Chapter 205

This place is the Audience Chamber of Falahart Royal Palace, the capital of Aishias Army.

At the news of a mage’s appearance, Yuri momentarily stiffened, then heard a woman’s voice.

“Yeah. I heard that after revealing themselves during the process of suppressing the rebellion within Serpina Army, they unleashed an enormous fireball.”

The speaker was Epinal Rosenkross.

As Aishias Army’s second-in-command and the most influential general aside from Yuri, she was highly respected within Aishias Army.

“Did you hear what kind of person it was?”

“I heard it was a young woman with pink hair.”

Upon hearing the keyword ‘pink hair,’ Yuri, who had temporarily gained千里眼 (far-seeing vision), shivered slightly.

‘If it’s pink hair, surely… isn’t she Jinoru’s adopted daughter?’

Jinoru had introduced her to no one but Yuri herself, who was also the ruler of this country.

Given how the existence of the mage had been kept strictly secret, she hadn’t told anyone else either.

He said that his adoptive daughter had the potential to become a ‘mage.’ He confidently believed that once she entered the battlefield, she would change the tide, drive away Brance Army, and make them the dominant force in the Central Continent.

Yuri, however, only half-believed him. Betting on uncertain outcomes wasn’t her style.

Though she did support Jinoru financially for this cause, she didn’t particularly expect much. So when Jinoru left, the word ‘mage’ never crossed her mind.

But…

Clearly, the ‘mage’—a figure capable of shaking the continent—who should have been under her control…

Had somehow ended up in the hands of her comrade’s sworn enemy, Serpina von Einhardt.

‘Wait a moment. Is Jinoru’s adoptive daughter now serving in the Serpina Army?’

Isn’t that strange?

To Yuri’s knowledge, Jinoru was originally part of the imperial forces. He could have easily secured a high position if he’d stayed with Serpina Army.

It was hard to imagine him joining Serpina’s side. So why was she there?

Epinal answered this question rather simply.

“And… I heard there were indications that a white-haired man helped Miss Reika use magic.”

“…Swoen?”

“Probably Swoen. I thought of him immediately upon hearing about the fireball. But apparently, the one using magic was a woman. Whether Swoen is assisting her or if she’s just pretending to use his magic… there are several possibilities, but this situation is quite troublesome.”

“Troublesome situation?”

“Don’t you remember? We said Serpina would take Swoen and kill him. But now it’s revealed he’s alive. While we can still manage things since the only commonality is their hair color, and Swoen might have begged for his life, it’s rare to see a young man with white hair.”

Epinal sighed deeply.

“Anyway, don’t worry too much, Yuri. I’ve already discussed cleanup plans with Emma and Anima. Besides, even if Swoen is alive, my words weren’t entirely wrong, and those who were dissatisfied have all left. Even if this fact comes out now, it won’t cause much confusion.”

“Hold on. What do you mean it wasn’t entirely wrong?”

“Well, every time Swoen uses his magic-like ability, he consumes his lifespan, right? Serpina is essentially exploiting him without regard for his condition. So the speculation that he harbors resentment might actually be correct. I suspect he’s being threatened.”

‘…’

No.

While Epinal, who doesn’t fully understand mages, might speculate like that, Yuri, having heard some details from Jinoru, knew otherwise.

If Swoen’s abilities match the pink-haired mage—Jinoru’s adoptive daughter—it’s not about lifespan depletion. Instead, it’s consuming mana, a power existing somewhere on this continent, though imperceptible to oneself.

Of course, it could be Jinoru lying and lifespan consumption might be real. She hadn’t verified it, and as an adopted daughter, it wouldn’t matter anyway.

However, there was one more piece of evidence proving Swoen wasn’t consuming his lifespan.

A decisive one.

Because the general leading the vanguard in this battle turned out to be Iren Julieat—a red-haired knight known as a specialist in siege warfare.

Yuri clearly remembered the first day she met them.

They had a very close relationship. Especially Iren, who always looked at Swoen with affection.

Initially, after betraying Brance Army and crossing the line of death to join Yuri—

When Yuri pushed Swoen away, Iren immediately betrayed Aishias Army and joined Serpina Army where Swoen was.

