DKFTI 112

“…So the whereabouts of Apostle Aizen are now unknown.”

“So it came to that.”

One of the seven candles that symbolized the Apostles had gone out. The meaning behind that was great. The Holy King heard of the Holy Kingdom’s defeat in the battle at Valheim and also learned of Aizen’s change.

“If word spreads that Apostle Aizen, of all people, has become a heretic, public unrest will grow.”

“It will.”

“…We must eliminate him before the world finds out.”

“Eliminate him…”

In the dim light of the chapel, the Holy King’s expression revealed no trace of what he was thinking.

“I know you cherish him, Your Holiness…”

“I remember the day I took that child in after he lost his whole family and all his friends.”

“You had a deep bond.”

“That child was special. I don’t mean only his sacred power. When I first went there, I received a revelation. They said the double-edged sword fallen from the Cradle of Heaven was that very child. I firmly believed that if he was guided well, he would become the finest divine blade to cut down the demons. And indeed, he was.”

“I have heard the story.”

“But when I first saw that child, I saw a shadow over his eyes. I thought then it was the cry of a wounded beast. Tragedy always casts a dark shadow upon people. I knew something inside him was missing, but I could only pretend not to see it. Yet now, thinking back… I don’t know. Maybe it was destined from the beginning.”

The Holy King quietly looked at the extinguished candle.

“I still question whether killing the one who carried divine prophecy with our own hands truly aligns with the will of God.”

“…But if we don’t punish him, it will cause internal conflict.”

“Was it mere coincidence that he stepped into that place at this exact time?”

“It should never have happened. It doesn’t matter why Apostle Aizen sided with the demons. If we let this go easily, the very foundation of the Holy Kingdom will shake.”

Calypse’s attitude did not waver. The sight of that traitor guarding the Demon King without a single moment of hesitation still burned clearly in his mind.

“He’s clearly not in his right mind. The grounds for immediate execution are already overflowing. It would’ve been better if he had just died.”

Silence fell for a moment. Then the Holy King nodded.

“Perhaps this too is the will of the One above.”

The Holy King slowly closed his eyes. In the darkness behind his lids, he saw again the image of young Aizen, timidly reaching out to hold his hand.

He recalled the questions of that boy, who had always been stubborn and cared little for doctrine or ideology.

‘Who created death?’

‘If there’s war, how can peace come?’

Those innocent questions had kept him awake through many nights, and the memories of that time remained vivid as if it were yesterday.

***

“Ouch… that hurts.”

Sibel found Aizen’s state strange. How could someone wrapped in bandages from head to toe act so relaxed? He groaned all day and night, yet for someone who had almost died, his condition looked too normal.

Maybe it was because Sibel had spent enough time with him to understand now that Aizen simply lacked any sense of danger.

Sibel poked at Aizen’s leg hanging from the rope tied to the ceiling.

“Is it okay to treat someone whose bones shattered like a toy?”

“To think shattered bones can mend. My demonic power is working quite well.”

And there was something else strange. Sibel’s demonic power had seeped into Aizen’s body and now gathered near his heart. It was more than strange, almost unnatural.

Without realizing it, Sibel reached out and laid his palm over Aizen’s chest where a small part was visible between the bandages. Under the firm muscles, he heard the beating of the heart mixed with his own demonic power, now familiar to him. It felt like Aizen’s life was in his hand.

‘The more I see him, the stranger he gets.’

Ramiel had said that Aizen’s ability to withstand demonic power was a survival adaptation gained from years of fighting against the holy power that had attacked his own body.

Ramiel’s celestial power suppressed the curse, and Sibel’s demonic energy filled the gap, so Aizen was no longer human.

A demon of apostolic origin, if someone posted that in the community, it would go viral instantly. The idea was tempting, but Sibel didn’t have the nerve to risk his neck for a few clicks.

“If you’ve absorbed my power, then… hmm, does that make us like brothers?”

Sibel entertained an absurd thought. But sitting before a being filled with his own energy, it didn’t seem too strange. Like a clone or a replica, something like that.

Aizen looked at him in disbelief, then frowned as if he were actually thinking it through.

“Then who’s the older one?”

‘Is stupidity contagious now?’

