* * *

[Fire Chains]

The flames in the form of chains effectively imprisoned her. With the chains encircling her entire body, she was unable to take a single step, and her struggles were futile.

Cadel strained his red, bloodshot eyes as the angry shouts rattled his head noisily.

‘The firepower doesn’t fall behind. All I need now is the power to get rid of Sellev while I hold her down.’

He spent a total of 60 attribute points on ‘Fire’, which was enough to keep Sellev captive, but the problem was that he had to use all of his mana to barely keep her captive.

It was impossible to keep [Fire Chains] up and make another attack. Someone had to take care of Sellev before he ran out of mana.

And as if they had waited, the Guardian Knight Order who had been keeping Sellev in check began to flock beyond the gate. It was thanks to Dreyfe’s order, who quickly grasped the situation.

“Take this opportunity to cut off the demon’s breathing!”

“Uwoooh!”

The demonic energy on the battlefield quickly drained away as the charging knights attacked. The chained Sellev screamed in agony, taking every blow in stride.

“All off! How dare you mere flies get to this body……!”

Despite her limited movement, she used demonic energy to reduce damage. Cadel constantly drew on his mana to keep her tied down. Even with his allies joining him, Cadel’s expression was still not good.

「Quest success rate : 67%」

It was because of the level of contribution.

‘I chose this method because protecting the gate is my top priority, but I can’t increase my level of contribution this way.’

At the moment when his subordinates were on the verge of death, Cadel was the only person who could raise the level of contribution. But, of course, the role he played was the restraint of Sellev. It was difficult to contribute. Even so, he couldn’t even interfere with the Knight Order’s subjugation.

‘It’s a problem whether the Knight Order manages to kill Sellev or not.’

If they killed her, the quest would be finished with a low level of contribution, and if they didn’t kill her, Sellev would break the gate. Cadel was stuck, and to make matters worse, even symptoms of mana depletion were appearing.

Everything was close. He couldn’t decide which one to prioritize, and he was just going through the motions. At this rate, he would never get the results he wanted.

That was the moment he realized.

“That…….”

Amidst the assault of the swarming Guardian Knight Order, a familiar sword energy stood out. A red aura that greedily flew as if swallowing the thick demonic energy.

Cadel’s eyes widened at the sight of the familiar power.

It was definitely Van. The only person on the battlefield who could use such a clear aura was Van Herdos.

But how? It was a life-threatening injury, and there’s no way he could have recovered in such a short time.

Too afraid to ask the disturbing question, the full-bodied sword energy slashed at Selleve.

「Quest success rate : 69%」

In the blink of an eye, the level of contribution gained 2%, and Sellev’s struggles intensified. Cadel swallowed dryly, gripping the tension that had momentarily slackened. And then, just like that.

“Commander!”

Through the ranks of the Guardian Knight Order, Van emerged. His silver hair was a tangled mess of blood, and his blood-red eyes were scanning for Cadel.

Van was far from recovered. The demonic energy covering his abdomen had lifted, but the bandages over it were soaked with blood from the unsealed wound. His aura was also unstable, having been sensitized by a large amount of demonic energy.

Cadel noticed that Van had come to see him ‘as soon as he opened his eyes’. Before he had time to criticize it, Van, who had found Cadel, started running quickly.

As the distance gradually narrowed, Cadel shattered the chains that wrapped around him. Van dug into that gap and hugged Cadel tightly. He had a lot to say. But instead of speaking, he wrapped his arms around Cadel’s waist and hugged him tightly.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…….”

A hot-boiling voice pierced Cadel’s ears.

I’m sorry. Van was in a position to be thanked again and again for the mere fact that he had survived. At least for Cadel, he was, and yet Van kept apologizing like a sinner, begging for forgiveness and refusing to let Cadel go.

A damp, hot sensation spread from their touching abdomens. It was blood. Van desperately clung to Cadel, even though the gaping wound must be crushing and painful.

As if he could understand the sentiment, Cadel didn’t push him away, merely lifting a hand to stroke Van’s bowed head.

“I’m sorry I left you alone. I’m sorry I made you fight alone. I’m sorry I made you endure alone-”

“You don’t have to apologize.”

“……I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re secretly stubborn.”

With a small smile, Cadel carefully moved Van backward, revealing a face contorted as if he were about to cry at any moment. Cadel rubbed Van’s cheeks together like dough, then pulled him closer.

Van’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly close distance. Cadel squeezed his eyes shut and touched his forehead to Van’s. He felt the hard bridge of Van’s nose against the tip of his, and focused on his shaky, startled breathing.

“You have no idea how relieved I am right now.”

Slowly, Cadel lifted his eyelids, and Van’s eyes filled his vision. A pair of golden eyes, glimmering beyond the red waves, stared at Cadel with a slight tremor.

Cadel read conflicting emotions in them. Confusion and joy, anxiety and excitement. Emotions so much like his own.

“I owe you an apology, Van. For hurting you, for not stopping you from fighting again. I apologize for everything.”

“……I told you, Commander.”

Van clutched Cadel’s hand that was on his face, and slowly pulled it away. He pulled away a little, so he could see Cadel more clearly.

“Everything I have is for Commander, so use it however you want. Even if you mess it up…… I’ll be happy.”

Van’s eyes drew a soft arc. Then and now, only in front of Cadel. A smile that could only be made for Cadel.

Before that unchangingly, kindly smile, Cadel wondered if it was a mercy of the gods that he had chosen Van Herdos in this world, worried about the arduous journey.