Chapter 40

The store fell silent as if the wind had passed through it.

Leontine felt everyone's gaze gathering on her.

Pity, sympathy, curiosity.

The expressions directed at her varied, but the feeling that visited Leontine's heart was not the sadness of a broken heart.

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Leontine...-san?"

Hermine peered at Leontine, who had suddenly burst into laughter, looking worried. She must have mistaken Leontine's shock from the breakup for a mental breakdown.

"No, no, it's fine, Hermine. Of course. How many years have passed since then? I had enough time to grow from a stinky little girl into a fine mercenary. It's not at all strange that that stupidly strong <Oni> has a family."

"H-ha...?"

"I'm actually relieved. Just knowing that he's not lying dead somewhere on a battlefield is enough."

Leontine drained the contents of her mug in one go and raised the empty tankard high to the ceiling.

"To commemorate the breakup! I'm treating everyone today, so drink up!"

A murmur of approval rose, followed by a flurry of orders.

Leontine thought the "breakup commemoration" was a strange excuse, but on a night like this, she couldn't go on without drinking and making a fuss.

Hermine, the other server, and even the dishwashing girl were all busy taking the sudden increase in orders.

"L-Leontine-san... Are you really okay with this?"

While carrying three tankards of Triazena in each hand, Hermine asked worriedly, her well-shaped eyebrows drooping as if she might cry at any moment.

Leontine swallowed the words "I'm the one who wants to cry" and patted her back reassuringly.

Giving up on taking individual orders, the owner brought out large platters of dishes one after another. It seemed they were meant to be shared, with everyone taking what they liked.

Among the colorful dishes were some Leontine had never seen before, but they were all delicious and went well with the alcohol.

Watching the drunk patrons drink freely, as if it were her treat, Leontine suddenly heard the sound of the glass door sliding open.

"Hey, what's all the commotion about?"

The moment she heard that voice, Leontine's heart beat like a young girl's.

She couldn't forget it. This was the voice of the <Oni>.

The voice she had heard in her dreams for so many years, without a doubt.

Turning to look at the door, she saw the man standing there, just as he had when he showed mercy to her on the battlefield.

"<Oni>... It's really you, <Oni>."

Leontine barely managed to stop herself from running over, thanks to the self-control she had honed on the battlefield.

The confused face of the <Oni> was the same as when he had shown mercy to her on that battlefield.

"Um, you are..."

The <Oni> hadn't recognized her. Of course not. It was impossible for him to remember a mercenary he had crossed blades with only once, years ago.

A pang of sadness burned in the depths of her heart, but it was understandable.

"Could it be, the mercenary with the squid helmet?"

Thump.

Her heart raced again. It couldn't be. He couldn't remember.

That day, which felt like yesterday to her, was just another ordinary scene on the battlefield for him.

"Sure enough, it's you. That build, no mistake."

"You... You remember me...?"

It couldn't be.

She had roamed many battlefields since then, but never encountered him.

If the <Oni> remembered her, it would be a remarkable coincidence.

The <Oni> scratched his left arm with his index finger and smiled sheepishly.

"A female mercenary who can fight like that is rare."

Leontine couldn't look him in the eye after hearing those words. She hastily picked up the large bowl of seaweed soup and sipped it, hiding her face.

The salty broth was comforting to her tired body.

"<Oni>, it's on me today. You and your wife should join us."

"Is that okay, <Squid Helmet>?"

"It's no problem. I'm doing well right now."

While looking at the <Oni>'s smile, Leontine secretly decided.

She would leave the ancient city tomorrow. Seeing that smile, she feared she might not be able to let go again.

The <Oni> now had a fine wife named Hermine.

Before her feelings deepened, she needed to leave this town.

But for one more night, just one more night, she wanted to remain in love with the <Oni>.

As she thought about this, the seaweed soup tasted a bit too salty.