episode_0202

The instructor, critically injured by the attack, was safely transferred to the Saint’s carriage.

Tier, through an awakening, had become a true Saint, and healing the injured, even those who had lost limbs, was a simple task.

Including the instructor, all the injured from the attack were transported to the Royal Hospital.

With the Saint and the outstanding priests of the Aither Temple assisting in their treatment and rehabilitation, there were no particular worries.

Still, unable to stay still, Yuri visited the hospital, checked on everyone, and returned.

She must have been greatly shocked too… Every time I saw her warm heart, a pleased smile spread across my face.

“Everyone alright?”

“Ah… yes, everyone’s asleep now. Only the instructor was seriously injured.”

Apparently, the instructor had stepped in when the targeted Yuri.

Though it’s a bit awkward to say “thanks to,” ultimately, Yuri’s safety was all thanks to her.

“I should secretly give her a bonus later.”

“Yes, that… that would be good.”

Yuri, seemingly a little tired, approached with a weakened gait, collapsing into my arms.

As soon as her heels left the ground, she slumped against my chest, her face buried in my embrace, acting cute.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, everyone seemed fine…”

“No, not the others. You, Yuri.”

I sank deep into the soft sofa in my long-awaited return to my room, pulling Yuri close, holding her as if she were a baby.

She looked up at me with bright eyes.

The setting being what it was, the subtle aroma brought back memories.

My room in the royal palace had always been managed by Yuri, always filled with her fragrant scent.

Mwah-

Yuri embraced my neck and kissed me.

“…I was scared.”

“That doesn’t look like a scared expression?”

“That’s because of something else… I was really scared, I mean it.”

“Okay, okay.”

Chup- peck-

I cupped her neck and kissed her face, leaving my mark as I slowly traced my way down her cheeks and jawline. The touch of my tongue on her neck made her shiver.

Haah— Haah—

Yuri’s heavy breathing filled my ears.

“Did you… do it yourself?”

“No… Ugh- I like it best when you do it yourself…”

Unable to suppress the smile, I lifted her into my arms and moved her to the bed.

Thud-

Yuri lay on my large bed, rumpling the neatly made sheets.

Anyway, those sharp creases are all her handiwork.

She sank into the soft mattress, unbuttoning her collar and pulling me closer.

I slipped my hand beneath her skirt and tugged at her panty straps. She arched her back, making it easier for me to remove them.

As I pulled down her panties along her thigh, slightly scarred, the cloth covering her mound was damp, dripping with sticky fluids.

Even the tips of her full breasts were already swollen into erect nipples.

Yuri spread her legs, using her fingers to open the petals of her labia, overflowing with love juice.

“Welcome back, my darling…♡”

“Yeah, I’m back.”

I thrust my stiff cock into her moist opening and held her tight.

Deep into the night, as we made love, a familiar presence was felt just outside the door.

The not-so-quiet splashing sounds and heavy moans were leaking out, but occasionally, I found the teasing aspect entertaining and focused only on Yuri right in front of me.

It was a sweet, sticky wind worth enjoying with Yuri’s alluring body.

. . .

The next day.

I had a private meeting with His Majesty the King.

That was the reason why I didn’t immediately return to the academy and spent the night in the royal palace.

A formal meeting in the audience chamber involved many onlookers, and I didn’t feel like putting on a show of formality.

Heading to his office early that morning, I found Father sitting in a chair, sipping tea and gazing out at the garden.

“Oh, you’re here.”

“I’m sorry to bother you so early.”

“It’s fine, I actually prefer this time. As I get older, I wake up at dawn.”

On the table between us sat a box of my original blend tea set. He’d been glancing at it since I’d first given it to him, and he seemed to be enjoying it.

I casually sat on the sofa, resting my arms on the back. Father looked at me.

“So, what outrageous act are you planning this time that you’ve come to see me?”

“…Going straight to the point, are we? Well, I prefer it that way too.”

He chuckled.

