Chapter 158
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Chapter 158
24. The Return of Seven
Noel Bennen Rutisson, attached to the Central Army of the Langrid Empire, prayed—again and again—that this nauseating territorial war would end even a single day sooner.
The continental war had erupted once more at the Romalisan Holy Ground. With the third round of Romalisan ahead, Noel rose before dawn and poured wine before the barracks, offering his prayers.
At that moment, his peer Hyzen, passing by, spoke to him.
"Noel? What are you doing at dawn?"
"Can't you see, you fool? I'm praying."
"It seems the method of prayer has changed without my knowing."
"It's a legend passed down from the Northern Region. They say if you pray like this, the god of the earth will answer your prayers."
"You believe in such superstition? If the Papal See catches wind of this, you're finished."
"I'm already at war with the Papal See anyway—does it matter?"
Hyzen, finding no rebuttal, finally fell silent.
He was right. This insane war unfolding at the Romalisan Holy Ground was waged by every power on the Western Continent—the Papal See and the Mage Association leading the charge, followed by the Langrid Empire, the Hestia Kingdom, and the duchies and empires of the Northern Region, all vying against one another.
"Where on earth did those missing 'distinguished ones' disappear to? It's truly a mystery that will be recorded in history. If only they would return, this wretched war might finally end or at least reach a ceasefire."
Noel muttered as if sighing. As dawn broke, Hyzen surveyed the soldiers moving busily about and shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know. If the divine didn't truly take them, I can't fathom how such remarkable individuals vanished so suddenly all at once."
Hyzen, who didn't believe in God, saying such things? Noel lifted his head in surprise.
"What's gotten into you?"
"It's just how things are these days."
Noel immediately sympathized with Hyzen's self-deprecating remark.
In that moment, a superior's voice rang out from the barracks entrance. It was Commander Feldem, their Central Army's battle commander. Standing in perfect armor and rigid posture, Commander Feldem glared at Noel and Hyzen.
"What are you two doing? Aren't you preparing for battle!"
"No, sir! We'll correct it immediately!"
"Our apologies! We're starting right now!"
Noel and Hyzen scrambled out of the barracks.
Yet that very day, they witnessed it firsthand at the Romalisan Holy Ground.
The missing 'distinguished ones' riding an enormous divine beast, tearing through the sky as they emerged.
* * *
About a week had passed since we escaped the Island.
Because we suddenly fell into the middle of the battlefield, the war entered a ceasefire state.
At first, there was absolute chaos. Everyone rubbed their eyes in disbelief at the sight before them, and eventually combat ceased entirely.
Since not just one but multiple high-ranking officials who had been missing appeared simultaneously, the verification procedures were conducted swiftly and concisely.
Escorted to the Langrid Empire's barracks, we received meticulous protection from the higher-ups. Though the military camp was cramped, seeing the fruits of civilization and countless people moving about alive made our escape feel truly real. I felt tears welling up.
Even with Yuanna and Rujeep's divine power, Asdal's right eye could not be restored. Fortunately, all his other wounds were healed.
Kaiden had finally awakened, but since waking, he hadn't left the barracks.
I lay on the cot assigned to me and closed my eyes. I'd rested for an entire week, yet my strength refused to return.
In truth, our problem wasn't the visible wounds. We all bore deep aftereffects and desperately needed rest.
Asdal chose to remain in the Langrid Empire's military camp—practically an enemy nation—rather than immediately return to the Hestia Kingdom's forces, taking time to recover.
He said it was because we had much to discuss with one another, and his audacity was truly remarkable. Thanks to him, Yuanna and Rujeep were able to stay here as well, and Kaiden remained too.
In this war, every faction except the Northern Nations' allied forces stood in opposition to one another—a strange configuration where the war's trajectory and outcome were impossible to predict.
However, with representatives from the Hestia Kingdom, the Papal See, and the Mage Association all present and under the protection of the Langrid Empire's military forces, continuing the battle had become untenable.
'...War, of all things.'
I'd thought it unlikely, yet the unlikely had become reality.
The Papal See, the Rohade Family, and the Mage Association had likely orchestrated this.
Just then, a commotion erupted from outside the tent.
"Wait, Noel. Did you forget? She's the legendary Flone Young Lady!"
"What does that matter? Don't you realize this is an event that will go down in history? Rumors aside, she'll have her name recorded in history too. We should try to make a good impression while we can."
"Honestly.... I'm embarrassed by how simple-minded you are, you fool."
The knights seemed to be chatting among themselves.
'Come to think of it, people in this world still believe I'm that vicious Margaret from before.'
In truth, that vicious Margaret was me as well, so I had to accept it. There was nothing to say.
"Ahem. Pardon the intrusion, Flone Young Lady. I've brought your meal."
A refined voice emerged—one that hardly seemed to belong to the man who'd been making a fuss moments earlier.
Though I had little appetite, I craved human contact. I needed people to continually prove that my escape from the Uninhabited Island was real, that this wasn't a dream.
"Please, come in."
