CHAPTER 16 – 播摩優香 (Harima Yūka)

The next morning, just before my squad’s training session, Saigo approached me with an unusually heavy expression.Even before he spoke, I could feel a pressure in the air—like something important was about to be revealed.
Saigo: “My lord… before our great war with the gods begins, there is something I must discuss with you.”
I raised my brows.“What is it, Saigo?”
He lowered his head slightly, but his voice remained firm.
Saigo: “How much longer do you plan to stay here in this kingdom? Are you not going to visit your castle? Since your reincarnation, you have not even mentioned it. It has been one thousand years since you last set foot there.”
I blinked. “…A thousand years?”
Saigo: “After you died during the war a millennium ago, none of us ever returned to the castle. Someone has been waiting for you there this entire time. And you have not even realized it since your revival.”
His tone sharpened, though still respectful.Saigo: “I do not know what will happen during the war with the gods—whether we die, run, or survive. But the chances of victory are slim. You are immature, my lord. Not by your fault… but because of the life you lived as a human. Many of your powers haven’t even returned yet, so your battle IQ and decision-making are still lacking.”
He looked away briefly, almost ashamed.Saigo: “I know I should not speak like this to my lord… but it needed to be said. Otherwise, we risk another thousand years waiting for your reincarnation.”
This was the first time Saigo had ever spoken to me like that.He bowed deeply, yet it felt as if he were scolding me like a teacher scolds a child.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t angry.Instead, I felt grateful—grateful to have someone who would warn me before I made mistakes I couldn’t undo.
I took a breath.
“With everything that’s happened… I just never had the chance to think about the castle. When around 70% of my powers returned, I faintly remembered that someone was waiting there. But I… ignored it. I thought it could wait.”
A bitter smile formed on my lips.
“I’m sorry. I truly should’ve gone earlier. Before my death, I asked her to protect the castle until I returned. But one thing still bothers me…”
I looked directly into Saigo’s eyes.
“When I was reincarnated, everyone came to visit me… except her. Why?”
Saigo exhaled softly.
Saigo: “That is because we were all asleep, sealed away. She alone stayed awake to protect the castle. You granted her the ability to remain active while the rest of us rested.”
Saigo: “And she had strict orders:Protect everything until your lord returns.A command so powerful it became a curse.”
He continued:
Saigo: “She could not leave. She could not come see you. Not until you stepped inside the castle again. She has waited alone—one thousand years—because you told her to.”
A sharp pain struck my chest.
I clenched my fists.
“…What have I done…”
Saigo nodded quietly.
Saigo: “It must have been agonizing for her, my lord. Unable to see you even after your revival… still trapped in solitude by your command.”
Guilt burned through me.Karna was right—I was immature.I had ignored something incredibly important, and someone loyal had suffered because of it.
And then—Without thinking, the name escaped my lips.
“…I’m sorry, Yūka.”
I froze.
It was a name I had never heard before.A memory—no, a fragment of my past self—had spoken for me.
Saigo’s eyes widened slightly.
Saigo: “At last… you called her name. After a whole month since your revival.”“These past thousand years probably felt shorter than this one month she spent without hearing your voice.”
He sighed.
Saigo: “Forgive my rudeness, my lord, but you truly are childish. You could have spoken to her through thoughts. You didn’t even attempt it.”“And yet here you are, apologizing to someone who isn’t even present.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t know why her name came out… but I needed to say it.”
Saigo softened.
Saigo: “Then why not speak to her properly? Before we visit the castle?”
I stayed silent for a moment.
“…No. I’ll speak to her in person tonight. After I talk to Tsukiko.”
I stood up and shouted to the soldiers:
“We depart for the castle tonight! Train until then!”
My entire army kneeled as one—even my commanders looked excited.
Then I requested Saigo:
“Stay with them until I finish talking to Tsukiko.”

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× The Castle — Inside Tsukiko’s Room ×
Ever since we kissed on the balcony, Tsukiko had become clingier, sweeter, and somehow even prettier than before.
She had just woken up—messy hair, puffy cheeks, no makeup.And yet… she looked adorable, almost cat-like.
Tsukiko: “Good morning, Crish… did you come to wake me again this early?”
Crish: “It’s already 9 AM, you spoiled princess. Get up.”
Tsukiko: “It’s just 9 AM… how is that late? What did you come for? Or are you planning something perverted again?”
Crish: “I’m not doing anything perverted. And don’t act like you didn’t kiss me back yesterday.”
Her face instantly turned red.
Tsukiko: “B-Blah blah blah! I don’t remember anything like that!”
Crish: “Then maybe I should kiss you again until you remember?”
She jumped up with a strange little fighting pose.
Tsukiko: “Come closer and I’ll hit you!”
I laughed.
“That’s exactly why I fell for you, spoiled princess. You’re too cute.”“And please stop that pose—you look ridiculous.”
The atmosphere shifted as I exhaled.
“There’s something I need to talk about.”
Tsukiko sensed the seriousness immediately.
Tsukiko: “What is it?”
I told her everything—Yūka, the castle, Saigo’s words, and my decision.
She listened silently.And when I finished—
PON!She flicked my forehead.
Tsukiko: “Idiot! How can you ignore something so important!? You immature dummy!”
I sighed. First Saigo, now Tsukiko.Maybe I really was an idiot.
After an entire hour of scolding, she finally softened.
Tsukiko: “…Fine. Go bring her back. But come home soon. I don’t want to be alone.”
I smiled faintly.
Crish: “Don’t worry. I won’t make you cry again.”
She frowned.
Tsukiko: “And when is ‘soon’? Are you going to return late like you did with her?”
Her question stabbed deeper than she knew.
Crish: “No. I won’t repeat the same mistake. But it’ll take two weeks… my castle isn’t on Earth, Heaven, or Hell. It’s somewhere far out in the universe.”
Her eyes widened.
Tsukiko: “Two weeks!? That’s 334 hours!! You want me to survive that long without you!?”
I laughed nervously.
Crish: “If I had full powers, it would take only an hour… but right now, flying there will take one week, a few hours to talk to Yūka, and one week to return.”
She didn’t like it… but she understood.
After I reassured her and held her close, we headed to the dining hall.My army trained outside while we ate together, trying to enjoy the remaining daylight.

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7 PM – Time to Depart
Tsukiko packed food for seven days of travel.Before leaving, I turned to her one last time.
Crish: “Be safe. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.”
Her face was sad, but she forced a smile.
Tsukiko: “Don’t worry about me. You should be careful. Come back before I get angry.”
Then she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek.
She whispered:
“I’m a spoiled princess… I do whatever I want.But you are a pervert.Beeeeh~ 👅”
I couldn’t help smiling.
What a perfect way to start a journey.
Without another word, I left for the castle I abandoned a thousand years ago.
To be continued…