The Returnee Wants Peace

The title conferment ceremony ended successfully.

Although the grand banquet hall had turned half outdoor, Cedric became Marquis Aper from Сount Aper, and the announcement of his engagement to Emperor Illien was also made safely.

Moreover, when the fact that Rosha had awakened was officially announced…

“Lady Roshanak! I am Leon from the Striol County. I wonder if you’ve checked the marriage proposal I sent ten days ago…”

“I was deeply impressed by your brief speech on the platform just now. If it’s alright with you, could you spare me a moment? I’d like to talk about our future over a cup of tea.”

“Lady Roshanak, please listen to me first!”

It seemed like every man of marriageable age was approaching her.

There were even boys not yet of age and men close to middle age.

“Well, I don’t have time yet. I have a lot to do.”

There was a limit to politely refusing.

In the end, Rosha stood right next to Froy, who was nearby. He blocked their approach with just his gaze, seeming very displeased with the situation.

“…Are you really not considering getting engaged to me?”

Though he asked again in a subtle voice.

“No. Not yet.”

She didn’t really like the idea of a fake engagement as Froy had suggested.

‘It’s not that I dislike it… but I don’t want to get engaged like this, as if being pushed.’

She liked it but didn’t like it. It was a complex psychology that even Rosha herself couldn’t easily grasp.

“…”

Froy, who had been staring at her intently, withdrew obediently without urging her again.

He seemed to think they would get engaged someday, but on the other hand, he also looked a bit anxious.

But that wasn’t the issue right now.

As she was moving to board the carriage, she heard unexpected news from Duke Feriel.

“Oh, wait a moment. You say he came here?”

“Yes, the brown-haired young man we saw at the amphitheater before. The one who used a white and huge sword aura… His name was quite unique, what was it again?”

Rosha became very confused. Is it the person I’m thinking of?

“Is the name Choi Hajin correct?”

“Hmm, that’s right. I’m not certain, but I think it was a name like that…”

Duke Feriel, who had been nodding, trailed off as he saw Cassis glaring at him from the side.

Even Froy, who had been quiet, was staring intently at the Duke.

“Oh my, was I not supposed to tell?”

At their gazes, which seemed to imply ‘what are we going to do now’, Rosha narrowed her eyes and asked:

“What’s this? Was it a secret?”

“Not quite a secret, but…”

“Yes, it is a secret. He’s a dangerous guy. He solved even the twentieth trial without being asked just a week after waking up, it’s obvious he’ll overexert himself, so why are you telling her?”

Cassis retorted sensitively.

He didn’t like the idea of Rosha, who had been in a coma for a full 3 years, trying to do ‘dangerous’ things right after waking up.

Froy seemed to feel similarly, but Cassis was much more adamant.

‘…I’ll have words with Froy later.’

Rosha, after briefly glaring at him, asked Cassis:

“Then when did you see him? Do you know where he is now?”

“I’m not telling you. Just read books quietly in the secret study for a while. There’s plenty to read there.”

“…Are you really going to be like this? You know he was my long-time companion.”

“Yes. And you’re my sister. You heard what happened to Lysithea, right?”

Rosha was momentarily at a loss for words.

She had heard that Marquis Belice, who ran a large merchant guild, had died in an attack by demonic beasts, and the prosperous Belice Marquisate had also been devastated.

The bright and cheerful Lysithea had lost her smile from the shock.

It was said she was beating down demonic beasts on the front lines out of vengeance, but fortunately, her childhood friend Joel was with her.

“I don’t want to end up like that, you know? It’s hard enough as it is. And if you die, there’s no guarantee I won’t go crazy and rampage.”

“…”

“So… can’t you just stay quietly in the capital without doing anything dangerous?”

“That’s enough, both of you. At this point, Lady Roshanak has the right to know.”

“But sir…”

“However, you too should promise to be careful with your actions for a while, considering your brother’s feelings.”

At Duke Feriel’s mediation, Rosha nodded obediently.

It’s not that she didn’t understand Cassis’s position. She had been like that once too.

‘Though I trust them now, I used to try to send my family to safe places unconditionally. It’s a natural process.’

When she promised to stay quietly in the capital for a while, Cassis seemed to soften considerably.

“…Once a year ago and once half a year ago. He stopped by our mansion to confirm that you were in a coma. He said there were people he had to find. That’s the last two times I saw him.”

“You don’t know how he came?”

Cassis shook his head. She had expected as much.

‘At this point, nothing would be strange no matter what happens.’

Even Rosha herself had suddenly fallen into Korea at a time when she knew nothing.

Someone like Hajin might have discovered a means to travel between worlds by chance.

‘Anyway… it’s almost certain that he’s in this world. If he knows I’ve awakened, he might appear soon.’

No matter how she thought about it, it seemed she should spread rumors here and there that she had awakened.

Of course, she planned to stay quietly in the capital as promised to Cassis, but rumors would certainly not be quiet.

It was then.

“Um…”

A somehow familiar voice was heard.

When she turned around, it was a familiar face.

But she couldn’t recognize him right away, because she didn’t know any man with half his hair gone like that.

“What, are you here to propose too?”

“What? No, why would I do such a thing…”

“Right? You don’t even have hair.”

Seeing Cassis speaking rather intimately, she finally realized.

“…Heres?”

Heres Lycaon.

Although his first impression wasn’t very good, thanks to riding the wave well, he had improved his constitution that couldn’t use magic and even secured the title of Marquis Lycaon.

“Yes, that’s right. You remember me.”

“…What happened to your hair?”

“Well… there’s a sad story that can’t be told without tears. Anyway, that’s not the important thing…”

Heres, ruefully brushing his remaining red hair, continued:

“I just heard you’ll be staying in the capital for a while, if you have time, would it be alright to ask you to visit our academy?”

“Academy?”

“Ah, believe it or not, I’m a professor at the Magic Academy. It’s not that I didn’t know magic theory before, my body just couldn’t keep up. If you could come to the academy and give us some teachings, it would be a great honor…”

“Hmm…”

Rosha looked at Heres with fresh eyes.

Did he lose his hair and gain humanity?

Not only had 3 years passed, but Heres hadn’t forgotten his manners despite having a marquis title.

At this rate, he’s almost a changed person, isn’t he?

‘…I was planning to visit the academy anyway.’

Even if that wasn’t the case, she would have granted his request at least once if Heres approached her like this. It’s not like she had any urgent business right now.

Above all…

“…I think I just had a good idea.”

“What?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Froy looked at Rosha as if he had noticed something.

However, she had no intention of telling him. Hadn’t he also kept important things secret while being together all this time?

“Hmph.”

As she turned her head away pointedly, he stroked his chin with a troubled expression.