A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 115

• Chapter 115 : Deirdre’s memories and attachment

[Now then, where should I start my story?] (Ciface)

[…I don’t mind if you tell me about it, but why have you been holding my hand this whole time?] (Seto)

[…Because you’re special.] (Ciface)

[I see. Let go.] (Seto)

[How cold of you…] (Ciface)

They were in Ciface’s laboratory.

A room specially made just for him, with the treasured grand library right next to it.

The air was filled with the scent of old paper, and even though it was daytime, the dimly lit space was illuminated by candlelight.

Seto sat in a chair, and Ciface sat right beside him.

The latter reluctantly let go of the former’s hand, then finally began to speak about Deirdre.

[Then, let’s talk about her. …Apparently, she lost her father on the battlefield when she was still a child.] (Ciface)

[Her father…?] (Seto)

[And he was killed—by a magic swordsman.] (Ciface)

Seto’s eyes widened for a brief moment.

Though there was no wind in the room, the candle flames flickered, casting eerie shadows that swayed ominously.

—How did her father’s death relate to Deirdre’s attitude toward Seto?

Leaning forward, Seto peered into Ciface’s face, listening intently.

[She harbored a deep hatred for the magic swordsman who killed her beloved father. Her efforts to one day kill that swordsman must have been unimaginable. However, as she continued honing her skills, it seems that her hatred extended to all the magic swordsmen in the world.] (Ciface)

So that’s how it was… Then, that means she hates me too… (Seto)

[However, fate had even greater suffering in store for her. A few days after she enrolled in this academy… But you already know what I’m referring to, don’t you?] (Ciface)

[She was found to have an aptitude for magic swords, right?] (Seto)

[Precisely. Fufufu, isn’t it ironic? After all that hatred she held for magic swordsmen, she ended up becoming one herself. I don’t know exactly how she obtained a magic sword after that, but three days later… She performed a “miracle.”] (Ciface)

[A miracle? You mean something like a magic sword release?] (Seto)

[In a way. That particular magic sword of hers is extremely difficult to handle. Yet, she mastered it in just one day, tracked down her nemesis on the second, and on the third, she successfully chopped his head off without sustaining a single injury.] (Ciface)

[What?] (Seto)

Seto shot to his feet.

Even with all the battle experience he had accumulated on the battlefield, he couldn’t hide his shock at Deirdre’s feat.

He himself had taken considerable time to fully wield his magic sword. It was not something one could master in just a day or two.

And yet, she had effortlessly tamed a notoriously difficult sword, found her target, and executed her revenge flawlessly on her very first mission.

It was, without a doubt, a miracle.

[Fufufu, you look surprised. As I suspected, you too are a magic swordsman.] (Ciface)

[You knew?] (Seto)

[Yes, from the very first time I saw you. …Ah, but don’t worry. I’m not a magic swordsman myself, nor do I have any intention of revealing your secret. Even without the aptitude for it, I possess the means to discern whether someone is a magic swordsman or not. …Forgive me, I seem to have gotten sidetracked. As an apology, allow me to share a little secret with you.] (Ciface)

[Huh?] (Seto)

[…The Sky-Forsaking Back-Sword Style—a martial art said to have originated from a distant island nation in the Far East. Does this name ring a bell?] (Ciface)

[No. Sorry, but I’m not particularly knowledgeable about martial arts.] (Seto)

[I see. My apologies. It seems she had been trained in this rather unique fighting style from a young age. While I can’t say for certain, it may have played a role in her abilities. …But one thing is clear—she is undeniably of an exceptionally high caliber as a magic swordswoman.] (Ciface)

[I see. Still, for someone who’s supposed to hate magic swordsmen, she went pretty easy on me. If her hatred was really that deep, I’d expect her to rip my tongue out the moment our eyes met.] (Seto)

[…That may be true. And that is precisely why her reaction is so fascinating.] (Ciface)

Ciface, too, was deeply intrigued by Deirdre’s reaction.

At the same time, Seto couldn’t help but be curious about her state of mind.

However, as he pondered whether it was appropriate to pry into the thoughts of someone who treated him so harshly, a knock came at the door.

[Come in.] (Ciface)

Ciface gave a short response, and with a polite “Excuse me” spoken in a female voice, this familiar character entered the room.

That’s… (Seto)

[……] (Deirdre)

It was Deirdre Fratel.

She fixed her gaze on Seto for a moment before stepping toward Ciface and handing him some documents.

[Much appreciated. Thank you for submitting them ahead of schedule.] (Ciface)

[I simply did what was expected of me as a student.] (Deirdre)

[Not every student is so diligent, you know. How about a cup of tea?] (Ciface)

[No, thank you. I need to return to the student council room immediately.] (Deirdre)

Deirdre glanced briefly at Seto.

It looked like a glare, but what lay behind that gaze was impossible to discern.

[By the way, Professor, what is he doing here? He is supposed to be Nashia Cryfano’s bodyguard. Do you have business with him?] (Deirdre)

[Yes, we were just having a most fascinating discussion.] (Ciface)

[What could you have been discussing about? He isn’t a mage.] (Deirdre)

[Oh my, is it really that strange for us to make small talk? It was nothing important, just a bit of idle conversation… Shall I return Seto to you?] (Ciface)

[…Yes, I would appreciate that. You, come with me.] (Deirdre)

Deirdre gave a polite bow and led Seto out of Ciface’s laboratory.

