Having completed all the preparations, the Second Prince laid himself atop the magic circle. The mad mage and the Lord of the Purple Tower took their places to the east and west of the magic circle, pouring their magical energy into it.

 

A violet radiance flowed along the grooves of the magic circle, illuminating the surroundings with a soft glow.

 

Everything was ready.

 

The pathways, the movements to counter the enemy, the method to rescue her. Today, without a doubt, Second Prince Erid would save his love.

 

If there was one thing lacking…

 

Erid still hadn’t prepared his final words to her.

 

Sweat seeped through his grip. Could he truly achieve it, fulfill his goal, and see Centra’s smile? Could he wish for her happiness? It felt like a storm was raging inside Erid’s mind.

 

However, even though his heart might waiver, even though numerous deceptions tormented him, he did not forget what he had to do. Save Centra. That was all Erid should be wholly focused on.

 

While reflecting on the plans discussed, Erid spoke to the mage.

 

“How much time do we have left?”

 

“About an hour in real time, Your Highness. The duration has been reduced due to a lack of capacity in the magic tank, but… it should still be enough time to enjoy the aftermath, provided there are no variables.”

 

Variables. Erid had a suspicion and asked once more.

 

“Let me ask you one last time, mage. Is this magic absolutely safe?”

 

“Yes, of course.”

 

“Even if I die on the other side?”

 

“That’s correct.”

 

“Alright… I am ready.”

 

Erid closed his eyes. All that was left was to accomplish the task.

 

————-

 

Tick-tock.

 

The lingering scent of rosemary, a corridor filled with billowing black smoke, scattered debris, an explosion.

 

Tick. Tock.

 

You felt time beginning to thaw from its icy rigidity, becoming pliant once again. Slowly, achingly leisurely. Your fingers twitched. You focused so intensely that you could feel every fiber muscle in your body tensing up.

 

Before time resumed its relentless march, you reviewed the strategy meeting in your mind. The counsel of the Elder Pyrul of the Flame Tower and Princess Elaine, the first royal daughter.

 

“You went into the room with that child, right? Then— it’s obvious the enemies would be aware of your existence too.”

 

“If it was a scroll that triggered the explosion, then my guess is that they used a remote detonator. Watching the target’s movements through a window then channeling magic into it.”

 

“That means they know you’re alive. That you weren’t caught in the explosion.”

 

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

 

The ticking of the clock receded from your ears. Time had begun to flow rapidly again, as it always had. Agent C of the Defense Bureau had said,

 

“A grappling gun… Would you care to check beneath the floorboards of the inn’s room? If one were to hide weapons and gear, that would be a likely spot.”

 

Before the black smoke filled the room, you stomped hard on a particular area of the floor where the floorboards creaked oddly, breaking through. There was a hidden space, and you reached inside.

 

A full-body tights suit, a grappling gun, two daggers.

 

Snatching the grappling gun, you hooked it onto your waistband, while the daggers you drew swiftly to hold one in each hand.

 

By that time, the black smoke had completely filled the room. The faint hint of rosemary was eradicated by the smells of flames, ash, and violence.

 

Then you recalled,

 

“If they know you weren’t caught in the blast, they’ll target the prince, who is safe and sound first. You said black smoke billowed up, right? If you want to incapacitate someone with an explosion, it doesn’t make sense to block their view. You wouldn’t know where the target has hidden or fled to.”

 

“Perhaps they had considered you as a variable from the very beginning. So the first move in preparation for the ‘what ifs’ would be—”

 

—Now!

 

Clang—!!

 

As you swung the dagger powerfully, it collided with another that had suddenly lunged out of the black smoke, sending it clattering away.

 

Considering the angle from which the blade came and the familiar design of the dagger’s handle glimpsed briefly, it must be the female mercenary Lonya who ambushed from the darkness.

 

You thought you caught a glimpse of her red hair.

 

As expected.

 

“In such circumstances, fighting in the dark is a disadvantage. Because while the younger sibling prepared nothing… the enemy is geared up. If you don’t know what move they will make next, at the least, you should move to a place with clear visibility, shouldn’t you?”

