episode_0200

*

I brought the hesitant Reika to Serpina.

“Ah, that, that… … Ah, ah, ah, hello… … !”

Reika’s appearance, sweating profusely and panicking as soon as she came to the bed and faced him, could have been interpreted as a violation of etiquette depending on the situation –

Serpina asked in a casual manner, as if she didn’t care about such things.

“… … It’s been a while. How have you been?”

“Ah, I… … Ki, memory… … You are doing it… … !”

“Well, you make an impression that is quite hard to forget.”

It is not wrong to say that it leaves a strong impression on those who see it for the first time with pink hair, which is hard to find.

“That… … okay… … I’m sorry about something… … I’m sorry for being born… … .”

“No, Reika. Calm down.”

After calming down the woman who completely froze in front of Serpina and said nothing.

“So, what brought you here?”

“That… … Well, Serpina, I heard you were hurt a lot… … .”

“… … Yes.”

“Iren said that Serpina got hurt while helping Irene… … .”

“… … .”

As soon as Irene’s name came out, I left Serpina aside, who looked away with a subtle expression.

“Yes. So?”

“So, that… … I thought there was something I could help you with… … !”

“… … ?”

“I… … Swen, do you remember? Well, there is something I want to show you.”

I’m sure I said something like that.

“Maybe I can show you that now… … Because I wanted to… … !”

“… … ???”

wait for a sec.

If there’s something Reika wants to show, it can’t be… … .

“Perhaps… … Have you learned something ‘new’?”

Nod.

As expected, she, a wizard, has nothing but new magic to show me, her teacher.

but.

“The lord is now in a stable situation… … .”

I spoke vaguely.

Serpina still didn’t know that she was a wizard. It seemed like he had various feelings and was convinced, but at least he had never seen it with his own eyes.

I wondered what she had learned to be so motivated, but I couldn’t match her rhythm right now.

At that moment, I thought that she would understand if I just told her this much, since she is so perceptive.

“Oh, I know… … !”

“… … ?”

“Because Serpina was hurt… … I can show you… … !”

‘… … ???’

“If this is… … I might be able to cure you, Serpina… … ! No, I’m sure you can!”

I thought as I looked at Reika’s sparkling eyes.

What Reika wants to show is new magic.

And you can show me that because Serpina is injured?

Does this mean you can find out the treatment??

‘… … healing?’

That’s what immediately comes to mind, is there such magic in this game?

… … No.

As far as I know, the green rapier, the magical power amplifier that I always wear on my belt whenever I go out, is just an ordinary ceremonial treasure.

No matter how many hours I played the game, there was definitely something I didn’t know.

then… …

I turned my head and looked at Serpina.

Even though my life isn’t in danger, if I’m injured that much, I won’t be able to take care of my affairs properly for a few weeks.

Since her life was not in danger, it was clear that even if the chaos subsided, it would be better for everyone if she returned to the throne as quickly as possible.

Although it wasn’t my intention, I was worried about how people would see me and Irene being involved in this situation again.

‘Now is not the time to keep secrets.’

I nodded slowly.

“I understand.”

As soon as he heard me, he nodded again.

Leaving behind her, who was like an obedient small animal, he looked at Serpina again and said.

“Master. … … I have something to show you. Could you please spare some time?”

I should have asked what that was.

Instead of asking such a question, Serpina nodded slowly and-

“I believe in you, Swen.”

He returned exactly what I had just said.

*

“Then… … Let’s get started.”

Reika mumbled a few times in a low voice, then closed her eyes.

“Lower pressure… … !”

As always, I started collecting spheres on my fingertips.

What’s different is that this time it’s a color like pure white.

“… … !!!”

Serpina’s eyes widened when she saw that.

There were a lot of people who had a passion for wizards, but they might be surprised because it was their first time seeing them actually get tired.

The culprit could have gotten scared at this point and pushed Reika away… … Instead of doing that, he just quietly did as I told him.

Does this mean you believe in me?

“Haaa… … !!”

The sphere that gathered in Reika’s hand gradually enveloped Serpina’s body.

Around her pure white skin, white energy rose like an aura.

How many minutes have passed like that?

“… … ah… … .”

Slurp.

“Mr. Reika!”

I approached Reika, who was leaning on the bed.

“Are you okay?”

Reika was panting as if she was exhausted, but-

Fortunately, it didn’t appear to be life-threatening or anything.

This is how Reika usually felt when she used up all her mana.

It’s just that my mana has increased significantly in recent years, so I’ve had less trouble, but in the early days I met her, I often took care of her when she was exhausted from training.

“Swen… … sir… … Well, safely… … well… … Is it okay?”

When I turn my head and look at Serpina-

She was sitting up in shock and was groping her wounds.

“… … This can’t be happening.”

He fiddled with the bandage a few times, then spoke in a trembling voice as if he couldn’t believe it.

“The wound… … It has become lighter.”

“Thank goodness… … Therefore… … yo. this… … .”

Reika lost consciousness after squeezing out those words.

As it was a new magic, it seemed to be less optimized in terms of mana consumption.

