One side of the sky was faintly brightening.

The rain had stopped, but when the wind blew, raindrops clinging to leaves fell with a patter.

It had surely been over an hour, but no soldiers were pursuing.

That was even more unsettling.

Duke Bersi is a persistent man. He has the personality to do anything to get what he wants.

Is he laying a trap and waiting?

Liam seemed to be thinking the same thing, not letting his guard down. We didn’t stop except for a brief rest when he checked my wound again.

As the forest ended, a meadow spread out. Beyond the meadow, small flags could be seen. The Glisia flag fluttered.

“Sir Liam.”

Hal, who hadn’t been visible, appeared. Other knights were there too. Some had bandages, but all were safe.

“Hal! I was worried when I couldn’t see you.”

“Oh, oh? Are you injured?”

My voice grew louder with joy. Hal rubbed his neck in confusion. Seeing the bandage, he looked back at Liam.

Knights brought horses from somewhere.

“The duke’s army is waiting at the border.”

“He’s not one to let go easily.”

As if having received news by carrier pigeon, Hal released a hawk into the sky. Liam looked over the knights.

“The empire is right ahead.”

There was tension, but they showed the leisure to joke.

“If you die, die in the empire.”

“We’re not weak enough to be defeated by scarecrow Glisian knights.”

The knights burst into laughter.

“Can you ride?”

“I’ve tried walking at least.”

In truth, I’d only mounted a horse before, but not wanting to be a burden, I put on a show of bravado.

Liam didn’t seem to believe me either.

He helped me onto the horse. Seeing me sitting with both legs on one side, he looked at me with disapproval before mounting behind me.

His firm chest briefly bumped against my shoulder before pulling away.

“Hold on tight. We’re going.”

His arm wrapped around my waist. The horse began to run.

It was truly a terrible torture.

Riding a galloping horse was even more jarring than a carriage. My body bounced with the horse’s movements, and though Liam held my waist, it wasn’t enough. I clung to Liam for dear life.

As the impacts transmitted through my body, the wound on my shoulder throbbed more.

Liam and the imperial knights showed no hesitation.

Could even the most skilled knight hold out against a large number of soldiers?

‘It’s all because of me.’

I had mentioned his sister, saying I would repay my debt to Liam. Liam had no choice and had to follow me.

Was this truly for Liam’s sake?

As my body grew weary and the situation more urgent, anxiety began to seep out.

Just then, Liam’s large hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.

Thump, I could hear his heartbeat.

Liam’s heart was beating steadily and quickly. The sound of another person’s heart was quite a comforting reassurance.

‘I’m with Liam.’

He was moving.

* * *

Three hawks drew large circles as they flew in the sky.

The valley between the mountain ranges is the border gateway leading to the empire. Originally part of the Wilboyer duchy, the layered mountain ranges served as a fortress.

It’s the frontline for blocking the empire. Despite being rugged terrain, this strategically important fortress, except for areas near the grand duchy, was to be reclaimed by Glisia when the previous Glisian king, Carix II, abandoned Wilboyer.

Quickly responding, Wilboyer managed to keep only their territory, and the Wilboyer duchy became imperial territory.

Before entering the mountain ranges, on the plain, armies with differently colored flags from both sides were in a standoff.

We were in a position heading towards the imperial border, crossing through the Glisian army. Hidden in the forest at the foot of a hill overlooking the armies, we watched for a moment.

“The scouts have been dealt with. There’s not much time until the shift change.”

Three knights who had surveyed the surroundings returned.

Tension filled the air.

The knights chewed on dry jerky while assessing the situation. They tightened straps and sharpened blades, preparing for the imminent battle.

I approached Liam. Hal glanced at me briefly before turning his gaze elsewhere.

“Liam.”

When I reached out my hand, Liam looked away with a disgruntled expression. He who had faced enemies without retreat now avoided me.

“I’m still fine.”

Even if it’s enough, he’ll need it soon as we’re about to enter battle.

The dukes were eager to receive blessings, but Liam seemed unfamiliar and avoided it.

“You need to receive it if you’re going to face Duke Bersi.”

Liam didn’t readily take my hand.

He must know it’s good for him, yet he hesitated.

In my previous life, I only saw people begging and threatening, saying they were different, so Liam’s attitude was refreshing.

Weren’t all ability users supposed to want blessings?

“We don’t know what will happen.”

Sighing, Liam extended his hand to me. I took him behind a tree.

It looked like he was being dragged against his will.

Why would he dislike something good for him?

“Why?”

I approached Liam, who leaned against the tree warily. As I got closer, he pulled his shoulders back.

“Don’t come closer. Stay there.”

“We can’t be discovered, right?”

My blessing is still a secret, after all.

Liam looked at me as if he had a lot to say, then roughly ran his hand through his hair. He sighed deeply, like someone doing something against their will.

“Stop when I tell you to stop.”

It was a given, but he confirmed it again.

“Answer me.”

“Alright. I’ll stop when you want.”

The pride in having a blessing had disappeared in my second life, but I felt a little hurt.

I took Liam’s hesitant hand, and his hand tried to escape. When I firmly grasped his hand that was trying to pull away, he soon resigned and left it to me.

I held back a smile, not wanting Liam to run away.

I slowly let the blessing flow into him.

