Spending the little life force he had left to heal the wound was Sena’s resolve.
A resolve not to delay any longer.
Even if Astria refused his proposal, Sena was determined to leave this time, no matter what it took.
“I permit you to go on this trip, Sena Birkender.”
Did she understand that resolve?
Or was it simply because she couldn’t refuse to let him go when his family was in danger?
“However, you must return within a month.”
Astria gave permission surprisingly easily.
Almost as if all the past efforts were in vain.
“You’ve been singing about wanting to go home for so long, and now you’re finally going. How do you feel?”
Even at Sylvia’s question, Sena said nothing.
He just felt bewildered.
‘It’s really happening.’
He looked at his robe with a fresh expression. Even the weight of the heavy travel suitcase in his hand felt real.
“I’m finally going home.”
After blinking for a while, Sena finally smiled brightly.
“It’s done, Sylvia! I can finally go back home.”
“Is it really that good?”
“Of course. This is something I’ve always dreamed of.”
Sena smiled broadly with his hands behind his back. He winked at Sylvia as he turned to look at her.
“But you have to protect me well. I’m the type to get kidnapped more than you think.”
“No one has such a personality.”
Sylvia squinted her eyes.
“It’s because you always go around flirting. If you stayed put, you wouldn’t get kidnapped.”
“Haha, just watch. If it’s bad, I could get kidnapped three times a day.”
“Are you okay? It still looks hard for you to move.”
“Hmm… This bandage is surprisingly effective. Maybe it’s because it was made by the future Pope.”
Sena looked at his bandaged arm in the sunlight. It seemed like an ordinary bandage, but it made moving his body much easier.
“But what are you wearing?”
“…Ahem. Is it strange?”
Sylvia was wearing a fresh outfit. A white blouse and black skirt. The sword sheathed at her side gave her an oddly mismatched yet fitting look.
At least, until that point. The problem was the black strap on her thigh and the large chain around her waist.
‘Are you in middle school?’
If this were modern times, it would be an outfit easy to mistake as something from an anime.
“I-it suits you very well.”
It wasn’t a lie. Sylvia’s proportions were good enough to make anything work.
Sylvia couldn’t hide her happiness despite pretending otherwise. She chattered away with a slight twitch of her lips.
“I can’t let anyone outside know I’m a knight. So, I dressed as a normal adventurer.”
‘That looks more like an immature noble lady’s outfit…’
But since it suited her, Sena let it go.
“Yes, it’s pretty.”
“I didn’t dress like this to please you, so don’t get the wrong idea.”
“Uh, oh, okay.”
As they chatted back and forth, Sena and Sylvia soon reached the main gate leading out of the imperial palace.
“Isn’t that Sir Sena?”
A familiar guard greeted him with a bright expression.
“And the one next to you is… Oh.”
Upon recognizing the Teutonic Knight, the guard stiffened and saluted.
“It’s an honor to meet you!”
“…It’s always an honor.”
Sylvia, still not used to the constant respect she received, turned her gaze awkwardly.
“Are you going out?”
“It’s more of a business trip than an outing.”
“Haha, I see.”
Though the guard smiled, he didn’t forget his duty.
“Do you have a permit?”
As always, this guard was unyielding.
But it was understandable.
A special order regarding Sena had been issued to all the palace guards.
‘Today is different!’
Sena chuckled and pulled a document from his coat.
A permit with the Empress’s large seal.
“Ta-da. I got it.”
“Wow, it’s real.”
The guard was astonished.
He thought it would be another one of those times when Sena would beg, “Can’t you let me out?”
He didn’t expect an official permit.
Still, to be sure, the guard meticulously examined the permit. His eyes widened as he did.
“The imperial seal…”
Not just an ordinary permit, it even had the Empress’s seal.
This certification meant an imperial decree. Even if the world were to end, they had to let Sena leave.
Sena just smiled proudly.
It’s reassuring how reliable she is in situations like this.
Her decisiveness was unparalleled.
“You may pass.”
Sena made a light V-sign and passed through the gate.
His heart raced with excitement.
“I’m free.”
What to do first?
There were so many things he wanted to do.
Having been constantly kidnapped, he planned to do all the things he missed out on.
‘They say the chicken skewers at the night market are so delicious.’
The night market was a must.
He also planned to watch the fireworks display that the magicians occasionally put on.
And he couldn’t miss the village festivals.
There were so many unique villages on the way to his hometown.
Exploring their customs and cultures would be a great pleasure.
There were so many fun things to do outside.
“…I should’ve brought him out sooner.”
