On Better Footing This Time

Leon stares me directly in the eyes when he offers this proclamation. I can see a raging fire when I look back, confidence that I lack understanding of.

"We're putting it all on the table, so here."

He removes his silver blade from its holder and gently lays it onto the raised wooden surface. Like always, I can see some inconsistencies in the way that the metal glows in the light.

"We have the Weapons of Authority. When the legendary hero struck the Demon Lord, his blade was shattered into many fragments."

Bernard unequips his weapon and leans it against the table. Katherine follows suit and lays her staff on the table. The average person can't see it, but the patchwork of metal is clear on close observation for someone with sensitivity to magic.

"Our weapons are forged with those fragments and they still hold domination over any demon. By invoking the hero's legacy, a demon will suffer just by being in our presence."

"So that's what all that flashing and screaming was for…"

I reach out a hand to the weapons laying on the table. My curiosity compels me to feel the cold metal, only to soon regret it.

SPARK

"AH!"

When my finger makes contact with the sword, a powerful force repels me. A shockwave out of seemingly thin air knocks me off my feet and flat onto the floor. The tip of my skin still burns even as I catch my breath.

"Wha—-What's with this thing!?"

"I-I'm not sure!"

Leon picks up his blade and inspects it closely. Looking up and down the surface, nothing appears to be wrong with it in his eyes.

"I've never seen this response before…"

Bernard reaches a hand out to help me up. Meanwhile, our wizard begins investigating the burns on my hand. No matter how hard her eyes strain, Katherine as well cannot find an answer.

"Not just anybody can use the Weapons of Authority, but I've never seen a complete rejection! Have you had anything strange happen to you, Rado?"

"How about you help me up first!?"

With two helping hands, I'm back to leaning against the table with a faint tingling in my finger. Just as they can probably now understand my fears, I feel as if I'm closer to understanding their confidence. Wielding a weapon like this must really feel great.

"Well, good thing I'm not the one swinging it…"

"Rado."

With all of us around the table, Leon leans forward and moves the focus back to me.

"You are the only one who can identify the Demon Lord. Will you do it?"

"Hm…"

The cards are on the table, and it is now our collective duty to make use of them. For once, I'm feeling the eyes of the heroes on me. It's not as a tool, but as an ally. I'm not standing at the back in silence. I'm being pressed for confirmation.

It's a long and difficult consideration, one that I'm not happy to make. There is more than my life at stake. However, I don't have much of a choice, not if this mission is to make any progress.

"Very well…"

They have placed their trust in me, so I must now do the same. I've seen what they are capable of against a reasonable number of demons. Maybe a fight with a Demon Lord could be possible. Of course, my job isn't to be optimistic. I couldn't be if I tried.

"I'll tell you when the Calamity is near! I'll even point the monster out when I see it!"

Their eyes all light up, excitement showing in their youthful complexions.

"However…"

Seeing these kids moments away from a terrible death sends a shiver through me. I can't stop them from being in danger, but there is still something I can do. Just as they are too stubborn to quit, so am I.

"Just…retreat when I give the word. I can't have any of you dying on me now."

That plea came from the depths of my heart. I've lost so much already, and I don't think I could take losing these bright kids as well. It doesn't quiet my anxiety entirely, but a strong voice responds.

"You have my word."

Hand on his chest, Leon swears. The other two follow suit and the air around us seems to lose many of its clouds.

"Then it has been decided!"

A booming voice across the table gathers our attention, followed then by hands slamming onto the round table. Charles scans from one side to the other.

"You are to wait for further orders. Be prepared to ride out at a moment's notice!"

""Yes, sir!""

The heroes each take their leave once our plan is in place. Bernard offers me a nod much like before as he leaves. I'm able to make a brief eye contact with Katherine before her face disappears beneath the large hat. Finally, Leon leaves without any kind of interaction. Some things probably won't change overnight.

"Well, then…"

With a lot of waiting left, there's no reason to hang out in this stuffy room.

"Rado."

Once the young ones are gone, Charles approaches me with his helmet tucked under his shoulder.

"I still cannot thank you enough!"

"Just doing my job, Commander."

"Even still, let me thank you!"

He bows his head as low as his body will allow. I can't stand seeing a man of his standing in this position, not for some cowardly farmer.

"Truly, I don't deserve it. After all…"

My words trail off. I don't want to continue. The best decision would just be to accept his gratitude and continue doing my job, but my inner voice won't allow it.

"I nearly abandoned them."

Charles returns to normal, that always stern expression showing a hint of confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly that. When the demons arrived, I ran. Tried to bring the kids with me, but they chose to stay. Even then, I still ran."

Were it not for a bit of demonic magic, I would have truly left. The events that transpired proved that they would have died if I had.

"Yet you returned, Rado."

"Huh?"

In the face of my confession, the commander is not fazed. What I did could be considered desertion. Even I've heard stories of deserting knights meeting a terrible end once caught. Despite this, Charles chooses to acknowledge me.

"Those kids are alive because you came back. This is the result, and anything that came before is of little importance."

"But…"

"You see, Rado, humans are strange creatures."

My commander takes powerful steps with his steel greaves, steps that carry him to a nearby chair. As he lowers himself down, he implores me to join him with a wave.

"A wild animal will fight for its life at all times, with no particular reason than life itself. Humans are different."

I'm not sure where this explanation is going, but I take a seat beside him regardless. As we sit with the stone wall behind us, Charles continues.

"We need a reason to live. For some it's family. Others live for ambition, or pride. Whatever it is, we simply must have it. We cannot live otherwise."

"Very…philosophical…"

"Not philosophy, that's how we are."

He lifts his hands up and looks into them. According to his claim, he as well must have something to live for. Despite those grey hairs, he continues to fight.

"When those kids were in trouble, you stepped in. You saved them, and the chance to die appeared before you. You could have taken it."

One of his hands reaches out and points directly into my chest. Those aged eyes look directly into mine and lock me into place.

"But you didn't. There is still something you have to live for. You are no longer the broken man I found in that cell."

When I think back to my time in that dark room, I probably would have just died there if the opportunity presented itself. I wasn't thinking straight while in my shock. Had I not been dragged into this battle, my little girl's wish would have ended right there. Why did I not see it sooner? I nearly made the greatest mistake of my life.

"That is why I assigned you to this quest."

Metal lightly taps metal as Charles rises to his feet.

"I wanted to give you the chance to find that reason to live. We could not save your people, so this is the least I can do."

"No. Thank you, Commander."

I push these weary bones of mine and rise to my feet. The first step is a little unsteady, but I'm able to find my footing. Now facing Charles, I bow my head in the same way he did for me.

"Thank you, for giving me the chance."

"I look forward to seeing where this road takes you."

He offers me a heavy pat on the shoulder before walking past me. With one hand on the large doors, he turns back with a rare grin.

"That is why you must survive this quest. Make sure of it!"

"U-Understood, Commander!"

"Hahaha! Well met, Rado!"

With that last joyful exchange, I'm left alone in the room to gather my things and head out as well.