Chapter 52

After encouraging Jinoru several more times, Yuri finally brought up the main topic.

“So, Jinoru, you’ve heard the rumors too, right?”

“About the incident in the north, my lord?”

“Yeah. The story about the white-haired man performing a ritual, and then a rock falling from the sky.”

At Yuri’s words, Jinoru nodded.

“Of course I’ve heard it. Isn’t it currently the hottest topic on the continent? Every monarch must be paying attention to that man.”

Moreover, there were quite a number of eyewitnesses who claimed they saw it firsthand. It doesn’t seem like a false or exaggerated tale.”

“In that case… has he already appeared? The mage.”

Jinoru let out a deep sigh.

“That’s the most likely scenario.”

“We were a step too late.”

“Don’t worry. If he required a ritual to that extent, he isn’t at the level of a true mage.”

“Hmm? Still, if we can bring him in, shouldn’t we? It’d be such a waste if someone as talented is under Lin Brance, right?”

“If you wish it, my lord, I won’t stop you… but whether he’ll understand your intentions is uncertain. Our army is still weaker compared to the Brance Army.”

“You were also skeptical when you first joined our forces. Maybe with some persuasion, it could work? Or is it really that hard?”

In response, Jinoru lowered his head and spoke.

“It’s fine. Just give me a little more time. If we can endure this massive wave that is the Brance Army, surely the goddess of victory will favor us, the Aishias Army. Then naturally, the white-haired man will join us.”

There was something distinctly different about their conversation compared to other vassals.

Vanessa of the Karelia Army argued, “It’s not a mage; they’re just good at reading the timing.”

Jena of the Serpina Army countered, “They couldn’t possibly read the timing; therefore, they must be a mage.”

However, Jinoru outright concluded it was a mage.

Since it’s impossible for them to read the timing, anything else doesn’t make sense—this was clearly different.

It felt as though the proposition “Mages exist” had been treated as a fact.

“I trust you, Jinoru. And so do all my comrades who follow me. Being part of the Aishias Army means having an unbreakable bond of trust that will never betray. Didn’t I tell you all this when I first brought you in?”

Upon hearing this, Jinoru bowed deeply in respect.

“I will surely repay your trust, my lord.”

Though the strategy failed, it didn’t mean the downfall of the Aishias Army.

The mindset Jinoru had when leaving seclusion remained intact.

His ideal: creating a nation under his lord Baranga Yuri Aishias.

Jinoru had essentially bet his entire remaining life on her vision of the future.

*

Before heading out to take care of business, Jinoru briefly returned home, where he heard a woman’s voice.

“Father. You’ve come.”

“Yes.”

She—a young woman around twenty years old—had long pink hair and gave off an impression of emptiness. Though she called Jinoru ‘father,’ they looked nothing alike, and their age difference was significant enough to make their relationship unclear.

“How did today’s training go?”

“Not quite to the level you mentioned… but…”

She hesitated momentarily before slowly extending her hand. Soon after—

A small spark of fire emerged in her hand.

But only for a moment.

“…Haa.”

She collapsed right there.

“I managed to produce the spark… but I don’t know how to maintain it. I’ve read all the ancient texts you recommended…”

“It’s fine. Being able to manifest it to this degree is no ordinary feat. So, are you starting to grasp it?”

“If you mean [Mana], then… vaguely, yes.”

Jinoru nodded.

“Good, Reika. Keep practicing. Your talent will bring peace to this continent. Do you understand?”

“Father’s words, I shall remember and remember again.”

The pink-haired girl—Reika—nodded with an empty gaze and cautiously spoke.

“Father, actually, I have something to say—”

“I’m busy. I need to leave soon. Is it related to your training?”

“…No.”

After hearing Reika’s reply, Jinoru turned around and immediately left for somewhere.

Though her living conditions improved since joining the Aishias Army, her daily life hadn’t changed at all—reading about [Mana] and practicing its use.

Trapped like a bird in a cage, Reika’s heart grew colder and colder.

* * *

Destroying and burning down fortresses one by one wasn’t the decision of either the ruler or the commander responsible for construction.

It was the soldiers who transported each brick, sweating and working hard to build the fortress, now destroying it with their own hands.

“Irony at its finest.”

I knew it was unavoidable given the era, but seeing such scenes happen without hesitation still triggered some rejection from the remnants of my modern self-awareness.

The soldiers themselves didn’t look too pleased either, probably questioning what exactly they were doing.

Even if they weren’t modern people, their emotions weren’t that different from mine.

It made sense why Luna and Iren were popular among the territorial people and soldiers.

Unable to bear watching this any longer, I tried to help, but my lack of strength meant I was more of a hindrance than anything. Carrying a few bricks left me drenched in sweat and panting.

