episode_0120

──!

A heavy sword fight followed.

Several times already. No, the swords clashed dozens of times.

There was no thought that Karssein would not come out sincerely, but now Pollux was sincere.

More harshly. More rough.

And even deeper.

This is because I was reading the sword of a man with a strangely broken inside.

The difference in physique is visible at a glance. This side has the advantage.

There are no physical factors that make Karsein smile, including height, weight, muscle mass, and stride length.

Nevertheless, the opponent showed no unnecessary movements.

His body was so well balanced that he had good reflexes that reacted well to not only pure water but also anomalous water.

There is also an incomparable gap in combat experience.

How could a boy who trained for only a few months be able to overcome the weight of time and those who are actively fighting against demonic beasts?

Not only that, but picking up a sword is also a recent thing.

The blisters and calluses on Karssein’s hands were created twice. With traces of the past when I was forced to let go, and traces of the present that have been growing in strength for several months.

Even if you try hard, you will inevitably fall behind in terms of combat experience.

However, from time to time, he does something unexpected and out of character.

Such as looking for an opportunity to attack by striking with the back of the sword rather than the blade, or countering the sword strike by making a fake and pushing back with one’s weight. The foundation of that elegant movement was completely different from that of this country.

okay. I could say that this was truly excellent.

I knew for sure that he was not someone who held a sword just for show, and he also had enough grit and an unwavering mentality.

It could be said that Karssein was a boy who was growing well enough to make people wonder what his future would be like.

however.

Pollux felt like he was truly suffocating after seeing his inner self through these swords.

What on earth is that cold breath?

What is the origin of those restrained movements that are neither excessive nor insufficient?

What is the point of the sword that looks like it was measured and has no errors, and what is written about that face that doesn’t change its expression at all?

This alone was truly surprising.

Even if it wasn’t a sword filled with fighting spirit and heat, it was okay.

Sometimes it was okay to cross the line and have aspirations for something.

Sometimes, it wasn’t strange if he reacted emotionally to a prank.

But Carcein has nothing like that.

His sword was one I had never seen before in over 30 years of my life.

Cold. Sophisticated. It was a dry sword.

It was a frosted sword that had been thoroughly calculated and contained no ideals or desires.

and…

It was full of scratches and dents here and there.

Many scrawled traces remained clearly.

That damaged sword.

This was Karssein’s inner self.

‘Shit…! Oh my god, how can there be someone like this…!’

At this young age.

Is it true that there is an inner self that feels like it has gone through all kinds of hardships and is well rested?

I couldn’t help but curse.

I needed to know the identity.

I needed to know what on earth made him like this.

Deeper.

I started to face him sword to sword.

Immediately, a wave of loneliness comes.

He must have endured this loneliness alone in a place where no one could touch him.

The rain falls on those who ignore everything.

There was no trace of warmth in this cold, cold person who seemed to have no expectations whatsoever.

A wind of pain blows.

Just as calluses disappear and pain is forgotten, the only thing left in the increasingly dull emotions is reason.

In solitude, without even being able to swim, getting hurt, turning away from everything, suffering and losing all emotions?

Does this mean that what is left is the result of thorough calculations and without any errors?

If you live like that, what is left?

That’s not a person.

It’s like a doll!

– Teeng!

Finally, Pollux could no longer bear it and grabbed Carcein’s sword with mana in his bare hands.

“…I’ll stop here.”

The battle, which continued several times, ends with one action by Pollux.

***

Harnier became increasingly anxious.

Even though I was not a warrior fighting with a weapon, I could see that the atmosphere was gradually increasing even from my perspective.

no. It wasn’t escalating, it was becoming more violent.

-Kang, Kaang!!

‘I definitely said it was about matching the assortment…?’

The sound was different from before.

It was not his fault that the power of the sword aimed at Karssein had also become stronger.

-For your information, it would be best not to intervene in the sparring with Karssein. Plesia upper tier.

-yes?

-I want to find out what’s in that guy’s sword. So I hope you don’t disturb me.

Pollux certainly said so…

Isn’t that a bit extreme? That’s what I thought.

In the midst of the bloody sparring, Harnier, who was watching, began to become anxious.

It wasn’t long before I decided that I couldn’t do it anymore.

Right then.

– Teeng!

Pollux filled his bare hands with mana and blocked Carcein’s sword.

“…I’ll stop here.”

Harnier ran away in a huff as he tried to stop the two, fearing that it would lead to a fight, but Pollux spoke quietly.

“Carsein. I would like to sign the transaction contract a little later, is that okay?”

“It doesn’t really matter as long as it’s within today.”

“Yes. Thank you for your understanding.”

In an instant, the sparring between the two men ended.

Harnier could only wonder what had happened.

Pollux turns towards Harnier.

“I’d like to talk to you for a moment. Plesia upper part.”

“Yes? With me? Not Prince Karssein?”

“Yes. It has to be you.”

Rather, there was something strange about the fact that he wanted to talk to this person, but Harnier, understanding Pollux’s signal, nodded and agreed to the conversation.

