Do Flowers Bloom in the Fallen Land?

The terrible illusion repeated constantly and wore her down. It became an ominous prophecy, breaking her will and wearing her spirit. It was a demonic power.

“If you listen to me carefully, everything will be fine. Only fun will follow.”

Looking at his fingertips, Seira thought out loud, “What kind of a scoundrel is the high priest?”

“Now, what do you say?”

“Oh… sorry. I didn’t mean to speak out loud. I’m only talking to myself, so pretend you didn’t hear anything.”

She spoke with her eyes closed, her face so innocent and lovely that Tesser lost his words.

Of course, for a short while, his expression immediately stiffened as he shouted in a cold voice, “It is foolish to insist on suffering!”

At the same time, the signs that surrounded them without stopping suddenly rose from the shadows and attacked. His almost Guardian-level magic swirled around her.

He was a difficult opponent to face even if she held a sword against him.

However, the smile on Seira’s face wasn’t disturbed at all.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in fighting when I don’t make money.”

BANG!

The wall she had been holding all along burst open. No, it wasn’t just the walls…

KURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

The whole building shook as if there was an earthquake.

“Instead, I am very interested in fucking up the people who messed with me.”

“No! Stop it!”

Tesser reached out to her, but he was already too late. Her body passed through the open wall by hitting the stairs with all her might.

As Seira assumed, she mistakenly climbed a tower and wasn’t underground anymore. She seemed to have climbed quite high, and she jumped from about five stories. Even when she was falling, Seira only looked at the building she destroyed with her powers.

‘The people who were praying for fertility wouldn’t be buried, right?’

If she had come to her senses when Calrad and Mel clashed, she wouldn’t be in any trouble. Of course, she didn’t have to worry about the two men. Weren’t they monsters that would still be fine after being buried under a 10-story pile of stones?

‘I’d be glad if they don’t track me down.’

Seira counted down, expanding her senses.

‘5, 4, 3, 2…’

Just before landing, it was time for her to protect her body by raising her powers. The body that should’ve been thrown to the floor suddenly settled into someone’s arms. His arm strength was so strong that he was able to support her fall. Far from shaking, he was firm like a centuries-old tree.

Seira wasn’t surprised by his sudden appearance. She already noticed his familiar presence approaching.

“Hello, Baron.”

Seira’s eyes curved into a lovely arc. In response, Baron squeezed her tightly in his arms.

“I’ve come to pick you up, Seira. Am I not too late?”

She stared into his face as he strode along. Seira remembered Calrad had mentioned Baron was scouring the entire ecliptic just to find her.

Come to think of it, he was dressed more beautifully than he was at the royal banquet. He even wore a cravat! It seemed obvious he was looking for his missing date.

“How did you know I was here?”

“The fox gave me a hint.”

“Louis to Aven?”

Baron nodded.

“You seem to know something about the man who kidnapped you.”

“Where is Aven now? He didn’t go in there, did he?”

“Is there any reason to worry about him? Even if he went in, he would’ve escaped easily.”

Baron wasn’t wrong. There was no way that Aven wouldn’t notice her power had swept the tower down.

“We’ve made a promise, so I wanted to meet you soon.”

Although they were a bit delayed to avoid pursuers, Baron and Seira safely crossed the temple walls. Where a black and rugged carriage was parked, Seira found Aven standing in front of it.

“Duchess.”

Seira escaped Baron’s arms and landed lightly on the floor.

“Is there anything wrong?” Aven’s face, looking at her, was stiff.

“Aven, did you enter and escape from there?”

“Yes.”

“Then maybe… Did you meet him?”

Was it because of her random question? Or maybe it was because she already had a hunch. There was a faint crack between Aven’s brow.

“Who might you mean?”

Seira carefully examined Aven’s expression, but soon shook her head as she said, “No, it’s nothing.”

Even if she said it, it wasn’t something to mention in front of Baron.

“I’m sorry to have worried you. You must have been surprised because of my sudden disappearance. I hope you didn’t starve yourselves while you searched for me.”

“Duchess…” Aven couldn’t find the right word to say and blurted out loud.

“Aven, I assure you,” Seira smiled, “I am fine.”

“Are you not coming with me?” Aven asked.

“No,” came Seira’s firm reply, “I have a prior engagement.”

She smacked Baron on the arm and smiled.

“He came all the way here, so I can’t let him down.”

A promise was a promise, but she couldn’t return to Askan mansion without any preparation.

‘I don’t know where those guys suddenly came from, but…’

If she was unlucky, she realized that even the Askan knights would’ve been in danger. Not only Mel, but the high priest was like a con artist and the monsters he commanded were formidable.

‘There is no way to counterattack other than with Jeff or Franto.’