My subordinate and friend, Yulnisia, the kingdom’s greatest genius magic tool user, often said this:

“The future of food is definitely insects. As soon as we return, I must research how to make insects delicious without causing aversion.”

Why did she have to bring this up during mealtime?

As I was nibbling on the dried turnip I had been rationed, images of locusts, butterflies, and various other insects being cooked flashed through my mind. Feeling an instinctive revulsion, I shook my head.

“That seems unrealistic, Yul.”

“Then are you satisfied with the current situation of stacking turnip upon turnip, Princess?”

“…”

Of course not.

The war had been going on for years. It wasn’t a war between humans, but a fight against other races trying to drive us out of this territory where our kingdom stood.

Born with a heart full of fire mana, I was dragged to the battlefield and forced to wield a sword before even coming of age. The most distressing thing on the battlefield was, without a doubt, the food.

At first, we at least had bread and soup, but now, with supplies dwindling, we were reduced to eating dried turnips roasted like bread. Needless to say, it wasn’t tasty.

“Look at this plump grub. If we roast it, it’ll be nutty and chewy. I can stake my reputation as the kingdom’s greatest magic tool user on it.”

It seemed she wasn’t just saying it idly, as Yulnisia started digging in the ground with a twig to find grubs. I responded with a retching sound.

“I still won’t eat it.”

It was bad enough that I’d spent most of my life on the battlefield, but now they wanted me to eat bugs too? As I shook my head, Yulnisia grinned.

“In an extreme situation where you’re starving to death, even you won’t have a choice, Princess.”

“No, I’d rather starve to death.”

“When the situation actually arises, you won’t be able to do that.”

“…”

What’s with her? Why is she so desperate to make me eat insects?

I narrowed my eyes and glared at Yulnisia, but eventually let out a snort.

“It seems the prolonged war has put holes in our clever Yul’s head. We need to end this quickly and return home so I can feed you some delicious meat.”

At my response, the other knights who had been listening to our conversation also burst into laughter. After swallowing a mouthful of the tasteless turnip bread, I clapped my hands.

“The end is near. Let’s all hang in there.”

In reality, the war was indeed nearing its conclusion. Once we drive them out beyond that castle wall, we will have reclaimed all of our original territory.

‘Defending a castle won’t be easy either… but it’ll be much better than now.’

Recalling the path we had walked so far, I bit my lip. At the earliest, a week; at the latest, within a month. That was our goal.

As we were gazing at the castle we were about to reclaim, Yulnisia asked, fidgeting her fingers:

“Princess, what do you want to do most when the war ends?”

“Well…”

Having spent most of my life on the battlefield, I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to do when asked. In fact, even the taste of the food I ate in the royal palace had become vague in my memory.

What could someone like me do if I returned to the palace? Probably…

“I suppose I’ll get married first when I return. I’ve kept my fiancé waiting for too long.”

They’ll likely tell me to fulfill my duties as a princess now. That means a political marriage.

And before I left for the battlefield, the royal family had arranged my engagement.

‘I can barely remember his face or name now. But surely he must be waiting for me.’

It wasn’t bad to know that someone was waiting for my return. As I smirked, a sharp voice rang out from beside me.

“…Marriage?”

I looked up to see a handsome knight with moon-white silver hair and vivid blue eyes frowning at me.

It was Espen, the magic swordsman with the second strongest mana in our army after me.

Born with ice mana, he was a fallen noble who ended up on the battlefield. Perhaps due to our conflicting mana, we didn’t get along well. In response to his incredulous voice, I smirked and retorted:

“Why, Sir Espen? Does it seem strange that a brutish woman like me has a fiancé?”

At my words, the subordinates around us all loudly objected in unison.

“Brutish woman? Princess Marian is the hero of this country!”

“That’s right. It’s because of you that we’re all here, Princess.”

Ignoring their words, I stared straight at Espen. His brow furrowed deeper, and then…

“…”

He threw away the turnip bread he was eating and stood up. Seeing his clearly angered state, I shrugged.

“What’s wrong with him?”

Is he upset even about me getting married now? As I watched his retreating figure with disbelief, Yulnisia shook her head and answered:

“Sir Espen has always been a bit prickly. He’s probably complaining about such frivolous talk in the middle of a war.”

