Chapter 297: Vulnerability and a Visitor

“For someone to mess with the Captain, they’d have to be at least legion commander level…”

Even knowing that comforting the Captain should come first, I can’t help but rack my brain, narrowing down the suspects. Among the list of candidates, Kleter quietly frowned.

How could a mere human, not even a Hero, dare to touch a legion commander? Unless they were confident in completely eliminating them without a trace, they shouldn’t carelessly provoke them.

‘I can’t cause trouble for the Captain.’

Figuring out the reason is the priority.

We’re outdoors right now, but that’s not a problem. Milan retreated behind us, as if entrusting the aftermath to him, threatening and driving away servants who were passing by. It’s more efficient to soothe the Captain than to be nervous about others’ gazes.

Carefully, I spoke to him through the pile of clothes.

“Captain.”

……

Deon Hart didn’t answer.

Why, why? Meaningless words lingered in my mouth. This was a question about Dan, who had been steadfast until the end, and at the same time, a question directed at myself, who was more shaken than expected.

And the latter question was easily answered.

‘…I relied on him more than I thought.’

Because his purpose was clear, he was more trustworthy than a flimsy relationship of trust.

Even though I knew he didn’t have good feelings for me, ironically, he was one of the few people I could relax around… my mental anchor.

I thought he was just convenient to use and relieved my worries, but I don’t know when it got this far. Deon let out a hollow laugh.

“…Captain?”

The pile of clothes rustled, and Kleter called him again. The movement stopped abruptly for a moment, then suddenly two hands shot out from the pile of clothes and grabbed Kleter by the collar.

It was a desperate collar grab, as if clinging to the last remaining thread.

“Cap….”

“You guys.”

……

“Don’t abandon me.”

A desperate voice lingered between them.

Kleter blinked slowly, seemingly a little surprised, then felt strength entering the hand gripping his collar. He chuckled and covered Deon’s hand with his own. He gently tightened his grip on the hand that was trying to pull away and answered in an infinitely gentle voice.

“You worry about the most useless things.”

At this moment, everyone else would feel the same way.

“How could we abandon family?”

“…That’s not what I meant.”

“I know.”

From the desperate gesture of clinging as if we were all he had left, and from the words ‘don’t abandon me,’ I realized it. Having already heard the news about Dan’s accident, grasping the situation was even faster.

Dan was dead.

No matter how you looked at it, it was a situation where he couldn’t help but die. A moment of complicated emotion brushed past my heart. But I can’t afford to be swayed by emotion when the Captain is broken in front of me. Kleter quietly gritted his teeth and patted the back of Deon’s hand.

“You know we have tough lives.”

Even we, who rarely accompanied Dan after coming to the Demon Realm, are this overwhelmed. How must the Captain feel, having kept him close and shared many conversations? Especially here in the Demon Realm, where there’s no place to lean on comfortably, it couldn’t be just ‘getting attached’.

Unable to even fathom his feelings, Kleter said firmly.

“We won’t die and leave you, Captain.”

“……Okay.”

All he could do was say something reassuring, even if it was an uncertain promise, and Deon had no choice but to believe it.

***

Deon Hart was still buried in the pile of clothes, and the Lofty Knights, including Kleter, continued to comfort him for a while when a commotion arose a little distance away.

“Ah, I told you, it’s not possible!”

“Please come back later!”

We just managed to calm the Captain down, what is this commotion?

Kleter, who was lending his chest to Deon, turned his head. Among those surrounding the area, he could see his comrades baring their teeth and trying to chase someone away. And the one standing in front of them is….

“Commander of the 1st Corps…?”

Deon, who had been leaning his forehead against Kleter’s chest, flinched at the voice that involuntarily blurted out.

However, Kleter, his blood pressure rising at the actions of his comrades growling at the Commander of the 1st Corps, didn’t notice and rubbed his forehead.

‘No, even if you’re turning him away, couldn’t you do it a bit more politely?’

What if their heads get chopped off for acting like that?

Not even an hour had passed since we promised not to die, and we’re already about to break our promise.

I want to rush over and mediate right now, but the Captain is still leaning on me. If I leave it to someone else, I don’t know what cracks might form in his ice sculpture-like heart, so Kleter couldn’t move rashly, nervously biting his lip.

Their conversation reached him.

“It’s important. I should have told you in advance.”

“Still, it’s not possible right now. Please come back again later.”

“Is that the definite opinion of the Commander of the 0th Legion?”

“…It’s not, but.”

“Then I would like to ask his opinion directly. From the start, it’s absurd for subordinates to arbitrarily block someone’s visit, don’t you think?”

Unexpectedly, the Commander of the 1st Corps didn’t get angry. He just calmly countered the Lofty Knights’ words and firmly held his ground.

Should I call this patience, or stubbornness?

Faced with his reasonable words, the guys who were arguing with him seemed speechless and shut their mouths.

‘How can you shut your mouths there?’

Reasonable or not, you should push and block him anyway.

Are you going to show this state to the Commander of the 1st Corps? To a demon second only to the Demon King?

Kleter’s face twisted in annoyance. As he was wondering what to do, Deon, who had been silent all along, raised his head. The pile of clothes on his head tumbled down, revealing a dry face devoid of moisture.

“It’s okay.”

“…Captain?”

“There was a promise, that’s right.”

Jaykar had heard about Deon having a conversation with the 5th Corps Commander Derniban at the banquet hall before. Even so, he had passed by without saying anything, just saying let’s meet again soon. Since then, he had remained silent.

So I was wondering why and waiting.

‘I didn’t expect it to be today though.’

He stood up from his seat and straightened his clothes.

