"I'm back, Yuuri."
"Anima!"
Anima Ingram had returned to the Aishers Army.
Yuuri, who had been sitting on the throne, stood up and approached Anima, greeting her warmly.
Somehow, rather than a lord welcoming a subject, she seemed more like a puppy greeting its owner—
I thought it might be easier to think of the five founding contributors of the Aishers Army, including Yuuri, in that light.
In fact, Ginor, who was standing next to Yuuri, didn't seem particularly surprised either.
"Welcome back, Anima. Have you been well? I couldn't meet you last time I went..."
"I've been fine. Sorry about that time. I didn't want to be disturbed by anyone."
"No, it's okay. I completely understand. Everyone has moments like that."
Looking at their conversation alone, it was impossible not to find it radical for a lord-subject relationship of this era.
The mutual trust that they would never betray each other wasn't necessarily a bad thing, but...
'No.'
I was about to think more about it, but after hearing Anima's words, I understood.
The special bond and relationship that came from their shared circumstances wasn't something an outsider could try to change.
Even if I had served in the empire, how could I possibly change something that even someone as prestigious as Ginor couldn't change?
That unique solidarity could become a strength for the Aishers Army, something that doesn't exist in other countries.
But what if they eventually stumble because of that solidarity and fail to achieve their greater purpose?
I would eventually have to return to Luna's side. I could only hope that no trouble would arise while I was here.
After spending quite some time catching up with Anima, Yuuri finally noticed my presence and approached me to greet me.
"Swen. Thank you for safely bringing Anima back. You've worked hard."
"It was nothing. I'm glad I could fulfill your order."
"Yes. You can take the day off and rest without thinking about work today."
"Thank you for your consideration."
After saying that, I slowly left the royal palace.
Yuuri said I could rest, but... there was too much time left in the day.
Yet it felt awkward to go to the Nighthart family mansion.
'Hmm...'
Irene would still be away on her mission.
I felt the weather getting quite chilly with the slight breeze.
If that's the case, today might be just the right time.
With something in mind, I immediately headed toward the marketplace of Balhart Castle.
* * *
In the royal palace after Swen had left.
Anima was asking Yuuri a question.
"I heard you're giving me the position of lord of Raclaine Castle."
"Yes! Anima, I thought there was no one else who could take on this important position—"
"Yuuri. You don't need to flatter me that much. I don't think you're disrespecting me."
"Ah, that... well."
Yuuri spoke like a thoroughly intimidated rabbit.
"S-sorry... It's just that... I thought you might be concerned about the change of national strategist..."
Anima looked at Yuuri and smiled faintly.
"That's fine now, Yuuri. I admit I acted emotionally."
"Y-yes..."
"More importantly, about the man you sent to bring me back."
"Swen?"
"Yes. What kind of person is he?"
Yuuri briefly explained to Anima about Swen and Irene, and everything that had happened so far.
This included what happened at the northern fortress and the circumstances Irene might have experienced.
After hearing this, Anima fell into thought.
'He betrayed Lynn Brands because she didn't seem like suitable material to become a unifying monarch, huh...'
She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else going on.
Even though they had only met briefly—that man gave off a special feeling.
Yuuri's story about him "creating a miracle at the northern fortress" strengthened her conviction.
His ambition might possibly be greater than what they thought.
If he would become a vanguard leading the Aishers flag, he would be an invaluable ally.
But if there was a possibility he might become our enemy someday...
'...No.'
Anima shook her head.
This wasn't the time to doubt allies.
As the future lord of Raclaine Castle, she would have countless things to do for the Aishers Army—
She barely had enough time to think about those responsibilities.
'Nothing has changed. It's the same as back then.'
Ever since that time long ago when she lost an arm and decided to live for the name of Aishers—
Anima had essentially only one goal.
* * *
"That concludes today's training. Everyone has worked hard."
"Yes! Thank you for your guidance!!"
Hearing the soldiers' resounding shouts, Irene nodded with a cool expression and then entered the private room prepared inside the training grounds to change her clothes.
After taking off her heavy armor, she found herself drenched in sweat.
'...Sweat smell.'
I need to take a bath as soon as I get home.
Thinking that, she reflected on the day.
'I wonder if I pushed too hard.'
With the mindset of giving her best to any task she undertook, she had conducted strength training from early morning until evening with only minimal rest periods.
Fortunately, the soldiers followed along well.
Unlike other commanders who simply conducted drills without sharing much expertise, Irene checked each soldier's form and corrected their postures.
In the end, it meant she had to put in twice the effort—
But she thoroughly enjoyed this recent lifestyle.
A knight's life where her lord needed her, and she lived up to those needs.
For someone whose default life had been one where no one gave her a second glance no matter what self-validation she achieved, there had never been a more fulfilling period than now.
Generally, commanders, especially those renowned for their martial prowess, tended to avoid taking on the task of training soldiers.
In times of chaos, they wanted to wield their swords on the battlefield, not pay attention to the soldiers following behind them.
Of course, not all commanders were like that, but it was true that the stronger they were, the more pronounced this tendency became.
