episode_0051

Topaz Palace: The residence of the Crown Princess.

Her office, which had always been filled with the sound of white noise, was now filled with silence.

Rudel’s aide, who had to be busy, was also not doing anything.

Because she was locked in her room and doing nothing.

“…Young lady, you haven’t even eaten.”

Aide Vera spoke cautiously. She couldn’t figure out why Rudella had collapsed like this, but she wasn’t particularly surprised.

I had a feeling that there was something strange about Rudella before.

Vera, who had been assisting her before she came to the Topaz Palace, was perceptive and did not wonder why.

“Right now… I don’t want to think about anything. Just leave it alone.”

Rudela, lying in bed with her eyes closed, spoke quietly. Her voice was weak. She had not left her quarters even once today.

“Have you heard the news?”

“… … .”

Rudella closed her eyes and didn’t answer. It was clear that she didn’t know. Vera opened her mouth cautiously.

“There’s a war with Sanburg.”

“…what?”

Rudela’s eyes, which had been tightly shut, suddenly opened. She quickly got up from the bed and looked straight at Vera.

“Why? His Majesty said there would be no war…”

“Sanburg declared war due to internal conflict. The reason is…”

When Vera explained in detail why the war had started, Rudela’s face turned pale.

‘John…!’

John is a special magician of the Second Civil Service with an outstanding track record. It was obvious that Fedelian would not leave him alone because of him.

“So, what’s the progress?”

“We’re preparing from today, and they say we’ll be dispatched in two days. I heard they’re going to deploy key forces and finish it quickly.”

“… … .”

I tried to help John somehow, but the operation was too fast. In the first place, I couldn’t intervene in the war with the authority of the Crown Princess…

‘Surely… this won’t be the last…?’

Rudel clenched her hands tightly. Her pale fingertips trembled slightly.

It was the worst ending I could ever imagine. If I couldn’t meet John again after breaking up like that… then I would really fall apart.

‘But… there’s nothing I can do.’

Rudel lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Her grip tightened. She wanted to go see him right away, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so.

Because I still vividly remember him clearly drawing the line with his cold gaze.

If you already hate me, and you go see me soon… you might hate me even more.

There was a way to muster up the courage to go and apologize for what happened back then, but… Rudel was afraid. She couldn’t stand being looked at like that by the person she was truly sincere to for the first time.

‘Why am I…’

She resented her past self. Why had she been so greedy? Why did she think it was okay to just tell him how she felt?

“Haa…”

Rudella sighed deeply, holding her forehead. Vera, who had been watching quietly from the side, asked.

“…What should I do?”

Although it may seem harsh to some, this distance between the two was just right. After all, Rudella didn’t want Vera to get close to her either.

“Right now… I have no thoughts. I can’t seem to get anything done.”

“Then I will just take care of the simple paperwork.”

“…Please.”

Rudel closed her eyes again, letting go of her increasingly complicated thoughts.

If I didn’t go see you now, I might regret it for the rest of my life…

Having ruined her relationship because of her greed, Rudella found it difficult to muster up the courage again.

* * *

Time passed quickly, and two days passed.

As the day of departure approached, the faces of the officers standing at the border became as cold as the winter air.

Even though they were the highest order of knights in the empire, the civil servants, it was an understandable reaction since they were not without fear of war.

“…The day has finally come.”

Francia said with a stern face. Her expression was a mixture of emotions: fear, anxiety, determination, and so on.

“Now just a little bit further… Once we cross the border, the battle will start, right?”

At her voice full of worry, John smiled as he led the horse’s reins.

“We, as the 2nd public servants, will never go into battle. We are at the rear.”

There was really no need to worry. The First Civil Service was a group with a lot of experience and skills, enough to have overwhelmingly led the Southern Front.

Anyway, this war was one that could never be lost.

“Let’s go!”

At that moment, the voice of Captain Fedelian rang out. He was quite far away, having decided to stand at the front line with the first public servant.

I could vaguely guess why Fedelian had chosen to stand at the forefront. He must have been under pressure from the Emperor. This war was caused by him.

Originally, I was planning on leaving the battlefield to Jeon Jang-gwi and the first public servant, and then appearing at the end to take credit for it…

Since the war ghost is not here, he will have a hard time.

Slowly. Slowly.

The horses began to move. The long procession stretched out like a wave. The flags with lion emblems fluttered in the wind, and the armor and helmets roared fiercely as they advanced.

The sight was majestic, but at the same time it cast a sinister shadow.

The number of knights, officials, and soldiers sent from each territory was extraordinary.

“Whew… I’m nervous.”

In the oppressive air, Francia took deep breaths repeatedly, trying to calm her pounding heart.

“… … .”

Francia turned her gaze slightly and looked at Johan. He didn’t look particularly nervous. Rather, it was more like he was relaxed…

He is both dependable and trustworthy. I fell in love with him because of that appearance, but he always feels new when I see him.

It wasn’t just because he was handsome or had an outstanding appearance. There was something about Yohan… an aura and dignity that couldn’t be hidden.

