After hesitating for a moment, Lesta lifted the hem of her shirt.

Eldrian froze in surprise when she exposed her abdomen.

But his embarrassment lasted only a moment.

Just off to the side of her flat, pale stomach was a deep wound.

It looked as though a hole had been punched straight through her flesh.

The bleeding had stopped.

However, the injury was so severe that he could see inside it.

‘What was that…?’

The moment Lesta told him that she wanted him to stay, his mind went completely blank.

In a world that had turned as white as his thoughts, it felt as though only she existed.

Even now, hours later, he still couldn’t fathom what had been reflected in her eyes when she looked at him.

Bewitched by her gaze, he simply sat back down beside her.

She had probably only said she wanted him to stay to stop him wasting Hello’s precious medicine.

Surely that was all it was? She must have used those words as nothing more than an excuse.

And yet…

His heart was pounding so hard that he was too flustered to move.

Lesta pulled her clothing back down to cover her stomach and smiled at him.

“Something like this gets better after a little sleep.”

‘What did I say back then?’

“Then get some sleep. You can use my shoulder.”

…Right.

He had said something that foolish.

“Thank you.”

With those words, Lesta finally rested her head on Eldrian’s shoulder.

Several hours later…

They were still like this.

It was the first time he had ever offered his shoulder to anyone.

It was also the first time he had listened to another person’s steady breathing for so long.

And…

It was also the first time he had heard someone sleep-talk in anguish.

“…I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”

‘What do you regret so deeply? Who are you apologizing to so desperately? Is the dream you’re having now a nightmare or a brief reunion with someone you long for?’

“If it’s a nightmare, I should wake you…”

But he couldn’t.

Because of the one thing he had heard her murmur in her sleep.

“I missed you.”

The words had been slurred, but she had unmistakably said them.

‘I missed you. Who is it that you miss so much? Is there someone you long for enough to meet even in your dreams?’

The initial excitement he had felt when her head rested on his shoulder faded, replaced by a deep ache, as though a sharp needle were slowly piercing his heart.

At that moment, a small bird fluttered down and perched on his knee.

Eldrian lowered his gaze and quietly watched the tiny bird.

Then, at last, he turned his head and looked at Lesta.

Beneath the loose strands of her tousled, crimson hair, he caught sight of the gentle curve of her nose.

His gaze lingered on her chin and then her lips, and he found he could not look away.

After a long moment of hesitation, Eldrian slowly lifted his hand and carefully brushed the strands of hair tickling the corner of her eye aside.

Using only his fingertips, he made sure not to touch her face.

Yet even after tucking her hair away, his hand refused to retreat.

His fingers hovered near her forehead before slowly drifting downward.

Uncurling his hand so that only his index finger was extended, he gently cradled her cheek in his palm.

Her skin was soft and delicate beneath his touch.

But slightly cool.

He remained like that for a long while, yet she never stirred.

Her sorrowful murmurs had fallen silent.

He could not tell whether she had escaped a nightmare or a dream about someone she longed to see.

Gradually, her sorrowful murmurs faded into silence.

The position was far from comfortable.

Nevertheless, Eldrian continued to cup Lesta’s cheek as though it were the most precious thing in the world.

He remained there until the little bird perched on his knee finally spread its wings and flew away.

Until the orange glow of dawn gave way to the full light of morning.

Then…

A gentle breeze swept through her hair.

Lesta slowly opened her eyes.

As she turned to face him…

Her turquoise eyes reflected nothing but him.

They curved into gentle crescents and smiled.

Eldrian finally realized the truth.

‘Ah, so I wasn’t fooled by her charms after all! I simply fell in love with her. With you, though… You, who are both desperate and fearless. Pure yet cruel. You can wear a smile that is heartbreakingly lovely. Somewhere along the way… I gave you my heart.’

***

After such a significant endeavor as conquering a labyrinth, the knights were usually given several days off to rest and recuperate.

The day after the labyrinth expedition, however, all the knights of House Isden gathered at the training grounds for morning drills.

All the knights of House Isden gathered at the training grounds for morning drills.

The reason was simple.

Witnessing Lesta’s overwhelming martial prowess inside the labyrinth had ignited something deep within them.

Those who had not participated in the expedition looked at their comrades in bewilderment.

“Why’s everyone training so hard? Aren’t they exhausted?”

“Even with physical enhancement potions, they still fought the boss of a Red Labyrinth. They should be completely worn out.”

None of them knew what had really happened inside the labyrinth.

It was only at breakfast that they found out about the Mercenary King, Lesta Ernel.

The knights who had joined the expedition gave a vivid account of what had happened.

At first, everyone listened with great interest.

Before long, however, laughter broke out.

“Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?”

“Was there some kind of mind-confusing monster in that labyrinth?”

“What in the world happened in there?”

“The Young Duke of Blackwood was there, yet you’re saying that woman, Lesta, took the lead? Then what was the Young Duke doing?”

“Don’t tell me the Young Duke of Sunray bribed you. Sunray and Blackwood don’t exactly get along. Even our lord is much closer to Sunray than to Blackwood.”

The one who silenced the mocking remarks was the vice commander of the knight order, Genovar.

“Every word is true.”

“There isn’t a single lie among them.”

Genovar was not a man who spoke carelessly.

His loyalty was unwavering, and his pride as a knight was second to none.

