TL/Editor: raei

Status: 5/week mon-fri

Illustrations: none

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It's hard to even remember how it all happened.

Belenka had become Ian's traveling companion.

At first, she agreed to be his bodyguard to repay her debt, but even after paying it off completely, Belenka never left Ian's side.

Why was that?

For one thing, Belenka's sense of purpose had always been somewhat vague.

The reason she had been searching for Roland Kingdom was simply to [earn money].

More specifically... she needed a new place to call home.

Returning to her hometown was unthinkable.

She needed to establish herself either in the Empire or in Roland Kingdom, and between the two—

In the Empire, she knew no one and had no desire to stay.

But Roland Kingdom? Wasn't that where her respected father had served as a knight?

She believed that if she introduced herself as her father's daughter, they would surely make a place for her.

So she had been working as a free knight, earning money while making her way to Roland Kingdom, when...

"Belenka. Here's your share."

"Thanks."

She met her new employer, Ian.

Belenka and Ian traveled throughout the Empire together.

A long journey with just the two of them—

Ian grew accustomed to Belenka, and Belenka to Ian.

Having observed Ian closely for so long, Belenka had come to a certain realization.

'Ian is a good man.'

He had the drawbacks of being both a dazzling genius and having an equally dazzling touch of madness(?), making it impossible to predict what he might do next...

But Wizard Ian was—

Generally kind, fond of jokes, and a young man with a clear, pleasant laugh that was quite charming.

And...

'Ian is a wanderer.'

She had no proof, but Belenka could tell.

Ian was a born wanderer.

If no one held him back... he would chase after magic and disappear into the realm of mystery.

It made sense.

Ian saw things others couldn't see and heard voices others couldn't hear.

He was bound to cross over into worlds that ordinary people couldn't even imagine.

'Baroness Talian... wants Ian.'

This she had evidence for.

A woman's intuition.

That special female romance sensor that somehow always knows when 'that person likes that other person'!

'Baroness Talian and Ian are growing closer.'

...Her heart raced again.

Ian might be a born wanderer, but that didn't mean he couldn't settle down.

If there was a place he could call [home]—

Ian might stop traveling and settle down.

'Ah.'

Belenka gazed blankly at the sky.

Her journey with Ian had been so enjoyable.

The two of them sharing new experiences in a new world...

But—

That journey might someday come to an end.

No.

It would definitely end.

...Probably with Ian settling in Baroness Talian's domain.

"What's wrong?"

When Belenka stared vacantly at the sky, Ian paused, wondering if something was amiss.

He joined her in looking upward, but—

There were no flying monsters or anything unusual.

"Ian."

Belenka suddenly spoke.

"What do you think of Baroness Talian?"

"?"

Caught off guard by Belenka's unexpected question, Ian was confused.

Baroness Talian Lucy?

Well... she's a cute kid, isn't she?

Foolish and incompetent, but lucky and cute. She would have failed long ago if she weren't so cute.

"She's a bit dim, but a nice friend."

"...Is that all?"

"?"

Ian tilted his head at Belenka's question.

He couldn't understand what answer she was looking for.

"A friend I can visit anytime without feeling uncomfortable?"

"...Forget it. Just forget I asked."

"Ah, Belenka—"

Ian called after her, but Belenka had already spurred her horse forward.

Left alone, Ian was seized by a powerful suspicion.

The romance sensor isn't exclusive to women.

It's just that women are usually on the receiving end of affection, so they experience it more often.

Men are perfectly capable of thinking, 'Does that person like me?'

Belenka's strange behavior today.

And her awkward question.

Ian therefore surmised:

[What do you think of Baroness Talian?]

The answer Belenka wanted to hear was—

[A woman I'm currently involved with]. Or [A woman I'm not interested in].

One of those two.

Why?

'Belenka...'

Ian urged his horse forward.

He closely followed behind Belenka.

'She might be interested in my love life.'

Baroness Talian Lucy was showing interest in Ian—

And now his traveling companion Belenka too.

This wasn't some isekai reincarnation story...

"Belenka!"

Ian chased after her, his mind filled with unnecessary thoughts.

#

She wanted to run far away, but.

The rain began to pour down.

Belenka stopped in front of an abandoned hut.

'Someone lived here not long ago.'

The traces of fire were still recent.

Belenka quickly scanned the kitchen.

Finding not even a single bean confirmed that whoever left hadn't fled in haste.

'A nighttime escape, perhaps.'

She didn't know the original owner's circumstances.

But chances were good they wouldn't be returning soon.

Belenka tied up her horse and slumped under the roof.

'...What have I done?'

Regret suddenly washed over her like a flood.

To randomly ask "what do you think of Baroness Talian," and then run away even after getting an honest answer...!

