Instantly, the conference room buzzed.
The North was a harsh and barren land. However, the people who lived here were incredibly resilient as a result. I could confidently say that the knights of the North were either slightly inferior to or on par with the members of the Mort Knight Order. Even if they seemed ridiculously weak in my eyes, it meant they could survive ordinary monster attacks, even if they got injured.
And such people were wiped out?
The knights of Mul squeezed their eyes shut. Muriel continued, clenching his fists tightly.
"According to the report, they went out to scout the outskirts of the Black Mountain Range and encountered dozens of Urgs."
"Urgs formed a pack?"
"Yes."
I panicked and widened my eyes.
Urgs originally lived in packs deep in the mountains, but not many came down below. They were so ferocious that they would kill even their own kind, making them unable to form large packs. For such Urgs to form a pack and come down meant—
"...Has the Black Mountain Range become so dangerous that even the Urgs had to pack up?"
Lord Pendragon asked on my behalf.
Muriel nodded gravely.
"That is our assumption. Looking at past records, Urgs don't even form packs when a Serpent appears. If Urgs are gathering to raid, it's safe to assume the mountain range is now filled with the most vicious monsters we've ever seen."
I bit my lip tightly.
Since Muriel had read all sorts of books since childhood, he was probably right. But... no matter how much the monster ecosystem in the Black Mountain Range had mutated because I was gone, to this extent? It was hard to believe.
However, the older knights, including Pendragon, seemed convinced.
"Urgs are ferocious, but they are smart monsters. With such bizarre monsters increasing in number, it makes sense for their behavior to change. Besides, didn't the icicles freeze earlier this year than last? Because the weather is cold, the winter monsters must have started breeding early, and their numbers would have swelled tremendously within the mountain range."
"...."
"But the strange thing is, why didn't they come down sooner?"
At Pendragon's question, Muriel answered quietly.
"According to my knight, they were busy fighting each other inside the mountain range until now. But now that they've finished organizing their territories, they will come down in full force soon. There isn't much time left."
"...."
We all fell silent together.
Reality was too cruel. It was already precarious with just the monsters that had appeared so far; if dozens of times more came down, the result would undoubtedly be terrifying. Moreover, weren't there many monsters that were on a completely different level of danger than before? I recalled the time I caught the Basilisk.
If I sacrificed myself alone, could I save everyone?
No, it didn't seem possible this time.
Muriel concluded his words.
"That is why I officially stepped forward as Lord and issued a conscription order to all Northerners. Until now, the Lords were away, and I didn't say anything lest the people become anxious, but now I felt I had to..."
"Thank you for telling me, Muriel."
At my words, he nodded with difficulty. I closed my eyes tightly and opened them again. It hurt my heart to think about how much this young boy must have agonized alone.
Pendragon groaned in pain.
"I shouldn't have been lying around sick. I should have helped you sooner."
"Please don't say that, my Lord! Are you still unwell?"
The bright-haired knights of Siland said to their lord. I clenched and unclenched my fist.
The journey that began to find the source of the monsters had come here. To the North, the place I had left.
The land I firmly believed would be safe was not safe at all, and the entire North was in chaos. This was all because I had disappeared.
Kirgys and the territory's people told me not to blame myself, but I still ended up blaming myself. After all, the beginning of all this disaster was my disappearance without knowing myself.
But now, rather than blaming myself and crying, I had to do what needed to be done.
I opened my mouth.
"Actually, I requested this meeting with you all for that very issue."
People turned to look at me. The few knights who knew my face looked surprised. I had always wandered alone, afraid of hurting people, and never showed my face at meetings like this.
I continued firmly.
"A monster wave is coming soon, and my territory doesn't have the strength to handle those monsters. The other territories probably aren't much different."
"...."
"Therefore, I would like to propose forming an allied army."
"Allied army?"
The knights murmured. It was only natural. The three territories of the North generally had good relations, but they all moved like packs of lone wolves with their lords at the head. It was a Northern principle for each territory to be defended by its own knight order and only request help when unavoidable.
But that was far from enough.
"If all our forces gather to defend northern Siland, where the monsters will first descend, we can deal with the wave before it surges into each territory. The number of innocent people dying will also be greatly reduced."
"Your words are not wrong, but Lady Amarion..."
"We don't have time to uphold traditions. Isn't there already a pack of orcs right at our doorstep?"
I looked around at the knights and spoke resolutely.
"As you all know, I married a southern man and lived in the South for a year. In the Empire, they doubt each other but still form alliances for profit, and sometimes flock together pretending to be on good terms. So what else can't we do, who consider each other brothers and sisters?"
"...."
"I want to protect not just Amari, but the entire North."
At my words, the knights also fell silent.
Who would think differently? Anyone suffering together here in the North would have the same thought. Ivan, who was standing behind Muriel at some point, nodded at me.
Meanwhile, Muriel seemed worried about a different issue.
"I definitely think it's a good method too. But can we stop the wave with just our three knight orders and the mercenaries arriving soon? Even with Lady Amarion..."
"That's why I called for some more reinforcements."
I explained. The letters for help I had sent in all directions should have reached everyone by now.
I believed in the friendship they had shown me.
"The Kataleang Trading Company will help us. We can't immediately draft high-ranking mercenaries, but I paid extra and called many mercenaries. The Bandit King also promised cooperation."
"Haha! That guy Kirgys really likes you, huh?"
Pendragon laughed. Reminded of the past where he always tried to marry the two of us off, I pretended not to hear that.
"And, the Mort Knight Order will come."
At my words, the murmuring grew louder.
"Your other words are surprising, but this is the most surprising. The Mort Knight Order—isn't that the Emperor's hounds led by the Grand Duke of Death?"
"Why would they come to the North?"
I answered calmly.
"Because my husband is Viktor Mort."
❖ ❖ ❖
By now, the red sunset was setting in. I exchanged brief greetings with the knights and dismounted from the reindeer. My butt hurt from riding the reindeer all the way back to Amari. I shuffled into the lord's castle.
The first floor was already bustling. As it was every winter, everyone had gathered to eat dinner together.
Even back then, I always kept a step apart, but thanks to the people who carefully prepared my meals and the women who chatted brightly despite their hardships, it was a place where I felt at ease just by being there.
I crossed the warm first floor. Sophie and the meal staff were already handing out food. Sophie, who could do anything since she had been in charge of all the housekeeping in this castle, wiped the sweat from her forehead and greeted me.
"My Lord! When did you get back?"
"A while ago. You worked hard today too."
"Not at all, Sir Viktor helped a lot."
She ladled a generous amount of stew containing the spicy spices unique to the North. Seeing the stew with its distinctive aroma made my mouth water. I quickly grabbed a bowl and received my meal. Sophie, who knew my stomach well, poured me an overflowing amount of stew.
It looks delicious. I thought, then suddenly asked.
