The Guardian Knight of Affection-Starved Young Ladies

104 – Longed-For Wish (01)

105.

The assassin’s comrades hiding in the alley were quite numerous.

Enough so that if they attacked all at once, it would have been a considerable nuisance.

Of course, since the assassin who attacked using transparent magic was the only one who dodged the ice spears,

Even if all of them came at him, there wasn’t a scenario where Kalen would lose.

He had experience fighting against many from his time in the North.

Most of them couldn’t use magic.

And even the strongest one was just a 1st Circle mage, so beating Kalen was impossible from the start.

That was obvious to Kalen, but that wasn’t always the case.

In a peaceful era, few people use magic for combat.

Nobles born with magical talent accept it as a form of art.

So, to Kalen, Nadil was *just* a 1st Circle mage.

But Nadil, who had trained in 1st Circle magic for killing, was actually a fairly skilled practitioner.

Besides, Kalen was an exceptional being unlike anyone else.

His peculiar constitution and heart were special enough to evaluate a 1st Circle mage as ‘just’.

“Hic… *hic*…”

“…Besmi. Don’t cry.”

Anyway, Kalen brought all those who had been stabbed by the ice spears and collapsed in the alley.

There were quite a few of them, but Kalen could roughly sense their positions, so it didn’t take long.

Once the assassins were all gathered in one place, things that weren’t visible before began to appear.

Especially the girl called Besmi, who looked younger than Kalen.

And another girl who was comforting her.

Most of them were young.

If they weren’t assassins, they’d be preparing to debut into high society.

And they were the same as the previous assassin.

They didn’t seem like assassins who had been captured by an enemy, but were rather fragile-hearted.

Especially that girl, Besmi, looked like she was about to burst into tears.

Not assassins, then.

But if not, their stances were undeniably those of trained individuals.

Threatening enough to kill.

Kallen paused, considering, then approached the sniffling girl.

Immediately, the older boys, some looking about Kallen’s age, surrounded Vesmi with their hands tied behind their backs.

“Just one question.”

“…There’s nothing to tell a monster.”

“Monster?”

“…Yeah. You’re a monster.”

Kallen tilted his head, confused by the words. “Why am I a monster?”

“You have to ask? You’re about our age and so strong. And using magic from places we can’t even see…!”

Eyes glaring at Kallen.

Not hatred or disgust, but pure injustice.

And at the same time, they were protecting the girls they were shielding behind them.

Kallen calmly received their gaze, pondered, then nodded.

“Then I’ll ask you.”

“…What?”

“Anyone can answer my question, just answer it.”

“…”

Kallen completely crouched down, lowering himself to the boys’ eye level.

“Why are you crying?”

Such a casual question.

The person Kallen pointed to was Vesmi, who was crying.

*

Vesmi’s brother, Beln, was momentarily stunned.

He had heard enough about the fate of captives of the enemy, drilled into him by the ‘training’ of Flavre Lyle.

He was taught to kill himself before revealing the truth under such horrific torture.

But.

Beln didn’t want to die.

It wasn’t just Nadil hyung, or his younger sister Besmi, but all the siblings who had endured ‘training’ together.

If they were meant to die anyway, they would have given up when they were abandoned by their parents, starving and rolling around in the streets.

Maybe it was even more so because they had found a new family.

Taken in by Flavor Lyle, enduring that grueling and painful training together.

The siblings, called ‘children’, had become a family to each other.

Even if they were to escape Flavor Lyle someday and return to a life of hunger.

They felt it wouldn’t be as harrowing as before if they were together.

So, they wanted to live.

Raised as assassins, but having come to know what was precious, survival was paramount for this family.

For that reason, Beln didn’t immediately comprehend what the boy his age had asked.

Why are you crying?

That wasn’t a question to ask a captive.

Who are you, what is your purpose, I’ll cut off your fingers one by one if you don’t answer, things like that.

Those scary, terrifying questions were what was expected.

But the boy.

The boy named Calen, who was their target, had only asked why his younger sister was crying, with an intonation that was purely curious.

Belne was half-dumbfounded, and unconsciously questioned back.

“…Why, are you crying…? Isn’t it more important to ask who we are first…?”

“Hmm.”

Calen rested his arms on his bent knees, supporting his chin with his palm.

Repeating the same thing was a hassle.

“I roughly know. And there’s someone over there who can explain it separately.”

“…”

“You guys, you’re assassins, right?”

Beln felt a slight chill run down his spine.

The voice was nonchalant, yet impossible to refuse.

Like those dark eyes were piercing through Beln himself.

As Beln swallowed dryly at Calen’s gaze, Calen continued.

“…Okay. It was just something I was curious about. It’s not like I need to know.”

Calen nodded indifferently.

Seeing that, Belen understood Kalen even less.

The boy possessed such power.

They were already combat-incapacitated before they even began their assassination.

If Kalen arrived here unscathed, then his brother Nadil must have fallen as well.

So, if one desired something, obtaining it by force wasn’t unreasonable.

But Kalen hadn’t done that.

Somehow, that sight stirred many thoughts in Belen.