Even though it was right after sparring, the two moved on.

I needed to hear a signal that it was important, but Karssein wasn’t here.

As expected, it was something that had to be said alone, excluding Karssein.

“After. I still can’t calm down.”

Pollux sighed, touching his forehead.

“I should apologize first. I was so excited that the sparring became violent. No, I don’t know if I should call this a sparring match… I guess I’m worrying you.”

“Do you worry me?”

“You almost beat up your fiancé. It’s my fault.”

“Ah… Well, that’s right…”

Harnier, who realized this fact late, stuttered.

I wondered why he was apologizing, but this is the right thing to do.

Didn’t the relationship lead to an engagement? It would be strange if you weren’t worried when your fiancé was beaten mercilessly.

“Trigram, it’s okay. Karsein will probably consider it as an experience.”

Not maybe, but I really think so.

Since I couldn’t let people know that I was engaged to a contract, I had to make up an excuse to hide my strange reaction.

Harnier then cleared his throat and looked the other way.

Quickly change the subject.

“Rather than that, what do you want to talk about with me, leaving only Karsein alone?”

Then Pollux sighed deeply.

“Plesia top stock. How much do you know about Carcein?”

“If you say you know… to what level are you talking…”

“Things like that boy’s secret, except that it simply led to an engagement.”

Harnier was able to shake off all his idle thoughts at Pollux’s increasingly serious answer.

As she was wondering where to start answering, she decided to start by answering what Pollux already knew.

“…I’m a person who only sleeps for two hours. They even waste time sleeping because they are busy doing their own work. So much so that I fell asleep uncomfortably in the chair.”

“Huh. Doing something like that? I vaguely noticed that he was tired when I touched his shoulder…”

“Even that is a side nap. They gave me their bed.”

“What a foolish thing to do. If you stick to work like that, your body will inevitably break down.”

Immediately Pollux clicked his tongue.

“…Maybe Carcein doesn’t care whether his body is damaged or not.”

“What does that mean?”

“There is a purpose I want to achieve more than having my body break down.”

Paradoxically, Harnier was able to say these words easily because he knew his purpose.

“For that, I would have to give up my sleep. That’s why Karssein is such a cool-headed and cold person.”

For a brief moment, I saw myself reflected in Karssein’s appearance.

So, while I sympathized with it, I also realized too late that this was foolish.

However, that is not the end.

“But although you can say that he is a poisonous person, he is not an evil person. I am by no means a vicious person who blames misfortune and sin on others for his own benefit.”

Carcein is giving priority to escaping from the Dukedom at all costs.

However, we do not try to use others for that purpose.

That was the biggest reason why Harnier and Karssein continued their contractual engagement and were still interfering with each other.

Pollux also nodded in agreement.

“I know. Because I also took a peek at that boy’s sword. It wasn’t a sword that could hurt people. However, I understand one thing. It’s probably not just the body that’s damaged like that.”

“…That’s right.”

It’s not just the body. I know why my body is so broken, but isn’t it clear that my mind is also broken?

“The reason is─”

Harnier slowly recited Carcein’s past.

From being a child picked up from a slum to how he was treated by nobles. Also, the Vagrand duchy told what they knew about what happened.

Pollux, confused, wipes his face.

‘Then it is even more dangerous. Plesia upper tier. He’s already…!’

As Pollux saw, Carcein’s inner self was cruelly cold, dark, and bitter.

The engraved wounds were covered with scars I had never seen before.

And if it even looks so mechanical.

‘Isn’t even this engagement taking the form of some kind of transaction?’

I felt like I knew why Harnier stopped talking.

Pollux thought it strange that he had such a bad reaction after beating his fiancé like that, but Pollux understood the reason to some extent.

However, there is a method worth trying.

And that method is already in progress.

“Why, why do you see it that way?”

“Are you not even worried about your fiance? I think I caused quite a bit of damage.”

In “? No, that’s… ho, you could be treating it well on your own… and…!”

okay. This pair looks great together.

If your feelings don’t open, it’s okay to let them open.

“I have one question. Plesia upper tier. Karsein could be further ruined here. Do you want that?”

“That can’t be possible!”

A simple response without any hesitation or hiding comes back.

“Carcein is my…! He’s my fiancé! It’s natural, right?”

Although the words “fiancee” and “fiancé” were mixed with the reactions of an innocent girl, it was better that way.

“If there was only one way to prevent it, would you try it?”

“What is that…?”

That’s pretty easy.

“I just need you by my side.”

Karssein is already being eaten away by the monster of the opposite sex.

Before it is completely eaten and everything returns to nothing. It’s enough if you can open your emotions even a little.

Of course, even that would feel meaningless, so very strong emotions would arise…

The most intense thing he has ever experienced remains.

“I… yo?”

“Yes. I just need you by my side.”

Pollux smiles positively at Harnier, who points at him with his index finger.

You just have to stick around for days and days.

The longer you stick together, the better.

Then, when emotions sprouted.

The monster living inside Karssein disappears.