“Well, I’d like to know too. Maybe if we look closely at the pattern on the wall, we’ll figure it out?”


    “There’s a pattern?”


    “I’ll need to get a closer look.”


    Ruel didn’t find the wall unfamiliar, but he didn’t think it had been built with good intentions.


    After all, he had been told that death lingered deeply where the wall was, and that the smell of blood was thick.


    He thought it must be meant to block something.


    “Leo, step away for a moment.”


    —This body will stay with Ruel.


    Leo snuggled close to Ruel, turning his head to the side.“I just want you out here as a precaution.” Unsure if the wall held a trap, Ruel decided to ensure Leo’s safety by setting him down.


    “Why don’t you take care of yourself as well as the beast, Ruel-nim?”


    Cassion spoke in a displeased voice, but there was nothing he could do.


    “What am I supposed to do when only I can see it?”


    As Leo continued to insist, Ruel had no choice but to pull him out and hand him over to Cassion.


    Leo, reluctant to leave, clung to Ruel’s arm, closing his eyes and letting out a loud protest.


    —This, this body doesn’t want Ruel to get hurt!


    “I won’t get hurt.”


    Leo opened his eyes and looked at Ruel.


    —Really? But Ruel gets hurt all the time.


    “Leo.”


    Leo frowned at Ruel’s firm voice.


    —This body. This body…


    “I won’t get hurt, so don’t worry.”


    Ruel gently patted Leo’s head.


    <i>Thrrr.</i>


    Slowly, Leo’s front paw drooped helplessly.


    “I’ll go check ande back.”


    “I’ll apany you.” Cassion took Leo and handed him to Hikars.


    “You stay here. It could be troublesome if you get involved. Just assess the situation ande runningter. You can get here fast, right?”


    At Ruel’smand, filled with concern and trust, Cassion hesitated.


    It had been a long time since someone had worried about him.


    It was particrly surprising that it was Ruel who was giving such concern.


    Ruel strode toward the wall. As he approached, his eyes widened in amazement.


    <i>‘That pattern is…’</i>


    It was a shield design, depicting two snakes intertwined, biting their own tails.


    <i>‘It’s Setiria.’</i>


    Ruel couldn’t fail to recognize that symbol. Tentatively, he reached out to touch the wall. Suddenly, a sky-blue shield, symbolizing the head of the family, appeared on the back of his hand.


    <i>-Setiria.</i>


    And then he heard a voice.


    “…!”


    It was the same voice he had briefly heard from inside the defensive line.


    -Destroy this wall.


    Unlike previously, the following words were clearly audible.


    “Destroy the wall?” Ruel didn’t act hastily.


    He knew there was something within this wall.


    <i>Crackle.</i>


    At the sudden noise, Ruel felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.


    “…Hah.”


    He quickly exhaled deeply.


    The sound had made his head spin.


    <i>-Destroy this wall that conceals countless deaths.</i>


    <i>‘A wall that conceals death?’</i>


    The unknown voice imed that the wall had intentionally hidden death.


    With widened eyes, Ruel slowly lifted his gaze.


    <i>‘If what it says is true…?’</i>


    If death umtes, new life cannot be born.


    Who would have concealed this?


    For what purpose would they have done so?


    <i>‘Is it true?’</i>


    It felt as if the horrific scenario he had imagined was slowly bing a reality.


    His mouth felt dry.


    And the biting cold wind made his entire body ache.


    <i>‘Is it true that monsters and adventurers were used as materials to create the ck water?’</i>


    Unsure whether the words were true or false, Ruel hesitated.


    <i>Crack.</i>


    <i>‘…?’</i>


    At that moment, an ominous sound echoed.


    <i>‘What is that?’</i>


    A sound of breaking came from Ruel’s hand, which was gripping the wall.


    Ruel hurriedly pulled his hand away, but once the crack had started, it wouldn’t stop.


    <i>‘Damn it! I only touched it!’</i>


    Feeling unjustly targeted, Ruel stepped back, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief. There was no turning back now.


    All he could do was witness the wall crumbling away.


    Soon, the pattern that had appeared on his hand faded, and the copsing wall dissolved.


    The concealed area behind the wall slowly revealed itself.


    <i>‘Death…’</i>


    He saw the death he had witnessed while holding Hikars’s hand.


    A thick, dark fog filled the area, so dense that it made even the night feel bright.


    Tears flowed freely down his cheeks, overwhelmed by the flood of sorrow that surged forth without warning.


    He felt pity for them, and his heart ached.


    The fog reached out toward him once more, just as it had before.


