42

What on earth is happening right now?

"Mm. This is a very fine meal."

"…"

"Why? Do you not have an appetite?"

"No, it's not that…"

"In that case, eat up. You're too thin. Can you even hold a sword like that?"

The table was laden with mouth-watering dishes, an absolute feast, but none of it caught my eye.

Because of the man sitting in front of me.

It's hard to believe, but I'm currently having breakfast with the Swordmaster.

How did I end up eating with this man?

It all started when I was on my way to the dining hall. I unexpectedly ran into him in the hallway, and he asked me about Athena's whereabouts.

I blurted out that she was sleeping in her room.

-Hmm. I suppose I'll have to wait, then. By the way, where are you headed?

-Going to have breakfast? Perfect timing, as I've yet to eat myself. Let's go together.

-No need to refuse, haha! Eating alone can be quite lonely. Allow me to keep you company.

Caught up in his imposing presence, before I knew it, I was here.

'Did he starve herself for days?'

He was eating the food on the table like a ravenous beggar.

"…Excuse me…"

When I cautiously called out, his black eyes turned to me.

"What is it?"

"You're… the Swordmaster, right?"

"Yes, that's what everyone calls me."

The Swordmaster.

A mysterious character who barely made appearances in the novel.

Yet, despite his limited presence, he was a popular figure for his boisterous personality and his romantic devotion to the sword alone.

"Did you… inform anyone you were coming?"

It was too early for visitors, and considering the horrified reactions of the staff, it was hard to believe he had announced his visit.

I remembered the head chef who had fainted in shock just at the sight of him recently.

"Of course not. Popping in unannounced is much more amusing, haha."

Wow.

How shameless…

"That was a satisfying meal. The food here is always delicious."

He seemed to have finished his meal and, setting his utensils down, wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

'Seriously, there's a napkin right there…'

His slightly unhygienic habit made me frown, but he seemed entirely unfazed. Smiling, he smoothly continued the conversation.

"While waiting for her, tell me a bit about yourself."

"About… me?"

"Yes. Judging by your appearance, you don't seem to be a servant. Are you the daughter of some noble family?"

"Well, I'm…"

A slave…

However, for some reason, I felt like I shouldn't tell him the truth.

The term 'slave' didn't exactly have a positive connotation.

Maybe it would be better to just say maid instead.

While I was trying to think of a way to put it—

Bang—

"Carlos!!!"

Athena appeared.

She looked quite irritated, her face twisted in an unpleasant scowl.

"Oh. You've come?"

The Swordmaster, unfazed, greeted her as if he were accustomed to her demeanor.

Athena strode over to him, glaring as if she could kill him with her eyes.

"I told you not to come here without permission."

"Heh. If I don't come like this, there's no way to see you. I have some news to deliver, so I stopped by."

"…If it's not important, you'd better be prepared to face the consequences."

With a grimace, Athena turned to me, patting my head.

"Athena…"

"Good morning, Hera. Could you wait in the room for a bit? This old man seems to have something to say to me."

"I'm not that old yet."

She completely ignored his words.

"I'll be quick, so please wait just a little while."

"O… okay… got it…"

Hearing my reply, she immediately turned back toward the Swordmaster.

"Follow me."

"Hm! Nice to meet you, young lady. I hope we meet again."

"Cut the crap and get out here."

As soon as the two of them disappeared—

The chaotic atmosphere in the dining hall quickly subsided into silence, as if a storm had passed through.

"What in the world just happened…?"

***

"Speak. Why are you here?"

The moment Athena arrived in her office, she got straight to the point.

"Well, that's a bit cold. Not even offering tea?"

Carlos responded casually.

Athena raised one eyebrow in annoyance.

"Are you expecting hospitality after barging in uninvited?"

"Heh… when you put it like that, I can't argue."

Carlos pulled an item out of his coat and placed it on the desk.

"A recording magical device?"

"Since you want it, I'll get right to the point."

When he activated the device, a bright light projected several images into the air.

"…Monsters?"

What appeared in the images were numerous monsters.

Enough to level a village in an instant.

But that wasn't the only issue.

These were monsters devoid of consciousness, creatures driven only to devour any life in sight with savage ferocity.

Yet, they seemed to be gathering in one place, forming a legion as if under someone's command.

"Yes. Recently, there's been an unusual trend among the monsters. It's highly unusual for them to form groups like this."

Just as he said, monsters had never gathered in groups before.

Far from forming groups, they were creatures that even devoured each other.

There was only one faction that would try to control such brutal beings.

"The Demons' doing?"

"Most likely."

The Demons.

The only race dissatisfied with the peace that followed the Great War.

They possessed far superior physical abilities than other races, as well as exceptional skills in manipulating mana.

However, due to its violent nature and its enjoyment of blood and carnage, it came to have hostile relationships with most other races.

