"Nonsense. Is this even a place for research? There isn't even a laboratory. Any research will have to wait until the war is over."
Sellen paused briefly, then looked at Nolan, who wore a faint smile, and continued slowly,
"Besides, I have to worry every moment about whether you, my foolish apprentice, might get crushed by a flying rock. How would I have the leisure to think about complicated Sorcery problems?"
Her usual bluntness only made Nolan's smile widen.
He blinked and asked with mild curiosity,
"Then, if one day your apprentice were to die, what would you do, Master?"
"That depends on how you die. If it's suicide or an accident, I'll keep the body. If someone kills you, then of course I'll avenge you."
Sellen's answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
Nolan didn't know what to say. From her tone, he could clearly tell she wasn't joking.
Fortunately, he wasn't in a state of soul-burned emptiness or lost humanity right now. Otherwise, he might have missed this rare moment of warmth, a feeling he never wanted to experience again in his life.
Come to think of it, it was the same in Dark Souls. Every time he burned out completely, opening his eyes again felt like being reborn. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived burning out three times in a row.
Nolan watched as the Cuckoo forces withdrew under the cover of their shields. Even from a distance, the retreat of that massive army was clearly visible.
"It looks like the Cuckoos' offensive is over for today. Let's go. We should head back."
"Teacher…"
"Hmm?"
The Witch, who had already taken a few steps, turned at the sound, only to find her student still gazing into the distance, leaving her nothing but a straight, resolute back.
"The Caria War will end sooner or later. When that time comes, I might not be able to stay here anymore. What are your plans then?"
His voice sounded unusually calm, yet every word carried a heavy weight.
Regardless of whether Miquella's plan ultimately succeeded, Nolan's time here would eventually come to an end. And there was no reason for Sellen to waste time halting her pursuit of the Origin simply because of him.
As night fell, the Cuckoo army, having gained nothing, began returning to their camp in groups. From afar came the wails of soldiers and the rasp of armor, casting a solemn atmosphere over the battlefield.
Yet atop the low city walls, master and apprentice seemed to exist in an entirely different world.
"That's something I really haven't thought about before. Let me think it through."
Sellen pinched her chin, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
She narrowed her eyes slightly, as if searching for an answer in her mind, yet also as though she had sunk into some distant memory.
The air around them seemed to freeze, with only faint breathing echoing in the silence.
After a moment, Sellen slowly opened her eyes.
"The outside world is chaos too. It doesn't seem like there's anywhere particularly good to go."
"Why not come with me to the Haligtree? There—"
"Sure."
The words he meant to use to persuade her were still on his lips when the pleasant reply had already reached his ears. Watching the vast army retreat, Nolan found himself momentarily lost in thought.
"You foolish apprentice, what are you still waiting for? Didn't you hear what I just said? Do I really have to say I'm hungry before you'll move?"
I already told you I'm not a cook. And how can you get hungry so easily, you foolish teacher!
Turning around, Nolan heard those familiar words he'd listened to countless times before. The petite Witch had already gone down the steps. He sighed helplessly and followed after her.
Their relationship hadn't changed with the passage of time, yet without either of them realizing it, it no longer felt quite the same as it had back at the academy.
Over the next few days, Nolan truly integrated himself into the Caria military.
He even volunteered for two patrol missions, killing several Cuckoo soldiers who tried to infiltrate from the rear.
Of course, that didn't mean he wanted to return to his old line of work.
It was just that the Cuckoos had been unusually well-behaved lately. After several quiet days, Nolan hadn't even seen a single catapult.
Left with no choice, he had to find something to keep himself busy.
"What are those scoundrels plotting now?"
Nolan stood atop the city walls, gazing toward the distant main camp, unease stirring in his chest. Something felt off. When things grew quiet like this, it usually meant trouble. Those bandits were definitely up to no good.
He frowned, scanning the surroundings with care.
Below the walls, the soldiers remained on alert, though a trace of ease showed on their faces. It had been some time since the enemy last launched a large-scale attack, and the long tension had finally begun to loosen.
Night fell amid this rare calm. The battlefield sank into silence, broken only by the occasional call of a bird in the dark.
Nolan remained on the ramparts, staring into the distant blackness.
Clang—clang—clang—
The clear toll of a bell rang through the air, pulling him from his thoughts. It was time for the guard rotation.
The Cuckoo Camp showed no signs of movement, yet every day vast quantities of arms and supplies continued to be transported inside. Raziel would occasionally send out raiding parties, but none had achieved much.
"The next attack won't end so easily," Nolan thought to himself.
He had just come down the stairs when a man in blue-gray armor, his golden hair catching the torchlight, approached him.
"Lord Raziel."
"Mm, Lord Nolan. Your performance in the last battle was outstanding. Her Highness the Princess is very pleased."
Raziel's face broke into a bright, approachable smile as he continued, "Caria's future depends on the efforts of every one of us. It's an honor to fight at your side."
He had little regard for those Cuckoo Knights of mediocre strength, yet this Golden Needle Knight had cut down seven enemies in succession. Even when facing five foes alone, he had ended the battle faster than Raziel himself. Someone like that could never be treated as a mere hired guest.
"I feel the same. Fighting alongside such an exceptional knight is my good fortune as well, Raziel."
Nolan nodded modestly. Back when he had plunged alone into the Inferno, he wasn't without thoughts of how nice it would be to have reliable comrades watching his back.
That wretched place forced him to clear everything solo, every run a one-life clear. The pressure had been immense.
A flash of admiration passed through Raziel's eyes. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he gave a small nod.
Over his long life, he had seen no shortage of warriors, but someone this steady, this composed without a trace of arrogance, was rare indeed. No wonder he was someone His Highness had personally cultivated. Whether in strength or temperament, he was outstanding.
"Alright. No need to say more."
Raziel gathered his thoughts, his expression turning serious. "There aren't many Carian Knights left stationed here. The defense of this area is being handled by Pols and me."
He shook his head helplessly. "But that idiot Bols… If you weren't here to help out, the pressure on me would be no small thing."
With an easy laugh, Raziel looked at Nolan with open appreciation. "I'm afraid I'll be relying on you a lot from here on out… but never mind that. It's getting late. Come with me to the stronghold. Her Highness wants to see you."
Nolan had originally planned to go buy groceries. Hearing that, he froze in place and asked in confusion, "Princess Ranni wants to see me?"
Raziel smiled faintly and answered as if it were only natural, "A warrior deserves his reward, doesn't he?"