“Of course I’m the original, so…”

“Isn’t it by age?”

“Well, I suppose that depends on how we decide…”

“But can brothers sleep together?”

“Do you want to get arrested for that?”

Aizen snorted at Sibel’s words.

“Then what’s the point of being tied like that? There’s nothing good about it.”

“How can you twist everything into something indecent?”

“Yes, I’m turned on.”

“Wow, so even when every bone and muscle got crushed, that part still survived?”

Sibel clapped. He couldn’t help but be impressed. Aizen shrugged and spoke with a deep gaze.

“Do you want to check?”

“Wow…”

What a tough opponent.

But Sibel felt unexpectedly calm. Even though Aizen’s attitude was casual, they had many heavy topics to discuss. From him betraying the Holy Kingdom to his decision to abandon humanity. The recovery of his body and the mental shock were things that followed naturally without needing to be mentioned.

Just thinking about it for a moment was enough to give a headache. Yet the person in question was relaxed. So Sibel kept hesitating and ended up saying random things instead.

His wandering gaze circled around Aizen.

“Why do you look like a puppy that needs to take a dump?”

Aizen spoke.

“I don’t.”

Now, even when he heard Aizen’s snappy jokes, Sibel didn’t feel angry or annoyed. Maybe because he knew that even after teasing and scolding him, Aizen will always be on his side. A sly feeling made Sibel hold affection for him.

When he thought about it, even before this incident happened, maybe already… People said physical attachment was dangerous, and maybe that was the reason.

“Hm.”

Aizen quietly watched Sibel drift into imagination again. It simply felt good to face each other like this and share ridiculous jokes.

He knew he had almost died, but he didn’t regret it. He had always been like that. The heavier and larger the scale of a problem was, the more extreme his decisions became.

If throwing his life away was easier and faster than choosing a sauce for a meal, that said enough. He had always thought of himself as a twisted person, but this time he didn’t mind that side of himself.

Sibel muttered for a while, and his gaze moved toward the window. Aizen felt uneasy every time Sibel’s eyes left him for something else.

Sibel looked simple, but he had a side that he never showed anyone. Aizen disliked that uncertain distance that felt close one moment and far the next.

Even when Sibel was right beside him, there was still that thin barrier like a sheet of paper that could never be broken. Maybe Sibel didn’t even realize it himself.

“Can’t you stay here?”

Sibel tilted his head at the sudden question. It didn’t make sense, since he had never said he was going anywhere.

“Every time you look like that, I feel like you’ll disappear somewhere.”

It was a feeling that only Aizen felt.

“Where would I go?”

He easily answered, but Aizen didn’t like it.

“I’m a patient. I’m not even human anymore because I saved you. I’m a mess.”

“…Uh, yeah. Well, I guess you could see it that way…”

“So don’t think of anything else, and stay with me.”

“Have we had this kind of talk before?”

Sibel smiled. Aizen nodded.

“I’m always the one who gets anxious.”

By now, shouldn’t he just give in and come closer? Aizen hadn’t expected a tearful confession about eternal devotion, but Sibel’s calm attitude sometimes reminded him that he wasn’t dealing with a human.

Aizen glared at him, and Sibel smiled as he stroked the arm wrapped in bandages.

“That’s exactly why you’re impatient.”

“I’ll stay close and won’t go anywhere, so take your medicine.”

Even so, Aizen sensed something slightly different in the atmosphere. To think Sibel’s feelings had reached the point where he’d risk his life to come for him. He really had gotten trapped from the start.

But since it was all by his own choice, he had nothing to resent.

“But don’t do anything dangerous from now on.”

He suddenly spoke in a firm voice. Aizen blinked and quietly took in Sibel’s scolding. Was he worried? It was pleasant.

“From now on, I’ll protect you.”

He didn’t know why the word “protect” tickled his heart so much. Sibel’s determined eyes shone.

“So now we’re both demons, is that it?”

If losing his humanity led to this, he should have lived as a beast from the start.

“Don’t make me sound like someone who discriminates by species…”

At Sibel’s grumbling, Aizen showed a cool smile.

It was such a pleasant moment that he felt like he had been wanting this ambiguous state of being neither human nor demon for a long time.