Black Badger

Ever since the count nearly faced execution due to a false accusation, my friend—who had grown attached to the Count's House and took pride in it—wore a displeased expression.

He still occasionally displayed the ignorance typical of nobles, but the clumsiness of his former self had faded considerably.

His curly white hair swayed in the wind.

"You need to break this habit of letting wounds heal naturally just because of your aversion."

"I'm trying, you know."

"We can't just charge around recklessly like we used to anymore."

Kyle, who had been standing with his arms crossed, bent down at the waist.

I read the displeasure and concern laced in his golden eyes and gave a wry smile.

"You know your position well. With the world already in turmoil, they can't afford to lose someone like you. You understand the weight of that role. How long are you going to keep acting so recklessly?"

"I have no excuses. It might sound like an excuse, but I am trying."

"It seems like you're learning. We'll help you out."

Kyle said something cryptic.

I blinked, signaling that I didn't understand, and the black-haired man continued.

"After one absorption, we'll have that soup."

"Huh?"

"That should lighten your aversion to absorption."

Even Ray, who listened from the side, looked serious as Kyle spoke.

"We're going to associate absorption with the soup in your mind."

"No."

This wasn't dog training or anything.

I shot them a bewildered look, but my friends were dead serious. It seemed they'd discussed this before coming to see me. They must have decided this was the way to ease Hildebert's aversion.

I appreciated it, but...

"I'm not sure if that'll work. I already seek out that soup periodically even without doing absorption."

"We'll ask our chef to create a new menu item based on that soup."

Ray brought up something only a noble could say.

We no longer teased Ray about things like this. He had become a true noble again.

No, he had always been one. But now, he didn't resent his family.

In fact, no one was more sincere about protecting the Count's House than he was.

The man who commuted to and from the Count's House frequently said,

"You know how skilled our chef is."

"...I do. I know."

"What if we add noodles to the soup?"

Ignoring my hesitant expression, Ray pressed on.

"To make it a hearty meal. Doesn't that sound good? We'll use that for training to eliminate your aversion."

What about my opinion?

I swallowed the words that rose to my throat. They had a point. The other children of the World Tree used absorption effortlessly to heal in an instant, while I was the only one who walked around with wounds like this. And as Kyle said, I was the Knight Commander. I couldn't just brush it off with "it's my body, after all" anymore.

The noodle soup version sounded delicious, but what if I ended up vomiting it all up later?

Even as I thought that, I slowly nodded.

*

All three attempts failed.

Just like when I'd transferred nutrients to Kyle on the brink of life and death while suppressing the rebels and ended up vomiting my guts out, this time too, I threw up three or four times right in front of my friends.

I vomited before even forcing down the soup.

Kyle and Ray sighed but vigorously patted my back as I hacked and coughed.

"We need to try something else besides eating."

Kyle scooped me up easily once my convulsions subsided.

"Even developing a new menu won't help."

"Still, develop the new menu..."

I expressed my wish in a hoarse voice.

"It sounds so delicious just hearing about it..."

"Your subordinates don't know about this, do they?"

"No. I absolutely can't let them find out."

When Ray asked with a troubled look, I replied sternly.

I had received a scolding from Kyle, but I was well aware of the weight of the position I held.

Even as I resolved not to exert myself, I answered seriously.

"There's the dignity of a Knight Commander to uphold. Keep my seizures a secret until I die."

He scolded me again, saying he knew that all too well, so why was I doing this?

But we couldn't bicker for long. All three of us were busy with duties now. We weren't as free as before. Kyle had to go exterminate the invaders descending from the north right away, I had to go find Kisis, and Ray had to suppress the disturbances breaking out within the Imperial Capital.

"Intrusions have been frequent lately."

"Outside the Imperial Capital, the environment isn't livable anymore."

When Ray asked, Kyle answered emotionlessly.

"The corruption has worsened so much that many places are hard to even breathe in."

The scary part was that this wasn't an exaggeration.

We walked out of the palace with a somewhat gloomy air. We walked together as far as our paths overlapped. Times like this, when we could gather, were rare now.

The blood-red sunset dyed the Imperial Capital.

"It's been over ten years since I last saw Sir Kisis."

"If I find him, I'll pass on your regards."

I could clearly sense that he was still alive.

"He might not even receive a messenger pigeon properly."

Preparations didn't take long.

Thankfully, my subordinates moved with disciplined efficiency. Even though it was a sudden order and not something that could be handled in a short time, none showed any outward dissatisfaction.

I was grateful they didn't make a fuss.

I thought I should treat my subordinates better as I set off toward where I sensed Kisis's presence.

It was a summons order directly from the Emperor's mouth.

