RD | Chapter 53

However, there was no time to question Keith, as he seemed unusually despondent.

Throughout the ride, wearing their demon masks, Keith remained silent. It wasn’t until they stopped to rest under a large tree, set up a makeshift shelter, and lit a fire that he finally spoke.

Keith expertly lit the fire with some twigs, placed dried jerky over the flames, and roasted it until it became soft.

He handed the roasted jerky to Ian, who took one piece and chewed it thoughtfully. Suddenly, Keith broke the silence.

“I’m the one who raised that boy. Maybe I taught him wrong. Or… maybe my entire life has been walking down the wrong path.”

By “that boy,” he was undoubtedly referring to the squire, Maverick. It seemed he’d been mulling it over during their entire ride, leaving Ian bewildered.

‘Where is this going?’

“Is he your kid or something? No, even parents wouldn’t think like that about their children.”

Realizing he might not be the best authority on the subject, Ian changed his tone.

“You didn’t make his choices for him. His life is his own. Let him live it.”

Besides, Keith hadn’t done anything extreme to Maverick. All he had done was lock him in a room at the Vatican, ordering that he only be released when monsters attacked, since Maverick’s combat prowess was too valuable to waste.

“You can’t exactly say you’re any different, can you? You’re responsible for the people you protect. I’ve heard how much they mean to you. Didn’t you even destroy the Coliseum for your mage’s sake, knowing what it was?”

Keith looked at Ian with a warm expression. Ian, feeling misunderstood, quickly corrected him.

“First of all, it was the demons who destroyed the Coliseum. And secondly, I saved Sema not because he’s precious or anything, but because things would’ve gotten messy for me without him.”

“I think I’m starting to understand how you speak now. So, does that apply to me as well?”

Keith still wore that faint smile as he asked, clearly implying the question: Did you save me out of necessity too?

“You? You’re the most necessary of all.”

‘Who in their right mind would let a five-star character die?’ Ian stopped chewing his jerky, realizing what he’d just said.

‘Wait, isn’t that kind of a bad thing to say?’

Keith already seemed to have doubts about seeing him as some “savior.” Giving the impression that he used people would only make things worse.

Ian quickly rephrased with a bright smile plastered on his face.

“Of course, I saved you because I save everyone. It’s just what I do. Nothing else to it.”

“Haha!” Keith suddenly burst into laughter, leaving Ian staring at him in shock. It was the first time he’d ever heard him laugh so openly.

With a radiant smile, Keith looked like a carefree boy. Ian found himself wondering how old Keith was again. He vaguely recalled that Keith was younger than him, but the exact age escaped him.

He never bothered remembering trivial details like a character’s age. Ian’s mind was too preoccupied with strategizing efficient growth routes and skillsets.

But now that he thought about it, Keith wasn’t just younger—he was practically a kid compared to him. He only seemed older because of how strictly he controlled himself.

“You know, you’re really strange,” Keith said, still smiling.

‘You’re the strange one,’ Ian thought.

He’d been called an orphan, a creep, even unpleasant, but this was the first time someone called him “strange” as if it were a compliment.

Ian shrugged and poked at the fire. The small flame was warm, and the flickering light made Keith’s handsome face seem even more striking. Seeing him smiling like that gave Ian an indescribably odd feeling.

Keith wasn’t feeling much different.

‘Strange indeed.’

Keith meant it wholeheartedly. Despite being gloomy the entire time, one remark from Ian had made him laugh.

Now, Ian was just fiddling with the fire as if he hadn’t done anything.

Every time Keith studied him closely, he found himself surprised all over again. So small, pale, and fragile, yet Ian’s presence was overwhelming. Enough to appear in his dreams.

‘Dreams?’

Keith frowned. He didn’t usually dream, and even when he did, he rarely remembered them. His focus had always been directed toward the heavens above, leaving little room for anything else.

Yet, he’d dreamed of someone. Someone he stared at, his fists clenched, trying desperately not to touch. Because touching would’ve been a mistake—something he wouldn’t be able to stop if he started.

