102 - Conflict
The sound of swords clashing echoed through the garrison. The ones fighting were Rei and Geel. It was not a battle with real blades. They were using training swords, though these were simply real swords with the edges blunted.
It was a training session between master and disciple for the first time in a while. It was the result of Geel, who had been starving for battle since arriving at the garrison, and Rei, who felt nostalgic for the training of the past that had ended halfway, coming to an agreement.
Though it was mere training, a tense atmosphere drifted around them. Neither Geel nor Rei held back just because it was practice. Even from the perspective of the Demon Race, though many were women and children, it was a gripping fight that made them feel suffocated. They continued to trade blows with an intensity that would have caused serious injury if a hit landed squarely.
"...I see. He is strong,"
the Dracul King muttered softly as he watched the fight.
"Which one are you referring to?"
Cecil asked upon hearing the mutter.
"The answer you seek is likely Rei-dono. However, the one I was thinking of is Geel."
"I see."
Cecil let her dissatisfaction show openly on her face. As the Dracul King had guessed, she had been seeking the answer "Rei."
"I could guess Rei-dono's strength to some extent. After all, he has that magical power. But I do not feel any strength of magical power from Geel. Even so, I felt there was something that made him seem strong."
For the Demon Race, sensing an opponent's magical power is easy. And it is common knowledge among the Demon Race that the strength of one's magical power equals their individual strength. Rei, however, was an exception, his power could not be fully measured at first. The Dracul King had learned this previously after seeing Rei emit a vast amount of magical power before his eyes.
"...It is technique and intuition,"
Cecil said. Although she knew nothing of the sword, she knew Geel. In the Laurel Kingdom, she had watched the state of his training with Rei for a long time.
"Technique, huh... You're right. That may be something the Demon Race cannot measure."
Improving one's technique. This concept basically does not exist among the Demon Race. They believe that the magical power one is born with determines strength or weakness. Since they do not know technique, there is no way they could discern it.
"Is that true for magic as well?"
"The handling of magical power is something we possess from birth. There is no need to learn it."
"Do you not think to make it more efficient?"
"...If I were to say that I don't think it's inefficient, I wonder if Rei-dono would get angry?"
The Dracul King knew that Rei was a man of effort. Considering how such a person would perceive the Demon Race's way of thinking, he knew it would be nothing good.
"...Is it not arrogant of you to think he would get angry?"
"Arrogant?"
"Rei has not accepted you all enough to direct such emotions toward you. I believe he is more in the state of 'do as you please.'"
"That is... Cecil-dono is harsh. However, you are correct."
The Dracul King felt anger at being called arrogant, but he was convinced by the following words. Anger is something done because one has feelings for the other person. Rei was still in a state very close to indifference toward the Vampio race.
"...What do you think, Cecil-dono? What do you think is necessary for us to gain Rei-dono's trust?"
"Do you not know unless you ask me?"
"That is also harsh. But miserably, I do not know. I want you to tell me."
The Dracul King asked Cecil with a bitter smile. The faces of the Vampio people listening around them were bitter, devoid of any smiles. The feeling that a human girl was being rude to the King was clearly evident.
"A reward is something you receive back as a result of giving something. The Vampio race has given nothing to Rei. In that case, are you not simply seeking selfless service?"
"I see. However, we are not even given that opportunity."
Cooperating with Rei was exactly what the Dracul King desired. But there was no such opportunity. That was how the Dracul King viewed it.
"...I might make the people around us even angrier, but is that alright?"
Cecil had noticed the reaction of the surrounding Vampio. She was not that oblivious. Still, she spoke harshly because she wanted to make those Vampio understand. That things could not continue like this.
"...I do not mind."
The Dracul King noticed that as well. That was why he was being humble toward Cecil.
"Do the Vampio resent Rei-sama? Or are they grateful?"
"Is that... regarding my family?"
"Yes. Rei-sama killed the Dracul King's family. I believe Rei-sama is only listening to the Dracul King's words because he feels a need to make amends for that. Now, what about you all? Do you feel that this is only natural?"
"...Honestly, I had never thought about it. No, if asked if I resent him, the answer is no. I intended to be grateful. But... I did not think that I owed him a debt."
He felt no resentment toward Rei for killing his wife, Kamiira, and daughter, Rui. He knew it was something Rei did for their sake, and he knew that Rei had been terribly wounded by it. He knew that Rei was risking his life to realize the revenge for those two. However, he had not felt gratitude for it. He had not even considered such a thing.
"Allow me to say this, knowing it is rude, but to me, the Vampio race seems like nothing more than ingrates. Rei saved your family, King. Even at the cost of wounding his own heart. He is trying to spend his entire life making amends for it."