"Where is Mother?"
"...She's in her room. She said she doesn't like the noise... So I sent her food separately."
"I suppose so."
I asked for no reason. I smiled bitterly and took my spoon.
I remembered the desolate study and the closed door of the lady of the house after Father left. Wasn't Mother lonely? Staying in a castle where both I and Father had disappeared. Does she still hate Amari and Father so much that she doesn't even want to meet people?
Seeing me sink into thought, Sophie spoke deliberately cheerfully.
"Sir Viktor is over there, so please go to him quickly!"
She pushed my back. I barely gathered my wits and headed to where she pointed.
In the corner of the first-floor hall, the apothecaries and healers were sitting together. I was a little surprised to see Viktor seamlessly blending in among them. Wearing a black fur coat and cloak, chatting with people, he looked exactly like a Northerner. Of course, his black hair stood out quite a bit.
Unsurprisingly, they were talking about me.
"...And that's how Marion ended up in a duel. That young lady said something unpleasant about Amari."
"Isn't she an idiot? Badmouthing someone's hometown in front of a knight. Does she have two heads?"
The healers giggled. That was a remark typical of Northerners, who had high loyalty to their hometowns and strong cohesion. Another healer tilted her head.
"Even so, Lady Amarion hates fighting with people. What did they say to make her duel? Was it that severe?"
I interjected around then.
"Yeah. It was definitely an insult I couldn't endure."
"My Lord!"
People brightened up when they saw me. Viktor smiled.
"You're here?"
The nerve. After enthusiastically telling my embarrassing old stories just now.
I glared at him.
"Were you talking about me again?"
"What could I do, they kept digging into your life in the Empire."
He pretended to sigh. I actually sighed and sat next to him. The healers urged.
"So, what exactly did they say? You never even batted an eye no matter what nonsense the southerners spat out."
I narrowed my eyes and retorted.
"They said that Amari's healers are all wicked witches."
"Excuse me?"
Their eyes widened. A moment later, a burst of laughter erupted.
"Ahaha! No, you got angry over that? Over people who aren't even worth dueling!"
"...Should I endure that? An insult to my people is an insult to me."
"Really, my Lord."
The healers guffawed.
"I don't know whether to be surprised or thankful that you thought of us even there. Even when you were a young lady, you always took care of us more than anyone with that blunt face..."
"Ah, still, if you meet such bastards again next time, please let us know. I'll give you some datura powder to put in their teacup."
"...I'll absolutely never tell you."
Datura is a deadly poison that can kill even an Urg with a single spoonful.
At my words, the healers burst into laughter again. I shook my head and went back to scooping up the stew.
After finishing the meal, I headed upstairs with Viktor. Unlike the noisy first floor where people gathered, the upper floor was incredibly quiet. Viktor asked me, who was lost in thought.
"How was the meeting?"
"It ended successfully."
In the end, the three territories of the North decided to form an alliance. Viktor, who already knew my plan from hearing it beforehand, nodded seriously.
"That's good. If we concentrate our attacks on one point, we should be able to manage somehow even with a small force."
"...But Viktor, will there be enough time?"
I voiced the concern I had been harboring all along.
"I don't know about the mercenaries who have already departed, but it will be difficult for the forces coming from the Empire to make it in time. Even if they run at full speed, it'll take three weeks."
"That could happen. Then the battle will become a war of attrition to buy time."
He said it as if it were someone else's story, despite having been the supreme commander of the Imperial army. I wanted to scold him, but I couldn't deny it.
There is no battle without casualties. This time, it would be even more so. I would try to find a way to minimize the damage by investigating the wave as thoroughly as possible, but even so...
I silently hugged Viktor tightly. He stroked my head. Inhaling his body scent, a mixture of musk and the Northern wind, I spoke softly.
"Everyone was incredibly surprised when I said you were my husband."
"Were they?"
"Yes. Your name is famous here too. Of course, more than I thought... there were many who had disrespectful thoughts."
"Why, did they say I was the Emperor's hound?"
I looked up in surprise. Viktor chuckled.
"Halmard came and said something similar."
"That guy really... even after I taught him that, why is his mouth so loose? Leonard wasn't like that."
"Why? I'd rather have Halmard as my knight commander than Leonard."
Viktor smiled. I glared at him without any real malice and leaned my face into his arms. The sound of his heartbeat calmed my mind.
As if he understood everything, he whispered softly.
"Marion, everything will be alright. You know that, right?"
I only nodded without answering. I didn't actually think so, though.
We stood like that, embracing in the empty hallway for a long time.
❖ ❖ ❖
Fortunately, there were no incidents for a while after that. Even under the impending threat, the knights acted calmly, and the people steadily built defenses. They were preparing defensive facilities here in advance in case monsters flowed into the village. The people who came up after hearing of the North's crisis were also a great help.
Thanks to Viktor taking responsibility for the overall daily life of the people, I could focus solely on investigating the upcoming wave. I constantly roamed around the mountain range and scoured any records regarding the wave I could get my hands on. There was no end to the monsters, and the stories I heard were unsettling. I listened carefully to all those stories. Then, skipping meals, I holed up in the study and recorded them on the map.
Unlike Mort, we didn't have the capacity to pinpoint exactly where and how many monsters there were. But combining the monsters I had seen so far with the stories I heard from people, I estimated the scale of the upcoming monster wave.
"...."
I gripped the map tightly.
It wasn't that there hadn't been a wave of this scale before. But... the last time such a large wave came, the North's population was said to have decreased by more than half. There were even records written in terms of the number of vanished houses because they couldn't properly grasp the scale of the damage.
Moreover, this time, there were variants that would be hard to deal with even one of. Like the Basilisk I had seen in Mort. This wave would be more vicious and treacherous than ever.
My roughened white hair flowed down onto the desk.
I was terrified. I thought I had done everything I could, but it was still woefully insufficient. People would get hurt. The thing that started because of me would ruin the North. Even I didn't know what would happen to myself.
Above all, Viktor.
Even though I knew he was a knight stronger than anyone, I was worried about him. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have had to leap into such a dangerous place. I regretted bringing him. To a land where even I had wanted to escape so many times.
Then suddenly, the door opened. I whipped my head around. My mother, holding a lantern, stood by the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Mother walked into the study. I looked at her in bewilderment.
The study was where my father had stayed the most during his lifetime. In a place with far more reports about monsters than books, Father was often sleeping drunk. So I couldn't read even when I wanted to. Because every time I came in here, Father would scold me.
I thought Mother would never come to this place.
I quickly hid the map in the corner and answered.
"There was something I wanted to look up... What brings you here, Mother?"
"Why else? I came to find a book."
Mother picked out a poetry book with a cold face. She scoffed.
"It's nice to be able to come and go from the study easily now that your father is gone. Why did a man who never read books take up the space."
I stood silently, unable to find the words to say.
