Extra S*ave Saves the Crown Prince Chapter 50

When I opened my eyes, the scenery had changed completely. I took a breath and looked around.

 

A place where black ashes and newly grown weeds tangled together gave off a lonely feeling. It seemed like no one would find me here.

 

Not long ago, Lady Cesaria was sitting on that tree stump over there. Even in this desolate place, her graceful figure overlapped in my mind.

 

“Hup.“

 

I almost walked that way without thinking, but pressed myself back against the wall. I lifted my head to look, but it was so high I couldn’t see what was happening on top of the fortress. Still, I could sense the shadowy presence of someone moving about.

 

There was no one in this space, but from up there, I might be seen if I wasn’t careful. I needed to be cautious. I shouldn’t move too far from the door.

 

Enapok. The place where Epilo once lived.

 

Until now, I honestly hadn’t really felt that I was an Epilo.

 

I was just grateful to have the ability to teleport, and thought it would be fine as long as I kept it a secret forever, taking it rather lightly.

 

『Epilo are to be executed on sight.』 

 

No matter how much I tried to forget, that voice was carved deep into my heart. Just hearing that low voice always made me feel soft inside, but—That time, the voice was sharp and pointed, more painful than being whipped. Even now, just recalling it makes my breath catch in my chest….

 

But still, I can understand him.

 

Shihien, how many Beasts did he fight here in Enapok? How many wounds did he suffer, how many people did he lose right before his eyes? If he believed it was all because of the Epilo?

 

It felt as if his time was still preserved in these blackened ashes, making my heart heavy.

 

If only I could find out something about the Epilo, for his sake.

 

All the buildings in Enapok had already collapsed and fallen, leaving no shape, but there was one thing that still had a frame left. It was a wall that stood tall.

 

『They especially liked high places, or so it’s said. That’s probably a remnant of that.』 Priest Oment had once whispered that to me. If I had to guess, maybe the Epilo weren’t afraid of heights because they could teleport at any time. That was about all I knew.

 

If only I could read a book about the Epilo somewhere. But it was probably classified as a forbidden text, not easily found in ordinary places. Why hadn’t I tried to learn more or study it before?

 

I grabbed my head and slumped down.

 

『I too… lost someone precious to me.』 

 

If only I had a chance to talk to that man. In truth, it was hard even to meet his eyes, let alone speak. By now, he must have gone to the Grand Temple to meet the Pope.

 

What would the Pope ask him? Could it be, as people say, that he holds a clue about the Beasts?

 

Whoosh.

 

Suddenly, the wind blew. The settled ashes lifted, darkening Enapok.

 

I could see why it was called the ‘Land of Death.’

 

Rather than feeling a sense of mourning as an Epilo, I felt more sorry for Shihien, who had fought countless battles against those Beasts.

 

Maybe even from the Epilo’s perspective, I wouldn’t be a very welcome existence.

 

“…Let’s go back.“

 

No matter how much I racked my brain, I wouldn’t find an answer right now. All I could do was try to find a way to learn more without getting in Shihien’s way.

 

Oh, I should take some Noveni.

 

Actually, I’d had my eye on them since the last time I was here. Noveni grew all over this place. I’d only never tried to pick them because I only came here in dangerous times. Since I’d come all this way, I should take a few big ones.

 

Wild Noveni that hadn’t been touched by human hands had richer color and sturdier leaves.

 

“Hoo. Hoo.“

 

First, I blew on them to shake off the dirt. I’d have to wash and dry them in the herb room. I put them carefully into the cloth pouch I always carried and looked back one more time.

 

Just in case, but as expected, I didn’t feel anything special. Only the heaviness of the time Shihien had spent here still weighed on my mind….

 

Creeeak.

 

I gently opened the door attached to the fortress and slipped inside. Thankfully, the sound wasn’t too loud.

 

Since this was the front line where enemies could appear at any time, it seemed the door was only watched in emergencies. Now, as long as I avoided Shihien and returned to the herb room, nothing else would happen….

 

“Why are you coming out from there.“

 

I froze as if turned to ice. I turned stiffly, almost making a creaking sound.

 

“…Sir Knight?“

 

Baslo was standing there with his arms crossed. He always greeted me with a friendly face, but now he looked stiff.

 

“Ah, um, I just, there was an herb I noticed last time, so I went to pick it for a bit.“

 

“Herb?“

 

His hard gaze went to the Noveni sticking out of my cloth pouch.

 

“Yes.“

 

“Who said you could go in there alone?“

 

“…I’m sorry.“

 

I bowed deeply. My heart pounded from the sudden encounter.

 

“Hoo. I thought you’d disappeared again.“

 

Baslo let out a deep sigh.

