Chapter 62
In Noten’s stead, Killian headed to his domain to handle the post-war settlement of the interspecies war, and his heart was heavy.
The fact that he couldn’t go to Dearc with Tia in the end made him especially gloomy.
Adelle scrunched up her face, making exaggerated wrinkles, then went “Bweeeh!” to tease him, and left with Tia.
Strange girl.
Getting stranger by the day.
He was honestly afraid of just how far that strangeness would go.
Shaking off the thought of Adelle’s taunting face, the image that naturally filled the empty space was Tia.
Tia.
When she pouted with furrowed brows, saying she was disappointed he wouldn’t be able to go to Dearc, she looked dazzlingly pretty and cute.
As always. Still.
He could never forget that first moment when, unlike him and Adelle who grew steadily, Tia’s growth had slowed, and she tilted her head back to look up at him.
So lovely, so small, so moving a moment….
At last, he knew exactly what His Majesty once meant when he’d said she was like a cherry tomato—something you’d just want to pluck and eat whole.
Seven, eight, nine years old… and now fifteen. In every one of Tia’s summers, he had been there with her….
Killian thought it would be nice if he could finish his work quickly and make it to Dearc, and spurred his horse forward.
Before long, his party reached the borders of his domain. Forcing the muscles of his face into composure after they had softened at the thought of Tia, Killian dismounted and greeted Stanley, the commander of the Märchen Knights, who was waiting for him.
“You’ve arrived, young lord.”
“Sir Stanley, what’s the current situation in the domain?”
“The houses trampled by the monsters began restoration work last week.”
“And those who had evacuated to the ducal castle?”
“As you instructed, those who wished to return home were allowed to. Those without homes to return to, or unwilling to, have been assigned either to the reconstruction work or to duties inside the ducal castle.”
“You’ve worked hard. I’ll review the paperwork and proceed by the proper procedure. Oh, and—those knights who participated in the war will receive rewards, including leave. The bereaved families of fallen knights will also be granted rewards and condolence payments. Please prepare an accurate list.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for your concern, young lord.”
“It’s only natural. Shall we end the report here? Looks like there are plenty of documents waiting inside.”
Killian gestured with his chin toward the distant butler of the castle who was waiting for him.
“Of course! I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, Sir Stanley. Tomorrow, then.”
After handing the reins to the stablehand, Killian turned and walked away.
The Iron-Blooded Märchen.
Stanley, famed as the strict commander of the Märchen Knights, didn’t even think of belittling the young lord who was only fifteen, because he had seen the unshakable composure and pressure Killian carried, the merciless precision with which he wielded his aura-wrapped sword, and the resolute center that never faltered.
The secret of his birth, left as an open secret, no longer mattered.
Killian Märchen was, without question, the most Märchen-like of them all.
They said his childhood had not been smooth. How he had grown into this—it was nothing short of astonishing.
“He’s admirable every time I see him.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean Lord Killian. Hasn’t he grown splendidly?”
“Yes. I’ve never seen anyone—anyone—look quite like that.”
Stanley hadn’t meant his looks, but that too was undeniable.
“Ahem. Let’s go. It’ll take some time to compile the list.”
With a satisfied smile, Stanley returned to the barracks with his men.
Killian swiftly processed the documents the butler had stacked up, then took up his sword and headed toward the Whistle Wall.
Three months ago, when he first set foot here and drew his sword, he had felt a thrill surge from his feet to the crown of his head—something he could never forget.
It was as if he had come face-to-face with a fated opponent, marked in blood, or stumbled upon a hidden treasure no one else had ever seen.
The sword Tia had given him naturally grew in length and weight as he matured. That alone was wondrous, but the truly strange things had happened in the war.
The sword, wrapped in its master’s aura, seemed to know who Killian’s enemies were. Its weight and length shifted freely, piercing straight through foes and cutting them down in a single stroke.
Sometimes, when he was in danger, it felt as though the sword itself tilted to deflect or guided him to a path of escape. It was almost as if the blade had a will of its own.
He had long since become a Sword Master, but he had still worried a little at Sir Briven’s words—that real war was different.
But everything had worked out, all thanks to Tia. She was the one who had given him this sword.
Like a flowing stream, his thoughts drifted back to Tia, and without realizing, he tightened his grip on the sword.