By the way, magic close to ‘heal’ actually exists… …

I don’t know what mechanism she learned this magic from, but Reika was a much more amazing woman than I thought.

I managed to place Reika, who was exhausted and sore, on the empty bed next to her with all my might, and then approached Serpina again and asked.

“Wow, hehe… … Master, what do you think?”

“Really… … I feel like my body has improved. The pain is almost gone, and the wound has healed considerably. I can’t believe it… … .”

Even though I heard that I dropped a meteorite.

Even though I checked the evidence.

Even though I saw the castle wall suddenly collapse with my own eyes-

There was no time when one could be as certain as the moment the experience became one’s own.

“The wizard… … It exists.”

“… … That’s right. I’m not a wizard though.”

“… … .”

She looked confused.

It’s a story that’s hard to believe at first glance.

No matter how smart and intelligent she is, being overwhelmed by surreal forces is inevitable as a human being.

but.

Apparently, the point that really surprised her wasn’t the existence of the wizard.

“… … Why?”

“Yes?”

“Why do you… … It was revealed, right?”

Serpina looked at me with a trembling voice.

Her golden eyes were shaking as much as her voice.

“… … Swen. Is it okay if I tell you honestly?”

“Please tell me.”

“If I were you, that woman… … We will hide the fact that Reika is a wizard until the end… … Since you’re planning to leave anyway, it’s a wise decision not to reveal such a huge secret to your lord who will serve you briefly, and I don’t think you would have overlooked this.”

Since I’m planning to leave anyway, I can’t even come up with any rebuttal.

Just frozen… … I just quietly listened to her story.

“But you revealed her identity to me. That fact… … It’s very confusing. really. You really confuse her, Swen.”

“… … My lord. That’s-”

Before I can make an excuse, she grabs my wrist again with her white hand.

“No. are you okay. I didn’t need an answer from you. So, don’t say anything.”

And then, stroking my wrist.

“Even the smallest amount of hope is okay. Opening… … As expected, Swen, I can’t give up on you. Just make sure you keep trying until the last moment.”

“… … .”

Hope torture was not a good thing.

Of course, I thought it would be better to say something firm here.

Her eyes looked so sad.

Because I have the eyes of the old Irene that I once wanted to protect.

I couldn’t shake off her hand.

No, I won’t shake it off.

Serpina let go of my hand and slowly stood up from the bed.

I quickly turned my head in confusion at the violently feminine lines of her body, which were half transparent thanks to the pure white negligee.

“Anyway, I will never forget this favor. Swen.”

“… … I will never forget that you protected Irene.”

This was sincere.

Because I didn’t want to abandon the lonely monarch who gave himself up for fear of being hurt or because he didn’t want to be hated by me.

Even if it was time to go back, I planned to repay this debt.

“I recovered faster than I thought, so now I have to do what I have to do.”

“If it’s something that needs to be done… … .”

Serpina, who heard those words, drew an arc on her lips.

This time, it was that kind of downward-looking smile that she often saw on her again.

It is a confident expression that only an absolute person can wear on his face.

“Isn’t there a need to tell you once more what happens to those who try to go against the Eingart family?”

I found myself strangely relieved to see that he seemed to have regained his energy.

anyway… … I owed her a huge debt.

I slowly closed my eyes.

A crossroads of choice that will inevitably come someday.

If the moment comes when I choose Serpina-

At that time, I planned to make the decision solely of my own will and take full responsibility for it.

Even if everyone points their fingers at me, Irene will definitely pay for her life.

That’s what I promised.

okay.

No more denial.

At this moment, for the first time-

It occurred to me that I might not choose the option of ‘going back to Lunarien County right away’.

* * *

Eingart royal castle.

After what happened that night became known to some extent, it would have been the job of Jenna, the national counselor, to resolve the situation on behalf of Serpina, who was away –

She was currently away from Eingart Castle as she was inspecting various parts of the continent.

Instead, it was Irene who took over management for a while.

Apparently, she was the one who knew the most details about what happened, and because of that, Serpina also gave full authority to her for a while.

Fortunately, public sentiment toward Irene among the generals within the castle had improved considerably.

“General. Lennie was safely sent to prison.”

“Thank you for your hard work. How is Lennie’s condition now?”

“I’m still alive, but my wounds are so severe that I think I’ll die soon… … Is this okay?”

‘Umm… … .’

They said my life wasn’t in danger, but I needed to rest for a few weeks.

If Lennie died in the meantime, there was no way to find out who was behind him.

‘Here, it would be better to arbitrarily torture him to obtain information… … .’

That moment when I was wondering whether it would be right to go to my lord, who needed to calm down, and ask for advice, or whether it would be better to do everything on my own for now.

“What are you so worried about?”

Irene’s ears hear the empress’ confident voice, which she is now very familiar with.

And, when you turn your head and look in the direction where the sound came from –

“… … Master?”

Serpina was clearly seriously injured.

Walking casually to the throne-

“Good job, Irene. Leave the rest to her.”

It was a foreshadowing of the bloody smell that would blow again.