“Ugh. I really can’t stand Sir Espen’s way of thinking. War is tiring enough as it is, how can he expect us to stay tense all the time?”

“I agree.”

Since we had started talking about what to do after the war, we gathered around the campfire and chatted about what we’d like to do when we return home.

“I’m going to eat my fill of my wife’s cooking when I get home.”

“I want to soak in warm water and relax.”

In truth, we all knew. That the hometown we were returning to after years might not be the same as we imagined. But we closed our eyes and dreamed. Of an eternal happiness, like the ending of a fairy tale.

“Ah, I wish the war would end soon.”

This wish of mine came true not long after. Though not quite in the way I had hoped.

A tremendous blizzard, so fierce I could barely open my eyes, engulfed not only the castle but the entire surrounding area. Raising my flame-wreathed sword, I called out loudly to the man standing at the center of the snowstorm.

“Sir Espen!”

His skin, already pale to begin with, had turned a bluish-white as if frozen, and his bloodshot eyes were tinged with red.

The state that those who wield mana fear most.

Berserk.

The mana usually contained in his heart was now pouring out like a storm, freezing friend and foe alike. As I pushed through the blizzard towards Espen, I called out to him loudly.

“Snap out of it! You’re going berserk! Only you can stop this rampage!”

As if he couldn’t hear my voice, the snow storm leaking from Espen’s heart only intensified. Behind me, Yulnisia, who had activated a shield with her magic tool, shouted:

“Princess, you’re wrong! We must kill Sir Espen!”

Since the heart is the source of mana, the snowstorm would stop if Espen’s heart stopped beating. But I couldn’t do that.

“I can’t do that! You’re asking me to kill a comrade?”

“Once he’s gone berserk, there’s no other way!”

I gritted my teeth.

“Sir Espen!”

Espen was an annoying fellow. Always grumbling and nagging no matter what was said.

But.

“Marian.”

Espen’s red eyes focused on me. His voice, now closer to a rumbling wind, seemed to tell me that he was no longer the Espen I knew.

“I’ve always wanted to call your name.”

Yet what kind of joke was this? Having transformed into something close to a monster, his words were more human than usual.

As if he was finally revealing his true feelings.

‘Damn it, is there really no way to stop this?’

The war was about to end, we could go home.

‘To go berserk in the final battle.’

Tears welled up involuntarily from frustration. But due to the harsh blizzard, they froze into small ice crystals as soon as they formed and scattered.

As I squeezed my eyes shut, stinging from the ice shards, it happened.

As if pressing an ice cube against my eyes, an unbearably cold touch caressed my face. Startled, I opened my eyes to find Espen, who had somehow come close, reaching out to touch my face.

“Stay by my side forever…”

At those words, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. It felt like fate.

‘In the end, I’m destined to die on the battlefield.’

I couldn’t leave Espen in his berserk state. If I did, he would become a calamity that freezes everything around him.

The best way to subdue him would be to suppress him with my fire mana, which is opposite to his.

If I were to go berserk too, both of us would disappear. No one else needed to be involved.

“…If that will satisfy you.”

“Princess! No!”

Yulnisia’s anguished scream rang in my ears. Fearing my resolve would weaken if I looked back, I deliberately closed my eyes. As cold arms wrapped around my waist and embraced me, lava-like flames poured out from my heart.

‘May you all live happily.’

Praying for everyone’s well-being, I disappeared as if melting into the flames.

I died then. Surely, I must have.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, the world was all white. At first, I thought I had woken up in a snow-covered mountain, but later I realized it was because of the white birch trees towering so high they seemed to pierce the sky.

After blinking for a moment as I lay there, I raised my body. My head felt heavy and I was dizzy enough to vomit.

‘Wasn’t I dead?’

If I wasn’t dead, where were all my people?

Yulnisia! Where are you!

“Kyuu kyuu kyuu kyuu!”

‘Huh.’

I tried to call Yulnisia’s name, but a strange sound came out of my mouth.

‘What kind of sound just came out of my mouth?’

As I flinched, I slowly opened my mouth.

“Kyuu kyuu.”

‘Gasp!’

Once again, a strange cry came out. Startled, I tried to get up, but…

‘W-what are these small, plump front paws? And why am I naturally standing on four legs?’

Have I… turned into an animal?