Sylvia muttered quietly. Sena, lost in his daydreams, didn’t quite catch it.
“Hmm?”
“Nothing. Let’s go, Senior. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”
“You’re very reliable.”
“Hmph, I’m a knight from the empire’s best knight order. I’ll protect you from any bandits or monsters.”
Sylvia didn’t forget to highlight her usefulness.
The two of them safely left the palace.
Sena was confident.
No more variables!
All that was left was to return to his hometown smoothly.
However, the world was always harsh to Sena.
“You’re late.”
“…?”
Huh.
Sena tilted his head with an awkward smile.
This was strange.
Why was Her Majesty here?
“After personally issuing the permit, why are you so late? Knight Sylvia, report.”
“Yes, y-yes. I-I came as quickly as I co-could.”
Sylvia, flustered, bit her tongue.
She looked at Sena with spinning eyes. But Sena also didn’t understand what was going on.
“Your Majesty…?”
“Yes.”
Astria stood with her hands behind her back.
She was even dressed in a plain dress.
Sena forced a smile and asked.
“Why are you here… Your Majesty?”
“I’m going too.”
Sena doubted his ears.
“…What?”
“I said, I’m going with you.”
“No, no. That’s absurd. Haha. You must be joking.”
But Astria’s expression was very serious.
“What kind of empress goes on a trip?”
“There’s no law I’ve made that forbids it.”
“Of course not…!”
Sena was very troubled.
‘My goal is just to go back to my hometown.’
He got Astria’s permission on the premise that he’d treat his grandfather and return.
Taking the Empress on a country trip was out of the question.
That was against common sense…!
“Your Majesty, you’re busy. Besides, I heard there’s a lot you need to do.”
“Rafiel is competent.”
“That’s unfair to Rafiel…!”
“So.”
Astria squatted in front of a yellow flower.
“There’s no need for you to worry. Betty can handle simple paperwork, and if the Empire can’t function for a month without me, it means I chose the wrong people.”
More importantly, there was a more urgent matter than simple administrative work.
Astria kept this to herself.
The critical issue now was dealing with her political enemies rather than administration.
If there was even a suspicion that Granz had rebelled, it was better to move personally than to sit idly on the throne.
…Moreover.
‘She doesn’t want to be apart.’
That was the main reason.
“I need to see how my people live. And, I intend to bring back my runaway Guardian Knight.”
“Th-that’s something you don’t need to do yourself.”
Sena, after saying it, quickly covered his mouth.
It felt like their roles had reversed from just yesterday.
Astria plucked a flower.
“…I’ve never stepped outside the capital.”
Uh-oh.
Sena made a whimpering sound like a distressed puppy.
How could she say something like that?
It’s unfair.
“I’ve had this thought for a long time. Once, I need to see the outside world.”
Seeing Sena’s hardened face, Astria gave a self-deprecating smile.
“Is it truly not possible?”
Sena pressed his lips tightly together.
He couldn’t find the words to respond.
For personal reasons, it would be better if Astria didn’t come along.
The chances of reaching his hometown would decrease.
He had already made up his mind to sever ties, and this would only make parting more painful.
Surely, a day of regret would come.
But…
More than that, he wanted to show Astria the world outside.
It was pitiful.
Never having left the capital even once in her life.
“Isn’t it okay?”
“…”
“Well, you know. I’ve seen it before. Past emperors have sometimes gone out in disguise. Haha…”
Sena smiled warmly and extended his hand.
“Let’s go together, Your Majesty.”
**
“Your Majesty…?”
Sena seriously pondered whether this was a dream or reality.
Understandably, it was because something so unreal was happening.
“What is this…?”
“Eek.”
Sylvia was also terrified and completely frozen.
Astria alone was unbothered.
“Is this your first time seeing a wyvern?”
Crreeeeek.
The low growl rumbled.
Its appearance resembled that of a dragon.
The reddish wings alone exuded an intimidating presence.
“I don’t know how to ride a horse.”
“But you can ride a wyvern.”
“With this, it won’t take long.”
The wyvern chirped and rubbed its face against Astria.
It was clearly displaying affection.
However, it was strange to see a notoriously fierce wyvern so tame.
‘So that’s why she came out first—to bring this thing out.’
Sena could only laugh awkwardly.
He had always been curious about how such a small Astria managed to perform so impressively on the battlefield, and now he understood.
Flying around, scattering aura from above would leave the enemy with no answers.
She was indeed a calamity from the sky.
Well, it would be faster this way.
In any case, it was a good thing, right?
Thus began Sena’s final adventure with the Empress.
