Chapter 33.1

“What’s wrong?”

Mikael asked, taken aback.

“Let’s just go anywhere quickly.”

“The capital has fixed points of movement for security reasons. The next point is a bit far from here.”

He stood obliquely as if to cover me.

“Okay. I get it. So let’s just go anywhere! No. Somewhere as far away as possible from anyone! Quickly, quickly! Otherwise, we have to run!”

I stomped my feet and urged Mikael. If I bump into that annoying woman here, Celina might lose all her hair today.

“Hm.”

Mikael made a thoughtful noise and suddenly gathered my cloak. Then he wrapped one arm around my waist and soared straight up. At that moment, I felt my heart drop.

Embracing me tightly, he landed on a roof. A woman who was hanging laundry by the window saw us appearing suddenly and screamed.

“I’ll try not to get caught by scouts as much as possible.”

Mikael reached over and closed the window.

“What if we get caught?”

“Hmm. A small trip to jail probably?”

His eyes under his scattered hair were exceptionally playful.

“Does that make sense?! We must avoid it at all costs.”

I hugged his neck urgently.

“Then, we’re going.”

He whispered.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere I know personally.”

“So where is th―!”

My words were completely buried by Mikael’s swift movements.

***

I sagged in my chair. My whole body was exhausted. Even though we did evade the green-haired woman somehow, it was a very hectic getaway. Fortunately, there was no conflict with the scouts.

Ah. There was one moment when we almost got caught, and he laughed to himself when he saw me freaking out about what we were going to do. Looking back now, it was clear that this was on purpose to make fun of me.

Mikael put a cup down in front of me and started fanning me with great care. I drank the water refreshingly while receiving a wind of moderate intensity.

I knew very well where this was. The name of the bar where the oak barrels were placed everywhere was Paziano.

The most decent place in the back alley. A place that boasts a very clean appearance during the day, but reveals its true self at night. An area of entertainment and pleasure.

“Mikael. It seems like you brought a very precious person here?”

The owner, Jack, wiped a cup from behind the counter and spoke in a husky voice. Rough hair like hay, rough and scarred skin like sandpaper.

But his eyes were bright and intense, and his body was full of muscles.

“At a time when things aren’t really coming in because of the Katas epidemic.”

He was Mikael’s old friend. He was someone who resembled a warrior, a bandit, or maybe a pirate. An appearance that didn’t seem to blend in with this neat shop.

“Young Lady. It is a very shabby place for a noble person. I apologize. Let’s go out as soon as you recover some energy.”

Mikael didn’t say the name of the body I was trapped in for some reason.

“Hey, you bastard! That’s all you have to say when you come here suddenly in broad daylight? Not even saying hello!”

Jack was screaming.

“… Jack?”

When Mikael called his name softly, Jack hated it with all his strength.

“Are you nuts, why are you calling me so embarrassingly like that?”

“I have to speak properly, right? I’m not in a safe position to raise my voice now.”

Mikael turned his head and looked at him.

“Okay. Don’t look at me like that. I’m going to pee in my pants because you look so scary. Whatever, you punk. Show-off. You’re really full of yourself.”

Jack gazed at him with sharp eyes for a while, then shook his head as if there was no helping it.

“It’s because we have this situation right now. Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude and put down the cup. The man bit his lips somewhat crookedly.

“Yes. Will it be alright? You’re that lady from the rumors.”

“The lady from the rumors.”

I repeated those words. Has Celina been rumored even this far? I don’t remember setting it like that.

“Aren’t you the beautiful lady that even the Emperor, who is intimidated by the Archmage, cherishes so dearly? Even though you don’t have magical power.”

“Jack?”

Mikael called the man’s name again. The anger was evident in just that one syllable. He turned his eyes this way as I gently grabbed his arm. Then, he put his index finger slightly in front of my lips.

“But you even made Mikael like that.”

Mikael closed his mouth according to my will, but the man who was actually the one who should have shut his mouth just kept talking, tactless.

“I didn’t expect to see you in person like this. Anyway, it’s a great honor.”

“Hey. You there.”

I drew my index finger around the top of the clean teacup. I didn’t like being treated like that in the castle, so I couldn’t believe I even had to hear that in a place like this.

Was it because I devalued myself by thanking him? Just for that?

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