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Chapter : 26
Escape from Repetition
Training time in the tower, as usual.
“Done.”
With the low-spoken word, the tension in Lowell’s shoulders released.
Crackle.
A faint light appeared, and a small magic circle scattered into the air. At the same time, seeing the fire in the fireplace, which had been frozen like a picture, reignite, Lowell immediately understood: she had succeeded in destroying the magic formation.
“Could you cast the delay spell now? I think I’ve gotten the hang of undoing the stop magic to some extent.”
Lowell rested her hands on her knees and stood.
“Your face is really red.”
“Is it? Maybe it’s because I was sitting by the fireplace.”
Leon lowered the book he had been reading, scolding her, but Lowell didn’t care and simply touched her forehead once, then removed her hand.
“Anyway, please cast the time magic again.”
Lowell slumped back down in front of the fireplace. But even as she stared at the flames, nothing changed, and eventually she had to turn back.
“……?”
As soon as she turned, Lowell met Leon’s firm gaze. With his brows furrowed, Leon seemed displeased with something.
“Take a short break first.”
Breaking the long eye contact, Leon said in a sigh-like voice.
“No.”
But the refusal came faster than his suggestion.
“…You said no?”
“Yes. I want to move on quickly to the next step as soon as I understand even a little. So please cast the spell.”
At her firm words, Leon’s gaze, which had lingered on the book, returned to Lowell. She was staring at him almost challengingly, lips pressed tight. That made him feel a familiar mix of annoyance and worry rising.
That’s why Leon suddenly stood up. That’s why he walked right up to her and placed his hand on her forehead.
“You’re burning up. Don’t push yourself; take a rest first.”
Leon’s voice flowed toward her. Despite the firmness of his words, his eyes, carefully observing her face, held worry.
“…….”
Under Leon’s gaze, Lowell couldn’t keep her eyes in one place until his hand left her forehead. Only when he extended his hand for her to rise did she regain focus.
“…Then, I’ll rest a little and continue.”
Lowell took Leon’s hand, intending to stand. But it didn’t go as smoothly as she thought.
“Ah, sorry.”
Suddenly dizzy, she collapsed into Leon’s arms.
“…I don’t think a short rest will be enough.”
Feeling the heat radiating from her body, Leon spoke slowly.
“My body… it’s hot because of the fireplace. Only my forehead has some heat, so you don’t need to worry.”
Lowell released Leon’s hand and walked toward the sofa. Leon, momentarily unsure what to do with his idle hand, soon settled opposite her.
After that, Leon used magic to pull his book back and resumed reading, while Lowell sat blankly, lost in thought for quite some time.
“As Leon said, once I fully understand the structure of the spell, the next step seems easier.”
Lowell spoke suddenly, watching the dew on her teacup.
“…I see.”
Leon responded slowly.
In truth, Leon felt more than surprise at how quickly Lowell had reached the magic destruction stage—he felt awe. Tasks that had taken even someone called a prodigy several years, Lowell achieved in a few trials, reaching a substantial level almost instantly.
‘Truly an unknowable woman.’
From the moment she first appeared to now, everything about Lowell had been strange, Leon concluded.
“Tomorrow is the day of the palace entry?”
“Yes, before the declaration of war, we have to meet the Emperor with the executives. I thought it was useless even as vice-captain, but going as a special knight is just as bothersome.”
Leon closed his book and lifted his teacup. Following the lift, his gaze caught Lowell’s eyes reacting to the words “special knight.”
“You’ll meet Princess Heinstein tomorrow as well.”
Seeing Lowell clearly trying to suppress her emotions, Leon spoke first.
“Then….”
Lowell, nervous, spoke carefully.
“Could you please convey just a word when you meet the lady?”
Studying Leon’s face intently, she spoke cautiously.
“Words to convey… worry…?”
She refrained from saying “don’t worry.” If she did, Lowell might stumble again due to her weak body.
“Just… tell her I’m worried about her.”
Amid Leon’s interrupted words, Lowell’s voice drifted.
“…….”
A flushed face, the corners of the mouth drooping, eyes rippling with emotion.
All enough to stir Leon’s mind.
“To the Sun of the Great Khan Empire, eternal glory on the battlefield!”
Following the First Knight Commander kneeling and bowing, the voices of the other knights echoed loudly.
“Recently, the demons dared to encroach on the imperial courtyard without knowing their place. I, Kaitius Khan, Sun of the Khan Empire and Emperor, will never let this slide!”