    Ruel didn’t shy away.


    He couldn’t escape the gentle gazes of those who looked at him with kindness.


    -Thank you. Thank you so much.


    -It was so cold here, but now it’s warm.


    -Spring has finally…e.


    Countless expressions of gratitude poured in, but it didn’t sound chaotic.


    Ruel raised his finger and pointed towards the light they should follow.


    <i>‘Go that way.’</i>


    They expressed their gratitude once more and walked toward the light.


    Their steps seemed light and joyful, as if they were walking on across a cloud, causing Ruel to smile involuntarily.


    As they approached the light, the thick, dark fog gradually lost its color, turning as white as snow.


    “This, this doesn’t make any sense.”


    At Hikars’s voice from behind, Ruel wiped his tears and turned around.


    Not only Hikars but everyone else hade running.


    —Ruel!


    Leo rushed toward Ruel.


    Ruel hugged Leo and patted him.


    “I had no idea there was so much death. It’s… unbelievable.”


    Hikars looked up at the sky, tears streaming down his face.


    “Ruel, is that what death really looks like?” When Ganien asked, Ruel looked at him in surprise.


    “Can you see it?”


    “It’s not clear, but I can see something dark and murky.”


    —This body can see it too.


    Leo said, rubbing his face against Ruel’s chest.


    “Normally, only the Devotees of Darkness and the Servants of Death can see it, but the umted death was so thick that it became visible.”


    Hikars, who had been gazing up at the sky, finally spoke.


    Ruel inhaled Breath and looked toward the ce where the dark fog had vanished.


    There was nothing there but piles of snow.


    How long had they been trapped in that ce?


    The once purendscape now tasted bittersweet in Ruel’s mouth.


    “Thank you, Ruel-nim. I don’t know how to repay this kindness.”


    Hikars quickly wiped his tears and looked at Ruel with a mix of deep gratitude and respect.


    “You have saved countless lives. If this death had turned into a corrupted death, something unimaginable might have happened.”


    Even Ganien, who didn’t possess any attributes rted to darkness, could see the umted death.


    What would have happened if that death had been transformed into ck water, as Hikars mentioned?


    He didn’t even want to imagine it.


    <i>Hah.</i>


    A white breath escaped Ruel’s lips as he exhaled.


    Why on earth had their enemies built a strange wall and gathered death behind it?


    It didn’t seem like it was simply to create ck water.


    <i>‘And why is Setiria involved?’</i>


    Ruel felt a sense of unease as he gazed at the ce where the monsters were gathered.


    There was something there.


    His instincts whispered that to him.


    But Ruel turned away.


    <i>‘Glen Syriaes first.’</i>


    For now, he would swallow this unease and focus on confronting Glen.


    Regardless of the reasons, he had thwarted the enemies’ ns.


    And it was a significant n at that.


    Ruel coughed and raised the corners of his mouth in a slight smile.


    ***


    Ruel waited for Glen at the spot.


    He would surelye if he knew something was wrong with the wall.


    Rather than fighting within the secondary defense line, this was the perfect ce to meet Glen, where neither monsters nor adventurers woulde.


    “He’sing.” At Cassion’s voice, Ruel opened his eyes.


    “Cough.”


    After coughing, Ruel inhaled Breath and looked up at the now darkening sky.


    Thanks to Leo, he wasn’t cold, so Ruel spoke first upon seeing Cassion’s concerned expression.


    “I’m fine, don’t worry.”


    “I’ll help too. Lately, I’ve been doing more writing than fighting with a sword.”


    Ganien warmed up his body in advance.


    “Alright, just bring Glen to me.”


    <i>Slurp, slurp.</i>


    Ruel turned his gaze to Leo who seemed excited, making slurping noises.


    Leo was busy burying his face in his meal bowl, eating the powder Hikars had poured in it.


    <i>‘It’s not like I don’t feed him.’</i>


    —It’s enough now. This body can’t eat anymore.


    Leo rolled over, having stopped eating.


    Hikars paused his hand that was pouring the powder and asked, “Are you done eating?”


    —This body is full.


    Leo nodded while tapping his belly with his short front paw.


    “Then I’ll stay here,” Cassion decided, watching Ganien warm up. It seemed unnecessary for both of them to go.


    “Aren’t youing?”


    “Do I really need to go against those guys?”


    “Well, that’s true.”


    The soldiers around Glen weren’t particrly skilled, so Cassion’s presence wasn’t necessary.


    Ganien felt a bit disappointed since he had intended to test his sword against Cassion while facing the enemy.