Mother's frail hand stroked the spine of the book. It was the hand of a noblewoman, with thin and delicate bones. Completely unfitting for Amari.
Before I could even think, the question popped out.
"Why did you stay in Amari?"
Mother slowly turned her head and looked at me. Unlike Viktor's, her yellow eyes were terrifyingly cold as they turned toward me. I fell silent for a moment, then stared straight into those eyes.
"With that money, you could have left Amari at any time. There's no me holding you back, nor Father. There was nothing holding you back..."
I didn't even know what I was saying. Saying such things to a mother I hadn't properly spoken to in years.
But it was true that I had constantly thought this. Because I remembered Mother, who looked horrified at me returning covered in blood every day, and Father holed up in his closed room. But why did you...
Mother put the poetry book down. Then she asked back dryly.
"Isn't that the question I should be asking?"
"Pardon?"
Mother smiled cynically.
"Your husband came to see me a while ago."
"...."
"He is a flawless man. Neither old nor ugly, and wealthy and of high status."
I looked at her, lost for words. Mother glared at me.
"If you, who had no prospects no matter how much I taught you, went to such a good marriage, you should have just lived there. Why did you come back here? Is this place that good? Dressing like a beggar every day and shivering in the cold alone?"
"Mother."
"What is this mere lord position? You'd be happier as the Empire's bitch than the Lord of the North. I finally sent you away, and you came back on your own two feet. Staying in this dump as the lord's family is enough with just me..."
"Mother."
I grabbed Mother's shoulders.
Mother's frail body was trembling. Eyes filled with indescribable affection and resentment captured me.
To such a mother, I confided for the first time in over ten years.
"I don't like this place either."
"...."
"How could I not have liked the warm and glamorous life of the South. Everything there was so soft and sweet that it was sad I hadn't known it until now. To the point where I could understand why you... hated life in Amari so much."
But. I lowered my eyes.
"My people are here."
"...."
"I am a knight who swore an oath to Amari, and as the lord, I have a duty to protect you and the people here. That is my lifelong goal."
"...That's what I find so disagreeable. Why must you do such a thing? The daughter I gave birth to, why on earth..."
I gripped Mother's trembling shoulders a little tighter.
"What can I do, I was born this way."
I smiled bitterly.
"I want to protect my people. Even if it costs my life, I will fulfill my duty as a lord."
Mother stared at me for a long time. Then she spat out as if she'd had enough.
"You foolish thing."
I smiled silently.
"I must have inherited it from you."
Mother wordlessly swatted my hands off her shoulders. I gave her a smile.
"When this is all over, I'll make sure you can leave this place and rest."
The yellow eyes glared at me for a moment, then took the lantern and disappeared without looking back.
❖ ❖ ❖
Unlike my agony, the atmosphere in Amari Castle was very bright. Today too, I crossed the noisy first floor of the castle. Unlike in the past, many people greeted me first. I accepted those greetings with a smile.
"My Lord! Please eat!"
Women with swords at their waists called out to me with a smile. I approached them and held out my bowl. Soon, a piping hot stew with plenty of mutton came out. Men with darkened hands from working leather all day laughed heartily.
"My Lord, please eat a lot of bread instead of just stew. It's freshly baked and very hot."
"Eating freshly baked bread every day, I don't even know how many years it's been."
"Huh, did that ever happen in your life?"
"It did, what are you talking about!"
People burst out laughing. Perhaps because they ate their fill every day these days, the morale of the Amari people was at its peak. As the hunger that always tormented them disappeared, smiles similar to what I once had appeared on their faces. I quietly smiled and took my loaf of bread and stew.
Viktor was being held hostage by the children.
"Sir Viktor, does Mort really have that much to eat? Even raspberry preserves?"
"Of course. Cookies full of sugar, and soft sweets made by candying apples. Your lord also loved those."
"Wow! I want to try them too!"
Viktor chuckled softly.
"I'll buy them for you when spring comes."
"Wow!"
The excited children jumped up and down. He still had a smile on his face as he looked up. I exchanged a glance with him and sat down next to him. As the children left, Viktor playfully shook his head.
"The children here really only talk about eating all day. Just like looking at you."
"Food is so precious here, after all."
"When the wave is over, we must sign a food supply contract with the Kataleang Trading Company."
"Good. Katarina will definitely give us a discount."
I smiled faintly.
We fell silent for a moment. The white, soft bread gave off a savory scent. Viktor asked.
"Are you done investigating the monsters?"
"Yes. Roughly."
"How large do you think the scale will be?"
I kept my mouth shut. Then I quietly looked up at him and asked.
"Viktor, do you regret coming here?"
"What?"
"Do you regret marrying me, becoming part of a Northern lord's family, and having to work here?"
Viktor was silent. He seemed to be pondering the intent behind my words. His hand gently stroked my hair, and then he spoke.
"I have never thought so even once."
"...You also have no intention of staying in the rear, protecting the people and waiting, instead of going out to the battlefield, right?"
"Marion, why are you saying that?"
Viktor asked, tilting his eyebrows. Worry and awkwardness seeped from his expression.
"It's odd for me to say it myself, but I would be quite a formidable force."
I buried my gaze in my soup bowl.
I knew it in my head. He was a hero who single-handedly led two wars to victory, and the only person stronger than me. The fragile and outnumbered Northern allies would need Viktor's sword.
But...
"I want you to be safe, Viktor. Just as you tried to keep me hidden."
"...."
"I don't want you to be tied down by duty and sacrifice yourself like my mother."
Viktor remained silent for a while. Since he said he had met my mother, he would know how she had lived, bound by the name of Amari, and what I meant.
I was born the Lord of Amari, but Viktor was responsible for another land. And the upcoming battle would be dangerous even for him. Even though we were married, I wasn't comfortable dragging him into it.
Suddenly, he laughed.
"It feels strange hearing you say that. Aren't you the one who practiced dancing every day, saying you'd fulfill your duty as my wife?"
"Viktor, this matter is on a whole different level from a social ball."
"Whatever it is, it doesn't matter."
The corners of his mouth rose like a painting. It was an enchanting sight.
"I said it before, didn't I? From the moment you saved me, I am yours."
"...."
"So please, don't worry and use me. My sword is always here for you. My Marion."
He pressed a short kiss to my forehead. I squeezed my eyes shut.
Then, I heard people shouting in the distance.
"My Lord! The mercenary groups have arrived!"
We quickly turned our heads. After briefly making eye contact, we hurried to the entrance of the lord's castle.
❖ ❖ ❖
"What in the world..."
I stood in front of the countless horses, completely bewildered.
The tall mercenary at the front hopped down.
"Yo, Lady Amarion!"
A familiar voice greeted playfully. It was Lanky, whom I had just parted with not long ago. I was so flustered that I looked up.
"Lanky, why are you..."
"Why else, I got paid so I came!"
