(EP-220.1) #3

220 – Great Escape #3

I wanted to find the official entrance, but I couldn’t find it.

Pang, papang-Hearing the sound of fireworks going off and the people’s cheers, the voting might have already begun. I decided it was best to enter the stadium and see for myself.

━Don’t cut in-.

━Hey, don’t push!

I struggled to squeeze my way through the lines of people.

The massive stadium, capable of accommodating 10,000 people, was packed. Thanks to this, I only managed to find a spot in a corner on the upper level, barely able to stand and see the stage.

The space was bathed in bright light.

There, I saw a familiar face.

She, dressed in white like a lily with her black hair cascading beautifully, was speaking to the people.

Aira’s expression reflected on something like a large billboard was serene, while the faces of those gazing at her seemed somewhat fervent.

━So, I tend to have a light breakfast. Fasting can enhance a person’s concentration.

━Thank you for that. It’s really fortunate to have learned of Aira-nim’s excellent magic skills. And now, a question for Serazade-nim.

It was like a show program.

One of the most remarkable aspects was how calmly Aira spoke among the crowd, maintaining her composure.

Even when Serazade, who she regarded as an enemy, started talking beside her, her expression didn’t change and there was even a faint smile on her face.

She already looked like a winner.

Aira remained unruffled and confidently ruled amidst the cheers and fervor of many. She was no different than a true Queen of July.

Rebellions everywhere.

Being labeled as a tyrant.

Even the ruthless edge of the cold guillotine would no longer chain Aira’s ankles.

Just a few months ago, who would have thought Aira harbored such potential? Perhaps it would have been deemed unbelievable. It was a completely out of line thought.

A dream.

Was it a dream?

Suddenly.

I began to wonder if I hadn’t woken up from the dream yet. If so, whose dream was this?

Seeing the spectacle I wanted to see, I doubted whether this was merely my mind presenting a favorable dream.

━So, Aira-nim. As we approach the final voting, could you give us some final words? It could be a dream or an aspiration.

━Dream-.

In response to the host’s question, Aira glanced around then quietly raised a finger.

━…….

She seemed to have chosen silence instead of opening her mouth.

Seureureuk-.

Soon, she put her hands together-.

━What, what is she trying to do?

━I don’t know. I can’t hear what she’s saying. Or am I the only one who can’t hear her?

━No, she’s not saying anything. She’s trying to do something.

Just as the attention of the crowd was focused.

Aira lightly spread her clasped hands in front of her chest.

And from within, clusters of light spread their thin wings and colored the dark festival skies.

Flutter, flutter-.

━Wow-.

━I’ve never seen anything so beautiful…

Everyone who had been chattering around the stage gazed up at the sky with open mouths. The deep blue night sky soon sparkled like a masterpiece as the various colors began to swirl around.

“How do you like it? Quite beautiful, isn’t it?”

I was startled out of my reverie when someone spoke up from behind me.

“Rank 1 Illumination magic and Rank 3 Magic Manipulation. And if you add Rank 7 Reality Alteration, such things are possible.”

Turning my head, a woman dressed in a white robe approached me and held onto the railing as she looked at the cluster of light.

As I watched those black eyes change to bright colors, I spoke softly so none could hear.

“Who is that on stage?”

“Well, who knows. Perhaps Aira Von Tarantera, the Queen of All. Or maybe, the to-be July Queen.”

Did she not think she’d lose in the vote?

But I didn’t say such things. Rather, my curiosity lied here.

“If that’s Queen Aira over there, then who is here?”

“Well.”

In response to my question, the lips hidden beneath the robe parted ever so slightly. And despite the noisy cheering crowd, her voice was exceptionally clear to my ears.

“Now, it can be anything.”

Seureureuk-.

Finally, she grabbed me by the collar.

“There are too many idiots here.”

Being pulled with a fairly strong force, I got dragged by Aira. Pushing through the crowd and bumping into countless shoulders, Aira still didn’t stop.

━Watch where you’re going! Huh, that face looks familiar….

━Isn’t that Queen Aira? No, she’s on stage, so it must be someone who looks like her.

It seemed like people didn’t even consider that it was Aira and her servant Theo Gospel walking against the flow. Well, it was only natural since her face was being displayed on the billboard.

Was this really happening?

The tension, the strange sense of defiance against what everyone else was doing, pricked at my heart.

It felt like I was doing something wrong.

I, who had never played a prank, was missing a big event to head into unknown darkness.

Festivals were an escape from everyday life. So, where were we, those fleeing from such a festival, heading to?

* * *

After a long walk, we arrived at a quiet pond. This was the place where I often took Aira’s hand for walks.

Whuuuu, Pang-.

A large firework flared into the sky in all directions. Its reflection on the distant surface of the water made it look as if the fireworks were blooming above the water.

“What do you think? It’s quiet, a good place to enjoy the festival.”

“It is.”

I replied in agreement, but in truth, there was a hint of worry in the back of my mind.

Edited by: faker