Chapter 252

Cranfis bowed deeply as he saw Irian enter.

“Milady, you’ve arrived.”

“Cranfis Commander. As I mentioned before, there’s no need to use such formalities.”

Even if temporary, being the Lady of the castle made her the ruler of the territory, so Cranfis’ reaction wasn’t entirely off-base. Still, from Irian’s perspective, it must have been difficult to act casually around the commander of the occupying forces based on rank alone.

Social life is just as complicated here.

“I cannot disregard discipline as a servant.”

Irian didn’t press further, lightly nodding and turning to look at me.

“So, Sir Swoen, I’m considering joining the relief operation workers. What do you think?”

Having not only regular soldiers but also someone of high rank participate in relief activities seemed like it would quell any discontent among the troops.

“If Lady Irian leads personally, it would be most excellent.”

“In that case, let’s proceed that way. Additionally, I’ll transfer full authority over the relief activities to you.”

I bowed my head in gratitude.

“I accept your offer, Milady.”

“Understood. Let’s see…”

After acknowledging my bow, Irian approached Reika who was standing awkwardly nearby.

“It’s been quite some time, Lady Reika.”

“Huh? Ah, ah, y-yes! Aaaah, hello!”

“Thanks to your efforts, Jenis remains healthy. I thank you once again.”

“A-a-ah, well, i-it w-was… j-jus’ m-my d-duty!”

Ah, she bit her tongue again.

Judging by the context, she probably wanted to say “It was just my duty.”

Irian continued the conversation as if nothing happened.

“Now, we place great expectations on you as an official mage of our army, especially regarding this matter. Please do your best.”

“Yes… I also ask for your support.”

When their exchange concluded, it felt like the right moment to interject.

“Milady, may I excuse myself soon? I’d like to adjust the upcoming plans in detail.”

“Please do.”

With Lady Irian supporting me so actively, I figured I could do anything without issue. Reflecting on it now, rescuing Jenis wasn’t merely a romantic decision.

“Alright, Miss Reika, let’s go.”

“Ah, yes!”

I led Reika out of the royal palace slowly.

It was time to set up the relief camp.

* * *

In the audience chamber of Kelshtain Castle after Swen and Reika left…

Cranfis cautiously asked Irian.

“Milady…”

“Speak, Commander.”

“Are you sure about this? While I know magic isn’t false, there’s always the possibility of something going wrong. If the female mage’s magic fails, wouldn’t it be too risky for you to get involved directly?”

Hearing this, Irian shook her head.

“No. If that were the case, he would have stopped me.”

“He…?”

“Sir Swen.”

Swen’s name came up again.

From Serpina who trusts him closely, to the nation’s strategist Jena, and now Irian…

All influential figures within the Serpina Army seem entangled with Swen in some way.

“…You trust him greatly, don’t you?”

Irian looked at Cranfis seriously, as if something clicked.

“He’s an indispensable talent for our Serpina Army in many ways. Isn’t it one of a leader’s virtues to give appropriate trust to those who deserve it, Commander?”

Irian said this and gave another light nod to Cranfis.

“While I understand your concern, we lack people who can stabilize our army amidst numerous rebellions. I intend to make Swen a key wheel in our operations. Commander, I hope you’ll consider this seriously too. That’s all.”

As Irian walked away, Cranfis sighed softly.

“The concentration of all power in someone who isn’t the monarch doesn’t seem ideal…”

Though the current state of the Serpina Army hasn’t fallen so far that it disregards the monarch’s authority…

Still, with continuous rebellions, Swen gaining excessive power remained concerning. Both Jena and Irian seem to view Swen as someone to fully incorporate into the army and use as material for its benefit…

Cranfis recalled Swen’s piercing gaze from their private meeting earlier.

Though physically not very imposing, his eyes were sharp like a wolf’s – the kind that never seems content staying beneath others.

“…No.”

Thinking got complicated for a moment,

but both his valued junior Irian and trusted Jena believed in Swen.

Especially Jena, as a national strategist, surely has better judgment of people than himself, merely seasoned in battle.

