Chapter: 18
The Second Prince had completed all preparations and laid down on the magic circle. The lunatic wizard and the Purple Magic Tower Master took their positions on the east and west sides of the circle, channeling their mana into it.
A violet glow flowed along the grooves of the magic circle, gently illuminating the surroundings.
The preparations were complete.
The movements, strategies for confronting enemies, and the method to rescue her were all ready. The Second Prince Irid was determined to save his love today, without a doubt.
The only thing he lacked was…
He hadn’t prepared his final farewell to her yet.
Sweat trickled from his palms. Could he truly do it? Could he complete his mission and see Centra’s smile again? Could he genuinely wish for her happiness? A storm raged in Irid’s mind.
But regardless of how much his heart wavered or how many temptations tormented him, he never forgot what he had to do. Save Centra. That was all he needed to focus on.
Reflecting on the strategy meeting, Irid spoke to the wizard.
“How much time is left?”
“About an hour in real time, Your Highness. The mana tank’s capacity is insufficient, so our maintenance time has decreased… but it should be enough to enjoy your reunion, assuming there are no variables.”
Variables. Irid suspected something and asked again.
“One last question, Wizard. Is this magic absolutely safe?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Even if I die on the other side?”
“That’s correct.”
“Alright… I am ready.”
Irid closed his eyes. All that remained was to achieve his goal.
===============================================================
Tick-tock.
The lingering scent of rosemary, a corridor filled with suffocating black smoke, scattered debris, an explosion.
Tick-tock. Tick-tock.
You could feel time softening, flowing slowly and painfully leisurely. You wiggled your fingers. You focused intensely, feeling every fiber of your tense muscles.
Before time sped back up uncontrollably, you replayed the strategy meeting in your mind: the advice from the Elder Pelson of the Fire Magic Tower and the First Princess Elaine.
“Didn’t you say you went into the same room with that kid? Then— the enemies obviously know of your existence.”
“If it was triggered by a scroll, I’d assume they used a remote detonation device. They’d be watching the target through the window, channeling mana into it.”
“Then they know you’re alive. They realize you weren’t caught in the explosion.”
Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick-tock. Tick.
The ticking of the clock in your ears grew distant. Time resumed its prior rapid pace. Agent C from the Defense Bureau said this.
“A grappling hook gun, huh… Should we check beneath the floorboards of the inn room? If they’re hiding weapons and gear, that’s the most likely place.”
Before the black smoke could fill the room, you stomped down hard on a suspiciously creaky section of the floorboard, breaking it open. A hidden space was revealed, and you reached in.
A full-body bodysuit, a grappling hook, two daggers.
You picked up the grappling hook gun and secured it to your waist while drawing the daggers, holding one in each hand.
Just then, black smoke began to fill the room. The faint scent of rosemary was overwhelmed by the smell of flames, ash, and violence.
Then you recalled.
“If they know you— the Prince— weren’t caught in the explosion, they’ll target you first since you’re unharmed. If they want to incapacitate someone with an explosion, obscuring vision would be counterproductive. After all, they wouldn’t know where the injured might hide or flee, right?”
“Perhaps they considered you as a variable from the very beginning. So, for any contingencies, the first move should be—”
────Now!
Clang──!!
As you swung your dagger, another dagger shot out from the black smoke, deflecting yours.
Considering the angle of the incoming blade and the familiarity of its handle design, the assailant lurking in the darkness was the female mercenary, Ronya.
You caught a glimpse of red hair.
Just as expected.
“Fighting in the dark puts you at a disadvantage given the circumstances. After all, while Little Brother isn’t prepared… the enemy is. If you don’t know what move they’ll use next, shouldn’t you at least fight somewhere with a clear view?”
“There’s a prototype grappling hook gun in the Defense Bureau. Give it a try.”
“Good thing it’s a scroll; calculations become easy. Considering the explosion’s force, the location of the protected target would be around here…”
Clang──!!
You deflected another dagger as it flew through the air. Fate was on your side. According to your plans, taking a hit at least once in this scenario was something you had braced yourself for.
The attacker in the darkness retreated slightly. To think someone could flawlessly parry two sneak attacks in a row while their lover was caught in a sudden explosion…
Unless you stopped time to think about it, the paperwork-obsessed guy was turning out to be unexpected talent…
“──that’s what she’ll think, right? Mercenaries typically hold their lives dear; they’ll pull back to assess the situation. That gives you some breathing room. Now it’s your turn, Irid.”
The First Princess described it as ‘a turn has come’. In the sequence of movements like a chess game, you gained a precious moment as fleeting as a breath.