She giggled. I became even more confused.
"What is this... We didn't call for high-ranking mercenaries like you. And this number..."
I was speechless and closed my mouth. The others, even Viktor, looked around with surprised eyes.
There were at least hundreds of mercenaries gathered at a glance. The horses and weapons they rode filled the surroundings of the Amari lord's castle. And they weren't just ordinary low-ranking mercenaries. Each one bore the crest of a high-ranking mercenary group that any Northerner would have heard of at least once.
Halmard muttered, spaced out.
"Troll's Right Calf, Hydra's Green Nostril, Serpent's Fishy Stench, Urg's Middle Finger... Aren't these all units directly under the Mercenary King?"
"No way. Hiring even one of them would completely bankrupt the North's finances..."
The money Halmard sent was certainly much more generous than usual, but it should have only been enough to hire a couple of mid-level mercenary groups. Seeing me spaced out, Lanky shrugged.
"Well, we happened to want to come, and a good opportunity arose."
"?"
"You have good friends, Lady Amarion."
The shorty next to her said quietly. He took out a written order from his chest. It was a paper stamped with the Mercenary King's seal. I was shocked to see the signature written on it. It was Katarina's signature.
"Katarina Kataleang sent money equivalent to the annual revenue of the 'Nameless Village'. She asked us to send all available troops to Amari."
"Katarina..."
"Mercenaries work as much as they are paid. Lord Yazi's direct unit, who was staying in the 'Nameless Village', has all deployed."
"Yeah! How could mercenaries miss out on such an expensive fight!"
Lanky guffawed. Her laugh soon turned into a smile.
"Even so, the reason so many came is thanks to Lady Amarion's reputation. We'll do our best to slaughter the monsters."
"...Thank you."
"Let's save the thanks for after the battle, mercenary style! So, where should we stay?"
Lanky asked cheerfully. Sophie quickly guided them to the mercenary quarters prepared in advance. The number was larger than expected, but since she had deliberately left many rooms empty, they should all be able to fit.
At that moment, familiar faces slipped out from the crowd.
"Wildcat! Ah, no. Lady Amarion!"
"It has been a while, Your Highness."
It was Shin Giru and Jane. I blinked in surprise and greeted them back.
"It's been a while. I understand Shin Giru, but you came too, Jane?"
"Yes. For now, I'm clinging to 'Troll's Right Calf' to make a living. Besides, since my lord and my lady are here, as a knight, how could I not come?"
"You still speak well."
Viktor said darkly. Jane smiled broadly.
"Oh my! Look at that smile!"
At that laugh, sighs burst out from behind. I looked back and saw the women of Amari exclaiming in admiration.
"Look! I told you southern men are handsome! I thought it was only Sir Viktor!"
"How can he look so much like a noble young master. He's even prettier than Kirgys."
"I somehow hate that guy too, Sir Viktor."
Halmard clung to Viktor's side and took his side. The sight was so funny and childish that I couldn't help but hold my forehead.
Regardless, Jane, tilting his head to the side, asked.
"Is that tall man a knight?"
"Ah, yes. He is Halmard, the commander of the Amari knights. He's a guy I taught."
"I see. The knight commander of the North... May I request a duel later?"
"Grand Duke, take this madman away. I can't take him around anymore."
Shin Giru lamented. Viktor looked elsewhere and feigned ignorance.
Meanwhile, wagons soon arrived one after another. They were additional supplies sent by the Kataleang Trading Company. Various weapons and armor, fire bombs that were too expensive to use often, precious ointments, and dried rations were packed to the brim.
Viktor and I frantically organized the supplies and filled the warehouse. At the same time, we told the people to make twice as much food for dinner as they did now.
After that, contact came from the knights who had burned the red powder given by the bandits at the outskirts of the village. The bandits, who knew the mountain range better than we did, flew a pigeon with the promised time written on it.
[At sunset, two days from now, Siland Plains.]
I hastily sent a telegram explaining the situation to Muriel and Lord Pendragon. The time was drawing near.
❖ ❖ ❖
Evening came quickly.
I washed my body with cold water and returned to my room. The room I had used since childhood was empty, with only a rather spacious bed and a few swords. But now it was different.
Soon, Viktor came in holding warmed wine. He looked at me and deliberately sighed.
"Why is there so much alcohol here? I couldn't find a single tea leaf no matter how hard I looked."
"Alcohol is the best for warming the body."
"It's not good for your health."
He sat by the bed and handed me a glass. I held the glass with both hands. The wine, boiled with plenty of fruit, warmed my body.
While I emptied half the glass, Viktor dried my hair with a dry towel. His soft touch naturally made me drowsy. I put the glass on my lap and asked.
"How are you so skilled at this? You've never served anyone before."
"If I have the heart for you, what can't I do?"
"How are you so good at saying such things too?"
At my words, Viktor laughed. I leaned my body against him. A calm silence continued for a while.
It would be nice if we could just stay like this forever.
I quietly opened my mouth.
"The Mort Knight Order won't be able to make it in time, right?"
"Probably so. They'll arrive around the time we're doing the aftermath."
He took a sip of his wine.
"Still, isn't this enough? The Lord of Mul organized all the Northerners who came up in response to the conscription as soldiers. The Lord of Siland also called in mercenaries he knew. Regardless of age, anyone who can fight will take up a sword. Considering even the mercenaries who came thanks to the young lady of Kataleang, the North now has the military power to bring down a whole country."
Viktor stared at me.
"But you're still anxious?"
"...."
I gripped the wooden glass tightly.
Actually, I tried to hide what I had found out until the very end. Because it wouldn't help morale. And what I was trying to do.
But I couldn't lie to Viktor.
"Monsters capable of killing dozens of people in a single moment will come."
"...."
"Urgs, Undines, Golems, and Wyverns... There might be more than that. I've already seen plenty of variants I've never seen in Mort. A dragon might even pop out and go on a rampage. Even when I went out to scout during the day, the records and testimonies were all warning us of danger."
"...."
"That's why I decided to fight at the very front. So that if it comes down to it, I can fall while protecting everyone."
So that I could die.
The last words were ultimately hidden. Viktor didn't answer. But he seemed to understand all my words. Even in this situation, with an elegant attitude, he replied.
"Even so, I won't leave your side."
"Viktor."
"I will be with you. Sharing the burden of your duty. ...This is much better than letting you go."
Such a thing. I swallowed my words. Viktor's amber-like eyes were quietly watching me. It was pure sincerity.
All sorts of words rushed right up to my throat.
This time, it's really dangerous. I don't want to see you get hurt. You have your own duty. So please, fight to protect my people from a safe place.
But, from the bottom of my heart.
I looked at the setting sun through the wooden window. The golden sun, casting its evening glow fairly over the frozen land, was as beautiful as a blazing flame.
