Chapter 58

Early morning.

Before departing, he exchanged farewells with Bow. There was nothing particularly special about their conversation.

“I’ll be heading out now.”

“Leaving rather early, aren’t you.”

Bow spoke indifferently. Though Woojin was setting off on a long journey, the monk showed no particular concern. There was no need to.

The scale of this expedition was enormous. Even if trouble arose along the way, it would likely be handled. And even if they encountered a truly hopeless situation, Woojin would manage to slip away on his own.

“Travel safely.”

After shaking Bow’s hand, Woojin stepped outside. Before long, his footsteps came to a halt in front of a luxurious estate.

‘Is Cindy awake?’

It was quite early; she was likely still asleep. Perhaps it would be better to leave without waking her.

He hesitated for a moment…

But if he left without saying goodbye, she would probably feel hurt. He knocked gently on the door, and before long, a maid opened it.

Creak—

An odd sound drifted out from inside. It was the noise of a rocking chair. Cindy sat in it, swaying back and forth endlessly.

The sound grated on his ears, so Woojin stepped closer and stopped the chair.

“…You’re early.”

Cindy spoke without rising. He examined her complexion.

Hollow eyes, dark circles beneath them, and disheveled golden hair.

She didn’t look well.

“Did you lose sleep?”

“Yes… a little.”

Cindy murmured weakly with a faint smile. Seeing Woojin’s concerned look, she hurriedly added, as if to smooth it over,

“Don’t worry! I just stayed up thinking about matters of the trading company.”

“I heard there aren’t many viable ventures these days.”

“All the more reason to think harder when there’s nothing.”

“Is that so.”

Perhaps because their words carried little substance, silence soon followed.

Woojin’s gaze shifted to the rocking chair.

“…Stand up for a moment.”

“What are you going to do?”

Cindy rose obediently.

Woojin rummaged through his bag and took out a small bottle of oil. After soaking a corner of his handkerchief, he applied oil to the chair’s pivot joints.

Then he gently pushed the chair.

Swoosh, swish—

The grating sound had clearly lessened.

“That’s better.”

“I kind of liked that sound…”

“It’s not good for your peace of mind.”

He gestured toward the chair.

“Sit.”

Cindy sat back down without hesitation. Woojin stood behind her and gave the chair a push. Nudged forward, she began to rock slowly and leisurely.

“…When I look at you, Sir Jin, I’m reminded of my brothers.”

Cindy murmured with her eyes closed. It was an unexpected remark from Woojin’s perspective.

“Really? I don’t think we have much in common.”

“The way you treat me is similar. Even now. Whenever I sat on a swing, my brothers would come and push it for me.”

The atmosphere, the tone, the attitude.

When she spoke with Woojin, it sometimes felt as if her deceased brothers had returned.

“It comforts me… but thinking that way might be selfish.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s my own desire. I’m wishing for you to fill the space my brothers left behind.”

Woojin fell into brief thought. Something she had said earlier lingered in his mind.

‘Have my actions really resembled Derek’s and Cedric’s?’

He wasn’t sure.

He had treated Cindy naturally, without much thought. He had never intentionally imitated her deceased family—that would be distasteful.

For a moment, he wondered whether memories of his own past had unconsciously influenced his behavior. But he quickly dismissed the idea. It seemed unlikely.

‘The memories I carry don’t influence me that strongly. If they affected my daily life that much, I would have noticed long ago.’

Memories of the dead remained buried beneath his consciousness unless he deliberately brought them forth.

Nothing had changed, then or now. Much had happened, yet Kim Woojin’s habits, thoughts, and identity remained intact.

And yet, if Cindy felt that way…

“…Perhaps I was the same.”

Woojin muttered softly. Cindy tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

“Just that. I’m not so different from you.”

He hesitated briefly before continuing.

“…I once had a younger sister.”

People he could no longer meet.

Cindy had lost her entire family. The same was true for Woojin. Sharing the same pain, they found solace in one another.

“So maybe I treated you like a younger sister. You’re in a situation similar to mine.”

“…So it wasn’t just me.”

Cindy’s expression turned blank for a moment—then color returned to her face. Curious, she asked,

“What was your sister like?”

“She was a little taller than you. And… well, I’m not sure where to begin. If I start with what I remember…”

As the two continued talking—

“…Excuse me.”

The maid spoke hesitantly.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but shouldn’t you be departing soon? The wolves outside have been scratching at the door rather fiercely.”

“Ah. Right.”

Though he had deliberately come early, time had slipped by quickly as they talked. Cindy, clearly disappointed by the situation, wore a sullen expression.

Woojin smiled and picked up his travel bag.

“We’ll have to finish the story next time.”

“It can’t be helped…”

He stepped outside the estate. Cindy followed to see him off.

“I’ll visit after the journey is over.”

“Yes. I’ll see you then.”

He began to walk away. His figure gradually grew more distant, wolves surrounding him as if escorting him.

Cindy watched quietly… then suddenly called out on impulse.

