Volume 3 - CH 31

Act 3-31: Wacky Battle in The Sweet Castle 2

「Ah, Master is coming…」

Regena felt her heart warm upon seeing the scene outside her windows. She didn’t want to stay in this place any longer.

「Even though we used to play together during our childhood…」

Regena unintentionally muttered so upon recalling Riette; her eyes were always filled with hatred now.

Riette’s mother was really kind toward Regena, she was like a second mother to her, and yet, it was her own father who had killed this kind woman. That’s why Regena understood and accepted Riette’s hatred.

It was also the same with the people in this country, they had all been wronged by her father in some way or another, so their hatred was also understandable.

Thus, Regena knew that she had lost her place in her own homeland. She couldn’t bear the thought of having to endure those stares filled with loathing and resentment. The only one who had a clear gaze towards her was Omiros. She was grateful towards him, but at the same time, she still wanted to stay by Kuroki’s side.

Even though she felt bad for Omiros, she was still adamant on going back with Kuroki as soon as possible.

Currently, the only one in the room was the Hero’s little sister, Kyouka. Even though she didn’t seem as powerful as the others, Regena knew that Kyouka was more powerful than her.

She couldn’t win if she fought, so the only option she could consider was to stealthily sneak out.

Suddenly, the door was knocked repeatedly.

「Who is it? You may enter.」

The door opened. There, Omiros’ figure stood, and, maybe because of the turmoil outside, he was armed to the teeth.

「Oh my, Omiros-san. Is something the matter?」

「Kyouka-sama, will you please allow me to take Regena out of this room?」

「Eh, me?」

Regena tilted her head in confusion, wondering what Omiros was trying to do.

「What are you going to do by taking her out?」

「The Dark Knight has come to Algore. That’s why I’m thinking about returning Regena back to the Dark Knight.」

「… EH?」

Regena couldn’t hide her shock upon hearing that.

「Well, if you say so, I guess I have nothing to say in this regard.」

Kyouka responded as if she understood something.

「Before that, I… want to have a private conversation with Regena, but…」

「Uhm, what do you think, Regena-san?」

Omiros and Kyouka looked at Regena.

Regena was also looking at Omiros. She noticed that he was telling the truth.

（Omiros has no reason to lie to me. He really is going to send me back to My Dear Master.）

Thus, Regena nodded in agreement, this might be her last chance to bid farewell to her childhood friend.

「Let’s go.」

Regena stood and walked toward Omiros.

「Regena-san, you forgot to take this.」

But, Kyouka stopped her midway, and handed her something.

「This is… my sword.」

The thing that she received from Kyouka was the short sword Kuroki had made for her.

「This is an important item for you, right? I’ll return this to you. In addition, I’ll be waiting for your answer about working for me. Don’t worry about time, I’m not in a hurry.」

Kyouka spoke with a smile on her face.

（Could it be that this Young Lady is in fact a really nice person?）

Regena looked at Kyouka, there was no doubt that she was haughty and had a rather mischievous side to her. But, one could only catch a glimpse of her virtue when they spoke directly with her.

「I have to get permission from My Dear Master for that. But, I appreciate your kind intention.」

Regena bowed her head in gratitude toward Kyouka. She had to get permission from Kuroki if she wanted to leave Nargol. Thus, she couldn’t accept Kyouka’s offer for now.

「Well then…」

「Let’s go, Regena.」

Regena and Omiros left the room.

「Where are we heading to, Omiros?」

「Let’s visit the graveyard first.」

Omiros replied without looking back.

「Graveyard… Why?」

「Your mother’s grave. Once you return to Nargol, you might not be able to visit her grave anymore.」

Regena finally understood why Omiros took her to the graveyard. Omiros wanted her to pay a visit to her mother.

「No, I can’t go!」

But, Regena refused that kindness.

「Why? Don’t you want to visit your mother’s grave?」

「I mean, everyone I left in Nargol can’t visit their family graves too, it’ll be unfair if I was the only one who got this chance…」

She wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she was the only one who got the chance to visit her mother’s grave while everyone else couldn’t.

Thus, Regena refused Omiros’ offer.

「I see…」

「Sorry Omiros… I mean, you’re doing this for me…」

「It’s okay… I’m glad I was able to meet you again, Regena.」

Omiros smiled back at Regena.

Regena felt a pang of guilt upon seeing his smile.

Regena knew how Omiros felt about her. But, her heart had already been set. Even if she chose to stay in Algore, she wouldn’t be able to reciprocate Omiros’ feelings.

Regena recalled that day—the day she and her clan had been exiled to the Goblins’ Nest. She was so scared that day as goblins chased after her and her people. They had to run non-stop everyday to survive. Even worse, when one of them fell, they had to continue moving forward and were forced to abandon their fallen comrades. Regena’s heart at the time was slowly and painfully shattering every time she breathed.

It was then that a miracle happened in front of the despaired Regena and her clan.

The miracle descended from the sky in the form of a giant dragon that represented calamity in this world.

The appearance of the dragon was the last straw that broke Regena’s heart. She cried due to the extreme terror.

But, that was the moment when she realized the true form of the miracle.

The Dark Knight who was riding the dragon took off his helmet and smiled gently at Regena and her clan. He who had come down with a dragon, and sent the goblins running in fear, was supposed to be a far more terrifying existence than what she was seeing.

