The Arrow of Destiny Cuts Through the Night

#62

The blue sky appeared and disappeared between strands of Kain Starchis’s snow-white hair as he rode on horseback. Unlike his initial reluctance, Kain Starchis’s horsemanship was exceptional. It seemed to be a skill born purely from Kain Starchis’s own experience rather than from textbooks or lessons.

The bow and quiver on his back didn’t shake at all while the horse was running, perhaps in preparation for any situation.

Since Jersian Gerold was young, his horsemanship was rumored to be outstanding not only within the Gerold family but throughout the entire empire. Even his riding instructor surrendered after a few days of lessons, saying there was nothing more to teach. The horse he was riding now had been with Jersian since then.

Perhaps due to their long companionship, the horse now moved in the direction Jersian thought of without needing guidance from above. Kain was riding at a speed similar to Jersian’s horse. And this was on rough terrain, not ground prepared for horseback riding.

For a while, they both rode in silence, following a bird flying overhead.

“…”

Jersian looked at Kain, who was keeping pace beside him, his beautiful white hair fluttering in the wind.

Since meeting Kain, Jersian occasionally wondered if this was what a “destined partner” meant, as Kain had told him. Of course, he had never said this directly to Kain. He didn’t think it was particularly important, and he assumed Kain Starchis would think the same.

There were several reasons why Jersian concluded that he and Kain could be “destined” for each other.

First, he never lies. Even if everyone else in the world lied, Kain Starchis would never lie to him. This point was more important to Jersian than anything else in the world.

Until now, all of Jersian’s precious people had lied to him for a long time. He had foolishly believed the words of his mother and Marchioness Elmerila. He didn’t regret that entire period or hate them for it. But Jersian was now sick and tired of lies.

Secondly, there was the lukewarm feeling that bloomed when he was with him. It was very faint, but like a single raindrop falling on a calm lake, it created a big ripple in Jersian’s heart. In other words, he surprisingly felt that he might like men.

He himself had never known this would happen. Kain Starchis was the first being Jersian could rely on without measuring against anything else. Was it an emotion created from that aspect? He pondered alone but couldn’t find a reason why he felt this way no matter how much he thought about it.

The last reason was surprisingly simple.

Just… Kain Starchis’s face perfectly matched Jersian’s taste, which he didn’t even know he had. His cold face that showed no interest in others, and then the slow, blooming smile that appeared when their eyes met. And what about that cloud-like, long white hair? And those eyelashes that matched it? Beneath those full lashes were emerald-green eyes, as if emeralds had been set in them. Their light captivated people’s gaze in an extraordinary way. Of course, that snow-white hair played a part too. Though he himself seemed completely unaware of it.

Piii-!

While Jersian was lost in thought about Kain, the bird flying above their heads caught his eye as it circled around, drawing a circle in the air.

“It says we’ve arrived,” Kain said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

“Here?” Jersian immediately pulled the reins slightly, stopping his horse. His gaze was fixed on a large castle in the distance. Considering the direction and path they had traveled, it was easy to deduce whose territory this was.

“…It’s within the expected range, but I thought this was the least likely place.”

“That emblem, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before,” Kain said, looking at the flags fluttering in a row at the top of the castle walls surrounding the large castle before them.

“It’s the imperial emblem.”

“Ah, is this castle the famous imperial palace?”

It’s quite modest for what I expected.

Jersian immediately corrected Kain’s misunderstanding.

“It’s not the main palace. This is the castle where the Fifth Prince resides.”

Bellier Castle. He had heard that Ernis Claude was currently staying at a place close to the Marquis’s estate. But he never expected that the one communicating with someone at the Gerold mansion via carrier bird would be the 5th Prince himself. Jersian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

The Fifth Prince meant he was fifth in line for the imperial succession. However, he was known to be particularly sickly and prone to frequent illnesses among his siblings. Because of this, although he was close to the line of succession, he had fewer supporters and followers compared to other successors. Cough, the scene of him coughing behind First Prince Kemirun at the engagement party came to mind.

