Reunion with the Mage
Without their focal point, Marellas, the demons had no choice but to retreat in defeat. The empire successfully recaptured Gabrallin Fortress, and the soldiers cheered in victory. It was a good deed for the empire, but that didn't make my mood any worse.
'Anyway, even if I leave, they'll lose it again within a month at most.'
Think of it as a gamble. Let them win when the stakes are low, then hand them a devastating loss in the big pots. Their hope will turn to despair, and they'll go mad searching for someone to blame.
So for now, I planned to let the empire bask in their joy. The greater the joy, the more bitter the pain to come—and their rage would reach its peak.
"Sir Alvin, we are truly grateful. Thanks to your aid, we repelled the demon invasion without great sacrifice!"
As I watched the imperial army celebrate their victory, Gerard approached me. He offered a cup of celebratory wine, but I held out my palm and refused.
"No need for thanks. I merely fulfilled my duty."
"As the rumors say, you're a man overflowing with responsibility! Unlike certain others..."
"Speaking of which, where are my companions?"
"You don't know?"
"There was an unfortunate incident, so we've been acting separately for a bit. I figured they'd join the battlefield anyway..."
"Regrettably, they ignored our call for support and fled through the portal."
Just as I'd expected, they'd chosen the path of irresponsible flight. I'd thought at least one might stick around to fight, but they'd all run. I barely suppressed a laugh. Thanks to them, their reputations had tanked, while I'd racked up merits.
"I'll apologize on their behalf."
"N-no, Sir Alvin! There's no need for you to apologize!"
"But...!"
"Accepting an apology from you would only make us uncomfortable. What we want is atonement from the irresponsible ones—not from you. So please, don't bow your head."
Gerard was a reasonable man. I'd hoped to stoke their guilt further, but oh well. At least he clearly knew exactly what they'd done wrong, which eased my mind.
"Captain! Urgent dispatch!"
"What is it?"
"W-well...!"
"Out with it!"
A messenger came rushing from the rear. He'd come to deliver news, but for some reason, he kept glancing at me. Even as Gerard pressed him, the messenger finally whispered it in his ear. In an instant, Gerard's face twisted, and he bellowed the news in a voice thick with fury.
"Sir Alvin has been charged with insubordination and embezzlement? What nonsense is this?!"
"I-I'm just relaying the telegram from the imperial court!"
Gerard roared, and the messenger shrank back, cowed. The empire's foolishness was just pitiable for innocent soldiers like him. I placed a hand on Gerard's shoulder; he went still for a moment, then raised his voice again.
"Sir Alvin, I believe someone has framed you! I'll submit a petition along with the fortress reclamation report to the court."
"No need."
"Pardon?"
This was an opportunity born of the court's deranged judgment—why undo it? The empress must have heard I'd left the party. She planned to brand me a criminal and force me to keep carrying out the mission to slay the demon king. But that hasty call had given me the perfect excuse to leave for another nation.
"Do you remember me mentioning an unfortunate incident with my companions earlier?"
"Yes."
"From one day on, they forgot their mission and chased pleasure. I caught them in the act and lost my temper. We had a massive fight."
"Such a thing...!"
"I have no idea about the embezzlement charge, but the insubordination? I can see that one. It's true I left the party temporarily to cool off. Unlike them, I never forgot my mission—that's why I rushed back the moment I heard the outpost was in danger."
I explained why I'd joined the battle, furrowing my brow. I poured out my heart: fighting for the empire, for humanity, to save the suffering. Resonating with Alvin's sense of justice, the words flowed smoothly.
"I don't know the details, but it seems the court and my companions don't think much of me. I've devoted myself to the empire without regard for my body, but now doubt is creeping in."
I looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. Gerard patted my back, nodding as if he understood. When reinforcements hadn't come as he'd hoped, he'd felt abandoned by the empire too—so he could relate.
"I'm tired. I no longer know what I'm fighting for, or where my mission even came from. I just want to set it all down and rest."
