Chapter 01
Those who return to keep their promise,
and a world that does not remember that promise.”
I remember the day I left.
[I will do what I do best.]
Even though several years have passed, the moment of parting is still vivid.
[So you stay here and do what only you can do, Mikhail.]
When I said that, you had a face that looked as if you might crumble.
[I’ll be back soon, so go ahead and prepare a grand victory banquet.]
You, who had always been so strong, showed weakness for the first time, and I had no choice but to quickly turn my back.
Because if I hadn’t, I felt my resolve would waver.
It was the early days of the nation’s founding, when we were barely getting established.
Of course, I was troubled by the thought of leaving your side.
I always wanted to be your strength.
As a steadfast friend who would share both joy and sorrow, forever.
But before us lay a pitch-black hell with its mouth wide open, and someone was needed to plug the entrance of that dark crevice.
[…I’ll wait, Iserna.]
Your final voice in my memory held sorrow and earnest longing.
Believing that I would surely return, you are probably waiting for me even now.
That single conviction kept me going.
It guided our steps all the way here.
“Finally.”
The victors were in a terrible state.
That was only natural, having endured a long time without a single supply run until we finally choked the last demon’s breath.
Nevertheless, everyone’s faces were filled with delight and joy.
As if forgetting the arduous fatigue of the past moments in an instant, they shone more brilliantly than ever.
“We’re going back.”
Some to the embrace of parents,
Some to the embrace of lovers,
Some to homes where a child they’ve never even seen awaits.
“Everyone worked hard.”
I cleared my throat once and addressed them.
“Take all the time you need to catch up, and gather before the imperial palace in one month.”
Almost everyone except me had families.
It was only right that they meet them first and share their joy.
“I will go ahead and prepare the victory ceremony.”
“Yes, Captain!”
Everyone looked at me and answered vigorously.
…I don’t remember the last time those rascals were this united.
True to their eccentric natures, they were constantly causing outlandish trouble.
Mikhail, now I will return to you.
It has taken far too long to keep my promise.
“Expedition force, dismissed!”
“Haha…!”
“I can go home… I can go home!”
People burst into tears and laughter of joy.
Even I felt tears coming, so I turned my head away.
We used magic to clean ourselves and changed into the new clothes we had saved for this day.
Neat and tidy, just like the day we left, we looked at each other and chuckled.
“Captain, when you get back, make sure you find love!”
“We’ll cheer you on…!”
Those guys?
The moment I quietly clenched my fist, they scattered with yelps. At least they’re quick on the uptake.
‘Well, I suppose. I should try everything at least once.’
Love and marriage will be among those things.
But first, I need to retire.
I took out the return scroll from my spatial bag.
We came a long way, but the return will be instantaneous.
The coordinates are fixed to Mikhail, so tearing this will transport me straight to his side.
[Come to me first. I won’t yield on this.]
[…Don’t blame me if things get embarrassing?]
I warned him, so it should be fine.
I just hope I don’t land somewhere like a bathroom.
“Let’s go.”
I took a deep breath and tore the scroll.
The mana contained within swirled and light exploded.
Along with a sensation of my body being lifted upward, my vision turned pure white.
The only thing left was the sound of my heart pounding violently.
The capital.
The imperial palace.
Mikhail.
The moment I recalled the coordinates I needed to return to,
“…Ah.”
A sense of dissonance passed through me.
As if the place I had left no longer existed in the world.
The moment I felt this unsettling sensation, as if the coordinates were misaligned, the force pulling me suddenly vanished.
Simultaneously, a short fall began.
Thud!
The impact came before I could regain my balance.
“Ugh…!”
From the low groan and the feeling of impact, I could tell.
That I had landed not on the floor, but on top of someone’s body.
I wanted to get up immediately, but the aftereffects of the spatial movement were greater than expected.
My body had somehow landed, but my senses were returning very slowly, and I couldn’t move so much as a fingertip.
Just as I managed to move only my eyes to try and see who was beneath me, my视野 spun around.
In the blink of an eye, our positions were reversed, and I found myself pinned beneath the other person.
“How many times do I have to say it? I don’t need any chambermaids. You’d better get out this instant…”
The moment our eyes met, he suddenly stopped speaking.
“…….”
His widened eyes seemed surprised, perhaps flustered.
I too stared back at him without a word.
‘What is this man?’
First of all, he was not Mikhail.
The scent of mana matched the one I knew, but everything else was different.
He was terrifyingly handsome, with sharp facial features and perfectly sculpted eyes, nose, and mouth.
His jet-black hair, absorbing all light, and his coolly gleaming golden eyes simultaneously conveyed elegance and strength.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?”
And his voice.
A deep, weighty resonance that stirred the chest—it seemed unforgettable once heard.
‘Did I pass out?’
Could I be dreaming, having lost consciousness without realizing it?
What did he make of my dazed, upturned gaze?
“Throwing yourself into a man’s bed just because you like him is wrong behavior. Especially for a beautiful woman like you.”
The man’s fierce gaze softened slightly.
“Normally, I would have thrown you out immediately… but this situation is quite coincidental.”
He muttered to himself, ‘Perhaps I can avoid becoming the princess’s plaything.’
“…How about this. If you promise to become my woman, I will give you what you want.”
Huh?
‘What did he just say? What I want?’
Bewitched by his looks and voice, it was only belatedly that I grasped the meaning of his words.
“Even in my current position, I’m not so irresponsible as to ignore someone I’ve spent the night with.”
What, what? Spent the night?
Is this man misunderstanding that I sneaked in here trying to seduce him?
‘…Well, I did end up conveniently landing on top of him.’
The situation had gone quite wrong.
‘It’s rather strange that he’s being so lenient.’
If it were me, I would have thrown a molester like that out the window.
It seems he resembles Mikhail not only in mana scent but also in being foolishly kind.
“Staring like that… can I take it as consent?”
‘Uh…? No!’
I tried to put strength into my abdomen to somehow make a sound.
But no sound came from my flapping lips.
I had no idea the aftereffects of the return magic would last this long.
No one told me about this.
Or perhaps, was there something wrong with the magic scroll?
“…Are you saying you want a kiss? I can’t tell if you’re shy or bold.”
The misunderstanding…
The misunderstanding was growing deeper and deeper…!
“I find myself strangely fond of you as well, so I suppose it’s fortunate.”
It seemed he liked my face; I felt my face and neck grow hot.
Well, I did find this man’s appearance quite pleasing too, but not like this…
“It might be awkward since it’s your first time, but if you dislike it or it hurts, tap my shoulder. I’ll stop then.”
He whispered, carefully brushing my hair aside.
Soon, his breath grazed my chin.
‘W-wait!’
It took only a moment to realize that he was too close to avoid.
‘Huh? Really? For real?’
Like a lie, a soft sensation touched my lips.
“……!”
