I Became the Main Character’s Demon Sword

50

The atmosphere flowing between them was precarious, and also peculiar in a way. Dionel felt slightly suffocated, wedged between the two after a very long time.

“…Are you leaving immediately tomorrow?”

His effort to change the subject was admirable. Of course, it was also a question he had wanted to ask for a while. Arpel held back his words as if deferring the answer to Rohan, and Rohan nodded with a smile. He was still firmly holding Arpel’s hand.

A subtle regret flashed across Dionel’s face upon hearing the confirmation. From age 12 to just turning 20, throughout that long time spent in the temple, it was naturally Arpel who had been by Rohan’s side the longest.

And excluding him, the person who had spent the next longest time with Rohan would be Dionel.

Apart from the affection built through their time together, his sense of guilt was not insignificant. It was unavoidable given their skewed first meeting and the temple’s involvement in their misfortune.

That’s why he had a strong desire to be of even a small help. Perhaps it was because he had a feeling that he might not see them often in the future.

“When you two first set foot in the temple, I committed a discourtesy.”

“That’s alright.”

“But it’s still true.”

Rohan’s distrust and wariness of Dionel only lasted when he was very young. He still didn’t trust the other priests, but Dionel was different. As they spent more time together, Rohan realized that Dionel’s actions were another form of atonement.

In his hand, which he had pulled out from his wide sleeve, was a ring. The embedded purple gem looked familiar.

“The artifact you had was broken due to our attack back then. Please accept this as an apology for that time.”

Although the artifact that had been broken long ago was a bracelet, Rohan accepted the ring without any particular question. It was because it looked quite similar to the holy artifact Arpel was wearing. At a glance, it looked so similar that one might think they were a pair of rings.

Rohan had once received a ring as a gift from Arpel, but as it was fitted for his childhood finger size, it naturally became too small as he grew older. After nearly getting stuck on his finger, the small ring had become the first occupant of Rohan’s treasure box.

His hand was careful as he fiddled with the newly received ring. Since he wouldn’t grow any further, this ring wouldn’t end up in the box. His mood considerably improved as he glanced at Arpel’s ring at the corner of his vision.

“It’s a ring instead of a bracelet, and unlike before, it contains my magic… I hope that someday it will protect Rohan once more.”

Dionel glanced at Arpel and smiled. If Rohan were to receive a bracelet someday, it would be Arpel’s role, not his.

“…Yes. I gratefully accept it.”

Unlike when he was just a powerless child, Rohan had grown into a proper adult and had become stronger than most priests. Therefore, it was unlikely that he would face dangers like in the past.

Nevertheless, he didn’t return the ring. If it was the magic of none other than the High Priest, it might help him once someday… Perhaps he couldn’t refuse the pure goodwill that wanted to be of help.

That was the end of their conversation with Dionel. As if sensing the two’s plan to leave the temple early in the morning without notice, he bid them farewell, wishing them good fortune.

Time passed very quickly. Just by having meals, tidying up the room they had stayed in all along, and packing simple luggage, the sky had already darkened.

“Arpel? Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“…I should.”

It might be their last night in the temple. Despite having spent so many nights nonchalantly until now, Arpel hesitated for the first time before lying down on the same bed with Rohan.

Rohan, sitting on the bed and leaning slightly against the headboard, was no different from usual. Clearly, when their eyes met, a flood of emotions seeking affection would pour out like a waterfall, but his face remained calm.

He waited for Arpel’s touch with a neat smile. He was like a large dog wanting to be petted. Despite the hesitating reason, the moment he faced that sight, his body moved unconsciously.

‘…Is this okay?’

Lying in the same bed with someone who said they liked you, loved you. Even when he thought something was strange, when it came to Rohan, his thoughts became tangled again. When he came to his senses, he found his hand reflexively stroking him.

“Shall we leave early tomorrow morning?”

“…What about saying goodbye?”

“It’s okay if we don’t.”

The image of Leriana flashed in his mind only briefly. It was because the thought lingering in his mind evaporated as Rohan quickly grasped his hand that was touching his cheek, as if afraid it might leave, and leaned his head against it.

The affection pouring out without pause seemed to be shouting, ‘Please love me.’ If not for that, he might have believed that the face from that time, confessing love with an expression that looked like it might cry, was just a fleeting dream he had while dozing off.

But Arpel, who only imitates humans while essentially being a demon sword, never dozes off and never dreams. Knowing this fact well, he immediately discarded the random thought.

“Arpel, you know…”

Although the room light had been off for a long time, Rohan’s eyes were still twinkling. They seemed to glow faintly, and Arpel suddenly thought they looked like stars in the night sky.

“…Can we sleep holding hands?”

He was momentarily at a loss for words. The thought that things seemed no different from usual was quickly discarded. After all, he had never whispered a request to sleep holding hands before.

