episode_0177

Under a clear blue sky, the ground was a chaotic mess, with no room to even set foot due to the throngs of people. As expected of the continent’s largest academy and the empire’s representative educational institution, a massive crowd poured in as soon as the festival began. It was a sight that would be seen for the next three days.

“Those who wish to see various animals, please come to Class 2-3!”

“A chilly autumn! A room where you can legally stick close! Couples, head to Class 2-5’s haunted house right now!”

“The owner of an amazing figure that rivals the Saintess! Felicia Belmore’s photobook is on sale in Class 1-4!”

The promoters were shouting at the top of their lungs to secure customers amidst the crowd. Compared to them, I was merely standing blankly, holding a sign.

‘Will there be any photobooks left?’

While thinking such thoughts. I plan to go right after my morning work finishes, and I hope they prepared enough photobooks. Felicia’s photobook, possessing a figure equal to the Saintess, was something every man absolutely had to have. If I missed this opportunity, it would surely become a lifelong regret.

Honestly, I’d want to tell Yas to buy it for me instead, but unfortunately, that was impossible.

‘Of all things, they made it one per person.’

Perhaps fearing hoarding, Class 4 strictly limited sales. Of course, if one really wanted to buy several, they could just queue up again and get them, but looking at the current situation, that doesn’t seem very easy either. Even if I did, the efficiency wouldn’t be worth the waiting time.

Just as I was deep in thought, the conversation of male students passing right in front of me pierced my ears.

“Hey, are you going to see the talent show tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow? Why, is there anything worth seeing?”

“I heard the dance club is dancing in bunny girl outfits?”

“Oh, really? I definitely have to go. The club president there is super pretty.”

If she was indeed the dance club president, I remembered her as having the best hips in the Abel Chronicles. Her dancing in a bunny girl outfit was an unmissable event.

‘I need to go see the talent show tomorrow too.’

Originally, I planned to go and see it briefly even just for Alisa, so it worked out perfectly. And so, I put my promotional activities aside and began to make plans to satisfy my desires based on the information I heard from various places.

It was during that time.

Far away, a woman with a deep hood pulled over her robe passed by quickly. Her distinct turquoise hair caught my eye.

“Oh? That person…”

Since it was such a brief moment and her face was almost completely hidden, I couldn’t see her properly, but that unique hair color was unmistakable.

Remian Herana.

The Crown Prince’s fiancée, who was currently half-imprisoned under the guise of bride training, was at the festival. Regardless of the fact that she had kidnapped me, the mere fact that Remian was here made me uneasy.

I quickly chased after her.

“Excuse me! Coming through!”

But she was swift. While I hesitated for a moment to think, she disappeared into the crowd. I tried my best to follow her tracks, but they were being erased in real-time due to the movement of people. In the end, I used my aura sense, but information from hundreds of people flooded in simultaneously, only worsening my headache.

“Sigh… What should I do?”

My heart grew anxious. It might be my mistake, but I’m certain I shouldn’t lose Remian here. As I pondered, I deduced her purpose.

“There’s only one reason she’d come here…”

With her withdrawal, all her connections had long since vanished. There’s no way she would come looking for friends now, so her purpose was clear. The problem was where the Crown Prince was. The Crown Prince didn’t appear much even in the game, so I couldn’t think of any place he would go.

As I deliberated, I headed towards the executive committee office.

‘Isis would know.’

I know their relationship isn’t as good as I thought, but Regina is by Isis’s side. It wouldn’t be strange if she had received some hint. Having come to that conclusion, I headed to the executive committee office and heard something unexpected.

“Huh? My elder sister went out with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Yes. They said they had something to talk about. Do you have some business with them?”

“No. I was just thinking of looking around the festival together since it’s a festival. Thank you!”

After exiting the executive committee office, I went straight up to the rooftop.

“They’ll be around here.”

From a high place, I could immediately find where the two went. My prediction was accurate. A little distance from here, in a secluded alley, Isis and the Crown Prince were there. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. And at the entrance of that alley, Remian Herana was secretly watching the two of them.

The problem was the person with her.

“Why is that bastard here?”

Ethan Gloucester.

Abel’s arch-nemesis and notorious as one of the worst apostles, was standing with Remian Herana. Looking at the atmosphere, it seemed Ethan had guided Remian here.

I was about to jump down from the rooftop immediately but held myself back.

“It’s too high.”

Landing wasn’t impossible, but jumping down from here would cause a big commotion. And using Incarnation was too risky. In the end, I decided to observe the situation from the rooftop for now.

*

In the silent alley, there were a man and a woman. While they silently faced each other, Isis broke the silence.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. What do you wish to say?”

“Don’t you know? I want the Young Lady to reconsider.”

“Haven’t I refused several times? I’m sorry, but I cannot accept.”

Isis bowed her head deeply. The Crown Prince, who was watching her with complicated feelings, let out a sigh.

“Sigh… Is it because of your younger brother?”

“Huh? What do you mean, suddenly….”

