The Arrow of Destiny Cuts Through the Night

#16

The boy, or rather Jersian Del Claude, remained silent for a while before speaking.

“…Even if that’s my name, it’s not enough proof to believe your nonsense about being my destined partner.”

This was absurd. Regardless of how they found out, it was clear someone was pulling dirty tricks behind the scenes. However, the boy’s previous confidence had already vanished after seeing his own name engraved right above the elf’s heart.

Excluding the people in this room, those who knew his true name ‘Jersian Del Claude’ could be counted on one hand across the continent. That name shouldn’t be engraved on an elf’s skin.

Kain asked Jersian:

“Your name should be engraved somewhere on my body too. Will you still believe it’s a coincidence then?”

He maintained a proud attitude with his chin raised.

Jersian twisted his lips into a smirk, then looked down at Kain and said:

“Well, this is awkward. There’s nothing like that on my body.”

“…What?”

For the first time since arriving here, confusion clouded Kain’s face.

“That can’t be. You should definitely have it too.”

“I don’t.”

“…”

What? That’s impossible. Kain frowned, muttering to himself.

Jersian looked down at Kain, who was kneeling beneath him, with an arrogant expression and pulled at his lips.

He quite enjoyed seeing the elf’s composure break after acting so haughty until now.

“You said you wanted to show me.”

Swish-

Jersian’s fingers touched Kain’s hair. As he brushed aside the silky platinum blonde strands, he could see his name clearly engraved again.

But this was just a name. Regardless of the heavy meaning behind that name, anyone could have this tattooed. It was ridiculous evidence.

“Is this all?”

“Perhaps the mark hasn’t appeared on you yet because it’s not the right time.”

“I’ve heard enough of this nonsense.”

As Jersian withdrew his hand, Kain’s hair slid back into place.

The boy wiped his hands on the handkerchief he was given, looking down at the arrogant elf’s head.

“Lord Jersian,” one of the knights cautiously asked.

“…What will you do now?”

He was inquiring about how to deal with Kain.

Jersian immediately shot a sharp glance.

“Proceed as originally planned. This was a waste of time.”

It was a cold look. The original plan meant to kill.

“K-kill him, you mean?”

The elf?

The knights who heard Jersian’s order showed reluctance. Killing an elf was quite troublesome, and there was a legend that killing them, who loved plants and animals, would bring misfortune for three generations. Even for those who didn’t believe in the legend, it was an order that would make anyone feel uneasy.

In fact, after directly encountering an elf they never thought actually existed, even that unbelievable legend began to feel true.

“What else would I order you to save?”

“…B-but.”

After a moment of silence, hesitation followed.

“You’re afraid of mere superstition?”

Jersian clicked his tongue briefly upon seeing his knight order falter at a single argument. Then, as if to prove that the legend was nonsense, he moved first.

Shing-

He drew the sword from the scabbard of the knight standing right next to him.

What should I do in this situation?

Kain had been looking down at the ground all this time. At the moment, nothing was registering in Kain’s ears.

I’ve finally found the partner chosen by the Galia tree, but that partner doesn’t believe in my existence. Moreover, he doesn’t even have a name yet. It was like a nightmare for elves.

Kain needed a moment to accept this nightmare as reality.

But Jersian didn’t wait for that.

“I’ll mercifully kill you in one stroke.”

Whoosh-

He swung the sword towards Kain’s neck. It was aimed precisely at a spot that would deliver a fatal blow.

That’s when it happened.

Thunk-!

Instead of the sound of a neck being severed, there was a dull sound of the sword hitting something.

Hm? One of Jersian’s eyebrows raised.

He had clearly intended to behead this arrogant elf.

But.

Whoosh- Thunk.

He swung the sword lightly and struck again. But once more, Jersian’s sword was blocked by something, unable to inflict even a scratch on Kain’s neck.

“…Why?”

Jersian furrowed his brows. No matter how much force he tried to put into the sword, he couldn’t make it sharp.

That’s when.

Kain, who had been kneeling beneath Jersian, slowly raised his head. Kain’s emerald eyes were radiating light towards his destined partner.

“Jersian, you can’t harm me.”

“…Ha.”

Whoosh- Jersian gripped the sword with both hands and swung it again as if training. But this time too, Jersian’s sword couldn’t cut anything.

“Because we are destined partners.”

Kain lifted his chin up as if challenging him to try again. Then he gently closed his eyes. His snow-white eyelashes contributed to making Kain appear as a flawless and pure being.

There was a belief that no matter how much Jersian swung his sword, he wouldn’t be able to inflict even the slightest injury. The elf’s face, which had been quite gloomy after hearing there was no mark, was now filled with expectation that his words would be believed. Destined partners, huh? Do I look naive enough to believe such nonsense?