“Cross the border!”

The imperial troops moved for a long time. When night fell, they set up makeshift barracks to rest, and when the sun rose, they moved again and repeated the process.

That’s how I entered the territory of Sanburg. It wasn’t a paved road, and I was quite tired because there were many rough mountain paths.

Then, a battle broke out with the ambushers of the Sandburg Army, but the 1st Civil Service at the forefront won a landslide victory. There were not many casualties.

It was the performance of the current head of the First Civil Service, Grand Duke Lenokhonen.

Even in the south, they have defeated the barbarians with overwhelming force, so how can they not deal with the Sandburg army?

The march continued like that, and only after the sun had set could they rest again.

“Does your back hurt?”

On a night with soft moonlight, Johan, sitting next to Francia with combat rations, asked.

“I’m fine now. Why?”

“You look like you have trouble walking.”

“Ah… I think it’s because I’ve been riding for a long time.”

As Francia laughed bashfully, Johan smiled slightly. His shoulders, which had seemed heavy when they had set off, had relaxed somewhat.

“I’m glad you feel more relaxed.”

John stroked the side of Francia’s hair with relief.

“Haha, it’s all because John is by my side.”

“Hmm. Should I be shy?”

“It’s pointless to even ask that?”

Francia chuckled and playfully tapped Johan on the shoulder.

“Isn’t it hard for John?”

“I’m fine. I’ve always been working out.”

“Ugh…”

She slowly lowered her gaze and looked at John’s body. A solid silhouette. It was a solid body that I always felt, but I couldn’t believe it was a wizard.

“Your gaze is sinister?”

“You say it’s sinister?”

“Do you want to stay up all night with me in this situation?”

“…No.”

John smiled slyly. Francia blushed and turned her head away, feeling a little embarrassed. I can’t say I didn’t think about it…

“Do you think you got stabbed?”

“Ahem. Surely that wouldn’t happen in a place like this.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“That’s too bad.”

Johan gently stroked Francia’s waist with his fingertips and then rested his forehead against hers.

“I think I’m the only one who thought that.”

“Huh…!”

Francia took a deep breath at the sudden display of affection. Her heart pounded loudly for a moment.

“I think my heartbeat is loud. Is it just my imagination?”

“… … .”

She didn’t say anything. She just blushed and stared at the floor. Yohan thought that was cute and snickered.

“The response is good today too.”

“Ah! Are you teasing me again?”

“Because Francia is so cute.”

“Really…”

Francia smiled slightly and relaxed her body. She took a deep breath as she naturally fell into Johan’s arms.

“Whew.”

As she inhaled the scent, Francia slumped and shook her shoulders. It was an action she took to calm her mind and body.

“…When can I go back?”

“Well? I think a week would be enough.”

“I want to go back quickly.”

“Is it that hard to bear?”

“What, what…! That’s not it!”

John laughed lightly and hugged her shoulder as she was startled.

“What is that?”

“…Are you going to pretend not to know?”

“I really don’t know, that’s why.”

As John smiled slyly and tilted his head, Francia covered her cheek with her hair to hide her reddened ear.

“I don’t know either.”

“I think you know?”

“Oh, really…!”

Francia, with her cheeks puffed out, looked at Johan with sharp eyes. It seemed like a longing gaze asking him to give in just once, so a small smile spread across her face.

“Just kidding.”

“Be careful next time.”

“Is that so?”

“Should I do that?”

Francia pursed her lips and blinked her red eyes. Johan lightly stroked her hair once and then stood up.

“We’ve finished talking. It’s getting late, so I’ll go now.”

“Ah… Already…?”

She slumped down and grabbed John’s sleeve. She knew she had to let him go, but she didn’t want to… It was that kind of gesture.

Knock knock.

The bonfire burned quietly.

“I’ll come here as soon as I wake up tomorrow.”

“Really?”

“Yes, that’s what I want to see.”

Johan smiled faintly and kissed her lips. Francia’s hand holding onto his sleeve tightened. Her face turned red and she clung to Johan even more, devoting herself to the kiss.

“Um…”

The sleeves of their clothes were crumpled. Their tongues were entangled. It was hard to tell whether the heat was from the campfire or from the kiss.

“…up to here.”

“Ah…”

When they parted their lips, a long transparent line stretched between them. Their faces were dyed crimson. Francia’s relaxed expression was strange.

“I’m going to go now.”

“Yes…”

John smiled once at Francia, who waved blankly, and then walked back to his barracks.

The night was quiet, as everyone was fast asleep, perhaps due to the fatigue from the march.

Knock knock.

The sound of a campfire echoed softly.

John paused for a moment as he walked toward his barracks.

There was someone.

I squinted my eyes. What came into view were long, flowing red hair and green eyes.

“…nice to meet you.”

It was Violet Ratale.

She smiled faintly and leaned in slightly. It seemed as if she had been waiting for a long time.

“What are you doing here at this hour?”

John asked quietly. A subtle emotion flashed through her green eyes.

“I was wondering if we could have a chat, even if it was just a little bit…”