Chapter 14
“The pursuit is relentless. What exactly is chasing us?”
“It’s a mechanized corps. They enhance their physical movements with gear mechanisms, so they don’t tire. We need to shake them off… Irid?”
“It’s over there this time. What is it?”
“We’re running with all our might now, right…?”
“In a dire situation like this, I’m not so arrogant as to be leisurely.”
With each vault over the wall, Irid’s breathing grew increasingly unstable. Ten minutes had already passed in the chase, and Irid was drenched in sweat.
In contrast, not a single drop of sweat was visible on Centra’s face.
“Um… Irid, can I carry you?”
“What?”
“I think they might catch up to us. I can run just a bit faster, you see!”
For a moment, Irid’s face contorted with anguish.
Useless pride doesn’t help in a crisis. But, but… should he really endure the embarrassment of being carried away in a woman’s arms? Maybe he could just let Centra go ahead while he finds a suitable hiding spot nearby.
“I’ll apologize later!”
“Wai… Keugh!”
Nevertheless, Centra’s initiative overpowered Irid’s hesitation. She quickly scooped him up by the insides of his knees and back and leapt away.
It was the so-called princess carry.
“……!!”
Irid clenched his teeth, enduring the soul-shaking impact. He desperately tried to clear his mind by mentally belting out the Empire’s military cadence.
As Centra carried Irid in her arms, something large pressed against his chest and abdomen. The full-body tights were thin, and the soft texture transmitted clearly.
Now wasn’t the time to worry about what it felt like to be carried by a woman.
…It was a matter of whether he was going to end up in a more compromising situation!
A blissful yet precarious moment. Irid consciously tried to focus on something else. For instance, centering his thoughts on the vigorously bouncing… No. No.
Centra’s panther-like movements.
Centra followed Irid’s shortcuts, deftly maneuvering over walls and obstacles using only her legs. Her agility was outstanding, as was her stamina.
Their run took a brief pause atop a building. A gap between the buildings was too wide for even a galloping horse to cross, making jumping impossible. Centra carefully set Irid down for a moment.
Freed from the weird limbo of heaven and hell, Irid wiped the sweat from his forehead and caught his breath. It was far too stimulating for his heart. With his head now finally working properly, he began to devise a strategy.
Just as he was about to suggest, “Let’s jump into a passing carriage and hide…”
Centra fired her grappling hook toward the opposite building.
Whoooosh-! Click!
The rope-bound hook secured itself to the spire on the other side. After pulling on the rope a couple of times to ensure it was secure, Centra looked at Irid and smiled.
“Are you ready?”
“…Are we really going to cross like this? To the opposite building?”
“Of course!”
“I am ready.”
“I don’t think so, though. To go together, you’ll have to hold on to me, right?”
Centra patted her waist.
At that moment, Irid realized he had to throw himself into heaven and hell once more.
“…….”
Awkwardly, as if he was a shy kid – it was his first time – Irid wrapped his arms around Centra’s waist. They were incredibly close. So close that he genuinely wondered if she could hear his heart pounding.
“Closer. Tighter.”
Centra wrapped one arm around Irid’s waist, pulling him in. They practically embraced each other. The scent of rosemary brushed past Irid’s nose, making his head spin like a top.
Centra whispered in Irid’s ear.
“Do you have a fear of heights?”
“……No.”
“Then… How about we experience the feeling of flying? It feels amazing!”
“……Um.”
“Keep your eyes on the sky, and… Focus. On the wind tickling your skin… and a bit of thrill!”
Tap.
Centra lightly leaped into the air. For a moment, their bodies floated, drawing a perfect arc through the sky. The wind whooshed past. His ears plugged up and his hair flew wildly.
Irid’s golden hair was revealed as the rag blew away in the wind, but worrying about that was the least of his concerns. The sky was a vibrant blue, the rope action was exhilarating, and Centra’s smiling face was nothing short of breathtaking.
I’ll never forget this moment for as long as I live.
With that thought, Irid smiled, momentarily escaping all worries. He felt, if only for a brief time, truly free.
Just like that, the short flight came to an end.
===============================================================
The two of them sought refuge in an old, run-down stable. They planned to wait until the pursuers gave up and returned.
“How was it?”
“…Quite fun. I should have accepted when the Golden Magic Tower Master offered to let me experience Flight Magic.”
“You know the Golden Magic Tower Master…?”
“That’s right. Probably not the current Tower Master, but maybe the one before that or even further back.”
“……?”
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Centra’s clear eyes transparently revealed her emotions, displaying pure curiosity. Irid couldn’t help but smile, feeling like he was observing a particularly curious cat.
“Are you not going to tell me?”
“No, I wasn’t trying to dodge it with a laugh. I just couldn’t help but smile because you’re beautiful.”
“……W-What?! Gosh, what are you saying…?”
Centra playfully hit Irid on the shoulder.
It felt like being hit by a full swing from a wooden sword, but it was bearable. After all, seeing Centra’s embarrassed expression filled his soul with satisfaction. Irid rubbed his shoulder gently and spoke calmly.