On the day I spent my first night with Viktor, such a sun had also risen. Sitting in a thin nightgown holding a sword, I had thought I was profoundly lonely. In a land where no one knew me, trembling with anxiety from marrying a stranger.
But now, that man was looking at me. As my perfect understanding companion.
I asked my husband.
"Viktor, will you die with me?"
Viktor's golden eyes crinkled brilliantly. Like someone who had received the greatest gift in the world.
"Yes."
Gladly.
He smiled brightly.
Unable to hold back, I pulled him in and kissed him.
❖ ❖ ❖
Viktor's back was broad and hot. I leaned into his embrace as if hanging onto him. His now familiar, yet still careful hands stroked my back. Every time his touch reached me, heat flared up and faint groans slipped out.
"Viktor..."
At my trembling call, my husband looked down at me. That golden gaze was indescribably affectionate. When I reached out my hand, he rubbed his cheek against my palm. It was truly a cute, animal-like gesture.
How did such a man appear in my life?
In the cold North, the warmth of bare skin against skin was immensely comforting. As I eagerly pulled his bare back, Viktor's hot lips kissed my chest, my stomach, and my waist with affection, one after another. I trembled and closed my eyes. My whole body tingled and burned up.
Viktor's touch gently stroked my thigh. Soon, my breath grew ragged.
Soon, he pushed into my warm, wet depths.
"Hah..."
A tight and overwhelming sensation that could never become familiar even after repeating it dozens, hundreds of times.
When I lifted my hips and scratched at the sheets, Viktor supported me with his strong arms and endlessly kissed my face. As if he didn't want to forget a single thing about me, so desperately and affectionately.
Viktor today was in no rush at all. Following his slow and deliberate movements, as if carving himself into me, a dizzying yet languid sensation slowly bloomed. I looked up at my husband with a flushed, hazy face. The physical pleasure was great, but the mental satisfaction was even greater.
I was glad I married him. I was glad I could fight with him and intertwine our bodies.
Even in this situation, even if it's selfish.
I was glad that he had promised me the very end.
Viktor, touching noses with me, muttered in a voice so affectionate it could bring tears.
"Marion, my salvation."
I answered toward those ecstatic golden eyes.
"You too, Viktor. You are also, my, ah..."
He held me tighter as I trembled in the pleasure that rushed in like a wave. Our bodies intertwined seamlessly, like mistletoe branches. I felt like I might cry for some reason. But I didn't cry. It wasn't something to cry over.
Because we were together.
Viktor kissed me again with heat-drenched eyes. I accepted that kiss and closed my eyes.
Waiting for the end that would soon come.
❖ ❖ ❖
"...I cannot understand, my lord!"
On the day of departure, Halmard of Amari finally protested. He held the reindeer's reins tightly in his hand.
I gently persuaded him.
"Lord Muriel and Lord Pendragon also agreed. Viktor and I are strong, so we'll block the big monsters at the vanguard first, and the knight order will defend Siland a little further back. That's much more efficient."
"But that puts too much burden on the two of you! This wave is dangerous enough as it is, and just the two of you, my lord and Sir Viktor..."
Halmard's voice gradually faded and died down. Afraid that this large knight might burst into tears again, I quickly patted his head.
"Don't worry. Do you doubt my skills?"
"It's not that! But knights are supposed to be there to protect their lord! What's the point of a knight order that can't even fight alongside you here!"
He's unusually sharp today. I smiled awkwardly.
Halmard's words weren't wrong. Even I would have tried to stop it first if the lord I served insisted on fighting in a reckless position. In fact, Muriel and Lord Pendragon had stopped me several times.
Still, it couldn't be helped. As much as they wanted to protect me, I wanted to protect them too.
"Go command my knights. You are the knight commander I appointed. It is your duty to protect Amari and the North until I return."
"My lord..."
Halmard's nose turned bright red. Goodness, is he really going to cry? I added teasingly.
"Jane obeys Viktor's orders without a word. Are you going to keep holding me back like this?"
"...Ugh...!"
"Go, Halmard. Take care of Sophie and my mother."
The knight finally surrendered. He clenched his fists tightly, just like when he was a child.
"...Actually, I was just happy that my lord, who always looked lonely, smiled with us. It felt like you trusted us."
"...."
"So I will trust my lord too. You must return without getting hurt."
The knight who was just tall and lanky, but whom I trusted the most in Amari, forced a smile. I quietly patted his shoulder. He lowered his head deeply, then raised it and returned to the knight order.
I looked around.
All preparations were complete. The discussions on tactics and deployment, and the reinforcement troops that could come had all gathered. Now all that was left was to depart for the Siland Plains, which would become the battlefield.
The knights and mercenaries of Amari mounted their horses and reindeer, and Viktor checked the people's luggage one last time. The territory's people were talking with a bit of anxiety and tension.
I wanted to reassure them that it would be okay, but after talking with Halmard, I couldn't bring myself to deceive them again. Still.
I approached my mother, who was standing apart from the crowd.
"Mother."
Mother turned her head. Rarely one to come see someone off, Mother was wearing an old going-out dress and a thick cloak worn by noblewomen. Mother never wore winter clothes like the fur-lined garments the Northerners wore to wrap their limbs.
Mother said coldly.
"You are determined to be unfilial."
I smiled bitterly. As expected of my bloodline, she seemed to know exactly what I was trying to do.
I requested.
"Please prepare for evacuation inside the castle. If push comes to shove, escape and head South. I've instructed my close friend and Halmard separately, so you shouldn't have any inconvenience living."
"...."
"I left gold coins and a letter to be sent to the Mort territory, just in case. If you wish, they will find you a place to live anywhere."
Mother didn't answer. I gazed at her face, which looked like mine no matter how many times I saw it. It felt a bit more weathered than before.
I was sorry, sad, and somehow relieved. I briefly hugged my mother, then awkwardly let go. At my gesture, Sophie, who had been standing without knowing what was going on, quickly approached.
"Please take good care of Mother. And the ledger too. If the worst happens, you're the only one who can read the ledgers and take care of Amari."
"Yes, my lord."
"Thank you for taking care of the castle all this time. It must have been hard."
I said sincerely. The maid's expression grew a little strange.
"My lord, why are you saying that? You'll return once the battle is over."
I smiled bitterly. Then I gave my final farewell.
"See you later, Mother, Sophie."
"...You wicked thing..."
Mother's voice slipped out softly. I returned to the square without looking back.
Viktor was waiting, leading a reindeer for me.
"Is everything done?"
"Yes. What about the luggage?"
"It's all loaded. There isn't much time, so let's depart."
I nodded and mounted the reindeer.
Clack, clack.
With the sound of hooves striking the ground, we headed to Siland.
❖ ❖ ❖
"It's so quiet..."
"Indeed."
The line of soldiers was incredibly long. Because we couldn't speed up lest we unnecessarily provoke the nearby monsters, we had to move slowly in a long line. Viktor and I slipped out separately to scout and looked around.
