NOVPUB< Final Chapter-005. >
“Did you pack everything properly? Didn’t forget anything?”
“Dad. That’s the fifth time you’ve asked that question.”
At Eugene’s mansion in the Imperial Capital.
Keiren, who had visited after a long time, was helping Mari who was preparing to leave for the Republic.
As a father, he wanted to pack even one more thing for his daughter who was heading to a distant land.
However, whether or not she understood her father’s feelings, Mari, who was busy with preparations, shook her head awkwardly.
“You’re being overprotective. It’s not like I’m going to a war zone…”
“The Republic is crawling with war refugees, resistance groups, and independence organizations. How can I not worry when my daughter is going there?”
“Dad, I have a magic imprint, you know. I can at least protect myself.”
Mari spoke with a subtly annoyed tone.
Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Keiren knew the reason.
It was probably because Eugene hadn’t shown up on the day of her departure to the Republic.
“I know it seems harsh, but try to understand, Mari. He must be swamped with the aftermath of the terrorist incidents.”
“I mean, I haven’t even said anything…”
“When things settle down, you two should go on a trip together. Make him pay for everything.”
“…I suppose we should.”
Can’t win against this.
Though Mari smiled slightly as she said that, she carefully observed Keiren’s face as he sat at one side of the room.
‘Something must be going on.’
Running here from the main mansion in one breath, seeing her off in such an excessive manner.
Along with his worried heart, this was the attitude he often showed when trying to hide something.
‘What they’re trying to hide is probably Eugene’s condition… He’s not absent because of work, but because he couldn’t come due to unavoidable circumstances.’
The multiple terrorist incidents that had turned the entire empire upside down.
Something must have happened during those incidents.
As the Minister of Defense, Keiren must have been informed about Eugene’s condition.
But they probably agreed not to tell her, thinking about how she would worry.
Tup
‘Always like this.’
Mari bit her lip and sighed inwardly.
Though the two of them exchanged numerous opinions about business and politics, this was one thing she didn’t like.
Eugene’s attitude of hiding important matters and trying to protect her.
Even though she had grown up and was working to change this scarred world.
To Eugene, she was still just a noble lady playing in the mansion.
“Then I’ll just have to try harder.”
Brother.
No, so that guy can see me differently.
As she was thinking this while packing her luggage—
Thud
“Oh my.”
Something fell from a corner of an old bookshelf.
“This is… a photograph?”
[Year —- Month — Day –. Belkers Territory.]
Printed on the back was the inspection seal of the former Kalhyram Imperial Army.
The presence of this seal meant it was taken at least ten years ago.
“Ah, I was wondering what it was. This is the photo taken when Eugene and Irene were first discovered.”
It was taken for incident report documentation, but somehow it had gotten mixed in here.
While Keiren was muttering that behind her, Mari looked at the photograph in her hands.
“Eugene… so this is what he originally looked like.”
The young Eugene wearing shabby leather clothes with a sharp expression.
There was a slight tension in his face, quite different from Eugene’s current appearance.
“Looking at it now, he was quite cute back then. His face was all round too.”
“His actions were just the same though. That little one, with his bright eyes, confronting an Imperial Army general—it was quite something to witness.”
As she listened to Keiren’s voice reminiscing about that time, Mari’s gaze shifted to the girl holding Eugene’s hand tightly.
A girl hiding behind Eugene’s back, looking at the camera with frightened eyes.
It was the young Irene.
“……”
She knew well from what she had heard.
A boy assassin who handled the dirty work for noble families.
And an experimental subject for Elcidore’s magic development.
During those days when she would whine about wanting a teddy bear, these two were fighting through days that were like hell.
And those two who went through such horrific times together had developed a bond as deep as family.
Perhaps that’s why she felt this distance from Eugene.
‘Irene and Eugene probably have no secrets between them. Unlike me…’
She knew it was an immature thought.
The pain these two experienced during that time was probably unimaginable for someone who had lived as a noble like herself.
But…
“I’m a bit envious.”
The bond with Eugene.
Without any secrets.
Being able to be with him without any hesitation.
When she thought about that, a childish jealousy raised its head slightly in a corner of her heart.
***
Wheeeeee—!
With a whistle, an armored train pulled into the Imperial Capital Central Station.
A direct train heading to Viselgrad, the capital of the Republic, crossing the western border region.
The luggage for a month’s use was loaded in the cargo car, and in Mari’s hand was a briefcase containing urgent matters that needed immediate review.
“He’s going to be away from his position for about a month, but this husband of mine doesn’t even come to see me off.”
“That’s why Eugene asked me to tell you! He says thanks for taking on this difficult task, and take care!”
“Right. I can tell just by looking at the security forces he assigned.”
Irene, who had come to see her off in Eugene’s place.
Hearing her words, Mari looked with clouded eyes at the armored train waiting for her.
Pshhhhh-!
The latest model armored train that had just completed field-testing and entered mass production.
