episode_0032

It was nearly a week since Johann and Rudela had left for Sandburg.

The imperial family, sensing something was wrong, quickly dispatched officials and knights.

Because I sent a telegram but got no reply and contact was cut off from that side too.

The reconnaissance unit was created in this way.

Many people were included, including the new second officer, Richard, who volunteered to save Johan.

“The root is correct here, but this is difficult.”

“Richard, riding in front and looking around, said, “It must have been because of the heavy rain that had been falling for several days, that all traces of movement had been erased.

“Let’s go further. We’re now crossing the border and getting close to Sandburg. If we lose contact, there must be something going on.”

Richard nodded at the words of the officer next to him and returned to his exploration.

But there was no result to speak of. We couldn’t find any detection type wizards either.

At that time.

Step by step!

The knight who had gone out first and was checking the road ahead returned.

“Vice-Captain, the bridge connecting the cliffs has been blown up.”

“The bridge was blown up?”

Richard’s expression hardened, a sense of foreboding creeping up the back of his neck.

“Go right now. All troops! Run at full speed to the bridge!”

-yes!

As the horse galloped, the armor and helmets neighed fiercely. Above them, the golden banners that announced their origin from the Empire of Rosino waved.

The bridge we arrived at like that.

Richard stared at the cliff with a hardened face. The scars of the explosion were clearly visible.

“ It is highly likely that it has fallen below.”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Ricard stroked his chin. To be honest, the chances of survival are close to zero. How many people would survive being caught in an explosion and falling off this cliff?

No matter how capable a special wizard Johan Harsen was, it was nearly impossible for him to survive here.

I hoped there would be survivors, but even that was a faint hope.

“Let’s examine below.”

At that moment, a woman with a cold face expressed her opinion. It was Francia.

“… Of course. The remains had to be collected anyway.”

Richard had no idea that those who had gone to Sandburg had survived, but Francia was different.

‘John is definitely alive.’

I don’t know about Rudela Bismark, but he will never die here. It’s because of Rubian.

An artifact that allows you to avoid seven near-death situations. If you have it, you’ll be ‘lucky’ to survive explosions and falls off cliffs.

“Scatter! Find a way down the cliff!”

-yes!

The officials and knights moved quickly according to Richard’s orders.

* * *

John, judging that the time had come, came out of the cave at the bottom of the cliff and was looking outside.

It’s been six days since we left the palace, so it’s probably about time for the rescue team to arrive.

“Should I shoot a large magic spell?”

John, who was blankly staring at the sky, muttered quietly. The best way to reveal this location was to cast a spell in the sky.

If you create a strong wave, it will be easy for sensory magicians to find you, and you will be able to clearly see your location visually.

“Shoot a burst point, what.”

As John lifted his fingertips, a pitch-black sphere rose and vibrated violently. The sphere rose into the sky.

Paaang!

A pitch-black sphere shot into the sky and exploded in a dazzling manner. The remnants of magical power scattered like flames, dyeing the sky.

‘I guess this tells you where we are.’

There was still a possibility that the assassins who had blown up the bridge were still there, but since they had not appeared despite having previously created traces of magical power, it was safe to assume that they were not there.

John returned to the cave. Inside, Rudel was quietly hugging his knees and dozing soundly.

“Lady Bismark.”

“… Hmm.”

Rudella raised her head, rubbing her swollen eyes. Johan pointed outside the cave and said.

“It’s time to go out.”

“Is it time to go back… … .”

Rudel let out a small sigh and sat up. There seemed to be a hint of regret on her face. Could it be her mood?

“It’s been exactly five days since I came to the cave. I’ve also reported my location, so the rescue team will be here soon.”

“I see… … .”

She nodded slowly and approached John. She grabbed his hand, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Rudel’s anxiety was growing, so this was the only way to calm her down.

John came to the place where Rudella and the bursting point had been shot. He found a smooth rock and sat down on it.

“Found it!”

I came across a civil servant coming down the cliff.

* * *

With the help of the officials, Johan and Rudela were able to climb up the cliff safely.

When he appeared in front of the gathered officials, Francia ran towards him with her eyes wide open.

“John!”

“Francia.”

Francia ran to Dodo and was held in Johan’s arms. In that moment, the tension she had been holding back melted away. She buried her face in his chest and whispered in a trembling voice.

“Thank goodness. Really.”

The strange scent of lilies was strange, but the familiar voice and the warmth that enveloped her body made her know that he was alive. She tried hard to suppress the feeling that she was about to cry at any moment.

John stroked her head with a troubled expression on his face.

“I smell something.”

“Not at all… … .”

Even though she hadn’t washed for days and must have smelled from the rain, Francia didn’t leave John’s arms.

“Bloodstains… … .”

Only then did Francia discover Johan’s bloodstains and ask with trembling eyes.

“Where are you hurt?”

“The side part a bit… … .”

“See you right now.”

Without even waiting for Johan’s answer, Francia unbuttoned his shirt as if she was used to it and removed the hem of the black dress that had been wrapped around his waist.

“Oh my god.”

There was a large wound in John’s side. It wasn’t deep, so no internal organs were spilling out, but it must have bled a lot.

“I’ll treat you right away.”

Francia’s two hands came together to create a warm magical power. It was a healing magic that was rare to find anywhere in the world.

The wound healed quickly.

Is this because she is the female protagonist?

The ability is considerable.

“Your face is pale.”

