167


"You're saying you didn't try to kill me?"


That despicable man. His expression, acting as if he knew nothing, as if he were struck by shock, looked almost natural.


But I wouldn't be fooled anymore.


"You expect me to believe that right now?"


A murderous intent surged through me—hot and rolling. I would kill that bastard. The sword aura wrapped around my blade flared in response, shining with menace.


"You chose the place and time for this meeting when you said you would blow the whistle!"


I was about to swing my sword at Yoon Doyoon again, when voices of people who hadn't yet escaped reached us.


"Tha-, that sword aura…"


"I've seen many sword styles, but never anything like that. It's exactly like when Seffield Emblem awakened as a Swordmaster—gasp!"


I turned my head sharply and looked that way; several people were hiding behind overturned tables, watching us. When our eyes met they gasped and slowly took a step back, swallowing. I sighed without meaning to. What is it about human curiosity?


The clash between Enoch and me was a collision of Swordmasters. If an ordinary person who had never trained were caught in the whirlwind when our blades met, they could be injured. 


Yet these people had stayed behind, dodging the knights who were evacuating others, just to spy on what I and Yoon Doyoon were doing. That was a bold curiosity that could almost be called courage.


Grandfather always called the power of a Swordmaster a blessing, but said it could become a disaster depending on how I used it.


'I am a knight, I am a knight, I wield my sword to protect people…'


Having power and swinging it to satisfy one's desires made one no different from a monster. Monsters act on instinct; humans, who think, can be even worse.


"Whoo."


I managed to grab the frayed string of reason and, taking a deep breath, temporarily calmed the raging emotions. Yoon Doyoon was still muttering as if he were in shock; I left him for a moment and approached the remaining people.


Even though I had just lost control, my established image meant the people were not afraid of me. Instead, when they had the chance to talk to me, their eyes shone with curiosity and they didn't hide it at all.


"I apologize for the disturbance. I will escort you, please move outside the hall first. I will make amends for this incident in the name of the Emblem."


"Ah, n-no. On the contrary, it's good—cough."


"By the way, Dame Emblem, why did you suddenly end up quarrelling with Sir Gray?"


As if waiting for this, people started asking me why, and I hesitated over what to say.


My mother and Aunt Diana, who had been thrown far away in our clash and had seen I was calm again, came over.


"…Mother."


Seeing the stern, hardened look on my mother's face made me flinch; I closed my eyes. I had ruined the event that was supposed to show the harmony between the Emblem and Gray. 


With my own hands I had smashed what my mother and Aunt Diana had worked on since their youth. 


Maybe this was the first time my mother would even slap me.


"Cherry."


Instead of scolding me, my mother pulled me into a warm, crushing embrace.


"…"


"…"


Without a word, she stroked my back, gently patting me as if comforting a child.


"I think it's best for everyone to head home now. The engagement ceremony is canceled."


"Dame Diana!"


"I'm truly sorry for wasting your precious time. We will make sure the Gray family compensates you properly."


"No, no, we aren't asking for compensation. Honestly… we got to see something really incredible."


Aunt Diana maintained her calm, composed voice as she guided the guests out of the hall.


Once the last person disappeared through the doors, my mother whispered to me, her voice trembling with tears.


"I'm sorry, Cherry. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault, because I was being selfish. I'm sorry…"


"…"


It seemed my mother had misunderstood, believing I had thrown a fit because I hated the engagement with Enoch that badly.


"That's… that's not it. Mother, that's not-"


I had to hurry and clear up her misunderstanding, but my throat felt tight, as if something were choking me from the inside.


I had two mortal enemies from my previous life. And one of them was now sitting inside Enoch's body.


That bastard was the one who blocked my revenge, the very reason I died in the end. That was why I lost control just now.


But could I truly confess all this to my mother, while living as Cherrya Emblem?


"…I'm sorry."


In the end, I chose silence.


"Cherry."


Then Yoon Doyoon—apparently done pretending to be shocked—called out to me again, still wearing Enoch's face. Hearing my nickname in his voice made my stomach twist with disgust; I couldn't help but grimace.


"Let's talk."


"Talk… about what."


Because my mother was standing right there, I clenched my teeth and barely forced the words out.


But even if I tried to hide it, the killing intent radiating from me wouldn't disappear.


There was no way my mother didn't notice.


"Enoch, I'm sorry, but I think it's best if you leave for today."


My mother stepped in front of me protectively, shielding me from Enoch as she warned him.


"Cherry isn't in a good state right now. And you must be exhausted too, you came straight here after destroying the northern monster nest, didn't you?"


"…Not at all. I'm full of energy. I don't care if Cherry goes wild again. I only need a moment."


Yoon Doyoon, wearing Enoch's face, refused to back down.


When I looked into his eyes, just as unhinged as mine, I realized something.


We wouldn't be able to think straight until we released this festering resentment from our past lives.


"Fine. But we go somewhere secluded."


"Cherry."


"I'll go hear whatever that thing wants to say. Sorry, but please handle things here."


After reassuring my mother—who watched me with worried eyes—I turned my gaze to Yoon Doyoon.


We needed to talk. Even if the conversation happened blade to blade.


Standing before me with Enoch's face and Enoch's voice, that thing and I had too much to settle.


But this palace wouldn't do. I had no guarantee the place we chose to "talk" would remain intact by the end. And I did not have the mental space to consider the royal family's reaction or the consequences.


"Let's go to Kratyn."


"Sounds good."


If I drew upon the energy running through my veins, like Grandfather, I could cross the great distance and reach Kratyn Forest in a single leap.


In the distance, I saw Father, the Crown Prince, and Kane running toward us after escorting out the remaining guests.


Now that everyone capable of handling the aftermath had gathered, I grit my teeth and addressed Yoon Doyoon politely.


"Follow me."


"…."


Without waiting for a signal, or maybe at the exact same moment, we both moved.


We hurled ourselves forward, releasing the power of Swordmasters at full capacity for the first time. It was as if wings had sprouted from my legs. I kicked off the ground and soared upward.


Scenery blurred past.


Anyone we passed likely thought it was just the wind, never imagining two people had cut through at impossible speed.


It was the moment I fully realized what it meant to wield a strength beyond human limits.


Yet instead of feeling exhilarated, my mind only grew quieter, sinking into cold calm.


How does that bastard know how to wield power exactly like Enoch?


It wasn't just Yoon Doyoon being possessed.


It was as if Enoch and Yoon Doyoon were the same person.


And something I couldn't think clearly about earlier finally came into focus.


Just like me… Yoon Doyoon might also retain memories of his past life, reborn inside the body of Enoch Gray.