Chapter 271: Winter (1)

The Kang Geom-Ma Karon remembered wasn’t someone particularly associated with diligence. He wasn’t irresponsible either—just someone who did “the bare minimum.”

But lately, something had clearly changed. The current Kang Geom-Ma—the Heavenly Sword—did nothing but work day and night.

‘They say the title makes the man.’

Shail seemed surprised too, though she didn’t show it outwardly. Karon could tell by the way she occasionally glanced at him with curious eyes, as if she found him fascinating.

Shail often joked around with him, and Karon understood that her intention was to draw his attention away from work, even just a little. That’s why he never said anything or intervened.

He only gave her a quiet warning now and then about jokes that might cross the line—especially those that Miss Abel might not appreciate. Shail would just smile and turn away without replying.

Between Karon and Shail, the hierarchical roles of butler and maid were fairly loose.

Even though Shail always addressed him formally, she had a strong will of her own.

And Karon accepted her opinions when they made sense—when they didn’t, he firmly called her out.

They could be described as something like a father and daughter. Karon had watched Shail grow up, and that process was key in helping someone once branded a demon rediscover his humanity.

Still, hearing her drop such suggestive comments first thing in the morning.

Even knowing her intentions, it was more than a little awkward for Karon, now well into his mature years.

Sometimes he couldn’t even tell whether she was joking or being serious.

And that was something he didn’t dare ask. If she were serious, a bloodbath might very well sweep through Castle Sigurd.

‘A rivalry between Miss Abel and Shail?’

If Shail was serious, Karon wouldn’t hesitate to support her. She was far too talented and beautiful to remain in domestic service forever.

Unlike him—who served as a butler out of penance—Shail bore no such obligation. She claimed it was to repay Lord Orion, but…

‘You’ve grown so admirably, Shail.’

Karon imagined those would be Orion’s words himself. Shail deserved to be free.

It was her time to live her own life. She was in her twenties, after all—an age made for love and companionship.

The only problem was the person in question—Kang Geom-Ma himself.

‘Until recently, there didn’t seem to be any tension like that between them…’

Then he recalled something Shail had once said in passing about her ideal type.

— I like people who are dedicated to their work and have a strong sense of duty. Like Lord Orion. He gave his life fulfilling his duty as a hero. Even in his final moments, the look on his face showed he was thankful to carry that burden himself.

“……”

Karon quietly averted his gaze, remembering those words.

In Kang Geom-Ma—now completely absorbed in his duties, even during winter break—he could see Orion’s face. And Shail, always nearby, continued to watch him closely.

Perhaps sensing that gaze, Kang Geom-Ma slightly turned his head. Their eyes met.

“Would you like another cup?”

It was Shail who broke the silence, lifting the teapot slightly.

“Ah, yes.”

Kang Geom-Ma emptied his cup and placed it back on the table. As the tea warmed again, steam gently rose.

In the slightly dry office, the soft aroma of herbal tea spread. Through frost-covered windows, the winter sunlight streamed in, spilling across their backs. A bucolic midday in the middle of winter.

The scenery was tranquil, like a watercolor painted in soft tones on a white canvas.

Kang Geom-Ma took a sip and exclaimed with admiration.

“This is delicious. What kind of tea is it?”

Shail smiled.

“It’s Harrod’s black tea. Both the Swordmaster and Lord Orion enjoyed it. It’s usually supplied only to the British royal family, but Harrod makes an exception for Nibelunga.”

“And is it okay to be using such exclusive tea like this?”

“I deducted it from my monthly salary. Also, I have the Swordmaster’s approval. So there’s no need to worry.”

“…Now I’m even more worried, hearing it’s from your paycheck.”

“Oh my.”

Shail covered her lips with one hand and spoke in a clearly theatrical tone.

“I’m so touched that the Heavenly Sword is concerned about my bank account. What a gentleman!”

“I only said that because it sounded expensive. There’s no deeper meaning.”

“No deeper meaning? How can you toy with a woman’s feelings like that?”

Shail’s perfectly dry eyes sparkled like freshly sun-dried laundry. Kang Geom-Ma pointed at her with irony.

“If you’re going to pretend to cry, at least moisten your eyes. Crying without moving a single muscle in your face is creepy.”

“Using the word ‘creepy’ with a woman you really have no filter, do you?”

“In the month we’ve spent together, you’re the one who’s shown no restraint in what you say.”

“If we take away ranks, I’m older.”

“But with ranks in place, I outrank you.”

Shail pouted.

“You’ve changed, Heavenly Sword. Back in the summer break, you used to blush just from seeing me. Now you’re all corrupted by the world.”

“I never blushed. And if I did, it was because of your reckless advances.”

Shail puffed out her chest proudly.

“I never crash.”

“Just in case, let me remind you that the speed limit in Korea is 120 km/h. Be careful if you ever get behind a wheel.”

“120 km/h…? That’s turtle speed. In the tortoise and the hare fable, I was always on Team Hare. Though… rabbit men aren’t really my type—”

“Enough.”