“You’ll be fine if you rest a little.”

“Really… … .”

Francia buried her face in John’s chest again and rubbed her cheek against his.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I’m glad I can see Francia again.”

John’s answers had been blunt and insincere from the beginning. Feeling this, Francia met his gaze.

His eyes were blurry and he looked quite tired.

“I’m sorry. I held on to you for too long without realizing it.”

That’s when Francia helped John get into the carriage.

“Harsen Special Wizard.”

Rudela Bismark called him. She, unlike Johan, had a fine complexion. Just a little haggard.

“Oh, Lady Bismark. What’s the matter?”

John looked at her with a staggering body. Rudella seemed to have something to say, but she only moved her lips and did not say anything.

“That… ….”

Rudella avoided eye contact and stroked her wrist. Her reddened ears seemed to tell the story of her feelings.

“… Can I call you like this again?”

A brave statement. Although she couldn’t say everything she wanted to say, she did convey her purpose. Rudelah couldn’t hide her anxious expression and pressed her wrist.

“Of course. You didn’t forget that I told you to use tricks, did you?”

At that, Rudella’s pupils widened slightly. She looked at Johan and answered urgently.

“No, of course.”

“Then do that. I’ll be waiting.”

At Johan’s light smile, Rudella swallowed her breath and placed her hand on her chest.

I was surprised to see the small tremors I had tried to suppress reach my fingertips.

In Rudella’s heart, an unknown desire and longing was slowly blossoming.

“… … .”

Francia narrowed her eyes and looked back and forth between the two, realizing that the atmosphere was not normal. This was clearly strange.

Rudella’s eyes, looking at John, were filled with sweet emotion. It was a rational affection that only a woman like her could know.

“What is it…?”

Her voice became cold and soothing. John tilted his head with a relaxed expression.

“What do you mean?”

“Lady Bismark and… … No.”

But Francia shook her head and swallowed her words. Given Johan’s condition, it was not the time to be talking about something trivial.

“Let’s go to the carriage quickly.”

John, supported by Francia, boarded the carriage that the officials had brought. Perhaps because it was a carriage for the wounded, it was different from a regular carriage.

“Rest in peace.”

“Thank you, Francia.”

“What is this?”

So Francia leaves.

Only then did Johan, lying on the mat, loosen up his stiff body. Sleep came over him and his eyelids naturally closed.

“… … .”

Rudel, sitting next to him, looked at Johan’s face absentmindedly and hardened her expression.

The sight of his tired eyelids slowly closing and the soft lines of his lips caught her gaze.

‘Because we are lovers… … .’

Before her eyes, the Princess Pervace who had been held in his arms earlier lingered. To be honest, she was jealous of the fact that she was in a relationship with a man like Johan.

‘I want to take it away.’

She was startled by the thought that came to her mind, and she swallowed a sigh for a moment. A suffocating longing surged in her chest, but she suppressed the thought with her cold reason.

‘That won’t work.’

The status of crown princess, the shackles of the Bismarck family, and the fact that he was Princess Perbace’s husband were deeply embedded in her bones. Reality was binding her tightly.

“Aren’t you tired?”

At that moment, Johan turned his gaze slightly and looked at her. Rudella felt defenseless as his thoughtless, relaxed gaze made her hold her breath again.

The strange decadent charm glimpsed in his languid expression shook her reason.

“… What could I possibly be tired of? You did everything for me.”

“It was something I had to do to protect Lady Bismark.”

His thoughtless words broke her heart. Feeling the heat rising to her face, Rudelah hugged her knees and hid her flushed face with her long silver hair.

John added:

“You must be tired from the stress. Now that you are safe, rest comfortably.”

“Yeah, I guess so… … .”

Rudella watched Johan close his eyes again and pressed her pounding heart with her hand.

No matter how hard I tried to suppress my feelings, it was difficult to hide my desire when I looked at his face.

Gulp.

Her throat felt heavy.

Rudel felt a sudden urge to lose her sense of reason.

Would you have been able to be with him if you weren’t Bismark?

If I break off the engagement with the crown prince and get cut off from the family right now.

Could you live your life with a man named Johan Harsen?

As such reckless questions came to mind, anxiety and desire surged in my heart at the same time.

“… No.”

However, Rudella, who judged it to be a nonsensical idea, quickly shook her head.

It was a forbidden feeling that I couldn’t even imagine.

Because she is the crown princess.

Because he had a lover he loved.

The scene where Princess Pervace and John were facing each other came to mind.

The strong trust between them and the unwavering affection he shows towards Francia.

Everything felt like an unattainable reality to Rudella. A thirsty jealousy welled up deep in her heart.

I was jealous of Princess Perbache.

I was so jealous.

I was so jealous.

It was the first time I had such a strong desire.

Even when the crown prince rolled around in bed with another woman, I was shocked, but I didn’t feel jealous…

‘… I’m crazy.’

I think my head got messed up after being with John for about a week.

Rudelah hid her feelings.

Because I’m used to swallowing and suppressing my emotions.

but.

But like he said, wouldn’t it be possible to use some tricks and spend some time together sometimes?

For the first time, Rudella was greedy towards herself. She looked at his face, telling herself that it would be okay if it was just for a little while, since it wasn’t crossing the line.

For a moment alone with him, Rudelah whispered, acknowledging her longing.

“Rest in peace, John.”

Rudel slowly closed her eyes, hoping that the momentary impulse would not turn into an eternal longing.