CHAPTER FIVE.

With Just One Wall Between Them

A monster is like an evolved beast, with an instinct that makes it avoid places where stronger monsters reside. Recently, an unidentified monster appeared in Selento, and all the other monsters disappeared, except for the mid-level monsters it led. This was due to their inherent nature. In other words, the fact that the monster drove all the other monsters away meant that there were no monsters left in Vergio that could threaten people’s lives. When the villagers learned that the Holy Knight Commander had killed the monster, they came out of hiding within a few days.

The villagers, surprised and overjoyed that the monster was gone, guided the subjugation squad to the sturdiest and most intact small castle in the village and generously offered them what they had left. Although the subjugation squad tried to decline the villagers’ goodwill, it was to no avail. Even when they were given supplies, the villagers tried to return them for the subjugation squad’s use, making it an awkward situation.

Bellota took this opportunity to teach the villagers simple barrier techniques that even those without divine power or magic could use.

“It’s truly fortunate that the Saintess is safe. If I hadn’t gone inside to protect her just in time, it would have been a disaster.”

Geril said boastfully, and Felton glared at him menacingly. However, since all the supplies given to the villagers were brought by Geril, Felton had to swallow his words.

Bellota, too, did not want to upset Geril and played along with him.

“Yes, thanks to you, I wasn’t hurt. Thank you.”

Geril, looking haggard despite having done nothing, was satisfied with the formal thanks and left to claim the largest and best room, saying he needed a good rest before continuing his journey.

The very modest celebration that the villagers held to express their overwhelming gratitude to the subjugation squad ended only at midnight. However, even after everyone who had been tense fell into a deep sleep, Bellota could not sleep and wandered restlessly by the window before setting out to find Seiden.

After defeating the monster and rescuing Abel, Seiden had entrusted the unconscious Abel to the villagers and surprisingly asked where the nearest spring was. He then left, probably to wash off the blood that soaked his body.

Although Bellota knew that Seiden had returned safely to the castle after washing off the blood, she had been unable to meet him, as she was busy dealing with the villagers who were tearfully thanking her.

Seiden must have fallen asleep after such a big ordeal. But Bellota felt that if she didn’t talk to Seiden now, she might not get another chance. After some hesitation, Bellota carefully made her way to Seiden’s room. But someone had already arrived before her.

“How can I become as strong as you, sir?”

Bellota’s steps halted abruptly at the voice of a boy coming through the slightly open door. It was Abel.

“If you train until you feel like dying.”

His reply, sounding both annoyed and indifferent, made Bellota unconsciously hold her breath and smile faintly. The brief silence seemed to reflect Abel’s bewilderment.

“Will I become a Holy Knight like you, then? Will you teach me how to defeat monsters?”

Abel asked persistently. His quiet question carried a certain desperation, so Bellota just stared at the floor of the dark corridor. Abel must have felt the same thing she did—Seiden, who was both a brilliant savior and a desperate hope.

After a moment, Seiden let out a short sigh and replied.

“To join the Holy Knights, you’ll have to work really hard, like you’re going to die. That pathetic axe-wielding won’t cut it.”

His words were cold and harsh. Seiden’s indifferent voice continued.

“Still, from what I saw yesterday, you don’t seem completely hopeless. Give it a try. If you succeed, I’ll let you deal with monsters until you’re sick of them.”

Seiden did not bother to explain that ‘until you’re sick of them’ meant that his subordinates were on the brink of death from being constantly threatened. There was a sound of Seiden rummaging through his belongings. His voice continued.

“When monster hunters come, sell this to them. You’ll get enough money to rebuild the entire village and still have some left over.”

Both Abel and Bellota held their breaths at these words. Something valuable enough to rebuild the entire village, and something that monster hunters would covet.

“The monster’s corpse disappearing in an instant, does that make sense? Unconfirmed monster corpses belong to the imperial family!”

Bellota recalled Geril, who had stormed off after failing to retrieve the monster’s corpse, shouting furiously at Kabillon.

“Sometimes that happens. You know, like when a corpse suddenly melts. Didn’t the Duke’s subordinates witness it too?”

“That was just the severed pieces, the main body is a different story! How are we supposed to explain its identity like this!”