The indefinite mission had begun.

*

Two months later.

I found Kisis.

"Huff."

The rookie knight, who panted heavily, drew in a breath.

"Th-that, that..."

"Eek."

"What is that?"

Raw reactions.

I extended my arm, signaling them to fall back.

Nol and Ivon immediately understood my command. The two who had leaped forward pulled the dazed knights to the rear. The knights, too weak even to grip their swords, staggered backward.

I felt my subordinates' presences receding as I watched the approaching figure.

Kisis.

The Emperor's illegitimate son and the third Swordmaster of the Imperial Capital.

He despised rules, was capricious, and always sought stimulation in his boredom. With amethyst eyes that captivated people, he scattered sparks of mischief, sometimes unpredictably violent, other times astonishingly merciful. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The one who had given me a sense of defeat and a life goal.

Thus, at some point, he became the milestone for my sword.

I realized I still hadn't caught up to him.

It was an immediate, visceral fact upon seeing the knight who walked slowly through air thick with corruption.

"Sir Kisis."

"Well, if it isn't you."

When I called his name with unease, Kisis grinned.

"Isn't this my little chick?"

It was hell.

I'd heard from Kyle that beyond the Imperial Capital was hell, and I'd witnessed the horrors myself several times. But the scene that unfolded before my eyes was unlike anything else. This ruined city, reachable only after two full months of riding from the Imperial Capital, made all the corruptions I'd faced before seem trivial.

The rookie knights, lacking training, could barely breathe.

Corruption blanketed even the gravel and stones. Throats tightened, eyes bloodshot. From the corruption that bizarrely resembled mouths, maggot-like magical beasts popped out intermittently.

The ground was covered in rotting corpses. Of wild boars, horses, and people.

Just a bit further ahead lay the ruined city where the World Tree stood.

The city I'd once charged into as a youth, cloaked in a mantle.

Had that place become corrupted like this too?

"I thought I'd die on the way here."

Kisis wiped the smile from his lips and spoke coldly.

"Why did you come?"

"Have you been staying here, continuously cutting down the corruption?"

I sheathed my sword in its scabbard and approached Kisis.

His refined appearance hadn't changed.

"And without even sending word."

"Why are there so many lackeys? Still clinging to that boring title, I see?"

The prince scanned Nol, Ivon, and the others, chuckling.

"What's so great about that dull group anyway?"

It was a remark that would rile the prideful knights.

But there were no dissatisfied responses. The knights behind me couldn't even muster the courage to approach him now. They were overwhelmed by the intense killing intent and pressure that emanated from Kisis.

With each step closer to him, the scents of blood and corruption grew thicker.

If not for him, the situation would have been far worse.

Ten years of battle.

The man who had fought ceaselessly, unrecognized by anyone, exuded an even more inhuman aura.

I stopped in front of him.

"Thank you."

"For what."

"Rest now."

I said to the prince, who raised an eyebrow.

"I'll take over from here."

The prince burst into laughter.

His laughter echoed through the ruined city. The overlapping echoes didn't sound like those of a sane person.

My subordinates recoiled in horror, taking a step back.

I kept my expression neutral, waiting for him to stop laughing.

Kisis laughed for a while before turning his head.

"You?"

Just as I expected.

"Who do you think you are? Got anything going for you?"

"Have you been sleeping properly?"

He looked like he hadn't slept a wink.

Conversation with someone of his temperament never went properly anyway. I'd already mastered dealing with his type.

So, ignoring his words, I said what I wanted to say.

"The camping gear is a bit shabby, but it's still much better than sleeping on bare ground, so go inside and get some rest."

"You've gotten even more impudent since I last saw you, you brat."

"You can hear the story after you wake up."

"Who said I'd tell you?"

"Kids, let's set up camp!"

I completely ignored Kisis and shouted.

Perhaps because I used the same tone and words as usual. My subordinates, steeped in fatigue, fear, and shock, straightened up and responded reflexively.

It was worth the training.

"Yes!"

The low, firm reply resonated around us.

Kisis clicked his tongue.

"You've become a full-fledged boring bureaucrat too."

"At least make yourself presentable before speaking."

I had to work hard to hide my inner turmoil.

"Have you even washed your hair?"

Kisis just smirked without responding.

But fortunately, he listened to me. He sauntered like a loafer toward where my subordinates moved efficiently, ignoring their stares, and slipped into the best tent in the camping area.

I confirmed he had collapsed inside the tent, then drew my sword.

The one who had fought for ten years, unrecognized by anyone.

To gauge even a fraction of the burden he had carried.

*

"There's no hope left now."

It was what Kisis said to me after sleeping for two straight days and nights.

"Prepare to evacuate."