Chapter 204: Chapter 204:

The Scarlet Scales Knight Order assisted in the descent of the Twilight Knight Order, who were exhausted from the large-scale battle and long search. They fended off three raids during their journey out of the Mytheran Mountains and helped the exhausted knights recover.

But there was no friendship blossoming between the two Knight Orders, no joyful recounting of grueling battles.

“The atmosphere is suffocating.”

“It’s just the way things are.”

“I know, that’s why it’s so frustrating.”

The Twilight Knight Order lost their commander. As they were capable representatives of the Kingdom, their bond must have been deep. The Knight Order simply moved forward solemnly and silently in the atmosphere of a mourning house.

Lumen and Van, who knew the whole story of the incident, often showed unwelcome attitudes, but each time, Cadel paid special attention. The Twilight Knight Order must be rotting at the seams right now. There was no point in grumbling about it, for the cause lay on his side.

Cadel looked over at Garuel, wrapped in cloth and tied to his horse’s saddle. His stiff body was as rigid as a piece of wood. He looked more like a heavy burden than a person, his body swaying with the horse’s movements.

It was not because Garuel’s acting was perfect, but because the Scarlet Scales Knight Order was also under Lydon’s illusion. You had to have the same outlook as everyone else so that you didn’t react out of the blue even in unexpected situations.

‘Even though I know he’s alive, I feel uncomfortable like this. ……This’s a terrible thing to do.’

Garuel had planned to leave the Twilight Knight Order from the beginning, and he intended to die afterward. Perhaps it was all just a list of things that would happen in the future, but Cadel could not rest easy.

He had already deceived many with his countless lies. It didn’t matter who they were, from the casual to the most important. It felt like karma was piling up. Even if he were to survive and return to his original world, the karmic repercussions would probably kill him again.

No amount of excuses and self-rationalization could make him comfortable. I don’t even want to be comfortable, he thought vaguely.

They rode out of the Mytheran Mountains in about a day and a half. Arriving in a neighboring village, the Twilight Knight Order immediately sent a dispatch to the White Kingdom, and Cadel also sent a letter to the Emperor informing him of Garuel’s death.

The first to respond was the White Kingdom. They sent several magicians to bring back the Twilight Knight Order immediately.

“I am greatly indebted to you, Sir Cadel.”

“No, don’t feel indebted. ……I hope you take care of yourself. If possible, I would also like to attend the funeral, however…….”

“That’s okay. You’re a knight of the Empire, and you should prioritize the restoration of the seal. It’s enough that you helped us with this search. I’m sure Commander would agree.”

In the past few days, Modeleine has become quite emaciated. He tried not to show it on the outside, but his clouded eyes showed how much pain he was suffering. It was painful for Cadel to act so abominably in front of him, and when Cadel clamped down on his mouth, Modeleine smiled weakly.

“Though Commander has passed away, we believe that the connection between the Twilight Knight Order and the Scarlet Scales Knight Order remains strong.”

“……Of course. If you have a hard time, I will always be the first to rush to help.”

“Well then, I’ll get going first.”

Modeleine led the Twilight Knight Order to the magicians waiting to cast the movement magic spell. Cadel stared at his sad back, then gently lifted the cloak from his shoulders.

“You should go too, Lydon.”

Lydon sighed heavily as he emerged from beneath his cloak. He’d been grumbling about not wanting to go all the way through the Mytheran Mountains, but it had all fallen on deaf ears. Now he didn’t even have the energy for more.

Lydon dragged his limp body and flew in front of Cadel, kissing him lightly on the tip of his nose.

“Don’t forget me when I’m not here, you got it, Cadel?”

“Do you think I’m a goldfish? Of course I won’t forget you.”

“Only dream of me every day. Just think about me. You have to miss me twenty-four times a day.”

Lydon, whose almost unreasonable promise had finally been accepted, turned around with difficulty. Cadel watched until the end as he blended into the ranks of the Twilight Knight Order. And when all those who climbed onto the magic circle disappeared.

“Leader. We have a reply from the Empire.”

Lumen approached, carrying the note that the homing pigeon had brought, and was about to deliver it when he was stopped in his tracks by Cadel’s dark face.

“……Shall I comfort you?”

“What are you saying now? Just give me the note.”

“I don’t think you’re in the mood to read it.”

“It’s not something I can read depending on my mood.”

Even if it was unavoidable, in the end, every single one of these things happened because of his own choices. Cadel was responsible for it all, and knowing that, he didn’t want to share it with anyone. He didn’t want to share this heavy burden. His subordinates had only gone along with the plan because of the commander’s arbitrary choices. There was no responsibility on their part.

That was why Cadel pretended like nothing was wrong and held out his hand for the note. However, Lumen didn’t seem to have any intention of giving in to his acting.

“Would you feel better if I gave you a comforting kiss?”

“……Are you crazy?”

With a mischievous smile on his face, he grabbed Cadel’s outstretched hand and shook it lightly. Cadel noticed that Lumen was trying to comfort him in his own way.

“It’s okay, don’t worry. What should I do if I’m not okay? Everything has already been done.”

“Now that you have done this, I think it’s okay to be a little shameless.”

“…….”

“I can’t say it wasn’t a wrong choice, but it’s something that can’t be undone anyway. Rather than agonizing over a decision, it is better to think about how you will take responsibility for this in the future. Proving it beautifully. Because Leader is the best at it.”

Lumen was a man who was awkward to comfort, but he was also a man who always reminded Cadel of what he had missed. Lumen opened Cadel’s hand and handed him the note. The beautiful blue eyes captured Cadel’s anxious, trembling gaze.

“So prove it again. That the only one who can accept Garuel Monzasi for who he is, the only one who can handle the man, is Cadel Lytos. Wouldn’t that make it easier to be shameless?”

Cadel didn’t want his subordinates to care. He didn’t want to be comforted or cheered. Even so, Cadel felt a great sense of relief at Lumen’s words. Even if they couldn’t ease his guilt, they could at least keep him from being weighed down by it.

“……Yes. That’s how it should be.”

As Lumen said, it had to be proven. That this wasn’t just the worst choice. To do that, Cadel had to move forward without stopping.

With renewed resolve, Cadel opened the note in his hand.