The Returnee Wants Peace

It was full spring.

The wind blew pleasantly, and the flowering trees scattered throughout the imperial palace fluttered their pale pink petals profusely.

It was around the time spring was coming when she headed to paradise, and now she finally felt like she was experiencing that season.

However, there was one difference from then.

“…It’s fascinating.”

In the waiting room at the back of the grand banquet hall where the title conferment ceremony was in full swing.

Rosha, waiting for her turn, examined the faint protective barrier that completely enveloped the entire banquet hall.

“The density of magical power is very uniform. Long duration and wide range too.”

“This level is considered high among humans. They say he’s the genius of the century and the youngest professor at the Magic Academy, it doesn’t seem to be nonsense.”

Many things happened during the three years Rosha was asleep, but one notable aspect was the emergence of a genius in the field of magic.

Yurik Plitz, sixteen years old this year.

As the only son of Viscount Plitz, he’s called the ‘prodigy of magic formulas’, and indeed, his skills are worthy of such a title.

“Well, it’s still far below the protective barrier you set up in the capital during the first trial.”

“Even so, this level will be a great help going forward. I should visit the Magic Academy to meet him soon.”

“I heard rumors that he’s quite rude.”

“The truth is more important than rumors. First, we need to get through today’s event well…”

Swallowing hard at the growing tension, Rosha fiddled with the hem of her dress.

The sky-blue satin dress that Madame Marselle from the clothing shop had completed and sent yesterday.

It had a comfortable length skirt ending above the ankles, with fine gold dust sprinkled towards the hem, creating a subtly shimmering design.

She wore low-heeled boots, and since it wasn’t yet warm enough to expose bare skin, she wore a light ivory coat with thin gold trim.

“Hmm, hmm. That woman from the clothing shop certainly knows how to handle fabric.”

Koko said, showing off the bow tie around his neck. It was a cute tie made from the same fabric as her dress.

Just then, along with the sound of the door closing, a familiar voice was heard.

“You look prettier.”

It was Sir Nox, dressed in white formal attire.

Startled by the silver-haired young man who approached nonchalantly after saying such an embarrassing thing, Rosha asked:

“Why are you back so soon? I told you to go around the grand banquet hall greeting people.”

“I did. Can I stay here with you now?”

Nox replied calmly as he sat on the sofa table.

The medals on his chest jingled.

The reason he sat on the table instead of the perfectly good sofa was probably because he wanted to face her.

“Tch, he’s hopeless.”

Koko muttered disapprovingly as he flew to the mirror to do a final feather arrangement.

Ignoring his busy movements, Rosha glanced at Nox, who was leaning his upper body slightly towards her.

‘I was hoping he’d go out and make some friends… but it doesn’t look like he’ll do that willingly.’

A handsome young man who looked exactly like the former Emperor, except for that resemblance.

However, Nox’s reputation wasn’t very good.

Since the removal of the former Emperor as a restraint, he had acted quite arbitrarily.

Plus his excessive obsession with Rosha.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Just… wondering what to do with you.”

“I like how things are now. Except for that Duke.”

Nox really disliked Froy.

It didn’t seem to be this bad originally, but it seemed to be because Rosha had moved to the capital with Froy right after their reunion.

He frowned slightly, then lowered his eyebrows pitifully and asked:

“Do you… have to be so close with the Duke? He was glaring at me earlier in the banquet hall.”

“…”

A strange conversation mixing informal speech.

How did they end up in this kind of relationship?

Though she could control him with her words now, it was worrying not knowing when or where he might go off track.

Moreover, the current Nox had become the owner of tremendous magical power, enough to burn and freeze half the capital in an instant.

‘…I really need to socialize him as much as possible.’

She needed to put more effort into making friends for him.

Fortunately, Rosha had already obtained information that there was a suitable person among Nox’s potential friends in the banquet hall.

‘No matter how I think about it, Prince Nardil is the only option.’

Someone with enough power not to worry even if he fought Nox, and a person with a good personality, righteous, and able to work for the greater good.

He was the only one she could think of.

I’m sorry, Your Highness. Please sacrifice a little.

Just as she was sending telepathic apologies in her heart, that moment.

Knock knock-

“Young lady, it’s about time for you to go out.”

Sir Eola said as she opened the door with a knock. Rosha quickly approached her and asked:

“Sir Eola, how’s the atmosphere in the banquet hall? Did many people come?”

“Yes. It seems like every noble I know has attended. The head of the family is speaking now. The conferment ceremony is almost over, so it’s time to let people know that you’ve awakened.”

As they walked down the corridor, the presence of the bustling banquet hall could be felt with their whole bodies.

For today’s announcement, the fact that she had awakened from her coma had not been disclosed except to a very few people.

‘…I wonder what everyone will look like.’

The faces of the people she had formed relationships with before falling asleep flashed quickly through her mind.

Thinking about meeting them after a full three years made her heart flutter with excitement and nervousness.

As she was heading towards the grand banquet hall with light steps, suddenly.

Flinch.

She felt a small movement from Koko on her shoulder.

The cause was immediately apparent.

“Just now… it seems the protective barrier surrounding the banquet hall has disappeared.”

“Huh?”

“Look. Earlier it had a uniform density, but now the particle arrangement is rapidly becoming disordered.”

It was true.

Sensing the anomaly, Rosha spread her magical power as widely as possible. The uneasiness that had always been in a corner of her mind was gradually swelling.

And then.

Boom!

A sudden explosion sound shook the entire palace, and decorative tiles fell from the ceiling.

“Young lady!!”

Eola, who had drawn her ceremonial sword, wrapped around Rosha and raised a clear sword aura.

But what actually protected them was the thick barrier of Nox, who had been following closely behind.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

Rosha quickly nodded at his worried gaze and gripped her skirt resolutely.

“…We need to go to the banquet hall right now.”

“Yes, young lady.”

I thought I wouldn’t have to run for a while…

Right, I thought it had been too peaceful lately!

* * *

Not long ago at the Moon Altar, she had shot a magic bullet imbued with tracking magic into some magician.

Though that guy, being a magician himself, had managed to remove the tracking magic midway.

Instead, there was the small achievement of discovering where his hideout was.

The reason for suddenly mentioning this now is—

As they got closer to the banquet hall, that guy’s unique icy magical power was becoming more and more strongly felt!

“Ha, he’s finally here!”

“That’s right. He really came.”

Stepping on the collapsed door of the banquet hall, Rosha quickly scanned the scene inside.

‘…Phew.’

The ceiling and walls of the palace had collapsed unsightly, but fortunately, most people were still alive.

Of course, they were staring blankly into space without consciousness.

“Looks like he’s trying to threaten you.”

This was better than having killed them all.

However, as she turned her gaze to the platform, Rosha’s heart sank.

“…Huh?”

Cedric, who should have been on the platform, had disappeared without a trace.

Instead, there was Froy, barely supporting himself while bleeding.