When the war ended in victory, the capital of Peiren was filled with a festive atmosphere.

The bustling streets, once covered with Baron Durford’s red roses and before that filled with lilies from the Peirlily Fan Club, now teemed with people adorned in flame decorations.

“What? You’re wearing one too?”

“You as well?”

People meeting in the square touched their chests, recognizing each other’s emblems. Merchants raised their voices to attract customers.

“Pendants commemorating Archmage Leah Piert for sale! Get your pendants with intricate flame carvings on the cover and the esteemed Archmage’s portrait inside!”

“Mana stone brooches infused with flame energy for just 5 gold! Experience the power of fire for only 5 gold!”

Those not satisfied with such trinkets rushed to the theaters. Every famous theater in the city performed shows about Leah Piert’s exploits, selling out daily. The play “The Fire Mage” was particularly popular, with actress Ninian’s portrayal of Leah praised for being incredibly vivid and charming.

After watching the performances, audiences lingered outside the theaters, sharing their impressions.

“Man, I got goosebumps when Leah Piert shouted ‘Follow me!’ in that scene!” one exclaimed enthusiastically.

“I loved that early part where she says, ‘Pretty means witch? Then I must be a grand witch!’ and her beautiful face is revealed—wow…” another sighed dreamily.

“Our Archmage is truly beautiful and exceptional!” A plump man suddenly interjected, startling the conversing group.

“W-who are you?” they asked, alarmed.

“I’m Randall Durford, founder of our Archmage’s new fan club. If you’re interested, join us for in-depth discussions about our Archmage’s charms!”

“Randall Durford?” The listener’s expression changed. “That pathetic man who tormented Leah Piert with the rose and lily war?”

“N-no, you misunderstand.”

“First you stalked her with the Peirlily Fan Club, and now you’re starting an Archmage Fan Club?”

“Tsk, tsk. Even with the Calosi family ruined, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”

“This guy needs another beating! I heard he even collaborated with Count Trow!”

Durford’s face turned ashen. “Y-you misunderstand! I have admired Archmage Leah Piert’s beauty! Powerful! Decisive! Presence from afar and—”

“Get lost, you despicable man!”

“The nerve of you!”

Amid the jeers, Baron Durford fled in a hurry, still clutching the flame pendant pinned to his chest. People laughed at his retreating figure.

“Leah Piert is truly merciful to let someone like him live.”

“Why would she bother dirtying her hands? Nobody will associate with him anyway.”

“If Ruyan Piert saw him, he’d slice him up with his sword energy in a heartbeat!”

***

As winter ended and spring arrived, massive twin towers rose in northern Helkan.

“Our Leah is both the leader of the Magic Tower and the Dragonlord, right? Since she heads two magical groups, we should commemorate her achievements with two towers!”

Ruyan’s suggestion received enthusiastic support from the ducal family members who rolled up their sleeves to help.

Marquis Rikeil summoned builders and craftsmen from across the country, Duke Piert poured in resources, while Ruyan and the Piert knights handled the heavy labor.

Leah, Helix, and the court physician collaborated on designing systems to systematically train mages, including the magic school, research wing, and training facilities, occasionally incorporating suggestions from Ruyan, Karai, and Phil.

Under the Duchess’s expert direction—claiming interior design as her specialty—elegant and comfortable spaces took shape. During construction, Chirpy and the other hatchlings diligently transported materials and used magic to melt tar, harden plaster, and expedite time-consuming tasks.

Thanks to their efforts, the buildings became infused with dragon sweat and dedication, gaining various magical properties.

“…At this rate, it looks like it will last ten thousand years,” Helix remarked, his voice tinged with awe.

On a spring day when white fringe tree blossoms bloomed like clouds, the completion ceremony for the Magic Tower—built with unprecedented speed, size, and durability—was held.

“Oh my, how wonderful…”

“It feels like being invited to a fantasy realm.”

Guests were speechless with amazement. They marveled first at the bold majesty of the twin towers harmonizing with the northern landscape, then at the spacious, bright, and comfortable interior of the Magic Tower. Finally, they were struck anew by how young and beautiful the powerful mage who owned it all was.

The perfect completion ceremony continued until evening. After receiving numerous admiring comments and greetings, the Duchess pulled Leah aside.

“Leah, you’ve done your hostess duties well enough. Go rest now.” She winked. “Go upstairs. Mother has prepared a gift for you.”

The Duke added with a slightly disgruntled expression, “Ahem, I helped too. And your brothers.”

“What you’ve already done is more than enough…”

As Leah stood confused, the ducal couple smiled and nudged her forward. Janet, who took charge of her, guided her with a beaming face.

“Lady, this magical ladder only goes to the very top floor. The top floor will be used by you… I mean, Tower Master.”

“My private elevator… I mean, magical ladder? And the top floor is my home?”

“Yes. Please go up and see.”

A penthouse at the top of the Magic Tower—something she couldn’t have dreamed of in her previous life. Feeling dazed, Leah took the private elevator to the top floor.

“Leah. Welcome.”

Helix, who had been missing for a while, greeted her with visible tension.

“Our… ahem.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Welcome to… our… home.”

The top floor, consisting of two dome-like structures connected by a spacious terrace, was breathtakingly beautiful.

“Wow, this is our… home?”

Helix took Leah’s hand and pulled her along. His hand felt colder than ever before. Despite her surprise, he firmly held onto her and led her inside.

