Editor : Amethyst00



"Boyfriend?"

Leah blinked, a slightly incredulous look on her face.

Rune… with a boyfriend?

It didn't fit at all.

Of course, Rune was popular with many men.

Her breathtaking beauty could steal anyone's breath away, and her eyes, shadowed by the loss of Kyle, carried a lonely sorrow that stirred a deep instinct to protect.

Maybe that's why—despite knowing how overwhelmingly powerful she was—many still boldly declared they'd protect her themselves.

But even so, there was no way Rune had anyone she would call a "boyfriend."

'Because Rune has Kyle.'

An irreplaceable presence.

Her feelings for Kyle were at least as strong—if not stronger—than Leah's own.

For someone like that to have a boyfriend?

'Was Reina mistaken?'

Come to think of it, Chelsea had mentioned Rune was traveling with a man named Leo.

Someone not in any of Leah's files.

Chelsea had said he was extremely skilled and seemed quite close with Rune.

But at the time, Leah hadn't paid much attention.

She and Eliana had been too busy grappling with the drastic change in Rune.

"The two of them looked really hot together."

At Reina's teasing remark, Leah let out a short laugh and shook her head.

'She must've seen something and misunderstood.'

Thinking there was no way that could be true, Leah turned her attention back to the approaching monster horde.

'In any case, I need to clean this up quickly and rejoin Rune.'

Even if she wasn't alone, the danger hadn't changed.

Just as Leah was about to summon, her gaze landed on the makeshift defenses that had been set up.

'Surprisingly efficient for something so rushed.'

"As expected of Lady Reina. The defense line is remarkably well-constructed."

"Hm? I didn't build it."

"What?"

"It was that kid—Carl."

"Carl?"

Leah looked at Carl with a hint of surprise.

"Carl, that mana potion you gave me earlier—do you have more? If so, better hand them over nicely."

"Hey! Are you trying to rob me now? That thing cost time, effort, and money to make—it's super rare!"

"If I search you and find one, it's a punch per bottle."

"I'm serious, that was the only prototype!"

"Miss Lunia… You're acting like a thug."

Eiran looked horrified, Carl looked desperate, and Lunia just looked proud of herself.

'Carl… probably doesn't have experience in large-scale battles.'

And yet, he'd instinctively created such an efficient layout.

He knew—almost innately—how to structure things to best counter the enemy.

Just then, despite Leah's magic, the monster horde breached the perimeter.

Leah took a step back, analyzing the battlefield.

Moments later, Carl began reading the flow of combat and supporting the fighters.

Since his enrollment, Carl had always aimed to be a support-class mage—and now his efforts infused the frontlines with new life.

More importantly, at some point, he naturally began directing even the likes of the hero Reina and other fighters.

Wide perspective. Fast judgment. And the ability to place people exactly where they needed to be.

'A commander.'

There were many powerful heroes.

But someone who could draw out their strengths, unite their clashing personalities, and lead them?

That was far rarer.

'To think… that child had this kind of talent?'

Leah's eyes trembled.

'What have I even been looking at for the past year?'

Chelsea and Eliana had nurtured things in Lumene that she had completely missed.

She had thought she'd done well guiding them—but now the results made her realize otherwise.

And Carl, the one she had once deemed hopeless and even encouraged to drop out—

Now stood as someone with unexpected ability.

'What have I truly seen in these children…?'

She bit her lip.

Her clenched fist trembled.

FLASH! FWASHFWASHFWASH—!

Enormous arrows of light rained down through the monster ranks like a storm.

Everyone's eyes flew to the sky.

There, hovering on a Fly spell, stood Rune, staff in hand.

"Now that Rune's joined us—this battle's as good as won!"

Reina smirked and raised her sword high.

"Everyone! Wipe out these disgusting beasts!"

"YEAH!"

Morale surged.

But up in the air, Rune's face was far from cheerful.

She scowled deeply as she glared at Leah.

'That girl!'

Since her reincarnation, Rune had asked Leah again and again if she ever had feelings for Kyle.

It was only natural.

Of everyone, Leah had spent the most time with Kyle.

She had believed in his potential more than anyone, and they had seemed to suit each other better than anyone else.

It wouldn't have been strange if Leah had harbored feelings for him.

Yet despite Rune's persistence, Leah had denied it every time.

What stung wasn't that she'd once had feelings for Kyle—but that she hadn't been honest about it.

That's why Rune had told Leo not to come here.

She was annoyed and acted out of spite.

As she continued glaring, Rune suddenly paused.

Leah's expression hadn't changed—it was the same as ever.

But to Rune, something was different.

'She looks… really tired today.'

They had been like sisters in their past life.

And that bond let Rune see something others couldn't.

Leah had always tried to hide when she was struggling.

Rune's eyes followed Leah's gaze—

And saw Carl standing there.

'Leo once said Leah couldn't see Carl's potential.'

Rune recalled the year before last, when Leah had confessed her doubts about Carl.

'She said he was qualified to enroll, but lacked any clear potential.'

