D’Élysée leaned back deeply into the sofa as he spoke.

“I hate everything about the first hero, but I ended up receiving the same surname due to His Holiness’s whim. He’s an unpredictable person, so there’s nothing I can do about it… So, what’s the origin of my name?”

“Ah, well… that…”

It was then that one side of Egru’s head rang with pain. Egru closed his eyes and opened them again, holding his forehead.

“I-I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Didn’t you give me the name?”

“Um, I guess it wasn’t me.”

“Then it must have been Levian. Who else would do such a despicable thing?”

D’Élysée looked extremely displeased. Egru asked cautiously.

“Do you dislike the first hero? Isn’t he a great person?”

“That’s what’s known to the public.”

D’Élysée said, rubbing his face tiredly.

“The first hero was an extremely heartless person, brother.”

“But, but I’m sure he was a very admirable person…”

“He was a vicious person who indiscriminately massacred both humans and demons. They say he changed after conquering the Demon King, perhaps he got a taste for cruel power. Still, the end of a villain is always miserable. He was secretly beheaded on the Papal grounds.”

D’Élysée spoke of the frightening story nonchalantly. Egru shuddered involuntarily.

“I’m telling you this because you’re my brother. It’s information known only to His Holiness and past commanders. I did take an oath of secrecy, but well, it’s not like you have anyone to tell, right?”

“……”

“What, are you going to tell someone?”

“N-no! I’ll never tell! I-I’m just surprised because it’s so unexpected…”

“That’s good. It’s necessary for the public image, you know.”

D’Élysée smiled slightly.

“Anyway, it’s really not funny. Seeing all the Holy Knights adoring the first hero.”

“Mmm.”

“They all blindly believe in and worship a person they’ve never met in their lives. They even pray before missions. It’s no different from a stupid clown show. When I see them following me, saying I resemble a monster who was executed hundreds of years ago…”

Grumble.

Egru was mortified at the stomach growl that sounded again at such an important moment. As if telling it to be quiet, he clutched his hungry stomach with both hands. D’Élysée suddenly stopped talking and asked.

“You’re hungry, brother? I was being insensitive.”

“No, no! That’s not it! Please continue talking!”

“It’s fine. You’ve already ruined it all.”

As D’Élysée got up with a dry smile, Egru’s shoulders slumped.

But the clattering sound of plates quickly revived his spirits. How could it not? It was the day he would taste cake for the first time in his life.

“His Holiness seems more interested in you than I thought. Even preparing a separate dessert for you like this.”

D’Élysée approached slowly, holding a round plate.

‘Ch-cheesecake…!’

As if under a slow-motion spell, a halo sparkled around its yellowish figure.

‘I wonder what it tastes like.’

After a long time, saliva pooled in his dry mouth. He was trying hard to suppress his wildly beating heart.

“By the way, why does your stomach keep making noise? Doesn’t Levian feed you well?”

“No, no, it’s not like that… I eat well, so don’t worry.”

“…Really?”

D’Élysée silently handed over the plate of cheesecake.

“Then this must be nothing to you. It’s just a snack, but you should eat it all.”

“Mm, thank y-“

The round plate slowly tilted. To be precise, the hand offering the cheesecake tilted.

“Ah.”

Splat.

Plop, before it could be stopped, the carpet was soiled. The plate fell and stuck into the unsightly smashed cheesecake.

“Oh, a mistake.”

“……”

“My hand slipped, probably because I’m so tired today. Do you still want to eat it?”

D’Élysée smiled brightly.

Egru blinked his amber eyes quietly. He seemed to have no idea what the problem was.

“Th-thank you, D’Élysée! I’ll eat it well!”

It was an inexplicably cheerful answer. As Egru bent down without hesitation, D’Élysée failed to manage his expression in time.

‘I thought he would starve until tomorrow for sure…’

D’Élysée was a kind brother, now as always. At least in Egru’s mind.

If it weren’t for his brother, he wouldn’t have even known about cheesecake. Thanks to him, he could also satisfy his long-standing hunger. Although saliva had been constantly wetting his throat, Egru first checked D’Élysée’s arm.

“Oh, you must have had a really tough day. I know well because sometimes my strength fails me too. If you’re okay with it, I could give you a massage…”

“…It’s fine.”

“Okay.”

Egru looked up at D’Élysée while sitting on the carpet. Perhaps because he was half-turned away, his brother’s expression wasn’t clearly visible.

“Then, I’ll try eating the cheesecake.”

