“You…!”
“Take care.”
With a soft touch, Lucas kissed Iberis’s dainty lips once more and smiled with his eyes, whispering. His face was full of affection and concern.
“…”
Surprised by the sudden kiss, Iberis’s lips quivered. Even a peck on the cheek had required great courage from him, but Lucas was clearly a step ahead when it came to skinship.
“L-let go now.”
Iberis gently pushed Lucas away, trying to ignore the gazes of people focused on them.
“Just a moment.”
Lucas hugged Iberis tightly one last time, as if transferring his warmth, before letting him go.
“Huh.”
Yurina, who had been watching the couple’s affectionate display, let out a sound close to exclamation. Chen’s jaw dropped as well. He couldn’t seem to close his mouth.
The reactions of the surrounding soldiers were similar. Some rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Even Livio stopped his conversation to stare blankly at the two.
While everyone else was frozen with wide eyes, only the N-0 unit members, including Brenda, remained composed. Some of them shook their heads as if to say, “Here they go again.”
This was understandable, as Lucas, with his strong “my way” personality, didn’t hesitate to show affection regardless of who was around. Thanks to their superior who didn’t care about others’ eyes, the unit members had frequently witnessed the couple’s lovey-dovey behavior over the past few weeks. As a result, they had become accustomed to it.
“Major Russell, shall we get started?”
Iberis, having finally escaped Lucas’s embrace, addressed Yurina with an embarrassed look.
“Huh? Oh, y-yes!”
She replied with a reddened face, finally coming to her senses. Yurina quickly regained her composure and straightened up along with Chen.
“All troops, prepare for battle!”
At Yurina’s command, all soldiers assumed battle positions. An unmistakable tension settled on their faces as they gazed at the distant Dark Elf encampment.
Thud.
Iberis took his position at the very front alongside Livio. He tightened his combat gloves, directly facing the defensive wall he had to break and the Black World Tree visible beyond it.
“…I look forward to working with you today.”
Iberis was the one to break the silence. Livio’s shoulders twitched slightly, apparently not expecting him to speak first.
“Let me warn you in advance, Guild Master Logan. Let’s just carry out our mission and nothing else. Then there won’t be any problems.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m telling you not to try any strange tricks. Unless you want to settle things with me today.”
“Well, if I accidentally hit an ally, I’d be sent straight to the brig, wouldn’t I?”
“That would depend on whether it’s a real mistake or not. I don’t think someone who’s been in the military for decades would lose control of their power like a new recruit and recklessly use their abilities.”
“Why, do you think I’d stab you in the back during battle? Or are you worried I might ‘accidentally’ throw a fireball at Major Illum?”
Livio sneered without using honorifics. Already irritated by the earlier incident, his reason wavered when Iberis confronted him with a warning.
“What did you say?”
“Haha. It’s a joke, don’t take it so seriously. I know you’ve teamed up with Lieutenant General Bismarck, so I can’t give you a reason to attack me.”
“…I hope those words are sincere. You said you’d follow my command until the subjugation is over, but seeing you immediately speak informally doesn’t inspire much trust.”
Iberis’s initially fierce demeanor softened at Livio’s sarcasm. There was no point in picking a fight with him now, with battle imminent. Livio’s eyes narrowed as Iberis didn’t deny his alliance with Winfried.
“Hmph, that’s only if variables arise. It doesn’t mean I’m becoming your subordinate.”
“Excellent sophistry.”
“Do you want me to call you ‘Major’ that badly?”
“No, honestly, I think it would only be unpleasant to hear it from you.”
“That’s why I’m saying let’s keep it casual. Anyway, I’ll obey your orders when necessary, so don’t be needlessly wary and just do your job well. If you try to find fault unnecessarily…”
“I don’t do such cowardly things. As long as you cooperate properly with me.”
Iberis interrupted Livio, muttering in a chilly voice.
‘If you want revenge, do it legally.’
A familiar voice echoed in his head, filled with long-harbored anger. Iberis bit his lower lip hard, recalling Ryan’s last words as he worried about his subordinate who would be left alone in this cold world until his dying breath.
‘It seems there are some who want you to avenge them, but… *cough* I don’t want you to live like that.’