“…Big brother Jin.”

Woojin turned around.

Their eyes met. Cindy beamed, bouncing lightly on her feet as if she could barely contain her happiness.

“Big brother! Don’t get hurt—come back safely!”

She shouted brightly. Woojin waved back once before turning again, leaving behind her enthusiastic farewell.

And so, the journey began anew.

The expeditionary army advanced toward the distant north. Shadows lengthened across the ground, and the familiar scent of mold stung at his nose.

Woojin had been assigned to guard the choir.

The Order of Harmony had sent six priests, eight nuns, four monks, and eight Holy Knights. The priests, nuns, and monks formed the choir itself, and the Holy Knights were dispatched to protect them.

‘The escort mission itself should be easy enough.’

The choir held high tactical value.

They were positioned in a secure location where protection could be provided at any moment, and there were plenty of knights assigned alongside Woojin. It seemed this mission would conclude without much difficulty.

The choir rode divided between two Tarasques. Woojin, the wolves, and the Holy Knights walked in formation around them.

‘There could be an assassin like last time. I’ll need to watch the people around us carefully.’

Previously, he had failed to notice the assassin’s presence, and the two sons of the Golden Maggot had died.

He had no intention of repeating the same mistake. After scanning those nearby, Woojin committed their general features to memory.

Then—

“…What?”

A sudden sense of unease.

‘One, two, three…’

Woojin counted the Holy Knights.

To provide close protection, one knight rode atop each Tarasque. Excluding those two, there should be six knights on the ground.

‘Seven.’

No matter how many times he counted, there was one extra. It was strange. The Holy Knights would not have overlooked something so basic.

‘…Let’s take a closer look.’

Mind’s Eye.

He used it as practice. His proficiency was still lacking, so he could not see clearly, but the sensations conveyed meaningful information.

One knight stood out. A presence emitting unusually intense energy.

Opening his eyes again, Woojin observed the individual closely.

‘Strong.’

One Holy Knight possessed overwhelmingly superior skill. His ability to conceal his presence was also remarkable, which explained why it had taken a moment to discern him.

‘…There’s something oddly familiar about this.’

Woojin tilted his head. A sensation both familiar and strange. To confirm, he approached the knight he had been watching.

“You there.”

“Sir Jin, is something the matter?”

The knight responded politely. His face was hidden behind the visor of his helmet.

“May I see your face?”

“….”

Woojin gestured as if lifting a visor. The knight’s posture stiffened noticeably. There was definitely something to hide.

Sensing it, Woojin pressed.

“Quickly. Let’s keep this pleasant.”

“…Hah.”

A small sigh came from within the helmet. The knight grasped it with both hands and removed it. Long, wavy hair cascaded down.

The face revealed beneath—

‘…Roland?’

Woojin blinked in surprise. Why on earth was this man here?

He voiced the thought directly.

“Commander, why are you here? You should be leading the expeditionary forces from the pioneer city.”

“Come now, Jin. Can you call an army that’s sitting in a city an expeditionary force? I was ordered to conquer the Demon Realm. I’m simply here to fulfill that order.”

Roland replied calmly. The surrounding Holy Knights shook their heads. It seemed his subordinates had opposed the idea, but he had pushed through regardless.

Still—

“Did you receive Lord Bow’s permission?”

“It’ll be fine. I have some indulgences left.”

So he had slipped away secretly. Somehow, he had evaded Bow’s Mind’s Eye and made his escape.

It was reckless, but he had appointed a successor and transferred command duties, so his absence would not create a vacuum. And even if matters went poorly, he believed the indulgences would protect him from consequences.

Roland appeared confident in that thought.

“…Do you really think waving indulgences at a blind man will work? Knowing Lord Bow’s temperament, he might beat you half to death.”

“Ha ha ha! Surely not.”

Roland laughed heartily—then suddenly grew serious. Upon reflection, it did seem plausible.

“…If things turn unfavorable, I trust you’ll persuade Elder Bow on my behalf.”

“Not happening.”

“That wounds me. I thought at least you would understand me!”

Roland sounded genuinely aggrieved. From Woojin’s perspective, it was baffling.

“Understand what?”

“Don’t pretend ignorance. A warm home, good food, cherished people. You turned your back on all of it and chose to come to the Demon Realm. Why?”

What should he say?

As Woojin searched for an answer, Roland, flushed with excitement, spoke as though answering his own question.

“Blood and glory, battle! And hunting demonic beasts! Isn’t that why you left a place dear to you?”

“…Something like that.”

“In that sense, you’re my comrade. Jin, you’re a madman blinded by the battlefield as well. Comrades who share the same will should help each other survive, shouldn’t they?”

Roland spoke with complete seriousness. It was difficult to deny him outright. Logically persuading this madman would not be easy.

And, truthfully, he wasn’t entirely wrong…

After a moment’s thought, Woojin finally nodded.

“…I’ll help you later.”

“Ha! I knew I judged you correctly.”

At the very least, this journey would not be boring.