Prince Patrick, who had to lead these forces, appeared troubled by the nobles’ opinions.

“Lady Piert, I’ve witnessed your accomplishments so I trust you, but frankly, the nobles don’t. Everyone’s anxious about facing the Empire with only mages to rely on.”

“So you suggest we become the Empire’s slaves instead?”

“Slaves?”

“I’m not speaking metaphorically. I mean actual slaves whose minds are controlled.”

Leah sighed softly and spoke with conviction. “I haven’t mentioned this publicly to maintain morale, but… Your Highness, that army of magic users isn’t normal.”

She explained briefly that the army was still being formed. The Empire was likely forcing local citizens to drink poison, creating magic users against their will. Prince Patrick’s eyes widened in shock.

“What’s happening to imperial citizens at the border nearly happened in Peiren too. Don’t you remember the poisoning incidents that followed the fake medicine scandal?”

“Indeed. The Trow family resorted to such methods when their fake medicine scheme faltered.”

“They were feeding people poison containing diluted dragon mana from Crown Prince Archaik. Those who consumed it became his absolute servants, obeying his every command.”

“…”

“If Helix and I hadn’t acted quickly, we might have had mind-controlled magic users wandering our capital, enslaved to Crown Prince Archaik’s will.”

The color drained from Prince Patrick’s face. Leah continued, “I understand your anxiety about our seemingly hopeless odds. But Your Highness, this is a fight we cannot avoid.”

“…I see.”

Prince Patrick closed his eyes with a grave expression. Suddenly his shoulders felt impossibly heavy.

“Surrender is no longer an option then.”

“Correct.”

They had to fight to prevent themselves and their people from becoming mentally enslaved.

Leah spoke reassuringly, “Since I’ve claimed the Dragonlord position, if another dragon could exert dominance over Archaik just once, we could change the situation.”

The prince smiled at her words. “So our only hope lies with our mage.”

Though he smiled, it was a faint one that didn’t fully trust her words.

‘That’s understandable.’

Leah didn’t completely believe her own words either. She thought to herself, ‘I’ve claimed the Dragonlord position, but I have no adult dragons—only hatchlings that can’t even speak.’

Moreover, one of her mana sources came from Archaik himself.

‘Our chances…’

She felt frustrated, doubting whether they truly had any chance of winning.

Yet surrendering to Archaik and becoming his slaves would clearly lead to disaster for everyone, herself included. The zombie-like magic users gathering at the border’s edge were proof enough.

‘I need to be strong. I have my guardian. With Helix’s unlimited cheat key—no, unlimited mana—my magic should be as powerful as Archaik’s!’

Leah hesitated.

‘…should be, right? It has to be.’

For now, she needed to ask Karai to create a large, golden magical barrier to reassure public opinion. Since Helix had gone to train Karai, that should be possible.

She pressed her throbbing temples and sighed.

“Ah… I miss Helix.”

***

In the dark night, feeling restless, Leah left her tent and walked outside.

“Chirp!”

As she walked beneath the fortress wall, Chirpy flew over and stuck close to her, seemingly asking where she was going alone. She smiled softly and hugged him tightly.

“Chirpy, is it hard for you?”

“Chirp.”

“Not hard? That’s impressive.”

Leah murmured, “It’s hard for me.”

“Chiiiirp.”

Chirpy rubbed his head against her, looking upset. Leah lifted him up and nuzzled his cheek.

“Oh my. I never thought I’d end up struggling like this.”

“Chirp.”

“But we have to stop that crazy Oken prince from becoming your Dragonlord, right?”

“Chirp!”

“Right? Why should our sweet Chirpy become a terrible dragon who treats people like disposable objects? You’re too cute, kind, and lovable for that.”

Chirpy let out a long cry.

“Chiiiiiiiiiirp!”

After deeply affirming her words, Chirpy broke free from her embrace and flew away, seemingly telling her to trust him.

“Chi-Chirpy? Where are you going?”

Leah chased after the flapping Chirpy, but it was impossible to catch the flying dragon with her human pace.

“Huff, no, huff, where did he go…?”

Leah looked around, panting. She seemed to have wandered near unfamiliar tents.

“The difference in power is too great.”

A voice came from somewhere.

‘That voice?’

It was Prince Patrick’s advisor.

“The people of Peiren are restless. Even the pro-Empire nobles are keeping quiet given the situation, but there’s significant discontent.”

Another noble’s voice was heard.

“This is all the fault of the Piert ducal family and Leah Piert. They boasted about guarding the border, but who knew they would drag us into such a hopeless war?”

“Exactly. We thought the fire mage would be a reliable asset, but she only puts on a good show. All the mages she’s brought are mere children.”

“That’s rather harsh.”

At Prince Patrick’s words, the other nobles turned their criticism toward him.

“Your Highness, this happened because you were too soft on the Pierts.”

“You should never have allowed her to reject the marriage proposal. Peiren is about to fall because of pride. If she had accepted the proposal then, the Crown Prince would have left Peiren alone.”

Though furious, Leah restrained herself. Confronting them now would accomplish nothing.

Gritting her teeth, she quietly stepped backward to retreat. One step. Another step. Just a few more and she would no longer have to listen to these infuriating words.

