Chapter 215

I always want to be by your side

Cathedral of Cantala.

It was a very old church built about 200 years ago. It is called the Cathedral of Cantala after the city’s name. As a city with an old cathedral, the city also boasts a very historic past. The city has had a large population for a long time in history. However now, the city did not enjoy the same prosperity as before, as if everything was on a path of decline.

This city is located three days away from the Domulit estate, so it is a city under Domulit influence.

A city between Scheruten and Pantes. Here, in Pantes it was also the city where Jaire caused an explosion when I returned to the Domulit mansion.

“There is a cathedral, but it is no longer a place where religion has its power.”

As an expert on temples and religions, Francia came forward and explained.

“Cities nearby are free cities for crime, so in other words crime cities. So it’s natural.”

“Is crime rampant there?”

“Not exactly…… rampant. It’s a city of corruption rather than crime. It’s just they’re not religious anymore. It is like a place where the impossible things sit on their heads, they throw away their heart, and choose reality to pursue pleasure.”

“Well……. Thanks for the explanation.”

“Hmm.”

It seems that Francia’s feelings about Cantala were not very good, so the examples and explanations she gave were explicit.

“The black money about the temple has something to do with it. Even for the temple, it is a place they find troublesome.”

Is that so? The things that came out of Francia’s mouth were things that truly have been that way. It was easy to understand why Chaser chose this city and cathedral.

To sum it up, it’s a crime city. In fact, this is Chaser’s main area. It is the field he knows best, and the most comfortable place to work at. We’re fighting on the stage he invited.

“Cathedral of Cantala’s capacity is no joke…….”

Unfortunately, even if he chose this place, I had to respond. Two days after we met the Empress, we were already staying in a city near Cantala. As time was running out, I left as soon as I was ready.

In fact, each of the roses wanted me to remain in Hernim, but I couldn’t help it because the condition Chaser set was that I went myself. Above all…….

‘Because I need to find my guardian deity.’

I looked over the wasteland. Listening closely, I can hear a small ringing sound. I could feel the sound that seemed to be far away in Hernim Castle was getting closer.

So I knew it. My guardian deity is in that city. At least, Chaser didn’t sell false traps. Of course, I couldn’t understand that man’s intention any more.

“It’s fortunate that there is a city that belongs to Hernim’s territory nearby.”

“Right.”

Ricdorian and Chaser competed for influence as if they were playing a game of land-fighting, so the cities they belonged to were divided here and there in the vast land of the empire. In other words, just because it is a city near the Domulit estate, does not mean that everything is in Chaser’s hands.

With the elite gathered in the city we set up as our garrison, we went into the final inspection. Although it should be considered as an inspection, it was close to revisiting the prepared operation.

In particular, among them, Jaire, the wizard who led them, was the busiest. Ricdorian and Lenag were trying to quickly find and make a magic tool to attach to my body at the command of each leader.

‘You don’t even have to do this…… I want to say that. I guess this is the right thing?’

– Of course, Nyan!

Pudding, who was listening to my thoughts, cried next to me. It was then. A paladin approached and carefully bowed his head.

“Excuse me…… Saintess, Your Holiness!”

“Ah, Sister, give me a moment.”

Francia, who was in the midst of explaining Cantala, waved her hand at me, approached the paladin who called her, and left.

Her disappearing face turned to one that is leading the group. Where did the face that smiled brightly at me went, there was a mature and calm atmosphere, and a dignity different from the Empress instead.

“Even if I think she’s still young…… She’s an adult.”

“You mean the White Rose?”

“Yes. Francia.”

I smiled slightly as I looked at Lenag who was standing next to me.

As Francia went to the paladin, Ricdorian and Lenag stood next to me, respectively.

“The wasteland is really big.”

Between our destination, Cantala, and the city we are currently staying in, there was a huge wasteland. In this place where there was a war a long time ago, farming became difficult and barren because of the poisonous weapons of the time. To this day, it remains such an abandoned land.

“It’s a windy place.”

We were standing on a hill overlooking this wasteland. The wind blew hard. My clothes swayed softly along with my hair.

The wind smelled of sand.

“Thinking about it, it seems like Ricdorian, Lenag, and Francia always call each other Roses.”

In fact, it would include Chaser, but I didn’t even bother to mention the man. It was different from calling other people’s exact titles such as Grand Duke, Marquis Valtaize, and Saintesss.

“If we feel each other’s presence naturally, that’s probably proof that we’re conscious of each other.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It’s a competition.”

Lenag’s answer in the front and Ricdorian in the end. Oh…… Seeing the two men competitively answering, I laughed awkwardly.

I know what they mean. When I looked down slightly, Azul and Pudding were looking at their roses side by side.

“Guardian deity…….”