“What happened recently in the Coliseum. I heard it all. I also found out that the man who kissed you then was Ruan Friuli. Are you still going to deny it, even now?”

Isis’s eyes wavered. She knew the Crown Prince was very interested in her, but she never imagined he would dig so deeply into her background. Unable to think of anything to say in her embarrassment, and looking around nervously, the Crown Prince continued speaking.

“It seems it’s true. I can’t understand. Why Ruan Friuli of all people? It’s not just any other man, why would you do that with your blood relative?! Aren’t you afraid of people’s gazes? Answer me.”

“……”

“You know too. The Empire has legally forbidden incest. It means connecting with Ruan Friuli is impossible. Or do you intend to rewrite the law? Knowing how difficult that path is? Just give up. Give up and accept my proposal.”

Damian Solias was undeniably the first in line for the imperial succession. If she were to sit in the position of Crown Princess, her future life would be a smooth road. She could contribute to her family, and her personal life would also become much more comfortable.

But if asked whether that connected to happiness, Isis could firmly say no. She raised her head and met his gaze. Her silver eyes, armed with firm resolve and will, met his noble golden eyes.

“No. I will not give up. Neither my family, nor my love. So please don’t interfere any further.”

Isis clearly drew a line. At her utterly cold behavior, the Crown Prince lost his composure.

“Why? Why are you pushing me away so much? What’s the difference between him and me? Huh?”

“……”

“You can’t even tell me that?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Isis bowed her head again, avoiding the Crown Prince’s gaze. That was the most definite refusal of all. The Crown Prince, biting his lip tightly, resorted to his last resort.

“What if I expose your relationship? Will you still refuse?”

“…My mind won’t change.”

“Haha! Is that so? Then what will you do if I forcefully push for a marriage? If I deal with Count Friuli with this information, it would be entirely possible. What will you do then?”

If the Count didn’t want his family to be shattered, he would have no choice but to accept the Crown Prince’s proposal. Surely, things would proceed as he intended. Under that terrifying pressure, Isis gave an unexpected answer.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes. Whether I become frustrated and resent Your Highness the Crown Prince for the rest of my life, or whether I remain unyielding and elope with Ruan, or if neither, whether I fall into despair and end my own life. I don’t know either.”

Only one thing was certain: he would never receive Isis’s love for the rest of his life. The Crown Prince’s face was horribly contorted.

“End your life? Is it something to go that far for?”

“Yes. It is something to go that far for.”

At her answer, devoid of any hesitation, the Crown Prince finally yielded his will.

“Ha… I see. It’s absolutely impossible. I understand. I understand your thoughts well. Then I’ll be going now. …I hope you’ll be happy.”

“Thank you.”

With those words, the Crown Prince left the alley.

*

“Oh! They’re moving!”

As I was observing the situation from the rooftop, I saw Remian move as soon as the Crown Prince left the alley, and instantly stood up. Fearing being caught by the Crown Prince, she stealthily and nimbly left the spot. Ethan followed behind Remian.

“What is that bastard planning to do?”

Sensing something unusual, I quickly went down the stairs. I also didn’t forget to constantly check their direction through the windows. It was just as I had exited through the entrance.

“Oh? Ruan?”

“Ah! Sis- Sister?”

Opposite to me, I encountered Isis, who was exiting the alley and about to enter the building.

“What are you doing here? C-Could it be you came to see me?”

Isis, shyly glancing around and casting side glances. Her actions were very lovely, but my current situation was urgent, so it didn’t really register.

“Ah, yes. I just thought I’d drop by to see your face.”

“Oh, really? Then let’s go up. There are lots of delicious things too.”

Her fair, slender hand was suddenly extended. I firmly grasped the hand she cautiously extended towards me and immediately pulled her down.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have time now. I have to go quickly.”

“Oh, oh? I-Is that so?”

“Yes. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

I patted the back of her hand and turned my back on the flustered Isis. And just before I took my next step.

“Oh, do you have time in the afternoon?”

Isis grabbed my collar. When I turned my head, her silver eyes, looking up at me earnestly, filled my view.

“…Afternoon?”

“Yes. Don’t you have a break? I-If you do, would you like to look around the festival with your older sister?”

As if saying that was incredibly difficult, she fidgeted and couldn’t keep her hands still for a moment. I gave a wry smile and nodded.

“Alright. So, is your time okay in the afternoon?”

“U-Uh-huh! I’m free then. So we’ll meet after lunch?”

“Yes. See you in a bit. Then, I’m in a hurry, so I’ll leave now.”

Having made the promise, I quickly dashed out of the building and ran in the direction Remian and Ethan had gone. But no matter how thoroughly I scanned the surroundings, I couldn’t even see a trace of the two of them. They had gone far in that short time.

“Damn it. This doesn’t feel good.”

Excluding Alisa’s kidnapping incident, it had been quiet for a while, but conversely, it might be their intention to truly go wild, starting with that. I hope it’s a groundless fear, but such ominous predictions have never been wrong, so I’m worried.

“I should prepare in advance.”

I hope it passes without anything happening.