Episode 100: A New Beginning, Elizabeth's Reaction
After confirming their feelings for each other at the lakeside, Leon and Serena's bond grew even closer. They began to meet often, sharing the details of their daily lives and enjoying small moments of happiness together. Amid the heat of summer, their relationship steadily deepened.
One day, Leon prepared a small picnic for Serena. In turn, she carefully made some snacks for him, and they decided to spend their precious time together in the shade near the lake.
"Leon, thank you so much for preparing this today," Serena said with a fresh smile. Her eyes, sparkling in the sunlight, were full of happiness.
"It's always a joy to be with you," Leon replied, handing her a sandwich he had prepared. The two cherished each other's presence even more, sharing quiet conversation and bursts of laughter.
In the middle of their talk, Serena found herself taking Leon's hand. "Do you think… we can meet like this often in the future?" Her voice trembled slightly, yet it was earnest.
Leon gently wrapped his hand around hers. "Of course. Every moment with you is precious." They looked into each other's eyes, feeling their hearts draw closer still.
That evening, Serena returned home with a joyful heart. She went to her room, reliving the special day with Leon, completely immersed in her happiness. But amid that bliss, a single thought arose: How do I tell Mother about this?
Serena grew a little nervous as she imagined the conversation with Elizabeth. Her mother had always been one to think deeply about Serena's relationships, never hesitating to offer advice. But Serena believed that what she had with Leon was developing into true love.
The next day, Serena made up her mind and went to see Elizabeth. As her mother was preparing dinner, she carefully broached the subject. "Mother, I've been growing closer to Leon lately."
Elizabeth listened and then smiled. "Is that so? I've watched him, and he has proven himself to be a fine young man. I am curious to see how your relationship develops."
Serena's heart fluttered as she continued, "Actually, we've confirmed our feelings for each other. I feel so happy whenever I'm with him."
Elizabeth's expression showed a flicker of surprise, which soon melted into a warm smile. "That is truly wonderful news, Serena. It makes me happy to imagine the two of you cherishing one another."
"Yes, Mother. I feel that way, too. Every moment with Leon feels special," Serena confessed, no longer holding back her feelings.
Elizabeth nodded at Serena's words and said seriously, "To be with someone you love is a beautiful thing. But remember, the most important part of a strong bond is to respect and support each other, especially through the hardships that will surely come."
"I understand, Mother. With Leon, I feel like we can do that," Serena said, bowing her head to her mother's advice.
That night, Serena once again savored the special moments with Leon and the feelings in her heart, growing excited for where their relationship would go next. The warmth she felt was now ready to grow beyond simple friendship and blossom into true love.
**
Episode 101: The Beginning of a Change
Serena gained great strength from the conversation with her mother. With her relationship with Leon blossoming, she now felt the courage to cultivate her love as she wished and resolved to be even more proactive in spending time with him.
"Should we go out this weekend and do something special?" Serena proposed to Leon.
"I'd love that! What do you have in mind?" Leon asked with interest.
Serena's mind raced with different ideas. "Let's find a fun activity we can do together. Maybe boating on the lake, or enjoying another picnic in the park would be nice."
"Perfect. I love that idea! Being out on the water together would be a truly special experience," Leon replied, intrigued by her suggestion.
In this way, the two began to prepare to take their relationship to a deeper level. Through her time with Leon, Serena was discovering a more loving and mature side of herself. In turn, Leon was captivated by Serena's sincerity, feeling a profound affection for her.
Their relationship was now facing a new beginning. Confident in their love for each other, they were ready to walk the path ahead, together.
**
Episode 102: A Change in Elizabeth's Heart
Elizabeth watched Serena's transformation with a gentle smile. The newfound brightness in her daughter was a source of great joy. It was a comfort to Elizabeth to see Serena, who had once been solely immersed in research and study, now actively living her own life. Seeing her daughter find happiness in a loving relationship gave Elizabeth a new sense of hope.
With Serena's happiness as her top priority, Elizabeth realized she felt less pressure about her daughter's marriage, especially after her first son had married into a prominent Altechna family. Yet, a corner of her heart still harbored a seed of anxiety. She worried about the scorn and discomfort Leon and Serena would face when their relationship was viewed through the eyes of the upper class. The question, Can their love truly last?, echoed in her mind.
"But… if Serena is happy, that is what matters most," Elizabeth affirmed to herself, settling her thoughts. She wanted to help Leon grow and cultivate his abilities, but she was firm in her resolve never to use illegal or underhanded methods. She wanted Leon and Serena to find a genuine love and walk that path on their own.
Elizabeth was impressed watching Leon forge his own path, even if his pace wasn't as fast as others. He was diligent, working hard to build upon his own skills. She vowed that she would only step in to help if he were to face political troubles or other insurmountable difficulties down the line.
A time will come when I must step forward to help him, Elizabeth thought, finding herself eager to see just how deep their love would grow. It had become important to her to watch over them, to see if the path her daughter had chosen was the right one, and to witness the strength of their bond.
