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The monster subjugation mission turned into a demon subjugation mission in an instant.

Unlike regular monster subjugation missions, demon subjugation missions were far beyond the capabilities of ordinary cadets. Since demonic energy inherently corrodes living beings, the risk was too great for cadets who were still inexperienced in using mana.

The best course of action would have been for seasoned Colossal Mech Knights to handle the demon subjugation, but organizing and dispatching such a punitive force would take time.

In the meantime, there was a risk that the demons might escape from the Njor Mountains, so the cadet-led monster subjugation force had to take on the role of a demon subjugation force.

Fortunately, the academy faculty had accompanied the punitive force as a precaution. Among them was Briana, known as the Empire’s Best Sword, which significantly reduced the danger of the mission.

Seraphina reorganized the punitive force to be faculty-led and revoked all command authority previously given to the cadets. She then reassigned command to the faculty and restructured the unit.

Though the decision was made swiftly, the faculty followed without complaint, given the reasonable personnel arrangement. With the mission shifting from monster to demon subjugation, Seraphina was no longer just the student council president of Demia Empire Academy.

She was the First Princess of the Infractus Empire, Seraphina. That was her position as the commander of the demon subjugation mission.

After reorganizing the punitive force, Seraphina gathered the faculty and began a briefing on the current situation. The goal was to disseminate information about the force’s composition, casualties, and available troop numbers.

“By the way, is it true that Cadet Gilbert defeated a demon ogre?”

“Yes. Cadet Gilbert single-handedly repelled the demon ogre.”

Gasps erupted among the professors. It was already remarkable for a cadet to face a demon, but defeating a high-level demon like an ogre alone was astonishing.

“I never imagined a first-year cadet would become a demon ogre slayer.”

“Just a while ago, he was called the disgrace of the Count family. I never expected him to grow this much.”

The professors celebrated Gilbert’s achievement, seeing him as a promising talent for the academy.

For those dedicated to nurturing future generations, Gilbert’s emergence was like rain after a drought. The thought of a future leader for the empire already showing such promise filled them with pride.

However, Briana, who had been silent, pointed out something they had overlooked.

“How is Cadet Gilbert’s condition?”

“…Not good, I hear. He overexerted his mana to fight the demon ogre alone, causing significant damage to his Mana Road.”

“Mana Road damage…”

“That’s terrible…”

The previously cheerful atmosphere plummeted. Damage to the Mana Road was never good news. While most injuries could be healed with sacred power in this world, Mana Road damage could only rely on natural recovery.

The Mana Road, intricately woven throughout the body, was sensitive to healing through sacred power. Interference during healing could cause adverse reactions, so direct healing of the Mana Road was avoided unless life-threatening.

Given that Gilbert had suffered severe Mana Road damage, the professors’ concern was understandable.

“Is it a dangerous situation?”

“The examination results are inconclusive. Emergency measures were taken, but if things go wrong, he might never be able to wield mana again.”

At Seraphina’s calm words, Briana’s eyebrows twitched.

The anxiety that had been creeping up since she heard of Gilbert’s injury burst forth at Seraphina’s words. Mana Road damage was the most fatal injury for a knight.

While the loss of other organs was also critical for a knight, it paled in comparison to Mana Road damage. A damaged Mana Road was akin to a death sentence for a knight’s career.

Knights could unleash superhuman strength because they could wield mana, which required a functional Mana Road. It was also essential for controlling Colossal Mechs.

In other words, a knight without a Mana Road was just a well-trained ordinary person.

Briana tried to calm her trembling heart. She hadn’t seen Gilbert’s condition herself yet. She couldn’t jump to conclusions before confirming it with her own eyes.

But what if his Mana Road was severely damaged? Could she bear to see her future companion on the Path of the Sword fall behind due to such an injury?

Briana pushed the negative thoughts deep down. Jumping to conclusions without certainty wasn’t like her.

“Then, let’s conclude the briefing. Notify the unit members of the operation start time.”

As soon as the briefing ended, Briana headed to the tent where Gilbert was resting. His condition was worse than other injured, so he was being treated in a private tent.

Some might call it preferential treatment, but Gilbert, who had single-handedly fought a demon ogre to buy time for the punitive force’s retreat, deserved it.

Arriving at Gilbert’s tent, Briana steadied her trembling heart and entered.

“Master?”

“Gil.”

Seeing Gilbert sitting up, as if he had been meditating, she felt relieved. She had heard he hadn’t regained consciousness yet, but fortunately, he was awake.

“How’s your body? I heard you suffered severe damage to your Mana Road.”

“It’s true that my Mana Road is severely damaged, but it’s better than expected.”

Briana’s heart sank. But she tried not to show it and grabbed Gilbert’s wrist.

“Let me check. Don’t resist.”

“…Understood.”

She carefully channeled mana into Gilbert’s wrist to assess his condition, being extremely cautious not to further damage the injured Mana Road.

“This is…”

Briana let go of Gilbert’s wrist, despairing.

This wasn’t just an injury. The Mana Road looked as if it had been slashed with a knife, beyond any hope of recovery.

She looked at her disciple, her future companion, with trembling eyes.

She had been avoiding the truth, but now there was no escape. Having confirmed Gilbert’s Mana Road herself, there was nowhere to hide.