“I’m Irid, the Second Prince of the Empire. From 100 years ago.”
“100 years ago?!”
“The genius wizard from the Purple Magic Tower restored Dimensional Magic. I’d experienced it as a test. I had no idea it would transcend time instead of just dimensions, though… Do you believe me?”
“Of course! I was surprised, but… I honestly thought you looked like the portrait!”
“Seems like records of my appearance still exist?”
“That’s because, after the defeat, the Kingdom Alliance laid the portraits of Irid flat on the ground, saying only those who stepped on them would be spared…”
“……Not even the minimal respect was given to the enemy commander, huh. Tsk.”
“Then, um… should I address you as Prince or Your Highness?”
“Just as it is. You can skip the formalities. I don’t wish to hear them from you.”
“Okay, I’ll do that, Irid. The world is so full of wonders!”
With fascination sparkling in her eyes, Centra shivered as a chilly breeze passed through. Irid grabbed a handful of straw and covered her with it, like a blanket.
“Is that outfit for resistance activities?”
“……Y-You knew?!”
“If you read the documents, it’s pretty obvious, you know.”
“Yes, I’m part of the Resistance… I guess!”
“How did that happen? You don’t seem like the type to enjoy that.”
“My father was the leader of the Resistance. After he passed away… the members said, ‘If it’s you, that’s fine,’ and offered me the leadership. Um, that’s how it turned out.”
A shadow passed over Centra’s face. Was she feeling the burden of being the leader of the Resistance? She had seemed much happier working at the inn. Her nature seemed better suited for everyday joy than conflict.
“Something will happen at the Founding Festival, right?”
“The operation named 『Beer and Song』 will take place. It’s a plan I devised.”
“Are you trying to spark a riot with bootlegging?”
“W-What are you saying! I think fighting and quarrelling is a bit… how should I say this. I believe it’s just wrong. Um. 『Beer and Song』 is an operation where drunk people sing together. It’s a song with ridiculous lyrics calling for an end to discrimination and persecution.”
“……Did all the Resistance members agree to this?”
“About half and half…? The more radical members really dislike it. Moderate members feel like they’re letting it slide because I’m my father’s daughter.”
The Resistance members who managed to survive against the Kingdom Alliance surely weren’t soft. They were undoubtedly ready for bloodshed. Yet, the fact that such a lukewarm strategy was being pursued meant Centra’s father likely had extraordinary charisma or…
“I know too. Such a joke event probably won’t change anything.”
“However, I know something else. Even if we stage an armed uprising, most of those we harm will likely be civilians. The ones who suffer losses will be civilians as well. A single small group fighting against a nation is… like throwing eggs at a rock, after all.”
“Then, at least, I wanted to walk the right path.”
“I hope many of the public will reconsider their thoughts at least once. I want to change a world where people trample on others, calling them slaves, a world where people hurl insults at each other and draw their swords.”
“『Beer and Song』 is the result of that whimsy.”
……Perhaps Centra demonstrated the qualities of a leader after all.
She chose the right path, even if it ended up being just a prank, over a method that had a high probability of success but was wrong. Some might criticize her as a fool, but…
“I’ll help.”
“Really?!”
“It’s a light-hearted operation, but… it’ll make a difference with my help. After all, I’m destined to be the Emperor in the future.”
Even if that future him were to become the Withering Emperor, bringing the end to the Empire… at least, that time isn’t now. Right now, he was young, healthy, and full of zest, with his spirit burning hotter than ever before in his life.
Step. Step.
As the sound of footsteps echoed past the stable, Irid and Centra quickly hid among the heaps of straw stacked like a small hill. It was a cramped and dark space where they could do nothing but face each other.
“…Are you going to live here forever?”
Whispers.
“…No, I’m supposed to return when the Founding Festival begins.”
“That might be a bit… disappointing. Will we see each other again?”
“Perhaps.”
“Then shall we make a promise? Just between us.”
In the darkness, Centra reached out her hand, which landed on Irid’s thigh. Numerous hypotheses raced through Irid’s mind about what this gesture could signify.
As Centra fumbled around, she finally found her target. It was Irid’s hand. All his hypotheses were quickly discarded.
Centra took Irid’s hand and linked their pinky fingers.
“After we finish 『Beer and Song』 and you go back, if we happen to meet again… could you call my name?”
“…What a strange request.”
“You’ll promise, won’t you?”
“…Sure.”
===============================================================
“It’s almost time to shoot the fireworks.”
“…Are you really going to do it? You said His Highness is softer than he seems, right…?”
“You just witnessed it, didn’t you? The resolve of the Second Prince. If I’m that serious about the TRPG… then I have no choice but to show my sincerity too—!”
“L-Let it be known! I-I tried to stop you, okay?”
Whether the scaredy-cat Tower Master stayed or fled, it didn’t matter. My spirit was ablaze. Everything was just preparation for the final scene of a Happy Ending.
The stage was set. Bring it on── Second Prince!
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