And various experts operating it, along with an infantry battalion directly under the Supreme Commander accompanying them for emergencies.
And finally, ten high-level mages of five stroke or higher, specially selected from the special magical power unit.
“At this level, it’s not security—it’s more like we’re planning to reinvade the Republic.”
Isn’t this too much force just to protect a peace delegation?
But don’t worry.
This was already reduced as much as possible considering local public sentiment.
‘He’s surprisingly similar to Dad in these aspects.’
Especially when it comes to being overprotective.
Mari muttered inwardly as she called out to Irene with a subtle smile.
“Irene.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
Looking at Irene who was gazing at her with an innocent expression.
After looking at that face for a moment, Mari put her hands on her hips and said:
“Something happened to Eugene, didn’t it?”
“……”
A sudden question.
But as if struck right on target, Irene’s eyes widened.
“…How did you know?”
“See? I knew it.”
Seeing Irene’s reaction, Mari let out a deep sigh and opened her mouth.
“How many years do you think I’ve known him? I can tell this much right away. He probably got seriously injured somewhere again and told you not to tell me. Saying not to worry me when I’m already busy with work.”
“……”
“So, how badly is he hurt?”
“Quite… a lot.”
“I can’t live like this, really. He did this last time too, and now where did he…”
Just as their conversation was about to continue—
“Lady Marlene! It’s time!”
A guard who came out of the armored train gave the signal.
It was Leopold, commander of the 1st Division of the Special Magical Power Unit.
“So, Irene.”
Time has already come to this.
Looking blankly at Mari.
Taking Irene’s hand, Mari said:
“Stay by Eugene’s side in my place.”
“……”
“He might look like you couldn’t draw blood even if you stabbed him, but he gets lonely easily.”
You probably know this better than I do.
Mari swallowed her last words in an empty laugh and slowly boarded the train.
Once we arrive in the Republic, I won’t have a moment to breathe for at least two weeks.
Just as she was about to close the door with that thought—
“Mari.”
Irene, who had been quiet all along, suddenly stopped Mari and asked.
“Mari, do you like Eugene?”
“Wh-what?!”
What’s she saying all of a sudden.
Though Mari’s face flushed red at the sudden direct question, it was only for a moment.
“…Yes. I like him.”
Looking at Irene’s face, Mari answered in an unusually clear voice.
It was a resolute voice, as if determined not to lose to Irene.
“…How much?”
“Enough to take on this unplanned role of peace delegate.”
I thought I’d just be a figurehead, but it’s more headache-inducing than expected.
After complaining like that, Mari stared into Irene’s eyes and said:
“This peace we have now—Eugene created it, right?”
“……”
“So, I have to work hard to protect it too.”
After all, I am his wife.
With those words, the departure bell rang throughout the station.
Wheeeeee–!
The train departed with a whistle.
“Mari really is amazing. To notice so quickly even though we kept it secret.”
Waving at Mari through the train window, Irene murmured quietly.
“But, is that really right?”
As if questioning Mari’s words, Irene spoke.
Her eyes, which had been shining amethyst, were gradually turning black.
“He protected the world from destruction, but the world keeps hurting Eugene.”
Eugene changed the world to become happy.
He prevented the destined destruction and created peace.
But somewhere along the way, it became other people’s ideologies and aspirations weighing down on Eugene’s back.
In the end, Eugene keeps sacrificing himself to take responsibility for what he’s shouldered.
“Then I… do I need to suppress this voice?”
For the sake of maintaining a peace that’s eating away at Eugene.
Is there any reason to endure this?
…… …… ………
Once again, the voice was heard.
– Our poor Queen.
– While the Queen suppresses this instinct to protect the world the King created.
– That very world is eating away at the King.
– Consuming him.
Was it a thought born from the monster’s instinct?
Or had the voice itself gained will?
As the whispers lingered around Irene’s ears, countless thoughts appeared and disappeared in her mind.
The sight of Eugene together with Mari.
The dark emotions felt each time.
Mari is unfair.
She took all of Eugene’s firsts for herself.
The voice that kept eating away at her mind.
Eugene, growing increasingly exhausted in the end.
This won’t do.
At this rate, the peace Eugene created will end up killing him.
If Eugene dies… then I’ll be alone.
There will be no one to be with me.
“Then, what should I do?”
For Eugene to not get hurt,
For Eugene to be happy, what can I do?
– … …… ……
Thoughts leading to more thoughts.
The voice that kept assailing her.
After countless repetitions of these—
“……Ah.”
Irene thought of one method.
“If I get rid of everything Eugene has to protect.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the darkness within her surged once—
“If that happens, would Eugene not have to get hurt anymore?”
The moment that question settled in a corner of her mind, it calmed down quietly.
The confusion that had been tormenting her mind subsided, and a strange sense of fulfillment and relief was felt.
Like a forcibly twisted cogwheel finding its proper place.
As if this had been destined to happen long ago.
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