DKFTI 129

Aizen stared at the sword placed before him without saying a word.

“This is…”

Unlike most holy swords that glowed with dazzling light, this one exuded a calm blue aura. Its energy was clear and cool.

“Unlike a holy sword, this one can be used regardless of your current state.”

“Old man. Who are you giving this to? Have you lost your mind?”

Aizen already knew what it was. The Sword of Dawn, forged from the stolen dawn of the gods, was a divine relic that could contain both holy power and magic. Because it posed a danger even to divine energy, it had been sealed away in the underground vault of the Order to prevent any accidents.

He didn’t know whether the sword really held such power or not, but if the myth was real, then this was a double-edged blade that threatened both the Order and the demon race alike. Entrusting such a dangerous thing to an apostate like him made no sense.

Aizen had spent his whole life in the Order, so he understood better than anyone how heavy the meaning of this act was.

“We need insurance.”

“This isn’t insurance, it’s gambling. If the Holy Kingdom finds out, you’ll lose your head.”

Brivan’s abilities were unique, not only for his healing. He was one of the few high priests who could hear oracles. That alone meant even the Holy Kingdom couldn’t treat him carelessly, but this was a gamble that could cost even someone like Brivan his life.

That made it even harder for Aizen to understand. What was he so afraid of?

“If by the slightest chance you ever have to draw this sword…”

Brivan stopped speaking and looked at Aizen. The gaze that was always calm now was burning with determination.

“Then don’t hesitate. Do what must be done, whoever or whatever the target may be.”

“……”

Why did the Order always give him the hard jobs? It had been that way when he was an apostle, and it hadn’t changed now that he’d become something harder to define.

“Don’t talk in riddles. What kind of situation are you even talking about?”

Aizen questioned him.

“What, when the Demon King goes berserk? When the Holy King loses his mind? Or when the country is turned upside down?”

Sibel flinched. Why drag the Demon King into this out of nowhere?! But now wasn’t the time to argue about that. Aizen wanted a guideline. The Holy Kingdom always asked for the impossible and left the choice and consequences to one single person.

“I don’t know that myself.”

He answered without much certainty.

“But you’ll know when that moment comes.”

“What am I, a fortune-teller?”

“You’re the chosen one.”

“Ah, I didn’t think I’d still be hearing that cursed line in this state.”

Aizen leaned back in his chair and scratched his head. His tangled hair mirrored the chaos in his mind.

“Why’re you dumping this kind of pressure on me, old man?”

“……”

“I’m not an apostle anymore, and definitely not a holy knight. I’m just an apostate and an unemployed person who ran away from the Order. What are you going to do it you entrust such a dangerous item to someone like me and I run off with it?”

“Whatever you do with that sword, that will be fate.”

“Fate, fate, fate. Everyone uses that word like a gambler throwing dice, that’s why the country is in this state.”

Aizen let out a deep sigh.

“If you’re going to trust someone, trust a decent guy. Not someone like me.”

Despite Aizen’s grumbling, Brivan’s expression remained unchanged. Instead, he looked at Aizen with a bitter, yet wistful smile.

“Aizen.”

“What?”

“Titles or power don’t define who you are.”

Brivan’s gaze pierced into Aizen’s wavering eyes.

“Even though you’ve lost your powers… don’t you desire peace on this land more than anyone else? No matter how your appearance changes, your heart will remain the same.”

“Ugh.”

“This is not an order from the Order. It’s a request from an old friend.”

Aizen simply claimed Brivan was crazy, but he knew the man’s visions tended to come true. That made him even more suspicious of what oracles had been bestowed upon him.

He had a suspicion that Brivan might be trying to use him, but the word ‘friend’ was what held him back.

“I’m a fool. I’m a fool.”

In the end, Aizen picked up the sword from the chest. The cool grip fit perfectly in his hand, and as soon as he touched it, the blade resonated with him, exuding a pale aura.

“It won’t be easy to handle, so be careful.”

“You could’ve said that before I opened the lid.”

“Ha.”

Brivan let out a hearty laugh. Then he looked at Aizen with a gentle gaze. It was a mixture of worry, compassion, and guilt, and it made Aizen’s throat tighten. He felt that if he spoke now, he might say something pathetic. Brivan nodded as though he understood exactly what Aizen was feeling.

“It seems I’m out of time. I can’t stay away for too long.”

Brivan stood up and patted Aizen’s shoulder with his wrinkled hand. Aizen caught his wrist.

“Old man, before you go, I have a favor to ask too.”

“A favor?”

“There’s something among the holy items you packed that I need.”

“…I am sorry, but the supplies have already been sent ahead.”

Brivan gently patted his shoulder again.

“If you’re looking for something, you’ll have to come to the Holy Capital.”

“I feel like I’m getting tricked here.”

Aizen let go, looking annoyed. Brivan chuckled softly. Then, in a low voice, he murmured,

“Aizen, I’m sorry for placing such a heavy burden on you.”

When he stepped back, Sibel rose from his seat as well. Brivan turned toward him and smiled.

Sibel wasn’t sure if Brivan knew who he really was, but he bowed politely.

“Please take care of Aizen.”

Brivan said to Sibel. Sibel didn’t know what exactly that meant, but he nodded. Then Brivan left the room in a hurry.

Even after he was gone, Aizen remained slumped in his chair, motionless for a while.

“Aizen, are you okay?”

“……”

Silence didn’t suit him, and he was frowning. After a long pause, Aizen finally stood and went to the window. When he opened it, he could see a black robe beyond the glass, Brivan must’ve just stepped out of the inn.

“Old man…”

Sibel thought the bond between the two looked strong enough to envy. It was something moving to witness someone trust so purely.

“What did he mean by that?”

Sibel mulled over Brivan’s last words. Did he mean the tension in the Holy Kingdom was rising just like among the demons?

“He’s not the kind of person who shows restlessness, so seeing him like that… really bothers me.”

“I’d like to say I hope nothing happens, but…”

Everything they were already doing was dangerous. Adding one more risk wouldn’t even make a difference.

“I’ve got my own problems stacked high.”

Even so, he couldn’t take his eyes off Brivan’s figure until it vanished completely into the fog.

Sibel found that tsundere side of him amusing. He was a man full of warmth, it was only natural.

“Maybe he was worried about you.”

At Sibel’s words, Aizen shrugged.

“He left the fish with a cat. If someone gets hurt because I swing my claws, that’s not my problem.”

Sibel had just been wondering if Aizen had been highly respected in the Holy Kingdom, but that single sentence cleared up his doubts. He really was the cat guarding the fish.

“Anyway, let’s focus on our own task first.”

“Oh, so we’re heading to the Holy Capital now? Then we should get moving, right?”

Sibel grew restless at Aizen’s words, but Aizen grabbed his wrist, asking “What are you talking about?”

“The work I meant is what we left unfinished earlier.”

Then Sibel realized what “work” he meant, and his face turned red.

“Wait, were you even the same person who was being serious just now?”

“I’m still being serious.”

“You’ve nothing but dirty thoughts in your head!”

“That’s exactly why I’m serious.”

Sibel struggled to pull away from Aizen’s arms wrapped around his waist.

“You just ruined the mood! Let go already, we need to make a plan! A plan!”

“Yes, yes. We’ll talk about that in bed.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.”

Aizen pulled Sibel’s soft body into his lap. His cool scent filled the air and soothed Aizen’s heart. Every time, that scent had the power to clear his thoughts.

He even thought, if he could bottle and sell this, he’d make a fortune. But then he decided he hated the idea of anyone else sharing it.

“Should I take my clothes off again?”

Aizen’s teasing voice made Sibel laugh.