Anyone would think she'd lost her mind!

Of course, the expression "lost her mind" wasn't quite right.

Belenka had been worrying about Ian and Baroness Talian's relationship for quite some time.

She'd just never voiced those concerns before, which made it seem like a sudden outburst.

...Though from Ian's perspective, it certainly was a sudden outburst.

'How do I explain this to Ian?'

What excuse could she give for a companion suddenly abandoning her only ally and running off?

She desperately didn't want to say "I just felt weird," as an explanation.

That wasn't the mindset of a true companion.

What makes someone a companion in the first place? Isn't it that you can rely on each other in times of need?

Someone who needs to be protected and comforted isn't a companion but a burden.

Belenka didn't want to become someone who needed Ian's consolation.

She was Ian's sword and shield.

A sword and shield that needed comforting... was useless.

"Belenka."

Ian had finally caught up.

Belenka wanted to say "I'm sorry for suddenly running off."

But...

"..."

Her mouth wouldn't move.

Belenka knew she needed to say something, anything.

When someone addresses you, you don't just sit there with your mouth clamped shut.

Anyone would think you were furious!

So Belenka wanted to say something, anything.

"Um... yeah."

"..."

"..."

Her throat felt constricted, preventing words from coming out.

Belenka clenched her fists.

The reason was all too clear.

Belenka... didn't want to talk to Ian.

More precisely—

She couldn't bear to hear Ian say that [he loved Baroness Talian].

It was ridiculous.

If Belenka liked Ian... shouldn't she just tell him so herself?

In theory, yes, but practice was much harder.

Belenka loved the time she spent with Ian.

She loved their travels together, all the new and heart-racing experiences.

But what if...

Her traveling companion confessed her feelings.

And got rejected.

The happiness she currently felt would shatter completely...

So Belenka turned away from her own feelings.

Deep in her heart, the memory Miro had given her screamed, but Belenka ignored it.

...That's how it had been until now.

"Should we talk?"

"..."

Ian naturally sat down beside Belenka.

Belenka squeezed her eyes shut.

She wanted to run away, but that was impossible.

Ian was a [wizard].

A communication specialist who could commune with mysteries and all things—

There was no reason he wouldn't communicate with a sulky companion...!

"Feeling better now?"

"...Is that really the first thing you ask?"

"You look troubled. It's only natural, isn't it?"

Belenka's face flushed bright red.

This guy...! Was he doing this on purpose?!

"I'm staying right here until you answer me."

Ian said with a smile.

...It was that bright smile of Ian's that Belenka truly loved.

"Not that we can go anywhere else anyway."

The rain was falling harder.

Ian and Belenka fell silent as if by agreement.

The sound of rain hitting the ground was their only conversation.

...

How much time had passed?

"Do you really need... an answer right now?"

Belenka asked in almost a whisper.

Ian answered immediately.

"If not now, when will you tell me?"

"..."

"If it's an answer that can be postponed, then postpone it. But if not, it's better to say it now. For my sake, and for yours."

Belenka gazed at the rainy sky.

'So it comes to this after all.'

All journeys eventually come to an end.

Belenka was no exception.

She prepared herself for the end.

That's why she could speak.

"Ian."

"Yes."

"Let's be together."

"..."

"I know Baroness Talian likes you. But..."

Even if this was the final moment—

"I like you too."

She would never run away.

"..."

Looking at Belenka's anxious eyes—

Ian smiled gently.

Then he softly took Belenka's hand.

"!"

"You're the most impressive woman I know, Belenka."

"T-that's..."

"That's why I like you too. I want to see more with you, feel more, and learn more."

Belenka bit her lip.

Something hot welled up from deep inside her chest.

Though she tried to hold it back, her deep emotions spilled over as tears.

Joy. Delight.

And a deep, happy fulfillment, as if she had gained everything.

...Belenka lost her self-control.

"Do you... like me more than Baroness Talian?"

"Of course. I've only met Lucy a few times, but you've been with me all this time, haven't you?"

"Really... really?"

"I said so, didn't I?"

"Then kiss me."

"...?"

Ian was slightly taken aback.

They had confessed to each other, yes...! But was it right to kiss now? Wasn't this moving too fast?!

But Ian shook his head.

Right. This was medieval Western culture...!

Not some Eastern Confucian nation!

Ian was a Westerner(?) too, so he could understand how a kiss might immediately follow a confession.

Ian gently pressed his lips against Belenka's.

Since it was their first time, carefully...

But that's when it happened.

Belenka wrapped her arms around Ian's neck and pulled him closer.

Then she licked his lips and slipped her tongue inside.

Startled, Ian tried to pull back for a moment.

