Chapter 226: I'll give it back

As a strong arm wrapped around my body, my vision suddenly flipped. When I came to my senses, my body was moving. The surrounding landscape changed rapidly.

"Ricdorian, where's the door?"

"A little while ago, the ceiling collapsed and opened."

It was not appropriate to say that a 'door' opened through the dust. It was a broken ceiling. The wall had been torn down. Under these circumstances, staying underground was a very risky choice.

I narrowed my eyes to not get the dust and covered my mouth with my sleeve. Then I lowered my hand and ripped my skirt apart as hard as I could. Borrowing the energy of the Blue Rose, this was not too difficult. I wrapped the cut cloth around Ricdorian's nose and chin.

It's not a fire, but it didn't seem good to inhale a lot of dust. For some reason I felt like I had to do this.

Like a person with abilities that surpassed humans, Ricdorian escaped the underground in an instant. I was concerned about Chaser following us, but finding a way was the first priority.

"Iana, do you know the way?"

"...... Yes. I memorized it roughly."

The complex Hernim Castle and Domulit's Mansion. And walking around the Imperial Palace helped. Even when the gigantic pillars were shaking, I did not falter.

"Cough, Ricdorian. Do you see any angel statues? A stone statue with a trumpet."

"There, I think I see it."

I led the way while being held by Ricdorian.

"Run in a straight line. Go on!"

Strangely, there was no one in the hallway. Even though I heard such loud shouts. It seems that all the people who came to this place had passed by this path. Did they not find a way to the basement? I saw a while ago that the path we came out of was in the middle of a broken ceiling.

Perhaps it was difficult to find where we were.

Did we run for a long time? A sigh came from Ricdorian. Somehow, I felt like I knew why he was breathing awkwardly.

"...... Iana. He's chasing after us."

It was obvious who he was. I exhaled a little.

"What should I do?"

Numerous thoughts ran through my mind. I knew for sure. I will never forget the feeling of the chains and the people being led away. However,

"Ricdorian, what would you do if we were to escape from here holding hands with Chaser?"

Ricdorian went silent for a moment. In the meantime, his legs were still running hard.

"...... It's the best choice right now, and the worst choice I can't help feeling."

Ricdorian said in a calm voice, excluding his emotions.

"I'm fine. If it is your will."

"Ricdorian."

"It's not being submissive, Iana. It's faith."

I breathed, then exhaled.

"If you, as the Grand Duke, judged at this moment, what decision would you have made?"

"I would have held his hand."

Ricdorian replied succinctly.

"However....... There are people in the world who you cannot hold hands with even if 100 out of 100 are all beneficial. The Black Rose is that kind of person to me, so maybe I get caught by emotions. Things are different now."

At that moment, a large decorative cabinet fell and blocked our way. Ricdorian said, jumping over it casually.

"Iana, do you have any plans?"

I was thinking about something, so I asked him that. I was silent for a moment and spoke.

"The Empress' letter contained directions and instructions on how to use the ancient magic there."

It was. What the Empress arranged was a 'passage' that could lead directly to Kambrakam, but this was a little special, not the usual magic circle.

"It is said that only roses can use it."

That means Chaser can also use it.

"But......."

"But?"

"The words end in vague. I thought maybe only the Blue Rose could use it."

The Empress taught me how to use it, but also gave me inaccurate information. She had never used it herself. As evidence to support it, her explanation felt like she was writing someone else's record, not her own. Perhaps this was also information she had heard from among the ghosts of the previous Emperors.

"So, the odds are fifty-fitfy."

It was the last favor and help the Empress gave me. I had to use this. No, this is the only way. I glanced over my shoulder.

"Leave that man, or if he ends up chasing us, go with him."

"If we go together......."

"That is more of a problem."

It will expose our purpose. Then we might have to figure out how to really join hands. Without a conclusion, we finally arrived at the place the Empress was talking about.

Beneath another castle, there was a huge underground space. As if to prove the expansive size, a very large door stood in our way. However, the door was ajar; perhaps the huge vibration that struck the Imperial Castle had an effect here as well.

"Did anyone arrive before us?"

"No. That's not it. Iana. I don't feel any presence."

As he said, there was no one inside the hall. We have no time to look around the huge space in detail. In the center of the hall was a magic circle of geometric curves, just as the Empress had described in her letter.

This is the ancient magic circle the Empress spoke of.

'Somehow, it's similar to what I saw in Kambrakam.'

Slowly observing the shape, I noticed that it resembles the mural in Kambrakam. There was no time to look at each one of it.

"Ricdorian, come here."

I put Ricdorian next to me and took a deep breath. But for some reason, for a brief moment, Ricdorian's expression didn't seem right. When I turned my head, he was as calm as ever.

"Ricdorian, are you in pain?"