‘No, that’s what I thought.’

Jersian thought to himself. Someone at the Gerold mansion was having secret conversations with the 5th Prince personally. This could also explain why the 5th Prince was recuperating in the imperial territory closest to the Marquis’s domain.

Pii-!

The carrier bird that had been circling above their heads suddenly flew over the high castle walls.

“Shall we follow it in right away?”

“…”

As much as he wanted to.

Jersian shook his head from side to side with a stern face.

“No. It’s enough that we’ve confirmed the location. Let’s head back now.”

Kain raised one eyebrow at this unexpected answer. Given Jersian’s usual temperament, he thought he would immediately infiltrate the castle to confirm exactly who the owner of that carrier bird was.

But Jersian turned his black horse around without any hesitation, pulling the reins sideways. Then he really started moving his horse back towards the Marquis’s territory. Kain looked at him with dissatisfaction before reluctantly following.

“…You’re not going to confirm it right away since we’re here?”

At those words, Jersian turned only his head back to meet Kain’s eyes and said,

“We can’t because you’re here.”

“…”

That’s precisely what he was displeased about. Kain’s brow furrowed.

“Why? You’ve seen my archery skills firsthand before. There’s probably no one more suitable for infiltration than me.”

“…”

Hmm, Jersian looked at Kain’s face for a moment before turning his head forward again and spoke. It was a conclusion based on his experience of moving the knight order until now.

“…I don’t think so.”

“…”

Then Jersian’s round head came into full view as he rode ahead. Sometimes it was completely incomprehensible what he was thinking with that small head. Kain glared slightly at his black hair and said,

“…I’ll try my best not to be a burden-“

“A burden? Don’t think unnecessarily. That’s not why I made this decision.”

At Jersian’s firm answer, Kain pressed his lips together as if to say ‘Then?’

He didn’t like it. He could give his life for his destined partner, but being openly rejected was disappointing. The disappointment was not directed at Jersian, but at himself for being useless.

For a while, neither of them spoke. It was because this was the first time they had exchanged words that resembled an argument. In the awkward atmosphere, only the sound of the two horses’ hooves hitting the ground could be heard: clop, clop.

Jersian, riding ahead, opened his mouth.

“…I know how good you are with a bow.”

Since his face was still facing forward, his expression wasn’t visible. As if sensing Kain’s feelings, the white horse he was riding quickly moved its four legs to take the spot right next to Jersian’s horse.

It was a position where he could see Jersian’s straight back, sharp eyes, and sharp nose bridge. Jersian’s red eyes briefly glanced at Kain’s horse that had come right beside him, then returned to their original position. Then he continued,

“But that’s precisely the problem. You’re not supposed to kill anything, right?”

“…”

Kain tilted his head slightly. Certainly, the power of the elves lies in the hands of the World Tree Galia. And that power lasts until the moment an elf kills something. But. Kain stared at Jersian’s slightly tense jaw.

“Sometimes you have to kill someone for the sake of a mission. It’s not something that suits you.”

Then he turned his head stubbornly and rode ahead. His straight back showed his determination not to continue the conversation.

Kain called his name.

“Jersian.”

“…”

“Jersian, look here.”

“…”

Despite Kain’s calls, Jersian stubbornly refused to turn his head to the side. His obstinate lips remained tightly closed.

Unable to do anything else, Kain opened his mouth while looking at Jersian’s profile. The power of the elves? That was nothing in front of a destined partner.

“…That’s not something you need to worry about, Jersian.”

Kain continued with the next sentence.

“Besides, rather than seeing my destined partner get hurt somewhere I don’t know about, I’d much prefer to get hurt myself. My body recovers much faster than yours, you know.”

That’s when it happened.

Jersian suddenly turned his head to meet Kain’s eyes. His red eyes were blazing as if they were on fire.

Huh? As Kain slightly pulled his head back, Jersian spoke with a fierce face, as if grinding his words:

“What? What did you just say?”