Now that restoration work around the villages near the Whistle Wall had begun, he intended to ensure no further damage would be caused by monsters.
Today, tomorrow—he would patrol for two days, then head to Dearc.
That would give him at least a full day to spend with Tia.
Killian began searching around the Whistle Wall for any monsters that might be hiding.
“Uuugh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Got sudden chills down my spine!”
“What, a bug on you? Hold still, Tia.”
Adelle yanked her collar back and peeked inside.
“Nothing there.”
“Good. Still, it felt weird.”
Suddenly, Killian came to mind. Her favorite, off alone in his domain.
“Nothing bad’s happening to Killian, right? He’s not in danger?”
“The goosebumps on your back have nothing to do with Killian, you know.”
“I know that! But what if something dangerous happens to him? Adelle, you really are… T.”
“Huh? Tea? You want some tea? Should I ask for some?”
I shook my head and went back to digging. Still, the strange sensation wouldn’t leave me.
We were digging holes in advance to plant orange trees tomorrow.
“Ugh, this is hard. If Killian were here, we’d be done in no time. Was the ground always this hard? He dug like it was soup.”
“Right? Turns out this is tougher work than I thought. Next time, we shouldn’t leave it all to him—we should help. Don’t you agree, Adelle?”
At my words, Adelle threw down her shovel and stared straight at me.
“Our Tia is…”
“What about me?”
“Why are you so kind?”
“Me? I’m not kind.”
I pointed to myself, but Adelle just sighed, her chest rising and falling.
“No, you are. Too kind.”
Then she suddenly hugged me and rubbed her cheek against my crown.
“It’s such a waste. Too precious to give to anyone. I thought I’d just let you go since you looked so upset, but… I can’t. I really can’t.”
“What on earth are you saying, Adelle? Your brain isn’t corrupted by monsters, is it?”
“Of course not, Tia. I can’t even be corrupted. You know how careful I am when I slit a little monster’s throat—no, a baby monster’s throat.”
“No, I’m sure you’re corrupted. Let me check.”
I grabbed her face in both hands and turned it back and forth, examining her closely. Adelle burst into giggles again.
“This is why I can’t stop teasing you. You’re too cute. Gah!”
“You really take the Imperial Crown Princess too lightly.”
“Lightly? No way. I take you suuuper lightly.”
“Adelaide Lewendif!”
Oh, scary!
Adelle pretended to be startled and ran off into the distance. I chased her with all my might.
“Catch me if you can!”
“If I catch you, you’re dead!”
Heehee.
Anyway—it was like a sitcom.
Two days later.
Stanley, having received a message, rushed into Killian’s bedroom.
“Young lord! What on earth—wait, what?”
“Ah, Sir Stanley.”
“I heard you were injured.”
Killian nodded at the flustered Stanley.
“Just a scratch.”
“If you don’t mind, may I take a look?”
“Yes.”
Killian lifted his shirt. Three red slashes marked his side.
“Why in the world did you go there alone? What’s the knight order for, if not this? You could’ve at least called me!”
“I thought it would be fine since it was just a cleanup. Sorry if I worried you. I’ll be more careful.”
“That’s not what I mean…”
As Stanley leaned in to examine again, Killian winced.
“Ow.”
“Does it hurt badly? It doesn’t look too deep.”
“Not deep enough to need stitches, but… it stings.”
Stanley frowned in concern.
No matter how impressive, fifteen was still fifteen.
“That’s how monster claws are. Will you be all right? You should rest for a while—or better yet, return to the capital and get proper treatment. I can handle things here.”
“Really… would that be all right, Sir?”
“Of course. As you know, the Märchen domain manages well even without the lord…. Ah! I don’t mean it doesn’t need you!”
“I understand. It’s a special place.”
Because of heavy royal support in manpower and resources, the lord had little to manage personally.
“Yes, so please rest. You fought in the war too, young lord.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“I’ll leave it in your hands.”
For a moment, Stanley thought he saw Killian’s lips twitch in a smirk…
But when he looked again, Killian’s face was grave and dignified.
“Leave it in my hands…?”
Stanley felt awkward but brushed it off. He had no idea, at that moment, that Killian would leave only a single note the following dawn—
“I’m going to get treated. Please take care of things here.”
And disappear.
