Chapter 199: It’s Going to Be a Sleepless Night (4)
Even if he wasn’t one of the Eight Strongest on the continent, Al was famous as a mercenary, so I thought there would be at least some record of him. But as always, Al’s name wasn’t there.
Hmm, were there any rumors you heard related to Lucy? All I remember about Lucy’s actions is that he fought and defeated Referndi and then confined her.
Then I suddenly realized.
“Ah, right. That’s it.”
“What is it?”
“I figured out why Lucy tried to catch Referndi.”
“Does it have anything to do with me?”
Al asked with a glint in his eyes, and I nodded.
“But this might be a bit unpleasant to hear.”
“It’s okay. Tell me.”
“Yeah. I heard he went to get revenge because his friend died.”
“Is that me?”
“I don’t know about that. Anyway, there was a rumor that he couldn’t stand by and watch a mage wreak havoc on the world, but after that, I also heard a rumor that he went to get revenge because his friend died fighting Referndi. But it’s strange. Referndi didn’t seem to remember Al.”
I scratched my head. Lucy seems like the type to make friends everywhere, so I can’t be sure it was Al. Then Aila chimed in with a nonchalant tone.
“Well, would she remember every single person she killed? From what you said, that lady killed a lot of people. People with that kind of personality usually don’t remember the faces of those they’ve killed.”
“Ah, is that so? Al, that’s what she said.”
“So what.”
Al seemed quite displeased. Well, even if it happened in a parallel dimension, it would be a bit strange to hear that you died. Then Joey, who was using a beer vest as a cup, said.
“Well, it’s better than me. I think I only built up a bad reputation. Human Compressor, that’s a terrible nickname.”
“I don’t even have a nickname.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. From what I’ve seen, if you just put in a little more effort, you can also become one of the continent’s strongest in the future, Al. Levidian will probably vouch for you. Isn’t that right?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. Al is an excellent martial artist. You’re at your peak right now. You probably have skills comparable to the ‘Fist King’, Selva Rocheka. Try challenging him next time. Who knows? You might become one of the continent’s strongest before Lucy-ssi.”
Al seemed to think for a moment after hearing that. Then he nodded.
“After the war is over.”
“Ah, right. That reminds me, since we’re talking about the war ending, Risel. Are you really going to give me the position of Court Mage?”
“I said I’d recommend you. I’ll talk to my father. But aren’t you going to do magic research after the war?”
“Huh? What are you talking about! I’ve learned everything I can from Master. My level is now almost the same as Master’s. Master even acknowledged me as a mage. This means I can finally take on disciples and make them work for me!”
Lucy puffed out his chest and spoke, but as always, he used an inappropriate example. All of us, except Namia who had returned to her seat, sighed in unison.
“Huh? Why are you all doing that? Did I do something wrong?”
“No, just stay oblivious for the rest of your life. Anyway, after the war, you’re going to settle down somewhere and do research, right?”
“Well, I’m thinking of building up some fame. I should travel around the continent for two or three years and do some good deeds. Help people, look for a bride. A promising mage like me, if I seduce them properly, it’ll be a jackpot. Mwahaha!”
This remark drew criticism from the women. Levidian sighed, looking truly pathetic, and then spoke to me.
“Risel, contact your grandmother.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“Oh! Why are you all like this? It’s a legitimate strategy! A white knight mage who appears in a crisis! Isn’t it cool?”
“It’ll be a macho on a white horse, you idiot. Sigh. Well, if that’s what you want to do, go ahead. Come to me if you need a lab or a place to live. I’ll support you fully. I’ll also recommend you as Court Mage.”
Lucy grinned as if he liked that. When will that friend ever grow up?
After hearing Al and Lucy’s plans for after the war, I suddenly became curious about others as well. I asked Joey,
“Joey, what are you going to do after the war ends?”
“That means defeating Artshever, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then…… I’ll go to the Lynin Grand Temple with Namia-noona and report, and I’m thinking of visiting my hometown for a while. I need to tend to my mother’s grave. After that, I should continue my training as a Shrine Knight and help those in need.”
“Me too.”
Although it felt like she was piggybacking on Joey’s answer, Namia also said she would follow a similar path. Somehow, both of them seem like exemplary priests, which fills me with awe.
“What about Aila? Now that I think about it, you’re the biggest problem.”
“Me? I’ll go home after I deal with that bastard.”
“Home? Dakard Barony?”
“No. To my original world. I think the world will return to normal once Artshever is caught, and then my dad will come back too. Maybe if I just catch Artshever, the gods will do something about it. He’s a universal troublemaker. And then I’ll continue to act as a cute daughter, acting spoiled to my parents there.”
“So we won’t be able to see you after the war ends?”
“That’s how it’ll be. To jump between parallel dimensions, you need to be the only unique existence within that dimension. Since I followed that bastard here, I won’t be able to come back.”
Aila said it lightly, but the atmosphere suddenly became somber. We’ve grown quite attached to each other, and it’s a bit heartbreaking to think that she’ll disappear right after the job is done.
The gray-haired friend tilted her head, looking at the subdued atmosphere.