He also didn’t particularly prefer the formalities of a preface. He had always been a radical character, prioritizing substance over appearance.

How radical his actions were could be seen from my mother.

How could a dubious self-proclaimed grand mage with no roots receive a summons from the King, repel foreign forces, and be crowned Queen with all the honors?

Even after that, she continued to work with him and destroy the corrupt establishment of the magic world.

This man, now with graying hair, was certainly a freak of nature like me.

“Ahem-”

In any case, I deliberately paused and chose my words carefully.

“You’ve heard about yesterday’s events, I presume.”

“Yes. Philip came to report around noon. This… never-ending worry.”

Father stroked his beard, sighing before staring blankly at me. He tilted his head, pointing at me with his finger and let out another sigh.

“Yes, you. You.”

“I can’t deny it’s because of me, I did most of the cleanup.”

“That’s why I can’t stop you. If you had just caused trouble, I would’ve dismissed you long ago…”

His already sagging face was creased with worry.

Father leaned back, tugging at his clothes before pulling something out.

“What’s that?”

“This? I haven’t shown it to you before.”

In his hand was a small golden locket. When he opened the lid and showed me the picture inside, I gasped.

“…Is that Mother?”

“There were no photos left… I won’t ask how you know. To you and Lea… I’m truly sorry.”

A photo of a woman smiling brightly was inside. Her dark hair cascaded down, and her white dress both concealed and revealed her seductive figure.

It was a truly beautiful, completely unfamiliar portrait of my mother.

“From the start, there was a lot of negative reaction to her. While she was with me, I intervened whenever I could, but after she left, I didn’t have the energy. Ugh… it’s all just an excuse.”

When I remained silent, Father continued.

We would normally both have met silence with silence. We thought it was a waste to fill the silent moments with idle chatter.

“I didn’t… forget, did I?”

“How could you? My youth with Lea… is still seared into my heart like a fresh burn scar.”

Yet, we continued to exchange meaningless words.

The effort of creating a newfound closeness after a long silence was unnecessary. Knowing that I wasn’t abandoned— nothing else really mattered.

But… I found myself adding a few more words.

“I’m talking nonsense.”

“It’s just my age.”

“Haha, you’ll understand when you get to my age. Sometimes, you’ll cry even when seeing the flowers, you know.”

Father chuckled heartily, taking off the locket and handing it to me.

“Keep this.”

“Isn’t it the only one…?”

“That’s why you should have it, shouldn’t you?”

I hesitated for a moment before reaching out to receive the token of my mother. It still held his warmth, feeling quite warm in my hand.

“I’ll treasure it.”

“Alright. Just don’t break it somewhere.”

“That won’t happen. By enclosing it with my mana like this—”

Without thinking, as usual, I wrapped the locket containing my mother’s photo in aether, and inadvertently absorbed some of the energy within.

‘This…!’

I could never forget it. It was undeniably Mother’s aether.

The echoes of her soul, I’d heard were scattered throughout the world, were in a place I never expected—so unexpectedly close.

Mother’s energy spread through my body. Soon, her consciousness, dormant in my status window, faintly awakened.

A bright white light rose gently in the office and gradually took on human form.

“Wh-What’s happening…!!”

Bang-!

Father sprang up from his chair and rushed towards the light.

“Huhu… this is the first time the three of us have been together.”

“Lea…!! Lea, is that really you…?”

A faint smile flickered in the light.

“Yes, it is. Through my adventures, I always tracked Mother’s presence, my soul bears witness… I never met her in person, but it’s truly her.”

“Yes, that’s right…So…!!”

Father’s face contorted with overwhelming emotion. He could have cried, and no one would have blamed him, but the monster that he is, he held it back.

The light slowly dimmed, reminding us that our time together was short.

I waved goodbye to my mother, as I usually do.

Father reached out a trembling hand but stopped, choosing his words carefully.

“I too… have become more talkative, like you. When we meet again, soon, we’ll catch up. Soon…”

The bright, ethereal figure nodded softly, enveloped us in warmth, and vanished.