If Swen harbored hidden ambitions, Jena would have likely drawn a line already.

Most importantly, Cranfis knew better than anyone that his master Serpina wasn’t the type to be swayed by just any man.

“Fine. As a warrior, following our lord’s will above all else is correct. And if our lord supports Swen…”

Cranfis dismissed his thoughts and followed where Irian had disappeared.

――Actually,

except for the fact that Swen’s ambitions were completely different from what Cranfis imagined,

his evaluation was closer to Swen’s essence than anyone else’s.

* * *

A few days later.

The makeshift relief camp started operating.

Roughly built temporary structures, thorough guard controls – the camp numbered around 12 people total.

Since it was meant for distributing supplies rather than warfare, a large number of personnel wasn’t necessary.

Of course, more hands would help, but Reika’s limit for stable mana usage per week was about this much.

“Then, please close your eyes…”

Reika cast buffs on the soldiers and Irian in turn.

With this, everyone here including myself and Reika won’t contract diseases for a week.

While others might not be so sure, with my knowledge of this world, I trusted her words.

“Truly remarkable. It feels different than hearing about it.”

Irian stretched and marveled.

“Yeah, that’s how it is.”

I understood what he meant.

Once affected by magic, physical abilities literally get ‘buffed’.

Though Reika explained it as simply coating our bodies with ambient mana…

“Good. Starting today, we’ll begin relief activities for the diseased. With the blessing of our mage upon us, everyone can carry out their tasks with peace of mind!”

“Yes sir!”

The soldiers responded enthusiastically.

‘Blessing magic.’

Not bad. Definitely sounds better than ‘buff magic.’

“Let’s go then. Six of you follow me, and those assigned to guard duties head to your areas!”

As Irian bustled about,

I approached the dozing Reika seated nearby.

“Miss Reika, are you alright?”

“Ah… huh? Oh, I’m fine. This much is… manageable.”

In this world’s terms –

Magic isn’t like turning a faucet and getting endless water.

Even with ambient mana, since Reika is the caster, her body inevitably bears the strain. Ultimately, this structure places all responsibility on her.

Such responsibility for one person…

The woman sweating cold beads before me looks too pitiful.

“Still, if you feel unable to continue, please say so. The plan is for a month, but I’m okay with shortening it.”

“No…! For Lord Serpina… and Swen-sama… I want to be helpful. I won’t back down. Besides…”

Reika looked up at me and smiled faintly.

“I suggested 12 people initially… I want to take responsibility for what I can…”

There’s no need for me to say more when she’s already expressed herself so clearly…

She often mentions wanting to be helpful.

Now is the time to tell her what she wants to hear.

Instead of worrying words, I firmly grasped Reika’s hand.

“I am relying on you, Miss Reika.”

Reika… now doesn’t flinch when I hold her hand.

Instead, she grips it tighter,

raises her eyes into half-moons,

and flashes an incredibly bright smile.

“Hehe… y-you can count on me!”

“…”

Suddenly…

Thump thump.

My heart beats strongly.

An indelible sweetness wafts from her body to my nose.

For some reason… I feel my face heating up.

Ever since that pillow incident a few days ago,

things about Reika I hadn’t noticed started catching my eye.

Like her smooth thighs, ample chest, cute voice, and soft feminine tone.

From that point, Reika began approaching me more as a ‘woman’ in a different sense, not just dictionary-wise.

Strangely,

lately ‘women’ keep clouding my mind.

Until now, I thought I managed myself pretty well.

“…Am I… accumulating something lately?”

I chuckled to myself after thinking this.

Isn’t this a luxury problem during times of chaos?

Now isn’t the time to be swayed by fleeting hormonal whims.

Clearing my mind, I focused on the task at hand.

‘In about a week, things should become clear.’

Anyway, the dice have been thrown.

It’s time to question Yuri spreading rumors.

–While we risk our lives aiding afflicted territorial people purely out of humanitarianism, what have you been doing?

* * *

Before even a week passed – only three days later –

responses to our actions began rippling outward.