He's so rigid.'

In Rene's eyes, Vera embodied the concept of "no social graces," molded and poured into human form. One could argue his seriousness was a virtue, but in their current awkward phase, it only amplified the discomfort.

As that thought surfaced and she let out a small sigh, a conversation from three days ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ago flashed through her mind. Her cheeks heated up. It was shame—embarrassment over how she'd lashed out at Vera that day, when he'd done nothing wrong despite her sharp nerves.

She'd apologized on the spot, but... of course it still gnawed at her. For him to offer comforting words after she'd snapped at him out of nowhere, unprovoked—how could it not bother her? Unless her character was rotten to the core.

Allowing him to walk beside her stemmed from the same sentiment. After more than a week of silently following her and enduring her temper, it felt wrong to keep rejecting him emotionally and making him trail behind.

As those thoughts made her cheeks burn brighter than ever—

"We've arrived."

Vera spoke.

"Pardon?"

"You've reached home."

"Ah...."

Where had her mind wandered off to? Only upon hearing Vera did Rene realize they'd completed their usual route and returned home.

"Weeell...."

Her words trailed off. Her steps halted. With a hesitant expression, Rene worked her lips several times before finally speaking.

"Then... good night."

"Yes. Have a peaceful evening."

"Okay."

The moment the words ended, Rene vanished behind the door. Vera stared at the closed door for a moment, then let out a short breath and turned away.

Norn approached after Vera had walked far enough for Rene's house to vanish from sight.

"How's it going?"

He meant their progress in persuading the Saint. Vera recalled the past few days with her and nodded slightly.

"Yes. Fortunately, she seems to be opening up little ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠by little."

The events of the last day replayed in his mind. Rene still avoided talk of the Holy Kingdom or stigmata. But aside from that, their closeness was building, and her attitude toward him had softened considerably. If things continued like this, perhaps he'd eventually win her heart. Perhaps she'd come to terms with it on her own.

Vera added, entertaining such hopes.

"Since she's still young, it seems best to watch and wait a bit longer."

Norn watched Vera's rare gentle expression and smiled faintly.

"Come to think of it, the Saint is exactly fourteen. The same age as when you first arrived at the Holy Kingdom, Vera. Do kindred spirits recognize each other?"

"...Nothing like that."

His face furrowed slightly. Norn chuckled again, then sobered, his tone lowering as he continued.

He had new information today.

"Vera, it's good to be considerate of the Saint, but... time is shorter than you think."

Vera's gaze turned to Norn. Meeting it gravely, Norn pressed on.

"A band of dragonians is nearby. It'd be ideal if they just passed through, but... their movements seem suspicious. They know something."

Intelligence that a group of dragonians had entered Remeo Territory and been scouring day and night for three days. Whatever method they used, they clearly hadn't come blindly.

"Vera."

"...Understood."

Norn's eyes fixed on Vera, whose face seemed deep in thought. But it was hard to read exactly what.

"I'll handle it. Sir Norn, just in case, could you request reinforcements from the Holy Kingdom? A small number is fine. We don't want to draw attention."

"...Yes."

"Thank you."

Vera finished and headed out of the village.

"I'll be back before dawn."

That was all he left behind.

*

In the depths of a forest cloaked in thick darkness, at the center of a wide clearing, Vera sat atop a rock, lost in thought.

'The dragonians are coming here.'

This forest path was the fastest route through the small Remeo Territory. They had no reason not to pass through.

He waited for one reason alone: to deal with them here tonight, before they dug deeper into Rene's existence.

'Logically speaking...'

It made more sense to avoid combat and escort her straight to the Holy Kingdom. A band of dragonians finding this place meant others could follow. And it wouldn't end there. The Night's Followers would come. Repelling them would draw more eyes from other factions. The enemies to block would only multiply.

Grip—.

Vera's hand clenched the sword hilt. He knew it. The choice he was making was the kind of idiotic call his dimwitted twins might make.

Waiting like this, holding out until she opened her heart—it was a decision based on his emotions.

Yet he made it anyway because he trusted her nobility. Because he trusted her unyielding spirit. Because he believed that Rene—the one who pressed on steadfastly even in utter despair—could rise on her own power. Because he felt he couldn't dare ignore that process.

It bordered on fear. If he dismissed her wishes and forced his will on her, would it turn to resentment? Would this time her light finally turn from him?

That unprecedented fear dwelled within Vera.

A deep breath escaped from the depths as thoughts surged. '...Calm yourself.'

He had to steady his mind. Hadn't he resolved to this? Wasn't this the training for it? True, all he'd realized was his own arrogance and ignorance.

But amid it, his martial prowess had grown steadily. He'd learned to wield divine power systematically instead of crudely. He'd honed his body with even greater diligence than in his past life. In pure combat strength, he'd reached a level to rival his previous peak.

Vera closed his eyes, banished rising anxiety, and peered into his soul.

It was a vow he'd carved by his own will, etched over his inky-black soul, pledging it entirely.

Vera gazed at it steadily, then opened his eyes and looked ahead.

At the edge of his vision, figures rapidly approached.

Vera narrowed his eyes, focusing his gaze on them.

'...Five.'

Even in the gloom, their assertive attire stood out clearly. Dark scales protruded over half-naked bodies. Their eyes glinted like reptiles' under the moonlight.

Dragonians. Filial traitors coveting their dragon parents' apostle powers.

Confirming their approach, Vera rose from the rock and drew his sword.

Shing—.

'...I'll block them.'

Whether hundreds or thousands came, he'd repel them all. He wasn't weak enough to fail.

His sword was still ferocious. Better suited to taking than protecting.

But even such a blade could buy her the time to stand on her own.

As his thoughts churned, the figures halted before the clearing.

Vera faced the five, who eyed him warily, and unleashed the divine power he'd held tightly within.

No need to give them any leeway.

A brief standoff. Heavy silence.

Then, a low voice rang out.

"I proclaim."

Whoosh—.

Divine power erupted from Vera's body. It turned ashen. Golden rules inscribed over the ashen divine power.

Elation surged. His muscles awakened throughout.

Feeling the rising power, Vera lifted his sword and leaned forward, eyeing the dragonians ahead.

It wasn't ideal for him. As dragonians—progeny of dragons, darlings of magic—their adjustments in this space would be substantial.

But.

'Pathetic.'

It wouldn't make him lose.

"Kraaaagh!"

The rightmost dragonian charged. Speed at perception's limit.

But counterable.

Vera swung his blade in a short, restrained arc, severing the oncoming dragonian's neck.

Slice—.

A chilling ring. The head fell. Blood sprayed, both dropping slowly downward.

'Four.'

Vera's gaze fixed forward. They stared back, tense.

He regripped his sword. No matter how strong they grew, it was meaningless.

As always, to Vera, swordplay was his greatest confidence.