Kang Geom-Ma’s hand shot straight to the desk drawer.

“……”

“……”

Silence fell over the office like the calm after a storm.

Shail let out an annoyed sigh. But even that was part of her act, so Kang Geom-Ma simply tuned her out. After living with her for a month, his instinct for detecting Shail’s antics had sharpened.

She was a joker. And rather than toning it down over time, her antics only escalated the more time they spent together.

This very moment was proof of that. A grown woman dropping rabbit-themed innuendos on a minor. Good thing Kang Geom-Ma was technically of age—otherwise, her flirting would be skirting the edge of legality.

“Heavenly Sword, sitting for too long is bad for your back. A man’s back is his life!”

“You should get some fresh air. Pretend it’s a date with me, let’s go?”

“My night is more beautiful than your day.”

“You need to eat well to stay strong. This eel lunch will restore your energy. Aaah~”

That was her usual script.

Shail linked every conversation back to that kind of teasing.

And the only way to survive unscathed was to either ignore her completely or crush her with rank—which she absolutely hated.

‘And to think I used to believe Shail was the most normal one here.’

That serious attitude she showed at Castle Sigurd must’ve been for Abel and the Swordmaster’s sake.

Her true personality was someone who shamelessly voiced her darkest desires.

Shail was a pervert. The living embodiment of lust.

‘I should’ve realized it when she floored it downhill, snorting steam from her nose…’

Kang Geom-Ma sighed. Finding someone normal was proving difficult.

As the great sage once said, in any group of five people, one’s bound to be insane.

But around him, when five gathered—all five were insane! Even the seemingly sane ones turned out to be utterly broken. Kang Geom-Ma lamented his social circle.

Though really, he’d forgotten one important detail—“Tell me who you walk with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” Lunatics stick together.

If he was at the center of that circle, then it was only natural his madness would spread to the others.

“A report just arrived from the Sacred Knights.”

Karon, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, with a deep breath he tried to stifle.

“They’ve begun the purification of the Gate of Gehenna.”

Karon was usually the one relaying reports. Kang Geom-Ma was far too busy to check every update himself.

“The formation of the joint army between the Association and the Knights, as you ordered, is also progressing smoothly. The squad captain said there’s nothing to worry about.”

Kang Geom-Ma nodded.

“To get all that done in just a month impressive. Send a message to the captain—I want to meet with him when he has time. Come to think of it, we haven’t even spoken face to face.”

“Understood. A message also arrived from the Lancelot Company.”

Lancelot Company. The hero agency to which All Mute belonged.

“Actually, it’s not just Lancelot. Many other hero agencies, both domestic and international, have expressed interest in joining you.”

Kang Geom-Ma’s eyes widened. He hadn’t expected such a surge of support.

Humanity was no longer safe. The age of peace was over.

Demons could invade at any moment.

And Kang Geom-Ma didn’t deny it—the great war, expected in two years, was approaching fast.

That’s why, in the name of the Seven Stars, he began recruiting heroes. To face the demons. To reignite a sense of duty dulled by peace.

It was a mission he had to fulfill during this winter break. And he knew it wouldn’t be easy.

“Hero agencies don’t move without money. So why now…?”

In a world with such a rigid class system, there were fears that the voice of a commoner—even one of the Seven Stars—might not carry enough weight.

But apparently, those fears were unfounded.

“If humanity goes extinct, money becomes nothing more than paper. Our ideal has always been profit, but right now, supporting the Heavenly Sword is the best way to preserve that ideal. —All the hero agencies.”

Karon’s usually dry tone softened as he quoted them.

“That was their official statement. But the truth is—they want to follow your lead. To walk the path you’re carving.”

Kang Geom-Ma barely opened his mouth to reply, but Shail spoke first.

“The world is changing.”

She smiled gently.

“People are no longer bound by status. They can speak freely. And they’re asking themselves what they can do to help you, Heavenly Sword. Because everyone knows—everything you’ve done has always been for humanity’s sake.”

Shail placed the teapot on the table and moved to stand beside Karon. The two exchanged a brief glance. Then, they bowed in unison.

Karon spoke.

“We’ll depart for Switzerland tomorrow.”

It wasn’t a surprise. It was part of the arrangement they had made.

“Over this past month, we’ve seen you work tirelessly—day and night.”

Shail added.

“And even though your actions must remain confidential, we will never forget them. It’s been an honor to serve you, even if only briefly.”

In that moment—

Memories flickered through his mind.

— Sitting too long is bad for your back.
When he leaned back in the chair.

— You should go get some air.
When he had spent three straight days holed up in the office.

— My night is more beautiful than your day.
When his day-night rhythm flipped completely.

— You need to eat to stay strong.
When he skipped meals entirely.

Kang Geom-Ma stood and stepped between the two of them. He reached out and embraced them tightly.

“…I’m the one who’s grateful.”

His voice was barely a whisper, as if something were caught in his throat.

“Thank you.”

Two pairs of hands patted his back. The warmth of three people spread through the heart of the harsh winter.