Chapter 251

Chapter 251

Heart of Crossroad. Temple.

With her hat pulled low, Junior hesitated outside Reinas room.

She had heard Reina had just regained consciousness and came to see her.

Yet for some reason, she couldnt muster the courage to enter.

Suddenly, the door to the room burst open, and Priestess Margarita came rushing out with a shriek.

"Ugh! Enough! What kind of thanks is this? Just stay still and leave when youre better!"

"Whats so scary about offering to buy a meal as thanks? Come on, Saintess Margarita, Saintess! Seriously..."

Watching Margarita sprint down the corridor, Reina chuckled dryly.

She then turned her gaze to Junior and grinned.

"Whats up, little mage? Here to visit the sick?"

"Something like that... You look well."

"Thanks to the anesthesia. How can I be fine with a hole in my stomach? Magic helped a bit, but Im far from stable."

Despite just waking up, Reina chatted energetically before turning back into her room.

Staggering a bit, she settled on the bed and patted it.

"Stop standing there awkwardly and come in! Tell me what happened while I was out."

Thats what Junior intended to do, so she stepped forward.

But then.

She stopped at the threshold.

"...?"

Reina gave her a puzzled look. Yet, Junior remained silent, looking down.

-As a survivor of the magic bombing from Camila Kingdom. Why do you care about her?

The question Camus had posed during the ambush haunted her.

The sounds of the storm and lightning from 15 years ago echoed in her ears. Junior found it impossible to approach Reina any further.

"...I see. Is that it?"

Seeing Juniors state, Reina quickly caught on and sighed.

"Maybe this distance between us is whats right. The Jupiters daughter. Its a miracle we even got this close."

"..."

"There are gaps that no matter how hard we try, cant be bridged. Weve managed to ignore it for so long, but it seems weve reached a limit now."

Junior clenched both of her fists her intact right hand and the one scarred from the magic bombing.

"I have one question... Do you regret what happened that day?"

"What exactly are you referring to? Ive done a lot."

"You annihilated my country, burned down my village."

Juniors face was hidden beneath the brim of her hat as she asked in a suppressed voice, "Do you... regret it?"

Reina responded immediately.

"No."

"...!"

"I have never regretted any action Ive taken as a soldier."

Reinas voice was cold and functional.

"If I regretted, then what would that make of the subordinates who acted on my orders?"

"..."

"I was the commander of the magic corps. I ordered the killing of people, the burning of villages, the conquering of countries, and lost many soldiers in the process. If I were to feel comfortable with my regrets and seek redemption, then what would that make of the sacrifices of my subordinates?"

"..."

I was a soldier, Junior. If it were an order from above, Id do worse to your village than what I did. And I wont regret it until I draw my last breath, and I cant afford to regret it.

Junior, clenching her teeth, hesitantly asked.

So, if you were ordered to kill me, would you?

...Such an order wont come.

And if it does?

...

Reina let out a long sigh.

Yes.

She answered.

If thats the order, then I must.

...!

Juniors face paled, and Reina coldly spat out,

Im not like your mother. If it were Jupiter, shed defy such orders, rebel, and run away holding you. She actually did that. But I cant.

Throughout the decades they served together, Reina admired Jupiter. She wanted to live like Jupiter.

Because she couldnt live that way herself.

To be frank, Junior, I cant live like your mother.

For a moment, a distant look crossed Camuss eyes.

Perhaps he was thinking of his lost family? Junior couldnt tell.

"In the 15 years following, I battled to reclaim my country and failed. Essentially, the Empire stole my entire life."

Camus nodded toward Junior.

"But youre different. You lived as a citizen of Camila Kingdom for 7 years and as one of the Empire for 15 years."

"..."

"Youve lived longer as part of the Empire. Our eras, the depths of our hatreds, theyre different. Its not odd for you to feel more allegiance to the Empire than to the Camila Kingdom."

Junior clenched her fists. Camus continued.

"I have no intention of blaming you for assimilating into the Empire. Dont feel guilty about the life youve led within the Empire."

"..."

"Likewise, dont be too hard on me for not forgetting my vengeance even after 15 years and still wanting to repay blood with blood. People have wounds in their hearts that cant be healed."

What Camus was saying was similar to what Reina had told her.

Softly, Junior muttered, "Unhealable... wounds..."

"All weve done is survived. Each in our own way, unavoidably."

"..."

"We just survived, unavoidably."

That phrase felt too painful yet so accurate that it made Juniors heart ache.

"What should I do from now on?"

After some contemplation, Camus opened his mouth.

"Forgive if you wish to forgive. Seek vengeance if thats your desire. If you cant choose between the two, thats fine as well. Ponder on it. Until you find the answer you seek."

"..."

"Just dont forget. Everything youve been through."

Camuss scarred hand grasped the iron bars. He murmured in a low growl, "Never forget that a man like me existed."

"..."

"Do not forget the Camila Kingdom. Its the burden we, the survivors, have to bear."

Camus released his grip on the bars, stood up, and retreated deeper into the prison cell.

"Ill be executed soon. Its best not to associate too much with a wicked criminal."

As he disappeared into the shadows, Junior watched him from a distance.

***

Upon exiting the prison, Ash was waiting.

"Junior."

"Prince."

Ash, seeing Juniors somewhat awkward greeting, smiled warmly and gestured towards his mansion.

"Theres a defense strategy meeting tonight."

"Oh..."

"Its a call-up, Jupiter Junior. Return to the main party."

Clutching her staff tightly, Junior nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes."

"Hows your condition?"

"Most of my injuries have healed. No need to worry."

Ash glanced back into the prison.

"Seems your inner turmoil hasnt quite settled, has it?"

"...Yes."

Junior shook her head side to side, lightly slapped her cheeks, and looked directly at Ash.

"But these monsters arent here to listen to my woes. Ill set my worries aside for now and return to the front lines."

Ash, taken aback by Juniors words, was about to say something but chose to remain silent. He then motioned towards the waiting carriage.

"You know I always have a delicious meal prepared during our defense meetings, right? Lets go. They say you should eat meat when youre feeling down."

Junior didnt quite catch the jest, but she felt the warmth in Ashs gesture.

Climbing into the carriage, Junior thought to herself: She didnt know the life shed lead in the future. Whether shed forgive Rayna, or forget Camus, the future remained a mystery. But she was a magician employed at the monster front. To continue this inner battle, she first needed to defeat the monsters looming before her.

"Prince."

"Hmm?"

"After weve swiftly dealt with these monsters," Junior flashed a cheeky grin at Ash, "Lets share our troubles with each other all night."

"..."

"I want to hear about your worries too."

Ash chuckled softly and nodded.

"Sure. Anytime."