episode_0264

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They say if there’s a beginning, there’s an end.

The plague that seemed like it would torment us all our lives was finally subsiding.

In conclusion, after a little over a month of operating the camp, it seemed that the higher-ups were slowly starting to prepare for a withdrawal.

Anyway, it was a camp run with good intentions, and Serpina’s reputation in the central continent also improved a lot.

Of course, it wasn’t a fairy tale where everyone unconditionally fell in love with Serpina – but the fact that even a small amount of favorable public opinion was formed in the Central Continent, where public opinion toward Serpina had never been positive, was a great feat in itself.

If your reputation is not good, no matter how much territory you occupy, there is bound to be a rebellion – and you will have no choice but to repeat the bloodshed you had to endure in the Northern Continent.

The Aishus Army, which had attempted to wage a public relations war against our army, had its reputation hit rock bottom in return, so it had gained everything it could.

“Thank you all for your hard work. I’m glad I could be with you. And thank you for trusting me.”

“No, my lord!”

“It was an honor to work with Lord Irian!”

Thanks to Reika’s magic, all soldiers were able to complete the mission safely.

When they first started, it was only natural that they would feel anxious, but as a week passed and almost a month passed, seeing that everything went smoothly without any problems, the soldiers were able to actively participate in the relief work with a sense of purpose rather than fear.

Of course, there was no disease spreading to the northern continent.

The relief work was completed more successfully thanks to the active participation of each and every soldier.

After exchanging final greetings with the soldiers, Irian approached Reika and me, who were sitting and resting.

“You have worked very hard. Especially, Lady Reika. I will never forget your devotion and will pass it on to my lord. ”

“No… …I just did what I had to do… … .”

Even though she had taken ample rest at intervals calculated by herself, magic is a type of thing that can only drain the caster’s stamina.

Therefore, continuously casting blessing spells on multiple soldiers at one-week intervals was bound to put a strain on her body.

If we had continued to run the camp like this, I would have thought that I would have been the first to suggest that we stop.

Irian nodded.

“Then, please prepare to return. I will contact you as soon as we leave. Please take care of Swen-kun and Reika-kun.”

“You don’t have to worry about this.”

“Yeah.”

Irian smiled at my words and left the building.

As we worked and spent time together, I could once again feel that he trusted me greatly.

At first, all I said was, ‘Don’t worry, everything can be solved with magic,’ but didn’t I just take the lead in doing something dangerous?

No matter how much you have benefited from me, I thought there was no need to underestimate the faith you have in me, considering that there is no one for whom life is precious.

At this point-

I couldn’t help but admit that I felt quite a bit of a sense of efficacy that I hadn’t felt when I was in the Bran’s or Ashes’ groups.

Of course, when I was in the Lunalian Army, everyone listened to me… … But seriously, if you consider that the Lunalian Army back then was more of a club with only four members, including me, my experience in the Serpina Army is bound to feel even more valuable.

High-ranking generals who trust me. Advisors who don’t hold anything against my actions. A monarch who completely trusts and follows my opinions…

… … This is a big deal.

As each day passes, this place, Serpina County, feels more and more like my home.

All these thoughts bothered me even more because I wasn’t necessarily conscious of them.

Isn’t it true that I stayed here to somehow keep my promise to Luna?

So, we must not forget that we must return to the Lunalian Army someday.

‘Is this… really okay?’

At that moment, Reika’s voice was heard from the side.

“Uh, Uh… … Mr. Swen.”

“Oh, yes. Should we start getting ready to go back?”

I quickly smiled and answered, but… … it seemed like Reika noticed that my expression had slightly fallen.

“Preparing to go back is important, but I want to talk to you briefly… … Is that okay… … ?”

“Okay. What’s going on?”

“That’s it, that… …the story that a wizard appeared, right… … .”

“Ah… … .”

A wizard who appeared in the Southern Continent.

I knew who it was. It was probably Tifa.

The Karelian Army, and the Karelian Army’s rebels – that is, those who came out of the battle with the Lunarian Army.

There is news that the once underdog rebels have won against the Karelian army with the help of a wizard, so there is a high probability that it is Tifa.

As soon as I heard the news, I felt uneasy again and changed the subject to focus the conversation on her.

“Are you concerned?”

