WFMW 54

Chapter 54

Preparations for the Subjugation Battle Begin with a Kiss

Calling it “roundabout” didn’t change the fact that what I’d said was basically “you’re ugly.”
So naturally, Hael was sulking pitifully.

While I was wracking my brain for a way to comfort him, an idea suddenly struck, and I clapped my hands.

“How about this instead—Hael, you could personally demonstrate how effective the product is and sell it yourself. I’ll give you the work-use supplies for free. Would you like to actually sell them?”

“Uh…”

I thought he’d jump for joy—after all, I was giving away something he was supposed to sell for free—but instead, Hael’s face twisted into a miserable expression.

Sidor let out a low laugh.

“My wife isn’t so simple, huh?”

Hael’s face crumpled even more.

Watching the two of them banter back and forth, I tilted my head in confusion.

‘But wait, what kind of “mission” is he planning to take me on? I’m not exactly skilled at anything… laundry duty?’

Honestly speaking, I wasn’t even good at that. I could barely take care of myself, let alone anyone else.

Just then, Sidor cleared up my confusion.

“You’ll be coming along on this subjugation mission as an offensive-type mage in the rear support unit. Understood?”

“…Huh?”

Once again, my brain short-circuited, and I blurted out a stupid reply.

Even if Madam Briar showed up unexpectedly, they’d need someone who could handle her appropriately.

Taking that into account, they decided Hael would stay behind.

Once that was settled, everything moved along swiftly, as if they’d been waiting for it.

Even with the sudden dispatch order, they still had at least two days to prepare.

As if determined to fulfill his promise to protect me, Sidor insisted on bringing me along to his office.

“Come with me to the Knights’ headquarters each morning. I’ll say you’re the mage being dispatched this time.”

“Do you think they’ll believe that?”

“And if they don’t? They’re too busy to care. Everyone’s scrambling to get ready.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Once I put on the ridiculous robe—Sidor swore it looked “appropriately mage-like”—people did glance curiously, but no one actually approached me.

So I just lounged around in his office, reading books.

Hael, who had seemed sulky at first, quickly got over it and began to look almost happy at the thought of skipping the subjugation.

Within a day, his cheeks were plump and rosy again, and he cheerfully waved me off.

“Please take care out there, madam!”

Sidor clicked his tongue, looking exasperated.

“Weren’t you sulking just yesterday because you couldn’t come along?”

“After thinking it over, I realized I’ve never really rested before. I might as well enjoy this chance to relax.”

“You look like you gained weight overnight.”

“I must’ve puffed up from oversleeping.”

“…”

Sidor looked dumbfounded, but since he was the one who’d ordered Hael to rest, he didn’t say anything more.

He then turned his focus to making sure both the knights and I were properly prepared for the subjugation.

“You can use attack magic, right? The spell you used to melt that lock before—that level of power will do.”

There weren’t many mages who could even manage that much.

The problem was… I couldn’t use it often.

“I can’t cast that many times in a row. My mana takes too long to recover, and I can’t rely on the magic circle at the mansion while we’re away.”

“There’s no other way to replenish mana besides the circle?”

“Well…”

There was another way. Without meaning to, my eyes drifted toward Sidor’s face.

More precisely—to his firm, polished lips.

‘What the heck am I thinking…? Have I gone mad?’

I smacked myself on the cheek.

It was meant to knock some sense into myself for thinking something so ridiculous, but Sidor seemed to misread the gesture as me being deeply troubled.

He grasped my shoulders and spoke seriously.

“If there’s a way, tell me. Even if you’re not sure it’ll work. I’ll cooperate fully to keep you safe.”

“C-cooperate…?”

“Did I say something strange? Why are you making that face?”

My gaze drifted again—to his lips.

‘Should I… should I just ask him for a ki—kiss?’

Every time he merely held my hand, my mana surged.

Wouldn’t a deeper contact make it recover even faster? How much faster, I couldn’t even imagine.

‘I want to test it. Not for any improper reason! Just pure, magical, academic curiosity!’

Of course, my flushed face and stammering made it abundantly clear that my thoughts were not pure, but I pretended not to notice.

Sidor narrowed his eyes when I kept fidgeting without answering.