“Wow…”

The expansive terrace seemed to touch the sky. Under trees full of blossoms, an outdoor hot spring steamed invitingly. She gaped in amazement.

“When… did you prepare all this?”

When Leah’s voice caught and she couldn’t continue, Helix anxiously asked, “I arranged it by asking the ducal family… Don’t you like it?”

She shook her head vigorously and finally spoke. “No, I love it. I’m speechless because I love it so much.”

A smile finally appeared on Helix’s face. He led her to the center of the terrace.

White spring blossoms shaded the hot spring, dropping petals onto the steaming water below. Helix seated her on a nearby hammock and sat beside her. Leah slipped off her shoes and dipped her feet into the edge of the hot spring.

“Ahhh…”

Watching her face relax, he asked abruptly, “Is this a proper visit to a hot spring this time?”

Leah opened her eyes wide. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“When you first met me, didn’t you say you were tricked into coming? That Azura lured you by mentioning a miraculous hot spring.”

“Haha, you remember that?”

“Of course. It’s about you, Leah.”

“Really?”

Surprised, she laughed brightly. “What, how do you remember that? Helix, you must have liked me since then!”

Helix confessed seriously, “The truth is, I’ve been secretly in love with you since Azura’s lair.”

“Huh?”

Leah blinked. “Wasn’t I the one who fell for you first?”

“No.” He shook his head firmly. “I liked you first.”

“…”

“I liked you for a long time but didn’t recognize these feelings. Everything about you burned into my mind, and my heart felt ready to burst at your slightest touch. I thought it was a curse placed on guardians.”

“…I thought you were just slow to learn how to give compliments.”

With reddened eyes, Leah scolded him. “Why were you so slow?”

“I was slow. Foolishly slow.”

Helix looked at her with a steady gaze and spoke slowly. “I’ve spent a long time wondering if someone like me could be worthy of becoming your lover, but…”

His trembling voice conveyed his feelings. “Leah, I love you deeply.”

“…”

“Just thinking about you makes me feel like a more valuable being. I always want to be more helpful to you, Leah, and stay by your side forever.”

Her chest tightened, then felt ready to burst, her heart pounding from head to toe. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears like a percussion instrument. With a dry throat, Leah gulped down the champagne placed beside the hammock.

She waded into the hot spring with bare feet. After moving through the water for a while, she stopped and turned around.

“…Then come here.”

Helix followed her into the hot water, moving through it spellbound. Seeing him approach while focusing only on her, Leah’s heart raced anew.

The sky turning dusky purple, the crisp spring air of evening, flower petals dropping onto the rippling water from the swaying trees—and amid all these changing elements, the man who seemed likely to gaze at her forever.

Approaching her, Helix kissed her eyelids. It was a reverent, respectful gesture.

“I always thought there was an unquenchable blue flame inside these.”

His moist lips confessed again. “Leah, you changed my world. Before meeting you, I thought protecting the world was merely a duty.”

He caressed her cheek. “Now I understand how joyful it is to protect the world.”

“…Is it joyful?”

“Isn’t it the world where you live, Leah?”

Helix smiled with a happy face. “When I think that you’re breathing in this world I must protect… this world becomes lovable. I’m proud to be a guardian who can protect such a world.”

He cupped her face with both hands. “If you hadn’t miraculously appeared in that cave, I would never have known these feelings. Such fulfilling, satisfying… heart-wrenchingly happy emotions. So, Leah, to you…”

He whispered, “I want to give you all of me.”

“…”

“Will you accept me?”

Leah’s cheeks flushed. Was the man before her blurring because of the steam rising from the hot spring? Feeling her head might melt, she wrinkled her nose and lifted her chin.

“I won’t refuse anything. I’ll take everything from you, Helix—your heart, your body, everything without exception.”

Leah raised her wet hands and playfully stamped them against his chest. “All mine.”

Helix momentarily froze. Seeing his reaction, she also belatedly stiffened slightly.

As she began to withdraw her hand, his firmly caught it. Gray eyes brimming with heat met blue eyes filled with tears.

She inhaled sharply. “…So live with me.”

Helix, radiant with joy and emotion, asked in disbelief, “May I?”

He asked with a trembling voice, “May I continue living with you for the rest of my life?”

Leah felt herself trembling with his joy. She smiled and said, “Were you planning to live alone without me?”

When she opened her arms in mock complaint, Helix embraced her crushingly tight. Water splashed and soaked them thoroughly, but neither cared. Both their bodies half-submerged in warm water and their embracing forms were equally hot.

“Leah.”

The way he called her name was magical. Her world narrowed and filled completely with familiar sensations: Helix’s scent like the northern forest, his heart pounding ready to burst, the warmth that always enveloped her protectively.

Leah hugged his chest tightly. “I want to live with you like this. For a very long time.”

“…In good health?”

“Of course.”

Remembering their first contract, they both giggled. With a face that said he was dying of love, Helix bit her lips.

Pop!

“Ah! Helix, putting mana in like this is cheating… isn’t it?”

“Why don’t we try various methods first and then set the rules?”

“No, that, um… what?”

On the night the Magic Tower began anew, flower petals fell in the spring breeze on the rooftop garden of the top floor. The mana that illuminated the space between the two lovers like lanterns or fireflies grew brighter and brighter. For a long time.

Both the history of the Magic Tower and their days together were just beginning.

Justice Through Money and Beauty | The End

Thank you so much for reading Leah and Helix’s adventure <3 10 Side stories will be posted sometime this month (or next, depending on my schedule).

See you around!