After returning to the capital city of Erd we made our way to the Hunter’s Guild. Upon arriving and entering Guild Master Frost’s room I was met with a surprised look.

“Oh, you lived huh?”

Did this woman have no faith in me?! I really want to say something but something stops me. To my surprise, Stormglass actually backs me up.

“I’m as surprised as you are. He’s… quite capable. The magic art he used in our battle had to have been 4th tier at the lowest.”

Frost for the first time since I had met her was at a loss for words. Her normal coy and disinterested look was replaced with one of shock.

“4th tier?! Hmm, no wonder Craven has taken an interest in him.”

“My thoughts exactly. To think he would be able to find some unknown who was on par with us Knights of the Old Order. Master Craven really is something.”

I don’t like the fact they’re talking about me as if I’m not here but at least they’re saying nice things about me! Who knew being praised felt so good? Especially when it's from one person who used to hate your guts and the other who couldn’t have cared less before.

“Could he be a descendent or… just maybe…” Frosts muses to herself before trailing off and bringing up the topic of the S rank hunt we had come back from.

After discussing the events that had transpired and filling out some documents we left the guild behind, slightly richer than before. Well, at least I did, Stormglass denied any payment.

Apparently she does get paid what is essentially a salary working as a Knight of the Old Order so it’s not as if she’s pinched for cash but sometimes her chivalrous nature irks me. Or maybe I just feel bad for accepting the money.

I know I shouldn’t feel bad, I mean, I risked my life dammit! Well, probably not considering I’m undead but still! Then again, she has a way about her. She makes me want to be a better person.

Watching her walk down the cobblestone roads of the capital. The sun glinting over her golden armor. She’s the ideal of justice made manifest. Somehow, being beside her makes me feel so small.

“What is it?”

I hadn’t realized I had been staring at her this entire time. I quickly look away with embarrassment. Don’t tell me… I actually like her?! I even admire her?! Well, I can’t deny that.

Despite the way she treated me before, I've grown to like the pious knight in gold. No doubt there are characters in books I’ve read and anime that I’ve seen that embody her ideals in every way and those characters always tended to be my favorites. But somehow seeing how much my real self clashes with that ideal leaves me reflecting a bit.

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I’m nothing like that. I’m not brave. I’m not considerate. I’m not honorable. I only care about myself. All my life I’ve only ever had to care about myself. I’m selfish. I’m thoughtless. I’m… small.

She’s not like that. And I hate her for that. Not because I abhor those values of her, but because it makes me realize my own lack of those values.

She’s a lot like Marie in a way. I couldn’t understand where she was coming from but I think I’m starting to. When I see her I should apologize.

“Excuse me, it’s nothing.”

Before long we found ourselves at an intersection, where we were to soon part ways. The sky above had faded from crimson colors to a warm black as the full moon showed its face amongst the star dotted sky.

“Well, my inn is right over there. I’m sure Joseph and even Marie are waiting for me.”

“Of course. Thank you for helping with the hunting request. And… I am sorry for my hypocritical behavior.”

“No, I should be thanking you for allowing me to accompany you. Let’s just say we’re both hypocrites and leave it at that.”

Though I couldn’t tell from the helmet she was wearing, I could help but feel like she smiled in that moment.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

She extended her golden gauntlet. I, in turn, reached out my hand.

“Eh? You’re hand…”

Ahh! I just remembered I was supposed to tease her about letting that thing slip about being some kind of “descendent.” Not that I think of it, Frost mentioned something similar.

Look, I know I’ve grown to respect her but it doesn’t mean I can’t tease her every once in a while!

Wait.. she said something about my hand. Don’t tell me from shaking our hands she’s noticed my bony features!

Just as I quickly retract my hand and ready my escape plan something happens. The air around us changed. No, it’s as if the very atmosphere shifted.

A cold and dark energy filled every inch of the capital within an instant. The red mist from the previous night was everywhere around us. At that moment the people around began to collapse onto the ground. Not just them but even Stormglass.

“Oi?! Stormglass?!”

I bend down to assess the situation. I can hear her breathing heavily beneath the armor. Simply kneeling on the ground was taking every ounce of her power.

“W-What is this…? I feel… as if my life is being slowly… drained…”

“Are you okay?!”

“It seems the… council’s fears were correct… The killer was preparing an incredibly high tier magic…”

Stormglass attempts to bring herself but ultimately fails before nearly smashing back onto the ground.

“A magic art on this scale… shouldn’t be possible… ugh… but somehow you’re unaffected.”

Huh, that’s right. Everyone around us including Stormglass is on the ground writhing in pain yet I’m perfectly fine. Could it be due to my undead nature? She had mentioned something about her life being drained.

Stormglass continues to struggle to get up to no avail. She really is something. Despite her suffering she’s still trying to be the heroic knight. I think it’s time for me to finally step into my role as the hero of this story.

“Commander. I’ll take care of this. You stay here. I fear that if you struggle so much it may prove troublesome.”

“I… I know. You’re right.” She’s silent for a moment. No doubt her pride is wounded a bit. “However, I won’t stop struggling… ugh… I guess… I’ll just have to catch up to you later.”

In her own way she’s giving me her blessing. I get up from my kneeling position and begin running.

It’s time to see if I can truly live out my power fantasy.