Gotta Do What Needs to Be Done
After a brief silence, I spoke. "Gotta do what needs to be done."
"Amelia, I'd like you to help with the lighting installation. Could you use your Light Magic?"
"Lighting?" Amelia tilted her head. It wasn't that she didn't understand the concept—resort lighting existed in this world too—but she wondered where exactly I planned to use it. Proper lighting could set a romantic mood, after all. It drew the eye and helped create atmosphere.
"Yes. Would that be possible?" I asked carefully, making sure to look properly apologetic about assigning her such a mundane task. Getting cocky here felt like a good way to get smacked.
"Of course. I used to do it all the time on the battlefield. It won't be difficult."
Fortunately, Amelia agreed without hesitation. There was no trace of resentment, no hint that she found the request beneath her. If anything, she looked eager.
"Thank you."
"Not at all. I'm just glad I can be useful somehow. Shall we start right away?"
Her eyes sparkled a little too brightly. It was overwhelming, but seeing her so motivated was reassuring. This was good.
Once I changed my perspective, the answer came easily. A modest task instead of some grand heroic endeavor. Approaching this as rehabilitation therapy had been the right call. Otherwise I'd still be agonizing over it until my head exploded.
"Then I'll send someone after lunch. I'll head down first."
"What? You're just going to hand over the gift and leave?"
"I already barged in rudely enough. I should make my escape while I still can. Please explain it to them nicely."
Before Amelia could stop me, I bolted. I locked myself in my room. The resort would open soon, and once it did I'd be accepting guests regardless of status. It was time to move back home. The suite was meant for business, and occupying it for free just because I owned the place would be a waste. Besides, there weren't many rooms to begin with.
Of course, I wouldn't mind giving it up for the three war heroes. Still, it would probably make them uncomfortable.
"Young master, I feel like my blood is drying up and turning to dust these days."
Aaron, who had been quietly following me, started complaining. The way his eyes kept darting around told me he wasn't exaggerating.
"Scared?"
"Of course I am. I was just barely getting used to Lady Glachel's presence when two more suddenly showed up. And their statuses are even higher."
"Can't argue with that."
One was from a marquis family, the other from a ducal house. Even without their war hero titles, they were intimidating. But I wasn't afraid.
"You don't seem bothered at all, young master."
"If I were, I wouldn't have invited them. If you're that scared, go become a Sword Master like the Crown Prince. That might help."
The Crown Prince was the most famous Sword Master—though not the only one. He had already reached that rank in Part One, and grew even stronger in Part Two.
"Pardon?" Aaron's eyes went wide, his expression clearly asking what kind of nonsense I was spouting.
It could happen. "If you keep at it, you might make it. Don't give up."
"No… aren't you making it sound far too easy? Do you have any idea how difficult becoming a Sword Master is?"
"I do."
Whether it meant squeezing out every drop of effort to reach that level of power, or simply mastering one's own mind. If it were me, I'd choose the latter and find peace that way.
"But I have no intention of sending those ladies away. You still need to guard me. In the end, you'll have to adapt, won't you?"
"Yes… that's true."
"And like you said, becoming a Sword Master is hard, right? So focus on controlling your mind instead. Self-control is easier."
In the end, it came down to enduring it. Letting go of attachments and accepting reality—that was the only answer. Because this was reality.
Aaron seemed to understand. He nodded quietly. If you didn't want to leave, you had to endure.
"Good thinking. If you ran all the way here to escape your wife, you should be prepared to handle the consequences. What would you do if word got out that you fled home?"
"Gasp!"
For a moment, Aaron's eyes widened again. He was finally seeing the truth that had been hidden behind the glow of war heroes. Dying at his wife's hands versus dying at a war hero's hands—when things got truly serious, it wasn't even a choice. The latter wouldn't even register.
Then his tension eased, and he seemed to remember he was a married man.
That should do it.
After chatting with Aaron to pass the time, I headed down to the first floor and had lunch.
"Once you're finished eating, call for room service. Make sure to bring Lady Glachel down with you."
"Understood."
I gave instructions to one of the staff waiting in the break room and waited. Naturally, Aaron stayed with me.
"You should have some tea too. We've got time."
"Yes, young master."
While many in this world drank tea, few drank coffee. Maybe it felt too out of place. It was a shame, but at least the green tea provided some caffeine. Black tea and green tea came from the same plant anyway.
"They're coming down soon."
By the time the guest arrived, I'd already emptied five teacups. Drinking that much tea in a row had left my head feeling remarkably clear.
"Got it. I'm going to the restroom."
I left the staff member who'd returned from the room and headed to the bathroom. Too much tea had made me need to go.
