episode_0042

If I had to guess what Princess Cannabi’s anxiety feels like, it would be like lying on a bed waiting to go into the operating room.

Since there is a chance of death during surgery, aren’t you sure you’ll be able to wake up again?

In the end, all we could do was spend time with them and let them know they were not alone.

“Is the medicine for Princess Cannabi ready?”

As the day of the final battle approached, they shared their situations with each other frequently.

Actually, what I was most worried about was the ‘medicine’ that Princess Rasiel mentioned.

Doesn’t it seem absurd to think that one pill can keep a person asleep for a year?

The princess said there was such a medicine, so I believed it and planned to do it, but if the medicine didn’t work, all the preparations up to that point would have been for nothing.

“Of course. Without it, all plans would fall apart, so we can’t manage it carelessly.”

“Honestly, it’s hard to believe that there’s a drug that stops your body for a year.”

I believed it because it was something the royal family said.

If a commoner passing by had said something like that, it was obvious that the pharmacist would have been cursed at for swindling people.

“Because it is so precious, even royalty can only use one in their lifetime. One year for my sister, one year for me, so it can be used for up to two years. It is said that it was used to buy time until my ancestor was cured of his illness a long time ago.”

There’s no way such a good medicine could have been left alone.

I was worried that the Deltrak Empire might be conducting forbidden research on immortality.

“You’re not suspecting anything strange, are you?”

“Yes? What kind of doubt are you talking about… .”

“Our empire does not do illegal things that are prohibited. This medicine is something that came out when the labyrinth was opened in the past.”

“Ah!”

When you say that it’s an object from a labyrinth, everything makes sense.

“Of course, they say they did a lot of research when the drug was first discovered. Maybe they did things they shouldn’t have. But now, there are no places that are doing research on this drug. This is because the drug can’t be manufactured infinitely. In order to make the drug, you need ingredients that only grow in a labyrinth.”

“… Does that mean that now that the labyrinth is open, we can start researching again?”

Princess Rasiel opened her eyes wide, as if she hadn’t even thought about that.

“Huh… ?”

“Did the imperial family ask you to bring a specific item?”

“There is a record of failure after a long period of research. There is no way I will continue researching after seeing that record.”

I guess that’s what you want to believe.

Even though God has explicitly forbidden the study of eternal life, foolish humans continue to try to override God’s authority.

I knew well throughout history what fate awaited those who challenged the authority of God.

‘The more I study eternal life, the more I find that most people die without even being able to properly enjoy their original lifespan.’

Could it be that God is taking away those who do such things early as a sign of resentment?

To touch the prohibition is to forfeit the opportunity to enjoy the blessings that God has given.

You may not know how precious something is when you have it, but you will realize how precious it is after you lose it.

To be away from His embrace meant having to endure the hardships of the world alone.

“God is merciful, but he will not look with mercy on the evil deeds of fools.”

“If something like that were to happen to the royal family, I would do anything to stop it. I swear to him.”

I’m not sure if Princess Canabi, whose life is in danger, or Princess Rasiel, who is still young and powerless, can stop it.

But, seeing as he had even made an oath, I couldn’t help but admit that his current feelings were sincere.

“I just hope that the Deltrak royal family doesn’t make such a foolish mistake.”

◎ ◎ ◎

Panic room, where Princess Cannabi sleeps for a year.

There, there was a bed that I had prepared in advance.

In case Princess Cannabi were to wake up unexpectedly early, long-term preservation foods were also included.

“It’s so empty.”

Princess Canabi muttered indifferently as she entered the panic room where she was supposed to be, looking at the empty space.

“If I had known this would happen, I would have brought something! I didn’t expect much, but isn’t this a bit much!”

“Yes?”

I thought I had prepared to this extent, but the two princesses simultaneously gave me harsh criticism.

“You don’t have even a speck of emotion!”

“Okay. I’m just going to sleep anyway, so what’s the use of being empty?”

Why does the person who says it’s okay look like this?

“I guess it won’t work. I’ll go get some stuff.”

“Even if you come and go often, you’ll only be noticed by others. Don’t come until I wake up.”

“I have to check if my sister is okay!”

“They must be desperately trying to find me. If I do something that stands out, they might track me down.”

“… … .”

“You said you’d protect me. If you do whatever you want, you won’t be able to live with your name.”

“But please don’t tell me not to come for a whole year. I want to see your face at least once every few months and get strength.”

“If the priest Arthur agrees, then do so.”

I was depressed by the harsh criticism of Panic Room, so I thought now was the time to step forward and say something.

