The Forest Race Clonne

Chapter 77

“But Sei, don’t you want to learn swordsmanship?”

“…Not really.”

“Why? I even mentioned it to grandfather, but you had already said you didn’t want to learn. Isn’t it good to learn how to use a sword? You could protect yourself.”

“I guess.”

“Don’t be like that. Come and learn with me. Okay? I’ll help you out. Training together will be fun. The master said you’ve got a good build for practicing swordsmanship too. You’d pick it up in no time. Right?”

I wasn’t sure when he had asked about that. Swallowing a bitter smile, I shook my head.

“Sorry, but I’ll pass. I’m not nice enough to wield a sword.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“…I just mean that there’s darkness living inside me.”

“What?”

I bit my lip at his bewildered reaction. How could I explain this? Even now, if I let my guard down, countless voices whisper in my mind. Don’t let those who ignore you get away with it. Remember every single one of them and get your revenge. Don’t forgive your grandfather who abandoned your mother, the count who drove you away, or your half-brothers. If you have no place to return to, then create one. Kill them all and take their place.

The temptation was too sweet and chilling, making me hold my breath the moment I tried to think further.

“…That’s why I shouldn’t wield a weapon.”

If I gain the power to kill, I’ll end up swinging that sword. I’ll be consumed by the demons inside me. If that happens, I would truly be proving the words they whisper about me.

‘Oh no, I’ve said too much.

Realizing the extent of my monologue only after seeing Camille’s stunned face, I snapped back to my senses. I had exposed too much of my inner thoughts to someone I had yet to fully understand. It was an indisputable mistake. Even more so if this had been Camille’s intention.

“Sorry, Camille. What I just said…”

“Sei, do you want revenge against those who have wronged you?”

His follow-up question left me silent. I met his straightforward gaze without flinching. His pure and honest eyes made a wave of exhaustion wash over me.

“…No. It’s precisely because I don’t want revenge that I avoid learning swordsmanship.”

“Why? Isn’t it natural to want revenge when you’re angry and wronged?”

Was this just a question, or was he trying to lead me into something? I sighed at the thought. It didn’t matter anymore. Let him think whatever he wants. I was too tired to care.

“I just want to live peacefully. Making enemies, hating, loathing—that’s too bothersome.”

“Then there’s no reason you can’t learn swordsmanship, right?”

“No. The reason I think this way is because I’m powerless. If I had the power for revenge, I might actually want it.”

“Then just do it.”

“I told you, I don’t want to.”

“Hmm, I don’t get it. Do you want revenge or not?”

“I don’t. But since you never know what might happen, I’m trying to avoid it.”

“I still don’t get it, but… you just don’t want to, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Then just learn swordsmanship with me.”

“Did you not hear anything I said?”

“You’re just worried that you might want revenge even though you don’t want to, right? It’s okay. I’ll stop you.”

“…What?”

His unexpected words took me by surprise. Turning to look at him, I found his green eyes still focused on me, unwavering and uncomfortably earnest.

“I’m going to become the greatest knight in the world. A knight so great that I’ll surpass even Grandfather’s reputation.”

“Uh, yes. I think you can achieve that.”

“Really? Thanks! Anyway, since I’ll be that strong if you ever feel like getting revenge, I’ll step in and stop you. Even if you want to, you won’t be able to. How about that? It’s simple, right?”

“…You simplify complex issues very easily.”

“Really? But my master said that in about ten years, hardly anyone will be able to defeat me in swordsmanship. So, I think it will work out somehow.”

His tilt of the head left me without words for the first time. A complicated equation seemed to suddenly become simple. Despite the futility of the conversation, it was strangely….calming. It was an unfamiliar feeling, as if all my thoughts and judgments had been deemed irrelevant, though I didn’t mind it.

It was a premise I had never considered before: that I could be used when needed. That I didn’t have to struggle alone. Even though those words had never been said directly, it felt like he was communicating that to me.

“I’ll stop you.”

You’re not alone.

“So, that’s why we should learn swordsmanship together, right?”

Hearing his mildly excited voice snapped me back to reality. His expectant face flushed with anticipation, waiting for my response. Those puppy-dog eyes elicited laughter from me without realizing it.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why again? I told you I’ll stop you! Can’t you trust me?”

