TIRS 93

Chapter 93…………………………..

 I Can’t Just Sit Back and Watch That

Under the dusky night sky.

Anselot sat on the wide window frame, gazing down at the kingdom of Lu with an expressionless face.

It was a sight completely different from the ancient Lu kingdom he remembered.

On his face, as he realized once more that a thousand years was by no means a short span of time, not a trace of a smile could be found.

Unlike how he always crinkled his eyes into a soft smile before Ruivel, his true self was much closer to this side.

Perhaps that was why, long ago, she would sometimes let slip an air of disappointment.

If I had known we would part that way, I would have smiled a little more for her.

If we could meet again, I could smile much more. Truly. Truly, now I could.

But belated regret was, quite literally, far too late—and could no longer reach her.

Sassenia Lu cut out the heart of the Light Dragon and restored peace to this land?

Absurd.

If she had truly succeeded in cutting out the Light Dragon’s heart…

‘Then I wouldn’t be feeling this way whenever I think of you.’

Anselot’s face twisted as he recalled the emotion he had never been able to name.

Sorrow. Pain. Emptiness. Regret…

Countless feelings brushed past, but he could name none of them.

And so, before he could ever find the name of that emotion, he intended to end everything.

Perhaps if he had never met her…

Ruivel.

The one who first planted in him the desire to live.

If not for her, this time he truly might have ended it all by his own hand.

—A faint laugh.

The moment he thought of Ruivel, a small smile tugged at his lips.

How strange.

Why is it that whenever I think of her, I can’t help but smile like this?

It was then.

A faint presence brushed against his keen ear.

Anselot’s brow creased slightly.

‘Another ambush?’

He thought things had quieted down after overturning the Kingdom of Luenhart.

Yet it seemed there were still those aiming for him.

Or perhaps they were after Ruivel, the heroine of the Oracle—or maybe “cleaners” come to erase a bug.

Whatever the case, he had no intention of quietly surrendering.

Judging as much, Anselot immediately moved into the room’s interior.

In an instant, he had the intruder pinned to the cold carpet beneath him. Just as he was about to strike—

He froze.

Recognizing the intruder, Anselot blinked slowly and called out in a startled voice.

“…Your Highness?”

The one pinned beneath him was none other than Ruivel.

“We’re, uh, a little too close…”

Ruivel answered with an awkward smile.

Her cheeks flushed a rosy hue as she spoke.

“Ah…”

Anselot loosened the hand that held her wrist in restraint and pushed himself upright.

“Why sneak in like this? I thought someone had sent another assassin.”

He worried whether he had gripped her wrist too tightly, and carefully looked her over.

Ruivel rose as well, sitting shyly on the edge of the bed as she explained.

“Well… I had something to tell you, but if people saw me visiting your room at this hour, it would be a bit…”

“What does it matter? Everyone already thinks we’re dating.”

Anselot smirked as he replied, and Ruivel’s face burned hot.

“Th-they don’t just think we’re dating—we are dating!”

Her voice rose slightly in protest.

Anselot blinked at that, then a surprisingly warm smile spread across his face.

“You’re right. I misspoke.”

As he said so, he gently brushed his fingertips along her cheek.

Each light touch sent a ticklish sensation through her, leaving Ruivel staring blankly at him.

“We already have that kind of relationship.”

Anselot’s eyes curved in a smile as he pressed a soft kiss to her flushed cheek.

Chup—a fleeting touch.

Ruivel, flustered, lowered her gaze.

Anselot studied her lowered lashes. The dense fringe of them caught his attention.

“…Beautiful.”

He murmured unconsciously.

“Y-you—don’t say things like that out of nowhere!”

“Ah. Did I say that out loud?”

Tilting his head at her flustered reaction, he soon chuckled.

“But what can I do? It’s true.”

He said it brazenly, with not a hint of embarrassment.

“And besides, I don’t say such things to just anyone.”

“Of course you shouldn’t!”

Ruivel gave him a sideways glare, her tone mock-threatening.