"............"
He did not think it was rude. Cecil's words caused pain in the Dracul King's heart, but that was because he realized his own foolishness.
"And yet, you all demand cooperation unilaterally without thanking him for it. I cannot understand the nerves of those who can do such a thing."
"............"
"If that is the common sense of the Demon Race, then for the first time in my life, I am glad that I am part of the Human Race."
At Cecil's harsh words, the Dracul King became unable to say anything. He felt he must deny it, but when he considered the reality, Cecil's words spoke the truth. Even if he said he hadn't thought about it, he could not deny the fact that it was so. The garrison fell into a deep silence. Before they knew it, the sound of clashing swords had also vanished.
"Cecil-san. That is wrong."
"Rei-sama..."
"Cecil-san. Telling someone to be grateful for those two is seeking a reward. I do not desire such a thing. I have never even thought about it."
"But..."
As Rei said, Cecil also thought that speaking as if those two were a debt of gratitude was wrong. But even so, she wanted to complain about the attitude of the Vampio.
"The matter of Kamiira-san, Rui, and Kara-chan is a problem between me and those three. It has nothing to do with the Vampio race, nor with you, Cecil-san."
"...I-I'm sorry. I..."
It was not something she should have spoken of so lightly. Moreover, she should not have used it as leverage. Sensing Rei's anger, Cecil looked terribly depressed. Without calling out to Geel, who had been his training partner, Rei headed toward his room. That attitude made the strength of Rei's anger clear to those around him. Silence spread through the area. The one to break that silence was Cecil, who should have been the most depressed. She ran toward Rei's room.
"...I see. So that kind of strength is necessary to stay with that bastard Rei,"
Geel muttered, watching the scene. While it was natural to apologize to be forgiven, Geel was impressed by the strength of heart required to immediately chase after someone she had just angered.
"You all are completely different."
Those words were directed at the Dracul King. Those who could not take action even after being told all that by Cecil could not stay by Rei's side. Those words carried that meaning as well.
"...I am simply making sure not to get in the way of those two."
"What a funny excuse."
"I am serious. I have decided to follow Rei-dono. I owe a debt for my family being saved. Not as the King of the Vampio, but as Aldear Vad Dracul the individual, I intend to cooperate with him."
"'' 'King?!' ''"
The Vampio people were shocked by the Dracul King's statement. Even if he said "as an individual," it did not change the fact that he was the King of the Vampio. Moreover, this was different from the cooperation he had sought until now. The King of the Vampio was saying he would follow Rei.
"It is as I said. This is a personal matter. You may act freely according to your own judgment."
"But!"
"If the fact that I am King is the problem, then someone else may take my place. I have chosen to repay the debt as an individual over being King. Such a person is likely unfit to be King."
The Dracul King went as far as to say he would step down from the throne. No one spoke up to say they would take his place. The next king was already decided. However, that person was...
"Rei is like a brother-in-law to me, after all. Naturally, I will also cooperate with Rei."
"'' 'Kai-sama?!' ''"
It should have been predictable, but the Vampio people still cried out. If both the Dracul King and his son, Kai, abandoned the throne, they would not know what to do moving forward.
"If you are concerned about bloodlines, you may let my younger brother succeed me. The one with the succession right next to Kai is my younger brother."
"But, even if Radura-sama, the King's younger brother, were to take the throne... well..."
"What is it?"
"There is a possibility that the Vampio race may be split in two."
The Dracul King had told them to act freely. In response to that, there were likely many who would want to follow him. The Dracul King did not reign as the King of the Vampio based on bloodline alone.
"...I see. Then, let's do this. After I step down from the throne, everyone shall support my younger brother. This is my final order as King."
"............"
They could not bring themselves to say they understood. The one who warned that the Vampio race might split was one of those who felt strong loyalty toward the Dracul King. He was one of those who would consider following him even if it meant leaving the Vampio race.
"I leave the rest to you."
Without waiting for a reply from his subjects, the Dracul King left the area. He had already decided. There was nothing that would shake that resolve.
"...Was this really for the best?"
Among the people staring blankly, only Kai asked the question with a smile on his face.
"Are you asking me?"
"Yes. The Vampio race does not break promises. Rei will come to possess an even greater power. Thanks in part to his master."
As long as he did not give up on revenge, Rei's power was a threat to the Laurel Kingdom. Kai wondered why Geel had taken actions that would increase Rei's power.
"Aren't there only two of you following him for now?"
"Uncle Radura is not the kind of person to be happy about the throne. Moreover, there is no way he would accept the position while Father is still alive."
"...That's a surprisingly good set of brothers for royalty, isn't it?"