“Nellie?”

“M-my… my lips…”

“My lips? What about them?”

The moment he focused on my mouth, I snapped out of it like a bucket of cold water had hit me.

What in the world was I thinking?!

I squeezed my eyes shut and shouted—

“Mana stones! Mana stones will work!”

Sidor tilted his head.

“Didn’t you just say ‘lips’?”

“You must’ve misheard me!”

“Your tone sounds strange too.”

No matter how much he pressed, there was no way I could admit that I’d been thinking about kissing him.

‘I’ll take this secret to my grave. Never, ever telling him.’

After staring at me for a long moment, Sidor sighed and released my shoulders.

“So, these mana stones—where do you get them? Is it that hard to find?”

Ah, so that’s what you think.

‘Sidor Granite… you pure, innocent man!’

And to think I was the pervert here, obsessing over lips while he was genuinely worried about logistics.

I smacked my cheeks again before answering calmly.

“They’re sold in various places, but they’re very expensive. They’re usually large gemstones—mostly diamonds.”

“I see. So they can be bought, as long as you have the money.”

“Yes. I was actually hoping to sell my magic potions to save up for one…”

He must’ve thought I was growing herbs for fun, huh? If only he knew the tear-jerking reason behind it.

I earnestly explained everything, even going on a tangent about how mana stones work.

After listening quietly, Sidor folded his arms and concluded,

“Since it’s necessary for this mission, I’ll procure them myself.”

My eyes widened. I flailed my hands in panic.

“No, really—you’ll be shocked when you see the price!”

“I think I know diamond prices better than you do. Don’t worry. Your husband’s rich.”

“…Right.”

Wow. Just casually flexing his wealth like that—must be a family trait.

It reminded me of Grisha, who once said, ‘I’m rich, so you should come to me.’

Either way, Sidor seemed perfectly satisfied with his decision.

“Then that’s settled.”

Even though I’d meant well, I couldn’t help feeling a little deflated that my opinion had been brushed aside. But then I started giggling.

‘Well, if it means I can use magic more easily, it’s worth it. He’ll be in for a shock when he finds out how expensive those stones really are, though.’

No doubt, he’d only be able to buy one or two within budget. He just didn’t know it yet.

Still, I was happy that he cared enough to try.

And then—defying all my expectations—Sidor really did buy a mountain of mana stones.

I’d expected maybe one or two… but before me was a glittering heap of jewels that sparkled like sunlight on water.

I pointed at the dazzling pile, half in disbelief.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Sidor didn’t even flinch—he wasn’t remotely embarrassed.

“Told you I was rich.”

“Where did you even get this kind of money?”

“From the family vault. Our ancestors have always had a fondness for shiny things.”

‘Was his ancestor an actual dragon or something?’

According to legend, dragons loved shiny treasures and hoarded mountains of jewels in their lairs.

Coming from the supposed descendant of dragons, it didn’t even sound like a joke.

And so, after two pseudo–workdays at the Knights’ headquarters, I finally joined the subjugation expedition as a mage.

When the day of departure came, I was the only one who couldn’t ride a horse.

Which meant that among all the knights, the only passenger carriage—for people, not supplies—was reserved for me.

With several knights holding their reins beside me, I felt horribly conspicuous climbing into the carriage.

Trying to hide my nervousness, I pulled my hood down low. My mouth went dry.

‘What if they think I’m a useless mage who can’t do anything?’

All the armored knights looked intimidating, like they were about to scold me.

But my fears turned out to be unfounded. As I approached, they smiled and greeted me warmly.

“Good morning, Mage.”

“This is the first time we’ve ever had a mage on a mission like this. It’s an honor.”

“Oh! So this is the famous mage I’ve been hearing about! I was hoping to meet you.”

Among them was Jacques, whom I already knew. Seeing a familiar face helped me relax. I bowed deeply.

“I’ll do my best. Please take care of me!”

But my hood slipped off completely when I bowed.

The knight nearest to me blinked in surprise.

“I’ve never seen such a young lady serve as a support mage before.”

“Not just that—mages hardly ever volunteer for these missions at all.”

“R-really?”

Sidor had said it so casually that I assumed mage participation was common…

Apparently, it wasn’t.