"I understand that feeling."
I couldn't outright say I was abandoning the empire, but Gerard was flexible. I felt safe confiding in him, so I put on an emotional performance. My acting was flawless—even the listening messenger gazed at me with pity.
"But Sir Alvin, regardless, we must clear this unjust frame-up. If not, you'll be branded a criminal."
"I'm leaving this country. So it doesn't matter how the empire sees me."
"You're defecting, then. But with a criminal label, it won't be easy."
He was right. No nation shelters another country's felons. But what if that felon was extraordinarily capable? And what if the charges were transparently bogus? It'd be like the empire throwing away gold—how could they resist taking it in?
I planned to publicly condemn the empire for failing to recognize my efforts and instead trying to make me a criminal. Now I had the justification, so it was time to spread the word. Gerard would play that role.
"That's why I have a favor to ask of you, Captain."
"Anything—I'll help fully."
"It's not difficult, so no need to tense up. Just report this victory to the other nations first."
"Understood."
Gerard seemed to grasp my intent, a faint smile on his lips. He immediately summoned messengers before me and issued orders: Spread word across the continent that I'd helped the imperial army reclaim Gabrallin Fortress.
"It was an honor fighting alongside you."
Finally, Gerard saluted me with full respect. The sight made me uncomfortable.
The empire's last shred of conscience. If I left like this, he'd die heroically atop the fortress. I wanted to save him and his men.
"Sir Gerard, do you know of the abandoned mine near Gabrallin Fortress?"
"You mean the Ainterk abandoned mine."
"Yes. It's depleted of iron ore, but dig deeper and you'll find a gold vein. If the empire holds you responsible for my actions, use that vein as leverage. Then take your men and families and head to the rear."
"...Thank you."
Gerard looked like he wanted to ask how I knew about the gold, but he held his tongue. The source didn't matter—what counted was the lifeline it'd give him. Once word of the vein spread, the greedy would swarm the fortress.
"Tip off Count Lemad, and he'll gladly help."
The trio arrived in Origin Town. They immediately began asking around for Alvin. It wasn't hard to get eyewitness accounts from villagers who'd seen him, but by then, he'd already left with his childhood friend Luna.
"Good—our guess was right. Alvin was here until recently."
"Then what now?! He's already gone!"
"B-but we're almost caught up, so we'll find him soon!"
"How, when we don't even know which way he went?"
"With the distance narrowed this much, Claret's detection magic should... Wait, where isClaret?"
Lillia and Celestia looked around for Claret. Only now did they realize she'd vanished. With no warning, her intentions were obvious.
"She must've figured out where Alvin is!"
"Ditching us to go alone?!"
As the two suspected, Claret was flying back to the previous village via flight magic. She'd sensed Alvin's presence there.
'Sorry, you two, but I can't help it. This is my chance to monopolize Alvin's love!'
Claret aimed to comfort Alvin, heartbroken over Lillia, and claim his love for herself. She'd utterly forgotten her days spreading her legs for the tower master, prattling on about affection. It was peak shamelessness, assuming Alvin didn't know of her infidelity.
"Found him!"
High in the vast sky, Claret scanned the village below. She spotted Alvin striding through the streets. The woman walking beside him caught her eye, but she brushed it off.
'Alvin still likes me, after all!'
They'd once linked their mana to form a couple's ring. It hadn't been physical, but she believed those feelings endured.
"Alvin!"
Brimming with confidence, Claret landed before him. She lunged to embrace him. But.
"Ah...?"
Slap!—Alvin's palm struck Claret's cheek, sending her tumbling. The stinging sensation trickling down her face left her dazed.
"Ugh! Fuck! I swatted that filthy rag flying at me on reflex."
"You okay? Want me to clean it off nice and proper?"
"A-Alvin?"
Claret couldn't grasp the situation. She could forgive the slap and fall—he might've been startled by her sudden rush. But why.
'Why is Alvin looking at me like I'm garbage?'
Claret's pupils began to tremble.