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“HAAA! Haaa… Haaa…!”
Panting and covered in mud, Keunt Strelizzi was running away. He had abandoned everything and escaped before the crown prince’s army fell during the night. He had taken off his armor and tossed it aside along with his sword, fleeing with just his life.
He arrived in the castle town and slipped down a back alley of the quiet shopping district. Luckily for him, no one noticed him and that was how he welcomed the dawn. It was pure coincidence that he heard the rumors of the prince being captured from the chatter of the shop owners who had gathered to open their respective businesses.
“His Royal Highness…!”
How awful. In the shadow of a dumpster, Keunt covered his pale face with both hands. The merchants continued talking with each other.
“I wonder what will happen to the prince considering the high priest’s fate.”
“The high priest? What happened to him?”
“Oh, you don’t know? Well, the prison he was incarcerated in wound up being attacked by people who held a grudge against him.”
“Guess it’s the end for the high priest and the crown prince, huh?”
Sweat soaked every inch of Keunt’s body. Not realizing he was there, the merchants chattered on, hope in their voices.
“I bet life will get a lot easier for us commoners from here on out. All because of the wonderful Arousing Priestess.”
“Ah, yes, that fine lady. The Great Church received its just deserts for banishing her from the country with its downfall.”
“Apparently, the adherents of the former Church are being treated as heretics, but that’s not our problem. After all, God is the one who protects our lives.”
“As long as they can do something about the monsters, that’s all that matters to me… Ack, gotta get a move on.”
“Hey, everyone, His Imperial Highness is about to make an announcement.”
“Ooohh, let’s go, let’s go.”
Even after the merchants left, Keunt heard passersby holding similar conversations. The higher the sun rose, the more people appeared. All he could do was remain crouched in the garbage and tremble in fear.
“Ahhhh, what do I do…? At this rate…”
Would Keunt Strelizzi’s epic novel end here?!
But he couldn’t remain hidden forever, so he resolutely slipped into the stream of people and stealthily snuck toward the public square where everyone was gathering.
Imperial knights in dark blue military uniforms stood on an elevated platform in the plaza. In the middle of their line was a tall man with red hair who caught his eye. The colorful medal pinned to his chest set him apart from the rest of his contingent. At a glance, Keunt guessed he was the accursed imperial prince, Richard Il Belktrius.
He strained to get a closer look because he had bad eyesight. He stared at Richard for a few seconds. And then he received the shock of his life, like a lightning bolt hit him.
“That’s… No, it can’t be…”
He remembered feeling this vague deja vu during the night raid too, when the emperor’s younger brother had been illuminated by the explosions. But now, in the light of day, with his face clear to see from a high place, Keunt knew.
“That redheaded son of a bitch…”
It didn’t matter if he changed his clothes or combed his hair to a shine. He would know that detestable, pretentious face anywhere.
“What in the bloody hell… The imperial prince is…that bastarding redhead!”
Amongst the throng of people, a few turned around and glanced uneasily at him. He had muttered the words out loud without thinking. Keunt shut himself up and snuck away from the crowd.
“I need to save the crown prince… That’s the only way I can live…!”
There wasn’t a soul on the road away from the square. Agitated, he forgot to hide himself and cackled loudly as he ran. The warped smile on his face showed he’d lost his mind.
“Good, it’s not over yet! If the imperial prince is that redheaded bastard! Then…I still have a chance of winning!”
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THE morning we set out for Mayga Cieux to implement our purge plan, Richard and I were in a conference room in the new outpost on the frontlines. He had a base built in the town closest to the forest of Mayga Cieux and made the necessary preparations to put the plan into action. Because our old outpost had been swallowed up by the forest, rendering it unusable.
Although the crown prince’s night raid delayed our schedule, the incident prompted Kophe’s royal palace, parliament, and the Church to express their full support of Richard’s relief activities. Kophe’s royal army was participating too, transforming the plan to one that would restore the country to its former glory.
“I still find it hard to believe the government granted its official approval…” I said.
“Are you nervous, Miss Monica?”
“Of course I am. I mean…who actually thought the day would come when we’d be purifying Mayga Cieux?”
“Heh.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because I was right about your nerves making you anxious.”
“Well…I suppose, since I don’t think we’ll fail.”
I looked down at the table in front of me. A map was spread out on top of it, noting the combined military forces’ and the holy women’s positions in minute detail. We had been meeting late into the night every day for two weeks to prepare for this event. Everyone had done what they could.
“Hey, Miss Monica.” Richard stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. Lately, it felt like the frequency of his touches had increased again. Obviously, it was fine since I didn’t hate it. But still.
“What is it, Richard?”
“I…nothing. I just wanted to say your name.”
His strangely sweet gaze made me bashful for some reason. It felt like my body froze as I was unable to look away from him.
“O-Oh, I see…”
“Besides, now is the only time I can touch you. I surely shouldn’t once you start using your saintly powers, right?”
“Nh… R-Right.”
For an instant, I recalled the indescribable sense of revulsion I’d felt when Xenu touched me the night of the party.
“Miss…Monica?”
His keen eyes picked up on my clouded expression. In response, I forced a laugh and waved my clenched fists deliberately.
“A-Anyway! I’m counting on you today, Richard!”
“Yes, let’s do our best…Miss Monica.”
When he smiled at me, I felt relieved that I was able to smooth over the awkward moment.