I also really love the main character, Echinacea. Most of the times when characters go back into the past, they use their knowledge of the future for self-gain, to get richer, etc. which is fine (I'd totally do the same), but she uses it purely to save people, to the point she's willing to risk her own life, multiple times. She's so strong and isn't afraid to put shitheads in their place, but she's also extremely hard on herself because of what happened in the first timeline. Her self-loathing is intense, and the author described it so detailedly that it's very very sad to read... like you can understand why she feels the way she does, so it's not annoying like when other characters victimize themselves. I cannot think of two main characters who are kinder to each other but unkindest to their own selves, and I think that polarity is what makes me love their love story so much more.

Now, continuing on with the theme that she's stronger cause feminism. The only time she's wished for his help was when she was pregnant, obviously, and even then he was practically weaker than her. In the scene the pregnancy happened and was announced and such, I actually found it quite nice. He was obviously experiencing the morning sickness himself, but it was in such a way I thought he'd be the one bearing children. But then more drama happened and she rushed into a battle because obviously she's OP, and he also went to fight. Only problem is she needs to care for a baby as well so she can't go all out. I don't know why it was necessary to add in that scene but I didn't bother myself with it.

Anyways, main plot. Things happen, ML reveals his feelings but FL doesn't accept them because she feels guilty for the past. Roundabout things happen, ML has an engagement partner he didn't know of and FL finds out and sulks. He gifts her a sword which she absolutely treasures, and they both try to deal with their feelings. They grow closer on a secret mission together, where they save a giosa user, who was a healer. They go into a node things like that and escape. After that, more things ensue and eventually she decides to accept his feelings, but doesn't date him. He manages to change the engagement into a fake one and things like that, he tells FL, and they also soon start dating after they establish that they don't blame each other for anything. It's secret, and most people just assume it's a one-sided crush. Actual drama happens, we find out ML's older brother is crazy and tries to frame ML as the demon user of the cursed giosa (FL's sword) since the sword disappeared completely. To explain, the 2nd Prince and Emperor planted the sword at FL's house for the scheme and planned to take knights and eliminate the house to increase their status. It failed both times due to her talent and also to her becoming the master of the sword. Prince tried to frame FL but failed unexpectedly and turned his frustration to ML. ML gets cursed and FL fights him, but nerfs herself and almost loses because she doesn't want to hurt him. Eventually succeeds but there's a 2 chapter amnesia arc since he'd earlier given up his sword*2 to make it easier to take him down. This scene showcases her love a lot, but it also doesn't forget to show how he loves her so much it even leaks into amnesia. Despite being briefly cursed, he can still use his own giosa, Rangiosa. Which if not mentioned was surprising because there's a condition to never commit evil to use Rangiosa. Gains back his memories, feels terrible as FL had exposed herself to protect him. She goes under the radar whilst he works to get her acknowledged as a giosa owner and not a demon. In short she helps in a civil war and gets the crown prince to the throne but also kills the former emperor after finding out how little he cared for ML, i.e. His own son. She loses herself to bloodlust and almost kills ML, but stops herself and manages to change her own giosa so it isn't as bloodthirsty or something. She becomes an actual admired knight and her relationship goes public and they're both really admired, FL especially. She spars with ML and wins, they get married and so on.

Now writing this I wondered why was FL always on a pedestal compared to ML, who always helped her onto this pedestal and I realised it's just the format of these stories. A format I dislike but don't hate, and I don't usually enjoy them because in some cases, the ML being put down are exceptional, amazing. Especially this one. I saw that the trope were equals who weigh each other out but the scales seem unfair. If it wasn't for the plot, the story would've just been an essay praising FL for her strength and it overshadows the ML, who's extremely strong himself yet constantly was outshined by the talented FL. It's my single complaint. Don't write a pairing meant to be equals if you can't actually do it. Other than that, I love them. One of my favourite stories.

she’s actually the strongest, not like in other novels where the FL is supposed to be so strong but somehow the ML is always stronger so that she can still be cute and protected by him. Echinacea is actually the strongest which is super satisfying but the main couple still protect and support each other. It’s really sweet!!