Hwiiiiiing.

The north wind, as always, scoured all in its path without discrimination.

The dry wind blew away the shallow snow, creating small vortices that dissipated swiftly in the air.

However, on the snow left on the frozen ground that the wind could not scour –

Kung –!

Orc footprints had been engraved.

A castle with sturdy gray walls stood in the path of the Orc army.

Jevarsch, built like an iron fortress, denied them passage.

Soldiers and Knights stood atop the wall, facing off the Orcs arrayed below. Their gazes were heavy with murderous intent.

The confrontation had entered a quiet lull, like the calmness before a storm. But the tension in the air continued unabated, like a taut bowstring.

“Not yet.”

Observing that the war hadn’t broken out yet, Callius folded his telescope and put it away.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I told you to become a hero, not to become a murderer.”

“I cut him down to become a hero.”

“You couldn’t rein in your temper and killed somebody, and now you say it was to become a hero! Was that why I taught you swordsmanship!”

“It’s not that I couldn’t rein in my temper. He kept provoking me, and in the end, he even asked for a sword duel.”

Callius agreed to the duel, and the result was –

A new sword now hung from his waist.

The sword’s name was Zornik. Named in honour of the recently deceased Zornik.

Poor guy.

“And I didn’t learn my swordsmanship from you, old teacher.”

“Sometimes I’m afraid of you.”

Bernard shook his head.

“Actually, I’m often surprised by my own talent.”

“You mean your talent for murder?”

“In the current situation, a talent for killing seems quite fitting.”

In response to Callius’ playful reply, Bernard took the pipe out of his sleeves.

Taking Rakan out from its scabbard, he lit the pipe with a lightning spark.

Soon, the acrid smoke of tobacco began wafting out.

“Are you trying to send a signal to our enemies that you’re here?”

“This much doesn’t even count, you bastard. I know better than you how great the Orcs’ sense of smell is!”

“….”

Callius, speechless, looked around.

Bruns was following at his back.

Emily, Allen, Aaron, and the other Knights were all lined up behind.

The number was about forty.

Including the Knights who had followed Zornik.

“But it was a fair duel, wasn’t it?”

“You didn’t have to kill him.”

“It doesn’t matter as long as I kill more Orcs to make up for his share.”

“Wasn’t he still a relative, even if distant?”

“No idea. Is that something the family scapegrace should care about?”

“….”

This time, Bernard was at a loss for words. Callius rolled his eyes at his unbelieving gaze.

To be honest, there was nothing to be sorry about.

The other party began the argument first, and he only fought because he asked for a duel.

To be honest, he didn’t even need to kill the guy, but somehow or other it just happened that way.

‘Maybe I did get a bit overheated.’

I have some regrets too.

[Zornik]

Grade – Life Sword.

Inhabited Soul – Zornik von Jervain.