Ch.83Chapter 83. Anima’s Return, and……

“I’m back, Yurie.”

“Anima!”

Anima Ingram had returned to the Aeshus Army.

Yurie, who had been sitting on the throne, stood up and approached Anima, welcoming her warmly.

Somehow, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she looked less like a lord greeting a subject and more like a puppy welcoming its master—

But I figured it was easier to think of the five founding contributors of the Aeshus Army, including Yurie, as having that kind of relationship.

In fact, Ginor, who stood beside Yurie, didn’t seem particularly surprised either.

“Welcome back, Anima. Have you been well? I couldn’t meet you last time I went…”

“I’ve been fine. Sorry about that time. I didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone.”

“No, it’s okay. I completely understand. Everyone has moments like that.”

Looking at their conversation alone, it was impossible not to find it radical for a lord-subject relationship of this era.

The mutual trust that they would never betray each other wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but…

‘No, that’s not it.’

I was about to think more deeply about it, but after hearing Anima’s words, I understood.

The special bond that came from their shared circumstances and the unique relationship that developed from it wasn’t something an outsider like me could attempt to change.

Even if I had served in the Empire, how could I possibly change something that even someone as renowned as Ginor couldn’t change?

That unique solidarity of theirs could become a strength of the Aeshus Army that other countries don’t possess.

But what could I do if that same solidarity eventually caused them to miss the bigger picture?

I would eventually have to return to Luna’s side. I could only hope that no trouble would arise while I was here.

After spending quite some time catching up with Anima, Yurie finally noticed my presence and approached me to greet me.

“Swen. Thank you for safely bringing Anima back. You’ve done well.”

“It was nothing. I’m glad I could fulfill your orders.”

“Yes. You can take the day off and rest without thinking about work today.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

After saying that, I slowly left the palace.

Yurie said I could rest, but… there was too much time left in the day.

Yet it felt awkward to go to the Nighthart family mansion.

‘Hmm…’

Irene would still be away on her mission.

With the slight breeze, I felt the weather had become quite chilly.

If that’s the case, today might be just the right time.

With something in mind, I immediately headed toward the marketplace of Balhart Castle.

* * *

In the palace after Swen left.

Anima was asking Yurie a question.

“I heard you’re offering me the position of lord of Raclaine Castle.”

“Yes! Anima, I thought there was no one else who could take on this important position—”

“Yurie. You don’t need to flatter me that much. I don’t think you’re disrespecting me.”

“Ah, well… that.”

Yurie spoke like a thoroughly intimidated rabbit.

“S-sorry… It’s just that… I thought you might be concerned about the change in national advisor…”

Anima looked at Yurie and smiled faintly.

“That’s fine now, Yurie. I admit I acted emotionally.”

“Y-yes…”

“More importantly, about the man you sent to bring me back.”

“Swen?”

“Yes. What kind of person is he?”

Yurie briefly explained to Anima about Swen and Irene, and everything that had happened so far.

This included what happened at the northern fortress and the circumstances Irene had experienced.

After hearing this, Anima fell into thought.

‘He betrayed because he didn’t see Lynn Brans as worthy of becoming a unifying monarch, huh…’

She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else going on.

Even though they had only met briefly—that man gave off a special feeling.

Yurie’s story about him “creating a miracle at the northern fortress” only strengthened her conviction.

His ambition might be greater than they thought.

If he would lead the vanguard under the Aeshus flag, he would be an invaluable ally.

But if there was a possibility he might become our enemy someday…

‘…No, that’s not it.’

Anima shook her head.

Now was not the time to doubt allies.

As the future lord of Raclaine Castle, she would have countless things to do for the Aeshus Army—

She barely had enough time to think about those responsibilities.

‘Nothing has changed. It’s the same as back then.’

Ever since that time long ago when she lost an arm and decided to live for the name of Aeshus—

Anima had essentially only one goal.

* * *

“Well then, today’s training ends here. Everyone did a great job.”

“Yes! Thank you for your hard work!!”

Hearing the soldiers’ resounding shouts, Irene nodded with a cool expression and then entered the private room prepared inside the training facility to change her clothes.

After taking off her heavy armor, she found herself drenched in sweat.

‘…Sweat smell.’

I need to take a bath as soon as I get home.

Thinking that, she reflected on the day.

‘I wonder if I pushed too hard.’

With the mindset of giving her best to any task she undertook, she had conducted physical training from early morning until evening with only minimal rest periods.

Fortunately, the soldiers followed along well.

Unlike other commanders who simply conducted drills without sharing much expertise, Irene checked each soldier’s form and corrected their postures.

In the end, it meant she was putting in twice the effort—

But she thoroughly enjoyed this recent lifestyle.

A knight’s life where her lord needed her, and she lived up to those needs.

For someone whose default life had been one where no amount of self-proof would earn her a glance, there had never been a more fulfilling time than now.

Generally, commanders, especially those renowned for their martial prowess, tended to avoid taking on the task of training soldiers.

In times of chaos, they wanted to wield their swords on the battlefield, not pay attention to the soldiers following behind them.