Amidst the suffocating affection, Arpel read a small desperation. That was what moved him.

“Alright.”

“Thank you.”

His face turned rosy. The dimpled cheeks, the gracefully curving corners of his eyes, the moving lips. All of these still exuded solid affection. Several questions welled up to the tip of his tongue. The long eyelashes that swayed with each blink urged Arpel on.

“…Why do you love me?”

It seemed to be an unexpected question, as the grip of their joined hands tightened. The face with downcast eyes darkened noticeably even in the darkness.

Soon, Rohan whispered.

“It’s a secret.”

“…What?”

“I won’t tell you.”

This time, the smile was quite playful. Arpel, who had been silently glaring at Rohan, finally dispelled his lingering attachment by lightly pinching his cheek. He didn’t want to force him to speak.

Arpel turned his head away and closed his eyes as if trying to sleep. He didn’t let go of the hand he was holding. It might have seemed insignificant to an observer, but for some reason, Rohan thought Arpel seemed a bit sulky. Although Arpel himself would deny it.

Hoping for a day when he could tell him the reasons why he couldn’t help but love him, Rohan also closed his eyes.

It was a peaceful night as always.

***

His mind was hazy. His head felt dull as if he was dreaming.

“So, I was wondering, are there any foods you dislike…”

“There’s nothing I particularly avoid.”

“Oh, is that so? Then you must enjoy everything! Actually, we recently discovered a tavern with really delicious food, and if you’re okay with it, Arpel-nim, maybe we could-“

An unidentifiable voice was heard, and Arpel answered mechanically. Despite the stiff reply devoid of emotion, the other person didn’t seem to mind much. Judging by the clapping, they seemed quite pleased.

Somehow his thoughts were interrupted. As he tried to awaken the sinking doubt, someone fell into his arms. With that, even the strand of doubt faded away.

“…Rohan?”

It was Rohan who had fallen into his arms. Feeling the small figure embracing him tightly as if not wanting to let go, Arpel picked him up.

“Let’s talk again next time.”

“Ah, wait…”

A disappointed voice was heard from behind, but it didn’t catch Arpel’s attention. As he repeatedly patted the child’s back rhythmically and stroked his head, the child’s lips moved.

“Are we going… with those men?”

Only after this question did Arpel somewhat recognize the current situation. So, right now, they were traveling with Rohan during the two-year grace period before going to the temple. Those people from earlier were clearly the attendants who had helped with their travel.

He had no idea why he had forgotten this important fact. The face of the man he had just been facing was hazily white, but he hadn’t been aware of this point.

As he picked up the child and approached the window, the sound of waves from afar was vivid. The sea-scented breeze seeped through the window gaps.

“No. That won’t happen. Shall we go eat something delicious for dinner today?”

“I want to eat fish.”

“Alright. Let’s go out together later.”

A dinner plan was made on the spot. The talk about the tavern with good food had long evaporated from his mind.

“Hey, Arpel.”

“Yes?”

“You’ll stay with me forever, right?”

His gaze suddenly turned downward. He tried to answer as usual, but for some reason, his lips wouldn’t part.

There was something strange about Rohan’s gaze. It was a look that didn’t suit a young child. It was a bit deeper, strongly desiring something… As soon as that thought struck, a sense of discomfort he hadn’t noticed before suddenly surged.

Rohan is not young. He had clearly grown up, and they had even fallen asleep holding hands. The scene he was seeing now must be just one of countless past moments. He couldn’t understand why he was suddenly seeing such a scene. Yet, he couldn’t take his eyes off the young Rohan.

“…Can’t you love only me?”

Has this… ever happened before?

Arpel, who had been dazedly trying to grasp the situation, hesitated. As their gazes met again, forgotten emotions poured out.

The emotions seeking affection and craving love seemed almost desperate. His chest felt tight with the parade of numerous emotions. It felt suffocating, but even that sensation was strange. Just as he slightly opened his mouth to answer, or to ask about the intention behind those words-

His vision suddenly flipped.

“…Ah.”

When he came to his senses, he was in bed. It was a dim dawn, noticeably brighter than when he had fallen asleep.

Did he dream?

He sat up in bed and retraced his memories.

Arpel had never dreamed before, and he had always thought that was natural. He knew all too well that his essence was that of a sword. Even if he had a clear sense of self, he believed it was impossible for him to dream as long as he was a sword.

But now, Arpel had dreamed. A dream of the days when Rohan was young, traveling here and there with the child.

“…Arpel? Can’t you sleep?”

A voice, clearly just woken up, was heard, probably sensing the rustling. Rohan was slightly frowning and rubbing his eyes with his hands.

“You’ll hurt your eyes doing that.”

Even in his confusion, he pulled Rohan’s hands away from his eyes. His gaze looking down at him was complex. The fact that he had dreamed for the first time, and that it happened on the day he contracted with Rohan, was busy muddling his thoughts.