When the time comes, I will disappear, and ability users other than Wilboyer will endure a time of pain.

When we reach the grand duchy, I must diligently gather flowers. For after I vanish from this world.

“That’s enough.”

“What? Already?”

It was astonishingly brief.

I was about to ask if this was really enough, but Liam had already gone to the knights.

His steps were quick, like someone fleeing.

“We’re heading to the empire.”

Following a knight’s advice, this time I wrapped one leg around the stirrup leather. That’s how ladies who enjoy horseback riding do it, they said. Liam mounted behind me and held my waist.

“We’ll break through in one go.”

“Yes.”

As Liam took the lead and galloped his horse, the group set off.

The field was full of flowers.

Red, blue, white, countless flowers that had survived this year were preparing to scatter seeds for next year.

We quickly crossed the field.

There was no strategy, only moving straight ahead. We pressed forward without looking around.

“They’re here!”

The Glisian soldiers spotted us.

Knights followed alongside us at the front, drawing their swords.

“Protect the princess from the empire!”

“We’ll rescue the princess!”

“Waaah!”

Shouts rose from all around as sharp spear tips pointed at us.

The distance closed gradually, but Liam didn’t stop. With me at the front, the Glisian army couldn’t rashly charge. Though it seemed reckless, it became an excellent tactic due to their skill.

The soldiers were flustered. Even so, their battle formation didn’t falter.

The wind blew. The wind direction changed unnaturally.

“Liam!”

I called out to Liam as I ducked at the sharp sound of wind.

Duke Haiman was waiting for us.

Shing, Liam drew his sword.

Being close, I could feel the ability he was invoking.

Liam slowly drew a large circle in the air with his sword. Like striking a match to make fire, flames ignited at the sword’s tip.

By the time he drew a half-circle, the fire had grown. The enlarged flames flew swiftly towards Duke Haiman’s private soldiers.

However, it burst before reaching the soldiers.

“Argh!”

“It’s hot! Avoid it!”

The fragments of the burst flames rained down on the soldiers. Though startled, it didn’t deal a significant blow.

“Wilboyer!”

Bang! As Liam swiftly swung his sword, there was a heavy explosion sound at close range.

The soldiers parted, revealing Duke Haiman on a white horse. Even from a distance, Duke Haiman’s aura was palpable.

A wind ability user.

The oldest among the dukes, he’s the one who manipulates Glisia from behind the king.

Duke Haiman’s platinum blonde hair fluttered in the wind as his eyes, full of composure, glared sharply at Liam behind me.

“Wilboyer! How dare a heretic Wilboyer who betrayed God step on Glisia’s land! Release the princess and retreat!”

“You abandoned the princess.”

Warmth enveloped the surroundings. Spheres of fire appeared around Liam.

It was much larger and more numerous than what the Windsor family knight had shown in the training ground. And Liam didn’t seem strained at all.

“Gasp, f-fire!”

“Did he say Wilboyer?”

“It’s the fire ability! It’s Wilboyer! The heretic Wilboyer!”

“Calm down!”

A familiar voice calmed the agitated soldiers.

Rain fell despite the clear sky.

“Fire is extinguished by water! I, Duke Bersi, am here with you!”

Duke Bersi was here too. He hadn’t followed us but was waiting at the border.

“Protect Princess Ormia! In the name of God, we shall punish the traitor!”

Waaah! The morale of the Glisian soldiers rose again.

“Wilboyer, you have trespassed into Glisia without permission. You seem to be the heir, I’ll end the Wilboyer bloodline right here!”

Duke Haiman stirred up the wind.

The fine water droplets in the air added to it, increasing the wind’s physical force. And it became clearly visible even to others’ eyes.

The soldiers, excited by the ability manifested before their eyes, shouted cheers. Morale soared.

We had to pass through Glisia’s dukes and soldiers to reach the empire. We were at an overwhelming numerical disadvantage.

‘Will it be alright?’

I looked up at Liam and realized my worry was premature.

The corners of his mouth were turned up.

“You speak quite presumptuously. How can someone who can’t even leave Glisia claim to end the Wilboyer family line?”

He mocked the dukes.

“Who said I’d face you! You wait for your turn! Hal!”

“Yes!”

Hal took out a long black rod from his chest. He held it up with the tip pointing to the sky.

I’ve seen it before.

The minor country Glisia is said to have weak national power, but it’s a country protected by ability-using dukes. Yet the reason they were helplessly invaded by the empire.

It’s because of that flame gun.

The empire may not have abilities, but their science and technology are superior.

Bang! With a loud thunder-like sound that seemed to tear the sky, red smoke rose from the flame gun.

Leaving a long red tail, it ascended into the sky.

Duke Haiman quickly sent wind to disperse the smoke, but the signal had been transmitted. As if in response, from the imperial territory, huge shells flew and fell on the Glisian soldiers near the border.

Boom, it was a massive impact that shook the ground.

Dust flew as the gathered soldiers scattered. Before they could reform their ranks, another shell came flying.

The empire’s offensive had begun.

“It’s an invasion!”

“It’s not an invasion if we’re rescuing our own citizens!”

As Liam swung his sword with all his might, a large ring of fire formed in front of us. It created a tunnel stretching towards the empire.

“We’re returning to the empire!”

Liam spurred his horse and galloped into the tunnel of fire.