Side Story – Encounter [3]
[14]
Unlike five years ago, the defenses of the Imperial Capital were not as weak.
With the Empire’s system relatively stabilized, it was no longer easy to raid the capital as before.
The main forces from Phillip’s County had relocated and were stationed within the Imperial Capital, and although small in number, the nearby defensive troops around the capital had been rebuilt and enhanced.
The defense systems inherent to the Imperial Capital were still difficult to utilize effectively, but thanks to the new protective barrier Luna had constructed, the capital could be guarded efficiently even with a limited number of personnel.
Of course… there were still many shortcomings when it came to safeguarding the Emperor’s wellbeing.
Though reckless surprise attacks like in the past would likely be prevented, that was about it.
If it weren’t for Luna—a being beyond reach—there would undoubtedly still be unsettling factors at play.
That was why Johanna thought Luna might have called her as a precaution.
In reality, Luna had sent Johanna back both as a precaution and to give her some rest.
Luna didn’t elaborate on her intentions, simply saying briefly,
“…I’ll be back.”
“Are you leaving right away?”
“…In six hours.”
Luna turned away without prolonging the farewell with Johanna.
Johanna didn’t try to stop her. The six-hour delay Luna had given was meant to allow Johanna time to catch her breath.
Johanna slowly stood up, glanced at Ray for a moment, and then waved her hand.
“…”
Ray, as always, gave no response.
He lay asleep just as he had five years ago, unchanged in any way.
Even so, Johanna offered him a smile before departing from the throne room.
“…”
I should greet everyone first, Johanna thought as she moved along.
As she entered the area where Karen usually resided, a faint, familiar warmth greeted her.
Johanna soon spotted Karen sitting listlessly in a chair not far away.
“…”
Karen’s complexion still wasn’t good.
It seemed as if the dark circles under her eyes overshadowed what should have been a vibrant beauty in full bloom.
Karen appeared to be staring off into the distance, perhaps gazing at the same past Johanna herself longed for.
Johanna waited patiently, imagining the scenery Karen was seeing, hoping she’d snap out of her reverie.
Not long after, Karen sensed Johanna’s presence and turned her head.
“Ah… Johanna… You’ve come…”
Karen quickly rose from her chair and approached Johanna.
She faced Johanna, who looked as exhausted and dry as her own reflection in the mirror.
After scanning Johanna from head to toe, Karen murmured softly,
“Thank goodness…”
Repeating this several times, Karen hugged Johanna tightly.
Holding Johanna close, Karen whispered with a voice tinged with moisture,
“Johanna… Thank goodness… And… I’m sorry…”
“…”
“I’m sorry…”
What exactly was she apologizing for?
Was it because Karen felt guilty for resting in safety while Johanna fought on the battlefield risking her life? Or was there another meaning behind it?
Johanna didn’t bother asking further and simply returned the embrace.
To Johanna, whether here or on the battlefield, both spaces were equally terrible for either of them.
“…The kids have grown a lot, haven’t they?”
“Hahaha…”
At the mention of the children, Karen finally smiled.
“Ellie is getting more energetic every day. She’s becoming increasingly active. If I turn my back for a moment, she causes trouble, and nothing changes after scolding her.”
“She takes after you, Mom.”
“Cainia used to be well-behaved, but lately, following Ellie around, she’s gotten into mischief too. It seems she’s been influenced by her.”
“You weren’t very well-behaved when you were young either. You had quite the possessive streak. She takes after you.”
Johanna smiled calmly while talking about Karen and the children.
At that moment, a familiar voice echoed from the end of the corridor.
“Johanna has returned!”
Alesya approached briskly, smiling widely.
In Alesya’s hands was a rather large bouquet of flowers, seemingly prepared specifically for Johanna.
“Take them!”
Alesya quickly handed over the large bouquet to Johanna and asked,
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“I’m fine.”
“You must have worked hard!”
“I found it comfortable there.”
“Hmm… I feel unworthy standing beside you…”
Alesya also revealed a sense of shame for having stayed in a safe place while Johanna was on the battlefield.
Seeing this, Johanna smirked.
“Our Young Miss seems to have matured a bit during our separation.”
“Matured?! You’re treating me like a child! I’ve always been this way, past or present. Ellie is practically Alesya 2.0!”
“…”
At Johanna’s harsh words, Alesya opened her mouth wide, then flailed her arms trying to snatch back the already handed-over bouquet.
Despite Alesya’s vigorous attempts, due to the significant difference in physical abilities, she couldn’t retrieve even a single flower.
Her all-out effort ending in failure, Alesya eventually slumped down, looking deflated.
Seeing this, Johanna genuinely smiled for the first time since entering the Imperial Capital.
“Haha… Miss Alesya… it’s good that you haven’t changed. Whether in the past or now. It’s good that you haven’t changed.”
Johanna’s smile was as sincere as it was bittersweet.
