Chapter 24: Concern is the opposite of affection

A cold wind slid across the cheeks.

Rather than returning to the castle first, Nox seemed to have chosen to leap over the central courtyard and enter through the entrance in one go. Indeed, it was much faster that way.

The arm holding Viola was firm, and there was no doubt that she wouldn’t fall. With Viola in his arms, Nox flew with ease and considerable speed. After a moment of hesitation, Nox opened his mouth.

“Viola. I won’t take you.”

“In that case, where are you heading now?”

“My room. You can enter from outside. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

The arm enveloping Viola tightened.

“I won’t let you get hurt again.”

“So, you’re locking me away in a safe place?”

“Don’t say it like that. It’s for your sake. …Should I phrase it differently? I can’t focus on the battle with the hero when you’re around. So just stay quietly protected.”

Viola closed her slightly open mouth at those weighty words. She understood; she understood what Nox was trying to say. And she thought he was right.

However, she couldn’t bear to send Nox alone to a potentially deadly place. To be confined in that room alone, waiting anxiously for Nox’s safety, was something she absolutely, absolutely detested.

The words she had restrained escaped her lips.

“I don’t like it.”

“…Hey, Viola”

“I understand that I might be a hindrance when I’m around, so I promise I won’t interfere.”

As long as Nox wasn’t in danger, she added to her mind.

“Knowing Nox, you can probably use invisibility magic, right? It’s advanced light attribute magic, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know human magic theories.”

“Then you can use it, right?”

Nox sighed deeply.

“Do you think there’s magic I can’t use?”

“In that case, use it to keep me close. Leon….I won’t make a mistake that the hero will notice.”

“Do you want me to use unnecessary magic when I’m about to face the hero in battle?”

“For you, it’s probably such easy magic that you don’t even realize you’re using it.”

“I strongly declare that I won’t be confined to a safe place while Nox is fighting alone.”

“Completely unreasonable, don’t you understand? You’re being too selfish.”

“Humans are irrational creatures. Even if they know it’s wrong, there are things they can’t help but do.”

“…”

“Hey, Nox, understand. …Concern is the opposite of affection.”

Nox, who had been silent for a while, eventually tilted his body and changed his course. The pressure increased, and Viola’s body, which seemed to want to fly out, was held tightly.

Not saying anything was probably Nox’s way of responding, at least in part. However, in the end, he prioritized Viola’s will like this. That’s the kind of person he was.

Shortly afterward, there was a sensation of magic being cast all over her body. At the same time, Nox rapidly lowered his altitude.

Viola’s feet hit the ground. The hallway leading to the entrance is strangely the same place as that time. Nox supported Viola, who was about to fall, and immediately took off again.

Nox landed in the center of the entrance, and silently, his eyes became reddened. Sensing the presence from behind, Hero Leon turned his body and pointed his sword at Nox.

They were facing each other, but Viola gasped when she saw Leon’s figure.

“Fatigued” would be the right term. His blond hair was dull, and there was no vitality in his eyes. Viola, too, was at a loss for words at the sight of his wretched appearance, which hinted at the hardships of the journey.

―― “Viola, your meals are warm, huh.”

Spoken almost inadvertently, those words were from back then. The Leon from that time, with a gentle smile, seemed like a completely different person.

Nox seemed to have no intention of holding back. Without exchanging words, the sword was smoothly unsheathed and thrust forward without hesitation. Even a graze would likely be fatal—a quick and merciless heavy blow.

Just as the blow was about to reach Leon’s throat, the sword slipped from Leon’s hand.

a dry sound, like a clang.

Nox, who turned his gaze cautiously, stopped the incredibly fast slash for a moment, kicked the ground, and stepped back. He directed a suspicious look at Leon, who had dropped the sword. But soon, his eyes widened.

Leon kicked the dropped sword far away by himself. He threw the dagger that was stuck in his waist backward, discarded all magical tools, and even threw the potion bottle to the ground, shattering it. Completely defenseless, Leon, with a hoarse voice, pleaded with Nox.

“Can you let me pay respects at Viola’s grave afterward? You can kill me after that, torture me, or do whatever you want. Just for Viola… I want you to at least allow me to offer flowers to the Viola that I killed with my own hands.”

Surprised, Nox stared at Leon, who pleaded for mercy with a sorrowful expression. Viola was also taken aback.

There was no Viola’s grave. Viola was alive and well, and at least until now, she hadn’t died.

“Hero, is that really your purpose?”

“Yeah. If I can just talk to Viola for a moment, that’s enough.”

Nox, who seemed lost in thought, quickly shook his head as if he remembered something. He waved his hand, and something like a black thread emerged from the empty space, binding Leon tightly without any slack.

During this, Leon made no attempt to resist. With a perplexed look, Nox sent a puzzled glance at Viola, who was watching quietly.

“Demon King, please. Just for a moment, give me time. Just a moment to go to Viola’s grave.”

Completely turned towards Viola, Nox, with an indescribable smile, tilted his head. Seeing Viola’s expression, Nox let out a small sigh.

“Truly impressive, Hero. Even for me, or rather, precisely because it’s me, I hesitate to commit such merciless atrocities against a completely defenseless opponent.”

“If that’s the case!”

“But there’s one thing you’re misunderstanding. Decisively so.”

Nox waved his hand casually, and at the same time, a warm sensation ran through Viola’s body. The magic had been dispelled.

Seeing Viola suddenly appear in the corridor, Leon paused for a moment. After a beat, a gasping, ragged voice escaped his lips, and his unsteady legs gave way.

“Oh, Leon. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Not knowing how to approach the conversation and uttering a somewhat awkward greeting, Viola eventually put on a vague smile.