Episode 38
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Rian knew all too well that those under Lehel’s command were far from welcoming him. After all, monsters had no reason to hold any favor for a hero.
Yet, he noticed something different in Terio’s reaction.
*Does he harbor other feelings?*
Rian was often slow to recognize his own emotions, yet he seemed unusually quick to discern the hearts of others.
“If you leave now, you know better than I what her reaction would be,” Terio said.
“…….”
“Can you handle it?”
Even as Terio grabbed him by the collar, Rian remained unmoved. Instead, the cold intensity in Terio’s red eyes made the latter flinch.
If Lehel woke to find Rian absent, the castle might very well be in chaos. Terio knew this—and yet, he was sincere. Even if it meant facing her wrath.
“Follow me.”
Stepping outside the castle, Terio tossed a sword toward Rian. Not a practice blade, but a true, razor-sharp sword gleaming with a faint blue edge.
*If Lehel finds out, there’ll be hell to pay.*
Rian thought, catching the sword. Even without her awareness, he knew she disliked clashes with the castle’s monsters.
“I need to test whether you’re truly capable of protecting Lady Lehel. If you lose, you must leave the castle immediately.”
Terio’s pupils narrowed into vertical slits, feline and predatory.
Challenging a hero might seem insane to outsiders. After all, heroes chosen to oppose the Demon King were human, yet beyond human limits—formidable for ordinary monsters.
But Terio, having served as one of Lehel’s closest aides, had never once neglected his training. He could proudly say he was stronger than most monsters.
“So… if I win, you won’t bother her anymore?” Rian asked cautiously.
“Only in front of Lady Lehel,” Terio replied.
Rian disliked the entire situation. He had no shared emotions with Terio; he only acted in alignment with Lehel’s goals.
Hadn’t she been the one from the start to forcefully bind him to her side?
*Perhaps Terio acts this way because he knows I can’t persuade Lehel.*
He understood, but Terio’s display of emotions—acting on them openly—left a sour taste. Annoyance, not admiration.
And if Lehel woke in the midst of this, it would only cause trouble. Rian resolved to end it quickly.
A cold wind swept between them.
Clang—!
Terio lunged first, swords clashing with a resonant ring. The sound drew the attention of the castle’s inhabitants.
“Is that Terio fighting the human hero?”
“Shouldn’t we intervene? The Demon King hasn’t even woken yet…”
“Whatever his plan, let’s just watch.”
No one had ever seen Terio fight. He had always been polite, managing the castle meticulously. This spectacle was unfamiliar, even unsettling.
“But… isn’t it dangerous to disobey orders?”
Lehel had commanded them not to interfere with Rian.
Clang, clang—!
Terio struck with such force that Rian was pushed backward, though he absorbed the shock and remained unharmed.
*Why isn’t he using his abilities?*
Each monster had unique powers, and assessing an opponent’s skills was essential before combat. Rian kept his guard up, yet Terio relied solely on his sword.
“Are you just going to keep defending?”
Terio knew why Rian held back, but he wasn’t about to yield to the other’s pacing.
“….”
Rian, at a flash of provocation, tightened his grip and pressed forward, finally going on the offensive. Blades clashed ceaselessly, some monsters covering their ears at the sound.
As they closed in, Terio’s voice, laden with restrained anger, cut through.
“Don’t mistake Lady Lehel keeping you by her side as something permanent. She’s always wanted something else.”
“…What?”
Rian froze at Terio’s words. *Something she wanted…?*
Just as Terio readied another strike, a monster burst out of the castle, shouting,
“The Demon King has awakened!”
Rian’s focus immediately shifted. Her awakening mattered more than this meaningless duel.
“…!”
Terio twisted his blade as Rian’s gaze shifted, but it was too late.
Chaang—!
Rian failed to block the incoming strike and dropped his sword. The blade sank into the ground with a sharp clink, leaving a stunned silence.
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The duel ended decisively. Losing one’s sword meant losing the fight.
Monsters watching whispered among themselves.
“Terio won?”
“The human hero isn’t that impressive after all, huh?”
Even they had doubted Terio’s ability to defeat Rian. I, too, had assumed the outcome was inevitable. Only the Demon King could surpass a hero.
…but would Terio accept such an easy victory?
“This worthless human…” he muttered, frustrated. Rian had never truly fought with sincerity. Only Terio had.
Terio spoke a few more words, then withdrew. The monsters, their curiosity sated, moved on.
When Rian was left alone, I made my presence known. He finally noticed me.
“…Lehel.”
He seemed slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected me to be watching, though I had been careful to conceal my presence.
“When did you start watching?”
“Almost from the beginning.”
A small smile spread across my face. Rian lost because I distracted him; it was as simple as that. The thought made me chuckle softly.
“Were you worried about me?”
“….”
“You seemed distracted.”
He furrowed his brow, breathing sharply before speaking.
“…Wait. I’ll be back soon.”
Rian avoided my questions and disappeared into the castle. I couldn’t stop smiling.
He had no idea what expression he’d worn: relief, warmth, concern… all plainly visible in his gaze. How could I not feel love for him?
*It’s time he admitted it.*
Rian didn’t dislike me. Perhaps he was even drawn to me, though he himself remained unaware.
“Lady Lehel.”
As I thought of Rian and prepared to move, Felix quietly appeared behind me.
“I’m glad you’ve woken safely.”
Since waking, I had not encountered any monsters. I wondered how he knew, and he seemed to provide the answer.
“Don’t fuss,” I replied, earning a gentle smile from him.
“You seem to be in better condition than before.”
“Yes, I received some unexpected help.”
The medicine from Elder had healed not only my wounds but perhaps internal damage as well. I was grateful; pain would have hampered my abilities.
“Of course, the medicine you provided also helped. Without it, my work would have suffered.”
Felix’s skill rivaled Elder’s. Without him, Rian might have noticed my condition quickly.
“I’m glad I could help. Now that your wounds have healed, I’ll prepare new medicine to stabilize your newfound power.”
“How did you know I gained new power?”
“Anyone residing in this castle would notice soon enough.”
I pondered that. Though I had acquired Shaila’s power, I felt nothing unusual except fleeting moments of unfamiliarity.
Perhaps it only appeared different to others.
“If you know, soon everyone will know.”
And once that happened, both humans and monsters would react—perhaps with hostility, perhaps scheming. Either way, it would be a nuisance.
Moreover, having killed the battle priest, Esia would undoubtedly be furious.
“Do you regret it?”
I let out a soft chuckle. Lately, that question seemed all too common—almost as if someone wished me to regret something.
“Felix, include the previous medicines as well.”
“…That’s possible, but your internal injuries have already healed, haven’t they?”
True, my injuries were gone, but Felix’s medicines would still be used continuously.
He seemed to realize this belatedly, adding,
“So, you’re returning to the basement.”
The basement had been Lehel’s most frequented place, holding her secrets. I had rarely gone there, but now, my curiosity had returned. Not for experiments, but for one reason alone:
To uncover the parts of Lehel’s life I didn’t know, the secrets that others could not see.
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