Jersian let out a short, mirthless laugh.

“Enough. There’s no need to dirty my hands killing one elf.”

Take it back.

Clank, Jersian handed the sword back to the knight in irritation. The knight, who had been watching the strange phenomenon with a blank face, received his sword back with a “Yes, yes.”

At that moment, one of the knights stepped forward with his eyes lowered. Then he spoke respectfully. He was the one who had been appointed as the captain due to his outstanding skills and seniority among them.

“Lord Jersian, I’ve heard that elves are sacred beings loved by the gods. If you kill an elf out of personal feelings, it could bring harm to you as well, young master.”

“…Do you still believe in fairy tale-like stories at your age?”

Jersian’s sharp gaze immediately turned to the knight captain, Peter. Peter, who had served Jersian for the longest time, maintained his posture firmly and continued his candid advice.

“I think it would be better to keep him by your side for now. Since elves cannot lie, he won’t be someone who would harm you, Lord Jersian.”

“So you’re saying this ‘destined partner’ nonsense he’s spouting is sincere?”

“That is…”

Peter seemed to be at a loss for words and tightly closed his mouth. It was impossible to know about their culture when it was the first time seeing an elf with his own eyes.

“It’s not nonsense. Just because you don’t believe it doesn’t change the fact that it’s already been determined.”

Kain refuted with a face devoid of any emotion.

Talking back to me so bluntly. This was a completely new experience for Jersian.

A height much taller than an average adult male, brilliant eyes and hair, and an unreal face. And pointed ears. Anyone would recognize him as an elf.

Among them, the emerald eyes that looked like embedded jewels kept drawing attention.

Although he’s kneeling now, if he stood up, his eye level would be much higher. Even considering that I haven’t finished growing, looking up at him would hurt my pride. Moreover, considering a man bigger than me as beautiful, I must have momentarily lost my mind.

It felt like being suddenly enchanted while walking down the street.

“…What should I call you?”

If the elf’s words were true, his name should have been written on this body too, but there was nothing like that, so Jersian had to ask for the elf’s name directly.

The elf answered in a clear voice to that question.

“Kain Starchis.”

“Right, Kain.”

What an unusual name.

Jersian repeated the elf’s name once and then slightly tilted his head. Then, as if pondering, he folded his arms and tapped his fingers.

“Destined partner or whatever, I don’t have time for such trivial things. Considering what I have to do in the future, it’s better not to have any baggage that might hold me back.”

It was a cold judgment.

However, Peter’s words had some merit.

According to the strange claim of being destined partners, this elf couldn’t harm us either. Having an elf, who rarely moves in human affairs, in our faction could be useful somewhere. There are many temples that can’t resist such legends.

If they’re a race that can’t lie, it would be even easier to handle-

“Jersian Del Claude.”

While thinking dark and base thoughts inwardly, the elf slowly raised his head to meet my eyes. Calling me by that name. How dare he use that name.

There was not a single person in this world who could call Jersian by that name now. A flash of ecstasy appeared and disappeared in Jersian’s red eyes.

For a moment, it felt like his inner thoughts had been read.

The clear light green eyes were rippling. It was pure, unadulterated nature.

“If you are indeed Jersian Del Claude, I will protect you forever.”

“…”

It’s just words. Anyone could say that.

But a strange emotion stirred in a corner of Jersian’s heart.

Since his mind had matured, he had become all too familiar with dark and vile schemes and tricks. Despite not yet being a full adult, the familiarity with death around him was due to that. In power struggles, only naive and stupid fools look for justification or legitimacy.

…That’s what Jersian had thought until now.

“Let me stay by your side until you realize our destiny. I promise I won’t hold you back during that time.”

Those clear green eyes seemed to completely see through Jersian’s dark intentions, yet they weren’t looking for anything else. They were just quietly gazing at him.

Jersian stood still for a moment, locking eyes with the elf.

I can’t take my eyes off that elf.

But it’s not because of incomprehensible talk about destined partners or the Galia tree.

It might just be the exhilaration of having a noble elf kneeling at his feet.

“…”

Jersian barely managed to label his stirring feelings as such things.

“…Whether you’ll be a burden or an asset, we’ll have to see. For now, give him any room in the annex.”

Even he couldn’t fully understand why he made such a decision. He could hear the knights around him letting out small sighs of relief.

It’s an emotional judgment he would never make normally.

Jersian unnecessarily added a final sentence.

“And assign a few guards to watch him.”

“Yes, young master.”

For some reason, it felt like he should do that.

Destined partners, huh.

Jersian clicked his tongue shortly, then turned his body completely. Despite having believed he was far from such romantic notions…

“A strange thing has rolled in.”

He muttered quietly as he disappeared into the darkness.