Chapter 11 – Part 1

“What do you mean by Katlan…?”

Olivia raised her voice in disbelief. Ricardo, still watching Marsden, responded to her question.

“Katlan has declared that the Vanitas Empire has insulted their kingdom and that they can no longer tolerate Vanitas’ tyranny. It’s effectively a declaration of war.”

War? Olivia felt her heart pounding. War. She had regained some memories and remembered how to fight, but remembering and actually doing it were two entirely different things.

She had sparred a few times since arriving in this world, but a war where people would die and be seriously injured…

“Hah… I’m going. I’m going to join the war.”

“What?”

Olivia recoiled in horror. She had deliberately tried to end things, feeling crazed with guilt and pity even as she struck the fatal blow. But now what? Where was he going?

“Did you hear anything I said? You and I are done. We never even started, but this is the end. A complete end! The finale! Closure!”

Furious, Olivia jabbed her finger at him and ranted. Marsden, still supported by Ricardo, stood up. Despite his corpse-like appearance, it was remarkable that he hadn’t passed out yet. At this point, he didn’t seem human—more like a vampire or a zombie.

“Don’t misunderstand.”

“What?”

“No matter how insignificant their military might, this is still war. It’s natural for a high-ranking noble to participate as a commander. This has nothing to do with you.”

“Are you out of your mind?”

As Olivia approached, Ricardo raised a hand to protect Marsden. Even though she had her issues with Marsden, she knew Ricardo wasn’t at fault, so she barely held back her rising emotions.

“What if I say no? I have enough people I’ve gathered on my own without you.”

“Perhaps you forgot, but listen carefully, border master.”

Despite sweating profusely, Marsden’s expression remained unwavering. There was even a hint of venom in his tone.

“Even if the border master is treated nearly on par with a Marchioness, you do not have the right to reject my authority. I am second only to the Emperor and the direct imperial family members connected by blood in this empire.”

His sarcastic yet polite tone made Olivia so angry that she thought her head might explode.

“You… Hey, Your Grace, you’re injured! Where do you think you’re going in that condition?”

“Another thing you seem to have forgotten, border master. I’ve been injured far worse in war. You’ve seen my scarred body, haven’t you?”

Olivia blushed for a different reason now. How could this bastard bring that up in front of someone old enough to be his father?

“In any case, I can’t allow—”

“Or I could go find Gael Abyss right now and just deal with him. Either way, it’s the worst outcome for me. I’ll follow the border master’s suggestion.”

Olivia clamped her mouth shut.

After all the decisions she made to get to this point and the pain she caused him, why couldn’t he understand that?

“Since our relationship is over, the condition to stop using magic is void as well. Ricardo?”

“Yes.”

“Help me to my room. It’s difficult to use healing magic here.”

“Understood.”

Blood had spilled so much that it had pooled on the floor. Olivia briefly considered finishing off his other leg to match the first one.

It seemed Marsden had changed tactics since they could no longer be together personally. By asserting his ducal authority, he could find a way to stay close to her no matter what.

But even so, to act this shamelessly… Olivia felt a wave of frustration.

“Well then, see you later, Donau border master.”

Her mind was filled with so many curses that she couldn’t manage to say any of them aloud. Olivia just stood there, watching Marsden’s retreating figure in silence.

‘Should I go deal with Gael now? Once I confirm everything, I can finish him off after the war.’

But neglecting her duties as border master would be an act of dereliction. She couldn’t send her subordinates to do something as dangerous as facing war, either.

“Ugh, this is so unfair…”

Olivia wiped her eyes with a trembling hand. It felt as if her heart had been plunged into a burning furnace, dissolving into a distant, agonizing pain. Her chest ached as if it had been scorched, and she fought back the rising sobs.

She stood there for a while until her people arrived, lost in the swirling emotions Marsden’s mere existence stirred in her.

* * *

At Flatd Castle, Celeste and the royal knights had already taken up positions. The once quiet and somber castle was now filled with tension. Strong knights and soldiers hurriedly moved about, busy with preparations.

“Thank you for coming so quickly, Sir Celeste.”

“It’s my duty, of course. It seems the enemy is already preparing to march toward the border.”

Celeste briefly exchanged greetings before providing an update.

“According to Sir Cotton’s advice, they’re bringing in what could be described as human weapons. Although they’re not a particularly powerful country, we mustn’t let our guard down.”

“Yes, I’ll inform my knights as well.”

“One thing that’s puzzling is that our intelligence suggests their weapons seem quite advanced. Some are nearly on par with our empire’s.”

Olivia tapped her fingers on the table as she stood. Melanie had set up a simple tea service, but no one had sat down.

“Is someone providing them with material support?”

