Chapter 12

“How are we supposed to reclaim all that land with just a single shovel? Just one shovel, really? Please, if you’d just let us use magic…”

“Rianthorne, are you disobeying your superior’s orders?”

“N-no, sir. Of course not.”

“Then I’m glad to hear it. No more complaints, get to work.”

Once the members who had accompanied the procession to the capital returned to the north, they were greeted with quite a sight. It was clear just how freely Van had run amok in their absence.

The land before the fortress walls was a complete mess. Not only had massive craters formed large enough to swallow dozens of people, but there were also the frozen corpses of magical beasts littering the area.

Under normal circumstances, they would have just used magic to clean it all up. But the famously cold-hearted captain, whom everyone admired without question, had ordered them to clean it up by hand.

“If… if you could at least explain why we have to do this, I’d be more than happy to comply,” Enoch offered, trying one last time to push back. Though calling it defiance was a stretch, it was more of a feeble protest.

“You’re asking something self-evident,” Pantherman replied coolly. “If you had handled things properly in the captain’s absence, none of this would be necessary.”

His firm tone silenced the group. Deep down, they all admitted it: their great Commander was angry, not because he was cold-hearted, but because they had disappointed him.

“…Understood.”

Enoch bowed his head, visibly dejected. Others who shared his frustration quietly bowed their heads as well. No one dared challenge a direct order from their Commander, the man they revered like the sky itself.

* * *

The north was infamous for its bitter winds that could slice through flesh. Harsh conditions made farming difficult, so the region had developed a thriving artisan culture instead. In fact, the largest guild of craftsmen, Valra, had originated in the north.

There were many things the north was known for. 

Chief among them was Van. Second was his knight order, the Ridwan Order. Only those who passed four grueling tests were allowed to join, and the difficulty fed the knights’ fierce pride.

But that pride was hard to feel right now.

“Elena, seriously, this is too much, don’t you think?”

Marlene stepped in close, watching as Elena silently filled in yet another pit in the ground. Despite the cold, sweat poured from her like rain. Marlene wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and cautiously voiced her complaint.

“I mean, come on, it was a hydra! If it had been just the hydra, fine, but all those other monsters showed up too. How were we supposed to handle that?”

Marlene Finsel’s green eyes scrunched with irritation. But even with all her grumbling, Elena said nothing, just kept working.

“I really thought you’d be exempt. Bit of a shame.”

Elena was still serving as temporary aide in place of Quirea. That’s why everyone had assumed she wouldn’t be roped into this punishment disguised as training. But of course, Van had ordered her to participate anyway.

He claimed that any member of Ridwan needed to train properly and build endurance. Even though he’d said training was optional. What a frustrating, contradictory man.

“Still… when the captain descended from the sky? That was incredible. I actually thought, ‘So this is the man we serve’.”

Marlene’s eyes sparkled as she recalled the black form floating in the sky.

Elena paused for a second, surprised by the sudden shift in mood.

The loyalty of Ridwan’s knights ran deep. Most had joined solely because Van was their national hero. Still, this kind of about-face was a bit unsettling.

“You saw him transform too, right? Gods, it was majestic. I never thought something we studied in the academy would look that impressive in person.”

“Marlene, the vice-captain is watching.”

As the conversation veered into full-blown Van worship, Elena subtly glanced toward Pantherman and whispered a warning. She had no desire to lie just to praise Van.

“Oh, you’re right.”

Catching sight of Pantherman in the distance, Marlene quickly went back to her task, digging with renewed urgency. She didn’t want to get scolded either.

“Hey, did you hear? After this ‘stamina training’ is over, the captain plans to visit each unit and spar with them one-on-one.”

Just as her hands moved busily, so did her mouth, chattering nonstop. Now this was actually interesting. Elena finally started paying attention.

“Why? You interested?”

“…A little.”

“Knew it. They say the captain’s swordsmanship is legendary. Seriously, he’s flawless.”

Seeing Elena perk up, Marlene grinned.

“Still, I doubt anyone will volunteer. What if you lose and get kicked out of Ridwan? Just hearing a rumor like that would make people faint.”