And he declared,

“The heroes of that labyrinth were Lesta Ernel and the Young Duke of Sunray. If I had to choose only one… It would be Lesta Ernel.”

“But, Vice Commander… then what was the Young Duke of Blackwood doing?”

“He stayed in the rear, protecting himself.”

The answer was so unbelievable that the knights exchanged uneasy glances.

“Dominic Blackwood stayed in the rear the entire time?”

“That’s right.”

“But… why would he do that…?”

Seeing that they still couldn’t believe it, another knight who had participated in the expedition spoke up.

“If you still doubt us, ask the soldiers. They all saw it. To be honest, we were just as dumbfounded.”

The Marquis of Isden was the only person in the dining hall, where lunch was to be served.

Yet Eldrian showed no sign of surprise.

Similarly, although Eldrian had arrived without Lesta, the Marquis did not seem curious.

It was as though the meal had always been intended for just the two of them.

They exchanged polite greetings before taking their seats.

“It seems our conversation may be a long one. Shall I have the meal served in advance?”

“Yes.”

At the Marquis’s signal, he rang a small bell.

The waiting maids entered, pushing serving trolleys.

As dish after dish was arranged along the long dining table, the Marquis of Isden and Eldrian studied each other quietly.

Although Eldrian was still young, the Marquis did not underestimate him.

Although he was overshadowed by Dominic’s fame, Eldrian was exceptionally talented in his own right.

“Thanks to you, House Isden escaped a great disaster.”

“Assuming, of course, that my knights have told me the truth.”

“It wasn’t thanks to me.”

“It was thanks to the Mercenary King.”

“If the Mercenary King hadn’t revealed the existence of that medicine, I would never have joined the expedition in the first place.”

Eldrian gave every bit of the credit to Lesta.

The Marquis silently observed him, trying to discern his intentions before asking,

“Can the Mercenary King’s glory truly surpass that of Dominic Blackwood?”

Meeting his gaze, Eldrian smiled.

“I knew we’d understand each other, Marquis.”

“Yes.”

“It certainly can.”

“And I’ll make sure it does.”

“It would be much easier for you to surpass him.”

“It would.”

“But I have no intention of stealing the Mercenary King’s achievements.”

“From now on, no one will ever take away what she has earned.”

The Marquis recalled what Genovar had said the previous day.

“He told us never to let anyone else take credit for her achievements. It was as though she’d spent her entire life watching others claim the glory that should have been hers.”

Then he asked,

“I’ve heard she uses red sword aura.”

“Yes.”

“As far as I know, the Mercenary King is the only person on the continent who wields red sword aura.”

That was true.

Although he had long been overshadowed by Dominic’s fame, Eldrian was exceptionally talented in his own right.

“Thanks to you, House Isden was spared a great disaster… assuming my knights have told me the truth.”

“It wasn’t thanks to me. It was thanks to the Mercenary King. If she hadn’t revealed the existence of that medicine, I would never have joined the expedition in the first place.”

Eldrian gave all the credit to Lesta.

The Marquis of Isden studied him in silence, trying to discern his true intentions before asking,

“Can the Mercenary King’s glory truly surpass that of Dominic Blackwood?”

Meeting his gaze, Eldrian smiled.

“I knew we’d understand each other, Marquis. Yes, it can—and I’ll make sure it does.”

“It would be much easier for you to surpass him.”

“It would. But I have no intention of stealing the Mercenary King’s achievements. From now on, no one will ever take away what she has earned.”

The Marquis recalled what Genovar had said the previous day.

“He told us never to let anyone else take credit for her achievements, as though she’d spent her entire life watching others claim the glory that should have been hers.”

Then he asked,

“I’ve heard she uses red sword aura.”

“Yes. As far as I know, the Mercenary King is the only person on the continent who wields red sword aura.”

That was true.

Years ago, the Silver-Masked Dominic wielded a red sword.

His formidable skill was one reason why he became legendary, but the vivid crimson aura surrounding his blade was equally iconic.

However, after encountering a Great Being, Dominic discarded the Silver Mask.

According to him, his physique and constitution had changed.

Along with this, the color of his sword aura changed.

Everyone accepted this explanation.

The Marquis of Isden was no different.

After all, nobody had ever survived an encounter with a Great Being before.

Who could possibly know what such a being could do to a person’s body or innate talent?

With Dominic having returned alive and bearing dragon scales, there was little choice but to believe him.

And now…

Another wielder of a red sword aura had appeared: The only one on the continent.

The night before, the Marquis of Isden had spent hours lost in thought.

‘Who exactly is Lesta Ernel?’

Countless possibilities crossed his mind.

Countless questions followed.

What if the Duke of Blackwood had raised someone to build Dominic’s legend in his stead?

Then why had he spared Lesta’s life after unveiling Dominic to the world?

How had he found another warrior of a similar age with such extraordinary talent, and how had he convinced her to serve that purpose?

The Duke of Blackwood must know who Lesta Ernel really is.

So why had he remained silent all this time?

Above all, why would someone as powerful as Lesta willingly hand all her glory over to Dominic?

The Marquis of Isden had no desire to unravel these mysteries.

Lesta Ernel’s past…

The life she had lived…

None of it was his concern.

Only two things mattered.

Firstly, Lesta Ernel wielded the same red sword aura that had once made the Silver Mask famous.

If he played his cards right, he could use that to his advantage.

He could use it to turn the tide.

Nothing else mattered.