141_Keireki Era_Spring
Aldoharth’s Point of View
"Sir Aldoharth! Even though you've risen to the rank of an active knight, you're abandoning your position!?"
A flash of steel. Another knight's head flies.
"Risen, huh?"
In the end, Count Tuiknok merely took an interest in a warrior of unique origin—a demon born outside the East.
Or perhaps, he simply liked this appearance. Either way, it's a foolish reason.
An active knight isn't just any knight.
They bear the honor of their territory and, when commanded to fight, receive significant backing from the domain.
Reclaiming lost lands.
Avenging murdered citizens.
Engaging in duels on behalf of their lord.
The battles bestowed upon an active knight often concern honor.
Yet, the command Tuiknok gave his active knight was to sell a town raised by his kin to slave traders.
When I was appointed as an active knight, I wasn't entirely displeased. But that first mission changed everything.
In hindsight, perhaps that very mission was reason enough to cut ties.
Had I not met him, I might have continued being an active knight, thinking it was all meaningless.
But I met him—and I killed him.
He used my blade to end his suffering, fulfilling his purpose, and even saved his partner, a young girl, in the process.
Not just saved her.
He paved a path for her to fight and elevate her honor.
Even for a genius of the East, who could throw away their life with such forethought?
I saw honor in him.
"Atonement and redemption."
I whispered again, as if to him and to myself.
"To atone for killing you, a man of honor,
and to redeem your sacrifice, leaving your partner behind.
I must fulfill it."
Shouldering his remains once more, I turned my steps northward.
Suou’s Point of View
The sun was beginning to set.
Twilight.
The cries of birds returning to their nests echoed, as if bidding the day farewell.
The mayor, Henson, had arranged for the checkpoint.
As my partner predicted, upon learning his status, Izumist promised to provide him with thorough protection.
After all, being a blood relative of Count Tuiknok made him a treasure trove of information for the Izumist.
There was no issue waiting at Tuiknok’s checkpoint.
If a problem arose, I could always run to the checkpoint. And if he was escaping, I wanted to be the first to assist him.
But the one who came wasn’t my partner.
A lone knight approached.
Black-haired, someone who could be from the same homeland as me.
The active knight, Aldoharth.
… Her real name must be different. It's not an Eastern-style name.
Clutching something wrapped in a cloak, she walked toward me.
There was no sense of hostility.
In that case, I shouldn’t draw my sword either.
"What do you want here, you bastard?"
"I've come to return your partner."
"What...?"
What nonsense.
It's true, he's not strong. To many, he might even seem weak.
But he’s not someone who would break a promise, and more than anything... I was sure he’d never do anything to torment my heart.
So the idea of him dying was inconceivable.
Aldoharth laid the cloaked object before me and gently uncovered it.
I didn’t want to look. Because if I did—
"If you don’t let go, I can’t remove it...
Or would you rather do it yourself?"
"Like hell I'd be fooled by something like that!"
I swatted it away with my hand.
Ah.
Ah, why...?
Wrapped within was my partner’s lifeless body.
His heart had been split cleanly—a flawless technique.
It must have been an instant death. Surely, he didn’t suffer.
I should perhaps be grateful for her skill.
A sharp blade can sever not just flesh, but life itself. It’s not uncommon for someone to die before blood even spills.
But—
"We were supposed to meet here... here at this place! You liar!!"
Uncontrollable tears spilled down my cheeks.
I swore I wouldn’t cry anymore.
On the day my entire household was slaughtered, I resolved that my tears had run dry.
It might be true that she didn’t suffer.
But—
"I finally met someone I could call my partner!
I finally met someone I wanted to tell everything to!
And you just go and die on me!?"
The road we were supposed to walk together as partners—imagining it, I could only foresee a future of suffering in solitude.
… No, I understand that wasn’t his intention.
But the fact we couldn’t meet again in life was because he wished for death.
And the reason I will carry the burden of suffering is my failure to understand the person who stood beside me and supported me.
"You're cruel. Truly cruel...!"
I must have been unreliable.
Perhaps I desired too much for myself.
I took solace in the fact you stopped showing tears after that day, but that was my own arrogance.
Even if it meant reopening old wounds, I should have tried to listen.
Even if it meant earning your resentment, I should have strived to understand you.
The length of time doesn't determine the value of a bond.
I understand that.
But if there had been more time, perhaps I could have known you better.
If that had happened, perhaps your choice wouldn’t have been death.
Regret knows no end, and so, until the twilight fades, I cannot willfully stop this grief-stricken lament.
What do you think about this chapter?
