Chapter 27
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Chapter 27: On the Dusk Rooftop
Fina’s terrifying bombardment shattered the Crimson Flame Legion’s last defenses, reducing the streets behind Midi’s group to ruins and cutting off their pursuers.
“This…” Sigmund stammered, overwhelmed by the rapid shift from encirclement to breakthrough, despair to hope.
Lilian stared blankly at the sky lit by Magic Beam flares, as if forgetting the battlefield entirely.
“That’s ‘Cross Air Strike’—Fina’s unique upgraded version of the Magic Beam,” Midi explained with a grin.
Fina’s firepower hadn’t appeared by miracle or accident. Midi had calculated it, though no plans had been made beforehand. In a chaotic surprise attack, certainty was impossible.
He’d guessed Fina’s position not through strategy, but by knowing the girl who’d mattered most across his lifetimes.
He knew she’d never leave without her team.
He knew she’d face ten thousand soldiers rather than abandon allies.
He knew her military instincts would choose the North as the strike point.
Yet he hadn’t anticipated her trust. The red-haired girl hadn’t charged with her fifty warriors. She’d waited, holding back until Midi’s signal coincided with his assault, then unleashed hell.
Who’d believe this seamless coordination relied purely on tacit understanding between two people?
Midi smiled, savoring the warmth of being trusted.
The cheerful grin clashed grotesquely with smoke, bloodstains, and burning ruins—yet felt perfectly natural.
This battle’s outcome had been decided the instant Fina chose faith in Midi.
“Move out,” Midi ordered. “Fina’s waiting.”
The raid team melted into the night, leaving York County ablaze—a fiery gift for the Sais family and General Red Fox.
By dawn, rumors of victory stormed through Asreks territory. Seventy elites infiltrating with 120 total troops achieving such results? Miraculous!
Though battle details stayed secret, taverns buzzed with talk of the Asreks’ might. Even servants and farmers debated over ale.
Midi Asreks—once dismissed as a useless playboy—became synonymous with strength overnight.
Skeptics whispered about the lord propping up his son, but the knights’ awed glances and veterans’ hushed stories silenced doubts.
Leading the charge!
Outmaneuvering the Crimson Flame Legion!
A decisive victory through unknown means!
The ingrained image of the spoiled heir withered before hard facts. Now “Young Master Midi” rolled off every tongue.
To Midi, this was trivial—routine work from his past life.
The real gains? Reaching level 23 in battle.
And Fina’s trust—their flawless tacit understanding.
Recalling her fiery hair, Midi smiled fondly at the castle rooftop’s sunset.
*“Ahem.”*
He turned. The red-haired girl stood beside him, feigning seriousness. Her green eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter, leaving him breathless.
Fina rarely expressed joy so openly. The Queen of Magic appeared bold and confident, yet often blushed with embarrassment or resorted to violence when flustered – something Midi knew all too well.
But now, Fina was smiling with such sincerity?
Midi felt momentarily puzzled until he spotted Lilian and Sigmund standing behind the red-haired girl. The golden-haired gunner maintained his usual elegant smile, casually greeting Midi. Lilian, however, avoided eye contact by turning her freckled face away instead of delivering her typical sarcastic remarks.
"They wanted to thank you," Fina stated plainly.
Understanding dawned on Midi. Though they’d become partners after the trial, true camaraderie and trust hadn’t yet formed between him and the other two. While Sigmund and Lilian acknowledged Midi’s strength and position, they’d still rely on themselves rather than him during crises.
The observant red-haired girl had noticed this subtle distance. Yet forging bonds from cooperation to trust, and ultimately to becoming life-pledged comrades, required time. Even Fina couldn’t force this process, choosing merely to watch rather than interfere.
But this voluntary gesture of gratitude signaled deeper acceptance beyond battlefield debts. Fina’s open delight revealed her joy at witnessing this growing connection. Such genuine care for others’ bonds explained her ability to build the legendary Hawk Brigade. Truly a born leader.
As Midi locked eyes with Sigmund, the gunner spoke plainly: "We owe you our lives. Thank you, Midi Asreks. Let’s fight together again." Their handshake carried firm resolve.
Lilian remained silent, her freckled face betraying nervousness. Not one for pretense, she’d come despite having no prepared words after years of sharp-tongued exchanges.
Midi smiled first, extending his hand. "I should thank you both too."
"For what?" Lilian blinked.
"You could’ve abandoned Asreks warriors to improve escape chances," Midi continued. "As their Chief Heir, I appreciate you fighting alongside them."
This wasn’t flattery. Through his Hawk Brigade commander’s eyes, Midi clearly understood their battlefield choices.
Lilian stared in surprise before meeting his gaze squarely. "Facing hardships with subordinates is Fina’s teaching. No thanks needed. But Midi Asreks…" She finally gripped his hand. "I’ll fight beside you."
"Enough said." Their handshake sealed the pact.
No further formalities were needed between those who’d survived death together. The rooftop fell quiet as Sigmund and Lilian departed, leaving Fina behind.
No words passed between red-haired girl and black-haired boy as they watched crimson clouds paint the horizon. The air held neither chill nor weight, but carried the bittersweet nostalgia of old books.
Midi cherished these wordless moments sharing sunsets with Fina.
Yet the red-haired girl seethed internally. Just like when he’d withstood the level 35 Sword Soul during the trial, countless questions burned her tongue. Midi’s calm demeanor only deepened her frustration. Why did this secretive boy ruffle her so?
"Answer me," she finally blurted casually. "How’d you know I was ambushing north?"
"No charge meant ambush," Midi shrugged.
"But why north specifically?"
After silence stretched, he replied: "I knew you’d support me from the best position. Just as you trusted me to lead the breakout."
"You…" Her voice quivered with anger – not just at his evasive answer, but at her own involuntary pleasure hearing it. She briefly imagined blasting him with a Magic Beam for peace, then unexpectedly laughed.
"What?" Midi looked genuinely confused.
"Nothing." Fina’s bright tone suggested newfound resolve.
This guy definitely hid secrets. His uncanny understanding, their seamless coordination, even his annoyingly warm gaze – everything suggested past connections. But since he refused to talk, she’d let it rest… for now. After their hard-won battle, he’d earned this respite.
There’d be time enough later.
