Chapter 41

Looking out the window, Laila realized for the first time that it was already completely night.

At this time of year, the sun sets early, and the temperature drops when night falls. Laila, wearing a dress made of a lot of fabric, was fine, but the child she held in her arms was only wrapped in a rag and looked cold.

Then, surrounded by men on all sides, Laila stepped outside the building. Immediately, a dry wind blew, and sand flew up, almost getting into her eyes.

(This place...? There shouldn't be such a desolate land in Rendia...)

As far as the eye could see, it was a sandy area—she thought. But upon closer inspection, she could see something dark like a sea in the distance.

(From the position of the stars, that must be west... A sea to the west? No, if that's a large river, then this place could be—Oluva?)

She shuddered as soon as she realized it.

Fifteen years ago, Oluva, the neighboring country to the east, was completely defeated by Rendia's magic army in the Miasis Border War. Since then, Oluva had not made any bold moves, at least not since Laila could remember.

If this place is Oluva, then the other side of that river is the Kingdom of Rendia.

As a civilian, Laila would not be held accountable for crossing the border alone. But what if Julius had come immediately?

If he, a descendant of a prestigious magic family, had come to fetch Laila right away—there might have been a war.

(Lord Julius...)

Holding the fussing child, Laila gazed firmly at the western sky.

In her geography class at the academy, she learned that the great river flowing through the east of Rendia serves as the border with Oluva. And the border line is located roughly in the middle of that river.

If she could get halfway across that river—she thought, but it was too difficult. Embarrassingly, Laila couldn't swim. Even if she managed to jump into the river, she would sink before reaching the border.

(If I could inform Lord Julius about the existence of this building! If I could tell him that there are many children here and that something terrible is being planned...)

But then, Laila noticed a flickering light on the opposite bank.

"Damn... Is the envoy really here!"

"They must be trying to lure him. What should we do!"

The men were murmuring.

(The envoy... Ah, that's it!)

Finally, Laila understood Julius's plan, and a slight sense of relief flooded her body.

Julius hadn't acted rashly. He had considered the many citizens of Rendia more than himself. If he was in the envoy—Laila felt it was more than enough.

She couldn't deny feeling a bit of loneliness and anxiety at being prioritized less. But—Julius would never abandon her, even if he changed his priorities. She believed in that.

The magician who had recognized Laila was a truly fair and wonderful person.

"This is the weapon for such times. ...Hey, woman, hand over the 'weapon.'"

"Huh?"

She asked in surprise, pulled roughly.

(Weapon? ...What, could they mean...?)

As soon as she realized the meaning of those words, a freezing terror and anger surged from the core of her body. She hugged the child tightly, and her arms were pulled from all sides in irritation.

"Don't dawdle! What do you think this weapon is for!"

"Th... This child is not a weapon!"

The children, clinging to Laila, calling out "Mom, Mom." Children with the same constitution as Julius.

If Julius had also experienced the same thing in the past. And if he was not a "war orphan from the Miasis Border War"—

"...The children! They are not tools of war!"

Laila shouted, hugging the crying child and curling up.

Julius, born with an extraordinary ability, was not from Miasis. He was born in Oluva and used as a living "weapon."

(Lord Julius, Lord Julius...!)

At that moment, a heavy kick landed on Laila's back, and she gasped for breath. The child was pulled from her loosened arms, and her outstretched arms were pushed away, and she was hit in the face.

"Ugh..."

"Quick, throw the weapon in!"

"Mom... Mom!"

The child, torn from Laila, screamed. Then, before the surrounding magicians could cast a spell, a light exploded.

It happened in an instant, and Laila, who had been hit and fell to the ground, had no idea what had happened. But she felt a tremendous shock throughout her body, and she was lifted off the ground and thrown into the air.

As she was thrown into the sky, she saw the stars and the dancing light and flames—immediately after.

With a splash, Laila's body was slammed into the water. In her disoriented state, she involuntarily inhaled water and flailed her arms and legs in a desperate attempt to move.

(Water!? It's... hard to breathe! I can't... breathe!?)

Laila couldn't swim, and her abused limbs were painful. The freezing temperature of the winter river was bad enough, but the dress that had kept her warm was now soaked and restricting her movements.

(Lord Julius...)

Just as she was about to lose consciousness, a current suddenly formed in the river, and Laila's sinking body began to rise against gravity.

Then, with a splash, Laila's body was shot out of the river like a bullet. Confused and disoriented, she thought the stars looked beautiful as she was suddenly thrown from the water into the air—

"Laila!"

The voice of the person she loved called out to her.

Her frozen body was embraced, and the water in her lungs was expelled, making her body warm up instantly.

The surroundings were bright, and many people were shouting.

"Laila, Laila. Open your eyes. Say my name..."

The person she loved, with a voice that sounded like he was spitting blood, pleaded. Although her body still hurt, she could speak and respond to his wish.

"...Lord Julius..."

When she opened her eyes, she saw hazel eyes, more beautiful than any star. A clean scent enveloped her, and she was hugged tightly.

"...I'm sorry I couldn't save you in time..."

His voice wasn't the only thing trembling. The broad back of Julius, who was usually calm and composed, and the arms that held Laila, were trembling.

(Lord Julius...)

"I'm... fine."

"You don't have to push yourself! As long as you're alive... that's enough..."

"Lord... Julius! Please... help the children... cough..."

She said in a hurry, but the pain in her back, which had been injured by the kick, intensified, and she collapsed in Julius's arms.

Julius gasped and touched Laila's back. Heat spread from there, and the difficulty in breathing soon disappeared.

"You were attacked... I can't forgive that. The children are safe."

"Huh..."

"I know. ...I lived there until I was fifteen."

Looking straight ahead, where the great river separated the east, light and flames were exploding. It was clear that an unusual magic was being cast, and Laila shuddered.

This was the first time she had seen it, but it must be a magic backlash. The child, who had been torn from Laila and was unstable, was scattering magic. The envoy, on the opposite bank, was clearly terrified by the magnitude of the disturbance.

"...This is perfect. Let's settle the grudge of fifteen years here."

"How... how?"

"We'll offer them a favor. ...I also want to save the children. I don't want to create more 'weapons' like me."

Julius's words confirmed that everything Laila had guessed was correct. Swallowing a bitter lump, Laila nodded and took Julius's hand.

"Lord Julius, please let me accompany you."

"...But, you—"

Laila smiled in response to Julius's hesitant voice.

Returning to that place was scary.

But—only Laila could calm the children's magic.

Because she could help the people within reach.

And—because the strongest magician was by her side.

"...Alright. Just don't overdo it."

"Yes."

Laila could stand up.