Even in the midst of war, love blooms, and babies are born. The same was true even on the front lines.

In the army, there were plenty of guys who held Marian in their hearts. On the front lines, Marian was, no matter what anyone said, the most beautiful woman. Despite the difficulty of bathing and the situation where it was hard to wear clean clothes, she always sparkled.

It wasn’t just her outward appearance, but also the radiant inner beauty that anyone who had faced her even once could not fail to notice.

Today’s distribution was poor as usual. Fortunately, the water ability user provided clean water for distribution, preventing the spread of disease.

Trying to make the withered turnip somehow taste good, one of the knights, with a determined expression, muttered while holding the distributed rations.

“When the war ends, I will propose to the princess.”

At his words, everyone’s gaze instantly shifted to him. Among them, the man standing closest to him grinned and grabbed his head.

“Get lost, man. If you’re going to propose, draw a number and wait.”

Then, others also chimed in with their opinions.

“That’s right. I can’t confess either, so what are you.”

“Yield to this guy, who’s close to the age of conscription.”

No unpleasant criticisms like unpleasant evaluations of following a pretty woman came out. No one here owed their lives to Marian. Beyond just romantic feelings, many respected her.

When Marian’s story came up, the atmosphere naturally brightened. Since there were also those who came with wives or fiancées from their hometown, there were lively exchanges for a while.

“I’m getting married as soon as I go back. Send an invitation. I want to get married quickly too,” and so on.

When such conversations settled down a bit, a man with a bitter smile muttered with a melancholy smile.

“We won’t have a chance to see the princess again when we go back, will we?”

“That’s right.”

Although it came out due to the obligation of military service regulations on the battlefield, since the country also allowed surrogate service, most of those on the front lines had low status. Originally, in such a space, they couldn’t comfortably meet the princess. When the war ends, everyone will return to their own places. Thinking of this fact, a person who became sad grumbled in a small voice.

“It’s the first time I’ve hoped that the war wouldn’t end. The war is tiresome, but… still, it was good to be able to see the princess.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

“That’s what I’m saying!”

With that, the topic naturally shifted again to Marian. How devoted she was, how brave she was on the battlefield, how she cared for others…

“Even if rejection is obvious, I will confess. Just that alone satisfies me.”

“Don’t say that. Let’s decide on the order or the real thing. At this rate, it’ll turn into a guessing game.”
The one who poured cold water on the excited atmosphere was none other than Espen. Espen, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, stood up and scolded everyone in a cold voice.

“You all seem carefree. Can you win a war with such an attitude? Remember, confessing your love is only possible after you’ve won.”

“That guy is showing off again.”

Someone who didn’t understand the mood threw jeers at Espen. Espen paid no attention and turned away. There were plenty of people who disliked Espen, from finding him cold to outright rude, especially Marian.

However, no one knew why he harbored such hostility towards Marian. Leaving the company of people, Espen, who was alone in the deep forest, punched a tree with his fist.

‘Proposing? I can’t even think about it. Those guys can talk about loving Marian, but it’s not sincere. If it were, they couldn’t say such things.’

Confessing with an obvious risk of rejection? Can they handle the moment when their hearts collapse?

“[I’ve never hoped that the war wouldn’t end before.]”

Among the foolish things those idiots blabbered about, the only thing Espen could empathize with was that.

Espen earnestly hoped the war would last a little longer. Otherwise, he might never see her again.

‘But I don’t want her to suffer.’

Originally, instead of rolling in the mud on the battlefield like this, she should have been living in the palace, wearing beautiful dresses, adorning her pink hair with flowers.

Surely, that appearance would be as beautiful as a dream.

The desire to see her like that and the wish to stay even a little closer to her conflicted in Espen’s heart.

And the event that narrowly severed Espen’s sanity occurred.

On the night before the last battle of the nearly-won war.

“[When I go back, should I get married? I’ve made my fiancé wait too long.]”

Marian’s words turned Espen away. Vaguely knowing that she would marry someone out of reach and the definite plan to marry her already chosen fiancé were completely different.

‘I didn’t know I had such sticky emotions inside me.’

Rather than becoming a different man in the eyes of another woman, he wanted to die. Such emotions caused a malfunction, and eventually, he got caught up in a mana explosion.