Book 1 Chapter 805
805.
‘My boyfriend?’
Lea looked a little dumbfounded.
Rune has a boyfriend?
That really doesn’t suit her.
Of course, Rune is popular with many men.
Her beautiful appearance, which would make anyone lose their mind just by looking at her.
And her eyes, looking somehow lonely due to the loss of Kyle, strangely stimulate protective instincts.
Is that why? Even though they knew about Rune’s overwhelming strength, many bravely claimed they would protect Rune themselves.
But even so, it's impossible for Rune to have someone she could call a boyfriend.
‘Because Rune has Kyle.’
A precious being that cannot be exchanged for anything else.
Her feelings for Kyle would be even stronger, never less, than her own.
Rune, with a boyfriend?
‘Did I misunderstand? Come to think of it, Chelsea said it. She moved with a man named Leo.’
He wasn’t in her information.
According to Chelsea, he was incredibly skilled and seemed quite close to Rune.
When Chelsea spoke about Leo, Lea didn’t listen carefully.
She was too preoccupied thinking about the dramatic changes Chelsea and Iliana had undergone.
“The two of them were quite intense, weren’t they?”
At Reina’s words, Lea let out a hollow laugh and shook her head.
‘Looks like she saw something wrong and misunderstood.’
Thinking that Rune couldn’t possibly be like that, Lea turned her head towards the monster legion.
‘Anyway, I need to resolve these quickly and join Rune.’
Although Rune said she wasn't alone, the situation remained dangerous.
Lea, about to use summoning magic, suddenly looked at the deployed defensive line.
‘Considering it was hastily set up… it’s quite efficient.’
“As expected of Lady Reina. You’ve established the defensive line very efficiently.”
“Huh? I didn’t do this?”
“What?”
“That Karl did it.”
“Karl?”
Lea looked at Karl with slightly surprised eyes.
“Karl, that mana potion you gave me earlier. Do you have a few more bottles? Hand them over while I’m speaking nicely.”
“No, are you extorting me right now? And it cost time and effort! And money! It’s extremely precious!”
“If I find any when I search you, it’s one hit per bottle, okay?”
“I really don’t have any! I only made one bottle as a prototype!”
“Miss Lunia, you sounded just like a gangster just now.”
Karl, terrified, and Lunia, defiant.
And Eiran, pointing it out from the side.
‘Karl wouldn't have experience in such large-scale battles, would he?’
To instinctively devise such a formation.
He naturally knows how to efficiently deal with enemies.
At that moment.
The monster legion broke through Lea’s magic and reached the defensive line.
Lea stepped back and observed the battlefield.
A moment later.
Karl began supporting the combatants, reading the flow of the battle.
Karl’s movements, who had aspired to be a supporter since enrollment, were invigorating the battle.
Crucially, at some point, Karl naturally began commanding those fighting the monsters, led by the hero Reina.
Wide vision. Quick situational judgment.
And the ability to deploy people to the right place at the right time.
‘Commander.’
There are many powerful heroes.
But the ability to draw out the potential of those heroes and unite strong-willed heroes is rarer than a strong hero themselves.
‘That child… had such abilities?’
Lea’s eyes wavered.
‘What on earth… have I been seeing for a year?’
Chelsea and Iliana, who bloomed possibilities she hadn’t seen at Lumerne, where she thought she was guiding them well.
Even Karl’s unexpected ability, whom she thought had no potential as a hero and had advised to drop out.
‘What… was I seeing in these children?’
She bit her lip.
As her clenched fist tightened.
Flash! Pa-ba-ba-ba-ba-bat-!
Giant arrows of light rained down like a shower amidst the monster army.
Everyone looked up at the sky with surprised eyes, and there stood Rune, holding her staff.
“With Rune joining, this is a won battle!”
Reina grinned and raised her sword.
“Everyone! Let’s annihilate these disgusting monsters!”
“Wow!”
Morale soared.
Rune, standing in the sky with flight magic, glared at Lea with an extremely vexed expression.
‘That one!’
After meeting again in this reincarnation.
Rune had asked Lea countless times if she had no feelings for Kyle.
It couldn't be helped.
The person who had been with Kyle the longest was none other than Lea.
She believed in Kyle’s potential more than anyone else and thought they were the best match when she watched them together.
It wouldn't have been strange if she had feelings after spending so much time together.
But despite her persistent questioning, Lea denied it repeatedly.
Her resentment was greater that Lea hadn’t honestly told her, rather than just hiding her feelings for Kyle.
That’s why she told Leo not to come here.
She was vexed and acting petty.
Rune, who had been glaring at Lea, paused.
Her face was the same as usual.
But Rune could clearly see it in her eyes.
‘She looks especially tired today.’
In her previous life, they were like biological sisters.
As such, Rune had seen Lea struggling more than any other companion.
Rune’s gaze followed to where Lea was looking.
And there, she spotted Karl.
‘Leo said Lea hadn't seen Karl’s potential, didn’t he?’
Rune recalled Lea confiding in her about Karl two years ago.
‘She said he had the skill to advance but couldn’t find his potential?’