“Huh? What’s wrong with everyone? Hey, life is all about meeting and parting ways. And who knows? You might be able to contact each other through Lucy-ssi. He’s a specialist in parallel dimensions.”
“Spatial magic. Hmm, if we cooperate well, we might be able to figure out a way to communicate between parallel dimensions.”
“Right? See? So don’t be too down. Risel, what are you planning to do after the war? Marriage, as expected?”
“Ah, Aila!”
Levidian had the face of someone who had been hit in the bullseye. It seems difficult to withstand such an attack when caught unprepared. Hahaha.
“Huh? No?”
“Th-that’s not it, but……”
Levidian denied it adorably, and I said with a chuckle. Ah, the alcohol is pleasantly warming me up.
“No. That’s right. After the war ends, I should get married quickly and go to my territory. And I’ll rule it. Then I’ll have children and live happily ever after.”
“Ri, Risel……”
Levidian seemed to want to squirm while lowering her head. Hmm, is it too early for family planning?
Aila chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah. That’s good. But it’s a shame I won’t be able to see Risel’s children. I can delay my return for up to a year after the war ends, so why don’t you have one quickly? If you start working on it today, the chances are good.”
“Ah, Aila!”
Levidian shouted, turning bright red, and we all burst into laughter.
I predict that once everything is over and the world finds stability, we will miss this day the most. The time when the friends and lovers we want to see are together, all working towards a single goal.
Once the war is over, we’ll each go our separate ways. It will be difficult for everyone to meet in one place. Especially Aila, there’s a high chance we won’t be able to see her at all.
Ah, it’s fun now, but thinking about the future makes my heart a little heavy. However, all of this will become a memory, and the day when we can smile will come soon.
Since I’ve found my place, since I’ve made up my mind to win the war, it will be so.
And just like we talked about, each of us will be able to welcome the future we desire.
I raised my glass.
“Now, there are only two big battles left. Once those are over, we’ll each be able to do what we wanted. Let’s toast to that.”
Lucy grinned and raised his glass. He shouted.
“To life!”
Not to be outdone, Aila also raised her glass. The golden beer overflowed, sloshing around. She said energetically,
“To the future!”
And everyone else raised their glasses as well. The last words were almost predetermined.
We shouted,
“And to ourselves!”
With a pleasant sound, the glasses clinked against each other.
This enjoyable night. An unforgettable night.
A night with friends toasting together.
With indescribable joy……
Cheers!
The alcohol pleasantly warmed me up. Since we had a battle tomorrow, we ended the party around midnight. It was more of an aftermath than a battle, but I couldn’t just get completely drunk.
It was a night where I was drunk more on the atmosphere than the alcohol.
“Ha, that was fun.”
Levidian also seemed to be drunk more on the atmosphere than the alcohol. The moonlight was bright, and her face was more visible. Her slightly flushed appearance couldn’t have looked more beautiful.
The night air was cool. Thanks to the alcohol, it felt a bit warm, but every time the breeze swept past, it felt refreshingly cool.
She walked briskly forward and then spun around. Her beautiful black hair shimmered a dark blue under the moonlight, making me feel dizzy.
She, who had half-taken my mind away, smiled at me.
“It’ll take some time for my mood to settle down before I go to sleep.”
“I agree. But isn’t it dangerous to walk like that?”
“It’s okay. I can tell if there’s anything around. So I want to see Risel’s face. You don’t know what your face looks like under the moonlight, do you?”
“There’s no mirror.”
She walked backward, one step at a time, with her hands clasped behind her back and her upper body slightly bent.
As always, when she acts like this, I can’t help but forget her age. She’s like my age in many ways. She has some similarities with Aila.
She spoke as she walked backward, bouncing lightly.
“You’ve changed a lot since I first saw you. The adult air on a child’s face was awkward. Now it suits you so well. I’m so glad you’ve grown well as a swordsman, a disciple, and a man.”
“In what way are you glad?”
“In every way. As a swordsman, as a teacher, as a woman.”
She jumped and spun around again. Now, her hair, sparkling as if sprinkled with pearl powder, and her lively expression made my mind hazy.
Oh, all the gods, if I were to tell you the greatest joy after my reset, it wouldn’t be restarting my life or reconciling with my family.
I would say that I was happy just to have met her.
Although I was resurrected by Artshever, by his unknown scheme…… I am very happy now.
She and I arrived in front of her tent. It felt like escorting my lover home. I thought it was a feeling I wouldn’t experience with her, but this is how it is.
She stood in front of the tent and said,
“Are you sleepy?”
“Huh? No. Not really. But as you said, it’ll take some time for my mood to settle down.”
“I see. Then would you like to have a cup of tea before you go? To sober up as well.”
“Ah, um, sure.”
I thought about it for a moment. It’s late, and if I talk to Levidian, it seems like we’ll be up all night. But then I thought it didn’t matter. I’ll gladly accept an all-nighter.
She entered the tent first, turned on the light, and seemed to be tidying things up. A little later, she said,
“Come in.”
“Yes. Excuse me.”
For the record, this is my first time entering her tent.