Of course, not all commanders were like that, but it was true that the stronger they were, the more pronounced this tendency became.

Even generals like Emma and Erinandorf of the Aeshus Army weren’t the type to care much about soldiers.

But Irene had instinctively felt it since the time she first held a sword and went to the battlefield.

Any person, regardless of who they are, has only one life.

On the battlefield, when fighting with this life at stake, it’s the soldiers who are behind her.

During her time in the Brans Army, she had been ridiculed with comments like, “If you’re going to be like that, why not join as a soldier instead of a commander?” But her thoughts hadn’t changed.

With that in mind, her earlier concern about “pushing too hard” vanished like smoke.

‘Since war is ultimately fought by soldiers, all this experience will become the nation’s strength.’

Even if she would leave this country someday, training excellent soldiers for Yurie, who had accepted her after she fled from the Brans Army, was her way of repaying the favor.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely one-sided from the Aeshus Army’s perspective, given that soldiers had defected with her during the surrender and she had distinguished herself in the previous defense battle, but still, doing this made her feel better.

On her way home after leaving the barracks, as she passed through the bustling area, a stall selling dessert pastries caught her eye.

‘…Come to think of it, Swen brought cake before.’

Recently, whenever she saw food, she always thought of Swen’s face.

It wasn’t just food. Whenever she saw scenery she wanted to capture or children with happy smiles, his face naturally came to mind.

She wanted to share good things with him. She wanted to offer him delicious food first, and when she saw happy people, she imagined him smiling happily.

‘Maybe I’ll buy some.’

With that, she bought pastries and arrived home.

“Ah, you’re back?”

“Swen…?”

Inside the room, there were various decorations.

On the desk were several elaborate dishes.

In the center of the table where the food was placed was a small potted plant with a star-shaped decoration at the very top of the tree.

Whatever the decorations were, they were all forms Irene had never seen before.

“What is all this…?”

“My work ended early today. With the extra time, I wanted to repay you for something from before.”

“From before?”

“Yes. Don’t you remember? When we had just met, and I was still adjusting, you welcomed me by grilling meat.”

“…Ah.”

Hearing that, memories of their time at Anel Castle flashed through her mind.

At first, when a male commander was to stay at her house—and by the lord’s order, no less—it was troublesome in many ways.

But the most troublesome thing was that this man had been caught up in Lynn’s power play against her.

Thinking that, she had bought meat to prepare something delicious for him…

“You didn’t forget that?”

“How could I forget? Come on, sit down.”

“B-but I need to take a bath…”

“You can do that after eating.”

“Still, the intensity of today’s training was a bit high, so… you know.”

Seeing Irene blushing shyly, Swen seemed to understand what she was trying to say, nodded, and then smiled.

“It’s okay. It’s proof that you worked hard, right? I like that side of you too, Irene.”

“What…!!”

Irene couldn’t say anything, her ears turning red as she stammered, then lowered her head and spoke in a quiet, shrinking voice.

“…Swen… you… really… say such things… easily.”

“Thanks for the compliment. Oh, are those pastries in your hand?”

“Hm? You mean these?”

Irene placed them on the table.

“I bought them to eat together. Lately, I’ve only been receiving food from you… and it seems I’ll be receiving more today.”

“Most of it is bought with money you earned, so what does it matter? We can have the pastries with tea after the meal.”

“Mm.”

As she sat at the table after responding, a strange feeling came over her.

Swen’s back as he served the food, and the table set before her.

Just capturing that scene with her eyes, deep in her heart—

A warm comfort filled the emptiness that had never been filled no matter what she did during her time in the Brans Army.

“Now then! Since you worked hard today, let’s eat meat. There’s plenty.”

“Yes.”

This warmth, which she had gained for the first time in her life.

This was what she wanted to protect no matter what.

“By the way, Swen, I’m curious about something.”

“What is it?”

“About this potted plant… what’s the star-shaped decoration on top?”

“Ah. Right. I should have explained that.”

Swen nodded and said:

“In my homeland, around this time when the weather gets cold, there’s a custom of decorating trees and eating delicious food with close people. Of course, today isn’t the exact date, but… well, the weather is cold, and I might not have time later, so I created the mood in advance.”

“Is that so? That’s an interesting custom. Come to think of it, Swen, I think this is the first time I’ve heard about your homeland.”

“Well, it’s just a boring story, nothing special.”

“Is that so?”

Irene didn’t press further.

It was enough to hear as much as Swen wanted to share.

Still, she felt good about learning a little more about him.

If it was a custom from his homeland… Irene wanted to respect such customs.

“Anyway, on that day, everyone spends joyful time with their loved ones… and they exchange a specific greeting with everyone they meet.”

“A specific greeting?”

“Yes. They say ‘Merry Christmas.'”

Swen looked directly into Irene’s purple eyes and said:

“In that spirit, Merry Christmas, Irene.”

Looking at Swen, Irene blushed slightly and replied with a genuine smile she had never shown to anyone else:

“…Yes. Merry Christmas.”

Although the date wasn’t the “Christmas” from his homeland—

The fact that this evening meal was an incredibly sacred time for both of them remained unchanged.