It was common for brothers to fight over the throne. In the history of the Laurel Kingdom, there were cases where it didn't end with secret struggles but developed into civil wars. However, Geel wasn't talking about such facts, it was just a sarcastic remark.
"Is that so? I only know the relationship between my father and uncle."
Such indirect sarcasm did not work on Kai.
"...It's not that I particularly want Rei to have power. I just want the number of people around him whom he can trust from the bottom of his heart to increase."
"That is a difficult task. But... I'm sure it will happen."
"Is the brat pretending to be a prophet?"
"No. I just know. Many people have been saved by Rei. In the future, even more people will be saved. We, the demons, will never forget that debt."
"...Are you an idiot? That way of speaking is exactly what pretending to be a prophet is."
Kai's words resonated in his heart. To hide that surprise, Geel spoke these words.
"Then, what does Master think? Don't you think Rei will save many people?"
Kai had not the slightest intention of prophesying. As he put it into words, it wasn't exactly that he knew Rei was such a person, but that he believed it.
"...If possible, I'd prefer those 'people' to only be demons."
"Ah, from Master's position, that makes sense."
"...I've been wondering for a while, why do you call me Master?"
"Eh? Because Rei is my master, so Geel-san, who is Rei's master, is also a master, right? Or in this case, should I call you Grandmaster?"
"I'm not being called that. And I don't remember permitting you to become my disciple."
Geel intentionally made a sour face at the innocently speaking Kai, denying that he was his master.
"Then, permit me now. And let's continue. After watching the bout with Rei, I wanted to do it too."
But such an attitude did not work on Kai either. Kai was not misled by the impression of his appearance. No feeling of rejection was being transmitted from Geel at all.
"...It's a sword bout, you know?"
Geel showed his intent to refuse with such a half-hearted phrase. It could also be heard as asking if a sword bout was alright. In fact, Kai took it that way.
"That's right. I want to become able to use a sword. I've been imitating Rei's, but it seems I won't be able to get stronger if I only imitate the form."
"No, it's fine to just imitate the form at first. However, it's a problem if you're doing it without knowing the meaning of the form."
And he even gave such advice.
"...I haven't been taught the meaning."
"Hah. That bastard, if he's going to teach, he should teach properly. So? What kind of forms were you taught?"
And so, the instruction began. In the end, Geel loved teaching people. Even if it was on the condition that the student had strong motivation and the aptitude and grit to keep up with his training. From that day on, the sight of Geel and Kai training could be seen at the garrison. A second disciple was born for Mad Sword Geel.
◇◇◇
The large bathhouse built at the garrison. In the beginning, only Rei and Cecil used the bathhouse, but now the demons also loved it. For the sake of the women, the bathhouse, which was originally open-air, was now surrounded by walls. Still, as for the roof, it did not cover everything but stopped at half, this was for Rei's convenience. It was to protect the time he spent idling while gazing at the night sky. Tonight as well, Rei was alone, soaking in the hot water and gazing at the night sky. Having heard the story of Kamiira and Rui during the day, he could not help but seek this time.
To others, it might look like he was just idling. In reality, it was time to recall memories of Kamiira and Rui, the moment of their death, and strengthen his desire for revenge. It was also time to steel his resolve for death.
"...I'm sorry. I'll disturb you for a moment."
"Eh?"
Rei was surprised by the sudden words. The person who had spoken was Barbari, who appeared.
"It's not in a strange sense."
"I wouldn't misunderstand it as such."
"Do you think so? You have two beautiful girls with you, so you must be popular, right?"
She was referring to Cecil and Hinata. Hinata rarely came outside. The demons did not know what happened inside the buildings. Not a few people thought both were Rei's lovers. Barbari, however, did not.
"That's not it. One is just a servant."
"Is that so? If that's the case, it's the black-haired one."
"...Even though you already know."
Hinata had been brought by Cecil. As Rei's servant. Barbari had heard this directly from Cecil.
"I'm sorry. I thought I would loosen your mood a bit."
"...Which means it's a conversation that requires that, right?"
A conversation heavier than he had imagined. Realizing that, Rei became more nervous.
"Yes... we feel gratitude toward you. We believe our lives were saved by you."
"You're exaggerating. It just so happened that the place I fled to was here."
"Such modesty is not necessary today. It will only hinder the conversation."
"It's not modesty, but I understand. Assuming that, what is it?"
Rei was also troubled if the conversation didn't progress. He wanted the time of tension to end as quickly as possible.
"A debt received must be repaid. If our lives were saved, we repay with our lives. That is our feeling. I want you to accept this."
"...Are you telling me to take charge of your lives?"
