After offering Jinor a few more words of encouragent, Yuri finally broached the main topic.
"That aside, Jinor, you've heard the rumors, haven't you?"
"The incident in the north, you an?"
"Yes. The story about the silver-haired man offering a ritual, and then a boulder falling from the sky."
Jinor nodded.
"Of course. It's the most talked-about subject on the continent right now. Every ruler has their eyes on that man."
A man who had appeared like a cot—only to bring one down from the heavens.
It was inevitable that he would be the center of every noble’s conversation.
"Not only that," Jinor continued, "but there are an overwhelming number of eyewitnesses. It doesn’t seem like so fabricated tale."
"So… has he already appeared? A mage."
Jinor let out a deep sigh.
"That seems the most likely possibility."
"We're a step behind, then."
"It’s fine. The fact that he had to perform a ritual suggests that he is not yet a true mage."
"Is that so? Still, wouldn’t it be better to bring him over to our side? If he really is a mage, leaving him under Lyn Brans' command would be a waste."
"If that is your will, I will not object. However… I cannot say for certain whether he is the kind of person who would accept your vision. Compared to Brans Army, we are still a minor force."
"You hesitated before joining us too, didn’t you? If we persuade him properly, we might have a chance. Or do you think it’ll be difficult?"
At this, Jinor lowered his head in thought before answering.
"Do not worry. Just give a little more ti. As long as we can hold out against the tidal wave that is Brans Army, the goddess of victory will eventually favor Aishus. And when that happens, the silver-haired man will naturally co under our banner."
Their discussion was distinctly different from those of the other lords.
Vanessa of the Karelia Army had claid:
"It can't be magic, so he must have foreseen the event."
Jenna of the Serpina Army had argued:
"He couldn't have foreseen it, so it must be magic."
But Jinor had assud magic to be a fact from the start.
His logic wasn’t about elimination—it was as if he had always accepted the existence of mages as undeniable truth.
"I trust you, Jinor. And so do all our comrades. Being part of the Aishus Army isn’t just about serving under —it’s about absolute trust and loyalty. I told you as much the day I brought you in, didn’t I?"
Hearing those words, Jinor bowed deeply in respect.
"I will ensure your faith in is never misplaced."
Their strategy may have failed, but that did not an Aishus Army was dood.
The conviction he had held when he left his reclusive life.
The vision of building a nation under the rule of Baranga Yuri Aishus.
Jinor had wagered the remainder of his life on the future she would carve out.
*
Before heading out, Jinor briefly returned ho.
As soon as he stepped inside, a woman’s voice greeted him.
"Father. You’re back."
"Yes."
She was a young woman, seemingly around twenty years old.
Her long pink hair cascaded down her back, and there was sothing about her that felt hollow, as though sothing was missing inside her.
She addressed Jinor as father, yet the age gap between them was too wide, and they bore no resemblance to each other.
"How did your training go today?" Jinor asked.
"I haven't yet reached the level you described…"
She hesitated for a mont before slowly extending her hand.
And then—
A tiny ember flickered to life in her palm.
But only for a mont.
"…Haa."
Her strength gave out, and she collapsed to her knees.
"I managed to produce a fla, but I still don’t know how to sustain it. I’ve been reading through all the ancient texts you gave , but…"
"It’s fine. Even shaping it to this degree is no small feat. Tell , have you been able to sense it more clearly?"
"If you’re referring to mana… then vaguely, I suppose."
Jinor nodded approvingly.
"Good, Reika. Continue your training just like this. Your abilities will one day bring peace to this continent. Do you understand?"
"I will rember your words, Father. I will never forget them."
The pink-haired woman—Reika—lowered her head as she answered.
Her gaze, however, remained just as empty.
Then, cautiously, she spoke again.
"Um, Father. There is sothing I wish to tell you—"
"I'm busy. I need to leave right away. Is it related to your training?"
"…No."
Jinor turned away without hesitation and left.
Though her living conditions had improved after joining Aishus Army, nothing in her life had actually changed.
Day after day, she was confined to this space, studying mana and practicing how to wield it.
She was a bird trapped in a gilded cage.
And with each passing day, Reika’s heart grew colder.
***
Destroying and burning down the fortresses—naturally, the decision wasn’t made by the ruler or the responsible generals who oversaw their construction.
It was the soldiers who had carried the bricks, sweated, and worked tirelessly to build them.
And now, those sa soldiers were tearing down their own fortifications with their own hands.
"How ironic."
Given the tis, it was inevitable, but watching such a scene unfold so casually still stirred a deep sense of discomfort in . So remnant of my modern self rejected it.
Even the soldiers, unsure of what they were doing, had grim expressions on their faces.
Even if they weren’t modern people, their emotions couldn’t have been that different from mine.
It was no wonder that both Lunarian and Airen were so beloved by their people and soldiers.
