Chapter 20 – What Was Hidden
Frederick frowned, clearly confused.
"But… didn't you say you can't kill because of your pure soul?"
"As someone who doesn't fully understand this… I still don't get it."
"If you can't kill, then why is everyone expecting you to?"
Ignes shook his head slowly.
"No."
"I can kill."
"It won't affect my power."
His voice remained calm, almost detached.
"It's just…"
"I don't like using my power to kill."
Then he paused.
For a moment, it felt like he was debating whether to say the next part.
When he finally spoke—
His voice was so soft that it almost disappeared into the air.
"…Actually…"
"I'm scared."
No one reacted.
"…Of dead bodies."
"…And dead souls."
His fingers tightened slightly.
"I don't know why."
"But when I see them…"
"It feels wrong."
"Unnatural."
"…Terrifying."
The room remained silent.
Because no one heard him
Except—
Xavier.
Xavier's expression shifted slightly.
Just slightly.
But for him—
That was a lot.
Scared of death…?
For some reason—
That feeling…
That fear…
Felt familiar.
Like a memory he couldn't reach.
Like something buried deep inside him—
Trying to surface.
But he didn't understand it.
Alexander broke the silence, his voice gentle.
"It's fine if you don't want to fight."
"You don't have to go to the battlefield."
"Not now. Not in the future."
He looked at Frederick.
"After all… Frey is the Emperor."
"He can handle these things."
Frederick snorted slightly but didn't argue.
Alexander turned back to Ignes.
"Will you come to the celebration party?"
"Or do you want to rest?"
Ignes answered simply,
"I'll stay in the temple."
"If I feel like coming… I will."
There was no hesitation.
Everyone began to stand.
Chairs moved.
Clothes rustled.
The atmosphere slowly returned to normal
As if nothing heavy had just been said.
Frederick stopped at the door.
"Alright then."
"Xavier will stay with you."
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"You two should… reconcile."
The door opened.
Then closed.
Ten people left.
And just like that—
The room became quiet.
Only two remained.
Ignes.
And Xavier.
Silence stretched between them.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… heavy.
Then—
Xavier moved.
Fast.
Before Ignes could react—
He was pulled forward.
Into a strong embrace.
Firm.
Almost desperate.
And then—
Kisses.
Forehead.
Cheeks.
Hair.
Everywhere.
Not rushed.
Not careless.
But full of something deeper—
Something that had been held back for far too long.
Xavier leaned closer.
Near Ignes's ear.
His voice dropped.
Low.
Rough.
Filled with emotions he couldn't hide—
Love.
Guilt.
Fear.
Longing.
"…I'm sorry."
"It took me this long…"
"To come back to you."
Ignes didn't resist.
Didn't pull away.
Instead—
He relaxed.
In those arms—
He felt warm.
Safe.
"It's alright," he said softly.
"I waited for you."
A small pause.
"And if you're late again…"
"I'll come find you myself."
"And make sure…"
"You arrive on time."
Xavier let out a quiet breath.
"As you say… love."
Ignes leaned forward.
Resting his head against Xavier's chest.
Listening.
To his heartbeat.
Time passed.
Neither of them moved.
Then—
Ignes spoke again.
"There's something I need to ask."
Earlier—
When he left the room—
It wasn't just because he was angry.
The garden was far.
Far enough to avoid attention.
All four Dukes and the Emperor had their own rooms—
But they always stayed together.
Their bond wasn't political.
It was personal.
Like family.
Ignes had known that since he was young.
But halfway to the garden—
He felt it.
A distortion.
A barrier.
Not a normal one.
It covered the entire room.
Seamless.
Silent.
Perfect.
So he stopped.
Turned back.
Carefully.
If he entered directly—
Whoever created it would notice.
So he needed a reason.
That's when he remembered—
His hair stick.
His magic wand.
He had "forgotten" it.
Using that as an excuse—
He returned.
Acting naturally.
And then—
He confirmed it.
The barrier was…
God-level.
Not just in strength—
But in design.
Its structure…
Its flow…
Its control over perception—
It was familiar.
Too familiar.
His style.
So if it wasn't him—
Then only one person could have done it.
The purpose of the barrier was clear.
It didn't block sound.
Or movement.
It manipulated focus.
It made people accept information—
Without questioning it.
It diverted attention.
So even if something important was said—
Like Xavier mentioning the Demon King—
They wouldn't dwell on it.
Because if they did—
Everything would fall apart.
No matter how much they trusted Ignes—
That single detail would create doubt.
And Ignes not killing demons?
That would only make it worse.
Suspicion.
Fear.
Distance.
Xavier understood it too.
Because without that barrier—
People wouldn't just question Ignes.
They might try to control him.
Or worse—
execute him
Ignes slowly lifted his head.
And looked at Xavier.
"…Did you ask him?"
A pause.
"Did Evander make the barrier?"