Watching Kalen rise, the first thing Belen recalled was his younger sibling, Besmi, being harshly scolded by Flabber Lyle.

Being naturally frail, they had particular trouble keeping up with training.

If Belen hadn’t helped them, they probably would have…

Ended up like the other kids who failed to complete their education.

That chilling thought flashed through his mind.

Belen muttered without realizing it.

“Ah, if we tell…”

“…”

His voice was so quiet, he didn’t even realize he’d spoken, but

it echoed in the silent alleyway, loud enough for Kalen to hear.

“Can you… can you help us…?”

The captured assassin asks a counter-question.

It’s preposterous.

Assassins are those who attack to eliminate their target in the first place.

Having tried to take the life of their target, they must accept the opposite if captured.

Therefore, Belen originally had no right to make any offer.

They had been defeated by Kalen; they were merely failed assassins.

What Belen relied on was the image Kalen had shown.

He hadn’t used his power to forcibly threaten his brothers and sisters.

The ice spear also avoided their vitals, and even binding their hands was a kind treatment for captured assassins.

Above all, there was that gaze that seemed to see right through him.

If only Kalen could recognize their true feelings.

“What.”

“…We’re assassins, trained under Flavel Ryle.”

“…”

“Flavel Ryle takes in orphans and makes them his limbs. It’s called ‘training’, but it’s closer to torture. Only those who endure it survive.”

Flavel Ryle is a monstrous man.

Devoid of any compassion, even using his blood family for profit.

That might have built the Ryle Merchant Group, but for them, it was a living hell.

“…We won’t deny that we were targeting you. But… if we hadn’t, we would’ve all been abandoned.”

And that ‘abandoned’ doesn’t just mean being left behind.

Kalen could vaguely understand that.

“None of us truly follow Flavel Ryle. We’re all… just terrified. If we don’t, we’re as good as dead.”

Flavel Ryle does not let those who fail their mission go unscathed.

Even if they somehow return unharmed after failing, he’ll surely get rid of them.

He doesn’t trust anyone.

Even if Beln hasn’t divulged anything, what Flavel believes is another matter.

So, if he goes back, he might as well just die quietly.

In that case, wouldn’t taking a chance on this new hope be better?

Considering this was enough of a reason, Beln took a breath and spoke seriously.

“The reason Bethmi cried… was out of fear. Even at this moment, Flavel Ryle is gathering more orphans. Our worth is no more than tools to be used until they break. Nothing more, nothing less.”

He’ll just make more.

Expendables, always replaceable.

Nadil wouldn’t be much different.

“So… Please help us. I beg you.”

With his hands tied behind his back, Beln bowed his head.

His forehead couldn’t touch the ground due to his position, but if his hands were free, he surely would have done so.

“B-Beln.”

“Dieta. We have no choice. If we go back, we’ll die. You know that too.”

Then the boys who were anxiously watching from the side spoke up.

They were also greatly shocked by Beln’s actions.

Beln was the one who rebelled most against Flavel Ryle amongst his siblings.

If judged solely on conviction, he might be even more resolute than Nadil.

Then Beln lowered his head.

“…”

Beln, head bowed.

They call to him, but the boys don’t try to stop him, as if they trust his decision.

Even the girls behind them seem to lean on these boys for support.

Kalen watched the scene unfold.

For some reason, it didn’t feel entirely unfamiliar.

Was it because they were all orphans?

Or because he understood their desire to live, even if they had to scrape by on the streets?

They didn’t have a mentor figure like him.

It was as if a miracle had failed them; instead of Blamia, they had encountered Flavur.

They were similar to Kalen, yet fundamentally different.

If fate had been less kind, could one of them have been Kalen’s own future?

Kalen closed his eyes at that thought.

Just as one of those watching Kalen swallowed hard,

Kalen opened his eyes and rose to his feet.

An ice spear had formed in one of his hands.

As everyone stared at it, puzzled, Kalen released Beln from his restraints.

He then handed over the ice spear and said,

“Prove it.”

“Prove…?”

“I know your situation. I know you have painful pasts. But you’re not the only ones. That noble lady over there, and I, too. Everyone carries a painful past.”

As Beln took the ice spear, Kalen continued, his expression still indifferent.

“One thing is missing. Proof that this, too, isn’t a trap.”

“…”

“I’ll help you. But you have to be the one to start. Throw it at Flavur yourself. If you don’t start, I’m just going to do my own thing and leave.”

The ice spear was cold, yet at the same time, warm.

Was this some magic trick?

Beln, who hadn’t learned magic, couldn’t be sure.

“If you can’t do it, any of you is fine. By attacking Flavur, you’ll prove you aren’t on the same side. If you understand, then stand up.”

“…”

Bellen stared down at the ice spear for a long while.

The extent of his rebellion against Flever had only ever reached the level of a curt reply.

To directly attack him was something he’d never even considered.

But Calen was telling him to do it.

Whether he attacked him or not, the result would be the same anyway.

Then, it was only natural that Bellen himself should take responsibility for the words he’d spoken.

Bellen rose, still clutching the ice spear.

“Thank you. Sincerely.”

Calen’s expression, as he nodded, remained indifferent.