“If you say you like me and then go around saying such things to other women, I won’t forgive you.”

“Oh?”

“I’ll smash that handsome forehead of yours.”

“How violent.”

Anselot laughed, tousling her hair.

“Since my forehead is precious, I’ll take Your Highness’s warning to heart.”

Ruivel didn’t dislike the affectionate gesture, and she watched as he played idly with the ends of her hair.

Then suddenly, Anselot looked at her.

“So what was the reason you snuck in here like this?”

“Well, it’s just that…”

Ruivel explained the purpose of her visit.

As he listened, the smile faded from Anselot’s face.

And when she finally finished—

“So you’re telling me to leave Your Highness’s side and go off somewhere?”

He asked in a distinctly displeased tone.

“But there’s no one else I can ask.”

Ruivel looked at him with earnest eyes.

The first quest in the Kingdom of Lu had arrived.

She needed to pursue it and search the ruins of the ancient Lu kingdom. But the moment she left the capital, that incident would occur.

The horrifying tragedy where countless kidnapped children would perish in a blazing inferno.

Ruivel had to prevent it at any cost.

She couldn’t leave until she spirited the children away beforehand.

Yet the quest could not be abandoned either.

So she decided to use the Support Slot.

With a Support Slot, the registered supporter could perform the quest in her place.

Just as, back in Luenhart, Klaus had helped Maria in her stead and completed a quest.

And so, she asked Anselot.

She would register him as her supporter, so he could go to the ruins in her stead.

The first quest—to retrieve the ancient hero’s sacred sword—was neither too dangerous nor difficult.

While Anselot carried it out, she would remain here to prevent the looming tragedy.

“If I leave Hanana, something truly terrible will happen. That’s why I can’t leave.”

“Something terrible…?”

“But the scenario must move forward somehow. I can’t split myself in two, so you’re the only one I can ask.”

“…You’re planning something dangerous, aren’t you?”

“Please, Anselot. Will you?”

“….”

He stared at her in silence, lips tightly pressed.

Ruivel gazed back at him with those tender, expectant eyes.

Leaving her side was distasteful.

It would be right to refuse.

But… Ruivel was asking so sweetly.

So beautifully that he could not bring himself to refuse.

‘Damn it… This is driving me crazy.’

If she begged him with such a face, so earnest and lovely—

‘There’s no way I can refuse.’

At last, Anselot let out a short sigh, raking his hand roughly over his face.

“Your Highness should be grateful to your parents. To think someone could be born this beautiful.”

With a self-deprecating smile, he murmured.

Ruivel pondered, then replied, “Probably from my father’s side? I don’t resemble my mother much.”

“…That wasn’t really what I was asking.”

“Anyway, so you’ll do it?”

Catching the softening in his voice, Ruivel asked with a pretty smile.

“Then promise me.”

Anselot extended his pinky toward her and whispered:

“If anything dangerous happens to you while I’m away, I’ll never forgive it. That would be the worst thing for me.”

His voice carried more weight than ever.

Ruivel gazed at him quietly, then answered firmly:

“To be honest, I can’t say it’s not dangerous at all. But it’s something I have to do.”

“….”

“Something only I can do.”

After all, only she, who knew the original future, could act this way.

What use was a hero’s title given by the scenario, if when people truly needed help she could not save them?

“But Anselot, if you trust and help me… I’ll do my best to make sure you never have to worry.”

As she said so, she hooked her pinky around his.

“….”

Anselot stared at their tightly linked fingers, then let out a long sigh and dropped his head.

“Ah, so in the end…”

He ruffled his hair, frowning.

“You’re still saying you’ll do something dangerous.”

His voice was full of distaste, as though the thought alone repulsed him.

“If I don’t, many people will suffer and get hurt.”

“If it doesn’t hurt you, then why should I care?”

“…And if I fail to stop it, it would hurt me very much.”

“…That—I can’t just sit back and watch.”

At those words, Anselot’s tone shifted instantly.