Ch.251251. Unexpected Fortune (6)

-Eeheeheeheeheehing!

The horse that had been running for a while comes to a stop at Senia’s command.

The following horse also halts in place with a flutter.

“Senia?”

“Shh.”

Stopping here out of nowhere. Aris looked at her with eyes that seemed to ask if she had discovered something, but Senia put her index finger to her lips, demanding silence.

He must have wondered why she did that, but suddenly the horse wasn’t moving. Seeing this and immediately quieting down, she noticed that footsteps were getting closer.

Soon after, the owner of the footsteps emerged carrying someone on their back, with another person following behind.

“Junon…? And behind him is…”

“It’s Ronelion. The one following is Renias.”

Without even a moment’s hesitation, the two headed straight toward them.

Questions like “What happened? What on earth happened over there to make Ronelion end up like that?” weren’t important.

Junon would have already figured out everything he needed to know.

“…He’s still alive. For now, please take Renias.”

“Alright.”

Aris was flustered at the sight of the disheveled Arcab party, but Senia had already received the signal after making eye contact with Junon.

“Let’s go, Renias. It’s impossible for Junon to put both of them on his horse.”

“Ah…”

Though Renias’s beautiful face was covered in tears, she seemed to understand when told this way.

The two horses galloped ahead with a clatter.

Wondering if there might be a group pursuing them, Aris moved last.

Thanks to this, her eyes clearly caught Junon’s expression as he mounted his horse first.

‘Could it be… Junon, did things not go according to your plan?’

Noticing that something had gone wrong from the way he gritted his teeth and shouted “Hya!” Aris bit her lip hard and only mounted her saddle after they had gone quite far ahead.

***

Aris arrives following Senia and Junon’s horses, which carry Renias and Ronelion respectively.

Everyone was shocked when they saw who was on their horses.

Renias had one shoulder soaked in blood, wrapped in layers of bandages, while Ronelion was being carried by Junon, unconscious.

It seemed the Arcab party had sustained such serious injuries while out hunting magical beasts.

This could have easily caused anxiety to spread among the students, a group inexperienced with battlefield atmospheres.

“He’s just unconscious, but his breathing and pulse are normal, and there’s no danger to his life. I’m going to check if he might have been infected with some disease like during the Devourer incident, so don’t worry too much.”

Since Professor Dalia herself gave such assurance, not just any doctor, their morale remained intact.

But Junon was still troubled rather than relieved.

Even though those strange people had ambushed Renias and Ronelion, frankly speaking, they could have held out for at least 10 more minutes in that state.

Renias had managed to endure despite being hit by a poisoned arrow and delayed them, so how could Ronelion not do the same?

No, that’s not right. That guy who could freely wield weapons while sparring with Senia would have handled those strange people even more easily. He could have even identified who they were.

Who among the best fighters in the Empire could take down Ronelion?

That unresolved question prevented him from feeling at ease.

‘Could it be.’

One hypothesis unfolds in his mind.

The hypothesis that Ronelion might have been helplessly defeated.

Cold sweat began to form on his palms.

‘…No. This is going too far.’

He shook his head vigorously, trying to ignore the hypothesis.

Right. It’s likely just a wild guess to begin with.

Even the Mein, who were modified by overlaying magical beast powers onto humans, were still imperfect. So what then?

That the one who ambushed Ronelion was him? That’s nonsense.

Encountering him at this point would be too far-fetched a hypothesis.

“Ha, damn it.”

Junon, having momentarily imagined that person’s image, had to clench his hand that was now covered in cold sweat.

“What are you doing standing there alone?”

Senia, who had just informed people about Professor Dalia’s examination results, walks over.

“Lost in thought again? Don’t worry about the aftermath, leave it to us. Mishel and Goden have gone, so I think we’ll find out what happened soon.”

“Huh. Right. Thanks.”

“Hmm, Junon. You seem unusually dejected? It’s not like those people died because of you.”

“Dejected? What are you…”

He flinched at Senia’s words, which hit the mark.

Somehow he had missed a variable while thinking things were going well, and now innocent victims had increased because of him. Her insight in perceiving this without being told any details was astounding.

“More importantly, you’re really dense, aren’t you? Sigh.”

“What now?”

He wondered what she was talking about, but it was about the Real Winter Parade. He couldn’t believe she still hadn’t let that go. Remembering that day, he almost let out a sound of disgust.

Senia mentioned that incident again, taking control of the conversation once more.

“Did you have fun with Renias that day?”

“Why are you suddenly bringing that up again?”

“Oh my? I have plenty to say too. If you’re going to be like this, I can’t just let it slide. You know that, right?”

More frightening than sarcastic remarks delivered with a smile is being threatened with a smile. Feeling that a great crisis would come if he remained silent, he automatically adopted a respectful posture.

“…I had fun with Renias. Starting from getting the tickets—”

Realizing he couldn’t just brush this off, Junon explained in detail everything that happened during the Real Winter Parade.

From the origin story told by the guide, naturally transitioning to mentioning wishes, making dalgona candy, and various sticker collection events.