At one point, I had tried to help with the destruction effort, but…
With my low physical strength, I quickly realized that I was more of a hindrance than an asset.
Just carrying a few bricks left drenched in sweat, panting like an idiot.
Still, at least I wasn’t completely useless—since the one assisting the soldiers with was Airen Juliet herself.
If anything, working alongside her improved my image rather than making look incompetent.
With the fort reduced to rubble, our preparations were complete.
And on the night before we left, I sat in front of a campfire, contemplating what to do next.
That was when—
"Swen."
Airen, who had spent the entire day alongside helping with the destruction, approached with a tray in her hands.
"May I sit?"
"Of course."
She sat down next to —perhaps a little too close—so close that our bodies brushed slightly.
Ever since that mont of realization, I had felt that her attitude toward had subtly changed.
"Here."
She handed one of the cups from the tray.
"This is… tea?"
"One of the soldiers had it. Said it was part of the ergency supplies."
"Did you confiscate a soldier’s rations?"
At my words, she flinched and shook her head frantically.
"N-no! I didn’t take it! I just borrowed it! I thought… it would be nice to drink it with you…! The soldier didn’t mind…!"
"It was a joke."
Her face flushed red, and she pouted slightly.
She might not have realized it herself, but her reaction was adorably endearing.
"…You joke around with your superior a little too much."
I laughed and took the tea she handed .
The warmth spread through my body, easing my fatigue.
"What's on your mind?"
"I was wondering when you’ll make your decision."
A decision.
Yes. Airen had already made up her mind to leave Lyn Brans behind.
And I had no intention of staying here either.
But there was still no word of Lunarian raising her banner.
Which ant—I would once again have to find another ruler to serve.
"Looks like I’m back to being a journeyman."
If I had just kept my head down and contributed only moderately in Brans Army, I could have spent my days in relative comfort.
But if I had done that…
I would have lost her.
Airen, looking at with those eyes.
Just knowing that, I had no regrets about the decisions I had made.
Even if my body had to suffer for it.
Besides—
I had a loyal, red-haired knight by my side.
A knight with large breasts.
"For now, I might have to spend so ti under another lord."
"Another lord?"
"Luna hasn't taken up arms yet."
"…I see."
She nodded.
"It doesn't matter who. Wherever you stay, I will stay as well."
Her gaze was unwavering, firm.
"Still… while we're here, try not to make it too obvious that your heart has already left. At least not enough for Lady Lyn to notice. Can you manage that?"
Airen let out a bitter smile.
"You don’t have to worry. That’s sothing I’ve been doing for a long ti."
True enough.
Loyalty. Honor. Those were just words.
Who knew how much her heart had rotted away beneath the surface all this ti?
"When the ti cos, I’ll let you know imdiately."
"Mm."
We fell silent, staring at the fire.
Then, suddenly—
"…!"
I felt sothing against my shoulder.
Airen.
She had leaned in, resting her head against .
When I turned to look at her, her face was flushed redder than a tomato.
Even her ears were burning.
She glanced up at , her usual commanding presence gone—leaving behind a shy, vulnerable girl.
"…Do you mind?"
"Not particularly."
"…If you don’t mind… let stay like this for a little while."
I could feel her warmth.
Her ample chest pressed firmly against my arm.
The scent of the tea we had just shared lingered in the air, making the atmosphere all the more dangerous.
Fine.
I had to admit it.
My heart was beating a little faster.
"…"
Co to think of it…
This ga allowed polygamy.
n could marry up to four won.
Did that rule… apply here too?
I entertained that stupid thought for a while—
As Airen and I sat together in front of the fire, simply feeling each other’s presence.
*
With the fort’s destruction complete, we returned to Arnel Castle at dawn.
Since we had many wounded, our pace was slow, but we were still within our own territory, so there was no rush.
Thanks to Airen's daily care, many of the soldiers had recovered significantly compared to right after the battle.
Arnel Castle, untouched by war, was just as bustling and peaceful as ever.
It was so tranquil that everything that had happened in the north felt like a distant lie.
The expressions on the people’s faces were completely different from those in Kelstein Castle.
Even I felt like if I wandered around this place too long, I might forget that we were in the middle of a war.
But there was no ti to relax.
The first place we went was, of course, Lyn Brans’ royal palace.
As much as I wanted to head straight to the East Arnel estate and enjoy a quiet tea with Airen…
There was sothing we needed to take care of first.
"…I will take full responsibility. There’s no need for you to worry."
No matter what, Carlints knew his position well.
It was his decision to construct the fortress.
His decision to push the campaign.
Airen and I had only followed orders.
And as for my insubordination…
I had fought for the sake of the kingdom. That should at least be taken into consideration.
With Carlints leading us, we marched straight to the audience chamber.
"It's ti to bring this to a close."
The true final act of this northern campaign.
It was ti to face Lyn Brans.
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