It wasn’t that far from my tent, but until now, I rarely left my tent because I felt a bit empty, and she used to come visit me.
Since it was an officer’s tent, the layout was familiar, but the interior was a bit different. Should I say it’s just like Levidian? It was clean and neat.
“Sit there.”
She pointed to the edge of the bed. The bed wasn’t a cot, but a well-built, assembled bed. To be honest, the cushion was better than my general’s bed. Damn supply officers, have you already figured out who the real power is?
Levidian, whether she knew my thoughts or not, spoke as she prepared the tea leaves. She had her back turned.
“The supply officers took good care of me. They said I need to sleep in a good bed to maintain my combat strength. I never thought I’d sleep on a cushion on the battlefield. I’ll get used to it.”
“Oh? Did anyone else try to get close to you?”
“Yes? Ah, the female officers often talk to me. They take good care of me. Speaking of which, Risel, the female officers told me to pay more attention to the military underwear. They said it’s so stiff that they have to intentionally rip the seams or wrinkle them to use the issued ones. They said everyone uses custom-made ones.”
I don’t know which officers they are, but congratulations on achieving your operational objectives. The pillow talk was perfectly executed. I should tell them to pay attention to it after the war is over.
“Ah, look at this. The female officers gave it to me. Isn’t it pretty? They said it’s good for drinking tea.”
She showed me a tea set for two that looked brand new.
It was a bribe! The ability of career soldiers to grasp the real power is truly amazing. Oh dear.
While I was lost in thought, the tea was ready. Levidian wasn’t originally an expert in this kind of thing, but it seems she studied on her own after developing a taste for tea.
She took a teacup and sat next to me. She and I leaned against each other and quietly drank tea.
Then, suddenly, Levidian spoke.
“Aila is……”
“Yes?”
“Aila is amazing, isn’t she? She’s not afraid even though she might never see us again.”
“You’re right. By the way, I guess there’s no chance now.”
“What chance?”
“The chance to get back at her for what she did. I wondered why she didn’t have a boyfriend even though she seemed capable.”
Levidian’s shoulders shook up and down. She’s laughing. She laughed silently and then nodded.
“Ah, right. That’s true. Now that I think about it, it’s unfair. She teased us like that because she knew she wouldn’t be in the same situation.”
“Hmm. Truly outrageous. And on top of that, she’s thinking of going back, yet she approached us so casually.”
“But if it wasn’t for Aila, we would have fallen apart several times. Remember? When we first took Lea as a disciple.”
“Ah, I remember. It was something we should be thankful to Aila for.”
There are a few other minor incidents as well. If it wasn’t for Aila, we would have repeated the countless processes of lovers falling apart due to minor misunderstandings.
The meeting of people is ultimately a process of narrowing the gap between the different times they have lived. We call the act of understanding and embracing that process ‘understanding’, and we call nodding without understanding it ‘misunderstanding’.
Aila played the role of a matchmaker for us.
Even more outrageous. Not even paying attention to her own affairs.
“It would be awkward to introduce Aila to a man now, wouldn’t it?”
“It would be. She’d probably kick him away.”
“What if you nominate yourself? She might overlook it for a year. You know, to create a final memory.”
“Are you serious? She really would.”
This woman says troublesome things.
Why would you lend something good to someone else when you can have it all to yourself? Besides, I’m not an object. And if the opponent was me, Aila would load me onto a ballista and shoot me, aiming for Levidian.
Levidian leaned her head against mine. It’s her way of being affectionate.
“Sorry. I was joking, but I realized I went too far after saying it. Even if it’s Aila, I can’t give away something this good.”
“I’m not thinking of going to anyone else either. And you know it’s a foul to dump me without saying anything, right?”
“A foul? What foul?”
“It’s unfair to dump me again after you’ve already dumped me without a word. It’s my turn to dump you next time.”
I boasted and threatened her, and Levidian’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s in an instant. Whoa, this is also a foul! She asked in a trembling voice,
“Are you really going to dump me?”
“This is also a foul. I can’t stand it, really.”
I scratched my head, and she smiled brightly. Ah, I’m really caught.
She said, leaning against me.
“Ha, I never thought I’d become this precious. At first, I thought I’d become precious as a convenient object. Now, I’m so precious that I’d be scared without you.”
“Of course. I’m the king’s man. Would the Sword King’s man be an ordinary man? Those without courage wouldn’t even try.”
“Courage…… Yes. You’ve always acted courageously. I can’t say I taught you that. The first step is not something anyone can take.”
She raised her head. We faced each other.
Usually, her eyes are a bit sharp, but now they just looked infinitely gentle. The person in front of me is not a master swordsman, but just Levidian.
Looking at her face with a faint smile, I tried to be ‘courageous’.
“Can I…… act a little more courageously?”
She widened her eyes and then gave a relaxed smile.
Her finger lightly tapped the bridge of my nose.
“You do that without saying anything. Fool.”
I rubbed the tingling bridge of my nose and chuckled, and she also let out a laugh. And we laughed together for a long time.
When the laughter subsided, I acted courageously without saying anything.
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