On the road without a single person, ruins remained here and there. They were traces of Northerners who used to live here but were driven away by monsters. Some buildings even maintained their traces quite well.
Viktor looked at a log cabin that still hadn't collapsed.
"I heard that if you build by tying wood like this, it doesn't warp and is sturdy... It was true."
"Where did you learn that?"
"The carpenters here told me."
I couldn't help but laugh.
"I honestly didn't know you'd get along with the people of Amari so quickly."
"Neither did I."
He smiled.
"But the people here didn't fear me. To them, I'm just the Lord's kind husband, aren't I?"
"...Do you dislike people fearing you?"
Viktor fell into thought for a moment. He stroked his chin and answered.
"Honestly, until I met you, I thought fear was the greatest weapon a knight could have."
"...."
"But this isn't bad either. The insolent mercenaries, your people—even if they're annoying, I didn't hate it. It felt like returning to my childhood, so it was comfortable."
He kept his mouth shut for a moment, then smiled broadly.
"This is also thanks to you, Marion. Because you expanded my world again."
"Even being able to clean up horse manure, right?"
"I'd rather not do that again if I can help it."
I burst out laughing.
The party picked up a little speed. The road, hidden by tall evergreen trees, opened up to reveal a vast plain. It was the plains of Amari, bordered by the Black Mountain Range in the distance. Small mines were visible here and there, and the half-built castle walls also caught my eye at a glance.
Viktor asked.
"Will they be able to finish building that? It'd be a shame if we paid for it but couldn't build it because of the monsters."
"Don't worry about that. According to the records, when a monster wave is this big, there are no waves for a few years afterward. They should be able to finish building it by then."
"That's a relief. If such a large sum of money flew into the air, you'd have been so frustrated you wouldn't have been able to sleep."
I laughed and shook my head.
"We can't have that. I don't want to experience not being able to sleep again."
"Well, from what I hear, everyone spends a few sleepless nights once or twice. Unless you're an utterly apathetic guy like Leonard."
"Leonard is a very sensitive person, you know."
"I wonder. Would a sensitive man fill two whole pages of a letter to Lady Juliana talking about the new sword he bought?"
I bit my lip and held back my bursting laughter.
"Aren't you being too harsh on a newlywed?"
"But it's the truth, isn't it?"
I suddenly fell silent.
"...Come to think of it, we were supposed to go to a wedding."
"Come to think of it, yes... What a pity."
"If we end up not being able to go, my biggest worry is that they might postpone the wedding altogether."
"He's the type of guy who would do that. That's why I left a letter telling them to definitely hold the wedding."
Viktor smiled proudly. Feeling both regretful and amused at this situation, I let out a laugh like a wind leak. His thorough preparedness was funny even in the middle of all this.
Still, I couldn't shake off all the regret. In the North, weddings were always held modestly, so I had never seen such a glamorous Imperial-style wedding. Besides,
"I still wanted to try the wedding banquet..."
Juliana said she would prepare only delicious things.
Viktor said to me as I hung my head sullenly.
"Instead, let's eat lunch as soon as we arrive in Siland. Until we burst. It won't be as delicious, though."
He smiled playfully. I raised the corners of my mouth and nodded.
"Yes, that's fine."
❖ ❖ ❖
Siland appeared soon enough. As agreed upon in advance, we headed straight for the plains instead of stopping by the castle.
The plains were already full of people. On every patch of black ground revealed between the piled-up snow, people wearing armor and carrying swords were preparing to camp. The wave would probably start this evening. Everyone was setting up camp early, waiting for the monsters that could come at any moment.
Muriel greeted us warmly when he saw us.
"Welcome, Lady Amarion, and your husband."
True to a Northern lord, the proud boy didn't call Viktor a Grand Duke. Viktor didn't mind and greeted him back. The boy accepted the greeting politely and continued.
"Mercenaries, join the Siland Knight Order on the left, and the Amari Knight Order, station yourselves near the castle walls. As planned."
"Understood, Muriel."
"But, sister. That battle position... do you really have to do that? I know you're strong, but I'm worried. Lord Pendragon said so too."
The boy lord drooped his eyebrows in a frown. I laughed quietly.
They were truly good people. Even though they were weaker than me, they all worried about my safety. It was a fact I hadn't known well because I always wandered alone in the past. In the story I heard from Ivan when coming here, and in the words of the territory's elders and my knights, I could feel admiration and concern for me in every one of them.
If they had known more accurately how serious this wave would be, they probably wouldn't have accepted my demand to fight at the front.
I smiled at him.
"It's fine, Muriel. Still, it's a relief I can leave the command to you."
"...Sister really, I didn't say that to hear such things."
Muriel said, looking sullen. But his ears were red. If possible, I wished such a young child didn't have to fight...
"It's fine. Trust me."
I patted the boy's head once and headed to the designated position.
Soon, the Amari knight order and the mercenaries began pitching tents in groups of two or three. Each camp was densely packed with people. The right side, which was still a bit quiet, would be taken by the Mul Knight Order and the bandits who would come down soon.
Viktor and I pitched our tent a little away from the knight order. We planned to camp separately from the start, to gather our minds before fighting. When I lit the fire, Viktor put all the ingredients into the pot and began to boil a stew. Then he suddenly said.
"Come to think of it, stew is the only dish I know how to make. If I knew this would happen, I should have learned to cook a bit more."
"Stew is excellent enough, isn't it?"
I retorted seriously.
"When I went night hunting as a child, I once made soup, and even the people of Amari couldn't eat it and threw it away."
"Really? What did you put in it?"
"I don't remember. I think I put wolf ribs, frozen potatoes, and sage..."
"...."
Viktor made that signature expression of his, 'How could anyone eat that?' I protested.
"It wasn't bad to my taste! But since that day, no one has asked me to cook."
"It's a shame. For someone who loves eating as much as you do to not be able to cook."
"I guess it's because I eat anything well. Others are a bit... hesitant to eat things they shouldn't."
"I felt that deeply too."
Viktor chuckled and ladled the stew. It was served with bread toasted over the fire on a stick. We laid down cloth in front of the campfire, sat facing each other, and began to eat. Perhaps because we were facing a battle, or maybe Viktor's cooking skills had improved, but the stew was really delicious. The pot was empty in an instant. Viktor said, looking amazed.
"Even after being blessed, your appetite hasn't diminished."
"Do blessings and appetite have anything to do with each other?"
"Well, I'm not exactly sure, but after I was blessed, I became able to not get exhausted even if I eat less."
I clicked my tongue.
"That's not good, Viktor. That's just holding on with the power of magic. You need to eat well and run around a lot to get healthy."
"Sometimes you really talk like my older brother."
"Even after your brother told you, you still ate like that?"
