The inside of the tent was simple, contrary to its grand exterior.
There was a carpet made of wild animal skins, and on top of it, there was only a round table and an undecorated wooden chair.
Pria stood next to the chair.
With her back to me.
‘She’s changed.’
I could tell at a glance.
Her once short silver hair, which barely brushed her shoulders, had grown to her waist, and her once wooden frame had filled out into the shape of a proper young lady.
She wore the same silver dress she had when we first met on the 15th floor.
‘Back when she was a kid, it was like putting pearls on a pig.’
But now, I had to admit it suited her.
I slowly approached Pria.
“Sorry, I had some issues, so I’m a bit late.”
“……I see.”
“I tried to get here as quickly as I could, but it took me three years.”
Pria turned to face me.
She wore a soft smile.
“If you were busy, it couldn’t be helped. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
“…….”
“While you were gone, I did my best to fulfill my role. What do you think? Am I not fitting of the title of princess now?”
Pria lifted the hem of her dress and spun in a circle.
‘She’s not saying anything.’
I expected a few words of complaint, maybe some resentment, but nothing.
Her appearance had changed, but her atmosphere was similar to when we were on the 50th floor.
It was hard to believe what Yoshua had said—that she had spent her nights in tears, waiting for me.
“Three years….”
“It’s okay. I know you’re alive, and that’s enough. No need to apologize anymore. We’re on a battlefield after all; this isn’t the time for trivial greetings. Even now, warriors are fighting for us.”
Pria spoke in a low voice.
Then, she laughed softly.
“Well, a member of the royal family should know how to separate work from personal matters, right?”
“You’ve grown a lot.”
“If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to face you. I had to change—for me, for you, and for Townia. Anyway, Han, welcome back. We are glad to have you.”
Pria gently wiped the tears forming in her eyes and hardened her expression.
I took a deep breath.
‘Three years… really can change a person.’
It seemed she had learned how to control her emotions.
Or rather, she was forced to change.
If she hadn’t, she wouldn’t have been able to lead.
“What’s the situation outside? If there’s a dangerous spot, I’ll help.”
I spoke up.
Since I’d been given a mission, I had to do my part.
Pria pointed to the map on the table.
The thick leather map showed the current state of the battlefield.
It seemed to be enchanted, as the images on the map moved continuously.
‘It looks like we’re winning.’
The blue arrows on the left side of the map were pushing back the red arrows.
“Yoshua, explain the situation to Han.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Yoshua entered the tent.
He bowed to me and pointed to the map with the hilt of his sword.
“Our situation is overwhelmingly favorable. The ratio of forces is more than 10 to 1. The church’s army is in retreat, and the battle should be over in no more than 30 minutes.”
“There’s a wall though, right?”
“Our elite forces have already infiltrated it. Once the main army arrives, we’ll open the gates from the inside.”
“In other words….”
“Unfortunately, it seems you won’t be needed in this battle, hyung. Feel free to have a nice chat with the princess. The battle is practically over.”
“Is that so? I don’t need to go out?”
Yoshua nodded.
I crossed my arms. There were times when missions cleared themselves without the hero doing anything. Was this one of those missions where we just coast through? I hadn’t expected to encounter such a stage in Townia.
“Are you sure? There’s no difficult enemy to deal with or anything like that?”
“The elite forces of the church fled a long time ago. What’s left are just remnants.”
“…I see.”
It was baffling.
Every mission I had undertaken until now had been a series of extreme situations, but now, the battle was clearing itself without me even having to lift a finger.
‘Was the impact of the 50th floor that significant?’
There were thousands of monsters.
Still, it was surprising.
I almost felt like if I didn’t rush out, I’d get a mission failure message.
“Yoshua, I’ll go outside and encourage the soldiers. Can you entertain Han in the meantime?”
“As you command.”
“We’ll finish our conversation later.”
Pria smiled at me and left the tent.
The sound of multiple footsteps suggested that more guards had joined her.
Now, only Yoshua and I remained in the tent.
“This is something.”
The situation had completely changed.
I had always fought under unfavorable conditions.
“So, you said the prince was involved in this civil war? What’s the overall situation?”
“The prince is entrenched in the imperial capital, and the church is holding its ground in the holy city. If we capture these two regions, the prince’s forces will be eliminated from Townia. This is the last fortress standing before the holy city.”
“…….”
“It’s safe to say we’ve practically won.”
I scratched the back of my head.
I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!