As a law-abiding citizen, I wanted to avoid using teleportation recklessly, but if it became necessary, I wouldn’t hesitate to break the rules. I took a deep breath.
“I’ve come to see Dame Leona.”
However, the guard gave me a scrutinizing look, furrowing his brow and shaking his head blatantly.
“Commander Leona isn’t someone you can just meet.”
“Can you tell me where she is?”
“She isn’t in the capital in the first place. So, don’t bother us and leave.”
It seemed that Leona had followed Albert as well. All my efforts had been in vain.
Gruuumble. My stomach started growling.
While rubbing my stomach in hunger, I moved away from the palace, and in the distance, I could see the sunset. The day was about to end.
I had hoped to meet at least one of them, but all of my attempts had failed. For now, the issue was where to stay today.
Conquering other countries couldn’t be an easy task.
It was disheartening to know they were all too busy assisting Albert. Because of this, they weren’t even in the capital.
Still, I did manage to gather some important information during today’s extensive exploration.
Firstly, the tower where Albert had stayed was still standing and well-preserved. It’s surrounded by magical barriers so people weren’t allowed to get too close, but the tower played a role in elevating Albert’s image just by its mere existence.
The tower had witnessed various adversities, which had significantly contributed to Albert’s charisma in captivating the hearts of the people.
Secondly, there isn’t much information circulating about the dark mage, Rosé Artius. Rumors are limited to her suffering from an illness, and she practically disappeared in the past year.
Even this information is known to only a few. Once a prominent figure, leading rebellions with Albert’s support, Rosé’s name has become obscure due to Albert’s actions.
“Where should we sleep?”
Lost in thought, I suddenly snapped back to reality, chuckling at Blanc’s question.
“Let’s go home.”
Despite my uncertain status and limited resources, there was one place I could go.
To the place I had spent most of my time, where I had lived.
My home, as gently as I could refer to it.
I headed toward the tower.
* * *
There were no guards around the tower, but really, there wasn’t any need for them.
Albert had sealed the area with a powerful protective spell to keep everyone out.
We stood a little distance from the tower, but I could already sense Albert’s presence.
Nevertheless, I was confident that I could surpass Albert’s power.
Taking a deep breath, I recited the incantation that would unlock the tower’s barriers.
“Unlock.”
Blanc and I safely passed through the magical defenses surrounding the tower.
However, it wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. The gap between Albert’s power and mine turned out to be much narrower than I thought.
The magic I used the last time I saw this place and the level of control over it, thinking about it, I couldn’t have reached this level…
Albert’s power has now surpassed even the realm of an overpowered munchkin. It’s a level of power unattainable by a mere mortal.
…Was it crazy to think that Albert’s closest associates didn’t follow him to assist… but to keep him restrained?
Thankfully, the tower wasn’t locked. Albert seemed to feel that the protective barriers were sufficient, probably considering the same for the entire nation.
How long had it been since I last came to this tower? For some reason, I was drenched in inexplicable nostalgia as I opened the door and entered.
The tower remained as it was, with the furniture left untouched. It would be alright with me too if some dust had settled.
I could clean it up myself, and even that seemed like it could be a pleasant task. I gently opened my eyes.
“……”
And then, I was overwhelmed by indescribable emotions.
It felt like I had returned to the past.
The kitchen right in front of me, the staircase seen through the open door, everything was exactly the same.
Even the arrangement of the furniture hadn’t changed a bit. The blanket that Blanc used to cover himself as a little dragon cub on the desk where he used to sleep was neatly arranged.
Blanc seemed just as taken aback as I was. He, too, appeared to be in a daze, just like me.
After all, the tower was a special place for both of us.
It was the place that rekindled Blanc’s desire to live.
As Blanc took some time to reminisce alone, I opened the door and ascended the stairs.
It was the space where Albert and I spent the most time.
His room, our living room.
My heart was racing. The steps to the room seemed both fast and slow at the same time.
After catching my breath, I opened the door.
“Seriously…”
I let out a small laugh.
There wasn’t a speck of dust in this place either. I’d believe it was maintained daily, even if someone told me so.
Just like the kitchen, it exuded an air of continuous care. All the furniture arrangements remained exactly as they were when Albert was unwell.
It was the same as it was when we lived here.
Our memories were preserved so perfectly.
Ah, seriously. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again. I felt like I might start crying any moment. My eyes were already reddening.
I feel like I’ve become such a crybaby these days. I don’t like crying all the time, but I find myself in situations where I can’t stop it.
Not knowing whether I was alive or dead, Albert had kept this place in perfect condition. I couldn’t help but wonder what he must have been thinking.
How much did his heart suffer?
From when I was a child until now, he has always been the same.
…Always.
You were waiting for me.
In a tower so well-maintained, he would soon return here. There was no need to go anywhere else.
I could wait for him here, just like in our first meeting.
