TGDM 01

Chapter 01

I remember the day we left.

“I will do what I do best.”

Even though many years have already passed, that moment of parting is still vivid.

“So you stay here and do what only you can do, Mikhail.”

When I said that, you looked as if you were about to collapse.

“I’ll be back soon, so prepare a grand victory banquet or something like that.”

Seeing your usually unshakable self show weakness for the first time, I had no choice but to turn my back quickly.

If I hadn’t, I felt like my resolve would have wavered.

It was the early days of a newly founded nation, when everything was still fragile.

Leaving your side wasn’t something that could be done without hesitation.

I always wanted to be your strength.

A dependable friend who shares both joy and sorrow, forever.

But in front of us lay a pitch-black abyss with its mouth wide open, and someone had to seal that dark rift.

[…I’ll be waiting, Iserna.]

The last voice of yours in my memory carried sorrow and desperation.

You must be waiting for me today as well, believing I will return.

That single conviction kept me going.

It brought our steps all the way here.

“Finally.”

The victors looked utterly worn out.

It was only natural, having endured so long without a single supply line until the very last demon was slain.

And yet, everyone’s faces were filled with joy and exhilaration.

As if they had forgotten all their exhaustion in an instant, they shone brighter than ever before.

“We’re… going back.”

Some to their parents’ arms,

some to their lovers,

some to homes where children they’ve never even seen are waiting.

“You’ve all worked hard.”

I cleared my throat once and spoke to everyone.

“Rest as much as you want, and meet me again in front of the Imperial Palace in a month.”

Almost everyone except me had family waiting for them.

It was only right that they went to share their joy first.

“I’ll go ahead and prepare the victory ceremony.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Everyone answered loudly, looking at me.

…When was the last time these guys were this united?

As expected of oddballs, they were always causing absurd incidents one after another.

Mikhail, now I will return to you.

It took far too long to keep my promise.

“Expedition, disband!”

“Haha…!”

“I’m going home… I’m really going home!”

People were laughing and crying all at once in joy.

Even I felt like tearing up, so I turned my head away.

We cleaned ourselves with magic and changed into fresh clothes we had saved for this day.

Looking neat and polished like the day we left, we smirked at each other.

“Commander, make sure to find yourself a lover when you get back!”

“We support you…!”

Those bastards?

The moment I quietly clenched my fist, they screamed and scattered in panic. As expected, they were quick on their feet.

‘Well, whatever. I should try everything I haven’t done before.’

Love and marriage would probably be part of that too.

But first, retirement.

I took a return scroll from my spatial bag.

The journey had been long, but going back would take only an instant.

Its coordinates were fixed on Mikhail, so tearing it would send me directly to his side.

[Come see me first. I won’t yield on this.]

[…If something embarrassing happens, I take no responsibility.]

I had been warned, so it should be fine.

As long as I don’t end up dropping into a bathhouse or something.

“Let’s go.”

I took a deep breath and tore the scroll.

Magic surged violently inside, erupting in a blinding flash.

With the sensation of my body being pulled upward, my vision turned completely white.

All that remained was the sound of my heart pounding as if it would burst.

The capital.

The Imperial Palace.

Mikhail.

The moment I thought of the coordinates I had to return to—

“…Ah.”

Something felt off.

As if the place I had left behind no longer existed in this world.

When I sensed that the coordinates were distorted, the force pulling me suddenly vanished.

And then came a short fall.

Thud!

Impact came before I could even stabilize myself.

“Ugh…!”

The low groan and the sensation beneath me told me everything.

I had fallen on top of someone, not the ground.

I tried to get up immediately, but the aftereffects of spatial transfer were stronger than expected.

My body had landed, but my senses were returning too slowly—I couldn’t even move my fingertips.

Just as I struggled to move my eyes and check who was beneath me, my vision suddenly flipped.

In an instant, our positions reversed, and I ended up pinned underneath.

“I’ve said it many times. I don’t need a bedroom maid. Get out immediately or—”

The moment his eyes met mine, he stopped speaking abruptly.

“……”

His widened eyes seemed both shocked and confused.

I also said nothing, just stared back at him.

‘What… is this guy?’

First of all, he was not Mikhail.

The mana scent matched what I knew, but everything else was different.

Sharp, perfectly sculpted facial features—an overwhelmingly handsome man.

Jet-black hair that absorbed all light, and cold golden eyes that shimmered with authority and strength.

“What are you? How did you get in here?”

And his voice—

Deep, heavy, and resonant enough to shake the chest. One hearing was enough to make it unforgettable.

‘Did I faint?’

Had I lost consciousness without realizing it and started dreaming?

He seemed to misinterpret my dazed stare.

“It’s a mistake to jump into a man’s bed just because you like him. Especially for a beautiful woman like you.”

The man’s sharp eyes softened slightly.

“If it were usual, I would’ve thrown you out immediately… but the situation is quite peculiar.”

“…If you promise to become mine, I’ll give you whatever you want,” he muttered to himself.

“…Like this. If you agree to be mine, I’ll grant you anything you desire.”

Huh?

‘What did he just say? Anything I want?’

Only after getting dazzled by his face and voice did I finally process the meaning.

“Even in my situation, I’m not so irresponsible as to ignore the person I spent the night with.”

What—what? Spent the night?

Wait, this guy thinks I snuck into his room to assault him?

‘Well… I did end up on top of him.’

The situation really was terrible.

‘Still, this level of kindness is suspicious.’

If it were me, I would’ve thrown a pervert out the window.

Not only did he resemble Mikhail in mana, but also in that foolishly gentle personality.

“So you staring like that… can I take it as agreement?”

‘W-wait… no!’

I tried to speak, forcing strength into my abdomen.

But no sound came out of my lips.

The aftereffects of the return magic were lasting far longer than expected.

No one ever told me about this.

Or maybe there was something wrong with the scroll?

“…So you want a kiss? I can’t tell if you’re shy or bold.”

The misunderstanding was getting worse…!

“I also find you strangely appealing. Should I consider myself lucky?”

His face and neck seemed slightly flushed—he must have liked my appearance.

No, I did find him extremely attractive too, but this was not how things were supposed to go…

“You might be inexperienced. If it hurts or you dislike it, tap my shoulder. I’ll stop.”

He gently brushed my hair aside and whispered.

His breath brushed against my chin.

‘W-wait!’

Realizing I couldn’t escape came in an instant.

‘Huh? Seriously? For real?’

Like a lie, something soft touched my lips.

“……!”