Cornelia's anger finally broke through, and this time there was no hiding it behind dignity or restraint.
It showed on her face without effort. Her lips were tight. Her brows were drawn low. Her eyes carried a sharp edge that made her feelings obvious.
However, even with that anger burning, she forced herself to stay still. Acting now would be reckless. What she had seen was not enough yet. She needed more before making a judgment she could trust.
Cain's earlier thoughts returned to her, one after another. Cedrick was a spy. The new recruits were not just recruits. They were tools sent by other noble families. He had thought of it all as if the truth had been known for a long time.
And that alone was too much. Worse, Cain did not sound like someone guessing or speculating. He sounded like someone remembering.
Her steps slowed as she walked ahead, her mind racing while her body remained composed.
If he is lying, then he is reckless beyond belief.
If he is telling the truth…
Her fingers tightened slightly at her side.
Then there was the other problem, the one that frightened her far more than spies or internal betrayal.
When Cain thought about the Chimera Ant Emperor, there was nothing there. No fear, no tension, nothing tightening in his chest.
The same went for the Crimson Blood King. Not respect. Not even caution.
Just indifference. Like both of them were already behind him, things he had dealt with once and no longer bothered remembering.
That was not the mindset of a mad noble.
That was the mindset of something that stood above them.
No, she needed to be careful. She needed to slow down and observe, not react.
Behind her, Cain was silently cursing her with a frustration that felt almost childish.
Why did you leave like that?
Cain walked beside her without slowing down. His steps weren't tense. His back wasn't straight either. He looked like someone just going along with it. But inside his head, his thoughts were sharp and irritated, scraping against each other.
Come on… Punish me already. I didn't say it out loud, meaning I didn't deny it. I told you the truth so you'd think I was lying. That was the whole point. So why are we just walking away like this?
He sighed to himself.
This is stupid.
Cornelia still hadn't said anything when Cedrick's voice came from behind them again. Louder. Desperate enough that it cracked a little.
"Lady Cornelia, please reconsider," he said, stepping forward. "Master Cain must be punished immediately."
The soldiers behind him started talking too. One after another, then at the same time, until their voices mixed together and pushed the tension higher.
"He assaulted fellow vanguards."
"He abused his noble status."
"He injured new recruits."
"This cannot be ignored."
Cain glanced back at them slowly, his expression calm, almost lazy, while his thoughts were anything but.
Yes, yes, keep going.
He almost wanted to clap.
Push harder. Make it worse.
Cedrick walked closer, his face filled with concern and righteous anger, playing his role perfectly.
"He used magic scrolls," Cedrick insisted firmly. "Powerful ones. We all saw it. This kind of abuse will destroy discipline if it is allowed to continue."
Cain nearly laughed inside his head.
Magic scrolls? That's your explanation?
He looked at Cornelia's back, his thoughts aimed directly at her even though he knew she could hear them.
They don't want you reaching the training ground. They don't want you to see the truth. That's all this is.
But he said nothing aloud.
After all, he wanted them to succeed.
Cedrick continued without hesitation, his voice rising again as if afraid he might lose momentum.
"If this matter is delayed, Lady Cornelia, the morale of the vanguards will collapse. They are already shaken. If discipline is not enforced now, they may hesitate in battle. That would endanger the Moonshade family itself."
Cain shook his head slightly.
That argument is terrible. Really terrible.
Still, he smirked inwardly.
But effective. You know how to pressure authority. I'll give you that.
Cornelia heard all of it. Every thought Cain had. The mockery. The twisted compliments. None of it eased the tension inside her.
The anger came first. The confusion followed and wrapped around it tightly.
He insults Cedrick but praises his ability.
He asks to be punished yet keeps provoking everyone.
He accuses betrayal but gives Cedrick room to speak.
What are you aiming for?
She spoke without meaning to.
"Enough."
Silence dropped into the corridor.
Cornelia turned to Cedrick, her eyes sharp.
"Captain Cedrick," she said, "why are you being so loud, and why do you want him punished so badly?"
Cedrick stiffened visibly.
Cain blinked once, then smiled faintly inside.
Of course. It's kind of obvious.
Cain's thoughts flowed easily.
They accused me of using scrolls. They don't want you reaching the training ground. They don't want you to confirm that I didn't use anything. That's it.
He swallowed the words.
Watch and see.
Cedrick bowed slightly, his expression strained.
"Lady Cornelia," he said carefully, "if punishment is delayed, the soldiers at the training grounds will grow restless. They are already shaken. If discipline is not enforced immediately, their confidence in command will fall, and that will weaken the Blood Knights' ability to protect the Moonshade family."
Cain burst into laughter inside his head.
That reasoning is awful.
But clever.
You wrapped fear, duty, and loyalty together in one breath.
Cornelia heard it all, and her fingers trembled.
Enough.
She turned fully, her voice sharp and unwavering.
"Why would I punish him?"
The soldiers froze.
"He's my husband," she continued coldly. "And I will not punish anyone until I see the situation with my own eyes."
Cedrick was stunned. The limping soldiers following behind were also stunned. What the fuck? They looked at each other. Did she just call him husband? They didn't hear wrong, right?
Meanwhile, the most shocked of them all was no one but Cain. Just like what happened to Ivira, did Cornelia also call him husband too?
Did she really say that?
What are you doing? Why did you call me husband in this spy, Cedrick? Didn't you admire this man in my past life? Just punish me already. You're making this harder than it needs to be.
He cursed.
They resumed walking, tension thick in the air.
The moment they reached the training ground, everything changed.
The injured soldiers noticed Cain.
Fear erupted instantly.
"Demon!"
"It's him!"
"Stay away!"
Some tried to crawl backward. Some covered their heads. Some trembled where they lay, as if his presence alone was enough to reopen their wounds.
Cornelia stopped in her tracks.
She went to the nearest soldier right away and dropped down beside him without thinking much about it.
Up close his face looked bad. Swollen too much. One eye barely open. There was dried blood around his mouth like no one had bothered to clean it yet. She put her hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes, pushing her senses inward instead of wasting time staring.
No magical residue.
She frowned.
She moved to another.
Cracked ribs, heavy bruising, internal bleeding signs.
Again, no magic.
She checked another.
A wrist shattered. Ligaments torn. Bruises reaching into the muscle. Purely physical.
She moved along the injured, inspecting each one. Her expression tightened further with every step.
Dislocated jaw. Broken nose. Bruised throat. No mana scars.
Fractured collarbone. Collapsed lung. No elemental traces.
The injuries told the same story. Blunt force. Clean hits. Immense strength.
Her breathing slowed as she stepped back. Too severe. Too precise. Too complete.
She looked at Cain. Hands in pockets. Calm. Almost bored. Like none of this even touched him.
Their eyes met. A chill ran down her spine.
Was he honest? Or was there something else going on?
She couldn't tell. And the not knowing terrified her far more than a truth could.