Regena’s heart had been captured the moment she saw his gentle smile, and the terror she felt until a moment ago vanished just like that.

Thus began Regena’s life in Nargol.

""

Even though she was surrounded by monsters, strangely enough, she wasn’t scared at all.

And the reason for that was Kuroki.

She could forget the fear of being chased around by monsters and goblins when she was near Kuroki—the smile of one of the most terrifying beings in this world was far more powerful.

（I can’t live without My Dear Master anymore. I can’t feel reassured unless I’m by My Dear Master’s side. I keep seeing the dream of being chased around by goblins whenever I’m away from My Dear Master, and that nightmare is gone when My Dear Master is by my side. That’s why I have to go back to him. I’m fine even if he has no plans to make me his wife or concubine. I just want to stay by his side. I want to go back to his side as soon as possible.）

Regena apologized to Omiros in her heart, the one that had already been set on her master.

「Then let’s go to the watchtower. I’ve asked Maxis to clear out the place. The Dark Knight should be able to find you more easily in that place.」

Omiros started walking ahead of Regena as he spoke.

The watchtower was the highest place in Algore, which was built to always surveille Nargol.

（Sure enough, My Dear Master could easily find me in that place.）

Thus, Regena nodded as she followed Omiros from behind.

After walking for a while, they had finally arrived at the watchtower. The top of the tower that could only be reached through a ladder was surprisingly spacious, enough to keep 20 to 30 people inside.

「He should be able to find you from this place.」

Omitos smiled at Regena as he spoke.

「Thank you, Omiros.」

Regena expressed her gratitude to Omiros and then looked around, searching for Kuroki.

「Wait, Regena! Someone is coming!!」

Regena hid her face in a hurry upon hearing Omiros’ remark.

Regena was currently the most hated person in Algore due to her lineage. Thus, it would be a disaster if someone saw her in this kind of place.

They heard the sound of someone climbing the ladder.

「WHO’S THERE?! I FORBADE EVERYONE FROM COMING TO THIS PLACE!!」

Omiros spoke to the person who climbed the ladder.

「It’s me, Prince.」

「PARSISH-DONO?!」

The one who came up was Parsish.

He climbed the ladder and stepped into the watchtower.

「So it’s Parsish-dono huh. Where have you been until now!? And what are you doing here!?」

Omiros drew closer as he asked Parsish.

「Well, I happened to see you climbing the watchtower… Incidentally, that’s also what I wanted to ask you.Why are you bringing princess Regena to this place?」

Since she was found out despite hiding her face, Regena finally revealed herself.

「That matter has nothing to do with you. Leave this place immediately!!」

Omiros ordered Parsish to leave but, Parsish just shook his head as he revealed a creepy smile on his face.

「This matter isn’t unrelated to me, Prince…」

「What are you talking about?」

「Rather, tell me why did you bring the princess to this place?」

Omiros felt something was wrong, why did Parsish repeatedly ask him for the reason he brought Regena to this place.

「Fine, I’ll tell you… To return Regena to the Dark Knight. There’s the answer you want. Now leave this instant.」

Beaten by Parsish’s persistance, Omiros had no choice but to answer him.

「You can’t do that you know… Prince…」

Parsish shook his head as he muttered.

At that moment, Regena felt something was amiss.

（What is this feeling? The sword that I got from Master is ringing non stop.）

The short sword hidden in Regena’s bosom kept ringing since Parsish appeared.

And then, when Regena was looking at Omiros, she felt as if his shield was shining.

「What’s up with you, Pa– Uhm, why is my shield?」

Omiroros was also looking at his own shield and noticed that his shield was shining.

「KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!」

Suddenly, Parsish unsheathed his sword and brandished it toward Omiros.

His movement was swift and Regena knew that her warning wouldn’t make it in time. But, Omiros’ shield moved even faster and caught the blow in time. It was as if the shield had its own will.

「What the…?」

Omiros retreated immediately, and came to Regena’s side.

「Are you okay, Omiros?」

「Yeah, the shield is moving on its own… it’s like it’s trying to protect…」

Omiros spoke as he looked at the shield.

The shield exuded a faint light.

「What’s the meaning of this, Parsish-dono?!」

Omiros glared angrily at Parsish.

「Tch… Missed huh. You’re supposed to die in one blow though…」

Parsish’s tone was different from before. The polite tone from before vanished like smoke.

「Wha… Parsish-dono?」

Parsish’s face blurred. And once the blur had vanished, the face that Omiros saw was a completely different face.

Regena screamed in fear upon seeing that face.

「Ah… You are…」

Regena remembered that face. It was the face that appeared in her most unpleasant memories, one that had been sealed deep in her consciousness.

「You are… Goz?!」

Omiros called his name.

「Yes… It’s Goz, Omiros. Never expected that you would still remember me.」

Omiros shook his head upon hearing Goz’s remarks.

「There’s no way I can forget it even if I want to, Goz… Never once did I forget about you ever since that day. To think that you’re masquerading as Parsish…」

Omiros unsheathed his sword.

「I feel honored to be remembered by you, Prince. Kukuku.」

Goz laughed eerily.

「Get back, Regena.」

Regena retreated a bit upon hearing Omiros’ words.

But, there was no other place to run atop the watchtower.

Goz’s eyes were locked on Regena. Goosebumps appeared all over her body as his gaze locked on her.

「Come here, Regena. I came to pick you up.」

Goz released a sinister cackle as he spoke.