Even generals like Emma and Erinandorf in the Aishers Army weren't the type to care much about soldiers.
But Irene had instinctively felt it since the time she first held a sword and went to the battlefield.
Any person, regardless of who they are, has only one life.
On the battlefield, when fighting with this life at stake, it's the soldiers who are behind her.
During her time in the Brands Army, she had been ridiculed with comments like, "If you're going to be like that, why not join as a soldier instead of a commander?" But her thoughts hadn't changed.
With that in mind, her earlier concern about "pushing too hard" quickly vanished like smoke.
'Since war is ultimately fought by soldiers, all this experience will become the nation's strength.'
Even if she might leave this country someday, training excellent soldiers for Yuuri, who had accepted her after she fled from the Brands Army, was her way of repaying the kindness.
Of course, it wasn't entirely one-sided from the Aishers Army's perspective, given that she had brought soldiers with her when she surrendered and had distinguished herself in the previous defense battle, but still, doing this made her feel at ease.
On her way home after leaving the barracks, as she passed through the bustling area, a stall selling dessert snacks caught her eye.
'...Come to think of it, Swen brought cake before.'
Recently, whenever she saw food, she always thought of Swen's face.
It wasn't just food. Whenever she saw scenery she wanted to capture in her memory, or happy children smiling, his face naturally came to mind.
She wanted to share good things with him. She wanted to offer him delicious food first, and when she saw happy people, she imagined him smiling happily.
'Maybe I'll buy some.'
So, with snacks in hand, the moment she arrived home.
"Ah, you're back?"
"Swen...?"
Inside the room, there were various decorations.
On the desk, several elaborate dishes were laid out.
In the center of the table where the food was placed, there was a small potted plant with a star-shaped decoration at the very top of the tree.
Whatever the decorations were, they were all forms Irene had never seen before.
"What is all this...?"
"My work ended early today. With the extra time, I wanted to repay you for something from before."
"From before?"
"Yes. Don't you remember? When we had just met, and I was still adjusting, you grilled meat for me as a welcome gesture."
"...Ah."
Hearing that, memories of their time at Anel Castle flashed through her mind.
At first, when a male commander was to stay at her house—and the fact that it was by her lord's order was troublesome in many ways.
The most troublesome thing was probably this man who had been caught in Lynn's power play against her.
Thinking that, she had bought meat to prepare something delicious for him...
"You didn't forget that?"
"How could I forget? Come on, sit down."
"But, I need to take a bath..."
"You can do that after eating."
"Still, the intensity of today's training was a bit high, so... you know."
Seeing Irene blushing shyly, Swen seemed to understand what she was trying to say, nodded, and then smiled and said:
"It's okay. It's proof that you worked hard, isn't it? I like that side of you too, Irene."
"What...!!"
Irene couldn't say anything, her ears turning red as she stammered, then lowered her head and spoke in a quiet, shrinking voice:
"...Swen... you... really... say such things... so easily."
"Thank you for the compliment. Oh, are those snacks in your hand?"
"Hm? You mean these?"
Irene placed them on the table.
"I bought them to eat together. Lately, I've only been receiving things from you... and it seems I'll be receiving again today."
"Most of it is bought with money you earned, so what does it matter? We can have the snacks with tea after the meal."
"Hmm."
As she sat at the table after responding, a strange feeling came over her.
The sight of Swen's back as he served the food, and the table set before her.
Just capturing that scene in her eyes, deep in her heart—
A warm comfort filled the emptiness that had never been filled during her time in the Brands Army, no matter what she did.
"Alright! Anyway, since you worked hard today, let's eat meat. There's plenty."
"Yes."
This warmth, which she had gained for the first time in her life.
This was what she wanted to protect no matter what.
"By the way, Swen, I'm curious about something."
"What is it?"
"About this potted plant... what's the star-shaped decoration on top?"
"Ah. Right. I should have explained that."
Swen nodded and said:
"In my hometown, around this time when the weather gets cold, there's a custom of decorating trees and eating delicious food with close people. Of course, today isn't the exact date, but... well, the weather is cold, and I might not have time later, so I decided to create the mood in advance."
"Really? That's an interesting custom. Come to think of it, Swen, I think this is the first time I've heard about your hometown."
"Well, it's just a boring story, nothing special."
"Is that so?"
Irene didn't press further.
It was enough to hear as much as Swen wanted to share, regardless of what the story was.
Still, she felt good about learning a little bit more about him.
If it was a custom from his hometown... Irene wanted to respect such customs.
"Anyway, on that day, everyone spends joyful time with their loved ones... and they exchange a specific greeting with everyone they meet."
"A specific greeting?"
"Yes. They say 'Merry Christmas.'"
Swen looked directly into Irene's purple eyes and said:
"In that spirit, Merry Christmas, Irene."
Looking at Swen, Irene.
With a slightly flushed face, she responded with a sincere smile she had never shown to anyone else:
"...Yes. Merry Christmas."
Although the date wasn't the "Christmas" from his hometown—
The fact that this evening meal was an incredibly sacred time for both of them remained unchanged.