Briana, unable to hide her devastation, repeatedly opened and closed her dry mouth. As his master, she had to convey the truth to Gilbert.

But what about the Path of the Sword? His future?

Various thoughts swirled in Briana’s mind. Her emotions screamed that there must be a way, while her reason argued that there was no hope.

She had to speak. For his sake.

Briana steeled herself.

Her reluctance to speak despite knowing Gilbert’s condition was her own attachment. She was disappointed that her companion on this lonely Path of the Sword could no longer continue the journey with her.

Her concern for Gilbert was just an excuse to hide her selfishness.

“Gil, listen carefully. Do you know your current condition?”

“I know my Mana Road is severely damaged.”

Briana’s heart ached at Gilbert’s calm demeanor. Being able to speak so composedly despite his Mana Road being completely shattered showed the depth of his mental discipline.

This too was a testament to his resolve on the Path of the Sword, and something deep within her welled up.

“Then you must know what I’m about to say.”

“What are you going to say?”

Give up being a knight.

Those simple words stuck in her throat. Even though he must already know his condition, having to deliver such a devastating verdict to someone who remained so composed felt unbearably cruel.

“Yes, Gil. Give up being a knight. Your current condition is beyond repair. Your Mana Road is completely shattered, and recovery is impossible. Even if a miracle happens, you won’t be able to function as before.”

“Master.”

“I’m sorry to say this…”

How would he react? Would he despair? Or would he remain as composed as now?

Briana couldn’t bear to look at Gilbert and turned her head away.

“Master, thank you for your concern… but I think I can recover.”

“Gil, I don’t want to crush your hope, but I just checked… it’s impossible.”

“If you look again more carefully, you’ll understand what I’m saying.”

Turning her head, she saw Gilbert extending his wrist. No matter how many times she checked, the situation would be the same, but seeing her disciple refusing to give up broke her heart.

“Gil, it’s futile.”

“Just humor me and check again.”

Unable to ignore his determined gaze, Briana took his wrist. It seemed he still hadn’t given up, so she needed to check once more and then firmly tell him.

She channeled mana more slowly and meticulously this time, examining his Mana Road.

Wait. What’s this?

As Briana closely observed Gilbert’s Mana Road, she noticed something unusual. While the Mana Road was still a mess, there was a slight change compared to before.

Focusing more, she quickly realized what the change was.

“This is…”

“It’s recovering. The Mana Road.”

Gilbert let out a small laugh, and Briana stared at him in disbelief.

It seemed her disciple was even more remarkable than she had thought.

***

Gilbert couldn’t help but laugh at Briana’s expression, something he had never seen before. The usually cold and composed Briana, who was even more stoic than the Count of Lithuania, was now showing such a range of emotions.

Thinking back, even in the game, her expressions were mostly cold. This showed just how much Briana cared for Gilbert.

Wait, is this a good thing?

Suddenly, Gilbert remembered the sub-scenario.

Currently, Gilbert had identified Briana as one of the Possessors of Twisted Desire. Though it had merged and disappeared, the sub-scenario “Seeker of the Sword” had been force-accepted when he was with Briana.

Considering that the Twisted Desire stemmed from Seraphina, it was clear that the Seeker of the Sword was related to Briana.

And when the two combined, it gave rise to the Possessors of Twisted Desire, making it highly likely that the seekers were Seraphina and Briana.

Now that Seraphina had been revealed as one of the seekers, it was reasonable to assume that Briana was the other.

But why two?

Gilbert had no clue about the third seeker, so he decided to set that issue aside for now.

What mattered was that Briana was likely a seeker, and like Seraphina, she might have a Twisted Index, which was concerning.

“That’s a relief… truly a relief.”

“There’s no need to worry too much. The damage to my Mana Road is severe, so it will take some time to recover, but I should be able to fully heal.”

“Gil.”

“Yes, Master.”

This is strange.

A sense of déjà vu washed over him.

Briana’s eyes had deepened, no longer cold and transparent but somewhat murky and dark.

And Gilbert had definitely seen such eyes before.

“I might have been waiting for this my whole life.”

“What do you mean?”

“A companion to walk this endless, infinite Path of the Sword with me.”

Companion? What is she talking about?

Gilbert’s unease grew. This conversation felt exactly like the one he had with Seraphina.

The strange longing, the piercing gaze—it was identical to Seraphina’s that day.

“I was planning to wait. I thought rushing wouldn’t help, so I was counting the days until you could stand by my side.”

“Master.”

“But now I realize. Waiting too long could ruin everything. And I finally see that you’ve grown enough.”

Briana smiled. It was a sinister smile, unlike anything Gilbert had seen before.

“Gil, it’s enough now. You have the qualifications to walk the Path of the Sword with me. So, you can be proud.”

Her smile deepened.

This is the same.

Briana was now smiling, gazing, and obsessing just like Seraphina had.

“Gilbert Lion Heart, my companion on the eternal Path of the Sword.”

[Sub Scenario: Possessors of Twisted Desire progress has significantly increased.]

[Sub Scenario: Possessors of Twisted Desire information has been updated.]

[Sub Scenario: Possessors of Twisted Desire has reached the first branching point for the second seeker.]

It had finally happened.

Gilbert’s face twisted in dismay.

 

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