Still, it was fortunate that Iren was helping alongside the soldiers, which somewhat mitigated how bad my image might have been.

After completely destroying the fortress…

On the night before departure, I sat by the bonfire pondering what to do next.

Then,

“Swoen.”

Iren, who had helped destroy the fortress with me all day, approached holding a tray and spoke cautiously.

“Is it okay if I sit?”

“Of course.”

She sat beside me, a bit too close, and I could feel her body brushing against mine occasionally.

Ever since that earlier incident, it felt like her personal space boundary towards me had shrunk considerably.

“Here.”

She handed me a cup from the tray.

“This is… tea?”

“One of the soldiers had it. Said it was standard issue.”

“Did you confiscate a soldier’s standard issue item?”

At my words, she flustered and shook her head.

“N-No! It wasn’t confiscation. I just borrowed it…! I thought drinking it together with you would be nice… and the soldier said it was fine…”

“Joking.”

At my words, her face turned red, and she slightly pouted.

Unbeknownst to her, her actions were undeniably adorable.

“…You seem to joke around a lot with your superior.”

After laughing a few times at her expression, I accepted the tea she offered. Its warmth enveloped me pleasantly.

“What is it?”

“I’m curious when you’ll make your decision.”

Decision.

Right. Iren’s heart had already left Lin Brance. I didn’t plan on staying here long either.

But I hadn’t yet heard any news of Lady Luna raising an army.

Which meant—I would inevitably have to set out again to serve another lord.

‘Guess I’ll end up being a wanderer once more.’

If I had stayed low-key in the Brance Army, I could’ve passed the time more comfortably. But doing so would’ve meant losing Iren, who looked at me with those eyes.

Just that fact alone made me not regret my previous actions and decisions. Even if my body will suffer a bit, what does it matter?

With a loyal knight with fiery red hair believing in me by my side.

And she has big breasts too.

“For the time being, I may have to spend time under another vassal.”

“Another vassal?”

“Because Lady Luna hasn’t raised an army yet.”

“…That’s right.”

She nodded and said,

“I don’t care who it is. Wherever you choose to stay, I will stay there too.”

Her gaze, unwavering and sincere, never wavered.

“Until then, while you’re still here, please try not to show too much that your heart has left. Just enough so Lin doesn’t notice. Can you manage that?”

Upon hearing my words, Iren smiled bitterly.

“Don’t worry. That’s what I’ve always done.”

True.

Even if she talks about loyalty and noble spirit easily…

Her heart must’ve been rotting away inside until now.

“When the time comes, I’ll let you know.”

“Okay.”

We silently stared at the bonfire for a long while.

And at that moment—

“…!”

I felt something lean against my shoulder.

It was Iren.

She was using my shoulder as a pillow.

Turning my head, I saw her face was as red as a red bean, her ears flushed, and she shyly glanced up at me with an expression unlike her usual self.

“…Do you mind?”

“Not at all…”

“…If you don’t mind… let me stay like this for a little while.”

I could feel her body heat directly.

Her large bosom pressed against my arm, the sensation vivid.

The scent of the tea leaves we drank earlier added an odd charm to the atmosphere.

Honestly, I couldn’t deny it.

My heart was racing a little.

Come to think of it, this game allowed polygamy.

Men could marry up to four women.

Does that rule apply here too?

While entertaining such foolish thoughts…

I spent the time with Iren by the bonfire, feeling each other’s presence.

*

After finishing the destruction of the fortress, we immediately headed back to Anel Castle at dawn.

Though our progress was slow due to the many wounded, we were within our territory, so there was no need to rush.

Besides, thanks to Iren’s daily nursing, the number of functional soldiers was significantly higher than after the initial defeat.

Returning to Anel Castle after so long, it was bustling and peaceful, making everything that happened in the north feel like a lie.

The expressions of the people here were clearly different from those residing in Kelshtain Castle.

To be honest, walking around here made me forget we were even in an era of chaos or at war.

The first place we headed to was obviously the royal palace where Lin resided.

Though I wanted to return to the East Anel house and relax with Iren over tea, we had duties to attend to.

“Anyway, I’ll take responsibility, so you guys don’t need to worry too much.”

Kalintz seemed well aware of his current position despite everything.

Building the fortress and pushing for an unnecessary expedition were all his decisions.

As for me and Iren, we merely followed orders.

Though my act of insubordination did bother me, “wanted to fight for the country” should be considered to some extent.

With Kalintz leading the way, we arrived at the castle and immediately headed toward the audience chamber.

‘Time to wrap this up.’

The true finality of this northern battle.

It was time to face our lord, Lin Brance.