I said, "I'm a general swordsman. I fight for everyone. I don't have tasks like protecting you or anyone else today. I fight for all."
He nodded slowly and replied, "Yes. But I only asked you to."
I only knew him. And somehow, it was enough.
"Why me?" I asked, unsure if I wanted to hear the answer.
He gave me a small grin, barely turning toward me, and said, "Come on, you're Lianhua. You're a LEGEND. Everyone knows you. I don't want to die, but I also don't want just anyone by my side. Just protect me for half a day. But if you don't want to… I won't force you."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why do you have to go to this cave?"
He turned to look at me, his gaze unreadable. "You'll find out… if you come with me."
I stayed standing there. Thinking.
I could have walked away. I should have walked away. But I didn't.
The curiosity was too strong. That cave—what was inside it?
I let out a breath and said, "Fine. I'll protect you."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change?"
"I want to know what's in that cave."
He nodded like he expected that answer.
"Tomorrow," he said. "We'll leave at dawn. It won't take long, but you must be careful. The WHALE is after you. Danger could wait around every corner."
I nodded.
Then he added, "You'll take over the leadership of my troops."
Again, I nodded.
But then he stopped. "Wait. No. You were poisoned not long ago. Your body needs to rest."
I waved him off. "I'm fine. Don't worry."
He frowned, clearly still worried. "Okay… but TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF too."
And with that, he walked back to the palace.
And I stood there—wondering why I agreed. WHY DID I SAY YES? JUST BECAUSE I WAS CURIOUS? That stupid cave.
The next morning…
I woke up and got dressed, preparing for the day.
A knock came at the door. I opened it carefully.
It was Raiden's brother.
I instantly felt uneasy.
"Please come with me," he said, his tone flat.
I followed without a word. He didn't glance at me once on the way. No eye contact. No small talk. Just silence.
Then we stopped in front of a door.
He turned toward me. "Take what you need."
He opened the door, revealing a room filled with everything I could possibly want for battle—armor, swords, knives, gear I hadn't seen in years.
My eyes lit up.
I whispered, "Wow... thank you."
I carefully selected two knives, protection for my arms and legs, and some essentials.
As I adjusted the armor, Raiden's brother stepped beside me. "I heard you're taking over the unit," he said. "You'll escort Raiden to the cave. Be careful. It's dangerous. They nearly always attack."
I nodded. "I'll get him there safely."
He led me outside.
I mounted a horse and waited. The troops arrived, all younger than I expected—barely 24, most of them. Kids, really.
I wondered… What would I do if bandits came now?
Raiden arrived a while later. He looked… different. Simpler clothes. Still elegant. Still him.
We discussed the route briefly, and then I turned to the troops.
"EVERYONE LISTEN! WE'RE LEAVING NOW. STAY ALERT IN THE FOREST. DANGER CAN STRIKE ANYWHERE!"
They all nodded.
We rode into the thickening forest.
Raiden rode beside me. Too close.
I caught myself staring. Again.
He noticed. "Am I that interesting?"
I blinked. "What?"
"You keep looking at me."
"I was just… thinking. About how it could've all gone so differently."
He narrowed his eyes. "WHAT?"
I just grinned.
Twenty minutes passed. Still no attack.
But the forest grew denser, darker. I had a bad feeling.
Suddenly, we stopped.
Raiden turned to the troops. "We're here. Stay back. Guard the area. No one enters the cave."
Everyone bowed and spread out. I dismounted.
He turned to me. "You're coming, right? You want to know what's inside."
I hesitated… then nodded. "Yeah. I do."
We walked up the hill together. The cave was massive, its mouth like a gaping beast. As we moved forward, it narrowed… until we entered a hidden valley.
There was greenery, light filtering in from above. Trees. A soft breeze.
But then… I saw it.
A grave. And beside it—a cave. Deeper. Darker.
I stared.
"What is this place?" I whispered.
He smiled, soft and pained. "The only place my brother and I can visit her."
"Her?"
He walked to the tomb. I followed and bowed beside him.
"My mother," he said.
I froze.
He began to explain.
"She wasn't at the palace when you arrived. That's because she's… gone. It all started when my brother was born. Everything was normal at first. Then before I was born, she began to act strangely."
He looked away. "She died giving birth to me. But no one knew the real reason."
I watched him. He wasn't grieving. Just… remembering.
"She had been possessed. A demon. Years before. It fed on her energy in secret. No one knew. Not even our father. She gave both my brother and me the demon card at birth."
He chuckled bitterly. "Funny, right? A mother giving her sons a demonic inheritance."
I didn't know what to say.
He continued, "The scratch… the one we both carry… is the mark of that power. But we only have half of it. So, it's not dangerous. Just… heavy."
I was stunned.
Then he added, "My father didn't want a grave for her. He wanted to erase her. So my brother and I made this place. Just for us."
I looked down at the wreath in front of the tomb. Cherry blossoms. And inside, a red powder.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A failed spell," he said. "We tried to remove the demonic energy. But it didn't work. The powder holds what's left."
I nodded slowly.
Then I asked, "Why are you telling me all this?"
He blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… why me? This cave. This memory. Your mother. I'm not even close to you."
He gave a small laugh. "I don't know. Maybe I just… trust you. Maybe you feel alone, and I thought you'd understand."
My heart stopped.
Alone?
"No," I said. "I'm not—"
"Maybe just a thought," he said softly. "No one should feel alone."
I wanted to say something. Anything.
But my throat locked up.
He added, "Besides… we're not strangers anymore."
I smiled.
Why did I suddenly want to tell him more about myself?
But I couldn't.
He looked at me. "Say it."
And the words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"I know how you feel. You lost your mother… I don't have parents either."
His face changed instantly.
"Lianhua… I'm sorry."
SHIT.
I SAID TOO MUCH.
I didn't mean to. Now he knows.
I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand.
"NO. IT'S OKAY. YOU CAN TELL ME MORE. I WANT TO KNOW MORE."
I stared at him.
I was trembling.
"No… it's better if you don't know anything about me."
He asked, "Why not?"
"Do you want to know more about my battle scars?"
He looked at me, straight into my eyes.
I yanked my hand away. "NO. I'LL WAIT FOR YOU OUTSIDE. TALK TO YOUR MOTHER."
I ran out of the cave.
What was that?
I couldn't breathe.
But the words stayed in my head:
"NO. I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU AS A PERSON."