"Well, there are promises you can't keep as you live. He has a big heart, so he'll understand."
Viktor nonchalantly finished eating the bread. I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, then suddenly shifted my gaze to the sky. Bright white, round clouds were suddenly gathering in the clear sky.
The monster waves I had experienced for over 20 years flashed through my mind like a fleeting lantern. If dazzling clouds suddenly gathered on a bright day, monsters would come down that night.
I took the wine that had been warming by the fire and poured it into two glasses. Handing him one glass, I said casually.
"It'll probably come at midnight."
"...Yeah."
We looked at the clouds and slowly shared the wine until it was all gone.
❖ ❖ ❖
We spent the afternoon inside the tent.
Preparing for battle, we checked our belongings again and took out our weapons. Muriel had distributed at least twenty swords, daggers, bows, and spears to us. We placed the weapons where we could easily draw them, and took out the things we had brought from our bags.
Looking for a string to tie my hair, I suddenly stopped my hand.
"...."
There was an embroidered handkerchief. The handkerchief, embroidered with white lilies, an eagle, and a golden sword, was neatly folded into a square. Since there was only one person here who did embroidery, I knew whose work this was.
"It seems the Grand Duchess put it in."
Viktor approached me. To me, who was looking up at him with large eyes, Viktor smiled.
"When you weren't around, I sometimes visited her."
"Why?"
"Isn't she your family?"
Viktor quietly unfolded the handkerchief. The delicate embroidery depicted the symbols of the Amari lord's family. He folded the handkerchief lengthwise. As he did so, he said.
"She was a cold person, and she tried not to mingle with me, but she listened carefully to your life in the Empire. She seemed to have been very worried."
"...."
"She only spoke to me once. She told me to keep you around even if I didn't like you. Or if that really doesn't work, to use you as a knight, saying you'd be more useful than me."
"My."
"Perhaps the Grand Duchess loved you quite a bit."
I bit my lip tightly. Meanwhile, Viktor gathered my hair up and tied it with the handkerchief. Compared to what Mary or Sophie used to do, it was absurdly clumsy, but
I suppressed my burning heart and bowed my head. Viktor spread his arms and gave me a place to lean on.
When I hugged his waist, he smelled as good as always. The warmth that touched me was incredibly comforting. We stood like that for a little longer.
I suddenly said.
"I just realized something."
"Yeah."
"I don't think I ever really hugged anyone before I married you."
Viktor answered with a laugh.
"Me neither."
"...I still think you were a playboy."
"I told you I wasn't. How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me?"
Viktor whipped his head around. His overly handsome face grew sullen.
"Now that I think about it, I doubted whether you and Kirgys had some kind of relationship."
"Huh? Why is Kirgys coming up here?"
"It's a man's intuition."
I was so dumbfounded that I flicked the tip of his nose.
"What in the world makes you think that? That's exactly the same as me doubting the relationship between you and Sir Kaltz."
"...How could you say that..."
"You started it first. Even though you had a fiancée."
"I told you that engagement was really nothing?"
We bickered for a long time. Occasionally tickling each other or shutting each other up with kisses. As we laughed until our stomachs hurt, the tension gradually eased. We quietly watched the setting sun through the gap in the tent. It was a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
"The sun is setting."
"Yeah."
Viktor kissed the crown of my head. I slowly pulled away from his body. Then I held out my hand.
"Shall we go now?"
Viktor smiled and took my hand.
"Alright."
❖ ❖ ❖
The sun slowly sank below the Black Mountain.
Tension hung over the plains. The sound of metal clashing rang out, and the warriors gathered on the plains moved like a dark wave. I saw the gleam of a shining dagger on the right side of the camp.
Kirgys has come down.
I turned my head. The clouds covered even the moon, casting a sinister darkness. Not even a breeze blew across the plains. Only an ominous howling sound of unknown origin echoed from the Black Mountain Range.
Looking back, Viktor had unsaddled the reindeer and was letting them go. The trained reindeer bounded away toward Siland Castle. His gaze lingered on the reindeer for a long time. I looked up at his side profile, which seemed lost in thought.
Viktor suddenly said.
"I had a dream yesterday that we fought back to back."
I laughed.
"Was it like a prophetic dream?"
"Well, I think it might have been Shin Giru's magic. Because I was incredibly happy while having that dream."
He chuckled softly.
"I don't know how happy I was that you asked me to stay until the end. And how you always find the words I want to hear."
I looked at him, lost for words for a moment.
He looked rather lighthearted. Even though he might die, he wore an elegant face like a Grand Duke about to attend a banquet.
The clouds cleared at some point. Hanging in the sky was a half-moon. As I looked at the moon while listening to the sound of swords clashing amidst the tension, an old song came to mind. A song that all Northerners knew, chanted when ascending the bandits' fortress.
As if they had the same thought, a low singing voice flowed from the Siland army's side.
"You are pure white, a star that never melts. Unreachable you, gracefully silent."
Soon, the mournful singing spread throughout the entire camp.
"Ah, if I die and crumble here. O Goddess, please take my soul."
"...So this was the melody."
Viktor said. I nodded.
"It is a song sung by the knights of the North. Dedicated to the Snow Goddess who oversees death and life."
"Are you praying for the goddess's protection?"
"No. The gods of the North do not protect humans. I've never felt that they did, either."
I gripped my sword.
"All life is changed by humans."
Choices, regrets, despair and resentment, joy, affection, even love. All of it came from people. The times I was so hard I wanted to die, and the times I was so happy I thought I could die right then, were all because of people.
Thinking like that, what was there to fear from those nameless monsters? Even if I died here, I would be able to rest in peace with him.
I looked at Viktor and smiled brightly.
"I'm also happy that I'm with you right now."
Oooong.
A ringing sound began to echo from the distant mountains. The black forest was moving. No, it wasn't a forest. Pitch-black, massive monsters were covering the white land, surging in endlessly.
I looked back at my silent husband. Viktor was smiling.
"I knew you'd kill me someday."
He whispered, deadly affectionate.
"Marion, I love you."
At that moment, a roar erupted. With a monstrous shriek, the monsters charged at a tremendous speed.
Without even a moment to answer, I drew my sword. Leaving the sound of swords and battle cries behind, I leaped forward with my sword in hand.
❖ ❖ ❖
My vision blurred. I wiped the blood dripping from the corner of my eyes and swung my sword. I drove the blade deep to shatter the Golem's core, then immediately pulled it out and slashed the Wyvern.
The Wyvern's shriek made my ears ring. I couldn't hear properly.
'How much time has passed?'
I gathered my fading vision and looked around.
Is the sun rising? The momentum of the Dark Wolves and Nightmare Urgs, which drew strength from the darkness of the night, had waned. I immediately leaped to the ground, slashed a Dark Wolf, and struck the neck of an Undine spewing ice crystals. Another shower of blood splashed over my body, which was already drenched in blood.