The restroom was tucked in a corner of the lobby. I'd designed it with a modern feel and layered it with magic, considering we were on an island. Oh, and the wastewater purification magic. The circulation magic. The spells that flushed and refilled the toilet. This place was practically coated in magic. The comfort of any lodging depended heavily on its bathrooms.
"Whew……"
After relieving myself, I stepped back into the lobby. I was reminded once again how important it was to take care of basic bodily needs.
"I'm sorry. Did I keep you waiting long?"
After sitting and waiting a moment, Amelia came running over, looking thoroughly apologetic.
"Not at all. If anything, I should apologize for calling you right after your meal."
I stood up and reassured her. The fact that she hadn't gotten angry about not being given time to rest was already a relief. Next time, I'd have to time things better.
"It's fine. More importantly, you mentioned installing lighting…?"
"Yes. Would you come with me?"
I led Amelia outside the resort. I'd already planned the order, locations, brightness, and style of the lights. First, the main road from the dock to here. I wanted to line it with clusters of soft, round lights—like a swarm of fireflies glowing in the dark.
But plans were just plans. If Amelia, the one actually doing the work, said it was impossible, I'd have to change them. Maybe go with straight lines along the ground instead.
"Would that work?"
I carefully explained my idea and gauged her reaction. Amelia nodded.
"I've never tried anything like that before… but I think it should be possible."
"That's a relief. If possible, I'd like the lights to only turn on at night. Could you manage that too…?"
"Hmm… I'll try."
She didn't sound entirely confident, but there was a hint of possibility. Her expression was like someone who'd been handed half-and-half fried chicken. She crouched down, and I crouched beside her.
#
Bored. Reina hadn't felt this kind of dullness in a long time.
"Ugh…! I'm so bored."
Reina rolled around on the bed, stretching. Her body felt limp from sheer tedium.
"Bored?"
Charlotte, who had been polishing a saddle while seated, widened her eyes. Reina tilted her head.
"Huh? Why? Is it that strange for me to be bored?"
"It is strange. Boredom is something you can only feel when your mind is at ease, isn't it?"
"Eh?"
Reina's eyes also rounded. Now that she thought about it, that was true. In urgent or stressful situations, there was no room to feel boredom. You were too busy enduring negative emotions. In the end, boredom was a difficult emotion, but it didn't sprout amid conflict. Just like before the war. Just like after it.
"…Wow. I really have gotten comfortable."
Reina had a belated realization. A resort belonging to someone she'd only known for a few days felt more comfortable than the home she'd eaten and slept in all her life? It was absurd and bittersweet. Still, she quickly pulled herself together and stood up. It was a good thing.
"Since I'm bored, I think I'll go see Amelia. What about you?"
"Amelia? Why all of a sudden?"
"The owner of this place called for her, remember? She seemed really excited about it. Didn't you notice?"
Of course she had. She knew very well. Amelia was usually gentle and kind, but this time felt different. Her emotions had seemed especially vivid. Charlotte smiled as she recalled Amelia leaving the room.
"I know. That's why we shouldn't interrupt."
"Who's interrupting? We can just follow her secretly and watch."
"If we get that close, she'll notice us."
War heroes weren't made overnight. It wasn't just their magic that had been honed over time. Their senses for using magic, their five senses for perceiving the world—they had long since been sharpened by crisis. Just as Amelia had noticed Reina on the rooftop.
"She'll probably let it slide. Anyway, I'm going."
Reina sprang up and headed for the door. There was no stopping her. In the end, Charlotte followed her outside to keep her in check. Honestly, she was curious too—about what might happen between her friend and the man she had feelings for.
"There they are."
Once outside, Reina pointed toward the dock. In the distance, a man and woman could be seen walking together and talking. They looked happy. Yohan was giving instructions, and even though Amelia was following them by casting magic, it didn't look like work. It looked like a secret rendezvous.
"Look at her face. She likes him, doesn't she?"
"She does."
A soft smile formed on Charlotte's lips. He was handsome, unafraid of them, and had even solved her friend's difficult situation. She felt genuine respect. Like a prince from a fairy tale. That description suited his actions perfectly.
"He seems like a prince."
"A prince? Are you talking about the Crown Prince? Or someone else?"
"Someone else. That Crown Prince only has eyes for that girl."
The girl Charlotte referred to was the protagonist of The Flower on the Cliff—the current Saintess. With her powers of defense and healing, she brought grace to people and received only love in return. Disgust? Fear? Even the Emperor found her endearing. That said it all.
"I do envy that a little."
Reina understood the thought and smiled bitterly. The Saintess lived closest to the dream of a happy family and a peaceful daily life—a dream neither of them could ever achieve now.
But Charlotte, watching Amelia's face, didn't stop at envy. She had a slightly different thought.