Chapter 258

Chapter 258

Though the words were spoken in a teasing tone, as if he was mocking Yozen for swooping in on such a tired day, Cadel was inclined to think that Yozen was looking out for him.

I mixed darkness into my fire mana to minimize its presence, but not so much that a guy like Yozen wouldnt notice, and he deliberately withdrew his dark energy at crucial moments.. Is it safe to expect a positive answer?

If this had been a rejection-only raid, it would have been much harsher. That was not to say Yozens attack had been easy, but it had been a fairly forgiving one considering his original stats.

Cadel stared at Yozen in the melting dark energy. The corner of his mouth, still tugging at the edges of a wry smile, twitched slightly, and then a calm voice spoke.

Actually, I already know youre strong, Ive been following you for days.

Cadel had already guessed it. Van said he had had a strange feeling, but following him would have been essential to determine the timing for the attack. Cadel, who was trying to understand by nodding his head slightly, narrowed his eyes at the sudden question.

I havent really had any fights lately. How did you know I was strong?

Inte Snowfields.

Inte Snowfields? Did you follow me from there?

It seems like a pretty tense fight to me.

Cadel didnt expect Yozen to have watched the battle with Elvie. Was he too far away? If he was close enough, Elvies Tower of the Demon Realm would have noticed him and changed the number of people allowed to enter. Or maybe even Elvie couldnt sense Yozens presence?

Its equally creepy no matter how you look at it.

Cadel pursed his lips as he touched his goosebumped arm. Anyway, the fight seemed to have made Yozen think quite highly of his abilities, which couldnt be a bad thing.

So I guess that means I fit your criteria?

Of course. You and the rest of the Knight Order were strong enough.

All right. Then its your turn to answer next.

Because Yozens eyes were covered, it was difficult to know where to look. After wandering for a moment, Cadels gaze fell on Yozens lips.

Are you ready to protect humans in my own way?

The answer did not come easily. Yozen insisted on silence with an inscrutable demeanor, while Cadel stared at the corners of his mouth, which were stubbornly upturned, and scanned the room impatiently. Almost all of the dark energy was burning away, and a moment ago, there had been sounds outside that had been muffled by the dark energy.

Was that Vans voice? Did he just swear?

He successfully recruited Yozen. Was it okay for recruitment to be this fast and smooth? Cadel had this question, but he decided to put his doubts aside for now.

Its not that Yozen is an anomaly, its just that its been seriously difficult to recruit the other guys. If I think about it, my life was threatened just as much here as during Lydons recruitment.

Hed been through so many extreme difficulties that he didnt even know what average was anymore. Cadel gave Yozens hand a quick squeeze and smiled casually.

Thank you for coming, Yozen. To you, I may be a means to an end, but since youve joined the Knight Order, youre a valued comrade and subordinate to me.

.

So I hope one day youll think of me that way, too. And.

After a brief pause, Cadel looked at Yozen as if he were hesitating over something, and then said, in as flat a voice as he could muster.

If groping people is a habit of yours, Im not going to force you to change it, but in front of other comrades, it can be a bit Please exercise restraint. Theyre a little sensitive to that.

Personally, it was burdensome, and if he was misunderstood by other subordinates, everyone would be uncomfortable. Cadel hoped that Yozen would blend in well with other comrades without conflict.

There was a chance he was offended. Cadel glanced over to see if Yozen had reacted, but the smile was still on his face.

That is my way of seeing. If I want to see something, I have no choice but to touch it.

Uh, can you take the bandages off? Is this some kind of training to get stronger?

Oh, this.

Unfazed by this perfectly valid point, Yozen unwrapped the bandage. And then it was revealed.

Its just something Im used to, and it doesnt change anything.

Two scars ran vertically across the center of both eyelids. Cadel stared at the long, deep scars in puzzlement. No matter how he looked at them, they didnt look like accidental wounds. They were the marks of someone who had deliberately gouged out Yozens eyes to cause him to lose his sight.

Who did this?

Cadel had thought blindfolding was some kind of training to improve his abilities, or maybe he had a secret he wanted to keep hidden, like Garuel, or maybe it was just plain cool. But it wasnt any of those things.

When Cadel seriously asked the source of the wounds, Yozen simply answered as if it was nothing special.

I did it.