Rune, who had been glaring at Lea’s wavering expression, scratched her head and made a sulky face.
“Seriously… I can’t even hate her wholeheartedly.”
***
The monster horde attack in a peaceful rural territory.
The residents of the Flove territory all trembled in fear at a disaster they had only heard of in fairy tales.
But as if to save them, heroes defeated all the monster hordes.
In response, the residents of Flove territory held a small festival to express their gratitude to the heroes.
“Oh, this looks delicious.”
Reina went in front of the residents roasting a whole pig, her eyes gleaming.
Karl, who was relishing the sight with a fork and plate in hand, widened his eyes.
“Huh? Weren’t you invited by the nobles, Lady Reina?”
“I absolutely detest such stiff atmospheres. I prefer this kind of vibe.”
Children from Flove territory gathered around Reina, who smiled brightly.
“Lady Reina, you’re the Witch of Flame, right?!”
“You’re so pretty!”
“Aren’t the monsters scary?”
The reputation of the Witch of Flame had spread even to the rural territory.
“Hey! You rascals! Don’t bother the heroes.”
Just then, an elder among the residents roasting the pig scolded them, and Reina chuckled.
“It’s fine. The children are cute.”
“You’re pretty too, unnie!”
“You’re like a princess from a fairy tale! Noona!”
“Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho! You have good taste.”
Karl muttered to himself, watching Reina laugh in delight.
‘Actually, she’s an old lady…’
“I noticed this earlier too, but you’re surprisingly brave, aren’t you?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You thought I was an old lady, didn’t you?”
“Cough? Do you have telepathy?”
“I just guessed, but it seems to be true?”
Grab-!
“Hiiiii!”
Karl looked terrified as Reina grabbed his shoulder.
Other Lodrane people who weren’t invited to the nobles’ party burst into laughter at the sight.
They were fed up with the extravagant noble parties and preferred such humble gatherings.
Laughing, they quickly turned their heads away when their eyes met Reina’s.
“It’s peaceful.”
“I don’t know, the situation just now felt like a nightmare.”
“Yeah. Anyway, as expected of Senior Rune. To defeat a fragment of Erebus.”
“Lord Leo seems amazing too. But I haven’t seen Lord Leo since earlier?”
Lunia and Eiran talked.
“By the way… since the fragment of Erebus awakened, will things be okay from now on?”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. What’s one fragment to fuss about?”
Rune plopped down beside Lunia, who had a worried expression.
Then she brought a large mug of beer to her lips and began chugging it down.
“Phew! Delicious! *Hiccup*!”
Rune wiped her mouth with her shoulder and let out a light burp, making Lunia’s face turn pale.
“R-Rune senior. Please maintain your dignity.”
“Huh? Dignity? Does that feed me?”
“…Are you drunk?”
“I don’t get drunk this easily!”
Lunia and Eiran looked slightly flustered at Rune’s completely relaxed state.
Rune, reeking of alcohol and with slightly unfocused eyes, looked drunk to anyone.
But soon, seeing Rune looking happy, the two elves burst out laughing.
Rune, who had been cackling and chatting, suddenly looked towards one side of the party area.
A corner of the outdoor party.
Someone was sitting there in silence.
“What’s she doing, being so gloomy?”
Rune, frowning slightly, picked up two mugs of beer and approached Lea.
“What are you doing, looking so miserable all by yourself?”
“Ah! Rune.”
Lea gave a bitter smile, looking at Rune.
Rune plopped down beside Lea and shoved a beer mug into Lea’s hand, as if passing it off.
And she chugged down her beer.
Lea just stared at it, holding her beer mug.
A moment later.
“Rune. I… was wrong…”
“Hey, you damn fraudulent lizard.”
“Huh?”
Rune glared at Lea.
“You liked Kyle, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about, all of a sudden?”
“I know everything. That you liked Kyle too.”
Lea’s face stiffened slightly.
Rune scoffed at Lea and said,
“Why didn’t you tell me honestly? Would I have devoured you if you had spoken honestly?”
“…Sorry.”
Lea smiled bitterly.
“I did it because I was afraid you’d feel even worse.”
“Hmph. My taste in men isn't completely messed up after all. Seeing as you liked that bastard too.”
“Or maybe we’re both messed up? Seeing as we liked such an idiot.”
“…Is that so? You idiot.”
Rune said, looking sulky and staring into her half-empty beer mug.
“Lea.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t think you were wrong.”
“…”
“I just think you’re a little lost.”
Rune tilted her head back and looked at the night sky.
Stars that seemed about to pour down were visible.
“5,000 years ago… even a single mistake… a brief wandering would have directly led to the world’s destruction… but it’s not like that now, is it?”
“…”
“Don’t try to bear it alone like 5,000 years ago. Because it’s heavier now than 5,000 years ago to bear alone. Let’s share the burden with us. If not…”
Rune raised her head.
She saw heroes risking their lives for the world after 5,000 years, and their young sprouts.
“Couldn’t we share the burden with future generations?”
“You’re much more mature than I am.”
“I realized that recently too. I was foolish.”
“…”
Lea closed her eyes.
And said,
“I’m sorry for hiding about Kyle.”
