Chapter 35: Old Friends

Mikaela returned to the castle and spent her time inside her office. What could be heard as she sat on her desk was the afternoon wind coming from the open balcony. However, her deep thoughts were interrupted when she felt a sudden change in the flow of mana around her.

Someone had arrived, landing on the balcony, not even trying to hide his presence from Mikaela. Mikaela sighed as she put her quill pen down and looked at the balcony.

Zero's image emerged from the balcony, his face hidden in the mask. He slowly walked towards the desk where Mikaela was sitting. His eyes were wandering around.

"This is a nice place. Being the king's right hand must be a very profitable job," Zero said with casualness in his tone, filled with confidence but lacking aggression.

Mikaela smiled. "It is. However, it is stressful, mind you. But not as stressful as traveling around the world with a bunch of adults acting like free-spirited teenagers."

Zero's red eyes darted to Mikaela, then he removed his mask, revealing his face. "You are saying that, but you were the most troublesome member of our party. If a human like you is more violent than a literal demon fueled with rage and bloodlust, that's definitely saying a lot about you," he said, smiling at Mikaela. "Long time no see, Blonde Raging Gorilla."

"You haven't changed even a little. You are still the same," Mikaela said.

"Telling someone he didn't change at all after seeing him after so many years is rude, you know?" Zero stood in front of Mikaela. "At least I can say that you improved; you look a lot calmer now—maybe from old age."

Zero's words were stopped when the quill pen flew towards him from Mikaela's hands, which he easily dodged.

"Nevermind. You are still the Mika I knew," Zero said, shrugging.

Mikaela shook her head and sat properly. "I discovered that you go by the name Killian Ashler now."

"Ah, we just met earlier this morning, and you already know a lot," Zero said, with an amused smile on his lips.

"All I have to do is look at the records of the new adventurers, and don't report it so no one will know your secret identity—only me." Mikaela stared into Zero's eyes. "It's a good thing I still remember your face. That stupid face."

"Yeah, this face. You used to enjoy this face's company every single night of our journey back then; this face didn't change." Zero shrugged. "But I can't say the same to you, though—you are an old hag now."

A thudding sound echoed in the room as Mikaela put a massive great sword on the table from the 'Dimensional Storage'.

"On a second thought, you are living your life brilliantly. You have tons of grandchildren now. What a wholesome happy ending for you," Zero said while staring at the great sword. "I can't believe you are still keeping that around. I will feel bad for anyone who dares to mess with you."

Mikaela looked at Zero and furrowed her eyebrows. "A healer, of all the classes to choose from, you have chosen the combat-wise weakest class? You are the most powerful battle mage the world has ever seen. Why?"

"I like healing people," Zero replied casually.

"Don't give me that reason; we both know that's not true," Mikaela countered.

"I just want to act as that background character, who no one expected to be powerful. I just want to shock everyone every time I decide to show my true power," Zero replied honestly.

"Hikari would be proud of you; you are starting to sound like her. Bubbling about becoming a side character that will occasionally show her power like a—to use her own word, badass," Mikaela said. "However, back then she was the hero, so it didn't work—as expected."

"It works for me. I am actually good at blending in," Zero replied.

"I don't think so; that face is extremely hard not to notice—I bet even the two princesses noticed you immediately. Speaking of, I heard that you gave Princess Hyuna and Princess Vahili a hard time," Mikaela said, changing the topic.

"Yeah, I gave them really hard times. A lot of hard times," Zero said with a meaningful smile.

"That's not what I am talking about, you disgusting, lustful demon!" Mikaela screamed.

Zero chuckled. "Ah, right, right. I had to do it to send a message. I don't want people to think that the legendary battle mage Zero has grown soft throughout the years."

"Zero and his reputation. Always hiding in the mask of arrogance and apathy to hide the real you." Mikaela stood up. "The personality of Zero is just a mask—the real Casimir is gentle, reliable, lustful—very lustful—but heroic."

"Casimir, it's been so long since someone addressed me with that name. I have already forgotten that name belongs to me," Zero said.

"Too bad, most of the people who actually know you are either already dead or about to. You will be remembered in history as the cruel Zero, the monster without emotions." Mikaela nodded. "To save this world and maintain the peace, someone needs to be Zero, to bring fear to anyone who even thinks about disrupting the peace—and you took the role without hesitation. And as your friend, it's a secret that I will bring to my grave."

Mikaela walked towards the balcony, looking at the scenery below with nostalgia in her eyes—the beautiful memories from the past flowing in her mind.

"It was the best decision I made. In order to protect the peace, kindness is not the best way—it is fear—Zero is that fear." Zero chuckled. "I fit the role, though; I am killing it."

"I agree. It feels natural to you."

"I know, right?"

"Cas, do you still remember when we first met?" Mikaela asked with a smile.

"Of course. I was scheduled to be executed back then," Zero said.

"That was fun times," Mikaela replied with a smile.

"I think we have a very different description of the word 'fun', Mika," Zero said with doubt in his voice.