As a law-abiding citizen, I wanted to avoid using teleportation recklessly, but if it became necessary, I wouldn’t hesitate to break the rules. I took a deep breath.
“I’ve come to see Dame Leona.”
However, the guard gave me a scrutinizing look, furrowing his brow and shaking his head blatantly.
“Commander Leona isn’t someone you can just meet.”
“Can you tell me where she is?”
“She isn’t in the capital in the first place. So, don’t bother us and leave.”
It seemed that Leona had followed Albert as well. All my efforts had been in vain.
Gruuumble. My stomach started growling.
While rubbing my stomach in hunger, I moved away from the palace, and in the distance, I could see the sunset. The day was about to end.
I had hoped to meet at least one of them, but all of my attempts had failed. For now, the issue was where to stay today.
Conquering other countries couldn’t be an easy task.
It was disheartening to know they were all too busy assisting Albert. Because of this, they weren’t even in the capital.
Still, I did manage to gather some important information during today’s extensive exploration.
Firstly, the tower where Albert had stayed was still standing and well-preserved. It’s surrounded by magical barriers so people weren’t allowed to get too close, but the tower played a role in elevating Albert’s image just by its mere existence.
The tower had witnessed various adversities, which had significantly contributed to Albert’s charisma in captivating the hearts of the people.
Secondly, there isn’t much information circulating about the dark mage, Rosé Artius. Rumors are limited to her suffering from an illness, and she practically disappeared in the past year.
Even this information is known to only a few. Once a prominent figure, leading rebellions with Albert’s support, Rosé’s name has become obscure due to Albert’s actions.
“Where should we sleep?”
Lost in thought, I suddenly snapped back to reality, chuckling at Blanc’s question.
“Let’s go home.”
Despite my uncertain status and limited resources, there was one place I could go.
To the place I had spent most of my time, where I had lived.
My home, as gently as I could refer to it.
I headed toward the tower.
* * *
There were no guards around the tower, but really, there wasn’t any need for them.
Albert had sealed the area with a powerful protective spell to keep everyone out.
We stood a little distance from the tower, but I could already sense Albert’s presence.
Nevertheless, I was confident that I could surpass Albert’s power.
Taking a deep breath, I recited the incantation that would unlock the tower’s barriers.
“Unlock.”
Blanc and I safely passed through the magical defenses surrounding the tower.
However, it wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. The gap between Albert’s power and mine turned out to be much narrower than I thought.
The magic I used the last time I saw this place and the level of control over it, thinking about it, I couldn’t have reached this level…
Albert’s power has now surpassed even the realm of an overpowered munchkin. It’s a level of power unattainable by a mere mortal.
…Was it crazy to think that Albert’s closest associates didn’t follow him to assist… but to keep him restrained?
Thankfully, the tower wasn’t locked. Albert seemed to feel that the protective barriers were sufficient, probably considering the same for the entire nation.
How long had it been since I last came to this tower? For some reason, I was drenched in inexplicable nostalgia as I opened the door and entered.
The tower remained as it was, with the furniture left untouched. It would be alright with me too if some dust had settled.
I could clean it up myself, and even that seemed like it could be a pleasant task. I gently opened my eyes.
“……”
And then, I was overwhelmed by indescribable emotions.
It felt like I had returned to the past.
The kitchen right in front of me, the staircase seen through the open door, everything was exactly the same.
Even the arrangement of the furniture hadn’t changed a bit. The blanket that Blanc used to cover himself as a little dragon cub on the desk where he used to sleep was neatly arranged.
Blanc seemed just as taken aback as I was. He, too, appeared to be in a daze, just like me.
After all, the tower was a special place for both of us.
It was the place that rekindled Blanc’s desire to live.
As Blanc took some time to reminisce alone, I opened the door and ascended the stairs.
It was the space where Albert and I spent the most time.
His room, our living room.
My heart was racing. The steps to the room seemed both fast and slow at the same time.
After catching my breath, I opened the door.
“Seriously…”
I let out a small laugh.
There wasn’t a speck of dust in this place either. I’d believe it was maintained daily, even if someone told me so.
Just like the kitchen, it exuded an air of continuous care. All the furniture arrangements remained exactly as they were when Albert was unwell.
It was the same as it was when we lived here.
Our memories were preserved so perfectly.
Ah, seriously. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them again. I felt like I might start crying any moment. My eyes were already reddening.
I feel like I’ve become such a crybaby these days. I don’t like crying all the time, but I find myself in situations where I can’t stop it.
Not knowing whether I was alive or dead, Albert had kept this place in perfect condition. I couldn’t help but wonder what he must have been thinking.
How much did his heart suffer?
From when I was a child until now, he has always been the same.
…Always.
You were waiting for me.
In a tower so well-maintained, he would soon return here. There was no need to go anywhere else.
I could wait for him here, just like in our first meeting.