“…Don’t eat it.”

“Why? The floor is very clean.”

“It doesn’t matter. We need to throw it away.”

“But, but how can we throw away something His Holiness gave us?”

“That’s why even more…”

D’Élysée closed his mouth as if hitting the brakes. Seeing him frown, Egru suddenly had a realization.

“Let’s, let’s eat it together, D’Élysée! Since His Holiness gave it to us!”

Egru wriggled sideways to make room. He’s jealous again. He doesn’t need to be.

“Sit here, okay? I’ll dust it off well and scoop just the top for you.”

“…Stand up.”

“Huh?”

D’Élysée suddenly poured the milk into the fireplace. Hiss, grayish-white smoke billowed up. The savory aroma of burning milk lasted only for a moment. An unpleasant burnt smell enveloped the room.

‘Why, why is he throwing it away?’

Egru was shocked at the act that seemed such a waste just to look at. A terrible thought occurred to him. If this happens, the next step would be…

“I said stand up.”

D’Élysée said as he approached with large strides. In his hand was an empty milk glass. Only the hazy remains of milk, as if covered in fog, could be seen.

It was then that Egru’s anxiety peaked. A determination to protect the cheesecake at all costs welled up.

“Move aside.”

“D-D’Élysée, wait…!”

It was the moment his urgent hand reached out first. With a squelching sound, a sweet smell wafted strongly.

“Ah…”

Egru couldn’t believe what had happened before his eyes.

Under D’Élysée’s shoe was a mass of yellow. The unsightly trampled cheesecake was now unrecognizable.

“What a pitiful sight.”

D’Élysée gritted his teeth and scolded.

“Why are you acting like you’re possessed? Is this your first time eating cake?”

D’Élysée’s hand swiftly caught Egru’s wrist. Egru had reflexively tried to lick the cheese cream off his fingertips. D’Élysée took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the bony pale green fingers painfully clean.

“You’ve lost your mind over food. It’s really embarrassing. You don’t even know how to be ashamed.”

D’Élysée forcefully pulled up Egru’s wrist with one hand.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stand up?”

The skinny body floated up and stood awkwardly.

“The carpet is not a place to sit. Only poor people without chairs sit like that.”

Egru couldn’t understand the situation that had befallen him.

‘Why, why is he angry…’

D’Élysée clicked his tongue and wiped his shoe on the carpet. There was a squelching sound, as if he had stepped in mud. The amber eyes fixed on the remains being wiped away.

“What, do you want to eat this too?”

At the grumpy question, Egru shook his head.

“No, no. I’ve eaten a lot before, so it’s okay…”

He tried hard to appear calm. He hid his dejected gaze and fiddled with his bony fingers. D’Élysée muttered with a disgusted look.

“Liar.”

“I-I’m not lying.”

“Who are you trying to fool? What have you eaten a lot of? Don’t tell me it’s cheesecake?”

“……”

“Is Levian that benevolent? You might as well say the Western Demon King does charity work. At least put some meat on your bones before you try to deceive me.”

D’Élysée completely turned his head away, brushing back his glossy hair. As the uncomfortable silence continued, it was Egru who became more and more restless.

“I-I’m sorry, D’Élysée. I-I won’t do it again. I’m sorry…”

“What exactly are you sorry for?”

D’Élysée suddenly burst into laughter.

“Tell me, brother. What are you always so sorry about?”

“For, for lying…”

Egru lowered his head as if ashamed.

“Saying I’ve eaten a lot of ch-cheesecake…”

“Are you really sorry? For something like that?”

“Yes.”

“…My poor brother. Who made you like this?”

D’Élysée muttered as he moved closer to the fireplace.

“I know who.”

The damp firewood swayed precariously even in the slight breeze. The flattened embers slowly rose again. For a while, thin flames flickered on his expressionless face.

“I won’t make you choose right away. I was too hasty.”

“Huh?”

The pale green eyes blinked slowly. Looking down at the fuel gradually being consumed by the embers.

“But think about it carefully, okay?”

“What…”

“Levian is the kind of person who acts before he speaks. He’s ruthless and violent.”

D’Élysée pulled the bell cord on the right side of the fireplace a couple of times. Soon after, a polite knock sounded.

“His dirty nature alone is reason enough not to be close to him. To the great Guildmaster, the life of a mere debtor isn’t worth even a penny.”

“Ah…”

“You need to realize that there are people who are born bad in this world. Learn that first.”