Gazing intently at that bittersweet smile, Alesya was about to suggest Johanna take a bath and rest.
However, before Alesya could make any suggestions, a new presence was felt.
Johanna was the first to turn her head toward the source of the sensation.
Following Johanna’s reaction, Alesya and Karen also turned their heads.
After waiting for a short while, Saria appeared from the opposite side of the corridor where Alesya had come from.
“…?”
Saria held something dangling in both her hands.
It was none other than Ellie and Cainia. They were being carried dangling like bundles of luggage, holding onto Saria’s neck.
Despite being transported in such a manner, Ellie and Cainia were joyfully squealing and chattering about how fun it was.
“My feet don’t touch the ground!”
“We’re flying!”
“Phoenix!!”
“Wind Spirit!”
“…”
Karen and Alesya sighed lightly.
Recently, Ellie and Cainia’s curiosity had grown exponentially, keeping them busy sneaking around and poking their noses into various places.
Whenever they ventured into dangerous areas during their explorations of the Imperial Capital, Saria would always grab them by the scruff of their necks and bring them back like this.
Karen and Alesya approached Saria to express their gratitude and were about to take their daughters from her.
However, upon landing on the ground and breaking free from Saria, Ellie and Cainia simultaneously ran to Karen and embraced her tightly.
Alesya asked with a disgruntled expression,
“Ellie, why do you run to Karen instead of your mom?”
“Karen Auntie’s chest is bigger and softer, so I like it more!”
SMACK!
Alesya immediately delivered a light slap to her now five-year-old daughter for the provocation.
After receiving a slight tap on the head, Ellie began to whine, prompting Alesya, who had taken Ellie back from Karen, to pinch her cheeks.
“I don’t know who you take after to cause so much trouble!”
“Eeek!”
Regardless of her squirming, Ellie eventually clung tightly to her mother, finding comfort in her embrace.
Watching this scene, Johanna shook her head with a wry smile and asked Alesya,
“Where is Jimy now?”
In order to secure the Imperial Capital against unforeseen events, it was necessary to coordinate roles with Jimy.
Also, she needed to find out how much the Imperial Capital and the surrounding areas had changed during her absence.
Eventually, after hesitating for a moment, Alesya let out a short sigh.
“Jimy?”
Alesya referred to Jimy casually.
In truth, considering his current status, Alesya shouldn’t have addressed Jimy so informally.
Though largely nominal, over the past five years, Jimy had accumulated various titles and ranks within the Empire, commanding respect even from high-ranking nobles.
However, within the confines of the Imperial Palace, unless it was an official occasion, everyone continued to address each other as they had in the past. This was an unspoken agreement.
An exception to this rule was Empress Lea, whose position sometimes made her feel even lonelier as a result.
Anyway, Alesya continued to refer to Johanna and Jimy casually as before.
“Jimy is probably with Lord Ulte.”
“…Is Master Ulte also here in the capital?”
Johanna’s expression brightened considerably.
Ulte Gadi was one of the few powerful allies on the continent.
Originally cursed by the World Tree and wandering the continent, Ulte Gadi had been frail enough to collapse at any moment.
However, after the curse of the World Tree was lifted and he consumed elixirs like “Tears of the World Tree,” he successfully restored his health.
The last time Johanna saw Ulte, he appeared healthier and younger than ever, deserving of the term “restored.”
Nowadays, Ulte no longer needed to reverse the World Tree’s curse to use its divine artifact, Genesis.
Although he still required Resina’s assistance to use it properly, and its power was significantly weaker compared to its peak…
Even so, Ulte remained one of the strongest forces on the continent, as those who could surpass him had either died or declined.
“Then I’ll go see him.”
With a slightly lighter heart, Johanna listened to Alesya’s explanation and set off to find Jimy within the Imperial Capital.
While wandering through the palace, Johanna unexpectedly spotted Jimy’s silhouette in an unexpected place.
“!”
By the doorframe of a dining facility, Jimy stood with his arms crossed, remaining motionless.
Johanna approached Jimy deliberately making noise, yet he didn’t turn around.
“?”
There was no way Jimy wouldn’t have detected her presence.
Curious about why Jimy was ignoring her and frowning, Johanna stood beside him to see what had captured his attention.
Inside the dining hall where Jimy’s gaze was directed, Ulte and Resina, the Elf whom the Gadi family had protected for a long time, were seated together.
Ulte and Resina were having a friendly conversation.
Ulte sat in a chair, while Resina sat on his lap.
When Ulte handed Resina something resembling a cookie, she accepted it shyly but happily.
Watching them, it almost seemed like a close parent-daughter relationship… except the atmosphere between them was somewhat too flirtatious.
Johanna wore a peculiarly awkward expression.
Similarly wearing an awkward expression, Jimy muttered in a low voice,
“Ray, you were right…”
Recalling a past warning from Ray, Jimy shook his head.