As Rune continued to glare, her expression gradually soured.

She scratched her head and muttered with a grumble.

"Honestly… you're making it really hard to stay mad at you."

bl

The monster horde attack that had struck the peaceful rural estate.

The people of Plov, having only heard of such disasters in fairy tales, were all trembling in fear.

But then, as if to save them, heroes appeared and defeated the monster horde completely.

In gratitude, the residents of Plov held a small festival to honor the heroes.

"Oh, this looks delicious."

Reina's eyes sparkled as she approached the villagers roasting an entire pig.

Seeing her, Carl—who had been standing in front with a fork and plate, licking his lips—opened his eyes wide.

"Huh? Weren't you invited by the nobles, Lady Reina?"

"I hate stiff, formal atmospheres like that. I like this kind of setting better."

Smiling brightly, Reina was quickly surrounded by the children of Plov.

"You're Lady Reina, the Flame Witch, right?!"

"You're so pretty!"

"Aren't you scared of monsters?"

Even the rural estate had heard of the Flame Witch's fame.

"Hey now, you brats! Don't bother the heroes."

One of the elderly villagers scolded the children, but Reina simply burst into laughter.

"It's fine. They're adorable."

"Big sister, you're pretty too!"

"Miss! You look like a princess from a storybook"

"Ohohohoho! You kids have good eyes!"

Watching Reina laugh in delight, Carl muttered inwardly.

'She's actually old enough to be called auntie…'

"You know… I noticed earlier too, but you're oddly brave, aren't you?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You just thought I was old, didn't you?"

"Ack? Can you read minds or something?"

"I just guessed, but seems like I was right?"

Grab—!

"Hiiiiiik!"

Carl flinched as Reina grabbed his shoulder.

The other Lordren people who hadn't been invited to the noble party burst into laughter as they watched.

They had grown tired of the nobles' extravagant party—this modest festival suited them much more.

Those who were laughing quickly turned their heads when Reina's gaze met theirs.

"It's peaceful."

"It feels like earlier was just a nightmare."

"Right. Still, Senior Rune really is something. Driving back a fragment of Erebos, of all things."

"Mister Leo was amazing too. But I haven't seen him around for a while?"

Lunia and Eiran chatted.

"But… the fact that a fragment of Erebos awakened—will everything be alright from now on?"

"It's fine, it's fine. What's the big deal about one little fragment?"

Suddenly, Rune slumped down next to Lunia with a worried expression.

She brought a huge beer mug to her mouth and began chugging.

"Pwah! That hits the spot~! Urp!"

After wiping her mouth with her shoulder and burping, Lunia's face turned pale.

"S-Senior Rune. Please mind your dignity…"

"Hm? Dignity? Can you eat that?"

"…Are you drunk?"

"I don't get drunk this easily!"

Seeing the completely loosened-up Rune, Lunia and Eiran looked a little flustered.

The smell of alcohol wafted from her, and her slightly glazed eyes made it obvious to anyone—she was definitely drunk.

But seeing Rune looking so cheerful, the two elves couldn't help but smile.

As Rune giggled and chatted, her gaze suddenly drifted to one corner of the party.

A quiet spot at the edge of the outdoor festival.

There, someone was sitting silently.

"Why's she sulking over there like a wet blanket?"

With a slight frown, Rune picked up two mugs of beer and walked toward Leah.

"Why are you sitting here all gloomy by yourself?"

"Ah, Rune."

Leah gave her a bitter smile.

Rune plopped down beside her and shoved a mug into her hand.

Then she gulped her own drink down in big swallows.

Leah simply stared at her mug in silence.

After a moment—

"Rune. I… I was wrong…"

"You damn lizard scammer."

"…Huh?"

Rune stared hard at her.

"You liked Kyle, didn't you?"

"Where's that coming from all of a sudden?"

"I figured it out. You liked Kyle too."

Leah's expression stiffened slightly.

Rune snorted and continued.

"Why didn't you just say so? Did you think I'd eat you alive if you told the truth?"

"…Sorry."

Leah gave a bitter smile.

"I thought it might make you feel worse."

"Hmph. So I wasn't wrong about my taste in men. You liked that bastard too."

"Or maybe we're both just messed up. For falling for an idiot like him."

"…Maybe. That dumbass."

With a sulky look, Rune stared into her half-empty beer.

"Leah."

"Yeah?"

"I don't think you were wrong."

"…"

"I think you're just… a little lost right now."

Rune leaned her head back and looked up at the night sky.

The stars shone down as if they might fall at any moment.

"Five thousand years ago… a single mistake, a moment's hesitation, could've meant the end of the world… but now it's different, isn't it?"

"…"

"Don't try to shoulder everything alone like you did back then. Things are heavier now than they were 5,000 years ago. Let's share the burden. If not with us…"

Rune lifted her head.

She saw the heroes and rising stars of this era—those willing to risk their lives for the world.

"Then maybe it's okay to share the weight with the future generation too."