“No, I trust you. But I don’t want to create a situation where I have to compete against you. I can’t bother our busy young family head with my problems.”

“Hey! What are you talking about? That’s just unfair!”

“Yeah, I can be a bit unfair sometimes.”

“Sei, that’s really too much!”

With a pout on his face, Camille abruptly stood up and dashed away. I wondered if I had gone too far, but it was unavoidable. My thoughts wouldn’t change moving forward. In fact, thanks to this conversation, they had become even more resolute.

Camille is a good person. I didn’t want to become his enemy. To ensure that, I needed to remain powerless. I wanted to preserve the pure smile on his face as he looked at me. I couldn’t imagine him treating me with anything but unwavering kindness.

Camille was right.

In the end, I never trusted him.

“You’re just realizing that now?”

“…!”

The sudden voice made me freeze. Turning around, I saw Camille. Not the ten-year-old boy, but a grown-up nineteen-year-old. Lowering my gaze, I noticed my own grown arms and hands. I, too, had aged to the same extent. The surroundings were swallowed by darkness and vanished quickly.

“Camille. How…?”

“I trusted you. But you betrayed me twice.”

He spoke bitterly, holding a familiar piece of paper in his hand. It was impossible not to recognize it. It was the farewell letter I had written to him the day before leaving the palace.

“Are you saying sorry? You’ve always been like this.”

“…Camille.”

“Enough with the excuses. I’m tired of it now.”

Rip!

The letter was torn to shreds in his hands. He tossed the torn pieces of paper carelessly aside and glared at me as he brushed his palm.

“Never acknowledge me again. You’re no longer my brother or anything to me now.”

Camille turned away and walked off. Seeing his cold back without a thought of looking back made my head go blank. I was even more flustered, unable to understand myself.

Why? This was what I had always imagined and prepared for. Did I really think that even if I betrayed him, Camille would continue to forgive me? How foolish could I be? Did I truly think I was his brother? That no matter what happened, Camille wouldn’t abandon me?

“Camille, wait a minute!”

By the time I regained my senses, I was unknowingly chasing after him. However, despite my shout, he didn’t look back. The distance between us grew rapidly. If this continued, I would lose him. Desperately, I reached out and barely grabbed his shoulder.

“Camille!”

Finally, he stopped. But before I could feel relief, my breath caught in my throat. The one who slowly turned around was not Camille.

“Ah, what can I do for you, Officer Sei?”

“…!”

The once-bright silver hair had turned a dull ash color. Bloodshot eyes and a face twisted by burn scars smiled at me. I swallowed a groan and took a slow step back.

“…Talon.”

It was the worst nightmare in the world.

* * *

“Hah!”

With a rush of sensation, my eyes snapped open. It took several gasping breaths before I realized I was lying down somewhere. Everything that had happened just moments ago was nothing but a dream.

‘A dream. It was just a dream.’

…Thank goodness.

I felt my body go limp with relief. I had sweat so much that my entire body, starting from my head, was uncomfortably damp. In that moment, clarity struck me.

‘But where am I?’

The events before I lost consciousness came flooding back. I had been fleeing from the flames, trapped with nowhere else to go. I thought it was the end, especially with the fire spreading so quickly. I remembered sensing someone approaching.

I vaguely recalled seeing green hair, but that memory was uncertain. Nonetheless, it was clear that someone had miraculously come to my rescue, as I was now awake and safe.

I slowly sat up and looked around. The ceiling and walls were all made of rough rock. Stalactites and stalagmites indicated it was a deep cave.

However, there were furnishings that had no place in a natural cave. Antique round tables and chairs. Display cases holding various sculptures. Rugs covered the floor. The bed I had been lying on was wooden. All these pieces of furniture had a lived-in feel, suggesting they weren’t just for decoration.

Moreover, the cave was remarkably bright despite the absence of a single torch. As I looked up at the ceiling, I noticed glowing orbs embedded in it—likely magic stones.

“Are you awake?”

The sudden voice made me flinch. A man stepped out from behind a rock pillar. His broad, muscular build was as solid as a boulder. Despite his overall intimidating presence, his face was quite handsome. He gave off the impression of someone you couldn’t help but notice in any setting.

But what stood out the most was his hair. The green hair I thought I had imagined in my feverish state was now clear and distinct. His eyes were also a clean, vivid green.