"Ah... no. No, Iana."

He smiled shyly, his cheeks flushed, as always. Did I misunderstand? I shook my head and quickly raised my hand. We have no time.

I folded one knee and brought my raised hand to the magic circle on the floor.

Thud!

There was a small vibration. As soon as the blue power was generated, not only the floor but the entire hall vibrated.

-Human.......

Just then, Pudding's voice was heard from inside me.

'Are you awake? Are you okay?'

A blue haze pooled like water through the hollow magic circle. Before long, the haze that filled the huge magic circle radiated a dazzling blue light.

-Human, Nyan! That's not the problem! Nyan, I have something to say, human, you must listen!

With the scattered light, Pudding hurriedly shouted at me. I wanted it to tell me what was going on, but unfortunately I couldn't focus. It was because I saw a man with his feet on the edge of the pillar of blue light that soared to the ceiling.

Sweat-soaked hair, and a bright smile on his face did not look exhausted or difficult, even though he was taking a few breaths.

"...... Chaser."

He came after me.

I bit my lip. At the same time, I felt a huge weight on my shoulder.

"Ricdorian?"

"...... Haa, Iana. I have something to say. That......."

"You? Why is your body hot? Are you sick?"

"Haa, I'm sorry. Now, it's out of control......."

Obviously, when he brought me here a little while ago, he wasn't hot, his body temperature was normal. However, his body that came close to me was unusually hot. The words flowing out of him were like Pudding's urgent words, which suddenly evoked deep anxiety and fear.

"Why, why? Why are you suddenly like this?"

But Ricdorian that I held gave me no answers. The words were not coming out because he was holding his hot breath. His appearance was reminiscent of how he had a strong fever with medicine in the prison long ago. My heart pounded.

"Wait, wait a little bit and I'll be fine......."

"Ricdorian!"

Even at this moment, the light spread steadily. And flash! When the dazzling light spread and blinded my eyes, I closed my eyes tightly without realizing it.

I held Ricdorian tightly. Please don't let him go. Please...... !

But when I open my eyes, I see a new space but...... There was no one in my arms.

"Ricdorian?"

I hurriedly turned my head. The place I was in was the first floor hallway covered in darkness. I was used to the garden view from the side of the hallway, but finding Ricdorian was my priority.

"It looks like he moved separately."

But soon after, instead of the one I was looking for, I heard a voice I didn't want to hear much.

"Is that right, Iana?"

When I turned my head, I saw Chaser's figure standing half-submerged in the shadow of a long pillar. There was a distance between him and me, but Chaser didn't come close right away.

"Don't be so vigilant, Iana."

Reassuring me, he showed the palms of his hands.

"Because I won't do anything."

It just sounded like nonsense to me.

"For real."

On the contrary, he moved half a step back. Trying to prove his point one more time.

"Now I know why you came here. Hmm, are you here to break the Red Rose's curse?"

"......."

"I see."

Chaser continued to talk as he pleased, and then I pretended to listen and rolled my eyes. The situation a while ago made me feel bad, so I couldn't see properly. But we did move to the right place. This was Kambrakam.

If I meet Ricdorian again here, there would be no problem. Yes, there will be no problem. I clenched my teeth out of his sight. Not to let him know.

"Ah, are you trying to restore the Red Rose's lifespan?"

I turned my head. For this moment, I was grateful for my indifferent expression. Because nothing will be revealed in my calm face.

"Don't worry, I won't disturb you."

I smiled bitterly.

"How can I believe you?"

"I don't lie to you, you know."

Chaser lowered his hand and leaned back. Then he reached out one hand and touched his chest.

"Then how about this, with all my love, I swear I won't interfere with your purpose."

I paused. He was a man whose love wanted to be acknowledged by me as the one true love. Although I admitted that his means and methods were twisted, his love was sincere. He was betting on something like that?

That sincerity felt rather abominable here.

"...... You have a natural talent for making me hate you."

Chaser stiffened for a moment, but then smiled softly.

"Your wit that gently tempts people is your bad charm. If you won't disturb me, then why did you come after me?"

"Because I want to see you."

"......."

"Even if you don't stare at me like that, I really won't bother you. Iana."

Why? It felt as if Chaser was getting closer, even though he was still far away.

"Because in the first place, I was going to return the guardian deity to you and tell you the last truth. This is real."

"Real? Don't be ridiculous. Do you still have something to say to me? Stop it now. I don't want to hear anything you say anymore."

I got up slowly. Right at my first step, I lost my strength and ended up sitting on the floor. But when I lifted my head, I could see Chaser's figure getting closer. The feeling that he was getting closer was not an illusion.

"I was just trying to give it back."

"Stop playing with words anymore."

"Don't you want to remember?"

"So what."

"Your memories of the previous world."

I froze. I looked at him stiffly.