Ch.264Chapter 264. Citron Fragrance and Sweet Scent

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As they say, where there is a beginning, there must be an end.

The plague that seemed like it would torment us forever was finally subsiding.

In conclusion, after operating the camp for just over a month, the higher-ups appeared to be preparing for withdrawal.

It had been a camp run with good intentions, and Serpina’s reputation in the Central Continent had improved significantly.

Of course, it wasn’t some fairy tale where everyone suddenly came to like Serpina—but the fact that even a small amount of favorable public opinion had formed in the Central Continent, where there had never been a single moment of positive sentiment toward Serpina, was a remarkable achievement in itself.

Without a good reputation, rebellion would be inevitable even in occupied territories—and we would have had to repeat the bloodshed we once experienced in the Northern Continent.

The Aeshus army, which had attempted a propaganda campaign against our forces, had seen their reputation plummet in return, so we had gained everything we could.

“Everyone has worked very hard. I’m glad I could work with you all. And I thank you for believing in me.”

“Not at all, Lord!”

“It was an honor to work with Lord Ian Lishfalt!”

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

When we first started, anxiety must have naturally risen in their hearts—but as a week passed, and then nearly a month went by without incident, the soldiers were able to participate actively in relief efforts with their own sense of purpose rather than fear.

Of course, the disease didn’t spread to the Northern Continent either.

Thanks to each soldier’s active participation, we were able to successfully conclude the relief activities.

After Ian exchanged final greetings with the soldiers, he approached Reika and me as we sat resting.

“You both have worked extremely hard. Especially you, Lady Reika. I will never forget your dedication and will report it exactly as such to my lord.”

“No… I only did what needed to be done…”

Although she had taken ample rest according to her calculated intervals, magic inevitably drains the caster’s energy.

Therefore, casting blessing spells on multiple soldiers at weekly intervals had to put a strain on her body.

If we had continued operating the camp, I was almost ready to suggest that we should consider stopping.

Ian nodded.

“Then, please prepare to return. I will contact you as soon as it’s time to depart. Swen, I entrust Lady Reika to you.”

“You need not worry about that.”

“Good.”

Ian smiled at my words and left the building.

Working and spending time together during this period, I could once again feel how much he trusted me.

Initially, I had simply said, “Magic will solve everything, so don’t worry,” and he had taken the lead in this dangerous mission.

Considering that no one wants to risk their life, regardless of what debt they owe, I shouldn’t underestimate the trust he placed in me.

By this point—

I had to admit I was feeling a sense of efficacy that I hadn’t felt while in the Brans army or the Aeshus army.

Of course, everyone listened to me when I was in the Lunarian army too… but seriously thinking about it, the “Lunarian army” of that time was more like a small club of just four people including myself, so my experience in the Serpina army felt all the more valuable.

High-ranking officers who trusted me. Advisors who didn’t question my actions. A ruler who completely believed in and followed my opinions…

…This is bad.

Day by day, this Serpina army was starting to feel like home.

These thoughts troubled me precisely because I hadn’t consciously intended to have them.

After all, I had stayed here to keep my promise to Lady Luna.

I shouldn’t forget that I would eventually have to return to the Lunarian army.

‘Is this… really okay?’

Just then, I heard Reika’s voice beside me.

“Um… Sir Swen.”

“Ah, yes. Shall we prepare to return?”

I quickly answered with a smile, but… it seemed Reika had noticed my expression faltering slightly.

“Preparing to return is important, but I wanted to talk for a moment… if that’s alright…?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Well, it’s about… the rumors of a magician appearing…”

“Ah…”

A magician appearing in the Southern Continent.

I knew who it was. Probably Tifa.

The news said they appeared during the battle between the Karelia army and the rebel forces—the Lunarian army.

Since the outnumbered rebel forces had achieved victory against the Karelia army thanks to the magician’s power, it was most likely Tifa.

Hearing this news made me feel unsettled again, so I focused the conversation on her to change the subject.

