Watching Légerive’s face turn as red as a startled rabbit’s, her hands and feet flustered and unsure, Eileen was momentarily taken aback.
Then, she couldn’t help it and burst out laughing with a soft “pfft.”
Her laughter was like a clear spring striking against a rock, shattering the awkward tension and Légerive’s panic that had just begun to fill the room.
“Hahaha…” Eileen laughed until her shoulders trembled slightly, her golden eyes curving into crescent moons, shining with mischievous delight. “Légerive, you… you like this… hahaha… it’s the first time I’ve ever seen you like this!”
She pointed at Légerive’s ears, flushed red enough to bleed. “You’re even more nervous than when facing an Abyssal Demon!”
Only then did Légerive realize—she’d been played by Eileen again! The embarrassment and humiliation she had just felt instantly turned into a furious indignation.
“Ei!leen!” she growled through gritted teeth, her eyebrows shooting up, filled with a mix of grievance and anger at being toyed with. “You, you’re teasing me again! At a time like this! You… you simply…”
She racked her brain for a stern rebuke but found she couldn’t utter harsh words to Eileen’s smiling face. In the end, all she could do was glare at her like a fluffed-up cat, fuming silently.
Eileen finally managed to stop laughing, wiping the tears of mirth from the corners of her eyes. She waved a hand gently as her smile faded, replaced by a calm, serious expression.
“Alright, alright, no more teasing.” She looked at Légerive with a solemn gaze. “Légerive, repenting to me is pointless.”
Her words hit like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing all of Légerive’s shame and anger.
The flush in her cheeks faded quickly, her expression growing heavy.
Eileen’s voice was quiet but rang clearly in Légerive’s heart. “What you truly should repent for are the people who fell on the kingdom’s borders during the Restoration Knights’ eastern campaign. Those whose homes were destroyed, families torn apart, or lives lost under the banner of ‘Purification.’”
Her gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, seeing the lands ravaged by war and the faces soaked with tears. “Their blood won’t disappear just because of Cierole’s madness or your apology. Their grievances need an answer.”
Légerive swayed slightly, her face growing even paler.
She took a deep breath, as if drawing that heavy guilt deep into her lungs. When she lifted her head again, the confusion and shame in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a near-tragic resolve.
She straightened her spine like a penitent about to embark on a path of atonement.
“I understand, Eileen.” Her voice was low and hoarse, but carried immense weight. “You’re right. Saying sorry to you is far too light.”
She clenched her fists until her knuckles whitened. “Outwardly, all sins can be blamed on that madwoman Cierole. But for every knight who raised their sword and crossed the border… the blood on our hands, the guilt in our hearts, can never be washed away.”
Her eyes met Eileen’s squarely, frank and grave. “I, Légerive, as captain of the Restoration Knights, bear great sins. I will spend the rest of my life repaying this debt—leading the remaining knights to make amends, to repent, to save more lives! To help those we’ve hurt rebuild their homes! To slay the monsters and bandits who exploit the chaos! As long as I have breath, as long as I can raise my sword… this is the path I will follow.”
There were no grandiose vows in her words, only a heavy promise, like carrying a cross on her back.
Each word felt forged from blood and tears.
Eileen listened quietly, looking at the paladin before her—someone who had found her way again, her gaze as resolute as iron.
The heavy knot weighing on Eileen’s heart seemed to loosen, if only slightly, with Légerive’s oath.
She exhaled deeply, a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing a little.
Légerive noticed this—the fact she could willingly shoulder such a heavy burden was more comforting than any apology.
“Mm.” Eileen nodded softly, her golden eyes showing a flicker of approval and an almost imperceptible worry. “Légerive, take care.”
Légerive looked at Eileen, emotions swirling—regret for the past, determination for the road ahead, and a deep affection for the friend about to face the dangers of the empire alone.
She said nothing more but stepped forward.
Before Eileen could fully react, Légerive knelt solemnly on one knee.
She reached out, gently cupping one of Eileen’s hands.
Her hands were rough and strong from years of wielding a sword, yet now they held a tender reverence.
Bowing her head, her warm lips, calloused from battle but carrying a warrior’s devotion, pressed a solemn kiss onto the back of Eileen’s hand, as if performing a sacred ritual.
There were no fancy words—only the countless unspoken messages contained in that kiss: farewell, promise, blessing… and the weighty bond beyond words.
“May the Goddess’s light guide your path, Eileen.” Légerive lifted her head, her voice low and firm. “And please… stay safe.”
*****
The next morning, while the Holy Capital still slept in the faint dawn light, Eileen quietly left the battle-scarred city accompanied by Lilisa, setting out on the journey back to the Maria Fortress in the Empire.
When Eileen’s figure appeared before the fortress’s heavy, cold steel gates, a fiery red shape shot toward her like a burning meteor, astonishingly fast!
“Eileen—!”
Empress Frederica’s voice brimmed with unrestrained joy and excitement, completely abandoning her imperial dignity.
She didn’t wait for Eileen to steady herself before throwing her arms wide open and giving her a fierce, bone-crushing hug—almost suffocating Eileen with its force.
“This is wonderful! You’ve finally returned! I’ve heard everything about the front lines! The Holy Capital! The Dark Giant! And that last… that miraculous power of yours! It’s unbelievable! Truly worthy of my Eileen!”
Frederica lifted her head, her breathtaking face glowing with pure excitement and admiration.
Her sharp crimson eyes sparkled like a fangirl’s light, completely at odds with her usual ruthless empress demeanor, making Eileen smile faintly.
“Your Majesty, you’re exaggerating.” Eileen gently freed herself from the overly enthusiastic embrace, smoothing down her wrinkled clothes.
“Call me Fu!” The Empress pouted in displeasure before eagerly linking arms with Eileen. “Come on, I’ll show you the fortress! Our operation this time was very restrained!”
Frederica led Eileen through the fortress, pointing out squads of disciplined Imperial soldiers who had not harmed a single civilian. Her tone carried a hint of pride as she said, “See? I told you we’d treat the kingdom’s people well. The occupied border regions are orderly, well-supplied—better managed than when those corrupt nobles ruled! Our soldiers only target resistors. They haven’t laid a finger on any civilians!”