Seeing Serena so happy and serious about her relationship with Leon warmed Elizabeth's heart. As much as she hoped her daughter's chosen love was true, she struggled to shake off her worries about the hardships they would inevitably face. "Even if their path is not smooth, Serena is a strong girl. She will lead the way as she wishes," Elizabeth resolved once more, coming to sincerely hope for a future where her daughter was with the one she loved.
"For now, I will watch over their path." She gazed at her daughter, praying she would walk a happy road. Elizabeth realized that Serena's happiness, in turn, brought her own heart peace.
**
Episode 103: Reconnaissance Mission
Leon was summoned early in the morning. The news that Tactical Commander Hallixson himself had called for him made him slightly tense, but a part of him felt proud of the trust being placed in him. The Tactical Commander was a position that directly commanded the Guardian Commanders, making him a figure two full ranks above Leon.
Tactical Commander Hallixson was waiting for him. His gaze was sharp, but within it, a glimmer of trust in Leon was visible. As Leon paid his respects, Hallixson spoke first.
"Leon, I have an important mission for you. We've received intelligence that corrupted elves, outlaw dwarves, and orcs are appearing frequently in the border region. Your objective is to determine why they are gathering and, if necessary, subjugate them."
Leon nodded immediately. "Understood, Commander. Which unit shall I lead for this deployment?"
Hallixson spread out a set of documents. "For this operation, you will select two senior warriors and carry out the mission yourself. I recommend Kain and Ira. Kain excels in defense, while Ira is skilled in detection and support magic. With them, you'll have a significant advantage in both intelligence gathering and combat."
Leon nodded upon hearing the names of the two senior warriors. "I am familiar with both of them. With them, a swift and precise execution of the mission will be possible."
Hallixson continued, a look of satisfaction on his face. "I'm assigning this to you for a reason that goes beyond simply eliminating the enemy. There's a chance their movements are not the random raids of outlaws. You must find clues as to their purpose and uncover any signs of organized activity."
Feeling the weight of the mission, Leon replied with a solemn posture. "I will take your orders to heart, sir. I will uncover the enemy's purpose and find any clues."
Hallixson added one last, careful warning. "You need to understand, this is not a simple subjugation. Be prepared for any contingency, and do not forget to be ready to retreat if the situation calls for it."
Leon soon informed Kain and Ira of the mission and formed a unit of twenty warriors. They checked their weapons, discussed the operational plan, and prepared for departure.
Kain said with a grin, "For the Tactical Commander to name us personally, this must be a truly important mission."
Ira, polishing her staff, added, "It seems this mission is about more than just fighting. Leon, let's make sure we don't miss any clues."
Leon nodded at the two senior warriors with a serious expression. "Exactly. We have to accomplish more than just eliminating the enemy. We must find out why they are gathering in the border region."
That afternoon, Leon and his unit headed for the border. Ira used her detection magic to scout the area, leading the unit safely. Before long, she raised a hand, halting everyone.
"Strong magic detected approximately 200 meters ahead. I believe it's corrupted elves. I'm also picking up dwarf and orc signals. There are signs of an alliance."
Leon paused in thought, then gave a signal to his warriors. "Everyone, approach in silence. Kain will take the lead on defense. Ira, maintain surveillance with your detection magic. Move with caution from your positions."
They advanced carefully and began to observe the enemy encampment. In the distance, they could see corrupted elves exchanging weapons and discussing strategy with dwarf and orc outlaws. This was no simple band of marauders. Their roles seemed clear, and their movements felt organized.
Kain whispered in a low voice, "They look more dangerous than common outlaws. It seems they're planning something."
Leon also sensed the gravity of the situation. It was clear they had not gathered merely for plunder. He quickly formulated a plan. "First, we hit them hard and then pull back. Create chaos and probe for their intentions."
At Leon's signal, the unit launched a coordinated attack. Ira supported the warriors with enhancement magic, while Kain defended the front line, blocking the enemy's counterattack. Leon moved like a phantom, weaving through the chaos to penetrate deep into the enemy lines and subjugate a single corrupted elf. Beside the fallen elf lay a piece of equipment marked with a strange crest and a memo. He instinctively knew this was about more than a simple weapons exchange.
As the battle intensified, Leon gave the signal to withdraw. "That's enough. We're pulling back! Everyone, move out quickly!"
The unit immediately disengaged, and the enemy was too disorganized to pursue. Having successfully completed their objective, Leon and his warriors returned to headquarters, where he reported to Hallixson.
"Commander, this is the intelligence we gathered. The enemy was not gathered for simple plunder; it appears they are laying the groundwork for a larger plan. We found this strange crest on their equipment and this memo."
Hallixson slowly examined the items Leon had brought back. His expression was lost in deep thought, and he nodded quietly.
"Leon, you have performed beyond expectations on this mission. You didn't just complete a subjugation; you brought back a crucial clue. Well done."
Leon managed a slightly tense smile at the commander's praise. He could feel it himself—his role in this war was growing larger.
Hallixson carefully set the memo down and spoke with resolve. "There will be more missions like this in the future. I expect you to continue your preparations. Today has confirmed once again that you are the kind of talent we need on this battlefield."
Leon bowed his head and replied, "Thank you, Commander. I will do my utmost to carry out the missions you entrust to me."
More complex missions and greater threats now lay ahead for Leon.