“Ah, you’re back.”
As usual, Kyan was exhaling thick cigarette smoke in the smoking area.
After throwing away a nearly burnt cigarette, he spoke, meeting Ian’s gaze.
“How was your break? I imagine it must have been quite troubling.”
“I think it went okay. Thank you for your concern.”
“I heard a sudden demon lord showed up, so I was worried. It’s a relief to see you aren’t hurt.”
Normally, sudden occurrences that emerged from the Ark would be handled by the responsible instructors.
However, it didn’t sit well with him to burden such heavy responsibilities on a cadet.
In truth, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Ian had handled every incident that had occurred until now on his own.
While the role of the instructor includes improving the skills of the cadets, ensuring their safety is also a duty that an instructor should fulfill.
That was why Kyan said.
“You did well.”
The reason he couldn’t fully face Ian, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, was that although they didn’t share a master-student relationship, having watched over him for two years, Kyan couldn’t hide his mixed feelings of pride and guilt.
He cautiously started the conversation, but Ian didn’t seem to mind.
‘Why does he look so drained?’
Instead, Kyan found himself questioning his own cautious demeanor, which was usually brimming with confidence.
To be honest, it was true that he hadn’t received any help in capturing the Demon Lords.
However, to say it was Kyan’s fault would be absurd.
If he had neglected Ian, then perhaps some blame could be warranted, but even when facing the Dullahan, Kyan had rushed forward for the sake of the cadets.
Moreover, he was the only one who believed in Ian, branded as an enemy of the Empire, and gave him another chance.
To Ian, Kyan was someone akin to a mentor.
He should feel grateful, not disgruntled.
That was why he asked
“I saw your message; is something wrong?”
Kyan, managing his confused emotions, responded to Ian’s question, breaking the tense atmosphere.
“Your sister, Ariel Volkanov, has returned.”
“Ariel? Where is she now?”
“Don’t rush too much. She just got back a few hours ago and is in the dormitory now.”
Ariel Volkanov had safely returned.
From the Empire’s perspective, it was a joyful occasion since the sole hero had gone missing and then reappeared.
However, it wasn’t a cause for unbridled joy.
After all, everyone knew the heinous acts she had committed before vanishing.
‘What if she received a lot of criticism for becoming the host of Leviathan?’
It could be said that a Demon Lord descended upon a place considered the cradle of students.
The fact that the cause was the hero, who was supposed to oppose the Demon Lord, made it all the more concerning.
No matter how much of a hero she was, she couldn’t escape the consequences of her actions.
‘At least if she’s in the dormitory…’
Perhaps it meant she had avoided severe punishment.
Ian accepted Kyan’s words in that light, and his answer was somewhat similar.
“Initially, she will face disciplinary action, but for now, it’s on hold. The scale is too large, and the investigation isn’t completely finished yet.”
“…Is that so?”
“But you don’t have to worry too much. She is a hero after all. Even the most foolish people wouldn’t dare kill a hero.”
It was clear that she had committed a grave offense, but given the empire’s circumstances, it would be utterly foolish to kill a hero.
Thanks to Ian, there had been no casualties.
Even if the punishment was harsh, it wouldn’t reach the level of threatening her life.
As Ian’s previously stiff expression relaxed, Kyan chuckled, revealing his teeth.
“Look at you pretending to be worried about your sister.”
“I was just relieved that the hero returned safely.”
“Well, that’s good to hear. But be sure to help her. It’s true that she returned safely, but her condition isn’t great.”
Kyan couldn’t forget Ariel’s expression as she walked into the officer’s research room.
She barged in without knocking, asking where Ian was.
Entering another platoon’s officer’s room without warning was certainly enough grounds for a penalty, but the moment he saw her expression, Kyan couldn’t find the words and had to let her go.
‘It was peculiar. She seemed to have lost her fighting spirit yet appeared liberated at the same time.’
Crying while laughing.
Two expressions that couldn’t coexist, but there was no better way to describe Ariel’s face at that moment.
The reason Ariel had searched for Ian with that expression was unclear. However, one thing was certain.
“Take good care of your sister. After all, she is family. Although her behavior hasn’t been great… what can we do? We need to take care of the hero to survive.”
It was evident that only Ian could resolve the current situation.
This was all Kyan could do for him.
“I’ll keep that in mind. So, is that all you wanted to discuss?”
“Normally, I would tell you to head out now, but something has come up. That’s why I called you here.”
“…What has happened?”
“Initially, there was supposed to be a simple training session as the second semester began. However, that has been canceled.”
“The training has been canceled…?”
The very existence of the Ark was to nurture the talents that would support the Empire in the future.
Therefore, the absence of training, the best way to enhance their skills, was unacceptable.
On another note, it indicated that something significant had occurred, preventing the training from happening.
“Intelligence reports have revealed the location of the demons’ main base in the southern part of the Empire. They say the numbers are too great for the Imperial Knights to handle.”
“So that means…?”
“Right. They have formally requested the students of the Ark to be dispatched. That’s why I called you.”
