On our way to Sophia, we decided to stop by an inn for a moment.
There, I entered a room alone with Cazerose.
“Then see you tomorrow. I hope you have a good night…”
Polena said lightly as she waved goodbye to us before closing the door.
Now, with no one to watch us, it was the perfect time for just the two of us, and we quietly began to sip the wine that was in the room.
“Being like this reminds me of the old days.”
“Are you referring to that time? When we stayed at the inn on the way to Benetsa…”
Suddenly, remembering that moment from long ago brought a slightly shy smile to both our faces.
Cazerose had been with me in the same room, soaked to the bone by the storm.
Back then, she was still young and I was unsure about how she felt about me, so I had to struggle to resist temptation during that time.
“Now that I confess, I honestly thought that if it were Santana, it wouldn’t be so bad back then, though I fell asleep while thinking that.”
“Ah… To be honest, I had a hard time too. It’s embarrassing to say, but I had feelings for you back then as well.”
Our situation back then was truly terrible.
We had been expelled as Paladins and were essentially fleeing from Milano to Benetsa.
To top it off, an unexpected storm hit us, and we really suffered a lot. The inn we stayed at back then was nothing compared to this place.
Yet, despite everything, we could laugh cheerfully remembering those past events.
Those difficult times have now gathered as memories that created the bond we have today.
Through those experiences, I realized my feelings for Cazerose.
Cazerose, too, was falling for me while knowing me better.
Now, as we recall those precious memories, we began to show each other deep smiles with warmth and joy.
“Although we were separated for a while and faced various difficulties, I am still happy now because you are here with me.”
“I feel the same, Cazerose… Meeting you has been the greatest fortune of my life.”
Confirming our feelings once more, we cautiously began to embrace each other’s bodies.
We felt the warmth of each other, comforting yet cozy…
And in that deep joy, we started to kiss slowly.
The sensation was both familiar and incredibly sweet.
As we relished in it, we began to slowly undress each other.
To savor the greatest happiness we could share during this precious time together with our loved ones…
*
In the dark hour of night, in a private room of the inn, Blood and Polena were sitting and talking despite the late hour.
“You’ve ultimately come back. To the Dragona Empire.”
“Yeah, somehow it happened this way. Following our Master led us back here.”
“But… Are you really okay? It means we can no longer avoid their eyes or hide your identity as a teacher.”
Seeing Polena, Blood spoke with concern.
In response, Polena smiled calmly and said to her, “I knew that much. I chose this path knowing the risks. There’s no need to worry anymore.”
“Wait, what?”
Polena’s unexpected words caught Blood off guard, so she asked with deep curiosity.
To which Polena slightly dropped her smile and spoke seriously, “It’s time. I’ve found exactly the person we’ve been looking for.”
Blood gasped at Polena’s words.
She glanced over with a shadow crossing her face, saying to her disciple, “When that person moves, the entire continent will surely tremble. So prepare yourself. A tremendous storm the likes of which we’ve never seen is about to hit. The main reason I’m heading this way is to warn our Dragona Empire.”
“…Hmmm…”
Blood’s expression hardened at Polena’s words.
However, at this moment, separate from her discomfort, she believed without a doubt that things would unfold as Polena said.
Her teacher had never been wrong about the world before.
Though her seemingly casual demeanor suggested otherwise, her insight into the flow of events was unparalleled.
Considering that her Master worked as a maid in the Sacred Empire as a means to prepare for this enormous current only reinforced her faith.
After turning her gaze away from Blood, who was slightly fearful of what was to come, Polena quietly began to recall the image of a certain man…
The one she addressed as her Master.
“I’ve prepared my best card… Now I just need to see how this man resolves the situation…”
*
In a small house on the outskirts of Castle Sophia, the Great Mage Soul of the Dragona Empire was fully engrossed in the training of her new disciple.
“Slowly gather your magical powers and feel them condensing into one. That’s right… Then, draw a magic circle in your mind with that feeling and slowly release it…”
“Haaah!”
Her disciple, Freddy, began to unleash her magical power following Soul’s instructions.
Immediately afterward, the magical power that emerged from Freddy began to gather into a single form.
It was like mist coming together.
Moments later, a figure began to appear before Freddy’s eyes.
It was…
“…Phew…”
“Good job. You finally succeeded in summoning a Ghost Rider.”
Before her stood the translucent figure of a knight on horseback.
The knight, clad in full armor, exuded an ominous aura.
In response to this sight, Freddy felt overwhelming joy and clenched her fist tightly.
“Finally…!”
Compared to her past as a mage, Freddy was advancing by leaps and bounds now.
Even if she was still lacking compared to her Master, today’s state was incomparable to the days of her stagnant struggles.
“Clearly, my growth rate is on a whole new level. Just as Master Soul said, I truly have talent. Talent that is far beyond what I can handle as a Witch right now…”
Feeling that deep joy, Freddy smiled brightly.
Watching her, Soul slowly began to tidy up the training room.
Freddy also started to clean up her mess to help her Master.
“Speaking of which, I think it’s about time we formally introduce Freddy to our Lord.”
“As I mentioned before, I’m really okay. What I want is only skill; I have no desire to get involved in power here.”
“You’re such a peculiar one. Some are dying to grasp such opportunities… But this time, I think it will proceed regardless of your wishes.”
“Huh?”
Freddy expressed confusion and surprise at Soul’s unexpected words.
Seeing this, Soul smiled and said, “Actually, there will soon be an important event in Sophia, and I think we should greet our Lord regarding it.”
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