She was so startled that she hurriedly pulled the reins and turned her head, accidentally kicking Dilly’s belly and making the horse throw a fit.

“S-Sorry. Sorry!”

Only after she hastily stroked the horse did Dilly snort and lower her front legs.

It had been quite a while since she had stealthily distanced herself from him, but whenever their eyes met, it was still like this.

No, it seemed to be getting worse. At first, she could act coldly, but as time passed, she became restless for no reason.

Eventually, not only Blake and Rigel, who had been watching Jade closely, but also others began to whisper, “Did those two have a fight?” “I’m not sure, but it seems so?”

There was an unfair aspect to it. Jade really tried not to make it obvious that she was avoiding him!

She deliberately rode her horse slowly and kept her gaze mostly on the ground. Even though people didn’t ask for her help, she took on trivial tasks at the rear.

But strangely, when she rode slowly, the people who were riding at the front also slowed down, and they ended up in a similar position as Axel. If she raised her head and looked straight ahead for a brief moment, their eyes would sparkle as they met. When she was startled and went to the rear, he suddenly came to inspect the soldiers.

Today was the same. She had been desperately keeping her gaze elsewhere, but in a brief moment of distraction, their eyes met.

His eyes were deeply submerged like stars hidden behind clouds, and although she didn’t know the exact reason, she guessed that her exaggerated escape played a part.

Anyone would be upset if a friend suddenly declared they were cutting ties.

Jade hurriedly dismounted and hid behind Arthur, the knight who was Rigel’s pair.

The knight, who was impressive in width, asked with an innocent face.

“Do you have any business with me?”

“Ah, no… Could you just stand there for a moment?”

The knight, with a puzzled expression, tilted his head and obediently listened to her.

Jade, who had many sins – she was in a one-sided love that the other party was unaware of, and even avoided him on her own – let out a sigh of relief just by escaping Axel’s sharp gaze.

Of course, it was because she had no idea that Axel was glaring at Arthur as if he would pierce through his body.

Looking up at the sky, the vivid colors of the clouds against the clear blue were beautiful. And nearby, the passionate whispers of lovers praising each other could still be heard.

And pitiful me.

Hiding behind someone’s back and foolishly letting time pass, Jade became very envious of Belita.

Not only her confidence to show everything honestly but also her boldness and firmness that didn’t succumb to people’s gazes.

People who missed their hometown after a long hardship rode without rest, whether slowly or quickly. And at the border they reached, the Rhine George River.

As soon as they crossed the bridge to get over it, the gate of the rampart blocking the way opened wide. Viscount Milburn, who had brought soldiers, was waiting for them.

With a face full of smiles and deep wrinkles, he politely greeted Axel.

“Welcome. You’ve really worked hard.”

“Thank you for the hospitality.”

“His Majesty sent a messenger saying that we must greet you. He said to fill the carriage with precious food and alcohol.”

Axel smiled faintly.

“If there was no messenger, would you not have come out?”

“Haha, how could that be? Hurry and go warm your body and rest well.”

Led by Lennock Milburn, the subjugation team moved their steps. Soon, they could see countless people from the estate coming out on the road leading to the village and cheering.

They threw flowers at every step and waved their arms wildly. Then, if their eyes met, they shouted blessings to the subjugation team.

“This is excessive.”

“I never forced them.”

When Axel slightly frowned, Viscount Milburn shook his head with a bright smile.

“Since the subjugation team crossed the Rhine George River, no monsters have crossed the ramparts at night. There have been no reports of missing children, and no damaged stores or farmland at all. It is definitely something the people of the estate are grateful for.”

“It is certainly pleasing to hear that it has been helpful to the El Sion Kingdom as well.”

Axel was right. Among the subjugation team, some proudly raised their chins, some laughed out loud, and some shyly received small flowers. The reactions varied, but they all looked satisfied that not only the people of the Jisen Kingdom but also those of the El Sion Kingdom were cheering.

Milburn Castle was located not far from the outskirts, as it was used as a fortress in the past. Following the king’s orders, the subjugation team was all treated with the utmost respect.

“Wow. The wallpaper is luxurious.”

“The room is… warm! The wind doesn’t leak in!”

“We’re amazed by something so obvious.”

When Jade laughed, Blake shrugged.

“I’m always like this whenever I come back from a subjugation mission. My younger sister makes fun of me every day. Asking where the hell I’ve been.”

“You have a younger sister. How old is she?”

Belita asked, throwing herself on the sofa. Except for Jade and Blake, all the magicians rejected the scheduled misfortune – the sight of Belita’s lover, Mitchell, coming to make a fuss – and ended up sharing a room.