"You sound more mature than I do."

"I only figured it out recently. I was foolish too."

"…"

Leah closed her eyes.

Then spoke.

"Sorry for hiding how I felt about Kyle."

"It's alright. I was sharp with you too."

"You were."

"Honestly… I was nervous. If you became my rival, I didn't stand a chance…"

Rune looked at Leah with her half-lidded eyes, tilted her head, and chuckled.

"But thinking about it now—you have your strengths, I have mine. There's nothing to feel inferior about."

"…Where are you even looking when you say that?"

Rune said nothing and poked Leah's chest.

Then looked at her with a pitying gaze.

"You've gotten even poorer than in your past life, huh?"

Leah's eyes twitched.

Her lips twisted into a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"I'm going to kill you, you damn drunken knife-ear."

"There she is. That's the Leah I know."

Rune laughed heartily.

Leah rubbed her temple and muttered.

"By the way… how did you know I liked Kyle?"

"Hmph. That's a trade secret."

Rune smirked proudly and downed the rest of her beer.

Leah looked at her, troubled.

In this world, there were only two pieces of evidence that she had feelings for Kyle.

The first: the final letter she wrote to him in her past life, sealed within her personal journal.

Only Kyle could access that seal—not even Leah herself could open it. And that journal was in her possession.

'The other one… was the marriage vow I buried in Dragonia.'

But Dragonia had been completely destroyed during Queen Sillatna's invasion last year.

Its whereabouts were now unknown.

That vow could have been powerful proof that Kyle once existed—so it was deeply regrettable to Leah.

'If that was somehow discovered, Kyle's existence could be proven.'

"Don't tell me… you found the marriage vow Kyle and I made?"

"Pffft?! Cough! Kahak! Kehk! Kuhh!"

Rune choked violently on her beer, shaking all over.

She opened and closed her mouth like a fish, staring at Leah.

And at that moment—

Leah realized she had said something she definitely should not have.

Rune's eyes lit up.

"Marriage? MAAARRIAAAAAGE VOWWWW?! You what with that bastard?!"

Hurling her mug aside, Rune lunged to tear out Leah's hair.

Terrified, Leah shouted:

"It—it was Kyle's idea! Kyle's!"

Deciding the dead couldn't talk back, Leah blurted it out.

"That bastard! He toyed with my pure heart! I'M GOING TO KILL HIM! AND YOU TOO, LEAH! DIE WITH ME TODAY!"

With a crazed face, Rune began rampaging.

Leah turned and bolted in a panic.

Just as Rune was about to chase her down—

"W-what's going on?!"

"Rune-sunbae! Please calm down!"

Lunia and Eiran rushed over, panicked.

"Let go of me!"

Rune struggled, trying to shake them off.

Just then—

Grab—

Someone hugged Rune tightly from behind.

"Calm down."

Rune flinched as Leo suddenly appeared and embraced her.

But only for a moment.

She bared her teeth, ready to bite.

But Leo was faster.

Crack—!

"Khrrk?!"

Leo lightly twisted Rune's neck.

Her body went limp.

Sighing, Leo handed her off to the flustered Lunia and Eiran.

"Put her to bed."

"S-Senior Rune, are you okay?"

"Y-yes…"

With that, Lunia and Eiran took Rune away.

Clicking his tongue, Leo turned and ran after Leah.

Thud—

"Haah… seriously. What a mess this all is."

Leah slumped to the ground.

Before she knew it, she had wandered all the way back to the site of the recent battle.

"Wait… why was I the one running away?"

Thinking about it now, she felt wronged.

"It's not like Kyle was taken or anything, was he?"

Of course, the marriage vow itself had been something she tricked Kyle into signing.

'Still, that has nothing to do with Rune. If she was so bothered, she should've made a move earlier.'

Of course, she couldn't say that aloud.

That would be like throwing oil on a burning house.

"Sigh…"

With a deep breath, Leah looked out at the battlefield.

From the festival in the distance, cheerful music drifted through the air.

Sounded like it was dance time now.

A lively song echoed from the party.

Not far from that, the battlefield was still littered with monster corpses.

It reminded her of the days after the brutal war five thousand years ago.

"…It's hard, Kyle."

Murmuring softly, knowing the words would never reach him—

Step, step—

Footsteps from behind made Leah flinch.

'She followed me? Already?'

Thinking Rune had caught up, Leah tensed and prepared to flee.

"Nice atmosphere, huh?"

A voice she didn't recognize stopped her cold.

Startled, Leah turned around.

"Who are you?"

The boy had gotten right behind her without triggering a single one of her senses. Leah watched him warily.

But the white-haired boy didn't seem the least bit bothered by her guarded reaction.

He just listened to the music coming from afar, smiling faintly, before holding out a hand.

"Care to dance?"

"No, seriously—who are you…?"

"Miss Swindler Lizard?"

"……!"

Leah's eyes went wide.

And in that moment, she could see the color of the boy's soul.

"Ky…"

Her voice trembled.

"…yle?"