“… … I guess so.”

Reika had a very complicated expression on her face.

“I’m the only one in this world who has such magical powers… … Of course, I didn’t think that would happen. But, something… … How should I explain it… … ?”

Instead of questioning her, I waited silently for her to speak.

Reika hesitated for a while, as if expressing her complicated feelings… … and then carefully removed her lips.

“If there are a lot of new wizards, I think that… … someone like me, who is an inferior in every way… … might quickly become useless.”

“… … .”

“Isn’t that weird? Such a stupid thought… … There’s no need to have it… … But still.”

Reika’s voice was shaking slightly.

Is it something… … that you’re afraid of losing your own value?

“Something… … It’s just, a little, strange. If people who are much more amazing than me show up… … I don’t know what to do… … .”

I slowly placed my hand on her shoulder.

She… … doesn’t reject me. At some point, she started accepting me without any particular resistance, whether I was stroking her hair or talking to her from beyond her personal space.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Reika-san.”

“Swen… … .”

“There may be many wizards appearing in the future. Now that the existence of wizards has been revealed, people who did not know that ‘Mana’ was Mana will gradually realize that the unknown power they feel is Mana. However, even so-”

With a determined expression, looking straight into her pink eyes. ”

“No one can be a greater wizard than Reika.”

“But, but… … I, I may have just revealed myself… … before everyone else… … .”

“No.”

These weren’t the kind of words of comfort she was meant to give herself.

Reika was a woman destined to become a legendary sorceress. No other sorceress could wield magic as well as she did.

Even Tifa, as usual, only knew how to use swords or magic such as fireballs.

“I can guarantee it. Reika-san. It’s me, not someone else, saying this. Can you believe me?”

“… … !!”

After hearing what I said, Reika lowered her head for a moment.

After fidgeting with both hands for a while… …he cautiously looks in my direction again.

“… … Yes. If that’s what Swen said… … I can believe it.”

It seemed like he had cheered up a little, as the trembling in his voice had subsided.

“Actually… Even if a greater magician than Reika-san appears- No, even if Reika-san suddenly loses her magical powers one day for no reason, Reika-san is not a useless person.”

“Yes… … ?”

“Reika-san is kind and gentle. She may be awkward at bringing up topics, but in a way, she is being considerate because she wants the other person to enjoy the conversation. In that way, I feel Reika-san’s kindness a lot.”

“Ah… … .”

“You’re also good at making things like cakes and bread. Even if it’s not necessarily magic… …I think Reika-san is a very valuable person.”

Why is she so timid despite having such abilities?

I don’t really know why I’m afraid of becoming useless.

But I really didn’t think it was necessary.

Because she’s a great wizard, to win her favor?

… … No. Not just because of that, I just… … didn’t want to see her so depressed.

I thought that if possible, I would like to smile whenever possible.

She worked hard without showing any sign of difficulty even after coming here, so I hope she cheers up rather than being discouraged.

“So, you don’t have to think like that. Okay? ”

Reika, who heard my words, looked straight into my eyes with her pupils shrunken as if she was surprised.

With a blush on my face… … we stared at each other for several minutes.

Have you encountered… …?

no.

It wasn’t that we faced each other, but she suddenly approached me――

“… … !!!”

… … something.

Something was strange.

I felt a sweet taste on the tip of my tongue.

Just then, the thought occurred to me that if I kissed her like this, I would know exactly what it tasted like.

Only then did I――

――That her lips and mine were touching.

I realized that the sweet taste on the tip of my tongue wasn’t just my imagination, but that it was real…

At that moment, I was startled by the sudden situation and almost addicted to the delicious strawberry cake taste that was just passing through my mouth.

“Haa… … Haa.”

Slowly… …her lips move away from mine.

Something like a transparent string stretches out, as if to prove that the two of us are connected, even if only for a moment.

My two pink eyes are filled with my foolish appearance.

It’s hot. My face and everywhere else.

Is her face hot too? Is she feeling just as… strange as I am?

“… … Excuse me… … .”

Reika got up from her seat and ran out the door in a hurry.

After she left, I just sat on the chair for a long time, just staring blankly…

Only then.

With his face burning, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand――

――I realized that following the scent of yuzu, the sweet scent of cake passed through my mouth.