Was this the origin of the quest?
If it was the main base of the demons, it was entirely plausible for such a situation to arise.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Kyan continued.
“Most likely, our mission will involve monitoring low-risk areas and conducting simple searches. The royal side will handle the areas with the highest probability of their hiding spots, so it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem. Except for one thing.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Hah. I can’t quite understand this decision, but… it seems your sister will also be included in this monitoring mission.”
“You mean Ariel?”
The moment Ian realized a true crisis had emerged was when Kyan’s words made his pupils tremble.
***
They were planning to include Ariel in an operation to search areas where demons might be hiding.
It was indeed a decision that was hard to comprehend.
‘If I can’t be certain of safety even when she’s in good condition, how can I ensure it now that she’s in a vulnerable state?’
Hadn’t Kyan just told him that her condition was poor?
Moreover, Ariel had grown distant from her comrades, including Reina.
In such a situation, it was difficult to understand the decision to involve her in a real operation.
‘Of course, I can understand the royal family’s perspective. They wouldn’t want to give up the advantage of having a hero against the demon race.’
Ian knew well how powerful the Holy Sword and the holy attributes were against demons.
He had experienced it countless times while playing the game and had been in awe.
‘No matter what anyone says, Ariel is the strongest weapon against demons. That’s an undeniable fact.’
Surely, the royal family couldn’t be unaware of this.
Even if her condition was poor, it was only natural to use her.
‘They might be seen as harsh for making this decision. It could seem like exploitation, especially since they are sending her against the demons despite her poor condition.’
Naturally, the royal family must have prepared countermeasures for this.
‘So they decided to assign her a monitoring role.’
The exact command given was for Ian Volkanov to move with the 3rd Platoon, making judgments and actions organically.
However, they couldn’t openly say to monitor her, so they expressed it differently.
It might seem like they were asking him to take care of Ariel, but Ian actually welcomed that decision.
‘For me, who must ensure Ariel’s safety, there’s nothing better than this. It’s much better for her to be within my sight rather than cooped up in the dormitory, where she might face unforeseen dangers.’
This order likely stemmed from Bedon’s significant influence.
In that moment, as Ian imagined his face, a grin crept onto his lips.
‘If Eri is absent, his influence would be the strongest.’
Given his keen insight, he would never lead them down the wrong path.
That meant that assigning Ian this role was probably the best option.
Of course, if they had just issued the order and then stayed silent, Ian would have been disappointed, but the charming prince wouldn’t let him down.
Ian checked the letter the royal palace’s messenger had brought.
[While I couldn’t assist you in dealing with the four demons, I apologize for once again placing a heavy burden upon you as a prince. I’ve been contemplating what would be appropriate to offer you, and I’ve heard news that the seal on Rebrion has been broken. According to imperial law, the possession of a demon sword is strictly prohibited, but I shall make an exception for you. Using my authority, I will transfer ownership, so use it without worry.]
– 2nd Prince Bedon Arcana –
‘Transfer the ownership of the Demon Sword? That means I can use it openly from now on.’
In truth, while it was fortunate to obtain Rebrion, it was not something he could use freely.
After all, who wouldn’t question why he couldn’t use a trophy he earned by capturing Leviathan?
‘It was somewhat true. It would be absurd to say that I couldn’t use the weapon I worked hard to obtain.’
Unfortunately, under imperial law, weapons like demon swords that corrupt the user’s mind could not be used without permission.
Even if he received permission, he would have to return it after a certain period.
‘In the game, it’s a Hidden Piece with no drawbacks against dark attributes, but that’s not the case in reality.’
Only Ian, who had experienced the original story, knew that those with dark attributes were unaffected by Rebrion’s influence.
For the empire, not knowing this meant they had no choice but to regulate the demon sword to eliminate any potential dangers.
‘Even if the seal is lifted, if Bedon set his mind to it, I might have been forced to relinquish Rebrion. It was a dangerous situation where I could have been punished just for having it unsealed.’
If they had demanded he hand over Rebrion, he might have had no choice but to comply.
But Bedon hadn’t done that. He had let it slide despite unsealing it and even transferred ownership.
‘Now that I have permission, I can wield the demon sword openly without anyone else being able to say anything about it.’
Was it easy for a prince, not even on the throne, to provide such assistance?
It must have taken a significant decision on Bedon’s part as well.
Even up to this point, it would have been a satisfactory reward, but his generosity did not easily wane.
‘I heard from Shulkin that during the Tournament, an unidentified man wearing a golden mask was losing 10 billion Valus each time… I think that might be Bedon.’
He was working hard behind the scenes to provide rewards without drawing the royal family’s attention.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he was doing everything he could as a prince.
Because of this, Ian thought.
‘If he’s helping me like this, I can at least grant him a favor.’
The reason he happily volunteered to support Ariel was that, despite the dangerous moments ahead, he didn’t feel particularly worried.
[The curse “Hatred of the Blade” has been successfully lifted!]
‘Perfect timing.’
With the return of the talent once hailed as the next Sword Master, there was nothing to fear.