 

“Pardon?“

 

“You weren’t in the herb room, or the barracks. I almost turned the place upside down again.“

 

“Ah…“

 

“Aren’t you scared? How could you go there alone.“

 

I could sense a bit of his tone softening.

 

“Come with me.“

 

I could guess where he was taking me. It was likely the place I’d been trying to avoid.

 

The truth was, I had teleported from the herb room to get away from ‘him’ for a while, so my steps felt heavy.

 

Did Shihien come to the herb room and look for me because I wasn’t there? With nowhere else to go, even if I disappeared for a moment, I’d still be nearby.

 

Thinking that he’d searched for me during that short time made my chest ache.

 

“Um…“

 

“Your Highness.“

 

I was about to make an excuse to Baslo, who was heading toward the Crown Prince’s barracks, saying I suddenly had something to do. But then, Baslo suddenly bowed.

 

“She appears to have entered Enapok for a moment to pick herbs.“

 

I missed my chance to escape and froze in place. I hadn’t expected to run into ‘him’ so suddenly in the middle of the road.

 

Shihien met my eyes and let out a deep breath. He must be tired from his injuries, but his face still looked impeccable. He looked so perfect, you’d believe he was on his way to a banquet.

 

The corner of one of his eyes twitched slightly again. The image of him standing quietly in front of the barracks last night flashed through my mind. I was grateful and endlessly sorry to him for caring for me without even resting.

 

“…I’m sorry.“

 

I thought he would say my name, Sez, or ask why I’d gone to Enapok. I thought he would say something, but only a heavy silence hung between us.

 

Shihien just looked down at me with an unreadable gaze. I wanted to ask if his wounds were okay, but somehow I couldn’t open my mouth here.

 

I was glad to see him, but also anxious that someone would see us together. These two feelings kept alternating. In the middle, Baslo nervously ran his hand through his hair over and over.

 

Then, breaking the heavy air, hurried footsteps approached. A knight was running toward us.

 

“Your Highness. The priest who went to the Grand Temple earlier has returned!“

 

“What? Already?“

 

Baslo responded before Shihien did.

 

“Your Highness, I’ll go first.“

 

Baslo bowed and, as if eager to escape, practically pushed the knight away and hurried off.

 

During all this, Shihien didn’t move, as if he couldn’t hear anything. He didn’t look at Baslo or the knight.

 

He just kept looking down at me.

 

I wanted to excuse myself and leave as well, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. The image of him leaning against the barracks last night kept squeezing my heart.

 

At least this was the outskirts of Enapok, so people didn’t pass by.

 

But every time I sensed someone nearby, my heart dropped. I didn’t want anyone to see us standing face to face like this.

 

Rustle.

 

Startled by a sound, I looked to the side and saw a bird calmly passing by. Whew. It was nothing.

 

“Haa.“

 

As I relaxed, I heard a deep sigh above me. Looking up, I saw Shihien’s eyes furrowed again. His gaze, which had been fixed on me as if to trap me, slid downward.

 

Following his gaze, I saw it land on the Noveni sticking out of my cloth bag.

 

“If you want to go to Enapok again, call me.“

 

“Huh? How could I…“

 

How could I possibly say, ‘I want to go to Enapok, please escort me’?

 

“Call me.“

 

I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. I didn’t know if I’d ever need to go there again, but if I did, it would probably be as a place to escape.

 

Whether from Beasts or anything else, I couldn’t imagine running away with him.

 

He let out a sigh and reached out his large hand. Like when he’d led me to the barracks and shared his warmth. He seemed to naturally want to take my hand.

 

“Ah.“

 

But in that moment, I stepped back. It wasn’t something I’d thought about, so I was even more flustered.

 

Shihien stared down at the hand he’d held out.

 

Seeing that, I closed my eyes and bit my lip hard. Why did I do that? Even if I was worried about someone seeing us.

 

“Um, are your wounds all right?“

 

It was a sudden question. But I couldn’t bear to keep watching him look down at his own hand.

 

“Sez.“

 

“Yes.“

 

“Do you want to avoid me?“

 

It felt like an invisible arrow had pierced me. The way he said such things with such a calm expression hurt even more.

 

Of course I didn’t want to avoid him. Who made this front line, Enapok, feel like ‘home’ to me?

 

It was grand, but I was afraid it might be recorded somewhere. Or even if not in records, that it might be shared in people’s memories. That was what truly scared me.

 

But to be that honest, I’d have to reveal I was an Epilo, and I couldn’t bring myself to say it. I still didn’t know anything.

 

His hand reached toward my head again. I could feel the heat from that hand, as if he was about to stroke me. But before it touched me, he drew it back.

 

“I see.“

 

A dry, indifferent voice rang out.