“Are you concerned about it?”

“…I suppose I am.”

Reika had an extremely complicated expression.

“I never thought I was the only one in this world with magical abilities… Of course not. But, somehow… how should I explain it…?”

Instead of pressing her, I silently waited for her to continue.

Reika hesitated for a while, reflecting her complex feelings… then carefully opened her lips.

“If many new magicians appear, someone like me, who’s inferior in every way… might quickly become useless.”

“…”

“Strange, isn’t it? Such a foolish thought… completely unnecessary… and yet.”

Reika’s voice trembled slightly.

Was she… afraid of losing her value?

“It’s just… a bit strange. If people much more amazing than me appear… what should I do…”

I slowly placed my hand on her shoulder.

She… didn’t reject it. At some point, she had started accepting me without resistance, whether I patted her head or spoke to her from beyond her personal space.

“You don’t need to worry about that, Reika.”

“Sir Swen…”

“Many magicians might appear in the future. Now that the existence of magicians has been revealed, people who have been sensing ‘mana’ without knowing what it is will gradually realize that this mysterious power they feel is mana. But even so—”

With a determined expression, looking straight into her pink eyes:

“No one can become a more amazing magician than you.”

“B-but… I might just be someone who… revealed myself earlier than others…”

“No.”

This wasn’t just comfort to cheer her up.

Reika was destined to become a legendary magician. No other magician could handle magic as well as she could.

Even Tifa could only use sword energy or basic magic like fireballs.

“I promise you, Reika. It’s me telling you this, not anyone else. Can you believe me?”

“…!!”

After hearing my words, Reika lowered her head for a moment.

Then, fidgeting with her hands… she carefully looked back at me.

“…Yes. If it’s your word… I can believe it.”

The trembling in her voice had decreased, so it seemed she had regained some confidence.

“Actually… even if a magician more amazing than you appeared—no, even if you suddenly lost your magical powers for no reason one day, you wouldn’t be useless.”

“What…?”

“You’re kind and gentle, Reika. You might be awkward at starting conversations, but that’s because you’re considerate of others, wanting them to enjoy the conversation, right? I feel your thoughtfulness in things like that.”

“Ah…”

“Plus, you’re good at making cakes and bread. Even without magic… I think you’re an incredibly valuable person.”

I don’t fully understand why someone with such abilities is so timid.

Why she fears becoming useless.

But I truly felt she had no reason to worry.

Was it because she was an excellent magician, and I wanted to win her favor?

…No. It wasn’t simply for that reason. I just… didn’t want to see her looking dejected.

If possible, I wanted her to smile always.

She had worked so hard here without showing any signs of struggle, so rather than being downcast, I wanted her to be cheerful.

“So, you don’t need to think that way. Okay?”

Hearing my words, Reika looked straight into my eyes with surprised, contracted pupils.

With a flushed face… she stared at me for several minutes.

Stared…?

No.

She wasn’t just staring, she suddenly moved closer to me and—

“…!!!”

…Something.

Something was strange.

I felt a sweetness on the tip of my tongue.

Just as I thought that if I continued kissing her, I might know exactly what taste it was—

I finally realized—

—that her lips were touching mine.

The sweetness on my tongue wasn’t just a feeling, it was real… I realized.

Surprised by the sudden situation, just as I was about to become addicted to the strawberry cake-like taste in my mouth.

“Haa… haa.”

Slowly… her lips moved away from mine.

A transparent thread stretched between us, proving that we had been connected for a moment.

My dumbfounded expression was fully reflected in her pink eyes.

It’s hot. My face, and elsewhere too.

Is her face hot as well? Does she feel as strange as I do?

“…Excuse me…”

Reika stood up and rushed out the door.

Even after she left, I sat in the chair for a long time, just staring blankly…

Only then.

Covering my burning face with my hands—

—I realized that following the scent of yuzu, the sweetness of cake had brushed against my lips.