“Well, the Duke witnessed it clearly, so he can explain it well.”

Kabillon skillfully handled Geril’s anger. Bellota stared with wide eyes at the door with a faint light seeping through.

Seiden had immediately taken care of the monster’s corpse, just like when he had secretly given her a reknil, evading all of Geril’s soldiers.

“Is it really okay to give this to me…?”

Abel asked hesitantly.

“Yes. We couldn’t have caught it without you.”

Seiden’s indifferent voice replied.

The surprised Abel stood frozen, and it was evident even outside the door.

“If they don’t pay you properly, mention my name.”

Seiden continued, sounding uninterested.

“And use the remaining money to buy a decent sword. With monsters everywhere, training shouldn’t be hard.”

His indifferent voice ended there. Abel, clearly moved or shocked, stood still for a while before the sound of him rising from his seat was heard. Bellota quickly hid behind a nearby flowerpot. Then Abel’s voice was heard again.

“The Saintess said there isn’t a monster you can’t handle.”

Bellota’s eyes widened when her name was suddenly mentioned. Seiden, too, hadn’t expected Abel to bring her up, especially in relation to him. Seiden’s quiet intake of breath was audible.

“What?”

“I’ll train like my life depends on it and come find you.”

Having made an incredible statement, Abel bowed politely and turned away. Seiden, unusually flustered, stared blankly at Abel as he left the room.

“Sigh…”

The words of someone who seemed incapable of closing doors properly once again muddled Seiden’s thoughts. Mocking himself for being so easily excited by such words, he stood up to properly close the door.

But Seiden soon sensed someone’s presence in the hallway.

“……?”

Seiden abruptly opened the door and glared into the darkness.

“Who’s there?”

The leaves of a large, withered flowerpot, which hadn’t been watered for a long time, trembled.

“If you don’t come out now, I’ll make sure you never sleep again.”

At his chilling threat, the leaves shook once more, and Bellota hesitantly emerged from behind them. Seiden frowned, unable to believe his eyes. Bellota, hiding her flushed face in the dim light, glanced at him and whispered awkwardly.

“I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.”

“……”

“I was worried if you were hurt…”

Hearing those words, Seiden realized he wasn’t hallucinating from fatigue. At the same time, he felt the exhaustion that had been weighing him down vanish instantly. Bellota’s concerned words seemed to melt away all his fatigue. Bellota had come to him, worried if he was hurt. Of course, even if he was injured, he wouldn’t let Bellota heal him.

Seiden swallowed his firm resolve and looked at her quietly.

“As you can see, I’m fine.”

Bellota glanced over Seiden’s body as if to confirm with her own eyes. He indeed seemed uninjured, despite having fought that daunting monster. It was no wonder Abel, who had witnessed the battle, sought Seiden out late at night to confess his desire to become like him.

Bellota paused for a moment, contemplating, then spoke in a soft voice.

“Thank you.”

“……”

“If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have been able to save Vergio.”

Bellota had always wanted to convey these words. She felt deep gratitude towards Seiden, who followed her all the way here and saved the Empire as always.

Seiden remained silent for a long time, looking at her after Bellota’s courageous confession. His face, already unreadable, was further obscured by the darkness, making it even harder to guess his thoughts. Soon, Seiden opened his mouth.

“We were lucky to catch it in a day, but there’s no guarantee it will be the same in the next village.”

His response was excessively blunt for a thank you.

“I will wait for three more days, and if it doesn’t show up within that time, I will return to the capital before the full moon.”

His slow voice was cold. Bellota, momentarily at a loss for words, looked into his red eyes staring intently at her. Bellota also knew well what Seiden was talking about. All of this hunt was still due to Bellota’s stubbornness, and for him, ensuring Bellota’s safety during the full moon was more important than Selento.

Moreover, catching the monsters in Vergio in such a short time was purely luck, and thus, he was harshly saying not to have premature expectations that the next village could be safeguarded as safely as Vergio.

Bellota had initially promised as much and knew that Seiden was right, but the cold response made her heart ache with sorrow. No matter the situation, wasn’t there a better way to say it?

“Don’t worry. I know.”

“……”

“They said they would leave right after breakfast, so keep that in mind.”