“That’s the most likely explanation.”

Olivia had a feeling she knew who it was without even investigating. The more she thought about it, the less she wanted to simply throw Gael into prison. That would only be possible if she could completely prove that Gael was the culprit and find evidence with Bey’s help.

“But Marchioness, are you sure you’re alright?”

“What do you mean?”

“I heard you haven’t regained all your memories yet.”

Celeste’s concern was evident, and Olivia responded with a faint smile.

“I’ve regained some of my memory, and more importantly, my body remembers how to fight. Even if I die, it’s not unusual for a border master to die in war.”

“If the border master says so, then it must be true. Still… For the knights and soldiers, just knowing that their master is fighting alongside them will bring them some comfort.”

Celeste seemed slightly embarrassed, as if trying to offer consolation. Olivia glanced at her side profile and remarked casually,

“Harry Palmer disliked me creating my own people.”

“What? What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“He threatened me, saying he would curse me. I suppose I said something I shouldn’t have to you.”

Celeste looked at her in surprise.

“It may not be the right time to mention this, but I’m truly sorry. With the war starting, I don’t know when I might die… It’s shameless of me, but please accept my apology… or not. I just… wanted to apologize.”

Apologizing was indeed difficult. Olivia felt awkward, but Celeste seemed even more embarrassed.

“Oh, are you the type to feel embarrassed when you receive an apology?”

Olivia asked playfully, and Celeste shuddered.

“Don’t say such strange things. I was just… surprised. I didn’t expect it at all. Anyway, um…”

Celeste looked around as if searching for the right words, then exhaled as if resigned.

“Understood. Let’s put the past behind us and focus on getting along in the future. After all, I was rude to the border master upon your return.”

Both were embarrassed for their own reasons, which slightly eased the tension between them. Olivia hoped that, if she survived, she might even become friends with Celeste, though it would only be possible if she remained a noble.

“Then I’ll prepare…”

“I’ll be going in now.”

As Celeste gestured for Olivia to leave, the door swung open abruptly. Entering without knocking was rude even in this situation, but neither of them pointed it out. One didn’t want to address it, and the other was startled by the state of affairs.

“Your Grace, is your leg alright? Are you injured?”

Seeing him limp so much was unusual for Celeste, who was quite shocked.

“Oh, don’t worry about it. It’s a minor injury from personal reasons.”

“Take your time, Sir Celeste. I’ll go out and get ready first.”

Olivia walked past Marsden and down the corridor. Celeste hoped someone would restrain that madman, but as usual, familiar footsteps followed.

“Please just go away. Don’t come near me.”

“Don’t you have any more questions? There must be other things you’re curious about.”

“I’m not asking. I won’t ask you anything anymore.”

Olivia quickened her pace, but Marsden followed closely.

“How about where you’ve been for the past six months?”

“Cut it out.”

Olivia finally turned around and grabbed Marsden by the collar with one hand. His increasingly intense expression was filled with a determination to cling on, even using such a crude method. To Olivia, it seemed pathetic.

“I thought I had finally tied up the loose ends of our forced relationship. I thought it was truly over between us. I meant that we should never see each other again.”

“Yes, it’s over. So, I don’t need to obey you. I’ll do what I want, so don’t stop me.”

Marsden gripped Olivia’s hand. He wasn’t wearing gloves.

“So let’s do what we each need to do. You have your role here, and I have mine. Let’s set aside everything else and focus on what needs to be done.”

Olivia shook off Marsden’s hand. They had already come too far to simply savor the moment of being together.

She couldn’t bring herself to say things like “Don’t get hurt” or “Don’t die.” Even saying such things felt overwhelming, and every word she conveyed to him felt heavy.

“Do as you wish.”

Olivia turned her back and continued on her path. Marsden followed slowly, keeping his distance this time.

He would obviously be joining the war. If Katlan’s side was bringing out secret weapons, Vanitas would need to prepare counter-weapons. If Marsden could make a significant contribution in this war, it would be considered that he was truly addicted to magic.

“Unless the contents of that forbidden book are less insane than that man’s state.”

Going into war with only vague memories and without proper preparation was like committing suicide. Even at the end of their relationship, Olivia hoped that if one of them had to die, it would be her.

She wanted to get some final revenge and protect him, even if it was just in a small way.

With that resolve, Olivia donned her armor and strapped on her sword. Besides Marsden, other nobles were also present at Flatd Castle, all of whom she had to lead.

“Sis, will I be able to do this?”

Her real older sister from her past life came to mind. At the crossroads of life and death, if she were to fall into death, Olivia wanted to see her sister’s face one last time.

In that brief moment, she wished to be a true child before someone.

***