Estimating Ronya’s position in the dark, you kicked a chair toward her. The dull sound of the crash, followed by a flash of magic. The enemy must have channeled mana into her arm to block it.
Your intention wasn’t to deal damage; it was to divert attention. The real objective was elsewhere. You threw yourself out of the small room’s window.
Crash-!
The window shattered, and your body soared briefly into the air. A harsh metallic shout echoed from inside.
“Are you abandoning Centra and running away, huh?!”
“……No.”
In mid-air, just as you were about to hit the ground, you aimed the grappling hook gun at your waist and shot it. You aimed for the window of the corridor. Towards the spot where you expected to find Centra.
As the hook embedded itself into the wall, you cranked the grappling gun’s motor to its maximum. You were pulled forward as if something invisible was dragging you in.
Once again, you smashed through a window with your entire body. In the darkness, you fumbled your way around. Something brushed against your fingertips. Something soft and flinchy.
With determination, you gripped it tightly so you wouldn’t let go again.
You could hear Centra’s faint voice.
“……Ugh, Irid…?”
“I came to rescue you.”
“……I’m s-sorry to say this in such a s-serious situation, but if you grip there too tightly, it kinda hurts… a little…”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”
…You decided to act as if nothing had happened.
You tossed the handle of the grappling gun outside the window. This way, the rope fixed to the hook would stretch taut against the wall, creating an instantaneous ankle trap.
You hoisted Centra onto your back and dashed toward the stairs leading to the second floor. The joy of rescuing her didn’t last long. Feeling your back grow damp with liquid sent a chill through your heart.
A metallic, fishy smell. The limp, sagging weight of Centra’s arm heightened your anxiety. You had to escape the smoke quickly and check for injuries.
Crash-!
“YOU SON OF A BITCH-!!”
Someone seemed to have tripped over the rope. You gained a moment to breathe.
You vaulted down the twelve-step staircase in one breath. Simultaneously, you burst out of the thick black smoke. Without hesitation, you dashed to the wall on the second floor.
You pressed your hand against the wall and drew a mana door. Though your hands trembled, error was not an option, and you scribbled desperately. The symbol of the Defense Bureau emerged. The wall opened, revealing a hidden passage.
You ran. A quick glance back showed Ronya racing through the slowly closing door of the secret passage. You had enough time.
You raced down the dimly lit secret passage…
===============================================================
In the middle of the secret passage, you completed emergency treatment on the lying Centra.
Fortunately, Centra wasn’t severely injured. It seemed she had summoned all her mana the moment the explosion occurred to defend herself. The dampness wasn’t blood— it was the aftermath of the “Water Shield” scroll she had used.
Thanks to that, her injuries were limited to minor scrapes, some burns, and temporary mana exhaustion. However, her thin everyday clothes being drenched by the “Water Shield” made administering treatment quite cumbersome.
……Well, you needed to be able to see in order to apply emergency treatment!
Centra generously allowed you to see her nearly transparent state. Both of you blushed for several minutes as you performed the “Burn Scatter” spell you learned from the War Priest.
Centra softly spoke up.
“……You’re quite skilled at this?”
“I practiced hard. To save you.”
“So, you mean… you went and then came back?”
“That’s right.”
“……That’s so dangerous! If you had just stayed in your original world… you wouldn’t have been in any danger. Look, even your handsome face got hurt…”
“I’m glad to hear you like my face.”
“That wasn’t meant to be a compliment!”
“So you don’t like it?”
“……It’s not that I don’t, though.”
Only then did you finally smile.
For the past week, your face had held not a trace of a smile. Yet, with Centra, it was a wonder how easily smiles came.
How many had been enchanted by her kindness? It seemed she had a power to draw people’s hearts toward her. Maybe it was just you… falling for her at first sight.
You believed Centra would be able to rise to any challenge that came her way.
“With you alive, we can fix everything. Dealing with those radical fools and successfully making ‘Beer and Song’ a hit!”
“……Irid?”
Centra reached out, puzzled, but you didn’t take her hand.
It wasn’t over yet.
“It seems there’s still work to be done. Just wait a moment. I’ll be quick and return.”
You stood up, gripping the dagger. The sound of someone racing towards you from the other end of the passage reached your ears.
You hoped for a little luck, wishing to resolve this without a fight… but then again, it would be strange if the Resistance didn’t know about the secret passage they had taken the base from. Just a hunch, but you thought the Resistance itself might be the Defense Bureau.
“……You…won’t run away… will you?”
“Not a chance.”
“Then… please… don’t get hurt. Fight well and win. You must!”
“I promise.”
With the encouragement from the one you loved, there was no reason for you to lose.
You prepared for the final showdown.
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