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Chapter 05
Tick. Tock.
Time seemed to move slowly.
The only thing she could feel was her own hand gripping the sword.
Before she even realized what was happening, Cilia’s instincts launched the blade like a reflex.
Bang!
“Kieeek!”
The practice sword struck the monster square in one of its eyes. In that instant, time snapped back to normal. Crash! The thrashing beast slammed into the outer wall of the annex.
I wasn’t planning to step in…
Her body had moved on its own before her mind caught up. Clicking her tongue inwardly, Cilia quickly set down Margaret behind her and ran toward the man.
“Get back! If you stay there—”
A burst of debris shot toward them from the shattered wall.
Instead of replying, the man grabbed her tightly and pulled her into his arms.
Because of their height difference, Cilia’s face pressed against his chest—where she could clearly hear his pounding heartbeat.
Thump, thump.
Not the rumbling pulse of the earth, but the warm, human rhythm of life. A faint trace of cologne brushed her nose as shards of stone bounced off the man’s back and shoulders.
Clatter…
When the fragments finally stopped falling, he released her. He had to be in pain, but he didn’t utter a word. She could’ve dodged on her own—but she owed him at least a thank-you.
“Thank you. Now, please take my friend and—”
“I can’t do that. I won’t leave you alone in front of that monster.”
His voice was firm. What a kind man. But…
I’m pretty sure I’m stronger than you.
“I’ll protect you.”
No, I’ll be the one protecting you.
Unbelievable. How can someone that kind be so dense?
As she frowned, the monster’s foot came crashing toward them.
“Kahk!”
Cilia shoved the man out of range of the attack and rolled in the opposite direction. Once she confirmed he was busy tumbling away safely, she redirected the monster’s next strike and yanked her blade out of its eye, slashing at its rear right leg.
Crack!
“Kieeek!”
“Get back!”
Slash!
The man, having recovered, joined the fight—his sword cutting across the beast’s chest, apparently aiming for its heart.
“Not there!”
“Pardon?”
Dodging another kick, Cilia gestured at her own neck. That’s the weak spot.
A monster’s heart wasn’t always in the same place—it could be anywhere, or nowhere—but cutting off the head always worked. It couldn’t regenerate and was rendered completely helpless. Even if it didn’t die, that much was guaranteed.
“I’ll draw its attention—finish it off when you see an opening!”
Before the man could protest, Cilia shouted—
“Over here, you slimy freak!”
The lizard’s blazing eyes snapped toward her.
“Don’t just stare—come at me!”
The monster hesitated as it tried to charge—its injured leg failing to bear weight.
That moment of imbalance was all it took.
“Kieeek!”
The man’s sword swung for the neck. It didn’t cut all the way through—its thick hide stopped the blade halfway—but it startled the creature. Cilia gave him a thumbs-up.
Then, in the next instant, the monster thrashed violently, sending the man flying hard into the wall.
Thud!
“Hey!”
No answer came from within the rising dust cloud. He couldn’t be dead… right? She forced down her unease, only to feel a sharp, hostile gaze. Cilia turned, her eyes glowing.
“Oh, right.”
“Kieeek!”
“You’re still not headless.”
“Kieeek!!”
“You just made a big mistake.”
Mana surged from her circuit, wrapping her blade.
“Clearing the witnesses for me, huh? That solves one problem.”
The charging monster froze mid-step.
Danger. Run. Its animal instinct screamed in its head.
And then—
She felt it.
The beast had no sense of color, but right now, she could feel one.
Red.
Blazing, furious red.
Swish!
Cilia’s sword sliced clean through its neck. The lizard’s gaping mouth was still open as its head spun through the air.
How many soldiers had been devoured by that mouth…?
A chill rippled down her spine.
“How does it feel to be on the receiving end?”
Thud.
The head hit the ground—and Cilia’s vision warped. Her focus narrowed, like being pulled into something. Before she could react, a piece of memory clicked into place.
“I’m sick of it.”
The man she’d seen when her magic flared up in the incinerator—lying on a bed, tubes tangled across his body.
“This kind of life…”
Beep—!
His words were cut short by a high-pitched tone as his body convulsed. Someone shouted frantically in the background.
“Doctor! The patient—!”
The man’s eyes closed.
He died.
Cilia accepted that.
He had died once—back then.
What came next was harder to explain.
