Chapter 97

*

Me, Reika, and a few guards assigned by Jinoru.

We were riding in a carriage at top speed toward Hisfil Castle, our faces hidden under hoods. These soldiers assigned by Jinoru already knew Reika could use magic. They felt like some kind of private knights from the Nachtard family, though their small numbers meant Yuri didn’t seem to care much about them.

“Wow…”

Reika was gazing out the window, trying to take in every bit of the outside scenery with her pink irises reflecting the blue world.

“…”

I looked over at her profile. She was definitely cute. With her gentle face and pale white skin, she was unlike Iren who had gained some muscle from battling on the battlefield. Reika seemed soft, like someone who had been sheltered in a manor without ever seeing sunlight.

There were many women in this world, but not many who advertised their femininity from head to toe like Reika did.

“…Ah…”

Realizing my gaze, Reika turned around with wide eyes and started flailing her arms.

“It’s not… I mean… No, it’s not that! So…!”

Though tempted to tease her more, it wasn’t really my style.

“Do you like looking outside?”

“Eh? Ah… well, since Father joined the Aishias Army, this is the first time leaving the Falahart Territory…”

I see. That would explain her interest.

At that moment—

Koorururuk.

“…Ah…”

Reika’s face turned bright red all the way to her ears. Instead of making a fuss, I simply handed her a hard piece of bread I had in my coat.

“Do you want some?”

“A, I… um…”

She covered her mouth with her hand, unsure what to do, so I added casually:

“You don’t have to decline. I’m not hungry.”

“…Then…!”

Reika reached out her white hand and took the bread, taking as big a bite as she could manage—which, from her perspective, wasn’t much; just nibbling on the corner of the bread. Watching her chew with both hands holding the bread made her look oddly like a hamster.

It was peaceful.

Compared to where we were heading, this scene was almost too peaceful.

“If this were a trip for fun, it’d be great. The weather’s nice, and we could pack a tasty lunch for a picnic.”

“No… Father said there’s something important I need to do…”

“I’m surprised Jinoru even allowed this.”

Even though Jinoru usually wouldn’t let her leave the house—

For some reason, he agreed without much argument when I asked. While it saved us unnecessary bickering and was convenient for me, I couldn’t help but wonder why he bothered locking her up so tightly if he was going to let her go so easily.

…Though, it wasn’t really my business.

“I was surprised too… Maybe this means I have an extremely important task ahead…” *nom*

“By the way, do you know what that task is?”

“They just told me to properly assist Sir Swoen… I don’t really know.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

“Huh?”

“You’re going into a situation where you don’t know how to help.”

Given Reika’s personality, this was a situation where she might stutter and panic—saying something like “How could someone like me possibly…” Despite clearly having skill, she always lacked confidence.

But…

She glanced at me then gave an unexpected answer.

“It’s not like that… Could Sir Swoen have called me because of my magic…?”

“Huh? Yeah, that’s true…”

“In that case… It’s fine. I’m confident… *nom*”

Oh?

Though her voice was barely audible, there was no hint of bluffing in her words. She truly didn’t seem worried at all. Even though following me meant stepping onto the battlefield, despite her occasional stammering, she didn’t appear scared. In her own way, she was quite extraordinary.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Hehe… Since it’s about magic, I believe I can be of help…”

“…?”

I detected something subtle in her sentence.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Huh?”

Looking at me with sparkling eyes, she seemed confused if she had said something wrong.

“If magic is helpful, what about other things? You’re good at baking too, Miss Reika.”

“No… Baking is just a hobby. What I truly contribute is knowing how to use magic… and read mana.”

Saying that, she gave me a faintly sad smile I had never seen before.

That kind of smile. I had seen it before. Back when Iren still clung to Lin Brance, she often wore a similar fragile expression, one that seemed ready to crumble at any moment.

“Miss Reika… Do you know you’re an adopted daughter?”

“Yes.”

“In fact… Before Father took me in, I was an orphan.”

I knew this information already—it was written in Reika’s character description—but hearing her recount her life journey was different from reading it. Essentially, this was the first time I was truly hearing it.

“I see.”

“Father noticed my talent… When He adopted me, He said something. That my ability to read mana was given to me to become someone who could save this world… If I could wield this power correctly, I would surely achieve great things.”

She kept her head down while speaking in a steady tone, unlike her usual stammering self.

“So… I must use magic. That’s what Father, and this world, expects of me.”

“…”

“I’m really happy. Because I can become a hero of this world thanks to this ability to use magic… If I can contribute to creating a peaceful world… That’s enough for me.”

After saying this, she giggled and scratched her cheek, adding “Ahaha, maybe I sound a bit arrogant…”

Watching her, I felt a lump rise in my throat.

“Miss Reika.”

“Yes?”

“You’re lying.”

“Huh?”

Her eyes wavered slightly upon hearing my words, but I didn’t retract them.

“Is being a hero really enough for you? Are you satisfied with that?”

“But… Well… It’s my purpose in life…”

“No. People don’t have a specific purpose. We’re just born and exist.”

