After offering Jinor a few more words of encouragement, Yuri finally broached the main topic.

    "That aside, Jinor, you''ve heard the rumors, haven''t you?"

    "The incident in the north, you mean?"

    "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 comet—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 some 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 me a little more time. 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 come under our banner."

    Their discussion was distinctly different from those of the other lords.

    Vanessa of the Karelia Army had claimed:

    "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 assumed 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 me—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 me is never misplaced."

    Their strategy may have failed, but that did not mean Aishus Army was doomed.

    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 home.

    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 something about her that felt hollow, as though something 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 moment before slowly extending her hand.

    And then—

    A tiny ember flickered to life in her palm.

    But only for a moment.

    "...Haa."

    Her strength gave out, and she collapsed to her knees.

    "I managed to produce a flame, but I still don’t know how to sustain it. I’ve been reading through all the ancient texts you gave me, but..."

    "It’s fine. Even shaping it to this degree is no small feat. Tell me, 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 remember 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 something 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.

    "...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 something I’ve been doing for a long time."

    True enough.

    Loyalty. Honor. Those were just words.

    Who knew how much her heart had rotted away beneath the surface all this time?

    "When the time comes, I’ll let you know immediately."

    "Mm."

    We fell silent, staring at the fire.

    Then, suddenly—

    "...!"

    I felt something against my shoulder.

    Airen.

    She had leaned in, resting her head against me.

    When I turned to look at her, her face was flushed redder than a tomato.

    Even her ears were burning.

    She glanced up at me, her usual commanding presence gone—leaving behind a shy, vulnerable girl.

    "...Do you mind?"

    "Not particularly."

    "...If you don’t mind... let me 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.

    "..."

    Come to think of it...

    This game allowed polygamy.

    Men could marry up to four women.

    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 time 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 something 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 time to bring this to a close."

    The true final act of this northern campaign.

    It was time to face Lyn Brans.