Kleter picked up the fallen coat and put it back on him. The other mad dogs also found their clothes and put them back on.

The guys who confirmed there was nothing to worry about stepped aside and cleared the path, and Deon calmly took a step. He seemed to have regained his composure in the meantime, his stride completely different from the unsteady steps he had taken just a moment ago.

He approached those who were still arguing with Jaykar and tapped them on the shoulder.

“Who is causing this commotion… Captain!?”

“Jaykar coming to visit was also agreed upon, and I told you in advance, so step aside.”

“I-Is that so? But….”

Are you sure you’re alright? After showing such a state a little while ago.

The words he couldn’t bring himself to say with the Commander of the 1st Corps in front of him were clearly visible in his eyes. Deon chuckled.

“I’m fine.”

……,

“And who are you to worry about who? You dared to block the Commander of the 1st Corps’ path and raise your voices.”

“Ah.”

It’s none other than the Commander of the 1st Corps. If Jaykar’s patience hadn’t been longer than expected, these guys’ heads would have been gone already.

“Be prepared to be scolded later.”

With the Commander of the 1st Corps in front of him, we can’t just let this slide. Deon growled pretending to be angry.

In response, the Lofty Knights showed a dispirited look and stepped back. Deon turned to Jaykar.

“I apologize for my subordinates’ rudeness.”

“High loyalty is not a sin, but I hope you will be wary of overstepping authority, even for your own sake.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

It was because the situation was special, but those guys also know how to keep the line, but there’s no need to explain it in detail. He lightly agreed and moved on.

More than that.

“I didn’t expect you to come looking for me right now.”

“It seemed like the most opportune time.”

A wary gaze scanned Jaykar as if probing him. Even in a situation where the opponent, who clearly seemed to be in a bad mood, was scanning him, it would be natural to be nervous, but he was calm.

Deon opened his mouth.

“What’s the matter?”

“First… shall we spar? You’ve never seen me come to you without a reason, so if we just talk and go back like this, everyone will be curious about what we talked about.”

Meaning, we need a smokescreen to hide it.

Interpreted differently, it means the conversation we’re about to have is secret. Considering the weight of what he heard, it’s natural, but… it doesn’t seem to be just for that reason.

What on earth is he going to say?

“…Follow me.”

Doubt and wariness were only temporary, Deon obediently guided him to the training grounds.

Jaykar, who took out the most basic form of sword from the weapon rack placed on one side, turned to Deon and frowned.

“…Long sword?”

“That’s right.”

Deon lightly swung the long sword around.

“Is there a problem?”

“I knew your main weapon was a dagger.”

“That’s also right.”

“…Are you ignoring me?”

He seemed quite displeased, a threatening voice, which hadn’t even appeared when the mad dogs blocked his way, dropped low.

That’s not it. Deon shook his head.

“It’s not that, I learned swordsmanship from someone who was known as the best swordsman in the Human Realm in the past, but I’ve never really used it properly. I’m curious to see how well it works in the Demon Realm, but I haven’t had an opponent and have been neglecting it. I don’t want to miss this opportunity.”

Coincidentally, as he became a Hero, his eyes opened to swords, and he also became curious about the Commander of the 1st Corps’ swordsmanship.

The fact that he learned swordsmanship from the strongest swordsman in the Human Realm seems quite appealing. Jaykar’s expression softened a little. Deon didn’t miss the opportunity and smiled brightly.

“Please understand.”

“…It doesn’t matter since the purpose was conversation anyway. I was being sensitive.”

He took his sword and adopted a stance. Sensing the momentum as if he would start any moment, Deon briefly raised his hand to stop him.

“And before we start, there’s something I should tell you in advance.”

“……?”

“The timing is bad.”

You came just when my mood is at its worst.

He probably expected this much too. So he must be prepared for this as well. Deon smiled brightly and raised his sword.

“Please understand even if it’s a bit rough.”

“…Ah.”

Only then did Jaykar, who grasped Deon’s intention, nod his head.

“Of course.”

As if waiting, the two swords intertwined.

When Deon slashed the spot where Jaykar had been, Jaykar was already gone.

True to his Fairy race origins, his light steps moved nimbly. Jaykar, stepping on the swung blade and moving out of Deon’s attack range in an instant, kicked off the ground again and counterattacked. His swordsmanship, which seemed as elegant as his stride, was unexpectedly destructive.

‘The reason for using basic swords is to take away the opponent’s and use it on the battlefield, huh.’

Certainly, at this rate, the sword would not last long and would break.

A feeling like a suppressed beast rampaging. It’s similar to Stigma Primiero, but more raw, destructive, and ferocious.

A fierce momentum that felt like it would draw blood for sure reached the skin.

‘Considering the difference between a familiar weapon and an unfamiliar one, he had no choice but to choose a common type of weapon that can be immediately replenished on the spot.’

Deon, who inwardly understood, slightly changed his movements.

As if saying the joke is over, the sword’s movement becomes fluid. Moving as softly as water, deflecting and parrying attacks, yet at some point, it is swung with strong force. The attack in that instant had the momentum to split even a mountain, and Jaykar was inwardly impressed.

“Certainly, I shouldn’t have underestimated you just because it’s not your main weapon.”

“I’ll gratefully accept the compliment.”

After that, several more sword exchanges took place.

Jaykar, who had been wielding his sword in silence, subtly lowered his momentum as if saying this was enough. Deon, who noticed this with his sharp senses, also subtly removed strength from the sword he was wielding.

Continuing the spar that had become more formal, Jaykar opened his mouth.

“Thanks to Dan taking it all upon himself, there aren’t many legion commanders suspecting you.”