He listed everything without omission, including the couple game they were suddenly pulled into.

Of course, Senia already knew all this. Except for when the snow was falling at the end, she had Kain and Lumia follow them.

So why was she letting Junon explain it all in his own words now?

There was a reason.

“Well~? From what I heard, it doesn’t sound like Renias had that much fun.”

“…Aren’t you being too cruel? What standards are you using…”

It’s because he’s too dense. Junon.

Someone who seems capable of executing any plan when everything is laid out for him becomes a complete blockhead when it comes to romantic relationships.

‘Sigh, tsk tsk. When a girl is crying with worry about her family, that’s the perfect timing to comfort her, even if it’s cliché. You idiot.’

It’s all in the past now, and the misunderstanding that started as a mishap has led to dates with Renias, so this should be as easy as eating cold porridge.

Unfortunately, Junon is so dense that he doesn’t realize he’s the one who could remove Renias’s sadness by being by her side.

What’s more, he doesn’t even know that he has feelings for Renias.

This is why Senia had no choice but to move this blockhead along, even if it was frustrating.

“Whoa…!”

“Renias is a patient too. You know that, right?”

“Of course. That’s why I was going to bring her some food to help her recover. …And now you’ve taken it and replaced it with this.”

Although she lost a lot of blood from the arrow in her shoulder, this isn’t the right answer in Senia’s view.

Professor Dalia would have already given her the appropriate nutrients, and they’ve already had meals together, so food isn’t necessary at all.

“You take responsibility and look after her. Just like Renias did for you. Got it?”

“Huh? But that…”

“Take it with you? I won’t say it twice.”

You need to nurse her by her side, not just bring her food? What are you talking about?

Senia took the basket Junon was holding and turned away.

***

“…”

During the evening rounds, Professor Dalia brought coffee brewed stronger than usual.

In truth, she had to give an answer different from what she had told them. She had concealed it to avoid affecting the morale of the imperial army.

And she also wanted to ease Renias’s worries a little.

“Reni. You need to rest too.”

“…I’m fine, Aunt.”

Dalia sighs. Renias, her gaze fixed on Ronelion lying in bed, not even turning her head, still lets out occasional sobs.

The scene was so similar it was as if her childhood self was being projected.

Knowing there was no way she could comfort the child herself, she silently opened the door and left the room.

And, thanks to immediately encountering someone, she could wear a faint smile rather than lament.

The door to the hospital room had barely closed before it creaked open again. Wondering if Aunt Dalia had returned, Renias quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve.

But the person who entered the room immediately noticed her state and grabbed her arm.

“If you rub like that with your sleeve, your skin will get irritated.”

“Senior…?”

“Here. I soaked this in warm water, so use it to wipe your face.”

The familiar sensation on her arm belonged to none other than Junon, who had appeared before Renias.

“…No, it’s okay. Just leave it there and I’ll do it myself. You must be tired too, Senior. Please go back first.”

“…”

Despite Renias forcing a smile, Junon didn’t move, sensing something off about her smile.

“S-Senior?”

“Just look this way. I’ll wipe it for you.”

“I-I can do it myself.”

At that, Junon poked her shoulder. Renias flinched and let out a soft moan from the pain where the arrow had pierced.

“See? And you say you can wipe it yourself in that state.”

“My other arm is fine…”

“Tut-tut. Patients should listen to their caretakers.”

He even threatens her to be obedient. At this, Renias’s tearful face instantly breaks into a smile.

“What was that? Senior, you just copied me, didn’t you?”

“You noticed?”

“Of course. That’s what I said to a stubborn senior who wouldn’t listen.”

“You did the same thing. Saying you could actually move but where does a patient get off taking action. I should take this opportunity to settle that grudge, shouldn’t I?”

“Grudge… Ahaha! What’s that supposed to be?”

Anyone listening might think he was going to do something bad, but his playful demeanor could only make her chuckle.

“Here. I’ll close my eyes.”

“That’s right. Don’t open them until I say I’m done, okay?”

“Yes~.”

The handkerchief was warm.

The handkerchief, slightly warmer than body temperature, was enough to erase the tear stains. But it wasn’t just because of the warm water on the handkerchief.

In front of Ronelion’s bed, the girl who had been hardening like the tears flowing down her face melted at the touch of her kind senior.

“Senior.”

“Yes?”

“…Because of my stubbornness, because of one choice I made, people died… Ronelion too…”

When the warm touch reached her, her true feelings, which she had hidden away and suppressed every time they surfaced, finally came out.

At this, Junon hugged Renias tightly, telling her not to say anything.

“You stepped up because those nobles did bad things. If you blame yourself here, it becomes my fault for involving you. So it’s not your fault. Understand?”

“Senior…”

“It’s okay to cry. Even if you fall asleep crying, I’ll stay by your side. I’ll be right next to you so you won’t have bad dreams.”

And so the silver-haired girl pours out her tears today until she drifts off to sleep.

Comforted by the warm hand patting her back, sharing warmth in the embrace of her kind senior.