Chapter 202

After a while of marching, we finally reached a position where the fortress occupied by the Rebel Forces came into view.

“Hmm… looks like they’re preparing for a siege.”

Iren, who had been leading the charge and assessing the situation, turned to look at me.

“What do you plan to do, Swoen?”

“Just like I mentioned before, we should take them out with one big move.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?”

In response to Iren’s question, I smiled faintly and nodded.

“Anyway, it’s something we couldn’t hide forever. The existence of mages will inevitably come to light over time.”

Reika was the most powerful mage in this game, but she wasn’t the only one. Moreover, due to some of my past actions—like summoning meteors using an altar—rumors about the existence of real-life mages had already spread across the continent.

As I said earlier, if something is bound to be revealed, it’s best to make the most of it.

“…What about Miss Reika?”

Iren turned her head to look at Reika, who was standing behind me, looking unsure of herself.

“I… um…”

The tremor in her voice made it clear how nervous she was. Without saying a word, I firmly took her hand.

“Ahh…”

Reika froze in surprise for a moment but then…

“…Alright, I’ll do it. As I mentioned before to Sir Swoen…”

Unlike her usual hesitant and shaky tone, her voice was surprisingly clear and confident this time.

“Iren-sama, Swoen-sama… In these times, everyone carries their own burdens. And Serpina-sama works hard for Iren-sama, while Iren-sama strives for us and so many others…”

She glanced at the hand I hadn’t yet let go of.

“Everything I eat, everything I wear, and even my ability to live like this are all possible because others have worked hard in their respective roles. So, despite having abilities myself… I don’t want to sit idly by and feel guilty about doing nothing. That would be cowardly!”

“…”

If Reika were to use magic, people would die—even among the rebels. Some might just get injured, but inevitably, many lives would be lost. War is war after all. Ten thousand soldiers aren’t just a health bar of 10,000; they represent ten thousand unique worlds shattering.

Even though she had always practiced on trees or scarecrows until now, this time Reika would be directly taking someone else’s life with her own hands.

Though it would be different for warriors like Iren and me, being a civilian, this burden must weigh heavily on Reika—but she wanted to help us. She wanted to repay Serpina.

“…Understood.”

Iren silently nodded, understanding Reika’s determination.

“Then let’s begin. Iren-sama, please prepare to charge once the timing is right after the magic is cast.”

“Got it.”

I slowly drew my rapier. Reika realized this was my signal, closed her eyes, and began gathering mana in her hands.

“Haaah…!!”

I confirmed the formation of a fiery sphere in her pale hands. Pushing herself to her limits, she expanded its size as much as possible…

“…Swoen-sama…!”

And then she passed it to me. I carefully positioned the tip of my rapier.

Just like last time.

Reika’s fireball began growing larger, now attached to the tip of my rapier.

Honestly, I hadn’t planned to involve myself so directly, but…

Considering who it was that endangered Iren-sama…

‘This needs to be properly accounted for.’

Perhaps fueled by the anger simmering deep within me, the fiery mass hanging precariously on the tip of my blade was far larger than the one that had shattered the fortress walls previously.

“That… that’s impossible!”

“Can it really be… magic exists?”

“I told you! That white-haired mage, he’s the guy who summoned the meteor!”

Voices from the soldiers behind us murmured, but I didn’t pay much attention. If anything, I appreciated their disbelief. The more people witness this spectacle, the stronger my influence becomes.

“…!!!”

And then…

At the exact moment when instinct told me “it’s ready”—

“…Take THIS…!!!!”

With a thrust, I sent the rapier forward. The fireball detached from the tip and surged toward the rebel-occupied fortress.

KWAAAAAAAANG!!!!!!!!!

The fortress, which had far weaker defenses compared to a castle, was utterly obliterated. Additional fireballs followed, courtesy of Reika.

—Red rain fell from the sky.

Standing tall amidst the vast plains, the fortress crumbled under supernatural forces never seen before.

I understand the feelings of the scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project back in my old world.

Didn’t they say they became the bringers of death and destroyers of worlds?

Though not on the scale of mushroom clouds, this destruction would surely feel like divine punishment to the rebels inside the fortress.

If there’s blame to assign… it lies with those who endangered Iren-sama.

And…

…the sin of Ainhardt humans defying Lady Serpina.

