Chapter 45

Arrival at the Tower of Lament

In the past—back when I was in Tsaobera.

When you come to a world with magic… you can’t help but think, “Maybe I could use some amazing, cheat-level magic!!” I strongly believed that once.

(This ability would’ve been prized by assassins or stealthy ninja! Unfortunately—(is it okay to say that?) Tsaobera is currently the epitome of peace. In other words, there’s no need for my presence-concealing Disappear. My stealth-specialized unique ability is, nowadays, completely… unpopular…)

In Tsaobera, which seemed the epitome of peace, this unique magic didn’t quite shine.

But in these abnormal circumstances, this skill is exactly what’s useful.

Receiving my smile, His Highness Lian widened his eyes in slight surprise—then shook his head.

“I cannot agree. It’s dangerous.”

“But isn’t this the most likely option? Your Highness Lian… you don’t want to keep wearing that, do you?”

I pointed to the inside of my wrist, reading his feelings.
Instantly, His Highness Lian’s face turned bitter.
Thinking I needed one more push, I continued.

“Thanks to Your Highness Lian, I can live freely in the Lumos Empire (here). I want to repay that debt.”

“That’s… true, but.”

“Please rest assured. You know the effects of my unique magic, don’t you? As long as a third party doesn’t make contact with me or I don’t actively reveal my presence, I won’t be noticed. I’ll just pop in, investigate, and pop back!!”

“…………”

Still, His Highness Lian seemed to have reservations and didn’t readily agree.

(Indeed, I’ve never done espionage, and I’m a suspicious person he’s only known for two days…)

There are more reasons not to trust me.
It’d be more surprising if he said, “Understood, please do it!!”

Though we’ve only spoken for two days, His Highness Lian—despite his gentle appearance—is, at his core, quite cold and calculating.

At the very least, he’s not the type to let emotions cloud his judgment.

He’s someone who prioritizes the success rate of breaking the charm magic on himself and the survival of the Lumos Empire over his own feelings.
So, persuading him easily is, I thought, quite difficult.

And…

(I’m still half-doubting whether I even have time-transcending abilities, and even if I do, controlling them is another matter entirely…!!)

Investigating in Tsaobera or not is a secondary issue.

While thinking this, the carriage stopped.
It seemed we had arrived at the Tower of Lament.

His Highness Lian disembarked first, offering his hand for escort.
Taking his hand, I stepped down from the carriage.

And I gasped in shock.

There was—nothing… at all.

Forest! Forest! Forest! Nature! Abundant!!

Five hundred years ago, there was supposedly a bustling castle town nearby, but now, after five hundred years, there was only green.
Nothing but nature as far as the eye could see.

A bird’s cry trailed off and faded.

In the middle of the forest stood a single structure.
Commonly known as the Tower of Lament—.

The place where I had been.
The tower before me was about two stories tall, not particularly high.

Around the tower, lanterns glowed, encircling it.

Seeing the electric-like light and the beams connecting the lanterns, it was likely the same kind of barrier that surrounded the castle.

As I stood just before the barrier, eyes wide with amazement, a third voice spoke.

“Phew… finally arrived. I’m exhausted.”

“…!!”

Startled, I turned to see a blue-haired knight—his name was Matthew, if I recalled correctly.
He had stepped down from the driver’s seat.

Then, it finally hit me.

(Right…!! If it’s a carriage, there’s someone to handle the reins…!!)

His Highness Lian had said something about being in a void, so I’d half-expected looking outside would require a sanity check…

But maybe it wasn’t that dangerous?

As I thought this, Matthew, stretching, grumbled in a tired voice.

“This void space is really exhausting. It’s enough to drive you mad.”

“Is it? Then shall I take over for the return trip?”

“Please, no. If that got out, I’d lose my head.”

“It’s not that strict.”

His Highness Lian replied with a wry smile.

Judging by Matthew’s reaction…

(Not looking out the window was the right call…)

I thought firmly.
Watching their exchange, His Highness Lian suddenly looked at me.
Then, with a soft smile, he said.

“Would you like to sit in the driver’s seat? It’s right next to me, so there’s no need to worry. It’s a bit of a unique experience.”

“Eh?!?!”

‘This void space is really exhausting. It’s enough to drive you mad.’

I recalled Matthew’s words.

(Enough to drive you mad— Enough to drive you mad—)

What could you even see in this void?
Since it’s called a void, is it just… nothing?
Or, being a type of dark magic, is it pitch black??

In the darkness—just endlessly moving the carriage forward.
In a world without light, endlessly.

“…………!!”

Imagining that scene, I shook my head vigorously before I could think.

“I respectfully decline!!”

“Haha, just kidding.”

Smiling brightly, His Highness Lian walked toward the barrier.

“…………”

Stunned, my mouth fell open.
Hardly the demeanor of a proper lady.
But before I could notice—Matthew, behind me, said with a troubled tone.

“Sorry, he’s like that.”

“…………”

“Also, don’t sit in the driver’s seat. It really does mess with your head… I’m somewhat used to it, but that guy was completely unfazed from the start. Weird, right?”

Exhausted, Matthew continued.

I looked up.
Ahead, His Highness Lian was touching the barrier, seemingly chanting a spell.

Staring at him—I thought firmly.
And clenched my fist.

(Jokes!! You should say them with a face that makes it clear they’re jokes…!!)

His Highness Lian’s jokes don’t sound like jokes.
Or rather, he doesn’t even seem like the type to joke.

More than being outdone, I was completely teased, so I sighed and followed after him.

☆

Thus, I didn’t hear the words Matthew muttered afterward.

“But I think this is the first time I’ve heard His Highness joke with a woman, isn’t it?”