Within A Dark, Lightless Cave.

Silence.

It lingered.

"….."

I stared at Anarzel's lifeless corpse, unsure of how to respond. Basically, the Arcane Trial- to some extent- had to do with acting the role one had been thrust into. And the real Roselle would have likely broken into tears.

But-

"Haa…"

I exhaled softly.

I wasn't Roselle. And while I'd admit that I was indeed affected by his death- if only barely. As the young master of the Winchester family, it was nothing I couldn't handle.

It was a scene I was very much used to.

My gaze lingered on him and for a second or so, I didn't know what to say.

Tick~

Tick~

"May your soul rest in peace, Anarzel," I finally said.

Seconds passed in heavy silence before I spoke again.

"To be honest, I don't blame you." I crouched down beside him. "…If I were in your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing."

But-

A weak smile crept onto my lips.

If there's one thing that has been indoctrinated into me more than anything else-

"Haa…"

- It was that a man must never break his word. Irrespective of anything.

Unless... he had absolutely no other choice.

"Oh, the Winchester family. A great family indeed."

Forcing the smile to linger, I pushed myself to my feet.

My gaze shifted to the young soldier. His gaze lingered on Anarzel, his eyes flickering with numerous untold emotions.

With a final glance at Anarzel, I exhaled lightly and-

Step~

Step~

Walked towards the young soldier.

***

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, we hiked over a mountain that cut across our path- a supposed shortcut to the Napoleon empire, according to the young soldier.

The journey was anything but easy, but by the time we reached the other side, we had made a decision. Both of us would sign with the security company situated just beyond the borders of the Napoleon empire.

It was more than a job- it was a way to grow strong enough to protect the empire, from anything and anyone.

It was also a chance to rescue Anarzel's wife and daughters.

That's, if I didn't lose my life in the process.

Not that I believed anyone could really be a threat to me in the Napoleon empire. But in case they were…

I would know well to retreat.

***

On the night of the fourth day, within a dark, lightless cave.

We had found it moments prior when the sun was setting, painting the world in a million shades of crimson.

It was hidden behind some tall rocks, the crevice ending up in a small, well-concealed cave that could keep the freezing cold away.

Crouching forward, I attempted to unbundle some firewood, but the young soldier stopped me with a shake of his head.

"We should probably camp without making fire."

"…..?!"

"Deep inside such a cave. Us attracting any strong monster is…" his voice trailed off but-

I understood more than enough.

Nodding~

"Guess you're right," I said under my breath.

Though that still didn't change the fact that camping without the warm flames to keep us company was going to be rather unpleasant, but on the bright side of things, we weren't going to freeze to death.

I sat down, putting my back against the cave's dark wall.

The young soldier who sat opposite me, looked troubled and thoughtful- as though he were lost in a thousand thoughts.

It was quite obvious that he was in a strange mood. If anything, he looked… confused.

Soon, the sun was gone, and the small cave became entirely dark. Of course, I could still see perfectly well in total darkness; the young soldier, on the other hand, was now completely blind.

And for some reason, we both seemed unwilling to fall asleep. Or rather, it was the other way around…

***

After a while, the young soldier suddenly spoke in a quiet voice, his voice blending with the stillness of the night.

"You know... it's strange. Even in total darkness, I can always sense a presence. But with you- there's nothing."

Thump... Thump...

He paused, his tone shifting ever-so slightly. "It's almost as if you are one with the shadows."

His words were met with a silence that felt stifling in the endless darkness.

Then-

"Are you asleep?" he asked.

His words echoed in the dark. But-

"....."

I didn't answer.

Thump… Thump…

Not yet.

Silence. It lingered.

The sound of our heartbeats echoing louder with each passing second.

And then-

"Are you asking just to put an end to it, young soldier?"

The air between us turned razor-sharp. Our ragged breaths scraping against the dark.

A cold glint flickered in his eyes, and I smiled- If just a little.

"Or should I say… Colonel Wenchi."