“She just turned fifteen. Maybe because she’s attending the academy? She talks back so well, thinking she’s grown up.”

“Gender?”

“A girl. I have a small portrait here, do you want to see it?”

Belita, who opened the necklace Blake handed over, nodded.

“Well, she does look the right age for that. When it comes to not listening, this age is really something. Anyway, is everyone going to the party?”

“If it’s full of greasy food and fine wine, of course.”

Unlike Blake, who answered solemnly, Jade hesitated for a moment.

“Hmm…”

“What are you hesitating about? Even at a glance, the items sent by His Majesty seem amazing. You’ve worked hard, so you need to gain some weight back. You’re not going to go back home looking like that, are you?”

Have I lost that much weight? With an embarrassed face, she touched her cheek, but Belita’s words didn’t end.

“You’re not a ten-year-old kid, and there’s no reason to avoid a fun party just because you had a little argument with the commander-in-chief.”

Jade, who inhaled incorrectly, started coughing violently. As she covered her mouth with her sleeve, Blake asked with an interested face.

“Does it look like those two fought?”

“Yes. Of course, the fault seems to be with you, Jade.”

“Why… Ahem, why. Me…”

“Mostly because you run away, and Sir Leon either glares at you from afar or strides towards you as if he wants to grab you by the scruff of the neck?”

Jade buried her nose in the pillow. Belita calmly looked in a small hand mirror and brushed her lashes upward.

“I don’t know what happened, but make up. Of course, since you were forced to become temporary pairs, there must have been a lot of things to fight about because you didn’t match well, but you should end it well.”

“Belita, it’s unexpected for you to say that? I heard you had a fierce fight with a knight from the subjugation team last time.”

Blake pointed out appropriately, but Belita snorted.

“That, what was it, I can’t even remember his name. It’s a bit much to compare that jerk to Sir Leon. Even if we fight, it’s not a problem at all. He was the worst, smirking at a magician who had just become an adult from a guild. It’s clear he’ll become a gambling addict later, having received knighthood thanks to his family.”

“Is Sir Leon different?”

“Is it worth saying? The Sir Leon I’ve seen for two months was a tremendous expert even without aura, and he even knows how to use aura on top of that.”

“Every time you talk about aura, I’m amazed.”

“Yes. We’re like that, so how would other people feel? I don’t know where His Majesty brought him from, but there’s no way he’ll let him go. No, he absolutely shouldn’t let him go. He’s a talent who would be greatly welcomed in any kingdom.”

Belita, who adjusted the position of the pin in her hair with an elegant gesture, looked satisfied.

“So go to the party today and make up while talking about how the seafood soup is amazing or something, Jade. He’s definitely someone who will become very important in the future.”

“Thanks for the advice. But I don’t think I can…”

“Well, it’s up to you. But you’ll definitely regret it later. Anyway, it’s best to eat until your stomach bursts today and put some meat on those skinny wrists. Get up now! I’ll even braid that messy hair of yours.”

“I don’t even have proper clothes to wear…”

“Why are you making so many excuses? It’s called a party, but we’re just going to the banquet hall to chat and eat. I’ll lend you clothes, so get up already!”

“I don’t think the size will fit…”

“Get up!”

A shout hit her ears.

There was a nag worse than Blake here. She was even fierce and scary. Glaring at Blake, who was laughing behind her, Jade got up unsteadily.

The party was, of course, noisy. As much as the king had sent ample supplies, and as little damage had been done by monsters, Viscount Milburn seemed to have done his best to prepare.

The food lined up on the table glistened with greasy luster, and the alcohol was constantly refilled as if there was a gushing spring. The wine, whose color varied according to the light, was currently decorating the party hall like jewels.

Jade, who had barely managed to dress neatly with Belita’s help, felt a little intimidated as soon as she entered the party hall. There were quite a few people who were splendidly dressed as if they had brought such clothes from somewhere.

Jade, who had brought a dress that was just neat, scratched her cheek.

I should have brought something heavy. But there are also simple people like me…. What’s important is that it’s the last greeting of the subjugation team.

As soon as Blake entered the party hall, he ran to the well-roasted fowl, and Belita was in a passionate embrace with Mitchell. Left alone, Jade, after much deliberation, walked to a small table where wine glasses were artistically stacked.

Let’s just spend some time and leave.

With that resolution, when she picked up a glass of pretty purple wine that had just been poured from a newly opened bottle instead of the wine that had already been poured, Jade hiccuped at the sight visible through the glass.

“Oh…”

Axel was wearing very simple clothes as if he disliked anything complicated. A top with a wide fit and sturdy material to match his broad upper body, and bottoms without any embroidery.

But even so, he was by far the most eye-catching presence in this small party hall.