“…”

Reika stared at me, startled. This might be a radical idea for this era—but right now, I wanted to tell her this.

“Miss Reika the Mage is impressive, I admit. Your power might indeed help sow peace in this land, as Jinoru said. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a mage. If you want to choose something else, that’s fine too. No one has the right to criticize you for not choosing the path of a mage. Being Miss Reika without magic is still Miss Reika. That alone has value.”

“Ah…”

After saying that, I chuckled inwardly. How ironic. The reason I approached Reika in the first place was because she was destined to become a powerful mage. And yet here I was telling her she didn’t need to follow that path.

Why did her expression make me feel so emotional?

Was it because I saw Iren in her?

Just as I was getting confused by my unintended words—

Her timid voice reached my ears again.

“Ah… Um… That…”

She bowed her head again, her face flushed red as she spoke carefully.

“Thank… you…”

“…”

I intended to reply with something casual like “Don’t mention it,” but the words wouldn’t come out. Instead, I mirrored her action, bowing my head and staying silent.

As this awkward silence filled the carriage—

A soldier’s voice broke through perfectly.

“We’ve arrived, Sir Swoen.”

Phew.

For some reason, I wiped away a bead of cold sweat before turning to Reika and saying:

“Shall we get out?”

“Yes, yes sir!”

*

“This is…”

Here we were in front of a watchtower on the outskirts of Hisfil Castle. This tower was used by archers during sieges and was currently empty since there was no battle ongoing. There were many such towers along the castle walls, and this particular one was chosen because its location made it less likely to be staffed.

“Miss Reika, can you see that watchtower?”

“Yes sir!”

“All you need to do is destroy it.”

“Yes?”

That’s right.

The main reason I brought Reika here was to create the illusion that “something was wrong at Hisfil Castle.”

To spread false rumors effectively, you need a kernel of truth to back them up. Falsehoods mixed with a little truth tend to carry more weight.

[The watchtower at Hisfil Castle collapsed] → [Soldiers inside the castle report this to the Royal Palace] → [Our spy infiltrates the enemy camp with the news] → [After cross-referencing with the soldiers sent from the castle, they retreat believing something serious happened.]

This was my planned deception strategy.

Technically, it wasn’t entirely fake since a watchtower collapsing is unusual but not significant enough to cause retreat. Hence, the spy’s role was crucial. Overstating the situation—like suggesting a rebellion within the castle—could stir enough trouble.

‘If only my intelligence was 100, maybe it would influence the success rate of the plan.’

Probably not, judging by past experiences.

I briefly explained the plan to Reika. She nodded, glanced at the watchtower a few times, then opened her mouth.

“Yes. I think I can do it. Destroying a watchtower like that shouldn’t be too hard…”

“Truly worthy of Lady Reika. I count on you.”

“R-Really? Thank you!”

Next, I explained the operation to the guards. They were to infiltrate the enemy camp once the watchtower fell and chaos ensued. Their armor bore the insignia of the Serpina Army, so they’d likely be believed without much scrutiny.

“Understood. We’ll keep it in mind.”

Good.

With the plan explained, all that remained was execution.

“Miss Reika, I leave it to you.”

“Yes sir!”

Reika nodded, slowly closed her eyes, extended her hand, concentrated—and effortlessly conjured a fireball above her palm.

Now, I just needed to wait until she grew it to a usable size—so I thought, until suddenly.

‘Huh?’

I realized something was blinding my vision and turned my head. The rapier hanging at my waist was glowing brightly.

‘What’s going on? Why is it doing this?’

Never having seen this happen before, I drew the rapier from my side. The green ceremonial rapier was shining more intensely than the sunlight itself.

And at the moment I pulled it out—

“Uh… Uh…?!”

Reika, who had been concentrating on gathering the fireball, suddenly looked startled.

The fireball in her hand flew toward me—or rather, directly toward the tip of the rapier I held.

“Eh? Sir Swoen?”

“What… What is this?!”

Whoosh!

Stunned, I stumbled backward. No, this stumble was almost involuntary. The fireball attached to the rapier began growing exponentially as it burned fiercely at the tip.

“Wha-wha-whaaa?!”

An unexpected situation.

Startled, I shook the rapier as if trying to shake off the fireball. Honestly, until this point, I hadn’t even begun to guess what was happening.

*KREEEEEEAK!*

The giant fireball, unable to be shaken off, detached from the rapier and shot toward Hisfil Castle’s wall at high speed.

Wait, it should hit the watchtower, not the wall!

Even if Reika’s magic had grown stronger, knocking down a few trees would barely scratch the wall—it should only leave some scorch marks.

Had I been calmer, I might have thought these thoughts.

Of course.

Reality gave me no time for such musings.

*KABOOOOOMMMMM!!!!!!!*

The enormous fireball launched from the rapier slammed into Hisfil Castle’s wall.

With a tremendous explosion, thick smoke billowed before our eyes.

And after… how much time passed?

Groggily opening our eyes cautiously revealed an unbelievable sight.

“This… This is…”

On the wall protecting Hisfil Castle—

A clean, massive circular hole had been cleanly blasted through.

*