'Are the people okay?'
When I rubbed my barely opening eyes, a stinging sensation rushed in, but I was too out of it to feel it properly.
Desperate battle cries, the loud clashing of metal, the sound of trebuchets collapsing, and the screams of knights could be heard from afar. The formation initially planned had already collapsed, and I could faintly see the Siland knights using daggers and the rangers using bows fighting in a chaotic mix. It was a melee seen in every wave, but the situation was worse than before.
I gritted my teeth and cut through the swarming Snow Spirits. The sound of the Mul Knight Order's horn echoed from behind. I couldn't tell if it was a retreat signal or an advance signal. Someone must be commanding the tactics, but as a soldier on the very frontlines, I couldn't know.
I only hoped.
'Everyone must be safe.'
Blood flowed like sweat kept getting into my eyes, but my sleeves were already soaked in blood, making it impossible to wipe it away. At some point, I lost sensation in my hands too. I tied the sword to my hand so I wouldn't drop it, but the blood kept making the hilt slip, which was incredibly frustrating.
I blinked slowly and looked around.
'Where is Viktor?'
On the ground filled with slain monsters, his figure was nowhere to be seen. No, in the first place, it wasn't a situation where I could secure my field of vision while fighting in my right mind.
'Still, Viktor must be alive. Because I'm alive too.'
I thought to myself like a prayer and slashed down another monster.
'He said he loved me.'
Another one.
'I need to answer him too.'
A mountain was added to the mountain of corpses. I discarded the sword that had dulled from endlessly cutting down monsters, and drew the last remaining sword. The broken sword stuck into the ground.
'How many is this now?'
An Urg, aiming for my opening, swung its heavy axe. I barely moved my creaking body. I straightened my bent knees, shot up like an arrow, and slashed its neck.
'On the nights with him, how many did I break?'
With a loud thud, the Urg collapsed, but I couldn't avoid getting struck in the back by the arm it swung. Along with a heavy impact, every muscle in my body screamed. My body, reaching its limit for the first time, tumbled into the snow.
'I am...'
Something flew at me from behind. At the same time, with a thud, something hot poured from my waist. I gritted my teeth and instinctively turned my body to decapitate the Goblin.
But before I could even turn my body, I was stabbed on the other side this time. I felt blood gushing from below my ribs. I slashed the last one with all my might, but I couldn't breathe easily.
I need to tell him.
"...Viktor..."
I,
I love you too.
The fangs of a giant monster pierced through my side.
❖ ❖ ❖
It felt as if my heart had been pierced.
"Marion?"
"...."
"Marion!"
Viktor Mort threw away even his sword and ran.
She crumbled powerlessly in the air. He hastily embraced the falling Amarion. Blood gushed unstoppably from her waist. His wide eyes captured his wife. Marion was growing cold.
Beautiful blonde hair and reddened, cracked cheeks. Fingertips frozen by the Northern cold. Just as you were when we first met.
"Ah, ah..."
The nightmare he had stopped having at some point quickly resurrected. Viktor held her with one arm and frantically stared at her pale face. The confession he hadn't been able to fully spit out spilled over.
Actually, I wanted you to live. I wanted to give you good things. I wanted you to smile, grow plump, and just be happy like that.
It's okay if you can't hold a sword anymore. It's okay if you're no longer a knight.
Marion... my lady.
The Grand Duke cried and laughed at the same time. Even though he was prepared, the loss strangled his throat and severed his limbs.
But now this would soon be over too. The exhausting battle, the endless suffering that followed. Even the long nightmares.
Since I couldn't even live without you anyway.
Without even wiping the blood flowing from his forehead, Viktor curled up and wrapped her in his arms. Red blood spread helplessly over the white snow. Slowly, his consciousness faded.
He heard shouting in the distance. Echoing hoofbeats covered the new plains.
And, it was the end.
❖ ❖ ❖
There is a scent of musk.
I slowly opened my eyes.
"...?"
I was lying on a bed.
What? I don't think... I'm dead.
I only rolled my eyes and looked down at my body. Bandages were wrapped around my shoulders and stomach, and my arms down to my fingers were entirely covered in bandages.
I slowly moved my gaze. Unknown ointments and potions, a bronze washbasin, and a wet cloth. Someone must have wiped away the blood, as the cloths were all reddish. I blinked my dry eyes and turned my head with difficulty.
There was Viktor. With his whole body also wrapped in bandages, he was asleep, slumped over the edge of my bed. His hair was matted with blood, and his face was covered in cuts and bruises.
Nevertheless.
I carefully reached out and placed my hand under his nose.
He was alive.
I softly called his name.
"Viktor."
At that one word, he immediately opened his eyes. His eyes widened when he saw me.
"Marion, are you awake?"
He reached out urgently, then groaned and grabbed his stomach. When I made a surprised expression, he quickly smoothed out his face. I asked.
"...What happened?"
"...Do you not remember?"
"Yes. I remember being stabbed and collapsing, but..."
Viktor drew a little closer. He stroked my cheek as if touching something very precious.
"The bandits and the Mort Knight Order rescued us after we collapsed in the snow."
"Then, the battle..."
"Look outside."
I turned my head toward the window. Through the gap in the small Northern wooden window, the Siland Plains came into view.
"That's..."
The white plains had turned black. Monster corpses covered the plains and stretched endlessly. People were setting fire to the corpses here and there on the pitch-black plains. Smoke rose from the mountains of monsters.
I opened my mouth.
"...Don't tell me that's all..."
"That's right."
Viktor smiled quietly.
"Of course there are injured and dead people... but this battle is a victory for the Northerners. The Lord of Mul just sent dispatches to all territories. You worked hard."
Viktor held my hand and kissed my fingers.
My throat clogged up in an instant. The thoughts I had kept hidden, the self-blame, the recriminations, the apologies—they all collapsed at once. My eyes grew wet.
Viktor, surprised, cupped my cheeks.
"Marion, does it hurt somewhere? Should I call a healer?"
"I love you too."
I blurted out as tears streamed down my face. Viktor froze like a shard of ice, his mouth agape. I squeezed his hand tightly and said again.
"I love you too, Viktor."
Slowly, as if by magic, he melted. Smiling brightly, he rubbed his cheek against my hand. Even with my face a mess from tears, I smiled.
There were so many things I wanted to do with him. Eating delicious food, traveling, resting comfortably—we could now do everything he had suggested. No matter what hardship came, even if we had to cross half the continent again, I felt like we could accomplish it. Because we had endured this winter.
Spring comes at the end of winter. Even avalanches that seem endless eventually subside, and soul-crushing wars come to an end as time passes. The long nightmare was over. We, who were incomplete, had pulled each other out of a long, long dream and were holding hands like this.
"Marion..."
To the man who looked at me like melted sugar, I gave the brightest smile in the world.
To my beloved Death.