Chapter 27
It had been fake from the start, but now that his leg had healed, Kuhn freely wandered around the barracks. Pretending it was coincidence, he ran into Chloe and even began helping her. At first, she politely declined, saying she was fine, but later she seemed almost restless, unable to stop herself from making him work.
Chloe explained the day’s schedule. First, clean the barracks. Then wash the cloths used to wipe the soldiers’ blood and sweat. Around sunset, prepare the ingredients for the meal and cook porridge. It sounded simple, but considering the number of soldiers staying there, even starting early wouldn’t be enough.
“I thought it was small, but it’s bigger than I expected.”
While Chloe sorted medicinal herbs, Kuhn cleaned the barracks. Dusting, picking up trash—simple tasks he had never done before. Walking around holding a broom like this… If his subordinates saw him, it wouldn’t just be teasing—it would become a lifelong joke.
When Chloe returned from outside, she smiled at the now-clean barracks.
“You’re already done? Thanks to you, we can move on quickly!”
Saying such terrifying things with such an innocent face. Still, even that looked adorable to Kuhn, so he followed her without complaint.
Next was laundry—washing blood-soaked white cloths and disinfecting them. There were dozens of them.
The two went to a small stream behind the barracks. Kuhn sat down and soaked the cloths in the flowing water. Gradually, the blood faded and washed away.
Glancing beside him, Chloe was also working hard. Even though the weather wasn’t hot, she was sweating, as if the task was physically demanding.
“You look tired.”
“Do I? I’m fine. If anything, it feels rewarding.”
“Do you do this every day?”
“Unless something special happens, yes.”
She answered with a gentle smile. Her face, splattered with traces of blood, still looked beautiful. Kuhn cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
“…Why did you come here? To such a dangerous place, and alone?”
At his question, her hands paused mid-motion.
“People around me started disappearing, one by one.”
“….”
“My father, my brother, my friends… The people I love, all to protect the ones they love.”
She smiled again, as if thinking of them.
“I may not be able to protect them, but I wanted to protect the knights who share the same beliefs.”
Such a pure thought. Yet Kuhn couldn’t praise her integrity.
How could he dare?
“…You’re admirable.”
“Compliments from Sir Enoch always sound genuine.”
She shrugged playfully. Despite how lovable she looked, Kuhn couldn’t smile.
Then Chloe spoke again.
“I joked earlier, but this job is actually very hard. Like you saw, it can be dangerous too.”
She was referring to the incident where another knight had threatened her.
Thinking of that night, anger rose within him. His grip tightened—then loosened.
Because he realized he wasn’t much different from that knight.
While Chloe was here, holding onto her beliefs, he had planned to exploit her vulnerability and kidnap her. What she began to honor the people she loved would eventually bring suffering to them.
He knew.
Kuhn had only done his best in his position.
But still…
“Be careful.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t trust people so easily. Be on guard.”
Still, it made him despise himself. Love—what a wretched emotion—it turns people into fools.
At this point, Kuhn found himself resenting Chloe. If only she were a little less kind, less lovable, less beautiful…
Then he wouldn’t have fallen into such pathetic feelings.
“Sir Enoch, are you scolding me? That’s unfair. I am being careful.”
“If that were true, you wouldn’t have treated me so kindly. What if I were no different from that knight?”
“No different?”
“Yes. What if I were… an enemy knight? What if I intended to harm you?”
There was personal emotion in his question.
This time, Chloe didn’t answer immediately. She thought carefully.
The sound of flowing water. The quiet rhythm of their breathing.
“People fight enemies, don’t they? To take the enemy’s life before their own is taken.”
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
“But war isn’t just about killing people. It’s about protecting something—whether it’s your country, someone you love, or your beliefs.”
Her voice was soft, like a gentle breeze, making his thoughts linger on her words.
“So it doesn’t matter to me. Whether you’re from the enemy or my side… saving one precious life can bring peace.”
It was a long explanation, and Kuhn couldn’t fully grasp it.
“So even if I were an enemy knight, you wouldn’t regret saving me?”
“Of course not. I know you’ll repay it with peace, Sir Enoch. No matter how small it may be.”
“Your Majesty, you’re too late! Do you know how worried we were? Are you injured anywhere?”
That day, Kuhn returned from being the foolish Enoch to the ruler of the Empire.
As soon as he entered his barracks, the knights rushed to him. Their eyes shone brightly, believing he had succeeded.
Unfortunately, he had disappointing news.
“The mission has failed.”
“…What?”
“And we will end the war.”
Their expressions were blank, as if they thought he was joking.
“We will declare the end of the war to the enemy.”
Only then did they realize the seriousness of the situation.
The barracks fell silent. The knights protested fiercely, unable to accept his decision. Why stop when victory was so close?
But Kuhn did not change his mind.
“They won’t understand.”
The looks they gave him before leaving lingered in his mind. Eyes that once shone with admiration had become cold.
He had always been unfamiliar with being disliked.
After losing his parents, he ascended the throne at a young age and faced constant contempt. Determined to prove himself, he shed blood and sweat.
He eliminated corrupt officials, built a clean empire, promoted talent regardless of status, and ensured fairness between nobles and citizens. He became an emperor beyond reproach.
But this decision would not be a mere mistake. It would bring massive losses.
His dream had been to unite the continent, with the Valont Kingdom as the starting point.
If he failed now, everything would collapse—his authority, his people’s trust, his grand vision.
And yet…
He was willing to give it all up.
Just to have that illusion that had captivated him.
“…I’ve gone mad.”
If he could have just that one thing, he felt he could be happy for the rest of his life.
“I’ve gone mad with love. Kuhn Freheid.”
If he could have that woman, even if the whole world turned against him… it wouldn’t matter.