She wasn't even French, yet she was going for a French kiss of this intensity...!

But Belenka's arms didn't budge an inch!

Ah.

That's when Ian realized.

Belenka was a knight, and Ian was a wizard.

And...

A wizard cannot defeat a knight in close combat(?)!

"Haah..."

After breaking away from Ian's lips, Belenka looked at him with burning eyes.

"Ian. Come here."

"W-why...?"

"I noticed earlier that it looks comfortable over there."

"???"

Ian was genuinely confused.

In Western movies... what comes after the doorway kiss?

What was it...?!

"Wait a minute, Belenka. We should take some time to get to know each other better..."

"What nonsense is that? We've traveled together for years. We already know everything about each other."

"..."

"The only thing left for us to know... is this."

She had a point.

They had been companions for years and knew a great deal about each other.

"Coming over" hardly seemed like crossing a line.

"Come here, Ian."

Outside, the rain poured down.

Ian couldn't help but smile.

This all seemed to be moving very quickly, but...

Belenka was the most amazing woman in the world, even if they did "cross the line."

Ian and Belenka didn't leave the house all day.

After all, it rained all day outside.

#

Time passed quickly.

Ian and Belenka had become lovers, but their daily lives hadn't changed much.

They traveled as before and explored magic.

But one day, Ian stopped traveling altogether.

"Um... sorry."

It was because Belenka had become pregnant.

Ian didn't want to travel alone, so he just gave it up entirely.

"What are you sorry for? It's actually for the best."

"Haha. You think so?"

"Seriously. Really."

"Hahaha!"

Actually, Ian had planned to travel a bit longer.

But... Belenka was pregnant. What could he do?

He couldn't make her give birth on the road.

Ian left the Empire and moved to Roland Kingdom.

It was at the strong recommendation of Eredith and Gerard.

When Gerard told Ian to escape the Empire, he added:

"Ian. I have something to apologize for."

"What is it?"

"I... had a duty to guide your destiny."

"?"

Having never heard this before, Ian tilted his head.

Destiny? Duty to guide?

What are you talking about, you weirdo.

"The reason the Emperor went mad was... because of the machinations of black wizards called the [Golden Rule Society]."

"Well. There were such rumors. But what does that have to do with me?"

"...Your original destiny was to strongly clash with the [Golden Rule Society]."

Gerard said this, but it didn't particularly resonate with Ian.

The Holy Empire had a mad Emperor running wild~ black wizards carving up the country~

And so on and so forth.

But Ian had moved, hadn't he?

Ian was no longer an Imperial citizen.

He was a citizen of Roland Kingdom.

He had even helped his parents escape recently, so he truly had no business left in the Empire.

He did feel a bit concerned about Lucy of the Talian family...

But Ian was now a family man.

As someone with a family to protect, he had no time to worry about other people's households.

Protecting Belenka and their child was his top priority.

"It's fortunate you married Belenka... if you had strayed from the path even slightly, we might all have faced destruction."

"You're overthinking something that never happened."

"...Because you're not a space-time wizard."

Ian laughed it off.

Gerard had said many times that he was quitting space-time wizardry, yet he still acted like one.

"Didn't Master tell you to stop meddling with future matters?"

"..."

"Please take good care of Master. She's worried because you haven't been home much lately."

Gerard fell silent.

When he first married Eredith, he thought he could manage both his space-time wizard duties and building a family.

But as time passed, the [snowball] that started in the past had rolled forward frighteningly.

How long had it been since Gerard let go, and already black wizards were infiltrating the Empire's leadership?

At this rate... the flames of war might reach Roland Kingdom.

If tragedy struck in the future—

It would largely be his fault for abandoning his mission...

"I just had a meeting with the royal wizards yesterday."

"Royal wizards?"

"Yes. They said war with the Empire might break out, so they want us to develop magic that would be useful in war."

An immigrated wizard is a highly valuable strategic resource.

True to the wealth of Roland Kingdom, Ian was cooperating with the royal wizards for a hefty compensation.

Completely different from the Empire, where the Emperor's power was minimal.

In Roland, a single word from the King made his ministers tremble!

The King's decision had been crucial in accepting Ian and Belenka's immigration.

"War magic..."

"Master and I had a meeting, and we came up with many good ideas."

Ian spoke as if reassuring Gerard.

"At least in terms of magic. We will win."

"...I see."

Gerard was convinced.

At least regarding magic—

If Ian said so, then it was so.

Ian was born with the destiny to advance magic.

'I pray that the worst outcome doesn't come to pass.'

Gerard prayed secretly.

Hoping that a desperate end wouldn't come because he had abandoned his role as a space-time wizard.

[The End]

=====================================

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