"Using the word 'take charge' makes it sound like I'm imposing responsibility on you. Rather, I'm saying please use them freely."
Barbari and the others had already essentially entrusted their lives to Rei. By leaving everything to Rei, they were being protected. But that was not enough. Thinking so, Barbari had come to talk.
"...I don't feel that is necessary."
"You might feel that way. That's why this is our own selfish desire. That's why I'm asking you to accept it."
She knew Rei would not accept it easily. This was like a forced sale.
"Why? You all came here to flee because you didn't want to die. Why would you say something like throwing away your lives?"
Rei did not understand the feelings of Barbari and the others. Feeling gratitude for being saved, he understood that. But there was no point in throwing away their lives to repay that gratitude.
"We don't want you to die."
"...And why is that?"
"Why... you will save many people in the future. If you die, the people who would have been saved will no longer be saved."
"That is overestimating me. I am not that kind of person."
"...That may be true. I only thought of it because you asked why, in reality, such things don't matter. There is no real reason. I just don't want you to die. That's all."
"............"
If there were words to return, they would also be "Why." That would not move the conversation forward. Though it wouldn't move forward even if he stayed silent.
"We, including the children, like you. If you leave us, everyone will be hurt. If you die, everyone will be sad. That's why we want you to stay with us forever."
"...I... I resent the Demon King."
Barbari's words made him happy. That was exactly why Rei felt he had to speak.
"I know."
"I am thinking of taking revenge on the Demon King."
"I know that too."
"I know as well. The Demon King is your husband, isn't he?"
Rei was trying to kill the person Barbari loved. He believed that such a person could not possibly accept Barbari's feelings.
"...That's not accurate. Ex-husband. When I went to war, I severed ties with him."
"That... wasn't a bad breakup, was it?"
"Well, it was."
When going to war, one must be prepared for death. To keep waiting for a husband who might never return. In the Ryan race, that is not considered a beautiful story. They are expected to marry a new husband and have children. This was not limited to the Ryan race. To prevent the species from dying out, if one person decreased, they would increase by one. It was a thought that had emerged among the cornered demons.
"Barbari-san, you are trying to suppress your own feelings for the sake of everyone."
"No. That's not it."
"Then, what is it?"
"...I want you to give up on revenge. I want you to believe me, but I'm saying this not only for my husband's sake, but because I believe it's for your own good."
"...I believe that. But I have no intention of giving up on revenge."
Geel said the same thing as Barbari. Rei knew that he wasn't saying it only for the sake of the Laurel Kingdom.
"...I think this is very cowardly. But let me say it. Do you think the two people you saved would want you to die for the sake of your own revenge?"
"It is certainly cowardly."
They wouldn't want that. They would tell him to live. Rei knew that too. Revenge was not for those two. It was for himself.
"I want you to think about it. Whether revenge is the reason you were born into this world. We believe it is not."
"............"
"We will be waiting. Even if it becomes a burden to you. If it becomes the trigger for you to find a goal to live for, I don't care how much you complain."
After saying this last, Barbari left the large bathhouse.
"...I feel like I'm getting lightheaded,"
Rei muttered once her back was out of sight. It was true that he felt lightheaded. As long as Barbari was there, he couldn't get out of the bath. However, while letting out such a mutter, Rei remained soaking in the water, looking up at the sky.
(...Hey)
(What is it?)
(If this revenge is for your own sake, you don't have to force yourself.)
The desire for revenge was stronger in Rei. That was what Kamui thought. It wasn't because Rei was cold-hearted. Having had his heart wounded for so long, Rei had developed a tolerance. That was all.
(...Idiot. Your feelings for Rui might be stronger, but I'm not losing to you in feelings for Kamiira-san.)
(That's not the point.)
(...If I live, what remains? I have survived until now by killing people. It will only increase the number of people who become unhappy.)
(...Why not try and find out?)
(I cannot find out.)
That was a result of living. He didn't call that "finding out." If, as a result, he caused those close to him to die again, it would be irreversible. That was what Rei thought, but...
(You might be able to.)
(I can't.)
(Just go see Princess Ekaterina. Then find out if she is unhappy.)
(............)
She was bound to be unhappy. But Rei suppressed that thought. She might be living happily. While thinking it was impossible, he hoped for it.
(Well, the conclusion doesn't have to be now. Just think about it a bit.)
(...Even you're giving me homework?)
(Worry, worry. This experience will make you stronger. You will still become stronger. That's how it is.)
Rei had gained mental strength. But that was something he acquired by shutting himself inside. Perhaps that was not enough. True strength might only be obtained by turning one's heart outward. Even if it meant being terribly wounded again. That was what Kamui thought.