My Ruin to You - Chapter 205

However, the idea that they weren’t showing it was their own delusion.

The Section Head wore out the doorstep of the healing center with his constant comings and goings, and the Chief Knight checked in every hour to ask if there were any inconveniences. Unless one was an idiot, it was impossible not to notice.

Even the people she encountered daily had changed subtly. Had they become somewhat… sly?

If she suddenly felt a gaze and turned around, some would beam a pleased smile at her. Others would offer encouragement out of nowhere, giving her a thumbs-up.

“A strange rumor seems to be going around. It’s not true. It’s really not.”

“What rumor are you referring to?”

“I am in no special relationship with His Highness.”

“Ah, so there was such a rumor. I understand your intention, young lady.”

No, I don’t think you understand.

At first, she protested vehemently, but since everyone’s attitude was so consistently like this, she later began to ignore the rumor, acting as if it didn’t matter. She didn’t know who started it, and getting upset would only be her own loss. It was a rumor that would be washed away the moment combat resumed.

It was slightly puzzling that she no longer saw Valen, whom she used to run into at least twice a day. Whether using Mür’s incident as a pretext or the rumor as a reason, he could have found a way to make contact, yet he was conspicuously absent.

The Section Head’s frequent visits, which had worn out the doorstep, also stopped abruptly. It seemed to be due to the impending battle. That was the surface reason, at least, though she didn’t know the details.

As the war clouds gathered, no one was laughing and chattering about the rumor anymore. Those who had been smiling contentedly now applied themselves to training with strict military discipline, and those who had been spreading the secret rumor now delivered solemn orders.

The healing center also grew busy. An order had come down to restore as many wounded soldiers as possible. Because of this, the Manifestors at the healing center, including Roseline, squeezed out every last drop of their magic to empty the beds.

And the next day, a large-scale force set out. It was a point a little over ten days remaining in the one month Valen had promised.

The war’s objective was to reclaim lost former territory. The Carnoc tribe’s backlash, having already ceded several areas, was formidable, but Valen leveraged the Empire’s advantages to wage the battle cleverly.

While establishing separate supply lines in preparation for a prolonged war, he placed offensive Manifestors at the front and actively deployed Taras to support the combat. When magic shattered the enemy’s formations, the spear brigades would press forward like a tide through the gaps.

However, if the Empire had Manifestors, Carnoc had monsters. While they managed to take down the large, elephant-sized monsters relatively easily, the giant spiders that spat poison were tricky opponents.

Shields and purification were the Tara’s role. Dire news arrived that a Tara at the front lines had been killed, struck by poison spat from a spider while casting a shield. Mourning was natural, but concern over the loss of the Tara followed closely. It was especially acute because there was no one to replace them.

Mür saw this as his opportunity. If he could become a Tara, he could wipe the smug looks off the faces of those who looked down on him. He practiced defensive magic whenever he could, waiting for his chance to come.

“Me?”

But surprisingly, the opportunity was directed at Roseline. All attention in the healing center focused on the conversation happening in one corner. While everyone pretended to be busy with their tasks, they pricked up their ears, eavesdropping on the discussion.

“I heard that His Highness previously suggested you become a Tara, is that not correct?”

The knight who had sought her out was Giorno, with whom she had survived the plague in her past life and taken refuge in the blacksmith’s shop. Her expression, which had initially welcomed him kindly as her personal delight took precedence, gradually soured.

Are there no secrets in this Empire? It’s baffling where everyone keeps hearing these things. I had my suspicions, so I glanced back at Malsen, and sure enough. Malsen flinched and gave an awkward smile.

“That doesn’t seem like a decision for me to make.”

“If the young lady makes the decision, I will persuade the Section Head.”

“I can’t do it, Sir.”

“You can.”

“No, why do you insist when I say I can’t…?”

“I am well aware of your performance at last year’s banquet. That level is sufficient.”

“……”

“I do not wish to make such a request of a young lady who hasn’t even graduated from the Academy yet, but the battlefield desperately needs a Tara.”

Giorno bowed his head. He’d not only heard about the young lady’s performance but also the rumor that she was involved with his master, but there’s been no official announcement, has there?

The situation was far too urgent to quibble over such details. The Tara who had died was someone Giorno had fought in sync with. Because the Tara was there, he could charge forward, entrusting his back to them. Knowing they were gone, his body hesitated and faltered with every decision he made now. It wasn’t just Giorno experiencing this. The army’s morale was falling. The other Taras were still active, but a fear once planted wasn’t easily dispelled.