Keith shook his head to clear away the peculiar thoughts.

‘Strange man.’

It was becoming harder and harder to see Ian as a sacred figure.

He knew he shouldn’t think that way, but that was all it was—just a thought.

How could someone so ridiculous and… endearing be divine?

The curse of Belial coursing through Keith’s veins whispered to his heart, though he remained unaware.

For now, it was just a small, harmless desire.

Thinking someone was endearing wasn’t a sin, was it?

After a long journey, they finally arrived at the Eastern Docks. The mamool found it amusing to see two demons riding horses but wisely kept their distance.

Demons were a cruel and selfish race, and none of the mamool wanted to risk becoming mounts themselves.

Thanks to this, Ian and Keith traveled undisturbed. Ian, who had memorized all the boundaries of mamool territory, navigated without any trouble.

The docks were quiet. Mamool had no interest in sailing, leaving the harbor mostly used by a sinister clan of white dwarves. They lived off seafood, so their professions naturally revolved around boats—but that didn’t mean they ventured far out to sea.

Ian finished explaining.

“So, no boats are heading to where we need to go.”

“What will you do?” Keith asked.

“What do we have on us right now?”

Keith reluctantly touched his mask. “The demon masks?”

“Exactly. We’re demons, so we’ll handle this the demon way.”

“…?”

Ignoring Keith’s suspicious glance, Ian grabbed a passing boatman.

The white dwarf, Joty, flinched as the demon addressed him arrogantly.

“Yes, sir? What do you need?”

“You. You have a boat, don’t you?”

Joty wanted to lie but feared the demon would kill him if he did, so he truthfully answered.

“Yes, sir. I own a small, humble boat unworthy of someone like you.”

“Of course, your boat is unworthy. But I’ll grant you the honor of steering it for me.”

The demon’s haughty tone made Joty grind his teeth inwardly.

“…It’s an honor, sir. But where are you heading?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Of course, sir. I’ll prepare the boat right away.”

With a triumphant nod, Ian turned to Keith, who was shaking his head, barely suppressing a laugh.

“You seem oddly familiar with this,” Keith remarked.

“Familiar? No way.”

Ian prided himself on being a kind person—blackmail wasn’t exactly second nature.

“Right.” Keith’s tone was dry, but Ian didn’t press him.

“Just don’t act too nice on the boat,” Ian warned.

“Too nice?”

“Yeah. Stop pretending you don’t understand what I’m saying. Demons don’t act like you. If you don’t want unnecessary trouble, act the part.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Keith agreed, but Ian still had doubts.

Those doubts were confirmed when the boat hit rough waves, and Keith pulled out a rosary to pray.

‘Is he crazy?’

Ian was too dumbfounded to stop him.

“What are you?!”

The boat rocked violently, and Joty drew his sword, lunging at them.

There was no way a demon would hold a rosary and pray. Demons were supposed to loathe and defile the divine.

Already suspicious of Keith’s overly polite demeanor, Joty had finally snapped. No high-ranking demon named Ian existed in the eastern regions either.

Before Ian could react, Keith blocked the attack and threw Joty overboard.

“Ack.” Keith grimaced, realizing too late what he’d done.

Sploosh!

The only one who knew how to steer the boat was now sinking into the sea.

“…What now? You’re steering the boat?”

“Where do I steer it?”

“Do I look like I know?!” Despite his protests, Ian did know the way. He’d spent hours mastering navigation during his time in the game.

As Ian angrily gave directions, Keith, still gripping the tiller, muttered irritably. “Could you stop snapping at me? You’ll run out of energy for it soon enough.”

“I snap because of you! What else am I supposed to do?”

“And do you think I enjoy it when you snap at me?”

“You’re supposed to. You’re God’s agent, aren’t you? You should be happy no matter what I do!”

“Of course. Your face brings me joy, and your voice is divine music to my ears.”

“Don’t act like you’re playing along!”

“What do you want me to do, then?”

As they bickered, the boat finally reached the island.

Keith wondered why he became so childish whenever dealing with Ian.