“Then I will take my leave.”

Algeo bowed politely and left his seat.

Elik’s gaze remained fixed on Lytton’s bruise.

Perhaps sensing his expression, Lytton widened his playful smile and said,

“Ah? This? As expected, the captain’s way of hitting people hasn’t changed at all! My whole body feels like it’s falling apart.”

“Khaha,” his laughter carried no shadow at all.

That only made Elik feel even deeper guilt.

“I have no face to show. I was in too much of a hurry at the time…”

“What are you talking about? Friends can ask for things like this. It even reminded me of the old days.”

Elik let out a faint laugh.

He knew exactly what those “old days” referred to.

• Captain! Hit me just once! I’m training my endurance starting today!
• Okay!
• Aaagh! That was too hard!
• Ah, sorry.

The two of them had once shared the dream of becoming knights.

Elik wanted to be a knight who stood at the front of the battlefield with his sword raised high, while Lytton dreamed of being a reliable knight who would hold the line with a shield in front of the castle walls.

Because of that, they often treated one-sided beatings disguised as sparring as training.

At that time, Lytton was always covered in bruises, and Elik’s wooden sword was often stained with dried blood.

“…Haa, thinking about the past makes me feel even more sorry.”

“For me, it was a good experience. Thanks to that, even when I was getting beaten by seniors during training, I didn’t think it hurt. Honestly, they weren’t as good at hitting as you, Captain.”

His casual tone was genuinely appreciated.

No—there was something even more meaningful.

“You never ask anything.”

“Hm?”

“About my sword. Or what I’ve been doing for the past ten years… or why I hide my strength.”

If the roles were reversed, Elik would have relentlessly pressed Lytton for answers.

He might have even complained, asking how a friend could keep such things secret.

But Lytton was different. Despite having many questions, he asked nothing and simply treated him with a smile.

“You’re not going to ask?”

“If you really want to know the truth?”

If Lytton truly wanted to know, Elik was prepared to tell him everything.

Silence followed.

Lytton, now without his playful expression, smiled gently and said,

“Yeah. I won’t ask.”

Elik’s eyes widened.

Lytton continued,

“There must be a reason you’re hiding it. I believe a man’s secrets should be respected.”

At that moment, Elik felt something warm welling up inside him.

“Do you remember when we were nine? The day you came back with a swollen cheek?”

“…You remember that?”

“Yeah. Back then too, you didn’t want to say you got hit by your father, so you made up a story about beating up a noble boy from the next village. We didn’t ask anything. Was that when we were twelve?”

“…Right.”

Elik’s voice grew thick.

Lytton laughed heartily.

“I’m sure it’s not just me. We all knew. You’re the kind of person who doesn’t talk about things you can’t handle alone. So we just wait.”

Ah, I see.

Elik realized it then.

What truly softened his hardened heart was not some peaceful atmosphere—it was people.

Not a relationship bound by gold coins or transactions, but one built on trust.

The warmth of humanity he had forgotten over the years had made him weak.

For some reason, his eyes grew damp.

“Ah, don’t cry. That’s awkward between men. And it doesn’t suit you, Captain. It looks weird.”

At Lytton’s teasing laughter, Elik bit his lip and held back his tears, then let out a rough laugh.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Your way of speaking sounds like an old man now.”

“I’ll tell you about that someday too.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

With that, Lytton stood up.

“I’ll head back now. Once I return to Gideon, I won’t be back for a while. There’s a lot of work there too.”

“Why leave so soon without staying longer?”

“The longer the farewell, the more painful it becomes. Besides, it’s not like this is our last meeting. I can just stop by next time.”

Elik’s fingers trembled slightly.

The natural mention of “next time” only deepened the hesitation inside him.

Not wanting to show it, he forced a smile.

Then Lytton suddenly grinned slyly and said,

“Hmm… by then, will I be able to see your nephew?”

“My… nephew?”

“The child of the Captain would be my nephew.”

One, two, three.

It took exactly that long for Elik to understand.

His face turned bright red like a volcano.

“W-What are you talking about?!”

“Why are you shouting? You’re a noble now. Aren’t you supposed to have an heir?”

“Th-That’s not what that means at all!”

Elik’s imagination ran wild in the wrong direction, and he wiped his face in embarrassment.

Lytton, completely oblivious, continued,

“Didn’t you once say you’d have ten children and form an Elik Knight Order?”

“When was that from?!”

“When we were ten. So… fourteen years ago.”

“That was when we were kids who didn’t know any better!”

Elik groaned.

His face was burning so much he couldn’t calm down.

“You really bring up everything from childhood…”

“Well, you two looked pretty close. That Bladed Wolf you hunted—wasn’t it left intact so you could give it to your wife?”

That was true.

One of the Bladed Wolves from the mountains had been killed cleanly to preserve its fur.

It was because Elik had thought of Tiria’s worn-out fur cloak.

But that was all it was.

He had no deeper meaning behind it.

“Tch, how embarrassing.”

Lytton clicked his tongue.

Elik glared at him.

“Get out.”

“Alright, alright. See you next time.”

Waving carelessly, Lytton left.

Watching his back, Elik sighed.

“That guy never grows up.”

Unaware that the same could be said of himself.

A few days later

Tiria spent most of her days sleeping. Even when awake, she remained dazed and barely spoke.

Only today did she finally regain consciousness.

Her fever had not fully disappeared, but she had passed the critical point.

A maid had been cleaning the room when she opened her eyes.

“L-Lady!”

The maid rushed over, checking her body.

Tiria blinked slowly.

Her body felt heavy. Her forehead was warm, and her thoughts were unfocused.

But she could still move.

“So… how long have I been asleep? And what about my duties?”

Though her memory was foggy, she knew she had been absent for quite a while.

The maid looked distressed.

“Why are you asking about work right after waking up?! Everyone was so worried about you!”

“Was that so?”

“Of course! Even the lord was extremely worried! He came here every day to take care of you!”

Tiria’s eyes widened.

She knew exactly who “the lord” referred to—Elik.

“…The lord did?”

The maid nodded vigorously.

“We were all worried he might catch your illness, but he refused to listen! Honestly, his stubbornness never changes!”

Tiria couldn’t believe it.

Or rather, she couldn’t understand his intentions.

And then a thought came to her, uninvited.

So… he saw my sleeping face?

Her face flushed instantly.

Her eyes trembled.

“L-Lady, your face is even redder—oh no! You have a fever again!”

Just then, the door opened abruptly.

Click—

“Is there some commotion here?”

Both Tiria and the maid turned toward the door.

“L-Lord?”

Elik stood there.

He looked slightly exhausted, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well.

After a brief silence, their eyes met.

“…My lady?”

Elik looked genuinely startled.