My Ruin to You - Chapter 236

If one just looked at the end result, it was always she who caused him worry.

The relationship between them, in Roseline’s mind, was like a field cracked and parched by drought. An unexpected downpour had fallen, moistening the surface, but failing to soak deep within, leaving behind fine fissures.

She had thought it would take a very, very long time to fully recover.

But Valen was cunning. He deftly avoided things that would make Roseline recoil in disgust, and whenever he saw the slightest opening, he would seize it and press forward without fail. His patience had clearly grown, too, and he made no effort to hide what he was enduring and holding back. It was as if he was saying, Look how much I’m restraining myself, so you should meet me halfway.

He was a man she couldn’t simply adore, as a residue of bitterness remained, yet couldn’t bring herself to hate, as a certain fondness lingered.

Whenever her anger flared up and she grumbled for no reason, the perceptive man would apologize without reserve. So, she was left with nothing more to say. He had been right all along, that day. She admitted it. She liked the moments when this man became soft and affectionate.

She couldn’t reclaim the innocent first love of her country bumpkin days. Her heart didn’t flutter just from meeting his eyes, nor did it feel overwhelmed just from thinking of him. But both the heart-fluttering excitement of the past and the mingled love and resentment of today were all emotions given to her by Valen.

“Aren’t you going to welcome me?”

He urged her, lightly shaking his outstretched arms. Pushing aside the surrounding gazes, her emotions, the past—all the things that usually occupied her mind—Roseline leaped toward him, taking a single step.

The moment her heels pushed off the ground, Valen pulled her in as if he had been waiting, embracing her fully, his arms wrapping around her.

Clap, clap, clap.

Applause and cheers, started by who knows who, made the encampment buzz with excitement.

She only understood later what he meant by his judgment being impaired. His feat of driving the enemy into the field and incinerating them all at once with a mana cast would be recorded in history as the ‘Great Battle of Runzak’.

◇◇◇

A few days later, the flag of surrender was raised over the ramparts of Runzak Castle.

They opened the castle gates, and the generals and soldiers of the defeated nation became prisoners. According to tradition, the soldiers were merely disarmed, while the generals were bound in chains and dragged to the encampment. Witnessing this scene at the entrance of the healing center, Roseline tilted her head in confusion.

It was hard to describe. The sight of them being dragged away with their hands bound behind their backs seemed utterly powerless, yet their sharply scanning eyes and expressions twisted with spiteful resolve bothered her.

“Are prisoners always like that?”

When Roseline sidled up to him and whispered, Merrick took a step back in the opposite direction.

“I’m not sure what you mean.”

“They look more like assassins than prisoners.”

“Have you ever seen an assassin before?”

“No.”

Roseline scratched the back of her neck awkwardly. As if that was answer enough, Edan spoke up instead of Merrick, who remained silent.

“Generals have a ransom value. They are either exchanged for our prisoners or released upon payment. Hence, they put on a bold front.”

“Ah, I see.”

She nodded as if she understood, but she couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. Just looking at their own guard duty was proof enough. She had thought they would be assigned to other duties immediately after Valen’s return. Yet, even Giorno and Edan, who had returned with Valen, were attached to her guard. It meant this war wasn’t over yet, and it seemed Valen also classified the prisoners dragged to the encampment as potential dangers.

“You’ve managed well so far. Please endure just a few more days. The day of our return is not far off,” Merrick said.

It was an uncharacteristically generous encouragement from him, so Roseline smiled faintly and shook off her unease.

Sure enough, as the day of return approached, the victory-intoxicated encampment was in a constant uproar. After news spread that the Grand Duke possessed a strong magical disposition, it was the only topic of conversation whenever two people gathered. One knight who had participated in the battle would even hold audiences, recounting his eyewitness tale.

“It was a scene I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. A crimson wave of fire spread over the heads of the savages gathered like a pack of dogs…! It was as if divine punishment had descended.”

Even though it was the same story every day, the listeners’ eyes sparkled, and they cheered. However, not everyone in the encampment was elated by the victory.

“…Damn plague.”

Mür, having left the noisy clamor behind him, spat on the ground. Someone approached him.

“Do you believe it will end like this?”