“Charge!!”

“WAHHHHHHHHH!!!”

—Ah.

When Iren gave the order, the thunderous cheers of the soldiers marked the official start of the fortress assault. At that moment, I realized my anger wasn’t solely directed at Iren-sama.

* * *

The subsequent battle was surprisingly anticlimactic.

The morale of the 10,000-strong rebel force was crushed by a single magical strike, turning them into a disorganized mob. It wasn’t surprising that witnessing such supernatural power would sap one’s will to fight.

Of course, I didn’t sit idle either. Reika and I continued working together, using magic to assist Iren until her mana reserves were depleted. She mentioned that the Northern Continent has a much richer supply of mana compared to the central regions, which likely contributed to her endurance.

While the abundance of mana in the north was advantageous for us, it was undoubtedly a disaster for the rebel camp. Facing attacks from ice and fire for the first time, they must have regretted their actions by now.

‘That’ll do.’

Though I haven’t fully repaid the debt of gratitude for Iren-sama saving my life, I hope this helps ease her burden somewhat. Knowing how distressed she was when Lady Serpina got injured trying to protect her…

“Destroy the fortress! Move in and clean up!”

By this point, the battle was entering its final phase. Iren-sama could handle the rest from here. My role ends here.

And then…

“Sir Swoen…”

Reika approached me cautiously.

“Are you alright, Reika?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

I gently took Reika’s hand. The moment our hands connected, she gripped mine tightly. Despite everything, she wasn’t trembling. Though she might be sweating, she stood firm without faltering.

“I also… want to help everyone. With my abilities, I want to help you, Sir Swoen, and so many others. So… I’m okay.”

“…Thank you for your hard work.”

“Sir Swoen…”

Reika turned to face me.

“I intend to stop hiding anymore.”

“…”

“For the peace of the continent. For Iren-sama. And… for my teacher, I want to contribute however I can.”

The Reika who always fidgeted nervously, avoided eye contact, and constantly read the room…

Now looked at me with the clearest expression I’ve ever seen. Her pink eyes burned with an intense heat.

I easily understood the hidden meaning in her words.

“But… are you sure?”

“After all, there’s no point in hiding anymore… and frankly, there’s no need. This is simply the flow of the times. Even Father once said such a moment would eventually come.”

“Reika…”

“So… I won’t hide anymore. I will use this power. It may be weak and insufficient for now, but with Sir Swoen by my side… I’m certain I can become a great help!”

She truly means it. I slowly nodded in agreement.

“Understood.”

“…”

Together, we silently gazed at the crumbling fortress.

From now on, the structure of warfare on the continent will undoubtedly change. Even brilliant generals experienced in combat will struggle to adapt to the new variable of mages. Strategists will rack their brains figuring out how to counteract battlefields with mages. Over time, more mages will emerge, and methods to counter them will eventually be devised. Magic is indeed a formidable ability, but no one can topple every enemy alone, as if they were a god.

But, at least for now—there’s no doubt that Reika and I stand at the center of this wave of change.

Closing my eyes, I recalled the name of the scenario where Reika first appeared.

[The Battle of a New Era].

The subtitle beneath it was vivid in my memory: [After the arrival of the pink-haired mage, the battles on the continent changed forever. Choose a monarch during this revolutionary period and help them lead the new battlefield!]

Though it happened much earlier than the original scenario timeline…

Regardless, today marks the formal debut of Reika Nightharte onto the continental stage. Pink hair, pink eyes, fond of baking cakes, not overly confident, but earnestly wishing to help others—she is the continent’s first true mage.

‘From today onward, a new era begins.’

Like it or not, the clock of the continent keeps ticking forward.

*

3,000 vs 10,000—an overwhelmingly unfavorable battle by numbers. However, judging by the outcome alone, the 3,000 troops led by the specialist in siege warfare, Iren, thoroughly wiped out the foolish rebel forces who openly admitted to plotting Serpina’s assassination.

This battle will go down in history as the first recorded instance of a mage playing a prominent role on the battlefield in the continent. Compared to the previous battle at Kelshtain’s northern fortress, where the presence of magic was debated due to my use of the altar, this time the existence of mages has truly come to light.

And now…

All that remains is dealing with the remnants of the rebellion.