Chapter 67 – Royal Capital Gaul (14)
I wanted to say sorry.
‘Did you get rid of it?’ Was no different from a vicious resurrection spell.
This is a time-honored, authentic flag that has been handed down in all kinds of media.
It is not an exaggeration to say that it has become a kind of jinx.
But I’m also sorry.
If I have to make my own protest, I wondered why he would say such a thing when watching video media, but after experiencing it myself, I started to ask.
I didn’t even think about it, really.
Could this be unavoidable?
In the midst of self-justification, Ain grabs my hand and runs.
“… Ugh?”
“I don’t have time.”
I guess so?
We run fast.
This is a collapsing building.
Quarreureung!
A roar rings out.
Debris falls from the ceiling.
It’s made of wood, it’s made of stone, and it pours down like a shower.
I’ve seen abandoned buildings collapse in real life, but it’s the first time I’ve seen an intact building collapse.
It’s the first time I’ve ever been in that building.
The thought that the current situation is like a disaster movie crosses my head.
It’s a carefree thought.
Still, there is no way to stop my heart beating.
I’m not afraid of these difficulties because I’m with everyone.
All of a sudden, his arm pulled me around.
I did not inquire into the motives of the action.
You must have a reason.
Just then, the wreckage of the building fell to the location I was trying to go to.
If I went there, I would have become a rat.
“Thank you.”
Ain replied calmly.
“It’s a matter of course.”
I was delighted.
Because I can confirm your consideration.
“Aria, I’m going.”
Ain was not satisfied with my speed, so he wrapped his arm around my waist and put it on his side.
It’s like luggage.
“Ah, Ain!”
“Even if you’re shy, bear with it.”
Are you ashamed?
It can’t be.
Because I like it so much.
Because I’m happy.
I think I’m going to lose my mind.
Azazel sees that and clicks her tongue.
“Love overflows and flows. Why don’t you just die?”
This is Azazel speaking with all my heart.
Hmmm.
Rather, it’s called a speedrun?
We are in the process of escaping from the inn by the shortest distance.
In some places, exits were blocked by fallen debris.
Still, I don’t feel desperate.
Because Ain and Azazel are there.
Wow!
They break in half and break through obstructed entrances without hesitation.
Excavators and excavators are also people who should go away.
Who can dare to stop your advance?
It’s like an extended version of escape room.
Ain shouted.
“I’ll break down the wall this way, don’t mind the debris and run!”
“Break it down, Einstein! A few of the falling floats I will be stopping!”
Ain’s magic breaks the outer wall of the building.
Aaaaang!
The inn building was staggering.
The explosion just went badly, the collapse accelerated.
But thanks to the breach in the outer wall, we got a runway.
I ran to the collapsed wall like a sprinter.
As soon as we left the building, the inn collapsed.
If I had been late for even a moment, I would have been crushed by the rubble of the building.
It’s creepy to think about.
We gasped for breath as we came out of the building.
I see the morning sun slowly brightening.
The cold air was still there, but it didn’t feel very cold, probably because our bodies were hot.
‘What’s wrong with being an innkeeper?’
Perhaps, the owner’s fortune is collapsing like this building.
We express our deepest regret for the unfortunate situation of small business owners.
I want to be of some help.
“Aria.”
“I’m fine.”
“Azazel.”
“Yes, yes, do you think a wizard can’t even get out of there?”
“Leon, Edelis.”
“All right. Me too, Sir Edelis.”
Hearing everyone’s answers, Ain said with a relieved face.
“First, let’s find a place to sleep.”
Everyone in the party agreed.
Our faces are covered with fatigue that cannot be hidden.
Edelis was the only one who had a decent night’s sleep here.
I remember vaguely what happened after that.
I guess it was because I was too tired physically and mentally.
After we got a big room in a decent inn, we fell asleep right away.
With Azazel’s alarm magic, the sickest night watchman didn’t have to stand.
That was very good.
* * *
“… Whoa, whoa.”
I reached out.
Stretched upwards.
There is only empty space.
I struggled to lift my eyelids.
I guess it’s a dream.
The hopelessness, anguish, and pain of just now fades away.
Like a patient on painkillers, I slowly forget the sensation.
I think I had a nightmare, but when I woke up, my memory was hazy and fuzzy, so I’m not sure.
Dreams are usually like that.
Warm, cold eyes slowly surveyed the inn’s scenery.
The people sleeping in the bed are Miss Edelis, Azazel, and myself.
Somehow, I ended up occupying the bed, and I can’t help but apologize.
It’s the same suffering.
… Is it the same thing?
Didn’t I do anything different?
After all, wouldn’t it be right for me to sleep on the floor?
I decided to stop being self-deprecating.
Ain hates it, and Azazel will hate it too.
He said it was important to have confidence.
Squeezing the juice out of the dried-up self-confidence is arduous, difficult work.
Confidence that came out a little bit by twisting and squeezing.
Even so, it will volatilize quickly.
Still, if you are there, I can do my best again.
Anything.
‘… Ain and Leon.’
The two, each occupying a sofa, are fast asleep.
I guess I was the only one who woke up because of a nightmare.
It’s a strange experience.
That I’m awake alone.
“Ughhh.”
Stretch and touch your neck.
It’s drowsy.
I wanted to sleep a little longer, but I gave up because I was afraid I would have another nightmare.
In my experience, if I had a nightmare once and fell asleep, I would have another nightmare.
I got up from the bed and approached the sofa where Ain was.
It’s a chance.
I wanted this to be an opportunity.
I sat down in front of the sofa and looked at Ain’s sleeping face.
