“Not going?”
“……”
Now that they were in a safe place, there was no reason for Delroz to remain by Banteon’s side. Banteon hoped he would join the battlefield as soon as possible, but Delroz’s heavy steps showed no sign of moving.
Delroz stared at Banteon with sunken eyes. It was a gaze that seemed to be waiting for something… hoping for something. Banteon, frustrated that such a key asset was hesitating, asked again.
“What’s the problem?”
“For me……”
“For you what?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Delroz swallowed his words, zipped up his jacket, and turned away. What had he been about to say?
As if he’d never hesitated, Delroz vanished without even a silhouette in sight. Watching him disappear, Banteon shook his head and walked toward the aircraft. The more he tried to understand that capricious nature, the more it would just cost him.
In the distance, Commander Sotenru was shouting orders at the team. He spotted Banteon walking alone and rushed over in haste.
“Banteon-nim! You have no idea how worried I was!”
“It’s been a while. Is everyone else safe?”
“There were some injuries, but no one’s in critical condition.”
It had been some time since Banteon last saw Sotenru. He looked noticeably thinner than before. As the operations commander shouldering all responsibility, Sotenru must have been deeply troubled by the disappearance of two people.
Especially considering the missing members were Esrante and an SS-Rank Esper. It was an unprecedented situation, and he was the one forced to bear the consequences. He’d likely spent those days more anxious than the two who had disappeared. Banteon felt guilty for having caused such trouble.
“I’m sorry for worrying you.”
“No, I’m just grateful you returned safely. Truly.”
Relieved to see Banteon unharmed, Sotenru guided him into the airship. Once they boarded, the door slowly closed behind them. After the squad deployed, only Sotenru and Banteon remained inside. Suddenly, Sotenru activated a sound-blocking mana stone.
Banteon looked at him, puzzled, and Sotenru asked in a cautious voice:
“Banteon-nim… are you able to guide Delroz-nim?”
“Yes.”
“I thought so.”
The uncertainty on Sotenru’s face turned to seriousness. A troubled look flickered across his features as he hesitated, choosing his words carefully. It took a while before he finally spoke.
“There is no one else in the kingdom right now who can guide Delroz-nim… except you.”
“I… am aware.”
“I know you’ve never formed a partner bond until now, but this time, it may be unavoidable.”
The truth he had been avoiding finally hit home. Once this became official at the Center, it would stir up quite a storm. Even in this brief moment, just thinking of all the possible scenarios already made him tired.
“Guess there’s no helping it.”
He quietly accepted it, though the taste in his mouth turned bitter. Two people who constantly drew attention had caused yet another stir—hoping for peace would be asking too much.
If there was one silver lining, it was the prior agreement to act only as a temporary guide to Delroz.
Delroz’s abrasive words had been aggravating even in hindsight, but at least they had firmly agreed at that moment.
With a bitter feeling in his chest, Banteon turned his head and looked out the airship window. People were scurrying about, carrying stretchers and bandages.
“Are you short on hands?”
“We’re fine. There’s no need for you to trouble yourself, Banteon-nim.”
Sotenru shook his head firmly.
“If you need internal support, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“If anything comes up, I’ll be sure to reach out. For now, please get some rest.”
Commander Sotenru said he would escort Banteon to a safe room and led the way.
The room was located in the innermost part of the airship. It was a modest size, with clean facilities. But what stood out most was the massive tapestry hanging in the center of the room—an ornate design embroidered in gold and crimson thread, lavish beyond belief.
The space looked like something fit for the ship’s captain—or perhaps a royal. A dry chuckle escaped him.
‘Really treating me like a golden goose, huh.’
Banteon, though used to high-class treatment, had never received anything quite like this.
The room assignment had been decided by Sotenru himself. For someone so rigid, that said a lot. It was the most direct response to Banteon joining hands with Esrante and an SS-Rank.
Inside, a new device and a neatly folded set of clean clothes were prepared. Banteon washed up in the shower and changed into the outfit provided. He placed his old uniform—still reeking faintly of gunpowder—into a box and shut the lid tight.
Just then, a burst of fire exploded outside the massive window that spanned one wall. A gargoyle that had been soaring through the sky plummeted to the ground, and behind it passed a familiar silhouette—Delroz.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Banteon watched.
