Chapter 74 : I Refuse

He raised a hand with a gentle smile, accepting the knights’ salute.

I slowly got to my feet and watched him approach.

A man in his prime, dressed neatly in armor, looking every bit the model knight.

If women were to imagine the perfect knight, it would be someone like him.

He stopped before me, met my eyes, and smiled faintly.

“We meet again, Devil.”

Up close, I finally recognized him.

The knight commander who had once been dragged around by the madwoman Linda.

He had given me a silver token then, telling me to seek out the Count’s house.

[So fate has crossed again.]

‘Looks that way.’

I muttered his name.

“Sir Coffee?”

“…Curtis.”

“Ah.”

An awkward silence lingered.

I shamelessly covered it up.

“I said Curtis.”

Curtis looked at me for a beat, then chuckled.

“Must have been my ears, then.”

“Of course.”

I gave his face a closer look.

Brighter than before, with a spark of life that hadn’t been there earlier.

Curtis said, “I heard from my lord that you were staying in the annex.”

“Mm.”

“I only just returned to the order and was busy with the handover. Forgive me for coming late.”

“Well, yes. You were late.”

Curtis smiled wryly.

“Since you didn’t even remember me, there didn’t seem to be a rush.”

I studied him for a moment, then asked, “Sir Curtis. Are you sulking?”

“Sulking? Not at all. Perhaps… a little disappointed.”

“So you are sulking.”

“….”

“As you know, I’ve been hunted by Linda and every sort of fiend imaginable. My mind’s been a mess. Cut me some slack.”

“I understand.”

“Still, you tattled already? The master of a house, and loose-lipped at that.”

Curtis only smiled faintly.

I sat down again in the green field.

“Sit, Sir Curtis. I can’t stand long with this arm.”

“Yes.”

We sat across from each other, silent for a while as the breeze tousled our hair.

I pushed mine back irritably and called out, “Sir Curtis.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve got a dagger?”

“Yes. Do you need it?”

“Yeah. Hand it over.”

I took it and hacked away at the strands falling into my eyes.

The black locks scattered on the wind.

We both followed their flight with our eyes.

They looked like masks flung into the air at a carnival.

I jabbed a finger at them and shouted, “Ha! Look at that! My hair’s flying away!”

“Pfft—hahaha!”

Curtis burst out laughing.

The knights around us widened their eyes.

“Ahem. Hrm.”

Curtis forced the laughter back with an awkward cough.

I smirked.

“So you were the dignified commander type in front of your men.”

“…That’s about right.”

“If you’d laughed properly once in a while, maybe you wouldn’t have gotten kidnapped by Linda.”

He cleared his throat again.

“If I laughed whenever I wanted, I couldn’t have led the order.”

“So that was your burden.”

“Yes.”

I handed back the dagger.

“So, are you reinstated as commander now?”

Curtis shook his head.

“How could a man who was kidnapped still claim such a title? I was stripped of it.”

“Mm.”

“They wasted men chasing after Linda because of me. I don’t deserve the rank.”

“So now?”

“I offered to serve as a regular knight, but my lord refused. For now, I’ve rejoined as vice-commander.”

“Congratulations!”

I clapped.

Then looked around.

“What are you all doing? No applause for Vice-Commander Curtis? Show some support for his fresh start!”

Walpole was the first to join in.

“Congratulations, Vice-Commander Curtis.”

The others followed, clapping and offering words.

“Welcome back, Sir Curtis.”

“Congratulations, Vice-Commander.”

“Glad you’re safe.”

Curtis accepted the applause with some embarrassment.

I watched the scene warmly.

After the clapping subsided, Curtis glanced at my arm.

“How are you feeling?”

“A bit stifled, but manageable.”

“I heard you fought the Knight of Frost.”

I nodded.

“A monster. Are all Sword Lords like that? He hardly seemed human.”

Curtis agreed.

“I’ve never met the others, but I hear they are much the same.”

“…Monsters indeed.”

Some of the knights glanced at me strangely.

Curtis added, “Among them, the Knight of Frost is said to be deeply united with Frostblade, the Blue Blade.”

“United?”

“Yes. They say he has become one with the sword. He can channel its power, control it, even transform parts of his body into ice and back again. Among all Frostblade’s wielders, he’s reached the highest level.”

“…That’s basically immortal.”

Curtis nodded.

“Immortal is not far off. Even a sword through the heart won’t kill him.”

His words echoed what the Heavenly Demon had told me.

‘The pinnacle of swordsmanship—body and blade as one!’

Even if not complete, he was close to that realm.

My neck prickled cold at the thought.

It was a miracle I’d survived.

And the only reason I had pierced his heart at all was because he’d let a shred of carelessness slip.

I had seized that single gap with all I had.

Next time, he might not allow even that.

Could I stab his heart again?

“…Truly, he was terrifying.”

The Heavenly Demon’s voice scolded me.

[So train harder. Don’t slack off.]

“Yeah, yeah. I get it.”

[Don’t expect me to save you every time. Next time, I’ll let you die.]

“You talk like you didn’t already butt in without asking.”

[Tch. Worthless brat.]

When I looked up again, Curtis was staring at me.

“What? Why are you staring?”

“Who are you speaking with?”

“My master.”

“Your… master?”

I tapped my temple.

“Right here. Lives in my head. The Heavenly Demon. Scary name, right?”

“…Ah. Yes.”

Curtis answered stiffly, then steered the talk elsewhere.

“Regardless, you’re the more impressive one. You defeated the Knight of Frost without the power of a divine sword.”