However, as she took an unaccustomed step backward, her foot caught on the hem of her dress.

‘Oh no!’

Leah desperately clamped her mouth shut to suppress a scream and squeezed her eyes shut.

‘Huh?’

She didn’t fall.

Pong.

The hand that firmly caught her infused a bit of mana, seemingly telling her not to be startled.

‘It’s Helix!’

***

Helix lifted Leah into his arms and promptly left the area.

Leaning against his solid chest, listening to his heartbeat, she gradually felt calmer. Helix carried her to a secluded clearing.

“Sit here.”

He placed her on a low branch of a magnificent old tree.

“Why did you bring me here? I thought we were going back to the tent.”

“I brought you here to cool your head.”

As Helix said, sitting on the branch provided a refreshing view. She could see the lights seeping from the tents and the dark border villages in the distance.

“I’m fine, really.”

“I’m not.”

“No, truly, I’m okay. I was Peirlily, remember? I can’t survive if I worry about every bit of gossip.”

Helix wasn’t fooled by her casual words and smile.

“That doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt at all.”

He reached out and stroked her cheek. His words momentarily left her speechless. She suddenly felt emotional.

“…All this struggle, and for what? Just wait until we win, seriously.”

“Leah, after the war ends, let’s build a magic tower. Then you can negotiate with the Kingdom of Peiren as the Grand Tower Master.”

“Negotiate?”

“Tell them the alliance is on hold unless those who spoke such words are dismissed.”

Her eyes widened at his uncharacteristically vindictive and specific revenge plan.

“No, Helix, I’m really fine now…?”

“As I said before, I’m not fine.”

His face, pale in the moonlight, looked cold.

“Even if they’re strangers who don’t know me, I know how their whispers scratch at your heart.”

Helix had experienced this countless times himself.

Realizing this, Leah cursed softly.

“Those pointy-eared elves and those dragon gangs are all crazy. What could they possibly find to criticize about our Helix?”

Helix smiled faintly.

“Yes. They’re crazy.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

“In a world with so many crazy people, I know you can’t always hear kind words.”

“…”

“But when you’re with me, I want to fill your world with only good things. Just like you’ve done for me.”

Her throat tightened. Only after a long moment could she speak.

“I… don’t think I’ve done that much for you.”

“You’ve done more than enough.”

“Then compliment me.”

Helix pondered seriously.

“What kind words should I say? May the mana’s blessing…”

“Tell me I’m pretty.”

Helix blinked at her brief request. Leah took his hand and looked up at him, urging him on.

“Well? Quickly.”

“You’re pretty.”

“Say it again.”

“…You’re the prettiest in the world.”

Leah smiled broadly.

Her eyes, filled with happiness, curved into crescents, and her cheeks puffed up.

Helix realized for the first time that too much happiness could make his chest ache. With slightly trembling hands, he cupped her cheeks.

“Leah, how can you be this beautiful?”

She rubbed her cheek against his palm in response to his words. Feeling her soft, warm skin against his hot hand, Helix touched her cheek with tension. He feared she might disappear if he squeezed too hard.

“…I’ve learned so many emotions because of you.”

Had he ever been so afraid of losing someone?

“Do you like that?”

In response to Leah’s question, Helix smiled and kissed her forehead.

“I’ve never been happier.”

“Then compliment me again.”

She held his hand tightly and kicked her legs playfully while sitting on the branch. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and affection.

“Kiss me. Quickly.”

Leah urged him, pushing out her lips. Helix stared at her, holding his breath. Her plump pink lips filled his vision, making him dizzy.

Prompted by her soft, encouraging laugh, Helix couldn’t resist and claimed those lips. Her light chuckle soon turned to rapid breathing, then to m*ans, and all the while, Helix couldn’t take his eyes off her face.

‘You’re a failed guardian, Helix.’

He was afraid.

Did he deserve to be happy?

What if he couldn’t protect Leah, just like those he failed to protect before?

He pulled her tightly against him with his large hands. Even with her body heat trapped in his embrace, it wasn’t enough. He felt anxious, incomplete, still wanting more…

“…Helix.”

Breathing heavily, Leah rubbed her face against his cheek.

“No matter what happens, don’t go anywhere. Stay with me.”

“…Of course.”

Helix kissed her eyelids, eyebrows, the tip of her nose, and her earlobes. Even her slight trembling in response to these small kisses was so endearing that his heart felt ready to burst.

This was an emotion he was experiencing for the first time. She was the candle, the breeze, the sunshine illuminating his life that had only grown duller over the long years. He desperately wished to stay with her, to protect the world she inhabited.

A world that became more vivid and beautiful simply because Leah breathed beside him, because he could feel her warmth…

The guardian’s hard shell that had surrounded him melted away. Helix’s world, which had operated by the same laws for so long, was being transformed by Leah’s fire into something entirely different.

It was inevitable.

As he kissed Leah, he realized.

This couldn’t have happened any other way.

Falling for a woman he couldn’t help but fall for, watching his world crumble—he willingly surrendered to these experiences. It was an incredibly sweet surrender that felt liberating.

And at that moment.

“Helix?”

He staggered from a sudden surge of power.

“…What is this?”