At my response, a man entered the tent. Wispy blonde hair caught my eye. His face appeared youthful, in his early twenties—around Margaret's age, I'd say.
I sat up on the bed.
The man carrying the tray with stew and water froze in surprise at my appearance, his face flushing crimson as he stumbled backward.
"Ah, I.... That is.... I'm, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't realize you weren't ready yet.... Such, such rudeness...."
The man seemed startled by my clothing. I was still wearing my walker boots, cargo pants, crop top, and aviation jacket.
There were no suitable clothes for me in the military camp. Yet for a noble young lady to borrow the knights' garments would have been utterly improper by their standards.
So we'd decided to have clothing sent from afar, but until then, I had no choice but to wear these clothes.
"I'm sorry. I startled you."
I looked at the man with an embarrassed expression. He stood awkwardly, clearly torn between staying and leaving, watching my face carefully.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll eat well."
I rose and took the tray from his hands. The man scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"I am Noel Bennen Rutisson. You may simply call me Commander Noel."
I'd heard the name Rutisson somewhere before.
'Ah. Now I remember.'
Rutisson was famous in the Langrid Empire.
"Rutisson? You mean the Rutisson Count Family that dominates the southern regions of Langrid?"
"Yes, that's correct."
At my words, Noel smiled bashfully. He had quite an innocent face.
"Thank you for the meal. I'll enjoy it. And there's something I'd like to ask...."
I trailed off, studying Noel's expression. He gazed at me with bright, eager eyes, as if inviting me to ask anything.
Fortunately, his feelings toward me seemed driven more by curiosity than prejudice. So I asked the question I'd been desperate to ask since my return.
"My family.... That is, are all the members of the Flone Family safe?"
Noel's expression clouded over. He looked at me with profound sympathy.
Though I knew the reputation surrounding Margaret, he seemed to regard this "Margaret who had just returned and appeared to be confused about the situation" with pity.
"The Flone Family is safe and well. It seems they've been searching for you in every way possible. Ever since you disappeared, they've continued to do so."
Did his words bring me relief?
Truthfully, I'm not certain. This emotion runs far deeper than simple reassurance.
Margaret's family was remarkably warm—a tenderness I, as Jin-ju Lee, had never once experienced in my entire life.
And that very gap only deepened my confusion.
"Ah, I heard that Duke Flone has been ill."
"What? My father?"
My surprised question prompted Noel Bennen Rutisson to study my expression with evident concern.
"W-well... After the Young Lady went missing, he apparently couldn't bear the shock and took to his sickbed. I've only heard rumors that he hasn't even entered the Imperial Palace and has been confined to the Flone estate."
Perhaps Duke Flone—my father—truly was ill. Given his tender and affectionate nature, it seemed entirely plausible.
Rather, it would be my mother and sisters, with their formidable spirits, who would be tirelessly hunting down whoever had abducted me.
The memory brought an involuntary smile to my lips. Noel stared at my expression with unmistakable curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Oh, it's nothing..."
He shook his head vigorously, his face flushed with embarrassment.
"The... the stew will grow cold. Please, eat while it's hot. I should take my leave..."
Noel, clearly flustered, began backing away hastily toward the tent flap, gesturing toward the tray on the table before retreating in reverse.
Why was he walking backward...?
But just as he reached the tent's entrance, something caught beneath his feet—Silver Earthworm, having returned to her serpent form.
"Wh-what is—ugh, ahhh!"
Silver Earthworm tilted her head, her bright eyes fixed upon him with innocent curiosity.
"What's happened!"
A knight with deep navy hair, who had been waiting outside the tent, rushed in.
"Young Lady! Are you alright—!?"
Upon spotting Noel Bennen Rutisson sprawled on the ground, he couldn't hide his exasperation. Then, with measured precision, he bowed respectfully toward me.
"My apologies, Young Lady. I am Hyzen Burden Peres. Please forgive my colleague's rudeness. I cannot fathom how such a coward found himself on this brutal battlefield."
Hyzen, a man of refined appearance, sought my understanding through economical gestures and measured speech.
"Hyzen, you...!"
Seeing Noel point accusingly with a flushed face, it became clear the two were companions.
Meanwhile, the inquisitive Silver Earthworm, having lost interest in them, slithered back toward me.
Even Hyzen, who had stood expressionless, showed a flicker of surprise as he observed Silver Earthworm.
"Could that serpent be the divine beast you rode here on?"
At Hyzen's question, I burst into laughter.
A divine beast? Silver Earthworm was a Monster at best. But there was no need to elaborate unnecessarily, so I simply laughed.
As I remained silent, they too seemed too embarrassed to press further and fell quiet.
"By the way, where is Kaiden... or rather, Rodban's tent?"
I lifted Silver Earthworm onto my shoulder and rose to my feet as I asked. Hyzen answered.
"Ah, you mean the Tower Masters from the Langrid Empire who returned with you? I would advise against visiting him at present."
"Why is that?"
At my question, Noel's expression grew troubled.
"It's just... his condition... is not good."
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