From the high stage, the Emperor’s voice boomed. His white hair, shaking with each word, suggested his age, but the dignity on his resolute face made him appear almost divine.
“Knights of the Empire, bring glory to the Empire through victory!”
“Glory to the Empire!”
The Emperor’s commanding voice reverberated, met with steadfast replies.
“First Knight Commander Lavia Karaja, step forward and pay respects to His Majesty!”
After the rousing morale boost, the commanders from the first to fifth orders came forward to individually pay respect to the Emperor.
In the midst of this commotion, Leon kept one knee on the ground, restraining the urge to lean against the wall. The ceremony was just as troublesome as he remembered.
“Special Knight Aria Heinstein, step forward!”
Unexpectedly, her name was called, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall. This was the first time a special knight had been named in a situation where normally only executives’ names were called.
“Special Knight Aria Heinstein, I pay my respects to the Sun of the Great Empire.”
Aria remained composed. She stepped forward through the gazes, kneeling before the Emperor.
“Princess Heinstein’s father, Delric Heinstein, has been my long-time friend. I hear from him that the princess is weak, yet she participates personally in this war for the Empire. I commend her greatly for this service.”
“Your Majesty, thank you.”
Aria bowed deeply and exchanged a few words with the Emperor. Although the conversation was short enough that no one noticed, even Leon watching her back intently, Aria’s face afterward carried the exhaustion of several hours.
“If the princess trained at the Academy, some of our executives might not even be here.”
After the Emperor’s audience, a light reception was held for the knight commanders and special knights. Aria was surrounded by people.
Given her high status as the Empire’s princess, now combined with the Emperor’s commendation, she naturally drew a crowd.
“I still have much to learn to hear that from the vice-commander of the Fourth Order.”
Fortunately, Aria’s poised response to flattering words reflected noble composure.
Aria handled the gathering crowd for a while. But growing dizziness forced her to speak.
“I’ll step out for a bit of fresh air.”
Wearing a polite smile amid the chatter, she refused offers to accompany her and went to the terrace. Dizzy, she held the railing, standing there for a while.
“Dizzy…”
Weakly, the words escaped her. Looking up, she noticed a rather unwelcome sight.
“…….”
Leon Rifman stood before her, leaning against the terrace wall, his dry eyes fixed on her.
“You seem uncomfortable.”
His tone was cold, with not a hint of warmth.
“Just… I felt dizzy when I stood, that’s all. You needn’t worry.”
Aria straightened and met his gaze.
“No. Why should I worry about the princess? She is, after all, a healing magic knight commended by His Majesty the Emperor.”
Indifferent. Emphasizing that he did not worry.
“Thank you for acknowledging that. Well then.”
Aria offered a formal smile and turned to leave. Already tired, she did not want to expend energy on meaningless conversation.
“The one truly worried is someone else, you know.”
Aria stopped immediately at Leon’s words.
“I’ve been worried since contact was suddenly cut off.”
Leon omitted the subject, but Aria knew perfectly well who he meant.
“…….”
After staring at the floor for a long moment, Aria turned back and met Leon’s gaze. The familiarity in his eyes reminded her of someone else, and she spoke slowly.
“You think a lot about Lowell, don’t you?”
Her gaze traced Leon’s face carefully.
“Yes. Very much. I care deeply enough to recognize any wound inflicted by others immediately.”
Leon’s eyes showed no wavering as he answered.
“So, are you holding me accountable for that now?”
“No. How could I, in my ambiguous position, hold Princess Heinstein responsible? But…”
Leon paused and approached Aria.
“I am saying that if you caused worry and know the cause clearly, you must take responsibility.”
Leaving only that, Leon brushed past Aria and returned inside the hall.
“Ha.”
Aria sighed bitterly on the empty terrace. Recovering her disrupted breath took time, not only because of Leon’s words.
“What did you just say?”
“As I told you.”
At the same time, in the garden, Lowell’s hand froze mid-air while drinking tea. Before her stood a servant from the Rifman household Leon had called, expressionless.
“Princess Heinstein’s magic is being distributed in large quantities on the black market.”
Clang!
Lowell’s hand went limp, her teacup dropped, shattering noisily.
“Gah.”
She felt the air vanish from her lungs. Facing the truth sucked all the air from her chest.
Thump, thump. Her heart pounded in her ears, and she realized immediately: the confidence that she could anticipate repeated regressions, that she could keep Aria safe, had all been arrogance.
The escaped truth had flowed somewhere completely different.
