“This is the end of the report.”

With his back against the backrest, the colonel opened a small box and handed a cigar to Cassian. He didn’t seem to care when Cassian didn’t accept it, so he took a big breath and exhaled the cigar’s smoke through his nose.

“Yes, well done.”

Since he wasn’t allowed to leave his seat until his superior permitted him, Cassian stood there motionless and just stared at the colonel smoking his cigar. Smoke spread around the colonel when he turned his chair halfway and looked at the picture on the wall.

“As expected, Major Ricardo’s ability is better than I thought. Is Vicil alright?”

Having already retired, Vicil was no longer a member of the militia. Knowing that the colonel and Vicil were longtime comrades, Cassian reported about his father.

“Yes, he is.”

“I didn’t know that Vicil got hurt. We’re getting older. I heard that you almost went on a rampage, too. Well, the military camp was based in a crowded area so it made sense. I mean, news travels fast.”

“It wasn’t even a rampage. It was an accident. Thanks to my guide’s quick arrival, there was no major accident.”

It was better not to report that he had gone mad in the hallucinatory forest since it was just a trivial personal matter. One important rule in the military was to only report major important facts, such as how many people were injured and killed and if the operations were successful. However, it wasn’t surprising that news about him had entered the colonel’s ears even though Cassian came to see him as soon as he returned. It must have been the work of one of the Espers, who was wary of Cassian and was seeking the next colonel’s post.

“That’s good but it’s going to be noisy for a while. I’ll be called to the imperial palace. The people trying to bring you down seemed more determined this time.”

“I’m prepared.”

“I know. You should have been more careful.”

Smoke filled the interior of the office. ‘Shouldn’t he have been more careful?’ He thought after hearing his reprimand. It was his mistake to enter the forest of hallucinations to save the troops. Who knew what he would see there?

“Colonel.”

From the scattered smoke, Cassian felt as if he had returned from the hallucinatory forest and felt disgusted with himself. He couldn’t count how many times in his life he had wished that there was no monster inside him.  He had killed his own mother, hurt Yernia in the distant past, and even after the recent incident————

Esper. He hated that he was what someone had longed for. Everything was his fault.

“I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What request?” The colonel asked back after confirming that what he had just heard came from the mouth of an aristocratic subordinate who had never asked him for a favor.

“Just in case I become a rogue.”

Everyone would get hurt and die when he was around so it was stupid to prioritize Yernia’s safety in such a situation. Nevertheless, his desire to make it happen was suffocating. Barely parting his lips, a subdued voice came out. “If that happens, please utilize all of your manpower and… kill me. Quickly. Before it hurts my wife.”

He didn’t care what would happen if the monster inside him eventually got wild. That was entirely up to him. He just didn’t want Yernia to get hurt because of him anymore.

***

“Father.” Yernia examined Vicil’s complexion. He looked rather pale yet healthy. Still, she couldn’t help but be worried since he seriously injured himself recently on the battlefield. Vicil, who was recovering smoothly, didn’t know how to react when Yernia visited him a week after getting home from the battlefield. For the first time since her wife, Lily, died, he had gotten some attention.

“Yes, Yernia. I’ve told you many times, but I’m fine.”

Vicil thought about ways how to make her understand that he was alright. ‘I didn’t hate Yernia’s nosiness exactly but———’

He rested his chin in his hand and looked at his daughter-in-law. Originally, he wouldn’t have liked anyone popping into the office, but this time was an exception.

“Are you alright? Are you having a hard time after what Cassian did to you?”

“No, it was an accident.”

She didn’t tell Vicil about the stabbing and what happened in the forest of hallucinations, but somehow he seemed to know everything. It didn’t come as a surprise. She had already expected this discussion as there were many people on the battlefield.

“I heard this tea is good for recovering energy.”

She heard about Vicil’s condition from the doctor. He almost lost his life, but the doctor said he had returned to normal thanks to his monstrous resilience. Nevertheless, Yernia made tea after inquiring about tea leaves that were good for the body due to her concern.d if you need guidance——-”

“I’ll take care of that.”