The number of wolves they killed was ten. Before Seiyad arrived, Ressas had taken down four, and Vine and Mona had dealt with the rest. Because they’d responded the moment the wolves descended, there was minimal damage. The only casualties were a broken door on the food storage and a few shattered windows in some houses.
The reason they’d been present at just the right time was due to a visit to obtain the ice wine sold only in this region. Apparently, the bedridden Anka was a passionate drinker, and Ressas had decided to act personally to comfort him.
If it had been any other royal, it would have been incomprehensible, but coming from Ressas, it was entirely in character. He was kind to everyone, but to those by his side, his devotion was almost terrifying in its intensity.
“There’s wine at the palace too. If you’d asked the steward, he would’ve brought it for you.”
Seiyad questioned Vine, who stood stiffly before him, speaking the truth. Mona, Ressas’s other knight, was helping grill the wolf meat in the village banquet hall, which was why Vine had been summoned instead. With an expression that screamed how uncomfortable he was, Vine replied in a barely audible voice.
“Just staying at the palace feels like walking on pins and needles… How could I make a request like that? Everyone treats His Highness so harshly.”
Then he snuck a glance at Seiyad before quickly lowering his eyes, as if to suggest Seiyad was one of the people treating Ressas harshly. But Seiyad wasn’t particularly bothered by this kind of insolence.
“I can’t even eat without getting indigestion—how could I go ask for ice wine? That’s why I went out myself. Luckily, we were able to save people… So, could you maybe forgive us?”
Vine’s manner of speaking was somewhat unrefined for a royal knight. Seiyad stared at him for a while before asking:
“What’s your unit?”
“Me? I serve under His Highness Ressas.”
“I meant your knight order.”
The royal guard was divided into three knightly orders: the Light of the Sun protected the king; the Armor of the Blue Moon operated under the crown prince’s command; and finally, the Grace of the Star oversaw the entire palace. Ressas’s knights were drawn from this last group.
“Oh, I’m a commoner. Ever since His Highness took me in, I’ve been by his side.”
That made sense.
Ressas, perhaps due to his own experiences, had surrounded himself with non-noble retainers ever since his awakening. Even though his unusual approach drew a lot of resentment within the palace, Ressas paid it no mind.
“I may be lowborn, but I can hold my own with a sword. I work hard not to burden His Highness, and if it’s for him, I’d gladly give my life. My loyalty doesn’t fall short of anyone else’s!”
Perhaps remembering what he’d said last time, Vine protested with a resolute tone. Seiyad remained silent, quietly watching the villagers who were bustling about to prepare dinner. Large slabs of grilled meat and dishes made from winter crops were being laid out all over. The joy of having survived the crisis lit up their faces. Ressas stood among them, surrounded by their gratitude.
This was how Ressas’s support spread throughout the country. Even while out on a mission to deal with Nir’a, he’d saved hundreds of commoners. While Aster had the support of the nobility, Ressas had the people.
Seiyad didn’t particularly think he’d chosen the wrong side. Aster was the right lord for someone like him. A man as virtuous and pure as Ressas wouldn’t be able to endure someone like Seiyad. Even now, when he needed Ressa’s power, that truth hadn’t changed. Seiyad had his own path.
“Living, not dying—that’s what your lord needs from you.”
“Huh? What?”
Vine blinked, startled. Without further explanation, Seiyad began preparing to return to the castle. His very presence made others uncomfortable, and Seiyad himself had no fondness for situations like this. After using his powers for so long, his body was in an unstable state. This wasn’t the time nor place for him to be surrounded by noise. Truthfully, he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d felt such a mood. Probably not since childhood, before he awakened his powers, had he ever truly smiled.
“Serve your lord well, and return safely.”
“You’re leaving? But dinner’s just about to start!”
Vine followed behind, confused. Seiyad said nothing and made his way to the stables where Luna waited. Vine scratched his head. His sharp features made him seem approachable despite the foolishness of his behavior; even acting like this, he didn’t appear lacking.