Would someone who values Swoen so much idly watch him consume his lifespan?

Moreover, it wasn’t coercion by Serpina that led to Swoen’s transfer.

Serpina gave her a choice. Regardless of the proposal, the decision to accept or reject lay solely with Yuri.

That decision—to effectively sell Swoen—was made solely to save Anima, with full awareness of taking on all responsibility.

And…

After thinking this far, Yuri naturally came to an uncomfortable realization.

“!!!”

The white-haired man, and Jinoru’s adoptive daughter who quit serving under her immediately after he left.

Yuri realized the implications and felt cold sweat trickling down her spine.

—Could it be that because I sold Swoen, the mage under my control ended up in Serpina’s hands?

Judging from the battle reports, it was a series of unbelievable events.

Even if they were rebels stationed in a fortress, it was absurd for 3,000 soldiers to annihilate an army of 10,000 in just a few days.

Since Serpina’s side suffered almost no casualties, anyone could tell this battle defied logic.

All of this was possible because of the mage.

An existence with such power—having briefly been a national asset—an overwhelming force…

“…No.”

Of course.

Yuri has no regrets.

Even if faced with the same moment again, she would make the same decision. Anima was absolutely indispensable from their perspective.

Though it might not have been a wise decision as a ruler… Yuri couldn’t let go of Anima.

Nevertheless, with just one decision—rejecting Swoen—she realized how much she had lost.

Her nation’s strategist Jinoru, his adoptive daughter who was also a mage named Reika, the brilliant female general Iren who achieved an impossible victory with overwhelming odds, and countless soldiers and arms who left due to incomprehensible decisions.

Once, all these individuals stood under the flag of Aishias Army. They were comrades who shared her blood.

The possibility that these people, capable of miracles like defeating 10,000 with 3,000, might have supported her instead, chilled Yuri to the bone.

Choosing Anima, as she had just thought, brought no regret…

But perhaps that single decision determined not only her own future but also the fate of Aishias Army.

For the first time, Yuri truly grasped the cost of her choices.

* * *

After the rebel forces were suppressed, a period of peace followed.

Serpina had healed her minor wounds and returned to her previous condition.

Everything seemed to return to normal.

Except for one thing.

“Then, we’ll be going…”

“Farewell, everyone.”

Now, every morning, all three of them left the manor without leaving anyone behind.

“Are you doing okay, Miss Reika?”

“Me? Well… it’s livable. Organizing old books isn’t bad, and the colleagues are kind… hehe.”

Reika, wearing a coat embroidered with the insignia of House Einhardt, shyly smiled. It appeared she spent her free time managing the Einhardt Grand Library.

Though it might seem insignificant compared to armed duties, it was necessary work suited to her temperament.

Besides, Reika contributed more than enough on the battlefield with her magic alone.

With her abilities recognized, Serpina granted her many privileges without significant complaints from others. After all, Reika needed absolute rest following extensive magic usage.

In short, all three of them were now officially serving the Einhardt Imperial Family.

‘…’

Swallowing the heavy stone in her heart,

“Then, see you tonight.”

“You both… try your best!”

After seeing them off, I headed directly to where Serpina was conducting official business.

What will happen today?

I closed my eyes, recalling the recent moments spent with her.

After that day, Serpina didn’t overtly propose we stay together.

She didn’t explicitly bring up the topic of marriage either. But I understood the atmosphere.

It wasn’t a sign of giving up; she was patiently waiting for my answer.

Instead, we mostly discussed governance and domestic affairs.

Using what she firmly believed to be my ‘Mind’s Eye’ ability with Divinity 100, I provided advice.

Though it was work fitting for a nation’s strategist, Jena was still absent.

But that would soon end. Next week, she would return to Einhardt Castle after her inspection tour.

What should I do moving forward?

Hoping for a peaceful day, as I arrived at her location…

“…Eh?”

I saw Serpina trembling, lost in thought, her expression frozen in shock—

“…Swoen.”

“Lord?”

“An unbelievable event… has occurred.”

—At that moment, I instinctively realized the clock of this continent is racing toward a predetermined future.