“It’s okay. I was being sharp too, wasn’t I?”
“That’s true.”
“Actually, I was worried because I thought I’d have no chance if you became my rival…”
Rune squinted her eyes, tilted her head slightly, and looked at Lea.
And then she let out a little laugh.
“Come to think of it, you have your advantages and I have mine. I don’t think there’s anything to be intimidated by at all.”
“…Where are you looking when you say that?”
Rune didn’t say anything, but poked Lea’s chest with her finger.
And she gave Lea a very pitying look.
“You’ve gotten even poorer than in your previous life?”
Lea’s eyelids trembled.
Her mouth repeatedly twisted into a fierce grimace.
“I’ll kill you, you damn drunken pointy-eared jerk.”
“Now you’re acting like yourself.”
Rune cackled and seemed to enjoy it.
Lea, pressing her temples, looked at Rune and said,
“By the way, how did you know I had feelings for Kyle?”
“Hmph. That’s a trade secret.”
Rune looked smug and then chugged the rest of her beer.
Lea looked at Rune with a perplexed expression.
There were only two pieces of evidence in this world that she had feelings for Kyle.
The first was the last letter she wrote to Kyle in her memoir in her previous life.
It was sealed so that only Kyle could read it.
Lea herself, who sealed it, couldn’t read it, and she currently kept the memoir.
‘The last one… the marriage vow buried in Dragonia.’
Of course, that became untraceable when Dragonia was devastated by the invasion of the Demon Queen Shilathuna last year.
It was a strong piece of evidence that Kyle had existed, so Lea couldn’t help but feel regret.
‘If that had been found, it could prove Kyle’s existence.’
“Did you perhaps find our marriage vow, Kyle and mine?”
“Pfft? *Cough*! *Wheeze*! *Cough*! *Cough*! *Cough*!”
Rune, who had choked on her beer, began trembling like crazy.
Rune gaped at Lea.
At that moment.
Lea realized she had said something she shouldn’t have.
Rune’s eyes blazed.
“Marriage? Maa-maa-marriage vow?! How far did you go with that bastard?!”
Rune threw down her beer mug and lunged to tear Lea’s hair.
Lea, whose face had turned pale at her terrifying momentum, said,
“K-Kyle asked me first! Kyle did!”
Lea, judging that the dead have no say, answered instinctively like that.
“That bastard! Mocking my pure feelings! I’m going to kill himmmmmmmmmm! And you, Lea! Today, let’s both die!”
Rune, whose eyes had rolled back, began rampaging with a terrifying face.
Terrified, Lea ran away.
As Rune was about to chase Lea.
Lunia and Eiran, startled by the sudden commotion, rushed over.
“W-what’s wrong?!”
“R-Rune senior! Calm down!”
“Let go of me!”
As Rune tried to shake off Lunia and Eiran, who were holding her, to chase Lea.
Grab-
Someone pulled Rune into a hug from behind.
“Calm down.”
Rune flinched at Leo’s sudden appearance and embrace.
But that was only for a moment.
She tried to bite Leo’s arm in anger.
But Leo was faster.
Crunch-!
“Gurgle?!”
Leo momentarily twisted Rune’s neck slightly.
Leo sighed, looking at the limp Rune, and handed her over to the flustered Lunia and Eiran.
“Take her and put her to bed.”
“Rune senior, are you okay?”
“Yes, y-yes.”
Lunia and Eiran took Rune away.
Leo clicked his tongue and followed after Lea.
***
Thud-
“Haa… Seriously. What a mess this is.”
Lea plopped down in her seat.
When she came to her senses, she had somehow reached the place where the fight had just been.
“Wait… but why do I have to run away?”
Thinking about it, it was unfair.
“Kyle was unattached, wasn’t he?”
Of course, the marriage vow itself was her tricking Kyle.
‘Still, it has nothing to do with Rune. If she feels wronged, she should have acted faster herself.’
Of course, she couldn’t possibly say that.
If she did, it would be like pouring oil on a fire.
“Haa.”
Lea sighed deeply and looked at the battlefield.
From afar, exciting music could be heard from where the party was being held.
It seemed to be dance time.
A party filled with cheerful music.
And not far away, a battlefield strewn with the corpses of demons.
It reminded her of the aftermath of the difficult battles 5,000 years ago.
“…It’s hard, Kyle.”
Lea muttered softly, thinking it was words that wouldn’t reach him.
Step-
When footsteps were heard from behind, Lea shuddered.
‘Did she follow me? When?’
Lea, thinking Rune had followed her, hastily tried to run away.
“The atmosphere is nice.”
Lea flinched at the unfamiliar voice and turned around.
“Who are you?”
Lea looked at the white-haired boy, who had reached directly behind her without her sensing him, with wary eyes.
But the white-haired boy didn’t mind Lea’s reaction.
Leo, who had been enjoying the music from afar, smiled and extended his hand.
“Shall we dance?”
“So, who…”
“Ms. Fraudulent Lizard?”
“…”
Lea’s eyes widened.
In Lea’s eyes, the boy’s soul color began to appear.
“Ky…”
Her voice trembled.
“…le?”