I know, Team Leader. That’s why I’m trying so hard to endure. Iberis answered inwardly to the ringing in his ears. The reason he had stayed quietly holed up in N-zone for three years after the trial was not only to take care of the families of dead colleagues but also to avoid encountering Livio.
Livio, who had immediately naturalized to Japan and established a guild after his dishonorable discharge, frequently met with Defense Force personnel under the pretext of business and shamelessly showed his face at various events. As if he were completely innocent.
In contrast, Iberis had thoroughly isolated himself. He chose to disconnect from the world as much as possible, fearing that if he ever encountered Livio, he might not be able to suppress his desire to kill him and attack him unconsciously.
“Hah…”
Iberis took a short deep breath as he watched the Dark Elves move in unison, noticing their approach. Even at this moment, a fierce killing intent towards Livio was boiling in his chest. Honestly, he wanted to eliminate the enemy beside him more than the one in front.
But he couldn’t be swayed by emotions. Revenge had to be “legal” at all costs. Only then could he avoid tarnishing the honor of his team members who had left the world unjustly.
So he endured and endured. He planned to control his mind until he could face Livio by chance without his hand moving on its own.
However, no matter how much time passed, his murderous intent towards Livio didn’t subside. Rather, it grew stronger with each passing day. Especially after he learned that he didn’t have much time left.
In fact, even before receiving his terminal diagnosis, Iberis was aware that his body wasn’t normal. As the days of fainting due to aftereffects increased, he grew more anxious. He feared he might not be able to avenge his colleagues.
He had considered many times whether he should go kill Livio when his condition was even slightly better. On such days, he would recite Ryan’s last words like a mantra, ruminating on them endlessly to steady his heart.
‘Don’t get consumed by revenge, okay? *gasp* It’ll only make you suffer and hurt. And, uh, what else? Ah, someday a guide who suits you will appear, not a nobody like me, *wheeze* so just hang in there until then. You might even find your Name match… Anyway, you’ll definitely be happy. I guarantee it. So, *cough* *gasp* live a long life for my share too…’
Come to think of it, the Team Leader’s prediction was right. Iberis thought as he exhaled deeply. His tightly closed lips formed a faint curve. As Ryan had assured with his dying breath, he met his savior on a day just before this year’s spring.
My Name match, my guide. What would have become of me if I hadn’t met you?
The corners of his mouth lifted further as he felt the gaze that had been on his back for a while. Recognizing his lover’s gaze, his ankle where the Name was engraved tingled for no reason.
If he hadn’t met Lucas, he probably would have tried to kill the man standing next to him by now. Iberis reaffirmed his thoughts and composed his breathing once more. Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“If I were to live like you, I would have quit the military and ended everything as soon as the trial was over.”
“What?”
“So rest assured. At least ‘today’, nothing will happen.”
Emphasizing the last words, Iberis took a step forward. Simultaneously, the signal announcing the start of the operation rang out. He walked steadily, hearing the trumpet sound hitting his ears. His steps were as light as if he were out for a stroll.
“%#$@&*!!”
As Iberis approached the earthen wall, a strange-sounding shout erupted from the Dark Elf camp. Immediately after, a rain of dozens of arrows poured down.
“Hmm.”
Iberis, unfazed, drew up his mana. Then he stretched out his hand towards the arrows rushing at him. At that moment, the arrows flying towards him all stopped at once, then quickly lost their momentum and fell with a thud. They had frozen in mid-air.
“?!^&*>@Å#&￥!!?”
The Dark Elves stirred as their first attack failed. They quickly suppressed their agitation and shot their bows again. But this time too, the arrows didn’t reach Iberis. Sparks flew from the wooden shafts, and soon they burst into flames. It was Livio’s handiwork.
“$##%±℃￠!”
The Dark Elves shouted something in confusion as the arrows falling in an arc all burned up in mid-air.
Meanwhile, Iberis leapt up with a kick off the ground. Using the moisture in the air to create ice footholds, he moved leisurely, as if climbing stairs.
In an instant, Iberis rose higher than the earthen wall, easily dodging the arrows rushing towards him, then raised his right arm high. The surrounding air churned, and transparent ice spikes began to form one by one.
“??%￡※≠!!?$#!”
“Now it’s my turn.”
Iberis grinned at the Dark Elves, who were shocked at the sight of ice arrows filling the sky. And with that, he brought his arm down.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
