〈 Chapter 261 〉 It’s a Curse, Not a Blessing (2)
*
The Cowardly Destel.
He wasn’t called the Cowardly Destel from the beginning. Though he had a somewhat cynical and sinister side, Destel was diligent in his assigned duties.
He tried to minimize sacrifices and participated in rescue missions several times. Every day he would share a drink with the Knights Order Leader, begging to retire, but everyone knew those words were just playful jokes.
A Realistic Hero.
That was the name given to Destel at that time.
If Galahal pursued ideals, Destel was the practical hero. But if you ask whether the two heroes were at odds, that’s not the case either. They acknowledged each other’s methods and showed respect towards each other.
That respect didn’t last long.
An incident occurred, and from then on, Galahal and Destel completely drew a line.
“The Latenail Guardian Battle.”
This operation proceeded without the Ashen Mage and Kyle Toven, who was the strongest fighter of humanity at that time. The reason was simple: the two were in no condition to fight.
Immediately after the battle with the Demon Lord.
Raniael, who had traded her lifespan, was physically broken.
Kyle Toven couldn’t wield starlight.
The Saint couldn’t offer prayers, and the Archery Master was cowering, hiding in the forest.
The Latenail Guardian Battle unfolded in such a context. The initiative of the operation was taken by Destel, and the knights moved under his command.
There were some casualties, but the operation proceeded without a hitch. That was until a massive variable collided with the battlefield.
*
“The black fog is rolling in.”
“…Within the fog, there are an uncountable number of beasts. Upon confirmation, there are five Carapace Dragons.”
The forces of Gletus appeared on the battlefield.
Though Gletus himself did not show up, the presence of the five Carapace Dragons was enough to turn the battlefield into chaos. The castle walls crumbled, and the operation was overturned in an instant.
Knights were swept away.
The battlefield became drenched in crimson.
And.
“Run, Destel!”
“This area is ours to handle.”
Destel fled.
He sacrificed everyone gathered there to survive. No one blamed that choice.
Even if Destel was the one leading the guardian battle, disasters are unpredictable variables. Only a handful of humans can resist disasters, and not all heroes can confront them.
The knights understood that.
Understanding this, they neither resented nor blamed Destel. They only mourned the death of their comrades.
“Here you are, Destel.”
“…”
And.
“Uncle Heinkel.”
Returning Destel made the worst choice.
“I can’t do this anymore. I want to go home. I want to quit everything. I’m just tired now.”
With all the knights watching, Destel pleaded to the Knights Order Leader. The leader’s face stiffened, and the knights fell silent.
“It’s all useless. The operation, the formation, they’re all unnecessary. If they push in, it’s the end. What meaning does a battlefield maintained only by the fickleness of a disaster have?”
Kneeling on the mud soaked by the rain, Destel shouted that everything was meaningless. His voice echoed for a while amidst the sound of rain.
“What did you just say, Destel?”
Galahal was there too.
He was responsible for the battlefield where Destel had fled, and he too had lost all his comrades there.
“I asked what you said, Destel.”
“I said I’m quitting! I can’t do this anymore! Is this meaningful? It’s all meaningless. When the disaster pushes in, we can’t do anything. Everything is just meaningless.”
Immediately after, Galahal charged at Destel.
Many knights rushed in to stop Galahal, and due to that incident, Destel was no longer called a ‘Realistic Hero.’
Cowardice (??).
The Cowardly Destel.
After the incident, that’s how he came to be known.
2.
Rania glared at the lackluster man in front of her.
The Cowardly Destel.
His gray hair reminded one of a broom stuffed in the corner of the Apuria supply room, and his black eyes brought to mind rotting fish.
He had a look that screamed “I’ve eaten my own ass for breakfast.”
Even if his looks alone were annoying, his personality was thoroughly rotten. Essentially, he was the type of person she disliked the most.
Rania frowned and waved her hand lightly.
“Get out of the way.”
Not cursing him out was already her maximum display of patience. However, Destel had no intention of recognizing Rania’s patience.
“If you don’t want to.”
Look at that.
In the past, just meeting her gaze would make him edge away awkwardly, and now he was grinning at her like he owned the place. Rania furrowed her brow further. As if enjoying her reaction, Destel continued to speak.
“I have somewhat of a troublesome relationship with your brother. You seem to have heard a lot from him, but that…”
“Didn’t I tell you to get out of my way?”
Rania shot back once more.
Startled by the slight narrowing of Rania’s eyes, Destel unconsciously took a step back.
‘What kind of glare is that…’
A glare that could kill a person.
It was puzzling how such a look came from such a soft appearance. Destel naturally took a few more steps back and pointed ahead.
“…Well, we’ll probably talk later.”
Destel walked ahead.
After briefly glaring at his back, Rania reluctantly followed.
Not good.
Rania thought to herself.
Encountering Destel was annoying, but she could manage that. The problem was… the girl standing right behind her.
“What’s wrong, Professor Rania?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Chloe.
An inexperienced girl, easily influenced due to her inexperience.
To Chloe, the existence of Destel had only an adverse effect. Therefore, Rania wished for Chloe to not encounter Destel.
‘…It’s true I hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility of meeting him in battle.’
She considered the chances slim.
Destel had an obsessive aversion to Galahal, so she thought there wouldn’t be a chance of running into him while Galahal was around.
‘So why is he here?’
It was an incomprehensible situation for Rania.
Glaring at Destel who walked ahead, she whispered to Chloe.