Now that Delroz and Tearot had joined forces, the monster problem would soon be handled. The airship had enough supplies and manpower. Things would be under control in no time.
Watching Delroz’s shadow vanish toward the next monster, Banteon sank into the soft bed. The sensation beneath his fingertips was luxuriously smooth.
The days it took to arrive in this village—after being separated from the mine, wandering on an injured foot—had felt excruciatingly long. He had forced himself to sleep on stiff beds and endure rattling wagons.
Now, it was finally over.
Though it had only been a week, to Banteon, it felt longer than any stretch of time he could remember. The moment his tension finally unraveled, accumulated exhaustion came crashing down. Sinking into the soft comfort around him, he slowly closed his eyes.
***
“Thank you for your effort.”
Delroz accepted the towel and wiped the blood from his cheek. From his gloves to his uniform, every inch of him was stained a dark, dried red. If it had only been gargoyles, he could’ve taken them down without spilling a single drop.
But today, his mood was foul. He had this urge to tear, rip, destroy. He moved as wildly as his instincts demanded, and this was the result.
Banteon’s shocked gaze flashed in his mind—those eyes staring at him amidst the monster’s assault, like cold daggers ready to drop frost. A man who looked at the world with chilling clarity, yet couldn’t turn away from danger.
When he peeled off his blood-soaked top, it fell to the floor with a heavy, wet slap. If Banteon saw him like this again, no doubt those disdainful eyes would narrow with contempt. He was impossibly difficult.
“Shall I prepare the Guide Room?”
“No. First, I need to wash.”
The stench of monster blood was far more pungent than human. His Guide—who had likely grown up with nothing but the scent of perfume—would surely wrinkle his face at it. Even if he didn’t blatantly pinch his nose, that flawless expression would be clouded with disgust.
When Delroz arrived at the bathroom, he scrubbed himself thoroughly. Again. And again.
Every strand of hair, every crevice under his bloodstained nails—he washed until even the faintest trace of scent was gone. He watched the clear water flowing down his body disappear into the drain.
It was strange to find himself caring about things like this. Never in his life had he been bothered by the smell of blood. The unfamiliarity of it all made him pause.
While taking down the monsters, he had even scanned the village just in case—searching for that irritating blond hair. But no one resembling him could be seen; perhaps he had already left. The culprit behind the monster attack had slipped away, but he felt no real regret about letting them go.
After all, he had protected what needed protecting.
Even as he walked past crushed buildings and corpses pinned beneath gargoyles, he felt nothing. Delroz had always been like that. Whether a mercenary fighting beside him died, or dozens were buried under rubble, his emotions remained untouched.
What difference did it make whether it was a human or an animal that died? Life destined to end had simply come to its conclusion a little early. So why did people treat humans as something different?
He knew thoughts like that drew odd looks. But those looks never bothered him.
And yet, here he was—scrubbing away the scent of blood, just because he couldn’t stand even the smallest sign of Banteon flinching. This was the first time he’d gone through so much effort. A sensation he had never experienced before, even while around others.
Was it because he was a Guide?
After a long time spent washing, Delroz emerged to find Sotenru waiting. As soon as Delroz exited the bathroom, Sotenru gave him a respectful bow.
“Then, I’ll escort you to Banteon-nim.”
Delroz gave a silent nod, and together they walked toward the deepest part of the airship. He glanced around as they moved. It was the innermost area—the safest zone.
Sotenru slowly opened the door. Even the slight crack was enough for Delroz to feel it. His Guide was inside.
All the unpleasant sensations that had been pressing down on him began to fade. A comforting presence, soft as mist, calm as gentle waves, wrapped around his body. Even though he knew they had to physically touch to initiate guiding, he could already sense the change in the air.
How had he gone so long without recognizing this feeling?
From the first moment he saw Banteon, there had been something different. Not extraordinarily powerful—just… different. The impression lingered.
So when he became unable to guide with anyone else, the thought crossed his mind—maybe…
When he heard Banteon had joined the Subjugation Squad, he followed him there.
But even after watching him up close, he couldn’t be sure. He had kept his eyes on Banteon, but beyond that slight difference, no other sensation had awakened in him.