“Then, before you go—I just wanted to say thank you. I didn’t have the chance the day you saved us.”
Seiyad turned his head slightly. When he looked back, Vine wore an awkward smile.
“To be honest, before coming here, I’d never even seen Tither up close… So I overreacted, and I apologize. His Highness gave us quite a scolding.”
A random statement.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh… maybe I shouldn’t have said that…”
Muttering to himself with a nervous expression, Vine caught sight of Seiyad’s cold gaze and hastily continued.
“The moment he started feeling better, he summoned all of us. Told us to properly thank the Duke next time we saw him. Said we must never forget the grace we were shown. It was the first time His Highness ever reprimanded us… We were all kind of shocked.”
It was an odd day in many ways. Quilly’s words had been strange too, and now this from Vine. It was hard to believe someone like Ressas had taken his side. Seiyad decided not to dwell on it.
“That’s all you wanted?”
“Yes. I mean, no. Are you really going? Everyone will be disappointed.”
He was about to deny it when, in the distance, Judy—who’d been searching for Seiyad for a while—came running over energetically, waving her hand.
“Loooord! Loooord! Time to eeeat!”
The child, who had been dashing over with a beaming smile, tripped over a stone just before reaching him. Even before Vine could rush over in a panic, Judy sprang right back up and looked up at Seiyad with eyes gleaming once again.
“Come quick!”
She looked like a completely different child from the one who had bawled her eyes out after seeing the wolf. Vine chuckled beside them, clearly proud.
Of course, he should have refused the child’s request. There was too much to do. He needed to start with matters of the territory, then prepare for the reconnaissance team’s operation. If they wanted efficient combat readiness, spending time here was a luxury they couldn’t afford. But his steps hesitated. The way the child looked up at him reminded him too much of how his younger sister used to look.
I hope she’s doing well.
He thought of Cecilia, who had long ago left the Axid estate to live with their uncle. Even when he was on the brink of death, Seiyad had never gone to see her, and Cecilia had never sought him either. The little sister who remained in his memories was frozen in time, stuck at that innocent age like the child before him. He’d barely seen Cecilia again in the few years leading up to her coming of age.
“…Alright.”
Whether it was to fill the space of the sister he had chosen not to seek out, Seiyad’s response betrayed his intent—he accepted the child’s invitation after all. Vine grinned wide.
A small feast had been laid out in the village’s modest banquet hall, resembling a miniature festival. Seiyad, awkwardly, found himself seated right beside Ressas. Due to their status, they were given a separate table. Ressas greeted him with a gentle smile as he was guided to his seat, but the moment they were left alone, his expression turned cold. Against the backdrop of the noisy chatter and laughter, Seiyad began eating in silence.
In truth, he had no appetite. The distorted energy from using his power wreaked havoc on his insides—a natural consequence that always followed. His head throbbed miserably, and it felt like needles were jabbing every part of his body. The churning of his gut made the thought of food nauseating, but he forced himself to eat. Fortunately, unlike yesterday, he wasn’t hearing voices. Aster’s half-purification, at the very least, seemed to have some effect.
The silent meal continued. Seiyad managed a few bites of meat before the rising nausea became unbearable, and he set down his fork. Looking around for water, he spotted a wooden canteen placed in front of Ressas.
Still watching him intently, Seiyad finally reached out. His arm emerged from beneath the black fur cloak, and as his sleeve slipped back, the bandaged wrist beneath was revealed. The wound had apparently reopened—both the bandage and the white fabric were soaked in blood.
Ressas, who had been quietly spooning his soup, froze. His long lashes fluttered faintly upward, and his gaze settled on Seiyad’s wrist. A subtle fracture cracked across his delicate brow. His violet eyes traced slowly from Seiyad’s wrist, up his hand, and finally came to rest on the torn flesh of his palm.