He woke up again, in a grand mansion. Standing before a mirror, he saw his reflection—an elegant face Cilia recognized. Handsome, like the man who had just died.
“You bastard.”
The instant she saw Illode Heinz’s face in that mirror, she snapped back to reality.
Dust filled her lungs. Her blood still raced from battle.
When she turned, the monster lay decapitated and motionless. The man and Margaret were still unconscious nearby.
“…This isn’t the time to zone out.”
Shaking her head, Cilia ran toward the man. He’d landed under the wall but—thankfully—had no major injuries. He twitched; he’d wake up soon. Just fainted briefly. Relieved, she let her sword drop to the ground.
Deng. Deng.
Right on cue, a heavy bell rang—the signal for the local knight garrison’s emergency response. Someone must’ve sent a quick alert via teleportation magic. Hoofbeats thundered in the distance—dozens of riders approaching fast.
“Ugh…”
The man groaned.
“Are you all right?”
“Ah—”
Still dazed, he reached out a hand toward her. His large hand brushed against her cheek.
“Are you hurt?”
He asked, his voice soft. Dust had settled enough for his torn robe to reveal a glimpse of his muscular torso beneath.
No wonder he survived that impact…
Cilia hurriedly covered him with a scrap of cloth.
“I’m fine—”
“Capture the beast!”
The knights burst in, beating the limp monster for good measure. It was oddly satisfying to watch. One of the leading knights approached the two.
The man withdrew his hand from her face. The warmth disappeared instantly.
Strange…
Why did that feel disappointing? Maybe because it had been so long since she’d felt another human’s warmth, after so many days among corpses and monsters.
Then the knight called out, “Are you students? Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine. Please check on him first.”
“I’m all right. Oh—and there’s another person over there.”
Cilia pointed to where she’d left Margaret. She’d known the girl was kind, but hadn’t expected her to risk her life to help. Maybe she’d had good people around her all along and just hadn’t noticed.
The knight nodded and went to carefully lift the unconscious Margaret.
It looked like things were finally wrapping up—
“Flier!”
A familiar voice rang out. Cecile Diaman, rushing forward with her attendant.
“Huh?”
What was she doing here?
And why was that name—
“Mother.”
Mother?
Cilia blinked between Cecile and the man.
They look alike…
Then—
“You’re… Flier Diaman?”
“You know me?”
The man blushed faintly and smiled.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself.”
He stood and bowed gracefully, arm across his chest. His light brown hair gleamed in the sunlight. His soft eyes met hers with a warmth that lingered only for her.
“Flier Diaman, heir to the House of Count Diaman.”
“Ah.”
A sigh slipped out before she could stop it. She knew how horribly his story ended.
“Are you all right? You look pale…”
Cilia forced a smile. She wanted to warn him, but saying something about the future would only make her look insane.
For now, play dumb.
“…I’m Cilia Bronew of the Bronew Barony.”
“Bronew? Really?”
“Yes. We’re technically distant relatives, you know? You can speak casually—it’s fine.”
“I couldn’t possibly, not to a lady I’ve just met—”
“It’s not exactly a formal meeting, is it? Let’s skip the unnecessary formalities. I’ll be casual too.”
“If you insist, Cilia.”
“Flier.”
He smiled—a bright, gentle smile.
How did Cecile end up with such a nice son? His father’s genes must’ve worked overtime.
“What a reckless thing you’ve done,” Cecile scolded sharply.
Right on cue.
“I’m sorry, Mother. I’ll accept whatever punishment awaits me.”
“Of course you will. Did you think this would go unpunished?”
Strict as ever—but understandable. She was worried.
Cilia only shrugged to herself.
Honestly, if not for me, he’d have died right here—not years later.
Or maybe been too injured to ever fight in the war.
Wait… that might actually be better.
Dying later in battle versus surviving with a limp arm—yeah, maybe she should break something next time.
Whatever odd look crossed her face, Flier must’ve misread it. He extended a hand to her.
“I hope we meet again soon.”
“Ah, sure.”
Actually, she’d prefer not to. She planned to give him the bare minimum of courtesy and move on. But the moment their hands touched—
“……”
Cecile’s eyes flicked sharply between them, scanning Cilia from head to toe.
What’s with that look…?
“Hm.”
What kind of hm was that? It didn’t sound promising.
“I really do hope you two meet again soon,” Flier added warmly.
That tone somehow made Cilia even more uneasy.
