Chapter 1
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Translator: Diva
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: They Say an nnn-Year Age Gap Doesn't Even Check Compatibility
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“The story of those who returned to keep their promise, and the world that no longer remembers it.”
I remember the day we left.
[I'm going to do what I'm best at.]
Even after all these years, that moment of farewell is still vivid in my mind.
[So you stay here and do what only you can do, Mikhail.]
When I said that, your face looked like it was about to crumble.
[I'll be back soon, so prepare a grand victory banquet.]
I had to turn away quickly, seeing that fragile side of you for the first time—the you who'd always been so steadfast.
If I hadn't, my resolve might have wavered.
It was the early days of the founding, when things were just barely taking shape.
How could I not worry about leaving your side?
I'd always wanted to be your strength.
A steadfast friend to share your joys and sorrows with, forever.
But before us loomed a gaping black hell, and someone had to seal its entrance.
[...I'll wait for you, Iserna.]
The last words I remember from you were filled with sorrow and longing.
You must still be waiting for me today, believing with all your heart that I'll return.
That one certainty kept me going.
It led us all the way here.
“At last.”
The victors were a sorry sight.
We'd pushed on without a single resupply to deliver the final blow to the last demon, so it was only natural.
Yet every face was alight with joy and elation.
As if all the grueling fatigue of those years had vanished in an instant, they shone brighter than ever.
“We're going home.”
Some to their parents' arms,
some to their lovers' embrace,
some to homes where children they'd never even seen awaited.
“You all did well.”
I cleared my throat and addressed them all.
“Take a month to catch up with your loved ones, then we'll meet in front of the imperial palace.”
Almost everyone but me had family waiting.
It was only right that they see them first and share in the joy.
“I'll go ahead and prepare the victory ceremony.”
“Yes, Captain!”
They all looked at me and answered with one voice, full of vigor.
...I can't remember the last time these weirdos were this united.
They were always pulling off the most outrageous stunts.
Mikhail, now I'm coming back to you.
It took far too long to keep my promise.
“Expedition Team, dismissed!”
“Haha...!”
“Home... we're going home!”
Laughter mixed with tears erupted everywhere.
I turned my head to keep my own tears from falling.
We used magic to clean ourselves up and changed into the fresh clothes we'd saved for this day.
Looking as sharp as we had on the day we left, we couldn't help but smirk at each other.
“Captain, you gotta get yourself a boyfriend when we get back!”
“We'll cheer you on...!”
Those guys?
I clenched my fist just a little, and they scattered with screams. Quick on the uptake, at least.
Fine, whatever. I should try everything I haven't before.
Dating and marriage would be one of them.
Retirement first, though.
I pulled a Return Scroll from my Space Bag.
The road here had been long, but the journey back would take but a moment.
With the coordinates locked on Mikhail, ripping this would send me straight to his side.
[Come straight to me first. I won't yield on that.]
[Even if you end up in an awkward spot, that's on you?]
I'd warned him, so it should be fine.
As long as I didn't drop into a bathhouse or something.
“Let's go.”
I took a deep breath and tore the scroll.
The magic within swirled wildly, exploding into light.
My body lifted upward, and my vision went pure white.
All that remained was the thunderous pounding of my heart.
The capital.
The imperial palace.
Mikhail.
The moment I pictured the destination coordinates,
“...Ah.”
A strange sense of wrongness washed over me.
As if the place I'd left behind no longer existed in this world.
When I felt that ominous distortion in the coordinates, the pulling force suddenly vanished.
A brief freefall began at the same time.
Thud!
Regaining my balance came after the impact.
“Ugh...!”
The low groan and the feel of the collision told me everything.
I'd landed on a person, not the floor.
I tried to get up right away, but the aftereffects of the spatial transfer were worse than expected.
My body had settled somehow, but my senses were returning sluggishly—I couldn't even twitch a finger.
I barely managed to flick my eyes downward to check the one pinned beneath me when my vision spun.
In the blink of an eye, our positions flipped, and now I was the one under him.
“How many times do I have to tell you? I don't need a bedroom maid. It'd be best if you left right—...”
The moment our eyes met, he stopped short.
“......”
His wide eyes looked shocked, or maybe flustered.
I stared back at him, speechless too.
Who the hell is this guy?
For starters, he wasn't Mikhail.
The Mana Scent matched what I knew, but everything else was different.
His sharp, perfectly sculpted features made him strikingly handsome—almost intimidatingly so.
His pitch-black hair absorbed all light, and his cool golden eyes radiated both nobility and strength.
“What are you? How did you get in here?”
And that voice—deep, resonant, the kind that could make your heart flutter, unforgettable after one listen.
Am I passed out or something?
Did I lose consciousness without realizing and start dreaming?
Whatever he made of my dazed upward gaze,
“Jumping into a man's bed just because you like the look of him is the wrong move. Especially a beauty like you—you need to be extra careful.”
The fierce edge of his eyes softened just a touch.
“Normally, I'd toss you out on the spot... but the timing is quite the coincidence.”
Maybe I can avoid becoming the princess's plaything this way, he muttered to himself.
“...Here's the deal. Promise to be mine, and I'll give you whatever you want.”
Huh?
What did he just say? Whatever I want?
Dazed by his looks and voice, it took me a moment to grasp his words.
“Even in my position, I'm not so irresponsible as to ignore the woman I've spent the night with.”
W-what? Spent the night?
Did this guy think I'd snuck in here to seduce him?
...Well, I did end up straddling him right away.
The situation was pretty messed up.
It's weird how magnanimous he's being about it.
If it were me, I'd have chucked a creep like that out the window.
Not just the same Mana Scent as Mikhail—he even shared that foolishly kind streak.
“That look in your eyes... I can take it as consent, right?”
No...! No!
I tried to force out a sound, tensing my abs.
But my flapping lips made no noise.
I hadn't realized the Return Scroll's aftereffects would last this long.
No one had warned me about this.
Or maybe... there was a problem with the scroll?
“...Does that mean you want a kiss? I can't tell if you're shy or bold.”
The misunderstanding was...
spiraling deeper...!
“I like you more than I should, so maybe it's a good thing.”
His face and neck seemed to flush—must be my looks were his type.
No, I did find him attractive too, but not like this...
“It might be clumsy since it's your first time. If it hurts or you don't like it, tap my shoulder. I'll stop.”
He gently brushed my hair aside and whispered.
Then his breath grazed my jaw.
W-wait!
Realizing I couldn't dodge because he was too close took just an instant.
Wait... really? For real?
Like a lie, soft lips touched mine.
“......!”