    His fingers twitched, gripping his sword tightly, as he nced at Cassion.


    “I’ll settle it with youter.”


    Cassion threw a simple sentence at Ganien, who was feeling regretful.


    “…?”


    Ganien looked at Cassion with a dazed expression.


    “Wasn’t that what you wanted?”


    “It is, but why? Did you eat something weird?”


    It was unlike Cassion to acknowledge him.


    “That sparring match was quite fun that day.”


    Despite saying it was fun, Cassion’s expression remained t.


    Ganien beamed instantly.


    “Exactly! It was exhrating. The only one I could truly spar with…” Ganien paused briefly, a broad smile on his face. “Because you’re my friend.”


    <i>Swish.</i>


    Ganien unsheathed his sword, resting it on his shoulder, and walked away. “Then, I’ll be on my way.”


    He waved lightly and pushed through the snow.


    “Must be nice, being friends with Ganien.”


    Ruel chuckled as he spoke.


    He hadn’t intended to tease, but seeing Cassion’s flustered face made it hard to hold back hisughter.


    “It’s time for your medicine,” Cassion stated, his hand holding out the medicine feeling unusually cold.


    “Sure,” Ruel replied, smiling as he took the medicine.


    Cassion’s expression gradually hardened.


    “In truth, you’re quite simr to Ganien, aren’t you, Cassion?”


    “Yes…?”


    “Ganien is one of the rare few who can truly spar with you.”


    “Well, he can endure against my de.”


    “Look after him. Ganien is my only friend.”


    “I’ll do my best,” Cassion replied, a slight frown on his face.


    ***


    Ganien’s steps were unusually light.


    A rematch with Cassion.


    He had already surpassed his previous level, yet the anticipation of the duel set his heart racing. Perhaps he could break through the barrier he had faced before.


    No, maybe he could even surpass it.


    <i>Hah.</i>


    Ganien took a deep breath.


    He didn’t have the skills to hide and approach like Cassion did.


    That was something only an assassin could do.


    He was a knight.


    The best thing a knight could do was protect someone.


    And the one he needed to protect now was Ruel.


    The number of enemies was about ten, including Glen and the first target he needed to charge at was none other than Glen Syria.


    Ganien sheathed his sword and dashed forward.


    Right now, he had no heavy armor weighing him down, norades to rely on, and no one to entrust his life to.


    His calves burned with heat as he charged forward like a war chariot.


    “Stop right there!”


    Pushing through the enemies who noticed his presence, he grabbed Glen by the cor and mmed him down to the ground.


    <i>Thud!</i>


    All he needed was the enemy’s mouth.


    He struck Glen’s legs with his sword to prevent him from escaping.


    <i>Crack!</i>


    “Aaah!”


    With the sound of bones breaking, Glen screamed in agony.


    “Hah.”


    Taking aposed breath, Ganien unsheathed his sword once more.


    The distance to the enemy was a single step.


    So, he advanced just one step and swung his sword.


    Before the severed head of the enemy hit the ground, before the blood sttered on him, he moved fluidly like water, targeting the heart of the enemy standing behind.


    <i>Thud!</i>


    In the blink of an eye, two enemies fell dead.


    <i>Gulp.</i>


    The remaining soldiers hesitated, ncing at each other.


    They trembled under the gaze of the blue eyes that looked at them like a fierce beast.


    This was not someone they could dare to face.


    They had to run.


    But in that moment, a chilling aura pierced their backs, freezing them in ce.


    “I can’t leave any witnesses alive. Sorry,” Ganien spoke with regret in his eyes.


    ***


    <i>Thud.</i>


    Ganien threw Glen into the snow.


    “Damn you! Who the hell are you! Do you know who I am?”


    Ruelughed at Glen’s crushed feet while listening to Glen’s screams with one ear.


    Soon, Ruel looked at Ganien.


    Not a drop of blood had sttered on his clothes.


    “Nice and clean.”


    “As for the leg, he won’t be able to use itter anyway. I broke it on purpose.”


    Ganien looked at Glen as if he were trash.


    He caused countless people to die, and also turned a blind eye to it.


    That alone was enough to ignite Ganien’s sense of justice.


    Ruel looked back at Glen.


    Glen was shouting fiercely, but he couldn’t hide his pain and fear.


    “Oh, curious about our identities? Allow me to introduce myself,” Ruel stated before removing his mask.


    Seeing Glen’s horrified expression, Ruel smiled.


    Of course.


    How could the Red Ash not know him?


    To them, he was a well-known celebrity.


    “Now, do you recognize me?”Author''s Thoughts


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