While Marlene worried about becoming the captain’s next opponent, Elena was secretly thinking she’d like to be chosen. It didn’t sound so bad to her. After all, it’d give her a chance to gauge Van’s true strength as a man.

Just looking at this ruined terrain made it clear. Going up against Van in his dragon form was utterly impossible.

“Elena, don’t tell me you’re planning to volunteer?”

Reading the seriousness in her friend’s eyes, Marlene shook her head in disbelief.

“…Maybe.”

If she lost, there was no telling what kind of punishment would follow. But from the look in her eyes, Marlene suspected Elena might actually like the captain more than she did.

* * *

Just three days after hearing about the duels from Marlene, Pantherman delivered the news Elena had been waiting for.

“Get yourselves ready. The captain is on his way.”

He shouted toward the lined-up knights of the 7th Division. Elena, standing among them, felt her eyes sharpen. The duel Marlene had mentioned was about to begin.

“W-what, seriously?!”

“…Rianthorne.”

“Y-yes, sir!”

“Have I ever lied to you?”

“N-no, sir! I apologize!”

Pantherman’s glare made Enoch flinch and respond in a panic.

Most of the 7th division knights were clearly afraid of Van’s visit. But not Elena. She inhaled deeply, nerves tightening across her whole body, and began loosening up like the others.

“Attention. The captain has arrived.”

At Pantherman’s words, silence fell instantly.

Van stepped in wearing only his standard uniform, not even light armor. That alone exuded confidence, and the knights’ eyes lit up as they watched him. Everyone bowed respectfully. Elena, however, stood frozen, captivated by the crimson eyes that held her gaze.

“Vened.”

“…My apologies.”

Pantherman called out her surname in warning, just as he had with Enoch.

Startled, Elena quickly lowered her head toward Van. And just before her gaze dropped… 

She thought she saw his eyes meet hers. Those blood-colored eyes, like they were stained with fire, locked onto her for the briefest moment. He was definitely aware of her.

“The captain has graciously offered a special duel. Anyone willing to volunteer?”

Before the sentence was even finished, Elena raised her hand high. People around her shot her ‘Are you insane?’ looks, but she didn’t flinch.

“How brave. Follow Vened’s example! That’s what it means to be a true knight!”

Pantherman’s encouragement didn’t inspire anyone else. Despite their respect, no one wanted to spar with that monster.

“Good. That’s what I like to see.”

Van’s crimson eyes curved in amusement, and his smile sent a chill down her spine. But Elena stood her ground, meeting his gaze squarely, refusing to show weakness.

“To the training hall.”

Keeping her expression steady, she followed his lead.

The hall stood right next to the field. Once the entire 7th Division was inside, Van motioned Elena toward the center of the room. Since magic was allowed here, everyone made sure to give the two of them as much space as possible. As the others retreated, it felt like she and Van were the only ones left in the world.

Elena bowed to him respectfully, then drew her sword. At last, a chance to aim her blade at him, officially.

Treat it like real combat.

Recalling Pantherman’s words, Elena awakened the rage she had buried deep inside, rage she had kept hidden under the excuse of ‘training’. The red eyes that haunted her. The image of her father lying unconscious. Van Nizena’s growing reach, even to Tyrtan.

Under the pretense of sparring, she finally let that rage rise.

“Yes… this is how it should be.”

Van smiled, as if this was exactly the reaction he’d been hoping for.

Fueled by fury, Elena inhaled sharply and aimed her blade directly at him. Her grip tightened around the hilt. For some reason, her own breathing felt unnaturally loud, like it was the only sound in the world.

“I’m giving you another chance. So show me what you’ve got.”

A chance? He’d used that word during the last siege, too. What was this ‘chance,’ and why did he keep offering it to her?

Elena bit her lower lip hard enough to draw blood, rejecting his infuriating nonsense. She summoned all her magic, creating dozens of sharp spears behind her.

Even if water magic didn’t work on him, it could still be threatening. If he insisted on calling this a ‘chance,’ she had every intention of using him to the fullest.

……

T/N: Sir, do you mean a chance to be with you? Hehe 😀