I see a handsome face.
And defenseless.
It’s a glorious moment to achieve one wish list.
I exhaled thinly and poked his cheek with my index finger.
It’s something he used to do to me.
It’s the opposite, so it’s thrilling, like lightning strikes.
Ain was really deeply asleep and didn’t even move.
“Sigh.”
Even my hiding places are messed up.
Ain.
My love.
My everything
My heart skips a beat when I say it this way.
I want to be able to run busily.
His face, to be exact, his lips come into view.
Why does it remind me of the unfinished affair last night?
My body heats up again.
I am so lascivious.
So it shouldn’t be.
I hold your hand tight.
I want to convey all my heartfelt sympathy.
I want to tell you how I feel.
Ain.
My son.
“You are affectionate.”
It’s a soft voice.
I stopped breathing for a moment, and my body trembled.
Like a child caught playing a bad prank.
I froze and turned my head.
The blonde-haired prince with blue eyes looked good looking at him with an excited look on his face.
My mother, who was watching morning dramas, used to make that kind of expression.
“Uh, uh, where did you see, see…”
“Is there any need to be ashamed? Whether it’s a man or a woman, it’s a natural reaction to see someone of the opposite sex attractive.”
It’s a biological approach.
A woman is a sentimental creature by her nature.
Maybe it’s because I’ve become a woman too, so I felt that his words were especially hateful.
“… If you’re awake, please tell me that you’re awake.”
“I didn’t want to disturb you. The tryst between Miss Arya and Lord Einstein, well, in this case, it could be seen as Miss Arya’s one-sided tryst.”
Did you say it was dark?
Einstein’s brazenness must have been contagious from this prince.
Because you hang out with someone like this, you must have become ironclad.
“Are you kidding me?”
“I’m sorry. Seeing reciprocated love makes me grumpy.”
“You have a bad personality.”
“So you can hang out with Sir Einstein.”
Leon’s words sounded like sarcasm to me.
So I got angry.
“Don’t try to disparage Ain.”
Leon was about to say something, but when he saw my stubborn face, he shook his head.
“You’re firmly possessed by the fox.”
How could Einstein be a fox?
No, I was trying to deny it.
If the words didn’t follow.
“Like me.”
“Yes?”
“The hero named Einstein is a different kind and is rude. But he’s a good guy, and he’s trustworthy.”
“… Can you make it clear whether you are trying to praise or criticize?”
“How can a person be defined only in black and white?”
“I call a person who walks such an ambiguous tightrope a bat.”
Leon grinned.
“Actually, I am not a doppelganger. They are worse than bats.”
Are you going into self-study here?
I shut my mouth at the unexpected reply.
“Hmm, it’s okay if you don’t have to make such an apologetic face.”
I changed the topic.
“… By the way, what were you talking about with that demon?”
Leon sat down on the sofa he was lying on and spoke in a nonsensical tone.
“He asked if I didn’t want to be real.”
Talking about “Real” To your doppelganger?
This is the part where you can know the personality of the demon tribe, which was only thick with rumors.
It’s really bad.
But.
“It must have been an attractive offer.”
“Yes.”
I said, rubbing my cheek.
“You must have refused.”
Leon narrowed his eyes and let out a weak laugh.
“… That’s a confident statement.”
“Otherwise, you wouldn’t be with us.”
“Oh, the saintess is clever.”
“… I never said I was a saint.”
“There may not be Miss Arya, but didn’t that demon brag about it? A holy sword, a hero, and a saint. Besides, if she was by the hero’s side, she wouldn’t be an ordinary nun. I thought it was reasonable to think that she was a saint.”
“You have a good memory and good reasoning.”
“It’s nothing more than personal change. If this is not enough, her life will be lost in the royal family’s strife.”
It’s a world of bloody strife.
Thinking about it makes her head feel all pounding.
“Aren’t you asking why?”
“Will you tell me if I ask?”
Leon nodded and continued.
“It’s easy to reject the demon’s offer. She has been violated by her word.”
“A violation?”
“Sir Edelis told me not to give up. That includes the doppelganger ‘I’. So it was. I didn’t like his seductive proposal.”
Is it possible to interpret it that way?
It’s more of a dream than a dream.
“… So what are you going to do next?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell when everyone wakes up.”
There’s nothing more stupid than saying several times that you’re going to get it done at once.
I nodded and realized Leon’s expression hardened.
“Why is that…”
My words are not finished.
Because Leon got up from the couch.
The prince ran to the bed and hugged the woman who raised her upper body.
“I’m glad. Sir Edelis.”
A woman who looks at Leon with blank eyes.
Edelis Bride has awakened.
She gently stroked Leon’s back.
“Is this a dream?”
“Don’t be silly. It’s real. If this is a dream, I will not forgive you.”
Leon’s voice pretending to be calm no longer existed.
It was, above all else, a voice filled with sorrowful, pure, lofty love.
A woman named Edelis had a gentle smile.
“Your embrace is warm.”
It’s lumpy.
Would this be how Leon felt when he saw me earlier?
I feel like I’m going to burst into tears.
“Aria.”
“Huh?”
She almost screamed at the impending call, but her kin’ hand held my mouth shut.
Thick hands did not tolerate even the slightest wind passing through.
When, when did you wake up, Ain?
“I’m going to get Azazel from the bed. Let’s get out of the room.”
Let’s just leave the two of us alone.
I thought it was a wonderful consideration.
Also, you are nice and kind.
“I’ll pay you back later for stabbing someone in the cheek.”
… I can’t say I’m cool and caring.
