Then, Endymion seemed to become anxious.
He glanced at her and asked again.
...You told me not to be so merciless to others. But you said I did a good job?
"Huh? That's something you said to a person. It's not the person who woke up earlier."
Julia corrected herself with a grin.
"Besides, it was hit with a flower, so it must have smelled good."
Ending gracefully, Endymion smiled and raised the corners of his mouth. It was obvious that he was pleased by her compliment. Julia followed suit and smiled brightly.
The carriage headed to the lodgings for a short rest, and a few hours later, at daybreak, they decided to head straight to the gate.
"Wizard."
“Heung, yes?”
Boris lifted his head, still sobbing and hugging the magic stone tightly. Endymion glanced at Julia, then opened his mouth with a kind expression.
“I was worried.”
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you're safe."
Julia lowered her head, trying to suppress her laughter.
Those words, which were natural and affectionate to him, felt extremely awkward to Boris as if he were reading a book. And what about that stiff tone!
"Oh my... Your Majesty!"
But it seemed quite touching to a novice in the secular world. Boris, who had been relaxed, wept with a moved expression on his face.
"But where is that? Mion, even if you look like that on the outside, you must have been worried on the inside, right?"
Julia rested her chin on her hand and looked pleased, unaware of Endymion's clever intentions to score more points.
"..."
Endymion frowned at the sight of Boris shedding tears and snot. However, he quickly tugged at the corners of his lips as he saw Julia looking back and forth between the two and smiling.
As a result, the carriage was quite noisy until it reached the accommodation.
***
After washing up and taking a quick nap, the sun rose quickly. Julia, Endymion, and Boris changed their clothes and went back to the lake where the gate was.
"Now all I have to do is put the magic stone in?"
Julia asked as she stopped in front of the raft. Boris nodded, his face swollen but looking excited.
"Yes! Now just put it in place, turn it on, and you'll be on your way to the Magic Tower in no time!"
Julia nodded and sat down inside the small boat, escorted by Endymion.
Boris carefully held the magic stone and cast his spell. The boat plunged into the lake and began to slide.
"Boris. But last night."
The thought of actually going to the top of the tower made Julia feel unnecessarily nervous. So, Julia decided to take a short break and think about what she had been thinking about.
"Why on earth was magic sealed so easily yesterday?"
“Why, where does it hurt?”
Endymion asked with a serious face. He had been acting unusually upset about this last night, and it seemed like he barely slept all night to check on her condition.
Julia quickly shook her head.
“No, not really.”
It was nerve-wracking to say that it was simply luck. Endymion thought for a moment, then said that perhaps the magic had been completely tamed.
"Well, if that's true, that's great, but it's so different from the last outburst..."
Boris also thought seriously about it, but in the end, he couldn't find an answer.
"Was there anything special? Was there anything different compared to last time?"
Boris asked, taking note of it and asking for more information on the tower. Julia blinked on the boat gliding gently across the lake.
'Um... The first time, the purpose was different. Last time, I attacked someone, and this time, I was trying to protect the magic stone."
Attack and protection.
"The second time, I think it was a person. That time, there were only two enemies, but this time, it was Mion and Boris together."
Endymion's lips twitched at Julia's words, which clearly showed that Billy was not a human being. Boris laughed out loud.
"Urgent. Okay. Let's focus on that for now and investigate it. I'll use all my abilities to find out, so don't worry."
“Thank you so much.”
Julia smiled and thanked him. Boris scratched his head and didn't know what to do.
"Let me tell you something. I was really touched yesterday. You two risked your lives for me!"
Boris clenched his fists in excitement. He even looked at Endymion, with whom he had been on bad terms until then, with admiration.
"From now on, I will help you both with all my heart. I will especially protect Your Majesty, even at the risk of my honor!"
Julia smiled shyly. She spoke forcefully as if to say, “Boris, you are real.”
"Magic Tower will definitely be greedy for a lieutenant wizard or higher. At that time, I, Boris, will protect you with all my might. I will do everything I can to protect you!”
"Are you grateful just for the words?"
Julia stopped laughing and was startled at the mention of the title Lieutenant Wizard. Endymion also frowned.
Boris scratched the back of his neck at the sight of the two looking nervous.
"Actually, I was hesitant, but yesterday, I was convinced. You were able to control your magical powers so skillfully without shouting out the starting words or calculating formulas. Seeing that, I thought you were at least a mid-level wizard."
"Oh, right. It's not that great."
Julia denied it cautiously, but Boris waved her off, telling her not to worry.
"Believe me, I will never tell anyone about this! I will definitely protect you, Your Majesty!
Boris promised with shining eyes.
It seems that this innocent wizard was truly touched by the kindness of another person for the first time in his life. Judging by the way he tried to repay the favor, even if it was clumsily,
"Thank you. It means a lot to me when Boris says that."
Julia smiled sweetly. Boris was delighted and began to chatter enthusiastically. Telling her things to watch out for in Magic Tower, things to remember, and so on.
The small boat that had arrived was slowly circling around the gate. Boris carefully took out the magic stone from his bosom and used his magic to place it in the empty hole.
Ji-ing-!
As the lime green magic shot out, the gate was activated with vibrations. Just like last time, the lime green magic began to pool under the arched tree.
"Okay, then cast some magic."
The Gate side effect that he mentioned before, where the saddest or most painful memories appear as hallucinations. This was a protective spell that prevented that.
As Boris waved his hand, the lime-colored magic was absorbed by Julia and Endymion.
Boris did a final check and set the dinghy alight. Julia gently held Endymion's coattails and stared at the gate that was drawing nearer.
"I've cast a spell, so even if you experience any illusions for a moment, they will disappear immediately. So don't move!"
With a shout, the small boat slowly moved forward. Finally, the swaying gate came right before our eyes.
Julia suddenly thought, feeling the tension building slightly.
'The saddest and most painful memory... If I were hallucinating, what would appear to me?'
She guessed it was when her magical power first went wild because she didn't remember her mother passing away when she was a baby.
She remembered when she was five years old and her magic had caused golden apples to burst open. Julia smiled and turned her head, feeling a new sense of relief.
“Mion?”
Endymion, who seemed like he didn't care at all, had eyes that were somehow lost in thought. Julia gently touched Endymion's hand.
“What are you thinking?”
"...I just had some thoughts."
Hmm. I don't think that's it.
Julia blinked and read Endymion's condition.
'Do you remember any sad and painful memories like mine?'
Julia tilted her head. In the twelve years they had been together, Endymion had never been sad. Not once.
'Really? Was Mion always firm?'
Julia, who was puzzled, tried to look closely. But the strange eyes had disappeared like a mirage. The wall they met became soft.
“See you later.”
“Ah. Yes!”
As usual, his gaze was a little cold but also affectionate.
Julia finally felt relieved and nodded with a smile. After all, who doesn't have at least one unpleasant memory in their life?
'I guess some sad memories came to mind.'
Julia sat up straight, looking straight ahead, not thinking much of it. Because of that, she didn't notice that his blue eyes had momentarily darkened.
Boris shouted cheerfully.
"Okay, then, I'll see you at the Magic Tower!"
Paaaa-!
With a dazzling light, Julia and Endymion entered the gate to the magic tower.
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