#116. Eve (1)
Let’s go back in time for a moment.
This was the night before the army stationed at Volkov lands departed for the battlefield.
That deep night—when Pavel, consumed by loss and loneliness, went into Sasha’s room to lie beside her. When he listened to her lullaby, feeling her warmth so close their breaths touched. Though her presence filled his heart, the thought of their coming separation left him sleepless.
Outside the couple’s room, there were others spending this last night before parting.
The funeral was over, but Bellicordo Castle was still heavy with solemnity.
Everyone was busy swallowing grief and worries, so no one made noise.
The Black Wolf Knights’ training ground was also silent.
By sunrise tomorrow, more than half of the knights now guarding the castle would march out to war.
To the place overflowing with monsters.
To the battlefield where even the great Dmitri Volkov had fallen.
Tomorrow, once they left, there was no certainty they would ever return.
The night was far too short to spend with family, lovers, and friends—so no one should have been at the training ground.
But then, breaking the silence that was so still even insects made no sound—
Whoosh—!
The sharp sound of a sword slicing through the air rang out.
It was Andrei, swinging his blade with such force that gusts filled the empty ground.
“Haa!”
He panted roughly as he swung madly. Since the funeral ended, he had come here and had not stopped. Even now, long after everyone else left, he remained alone, swinging his sword.
Anyone who saw him might be startled at first, but then understand.
Because this was Andrei Medvedev.
For a man who spent most of his days training, of course he would choose to practice even on the eve of departure.
But Andrei himself knew—this was not training.
True training was done with a calm mind and steady movements, each motion filled with care.
What he was doing now was different. His restless swings carried only turmoil, wasting his body and burning his muscles.
It was because of the thoughts weighing on his mind.
The tolling of the funeral bell seemed still to echo inside his ears.
The sudden death of his lord.
The changes that would follow.
Andrei tried to think, though he was never skilled at it, about how Bellicordo’s situation would change from now on.
‘…The young lord and the lady must be suffering greatly too.’
He was not sharp, nor interested in politics.
But even he could imagine what hardships the young couple, left without the strong roof of their lord, would face.
“Haa…”
Andrei stopped swinging. Sweat poured from his drenched forehead, dripping down his firm jaw to the ground.
Lifting his face, he looked at the sky dyed red like blood.
The day was ending.
Though the sunset was the same as always, his heart beat chaotically as if it knew this might be his last day here.
Tomorrow at dawn, he would leave for battle.
To the battlefield where his father was even now fighting with his life.
To the place that had taken the life of the strong and great Grand Duke Volkov.
Andrei’s body trembled. Though heated from exertion, a strange chill seized him.
Clenching his fists, he asked himself:
“Am I afraid right now?”
What was he afraid of?
The overwhelming monsters whose strength seemed endless?
Their grotesque, horrifying attacks?
The losses already suffered, and the losses yet to come?
Or perhaps—everything.
“….”
He clenched his teeth. He almost laughed at himself for not being able to answer, “No, I’m not afraid.”
‘So all my vows were empty after all…’
He had sworn never to run, never to turn away, but to fight in order to protect those left behind.
Yet now, on the edge of real battle, those vows seemed fragile.
Closing his eyes, he saw his own body lying broken, crushed under the monsters’ charge.
It was only imagination—but it felt real.
Maybe that really was his future.
Not so far away…
‘To die such a pathetic death…’
His body shook again—his fists, his eyelids, his clenched jaw.
Then—
“Andryusha! Even tonight, you’re doing this?”
A hand tapped his shoulder, and Andrei flinched.
Normally he would have noticed someone’s approach long before, but fear had consumed him so much he only realized after being touched.
He stiffly turned his head.
“What, surprised to see me?”
Nikolai’s smiling face came into view. The tension in Andrei finally eased.
If this had been the battlefield, he would already be dead. That truth struck him hard.
Andrei took a deep breath, eyes fixed on Nikolai.
The red-haired knight tilted his head. In the sunset, his hair blazed brighter, and his pale skin looked flushed.
‘…No, that’s not just the sunset.’
The strong smell of alcohol made Andrei frown.
“You’re the one drunk on a night like this?”
Nikolai only laughed.
“Without drinking, how could I endure?”
He shrugged lightly, unashamed.
Unlike Andrei, he looked carefree—neither nervous nor gloomy.
Andrei stared, almost in wonder. How could he be like this? Wasn’t he afraid of tomorrow?
But maybe he was. The alcohol smell was far stronger than usual. Perhaps, just as Andrei punished his body through training, Nikolai dulled his fear with drink.
Andrei disliked it, but tonight he swallowed his scolding. For this one night, it might be better to let his friend cope in his own way.
Nikolai seemed surprised at Andrei’s silence.
“Strange. You’re quiet—it must mean even you’re nervous, right?”
He teased, but before Andrei could retort, Nikolai spoke again quickly:
“Want to come with me? One drink, and this heavy feeling will vanish. What do you say?”
“….”
“Oh? No instant refusal? So maybe you—”
“Enough.”
Nikolai grinned, but Andrei was unmoved.
When Andrei flatly rejected him, Nikolai pouted.
“Fine, fine. No need to be so cold. I was only trying to be nice to you.”
“I don’t need that kind of kindness.”
His blunt answer only made Nikolai chuckle.
“Then I’ll just go alone. A shame, really—it might be my last chance.”
“You’re really going?”
“Of course.”
He mimed gulping from a cup.
“I’ll drink until my nose goes crooked. I’ll waste every coin I own.”
That was too much for Andrei to overlook.
“You’d waste tonight in a tavern, of all things?”
Nikolai grinned at his glare.
“I’m hungry, that’s all.”
“There are other places to eat. Why there?”
“Because I’ve nowhere else to go.”
At that, Andrei hesitated—then made a quiet offer.
“Then come to my house instead. There will be food for you.”
“….”
Nikolai’s smile faded.
He stared at Andrei. His friend had surely spoken without deep thought—just pure, simple concern.
Andrei, with his earnest expression, waited only for an answer.
“….”
Nikolai opened his mouth but could not find words. For once, his usual smoothness failed.
“Andrei?”
“…Mm.”
After a moment, Nikolai forced his usual grin back.
“No, it’s fine. It would only bother your family’s peace. I’ll go where I please, and you should go home to your mother. Ah—and tonight your father must be there too.”
Patting Andrei’s shoulder, Nikolai left before he could be stopped.