Left alone in the room, Ciface shuddered for a moment, struggling to contain his excitement as an eerie aura radiated from him.

[I investigated him the moment I first saw him… So it’s true. He really is the legendary child soldier… The magic swordsman of “Destruction and Storm.” Absolutely beautiful. …Ngghh!] (Ciface)

While Ciface indulged in his borderline fanatical admiration, Seto silently followed behind Deirdre.

Neither of them spoke a word, and only the quiet sunlight filtering through the hallway illuminated their path.

It had only felt like a short conversation in Ciface’s room, but some time had passed.

If she had been away from the student council room this long, it likely meant she had already finished her work.

Just as that thought crossed Seto’s mind, Deirdre suddenly came to a stop and turned to face him.

Seto instinctively straightened up, standing at attention like a soldier.

[You said your name is Seto, correct? Be honest with me—what exactly were you talking about with the professor?] (Deirdre)

[It was just small talk…] (Seto)

[Small talk? Even though you only arrived today? …It wasn’t about magic swords? That man’s entire demeanor changes when it comes to magic swords.] (Deirdre)

Deirdre seemed irritated, shifting her gaze outside the window and bouncing her leg impatiently.

Dealing with someone who was working themselves into a bad mood required caution.

Seto found it oddly ironic that his experiences as a child soldier were proving useful in a situation like this.

Still, there was no helping it—he had to adapt to the conversation.

[If you heard him talking about magic sword wielders, then naturally, you must have heard about me as well, didn’t you? Then you should understand—I despise magic sword wielders… And even more than that, I despise this cursed fate that turned me into one myself.] (Deirdre)

[So that’s why you’ve been irritated with me all this time.] (Seto)

[That’s part of it, but first and foremost, your attitude toward your superiors is disgraceful. …Though I suppose that no longer matters. More importantly…] (Deirdre)

The next moment—

[I don’t like you. I can tell… Despite having lived through a far more tragic life than mine, you still look happy… And that, more than anything, infuriates me.] (Deirdre)

With lightning-fast speed, she slammed Seto against the wall, pressing her right hand against the surface just a hair’s breadth from his face. It was only the second time in his life he’d experienced a wall slam.

Moreover, Deirdre was one of the taller women he’d ever met, so she loomed over him, making it impossible for Seto to move.

Her long, flowing hair danced around her, enveloping him with a subtly pleasant scent that filled his nostrils.

Yet the gaze from her dark, nearly impenetrable eyes was pure, blade-like murderous intent.

[????Say that you are unhappy.] (Deirdre)

[Huh?] (Seto)

[Say that you are unhappy, and that even now this fate is a curse. Declare it before me. Only then will I forgive all your previous insolence. …You and I belong to the same kind. You are a pitiful lamb, shackled by the cursed fate of being a magic swordsman from such a young age. Now, say it—Admit that, like me, you suffer, that you are in agony… Say it now!] (Deirdre)

The message was clear: speak, or be killed. 

The deadly glare and her expression—impassive as a Noh mask—spoke volumes. 

In that moment, she was consumed by an almost overwhelming desire to dominate.

Perhaps she felt some kind of sympathy for Seto, and in her own clumsy way, tried to establish a connection between them through the fact that they were both magic sword wielders.

Deirdre fully understood just how exceptional Seto was as a magic swordsman.

Even though he was younger than her, he already possessed a natural aptitude for wielding a magic sword. To her, that was nothing short of a nightmare.

She hated him, of course—But at the same time, a strange feeling, something close to sympathy, was welling up inside her.

A storm of contradictory emotions was pushing her into this reckless behavior.

—Surely, this boy must feel the same way I do.

From the way he spoke with Ciface and the way Deirdre reacted, Seto had a vague but clear sense of what she was trying to do.

And so, he rejected her completely.

[I don’t feel the need to curse my own life.] (Seto)

[Excuse me?] (Deirdre)

[Whether I’m a magic swordsman or whether I was raised as a soldier from a young age—it’s all part of my life. There’s nothing to deny.] (Seto)

Deirdre’s eyes widened, her expression frozen.

[Even if I am, as you say, a cursed existence… that doesn’t change what I need to do. I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for a friend who shares your misery, you should find someone else. I wouldn’t be the right friend for you.] (Seto)

His eyes were clear, unwavering. He met her gaze head-on, with neither pity nor resentment—just simple, resolute honesty.

Deirdre’s pupils contracted, trembling with rage and shock.

It was a battle fought without blades.

At that moment, Deirdre released him.

[…It seems I let myself get a little too heated. But still, you really are one insolent boy…] (Deirdre)

[As you can see, I have no manners. I’m not very bright, either.] (Seto)

Though tension still lingered in the air, Deirdre turned around, running a hand through her hair as if to compose herself.

Whether she had truly managed to suppress her emotions or was simply forcing herself to do so, Seto couldn’t tell.

At last, he could take a breath.

With one hand on his waist, he lowered his head and let out a sigh.

Honestly, that was even scarier than the Hydra back in Benjamin Village.

[We’re going back.] (Deirdre)

[Sure.] (Seto)

Once again, he followed after her.

But soon, she muttered something under her breath.

[I haven’t given up yet…] (Deirdre)

She had finally found someone similar to herself.

Her obsession was clear—Seto could feel it even in the silence.