 

“The Defense Bureau has a prototype of a grappling gun. You should practice with it.”

 

“Lucky it’s a scroll; calculations are easier that way. Considering the blast’s strength, the protectee’s location would be around here…”

 

Clang—!!

 

From Noble mtl dot com

 

You deftly parried another swiftly approaching dagger. Fortune was on your side. According to your plan, you had braced for the possibility of getting hit by a flying blade at least once in this segment.

 

The assailant in the darkness retreated slightly. Astonishingly, you had twice now perfectly countered surprise attacks amid the sudden explosion.

 

If not for stopping time to think it through, the desk jockey better suited for filing papers was unexpectedly skilled— a fact beyond prediction.

 

“Wouldn’t they think so? Mercenaries generally adore their own lives too dreadfully, they’d retreat in uncertain times. That meant we finally have a chance. Now it’s your turn, Irith.”

 

The princess expressed it as ‘the turn has come’. Literally, it meant gaining a precious moment in a stepped battle akin to playing chess.

 

In the darkness, you roughly estimated Ronya’s position and kicked the chair with your foot. The dull sound of shattering, and the flash of magic. It seemed like Ronya had deflected your attack with magic in her arm.

 

You didn’t intend to inflict damage. It was an action to distract.

 

Your move was this way. You hurled yourself out of the small room through the window.

 

Clang-bang-!

 

As the window broke and your body took flight, a sharp yell interrupted laced with the metallic sound of swords.

 

“Are you abandoning Sentra to escape, huh?!”

 

“No.”

 

In the air, just as your descent began, you aimed with your grappling hook gun from your waist and fired towards the br

 

In the middle of the secret passage, you finished administering first aid to Sentra, who was lying down.

 

Fortunately, Sentra was not severely hurt. The moment the explosion occurred, it seemed she had gathered all her magic to shield herself. What was moist was not the blood flowing out, but the aftereffect of the “Water Shield” scroll that Sentra was in possession of.

 

Thanks to that, her injuries were only limited to some bruises, minor burns, and magic depletion causing her strength to be limited for a while. The thin everyday clothes she had on, soaked with the “Water Shield,” made the first aid difficult.

 

……You had to see to administer first aid!

 

Sentra generously allowed you to see her nearly transparent self. For several minutes, both of you blushed as you cast the “Disperse Burn” you learned from the military chaplain.

 

Sentra sneakily started a conversation.

 

“…You’re quite skilled?”

 

“I practiced hard. To save you.”

 

“You mean, so…. you left and came back?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…That’s dangerous! If you just stayed in our original world, there wouldn’t have been any danger. Look, there’s now a wound on your handsome face….”

 

“I’m relieved to hear that you like my face.”

 

“That’s not a compliment!”

 

“Don’t you like it?”

 

“…It’s not that I don’t like it.”

 

You finally laughed.

 

Over the past week, not a single smile could be found on your face. However, it was strange that just being with Sentra made you laugh.

 

How many people were touched by her kindness? She seemed to have the power to captivate people’s hearts. Perhaps, you just…. fell for her at first sight.

 

You believed that Sentra would do well in the future.

 

“Since you’re alive, we can fix everything. Both dealing with the radicals and ensuring the success of “Beer and Song.”

 

“…Ireed?”

 

Although Sentra reaches out in confusion, you didn’t hold her hand.

 

Because it wasn’t over yet.

 

“It seems there’s still work to do. Just wait a bit. I’ll take care of it and come back soon.”

 

You stood up and held a dagger.

 

The sounds of someone running could be heard from the end of the passage.

 

You wished that fortune favored you so you could end it without having to fight…. but it would be strange if the Resistance who occupied the base didn’t know about the secret passage. Although just suspicion, you had even thought that the Resistance’s spines were the defense force.

 

“…You’re not going to, run away?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Well, then… Don’t get hurt and fight valiantly to win. Please!”

 

“I promise you.”

 

With your loved one’s encouragement, you had no reason to lose.

 

You prepared yourself for the final battle.