episode_0057

John’s day was busy.

I had to write up some paperwork to keep the officials informed of the details of the work to close the rift in the cave.

Several experiments had to be conducted to preserve the magical power necessary for restoration while also increasing its purity.

Perhaps because he consumed and digested all of Duke Perbache’s elixirs, Johan’s magical powers became more pure than before.

To put it in simple terms, the mana flowing in the world has a purity of 100, and John’s mana has a purity of around 90.

‘Something was off since my magical affinity and control were abnormally high…’

Our research has shown that throughout the history of the Empire, there has never been a person with this level of friendliness.

The mythical celestial wizard, who is said to be the first wizard, is not well known, so we will leave it out…

It was understandable that it had been impossible to repair the cracks in the cave until now. The gaps that had been created had to be filled with the mana that flowed through the world, but there was no one who could do that.

‘…My shoulders are getting heavier.’

John took a deep breath. When he was reincarnated into this world, he wanted to live a normal, ordinary life.

She intended to marry someone chosen by her family and live quietly, enjoying a stable life even without love.

He was born a nobleman and wanted to live quietly, enjoying what he could and taking responsibility for what he had to.

There is a reason why it had to be that way.

Because I knew the truth of this world.

The main genre is a romance fantasy world famous for its collapsed settings, and the sub-genres include female-oriented corruption and reverse harem.

When looking at the combination of a romance fantasy and a reverse harem, it is clear that all the characters appearing in the work are crazy, so they had to be avoided as much as possible.

In reality, when I met them, I found out that borderline characters like Fedelian, Cassis, and Violet were really people with a problem with their heads.

‘But here I have to close the cave.’

Its value skyrocketed overnight. It became the entity that carried the fate of the continent.

I think many countries will be interested.

‘Will it not move in the Holy Land?’

A holy nation at the northernmost tip of the continent.

It was a country that was fundamentally founded on religion, and for them, wizards meant priests, and knights meant templars.

If you close the cave, they will praise you as a saint and want to take it for themselves…

Since they were religious fanatics, it was obvious that getting involved with them would be quite tiring. Although it was not on a par with the Empire, the national power of the Holy Nation was considerable as there were many capable people.

‘Protecting myself became the priority instead of protecting Francia.’

However, even though things got more complicated and it was obvious that it would become a hassle, the need to repair the cracks in the cave did not change.

Because now I couldn’t imagine life without Francia.

‘…Cheer up.’

Everything has an ending.

Whether it will be a happy ending or an unhappy ending remains to be seen, but it makes no sense to not try because you don’t know.

Johan, sitting cross-legged in the center of the training ground, once again focused on the mana flowing in the air.

A cool and refreshing breeze clears your mind. Your breathing becomes steady as you take regular breaks.

Feeling at one with the world.

Although he was getting older, his magical power was steadily increasing and his purity was becoming higher and higher.

* * *

When it was time for the civil servant to leave work, cold snowflakes touched his face.

When I raised my head, pure white snowflakes were slowly falling from the gray sky, signaling the arrival of winter.

“John?”

A familiar voice came from behind. It was Francia, holding an umbrella. Johan greeted her with a light smile.

“Francia. How was your day?”

“Well, I’m always the same.”

Francia smiled and brushed away the snowflakes that had piled up on Johan’s head.

“Have you been doing that all day?”

“Yes. I have to close the cave soon.”

In fact, John felt a great burden about the possibility that the whole world could be shaken by him, but he did not show it.

“You don’t have to worry. I’m sure we can close the cave.”

John tilted his head at her assurance.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Um…just a feeling? Hehe.”

Francia ended up just beating around the bush. She sometimes showed suspicious behavior, but she always got away with it that way.

“… … .”

John felt something strange every time she did that, but… he didn’t really ask questions. If he had wanted to talk, he would have told her a long time ago.

“Are you leaving work now?”

“Yes. I was waiting to go with John.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to go in first today.”

“Uh, why?”

“There are still things left to be done.”

I haven’t been able to organize any documents because I’ve been focusing on mana training. I haven’t even organized the information about repairing the Magul Crack.

“Is that so…?”

Francia pursed her lips in regret. She carried her luggage behind her back and swept the floor with her feet. The time she was always looking forward to was when she got off work…

“I think it will stay like this until this is over.”

It was a pity that Johan was the same, but for now, it was right to focus on repairing the rift. If this matter was successfully concluded, then the engagement with Francia would also go smoothly.

“Okay, I get it. I can’t be a spoiled brat when John is trying hard.”

Francia knew that too, so she nodded and readily accepted.

“Then I’ll go in first?”

“Yes. If you think it’s too late, you can go to sleep first.”

“That can’t be. John is suffering until late.”

She looked around, tilting her head, then realized that no one was there and kissed John on the cheek.

“Ahem…”

Francia seemed quite embarrassed by what she had done, blushing at the corners of her ears and clearing her throat for no reason. She was still embarrassed by small expressions of affection.

