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146
There were corpses in front of them, and behind them were those still gasping in pain from unfinished interrogations. Although it was a closed space unseen from the outside, it was certainly not a place to continue the rest of the conversation.
Following Dein, who led the way, Rohan glanced at a few figures collapsed on the floor as they retreated.
Those who were spewing fragmented sounds that could hardly be called words, their sanity seemingly shattered. …Was it due to the harsh interrogation, or because of their comrades who died becoming “not human” beside them?
Probably the latter, with high probability. Afraid of becoming something other than human, of meeting death in a horrific form.
“It’s not that we have no idea at all,” Rohan said, initiating the conversation after returning to the guild, but still unable to shake off those thoughts. And then… he commented bitterly. Just as results follow causes, those miserable deaths too must be the consequence of actions they committed recklessly.
“The red aura the mercenaries used. That seems the most likely possibility for now.”
“Red aura… Indeed. The man who attacked me and Sia also used red aura. He suddenly became stronger when he used that power.”
Leriana nodded in agreement with Rohan’s words. However, undisguised complexity was evident in her expression.
Red aura, of unknown origin and capable of exerting strength beyond common sense. Even just hearing about it, the ominous atmosphere it exuded was indescribably immense.
Moreover, with speculation circulating that this power might cause one’s appearance to change into something monstrous.
Whether the speculation was true, and if so, what the Emperor was thinking to make his close aides use the red aura… They were in no position to be certain about anything. Their minds were in a whirl with various thoughts.
“The guild intends to form additional personnel to continuously investigate this matter. If we find out anything more, we’ll be sure to contact you,” Dein stepped forward to summarize the situation after a brief, strange silence. He too knew that even if they prolonged the conversation, it wouldn’t yield much.
He added that they would focus on investigating the ‘red aura’ Rohan and Leriana had mentioned. It was then that Arpel, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, spoke up.
“Please be careful not to catch the imperial family’s attention.”
“…Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
A bitter smile spread across Dein’s face. He had already known that the Emperor was behind the series of incidents surrounding the empire and the Salvation Church.
Arpel was saying this incident would be the same. His voice was as emotionless as ever, but… Dein knew it was a warning for him and the guild.
The conversation seemed to be concluding like that. At least until Dein brought up another topic to the four sitting across from him.
“Do you have any specific destination in mind?”
“No, not yet…”
“Me neither.”
Leriana answered glumly, and Rohan also slowly shook his head following her. After all, he and Arpel had come to this village essentially following Leriana. As if he had been waiting for this answer, Dein’s face quickly brightened.
“There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
The name that soon flowed from Dein’s lips… was that of a quite familiar person.
***
The next morning, the four prepared to leave the village. Leriana was seated in the carriage prepared in advance by Dein, looking out through the small window. In the morning, as people found their places one by one, the sight of mercenaries and clergy mixed among them felt novel.
“…Eventually, even that will disappear, won’t it?”
It was an ambiguous voice, neither starting a conversation nor talking to herself. Casia, who looked outside following her, nodded.
The sight of mercenaries and clergy together was unimaginable in this village until just a few days ago. But now, they were doing their best to blend in with each other.
Although it was still noticeable that they were uncomfortable with each other… this too would gradually disappear with time. It wasn’t for nothing that they say time heals all wounds.
“It’ll get better with time.”
Rohan responded slowly, as if having similar thoughts. Although it was almost like responding to a casually thrown comment, Leriana’s eyes, turning away from the window, were somewhat unfriendly.
“Your words lack soul.”
“Yeah, right.”
What’s the point of answering, when his tone was clearly devoid of any soul? Leriana, glaring at Rohan with gritted teeth, then caught sight of a scene she didn’t particularly want to see.
Rohan’s fidgeting hands looked quite busy. They had been constantly touching Arpel’s hands since getting on the carriage, so it would be strange if they weren’t busy. Each playful touch was brimming with affection.
“…”
Leriana’s expression gradually worsened. It was good that she had reconciled with her only friend and set out on a journey again, but seeing this was not good at all. The display of affection she was witnessing after a long time seemed even more intense than before.
Rubbing the soft palm, tapping each slender finger one by one. Then, as if to show off, even interlocking fingers… As if to show off?
Leriana, who had been unconsciously continuing her thoughts, raised her head abruptly at the sudden intuition. Sure enough, she found herself making eye contact with Rohan, who was glancing this way. His rising corners of the mouth were full of mischief.
Is he doing this for me to see? Leriana’s face gradually soured as she realized her friend was intentionally showing off his affectionate actions.
“Arpel.”
Ignoring Leriana as usual, Rohan tilted his head and whispered to Arpel. Though it was called whispering, there was no way the voice wouldn’t be heard in the cramped carriage. Pretending not to, both Leriana and Casia’s gazes turned to Rohan.
“Yes?”
The moment Arpel answered the small call. No, precisely when he slightly turned his head to look at Rohan, Rohan lowered his head. Soft lips briefly touched the white cheek and pulled away.
“…Ugh.”
Unable to hold back, Leriana covered her mouth with her hand. Despite trying to maintain a smile, everything crumbled at just one peck on the cheek. For her, it was an incredible display of patience not to draw her Holy Sword right then and there.
Struggling to suppress the involuntary gag reflex, she turned to look at Arpel. Such a blatant display of affection in the carriage, how would they deal with the aftermath later?
‘He’ll only come to his senses after getting a good scolding from Arpel.’
She judged harshly in her mind, but Leriana failed to realize one important fact.
“…”
Just as Rohan acted blindly towards Arpel, Arpel too became infinitely weak towards Rohan. She realized this fact after confirming Arpel’s state, who not only showed no intention of scolding but couldn’t even utter words properly.
Moreover… his ears were red. Forgetting even the fact that she had gagged for a moment, Leriana could only blankly stare at Arpel’s earlobes, which had turned as red as apples.
“Sia.”
Leriana, who had been opening and closing her mouth as if at a loss for words, poked Casia beside her a beat late. Turning her head while familiarly receiving the touch, Casia leaned in as Leriana whispered in her ear as if sharing a secret.
“Doesn’t Arpel… seem to be embarrassed?”
However, as she had felt earlier, this was an enclosed carriage. Although it wasn’t so cramped that they had to sit right next to each other, it wasn’t far enough for their words not to be heard.
Moreover, thanks to their holy power and magic, they had hearing far superior to ordinary people. Given their condition, it was natural that even the faintest whisper would be clearly audible.
So, Rohan’s discovery of Arpel’s reddened earlobes… might have been all thanks to Leriana.
Clear joy dripped from his smiling face. As if he was going crazy with love for Arpel, who was turning his ears red even while maintaining an indifferent face.
Rohan pulled Arpel’s hand and started kissing the back of it. It seemed he had already forgotten about Leriana and Casia sitting across from them. As if he couldn’t bear not expressing his overflowing love, short kisses continued over and over.
“Were you embarrassed…?”
Such words were occasionally mixed in, so it was inevitable that Arpel’s already red ears became even redder. Moreover, wasn’t an almost ecstatic amount of affection continuously pouring down?
And Leriana, who was practically the starting point of all this, was quietly maintaining silence. Her eyes, watching the endless display of affection, had long since gone dark and lifeless. Casia, sitting beside her, looked at her with pitying eyes.
“Why did you have to say such a thing…”
Her added voice was indescribably plaintive. Leriana made a tearful face as she felt the hand awkwardly patting her shoulder.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