“That’s…”

At that, the knights on watch turned their eyes toward me.

The knights’ eyes were sparkling with admiration.

“…Tch.”

I thought about explaining myself, but gave up with a click of the tongue.

Even if I tried, it would be pointless. How could I explain something I didn’t even understand?

What was I supposed to say—that the Heavenly Demon borrowed my body without my knowledge?

The thought left a sour taste in my mouth.

I didn’t like it.

I didn’t know what had been done, and it hadn’t been me who did it.

I let out a short sigh.

“I’ll head back in now. Sir Curtis, congratulations on your reinstatement. It was good seeing you again.”

“The pleasure was mine.”

“Let’s meet again. If there’s nothing more, I’ll take my leave.”

“Yes.”

Curtis stood and extended his hand.

I stared at it for a moment before clasping it.

He pulled me up, but didn’t let go. Instead, he looked me in the eyes.

“Devil.”

“What.”

“You are my hero. Whatever you need, wherever you are—just call, and I will come.”

“There you go with that hero crap again.”

I scowled and shook off his hand.

“Cut that nonsense before I kill you. Ah, but you’re the Vice-Commander now, so I can’t even threaten you properly. Damn it all.”

Curtis chuckled.

“What are you grinning at? Get lost.”

“Yes.”

I strode back toward the annex.

The knights saluted Curtis, then followed me.

Behind me, Curtis called out once more.

“Devil.”

“…What now.”

“The lord has invited you to dine with him this evening.”

I grimaced.

“Why eat together? Just tell him to have his meal separately.”

“Lobster will be served.”

“…Lobster?”

“Yes.”

“….”

I hesitated, then answered,

“Dining with Count Stavanger is always a pleasure. Tell him I’ll be there.”

“Yes.”

Since I couldn’t leave the annex, the dinner was held in its dining hall.

Before me sat a plump, red lobster, perfectly cooked.

Of course, such a dish didn’t come free.

If lobster was on the table, then an important conversation was coming with it.

Most likely, it had to do with the reason he had saved me.

Still, if all I had to give in exchange for this feast was to listen to him, then it was hardly a loss.

Across from me, Count Stavanger sat with his usual serene expression.

“Please, eat at ease.”

“With pleasure.”

Though magical lamps lit the ceiling, none had been turned on for this meal.

Instead, ornate candleholders cast a warm, flickering glow across the table.

A touch extravagant, perhaps, but it set the mood well enough.

I, who was more used to chewing on cheap jerky, had of course never eaten lobster before.

Not knowing how to eat it, I watched the Count discreetly, copying his movements.

Hummm—

He wrapped aura around his knife and sliced through the lobster’s shell as smoothly as if cutting pudding.

“…Impressive.”

His skill was remarkable.

I imitated him, wrapping aura around my own knife and cutting into the shell.

Sriiip—

The lobster cracked open, releasing a burst of savory steam.

Plump, juicy meat gleamed within.

Scooping up a piece and slipping it into my mouth, the flavor exploded like fireworks.

I closed my eyes for a moment to savor it.

“Does it suit your taste?”

I wiped at the corner of my eye and muttered,

“…It’s edible.”

The Count chuckled softly.

“Good.”

He continued eating with poise before remarking casually,

“I hear you proposed to Joy.”

“…And where did you hear that?”

There was a smile in his voice.

“Joy herself came running to boast about it.”

“…That little brat.”

We kept eating, talking of this and that, until the atmosphere had settled into a comfortable rhythm.

Then, with a shift in tone, the Count spoke gravely.

“Sir Ashuban.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know the current state of the Blake Kingdom?”

Ah. So this was the price of lobster.

I shook my head and answered honestly.

“No. I only recently came from abroad.”

He began his explanation.

“The kingdom is in turmoil.”

It reminded me of something Shushruta had once mentioned.

“Because of the succession?”

“Indeed. The king is old, and the time to pass down the crown draws near.”

I ate steadily, listening with half an ear.

“The strongest contenders are the First and Second Princes. The First has the support of the powerful houses loyal to the current king, while the Second has rallied the reformist nobles dissatisfied with the present order. Most believe the crown will go to one of them.”

“Mhm.”

“Nearly every house has already declared for one side or the other.”

“Mhm.”

“Our Stavanger family has remained neutral until now. But the time has come to choose.”

“Mhm.”

“We have decided to back the Third Prince.”

“…Hm?”

I stopped mid-bite and glanced up.

The Count had set down his utensils, his expression solemn as he looked at me.

“You seem to prefer frankness, so I’ll be direct. I have two proposals for you.”

Clink.

Sensing this wasn’t a matter to answer lightly, I set down my utensils as well.

Wiping my mouth, I asked, “If I refuse both, will I be thrown out?”

“Absolutely not.”

His reply was firm.

“You are a benefactor of House Stavanger. We cannot drive you out, nor can we bind you. You may stay as long as you wish—even for the rest of your life, should you choose.”

“Mhm.”

“These are merely proposals. Requests, if you will. Consider them carefully, and answer as you see fit.”

“I’ll hear them.”

He drew a deep breath.

“The first is this: join House Stavanger, and aid the Black Prince in claiming the throne.”

“I refuse.”

“…Hm.”

He hummed, his expression unreadable.

I blinked, uncertain.

“Wait, the Black Prince is the Third Prince?”

“That is correct.”

“Ah. I see.”

“So?”

“Black Prince. Third Prince. I refuse.”

“…Hmm…”

(End of Chapter)

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