“Thank you.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Just… everything.”

Francia smiled shyly and continued speaking while caressing the pendant around her neck.

“I’m happy to be with John.”

“…What’s wrong?”

“Yes?”

“I’m a little flustered because you suddenly did this.”

It was as if they were talking like a couple about to break up. Johan felt uneasy about Francia’s attitude.

“Hehe, it’s just a normal expression of affection.”

Francia smiled lightly and took John’s hand. Even in the cold wind, his warmth remained.

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah. It’s nothing. I just did it because I thought Yohan was worried.”

John awkwardly stroked the back of his neck. He was used to her shy expressions of affection, but it was awkward to see her do it so calmly.

“Ah…! Finally!”

“…what is it?”

“I wanted to see that kind of reaction.”

“That kind of reaction?”

Francia laughed bashfully.

“Hehe, you look so shy. Yohan always responds with a sly smile, right?”

Certainly. It was the first time I had seen such an awkward reaction to Francia’s expression of affection.

“Hmm. So this is what Francia wanted.”

John nodded once, smiled faintly, and lifted Francia’s hair to his lips.

“Then I will show you better in the future.”

“Um…!”

“Francia likes this kind of thing.”

As I said that and breathed in the scent of her hair, she looked startled and threw her head back.

“…It’s always John.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes…”

As John smiled slyly, Francia sighed and shook her head.

“I will never be able to beat John.”

“Is it really necessary to win?”

“I think I’m the only one who’s into John.”

Francia lowered her gaze and pursed her lips.

“John must also fall for me completely.”

“Hmm… It’s not that I missed it.”

It was awkward because it was his first time in a relationship and his first time showing such deep feelings to someone, but Yohan didn’t think too much about it.

I just like being with you, and if I miss you, that’s what I like.

“Ahem. This story has become long. I’m sorry for keeping you busy.”

As the conversation dragged on, Francia coughed in vain, feeling awkward. Johan tilted his head slightly and smiled.

“You don’t have to be sorry. I said it because I liked it. What man wouldn’t want to spend time with a beautiful woman like Francia?”

Francia opened her eyes wide and pursed her lips at the sight of John speaking calmly.

“Ahem…! Yohan should be careful with that kind of tone…! If you keep tempting him like that, everyone will fall for it?”

In fact, there was a hint of that kind of seduction in John’s speech. Most of it was just lip service to make the other person feel good…

“…Is that so?”

Of course there was a reason. Back in the Academy days, if you didn’t make the other person feel good like this, they would come back with revenge out of jealousy.

It was necessary to maintain a neutral image of being moderately interested in everyone.

Otherwise, the fights between the young ladies would spread, and it would end up like a shrimp getting crushed in a fight between whales.

It was a kind of habit.

“Yes. If even I, your lover, can fall for it so easily, how about other women…”

Francia covered her mouth with her hand and looked away. Her face was flushed with blush.

“But…! I like that kind of John, so I’ll understand.”

“Thanks for that.”

“Hehe, you don’t have to be so thankful. I’m John’s woman.”

John brushed back her bangs as she smiled brightly.

“Then I’ll go now.”

“Yes. Don’t wait too late.”

“No, I’ll wait.”

“Hmm. Then I’ll go as fast as I can.”

“But don’t rush it too much.”

Francia lifted her crow’s feet and kissed Johan’s cheek again, smiled shyly, and quickly left the room.

‘So cute.’

John chuckled. The more he thought of her, the brighter his smile became.

Snow was falling from the gray sky. The snowflakes swirling in the cold air were of different shapes.

‘Shall we go quickly?’

I entered the building to take care of the remaining paperwork, as snowflakes fell from the sky.

It was right to finish work as soon as possible, since Francia would be waiting for him when he got off work.

[Regarding the repair of the crack in the cave.]

John, sitting in his seat, was absorbed in writing a document that could be considered a thesis. His pen moved without stopping.

How much time has passed like that?

Time passed and night fell, and soft moonlight shone outside the window. No one’s footprints were left on the thick snow.

At that moment, I was concentrating as the paperwork was almost finished.

I found a pure white figure at the front gate. Familiar silver hair. She wasn’t carrying an umbrella even though it was snowing.

‘no way…?’

John grabbed his umbrella and hurried outside.

Rudella, standing at the front gate, had a red nose from the cold. White snowflakes covered her head and shoulders, but she was still standing without even an umbrella.

Her thin shoulders were trembling slightly in the cold air. The situation was so foolish that it made John’s heart ache.

“…What are you doing here?”

At John’s voice, Rudel slowly raised her head. Sky-blue eyes caught her gaze.

“I tried to hold it in somehow.”

She barely opened her mouth. Her voice trembled involuntarily. Even her fingertips shook slightly between the snowflakes.

“I just can’t stand it…”

Rudella took a deep breath and held her trembling fingertips.

“…I came to see you.”