"That's not all. Catastrophic monsters have also begun to show themselves."

As he touched the magical device, images began to flip one by one.

Massive footprints, a scorched village, a forest engulfed in flames, and cracked earth.

Every scene was equally horrific.

"This is merely a sign. Just a fraction of the great calamity to come."

"…So, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"The Emperor is oblivious to the severity of this situation. He only cares about the Empire's safety."

Carlos spoke, his smile disappearing from his face.

"My friend, what do you say we set out together to hunt down the demons? I have a feeling that if we leave them unchecked, something irreversible might happen."

His face was now gravely serious, a stark contrast to his usual nonchalant demeanor.

"Are you suggesting we kill the Demon King?"

"If possible. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?"

Athena pondered for a moment.

If the demons had found a way to tame creatures of this caliber, this was not something to be taken lightly.

In a few years, a major war could break out.

If that happens, even a great empire might be able to withstand it. But countless people outside of it would lose their lives.

If things go toward the worst-case scenario, even the Empire could fall into the hands of the demons.

But Athena merely gave a slight smirk.

"Carlos, do you still not know me? Do I look like the type to care about such things?"

Despite Athena's mocking, he wasn't bothered and continued speaking.

"Yes, you would have, once. But now, I believe things are different."

"What?"

The Sword Saint looked at Athena with eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"You… don't you have something precious you want to protect now?"

"….You…"

Athena looked at him coldly and spoke.

"Did you come here knowing?"

"Of course not. I originally came only to deliver a message. But by chance, I happened to see that child."

Carlos stroked his beard for a moment, then continued.

"They carry your mana—quite a large amount of it, too."

"To think that you, who usually never care about others, would hand over a part of your power. This is certainly unusual."

Athena, who had been silently staring at Carlos, clicked her tongue and let out a small laugh.

"…As expected of an old fox, annoyingly perceptive."

"Haha, I'm not that old yet, you know."

The Sword Saint extended his thick hand toward Athena again and proposed once more.

"I will protect humanity. You protect that child. What do you say?"

Athena quietly closed her eyes and began to contemplate.

After a long silence in her office, she opened her eyes again, let out a deep sigh, and took his hand.

"Annoying. I hate troublesome things, you know."

"It seems I've gained a very reliable ally."

"Well, I've been killing demons so far. A few more won't make much difference."

"Hoho! You made a wise decision. I'm sure that child will be pleased too."

The Sword Saint laughed heartily and shook her hand up and down vigorously.

"Do you have a plan?"

At her question, Carlos wore a confident expression.

"Of course! We find the demons and kill them. How straightforward is that?"

"So, you don't have one."

Of course.

With a sour look, Athena muttered.

Demons were known to be cunning strategists.

Rushing out recklessly wouldn't lead to finding them.

After a short sigh, Athena proposed.

"I've received reports that monsters have been appearing rapidly in the eastern and northern forests. Let's each take a region."

"Oh! Then I shall head north. If I'm lucky, I might even encounter the northern warriors."

"Suit yourself."

With that, Athena waved her hand dismissively, signaling that she was done with the conversation.

But Carlos, remaining unmoved, stayed in place.

"Is there something else?"

"My friend."

He now looked even more serious than before.

"Is this your doing?"

"What is?"

"Earlier, during my conversation with that child, I learned something."

As his gaze sank deeply, the atmosphere around them began to chill accordingly.

"That child's mind was shattered into pieces."

"I sincerely hope it wasn't you who did that."

"And if it was?"

Carlos looked at Athena for a moment at her cold words, then let out a deep sigh.

"…People like you and me, who have reached a certain level, inevitably lead lonely lives."

With a sorrowful expression, he continued before Athena could respond.

"So, I understand your desire to keep someone by your side. In fact, I recently started training a disciple myself."

"You?"

"Yes. I happened to meet her in the Empire. I still vividly remember the look in her eyes as she clung to me."

"Hmm…"

As if recalling that memory, Carlos let out a faint chuckle.

"How could such a young girl harbor such a fierce gaze? Even I felt a chill for a moment. Her talent is remarkable, and one day, she may even surpass me."

"Pfft. That's quite an exaggeration. Don't you think you're a little too fond of your disciple?"

"Ha ha. I'll introduce her to you someday. She's a charming child; I'm sure you won't dislike her."

Thinking of his disciple, he smiled warmly, but his expression soon turned serious as he spoke in a calm voice.

"My friend, no matter how lonely, you should never trample on someone's heart like that."

"You may win that person for a moment, but it's nothing more than a false relationship."

Athena's expression twisted, perhaps irritated by his words.

"What do you know…"

"When you reach a certain level of enlightenment, there are things you see whether you want to or not."

Carlos then gave Athena his final words.

"If you were the one who so cruelly broke that child…"

"All the sins you've committed against her will eventually return to you as karma."