A few days later, Rudell and his companions were able to return safely to the kingdom after finishing their schedule in the empire.
After that, a short yet long vacation passed, and the new semester began again on a sunny spring afternoon in the royal castle’s garden.
“Are you saying their traces have completely disappeared?”
“Yes, that’s the report from the informants tracking their traces.”
At Rudell’s question, Jade replied while sipping from her teacup.
The news she shared with Rudell and his group was so shocking that it left them bewildered.
From the events that unfolded in the empire, countless church strongholds and personnel had vanished, as if evaporated.
“What the hell is going on…?”
“What’s certain is that similar incidents are happening in various countries across the continent.”
“Even in other countries?”
Right now, the intelligence agencies of each country on the continent were busier than ever.
And rightly so, as the evil organization that had been lurking, ready to engulf the world, had vanished without a trace.
Naturally, no one knew the reason behind it, nor had any idea what to do.
They were just chasing meaningless investigations, searching for the tiny remnants left behind.
“…”
But if one were to pick the most confused person among them, it was none other than Rudell himself.
He already knew this world was far removed from the original story, but he had never expected such an event to occur.
‘What on earth is happening…!!’
In the original story, the church had relentlessly tormented the protagonist’s group.
They had plotted schemes, spread numerous deaths, and constantly put them to the test.
But in this world, instead of relentlessly tormenting Rudell and his companions, the church chose to go into hiding.
From Rudell’s perspective, there was absolutely no way to understand the reason behind it.
“Have there been any contacts from the other churches?”
“There are reports that some churches have received prophecies. The content of the prophecies has not been made public yet…”
“Hmm…”
Even with prophecies received, the fact that the church wasn’t exhibiting any reliable movements hinted that they didn’t think it was time to act.
For now, they had no choice but to judge the situation based on the movements of the church.
“I guess we have no choice but to keep an eye on the church’s movements.”
“Seems like that’s the only option.”
Rudell’s words made Jade nod with a short sigh.
With the crisis looming so closely it might be handled only by uniting all forces on the continent, how could there be any cooperation?
Feeling a headache coming on, Rudell lightly touched his forehead.
“It’s time for the princess to start her afternoon schedule.”
“Oh, has it already gotten so late?”
From a little distance away, Paris approached her and said. Jade, getting up from her seat, lightly nodded towards Rudell and Leje.
“Well then, I look forward to your continued support, you two.”
“Yes, Princess.”
*
Before long, the sun was setting, painting the sky red.
And the two made their way through the bustling streets filled with numerous people.
“Hah…”
“Are you okay? You look really tired?”
A short sigh escaped from Rudell as he walked, and Leje looked at him with concern.
“I wouldn’t say I’m fine…”
Rudell shook his head at her question.
When was the last time he had a carefree moment to rest?
His mind was so tangled up that he felt an urge to just drop everything and escape.
“Don’t worry too much; now that the church has marked you, you can’t completely escape their eyes anyway.”
“Yeah, probably…”
Of course, that was only true if the churches cooperated.
With discord among the churches and some acting unfriendly, how could he trust them?
“Well, that aside, it looks like I’ll be busy for a while. The student council work and with a lot more classes starting from the second year.”
“Right, I hope nothing happens during that time…”
Even knowing better, he couldn’t help but say that.
“…”
“What’s wrong? Is something up?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Seeing Rudell speak in a dispirited tone, Leje squinted at him.
Rudell tilted his head in confusion at her reaction, but Leje shook her head.
As they continued to walk along the road for a moment.
“So, what are we going to do now?”
“Well, I don’t have any other plans.”
Rudell had cleared his afternoon schedule in case his conversation with Jade went long.
Leje smiled slightly at his answer…
“Then, how about we go out together for the first time in a while?”
“Go out? Where to?”
Outing? Suddenly?
At her unexpected suggestion, Rudell looked at her, puzzled.
“That’s a secret.”
“A secret, huh…? Wait, what!?”
With a mischievous smile, Leje took Rudell by the arm and led him somewhere.
Without any chance to resist, Rudell moved his feet, pulled along by her hand.
Soon after, they arrived…
“We’re here!”
“Here? This is just a residential area.”
The place they arrived at reminded one of a poor neighborhood from 21st-century Seoul.
It was the third residential district, mainly inhabited by ordinary citizens.
While the land prices were cheap, the elevation differences made it hard to deem the location favorable.
“Sit here.”
“Huh? Here?”
Ignoring Rudell’s question, Leje positioned herself on a nearby staircase.
Rudell tilted his head in confusion but sat next to her.
“What are we doing here?”
“Look over there.”
Leje pointed at something with her hand.
Rudell followed the direction of her finger with his gaze.
And then…
“Oh…”
Looking at the magnificent view before him, Rudell let out a low exclamation.
The sky, tinted red, illuminated the landscape of Prucelium below.
Behind that was a towering castle wall, and beyond it, the vast plains were gleaming red like they were set ablaze by the sunset.
It was a scene that resembled a painting.
“Did you bring me all the way here just to show me this?”
“Don’t you like it?”
“Of course not…”
With a chuckle, Rudell replied.
In truth, he enjoyed this kind of scenery.
Watching a wide landscape from a high place and getting lost in thought was one of his few hobbies.
“That’s a relief.”
“Thank you for coming all this way just because of me.”
“I-it’s not because of that! I just remembered this place because I thought it would be nice to check it out when I passed by before!”
“Yes, sure, whatever you say.”
Seeing her brush it off like it was nothing, Rudell couldn’t help but chuckle.
The royal duke’s daughter just happened to pass through a place where only commoners live and spotted this spot?
It’d be more believable if she suddenly detested sweet food.
“Ugh…”
In response to his reaction, Leje puffed her cheeks, while Rudell smiled faintly, watching the sunset.
And so they sat there, soaking in the beauty for a while.
“Rudell, can you look over here for a sec?”
“Huh? What’s up?”
At her sudden call, Rudell turned his head, puzzled.
And simultaneously, he was greeted by the sight of Leje’s face getting uncomfortably close.
“Uh…?”
Before he had any chance to react, Leje’s lips met Rudell’s.
What kind of situation is this?
As those thoughts crossed his mind, he looked at Leje.
But that was just for a moment—feeling the soft sensation and sweet scent from her lips, Rudell silently began to intertwine tongues with Leje.
After what felt like a few minutes of deep kissing, as their mouths finally parted, Rudell stared at her with a dazed expression.
“Le-Leje…?”
“W-well, um, I heard that boys feel good when this happens…!!”
“Huh?! Who told you that…?”
“D-did you… not like it?”
“N-no, it’s not that I didn’t like it…”
If someone were to ask whether he liked it or not, of course, he did.
Who wouldn’t want to kiss someone they liked?
But more importantly, why did she suddenly kiss him?
Rudell was even more curious about that.
“I’ve noticed you’ve been really worried lately. You know that?”
“That’s…”
The encounter with Iandel.
A world line that doesn’t follow the original story.
Plus, all the various incidents happening every day.
He was so concerned with all of that that he was gradually wearing himself out.
“So I wanted to give you some strength, but this was the only method that came to mind…”
“Leje…”
With the sunset painting her face red, Leje spoke with flushed cheeks.
Looking at her like that, Rudell felt tears welling up in his eyes.
No matter how it was, she was the only one truly worrying about him.
“Leje!!”
“Kyaah! D-don’t just hug me out of nowhere!”
Although the gazes of the surrounding people were fixated on them, it didn’t matter to Rudell at all.
He just wanted to hold this lovable girl tightly in his arms.
That was all that mattered.