“See that broomstick-looking guy walking up there?”
It was a bit too loud to be considered a whisper.
Rania tilted her head slightly as she continued.
“Don’t talk to him. He’s bad news.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“He’s twisted in every way and just spouts useless words, so don’t get involved with him. It’s harmful to your mental health.”
Chloe tilted her head in confusion.
Hearing that, Destel chuckled and turned back.
“What do you think I am?”
“A cowardly loser.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Rania answered.
Destel shrugged his shoulders.
“Well, if you’ve heard distorted information from that guy, I can see why you might think that.”
“…Distorted?”
“I only choose fast and sure methods. If calling that cowardly is your opinion, well, I can’t help that. I’m different from him.”
Different.
As he said that, Destel narrowed his eyes.
“It’s better to maintain the status quo than to recklessly charge in and get yourself broken while trying the impossible, right?”
Startled.
Rania halted her steps.
Chloe stopped too, and Destel turned to the two of them, twisting his lips.
“Am I wrong?”
A jab at the Ashen Mage’s actions.
“Oh, maybe it’s all part of the plan. Instead of rolling in the battlefield until death, I could wreck my body just once and retire? What a classy plan.”
Destel clapped his hands.
“Truly, it’s fitting for someone called the Wise One.”
At Destel’s smirk, Rania’s eyes turned cold. She took a step towards Destel.
Thud.
The sound of her shoes echoed loudly against the floor. Just as Rania was about to grab Destel by the collar…
“Settle down.”
Galahal, who had been standing quietly, caught Destel by the nape of his neck.
“You know well that Raniael isn’t that kind of person. Don’t provoke her with insincere words. It’s a bad taste.”
“Well, that’s subjective.”
Destel slapped Galahal’s hand away.
“Everyone’s gone, and I’m left alone in the end.”
His voice was irritably sharp.
3.
“I’ve been waiting for you.”
The Knights Order Leader, Heinkel, welcomed the three people who entered the room warmly.
“You must have had a tough journey. Roks prepared the carriage; I hope it was to your liking.”
“It was a comfortable trip.”
Galahal nodded slightly in response.
Seeing Galahal, who had made excuses to return after being separated from the front lines, Heinkel smiled bitterly.
“So, is this the Chloe you were talking about?”
“It’s… an honor to meet you…!”
Chloe said with a trembling voice.
“Humanity’s wall, safeguarding humanity…”
“Feel free to just call me Knights Order Leader or just Uncle Heinkel.”
“C-Can I really do that?”
“Of course.”
Seeing Chloe, whose voice was tense and full of anxiety, Heinkel smiled. He nodded slightly with a gentle smile.
“Nice to meet you, future hero candidate, Chloe.”
She looked far brighter than he had heard in rumors. Heinkel also felt guilt for having to push such a girl into battle.
After glancing at Chloe for a moment, Heinkel turned his gaze.
Moving his eyes sideways, he saw the Ashen-Haired Girl standing next to Chloe.
Ashen hair and blue eyes.
Her expressionless face was far removed from Raniael’s, whom Heinkel remembered. The rumors about her being completely different didn’t seem to be empty words.
“So, are you the lady…”
“I am Rania van Trias.”
The girl introduced herself.
Her calm voice echoed softly in the office. It was a dry tone that felt devoid of temperature.
‘She seems to be a lot stiffer than expected.’
When serious, she was very serious, and once in a while she’d show a lighter side. It felt distinctly different from Raniael.
“I’ve heard you’re taking on the role of education for Chloe. I’ve heard occasional rumors about you. And…”
Heinkel rapped on the table.
“I also heard that you are Raniael’s successor.”
Raniael directly stated it in writing.
Rania van Trias is the successor she raised herself. She claimed to have imparted all her magical knowledge to her.
‘Indeed.’
The atmosphere felt different.
From the girl emanated an aura of experience that didn’t match her age. It felt like the atmosphere of a veteran hero who had rolled on the battlefield for years.
“So.”
Heinkel spoke up.
“I’ve heard you’ll conduct the education of future hero candidate Chloe here. Experiencing the atmosphere of the front lines and observing the hero’s combat closely.”
These were things written in the reports sent to him.
“Have you considered any specific locations?”
Heinkel stroked his chin.
“If you have a place in mind, let me know. Rania would have no experience with the front lines, so it would be better for you, Galahal, to choose…”
“The Eastern Third Front, Harprion.”
Just as he was about to unfold the map and look for a suitable training ground, someone called out the exact location. Heinkel blinked in surprise.
The one who spoke was Rania.
Heinkel was quite taken aback by the name suddenly thrown out by the quiet girl.
“What did you just say…?”
“I said the Eastern Third Front, Harprion.”
Heinkel recalled the name Rania had pronounced and who was in charge of that place.
The Eastern Third Front, Harprion.
The person responsible for that place was the Cowardly Destel.
‘…Why that place?’
Heinkel tilted his head at the sudden mention of the strategic location. Was it truly suitable for training? There were other good places as well.
Meeting the questioning gaze of Heinkel, Rania brushed her hair and raised her head. Her blue eyes glimmered through her flowing ash hair.
“In my view, I believe that place would be the most suitable for training. There would be much to showcase in various ways.”
Rania smiled.
It was a rather creepy smile.
‘…Does she seem angry?’
Tightly gritted teeth echoed in her voice.
Heinkel discreetly turned his gaze to Galahal. At the silent question in his eyes, Galahal just shook his head.
*
