Published: January 13, 2026
【Arte】
"…Are you sure? Not meeting your parents?"
Ort asked me this, and I smiled awkwardly.
"If I go back, I’d only cause them trouble…"
After saying that, Ort looked at a carriage moving behind us with a complicated expression. The carriage had no canopy, and inside sat two tattered dolls quietly.
Their armor was cruelly stripped off and deformed. The dolls themselves bore scars all over.
Glancing at them, Ort sighed.
"Thanks to those two and the ballista, that town was saved. If the townspeople knew that Miss Arte, the daughter of the lord of that land, did all that, they’d be overjoyed, right? Even your parents…"
"…I wonder. My mother despised my puppet magic… The only one who accepted my magic was Lord Van."
Lowering my eyes, I answered, and Ort fell silent.
In truth, I didn’t think they’d be happy if I returned. Besides, I’d already accomplished my goal of repelling the enemy army under the banner of the House of Count Ferdinand.
"…Well then, let’s head back. Lord Van is waiting. For me, my home is now only by Lord Van's side."
I said brightly with a smile. Ort blinked but then burst out laughing.
"I see. Well, if Miss Arte is fine with it, we won’t say a thing. Then, let’s go report the victory to Lord Van. Probably, he’ll celebrate with a barbecue."
"Hehe, yes. I’m looking forward to it."
With that conversation, I set off on the road home.
Strangely, my shoulders felt lighter. The constant feelings I’d had until now—guilt toward my mother, my own misery, and doubts about my own existence—felt much lighter.
I still had a little desire to meet my mother and be praised, but right now, more than anything, I wanted to meet Lord Van. I wanted to meet him and tell him that I did my best and saw it through.
So, without looking back, I headed straight toward Seato Village, where Lord Van awaited.
【Ferdinand】
Mysterious reinforcements overwhelmed the Yelinetta Army with overwhelming force and then left.
Their flags bore the emblem of the House of Count Ferdinand.
Upon hearing this information, a great commotion broke out inside the castle of the House of Ferdinand.
"Who on earth could they be?"
"Perhaps nobles from nearby territories aligned with the count’s faction?"
"Don’t be ridiculous. Not just anyone can defeat Yelinetta’s vast army, which even includes flying dragons, with just a few soldiers."
Knights, stewards, even maids were talking about it everywhere.
Meanwhile, Arte's mother and sister, having miraculously survived, stared out the window in a daze.
After a while, Arte’s sister spoke.
"…Who could have come to our rescue…"
She murmured, but Arte’s mother didn’t reply and continued staring out the window. The castle town’s walls were cruelly broken down, with smoke rising here and there. It was a far cry from the usually peaceful town.
At that moment, one of the knights who had seen off the departing reinforcements came to report.
"A report: of the knights sent to defend, about a thousand died, and fifteen hundred are seriously injured. However, thanks to the reinforcements, it is estimated that civilian casualties are currently low, miraculously."
"I see."
Hearing the reply, the knight bowed and was about to leave when Arte’s sister turned around.
"Do you know anything about those reinforcements?"
The knight stopped and hesitated for a moment but then turned to Arte’s mother and spoke.
"…Yes. Currently, four points are known. First, the reinforcements bore the banner of the House of Count Ferdinand. Second, reports said their armor and equipment lacked uniformity, so they were likely mercenaries or adventurers. Third, the direction from which they appeared and left was toward the Fertio Marquisate. And…"
During the report, Arte’s mother also averted her gaze from the window and glanced sideways at the knight.
"…Fourth, there are rumors that the one riding at the front and commanding was a young girl with white hair. That’s all."
Upon hearing this last point, she trembled and once again turned her face to the window.