“Would you like to lie down on the bed?”

If there was one thing I cared most about in the panic room, it was the bed.

Since this was the place where Princess Canabi had to lie down for a year, it could not be neglected.

Since it was impossible to obtain a bed used by the royal family, I obtained a bed used by high-ranking nobles among the nobles.

“Hmm.”

Princess Canabee sat down on the bed at my words.

Princess Rasiel also came to the bed next to him and kneaded it, her eyes sparkling.

“I was worried that you wouldn’t be so attentive, but you did pay attention to the bed?”

“I think it needs to be taken care of since it is furniture that will be used for a long time. Are you satisfied?”

“Thanks to you, I think I’ll be able to sleep well. Thank you.”

Princess Canabi finally recognized my hard work.

As I smiled happily, thinking that it was fortunate, she took off her shoes and lay down on the bed.

“I guess I won’t waste any more time.”

“Already? Let’s chat a little longer and then eat.”

Princess Rasiel seemed to be finally realizing that she had not been able to talk to her sister for a year.

Princess Rasiel, who held Princess Canabi’s hand tightly and could not let go, prevented her from taking the medicine for a long time.

“Are you feeling better now?”

When the situation where she had to fall asleep came, Princess Canabi’s mind seemed to have calmed down, and she stroked Princess Rasiel’s head with an indifferent expression.

Princess Rasiel, whose eyes were now red, spoke in a trembling voice.

“I will definitely do it.”

“Of course. You can do it. I believe in you.”

“If you close your eyes for a moment and open them, many things will have changed. But don’t be too surprised. Especially, don’t be surprised when I grow too much.”

“I have to watch you grow up. I’m sorry for leaving you alone.”

I left the room to be considerate of the two sisters as they said their final goodbyes before going to sleep.

The panic room was built with the expectation that residents would come in, so it wasn’t difficult to escape.

I came to another room alone and sat on the floor and prayed.

When Princess Canabi falls asleep, you will enter the labyrinth in earnest and begin your adventure.

I had no idea whether we would ever be able to solve Princess Canabee’s curse or what would happen to me in the future.

‘Oh, Sun God. I pray that warm light will be with the poor sister’s future.’

At the end of the prayer, Princess Rasiel came to see me.

Now that the greetings are over, let’s begin.

When I went outside, I saw Princess Canabi lying on the bed, holding a round medicine in her hand.

“Is that it?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t worry, sleep well. I’ll bring you good news when I wake up next time.”

Princess Canabi looked at me with eyes of trust without expressing it verbally.

I opened the paper wrapping the medicine and swallowed it in one gulp.

Princess Canabi’s eyes quickly opened after taking the medicine that looked like a pill.

I felt like I was falling asleep.

“… I’m sleepy.”

“Lie down comfortably.”

“Sister!”

“Don’t act too hastily… Always act… carefully.”

Princess Canabi closed her eyes with both hands on her stomach.

Judging from the colorful breathing sounds, it didn’t seem like he had stopped breathing.

“I think you’re asleep.”

“You’re asleep now, but slowly everything will stop. From then on, you won’t even breathe.”

It was an amazing sight to see with my own eyes, with all functions stopped to the point where I couldn’t even breathe.

To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I stayed by Princess Canabi’s side until her body completely ‘stopped’.

“You really can’t breathe.”

“I saw the Empress Dowager use it from a distance when I was young. It looked like this back then too. I can’t tell you how surprised I was, thinking she was dead.”

The skin became pale, completely colorless, and the temperature became as cold as ice.

If someone saw it, they would wonder why a dead body was lying on the bed.

Princess Rasiel could not leave Princess Canabi’s side for a long time as she turned pale.

Even if it were me, I don’t think I would be able to leave their side easily if my family fell asleep like that.

“Your Highness, you must go now. Everyone will be waiting for you.”

“… Yeah. It’s something I’ve been preparing for for several days, so I can’t be late from the start. ”

Princess Rasiel, who had been forcibly tearing away her gaze that had not fallen, came out of the panic room with me.

As soon as I came out, I checked to see if there was anyone around, and the only thing that was heard was the prayer room, and the surrounding area was extremely quiet.

“I’ll pack my bags.”

“Yeah.”

After sending Princess Rasiel out of the temple first, I went to my room and packed my bags.

“Father Arthur!!”

“Huh? No, why did you all come all the way here?”

As I was about to leave the temple, someone called out to me urgently, and when I turned my head, I saw a swarm of chick healers swarming around me.