Speaking of the guardian deity, it was said that the rose and the guardian deity are very similar, and their relationship was similar to that of the roses. As long as Azul and Pudding did not touch each other, they ignored each other.

But whenever Callisto faced Pudding, it roared and squealed. Just like the relationship between Francia and Ricdorian. It still was.

Kyaang!

Huwaaack!

“Oh my, Pudding!”

I quickly grabbed Callisto and hugged it. There was no other meaning, Callisto was right next to me. Francia left Callisto here to leave for a while, but she took advantage of this opportunity to fight each other again.

-Human!

Pudding looked at me holding Callisto with a shocked face.

-Are you holding the bear, THE BEAR!

“No……. Callisto is closer to me?”

Kyaong! Callisto who was in my arms.…… Ah. This face is the same as Francia’s face, teasing Ricdorian. The problem was that the baby bear’s cuteness was murderously cute.

HAAAHH!

-Human, did you pet it, Nyan! How can you do that! Human!

“Uh…….”

At that time, Callisto in my arms disappeared into the light. It must have gone back to its rose. After teasing and making fun of everything…… It was just like Francia.

When I heard the sound of laughter and looked to the side, Lenag was smiling slightly.

“Miss Iana, you may be a little embarrassed by these words, but…….”

After he confessed his deepest feelings to me, he laughed more often, and this sometimes seemed like a sad look.

“What a relief.”

Of course. This time, I think he laughed because he was really relieved. Apparently, he equated Pudding with Ricdorian.

“Personally, I support Callisto and the White Rose.”

“Uh, really?”

“The enemy of my enemy is my comrade.”

“…… Is that so?”

“Yes. We have a common enemy.”

“Well, Lenag. That common enemy seems to be glaring at you…….”

“It doesn’t matter.”

Lenag bowed his head, and gently grabbed my hand which was suspended in the air when Callisto disappeared. Then he kissed the back of my hand politely.

“It’s enough for me to look at you.”

After saying that, Lenag, feeling a little embarrassed by his own words, gently blushed, and then released his hand quickly. If Ricdorian was one to be proud of what he said, Lenag sometimes couldn’t overcome his shame at what he had said.

Like now.

“Marquis! Where are you!”

At the same time, Jaire called for Lenag. There were also wizards from Marquisate Valtaize under Jaire, so he would share opinions there.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Ah yes.”

The place where Lenag went was where the explosive was dropped.

I looked at the remaining roses and guardian deities. Soon after, I laughed out loud. It was funny to see each of them staring at one another. Pudding to Francia’s side, and Ricdorian to Lenag’s side.

With that laugh, I took a step closer to Ricdorian and carefully took his hand. Ricdorian flinched.

“By the way, Ricdorian.”

“What?”

“We never had a proper date. Right?”

Ricdorian’s eyes returned to me. He had innocent eyes, as if he had never glared, and his ears were gently flushed. We confessed our feelings to each other, but since we have an important task ahead of us, we could do nothing with a peace of mind.

“First of all, it has to do with your life. It’s sad, but be patient. yes?”

“…… I am not sad.”

“Really?”

Ricdorian dug into my arms. It felt like a huge beast was in my embrace, together with the groaning sound. Then he whispered softly.

“…… maybe a little.”

I laughed and stroked his soft hair.

“When we do it later.”

“The date, Iana?”

“Yes. The date. Where do you want to go?”

Then, as he rubbed his face against my neck, he slowly lifted his head. For a moment, I thought that if he had the ears and tail of a beast, he would sit prettily. He rolled his blue eyes back and forth, then said with a flushed face.

“…… marriage?”

“…… It’s not a date.”

What did he just say so refreshingly? This man.

“Being by your side all day.”

“Isn’t it like that now?”

“Tomorrow too.”

“I think so.”

“And the next day.”

“…….”

Ricdorian buried his face in my neck again.

“The next day. The day after too. Always. Iana.”

His voice went straight into my ears.

“All the time, always, I want to be by your side.”

“…… It is like marriage.”

As I nodded my face nonchalantly, Ricdorian left a kiss on my neck with a slight sound. The slight trembling of his shoulders seemed to show laughter. After the laugh, he opened his mouth.

“Iana, I have a question for you.”

Before I knew it, Pudding climbed up on Ricdorian’s back and cried, asking for me to pat it too.

“What?”

He was silent for a moment as he was choosing his words. I felt a near-raw breath on my neck. The words came out only when I took the spare time to stroke the jealous 3-year-old guardian deity.

“In the final fight, what will you do with the Black Rose?”

I stopped stroking Pudding.

“…… What is there to do?”

“In a fight, there comes a moment when you must put your sword in. Iana.”

Ricdorian’s gaze, who finally met mine, was still without anger or resentment.

“Are you going to kill him?”

He was just waiting for my answer.