Chapter 83

The hidden passage in Tiara Rose's room connects to an emergency exit and a corridor next to the courtyard.

"It's best not to use the emergency exit."

The condition of the exit is unknown, and it would be unwise to leave traces of use that might suggest an intruder.

Therefore, the route that leads to the corridor used daily is the best option.

She sneaks out of the hidden passage and looks around to make sure no patrol knights are in sight. If she were to be discovered at this point, all her plans would be in vain.

The courtyard at midnight is very quiet. However, a ring of light shines in the sky, making it very bright. It is the season when spring is ending and summer is about to arrive. As usual, roses are planted, but sweet peas with bright and beautiful colors are also there. The sweet fragrance helped Tiara Rose relax from her tension.

"---All I need to do now is get to the square without being noticed."

She usually goes by carriage, but this time she has to walk. It will take a considerable amount of time, but she must try her best.

"First, I'll check the gate---huh?"

As Tiara Rose was about to move, she heard the neighing of a horse. Since horses are not usually used at this hour, she feels uneasy.

"---I'll sneak a look to see what's going on."

If something has happened, there is a possibility that the knights will report to Aquasteed. If that happens, it would be a bigger problem if she is not next to Aquasteed when he wakes up.

The horse's neighing came from the road leading from the courtyard to the city gate. The road is lined with shrubs on both sides, providing a good view, but it would be difficult to pass through, Tiara Rose thought.

"I should sneak through while crouching... I don't want to be seen by the patrol knights."

She peeks through the gaps in the shrubs, but there are no knights.

It seems she has good timing for the patrol. She decides to confirm and quickly pass through while she can---but suddenly, Tiara Rose's feet stop.

What she sees is a horse, as expected. However, the person on the horse is the problem.

Or rather, a big problem.

"Akari-sama!?"

Her long, lustrous black hair is tied up, and she is wearing riding pants instead of her usual cute dress, with a coat over it. She sits on the horse with a dignified posture, fitting for a heroine.

"Oh, Tiara-sama~!"

When Tiara Rose calls out Akari's name, she waves from the horse, high-spirited even though it is midnight.

"Um, Akari-sama, this is Marin Forest... and it's midnight...?"

"Well, there's a ring of light above Marin Forest! I can't miss such an event!! I'm glad I practiced riding."

"Ah..."

Tiara Rose sighs, thinking, "I knew it."

She wonders if Akari has obtained proper permission from Hart Knights and if she has planned her schedule, but it seems futile to expect such things from Akari.

Akari, noticing Tiara Rose's different attire, tilts her head.

"What are you doing here, Tiara-sama?"

"Um, well..."

"Your outfit suggests you're going somewhere. ...And, of course, you're keeping it a secret from Aquasteed-sama, right?"

"......Yes."

Despite the interrogative tone, Akari's eyes are shining brightly. She seems to think she has just made it in time for the event.

Tiara Rose sighs deeply without hiding her frustration.

"Just to confirm... you didn't come alone, right?"

"I came with a few knights, of course. Hart Knights-sama wouldn't have allowed me to come alone."

"See..."

She is relieved to know that Akari has obtained permission.

The knights who came with Akari have already finished checking in with the night shift and are resting. Akari says she is here alone because she wants to feel the night breeze. She plans to greet Aquasteed and the others in the morning.

"Akari-sama, the night breeze...?"

Tiara Rose is surprised because Akari is not the type to do such a romantic thing. Noticing her surprise, Akari laughs and explains.

"That's just an excuse."

"Can I hear the real reason?"

"Once I got here, I noticed Tiara-sama was moving. I thought something was up, so I waited here."

Tiara Rose is surprised by Akari's casual words. She didn't expect her actions to be so easily noticed. Akari, who can use the power of holy prayers, is skilled in magic and talents. She can probably track Tiara Rose's magic to find her location.

Ignoring Tiara Rose's distress, Akari urges her to continue.

"So, where are you going?"

"...The Beginning Square."

"The Beginning Square!! It sounds like a big event is about to start. Okay, Tiara-sama, get on behind me!"

Without waiting for details, Akari urges Tiara Rose to get on the horse. Indeed, with Akari here, it would be best to have her help. Tiara Rose explains that she has a reason for not sharing the details and decides to ride with Akari.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Riding with two people is new, but it's manageable!"

"Akari-sama, please look ahead!!"

The gate, which Tiara Rose thought would be the biggest challenge, was easily passed through thanks to Akari's magic. It's a spell to make her presence less noticeable.

It's a difficult spell, but Akari, being a heroine, is impressive. Tiara Rose, who is not good at magic, is a bit envious of Akari's skill.

The night breeze is still a bit cold on the skin. However, riding a horse with two people is unfamiliar, and the body tenses up to avoid falling.

"Are you okay, Tiara-sama~?"

"I'm fine...!"

"We're almost there, the Beginning Square. I'm so excited, I might even speed up!"

"Stop, please be normal, Akari-sama!!"

Perhaps she has gone beyond being sleepy. Akari's excitement keeps rising, and Tiara Rose has a hard time keeping up.

After a little over ten minutes of riding, Tiara Rose and Akari arrive at the Beginning Square.

As before, the center of the square has a fountain with a glowing game logo. The fountain's water is still, and it looks very dreamy in the dark night, illuminated brightly.

Tying the horse to a nearby street lamp, Akari skips towards the fountain, saying, "Here we are~!"

"What event is this...? Japanese? 'Without anyone knowing, hold the rings of the kings of the forest, sea, sky, and stars, and offer your prayers.' Hmm, I need the rings, then."

Akari quickly confirms the glowing logo and the Japanese text but tilts her head, not understanding what is happening. The sequel game involves defeating the monster Liliage and reaching the ending, but in this world, Liliage is being saved, and the concept of an ending doesn't seem to exist.

However, Akari knows that these rings are significant. Tiara Rose has the rings of the forest, sea, and stars, while Aquasteed has the ring of the sky.

"Since Tiara-sama came here secretly... you must have obtained Aquasteed-sama's ring, right?"

"......"

If not, she wouldn't have come here in the middle of the night, Akari's eyes suggest.

Tiara Rose shows her hands to Akari in silence. On them are all the fairy kings' rings and the ring of the stars created by Aquasteed.

"Wow, all the rings are here! ...Did you defeat Aquasteed-sama to get them?"

"I would never do that!"

She immediately refutes Akari's wide-eyed surprise. The idea of defeating her beloved Aquasteed to get the ring is unthinkable.

"But how did you get the ring from Aquasteed-sama...?"

"He was sleeping, so I borrowed it quietly. Aquasteed-sama seemed a bit troubled... I thought maybe it was because the event wasn't progressing."

"Ah, I see..."

Indeed, if they couldn't read the Japanese text on the fountain, the event would never progress, and Akari agrees.

"But that's why you didn't tell me the details, right?"

"I couldn't tell anyone."

"That's understandable. Let's proceed with the event! I'm excited to see what happens."

Nodding at Akari's words, Tiara Rose kneels in front of the fountain's logo. She clasps her hands, and all the rings she is wearing begin to glow faintly.

The beauty of the rings makes both of them gasp.

"Wow, beautiful..."

Tiara Rose slowly closes her eyes and assumes a praying posture. Her prayer, of course, is for the peace of Marin Forest.

"May this country be filled with blessings."

As if in response to Tiara Rose's prayer, the ring of light in the sky shines even brighter. Small stars around the ring light up, illuminating Marin Forest. A large magic circle appears at their feet, larger than both Tiara Rose and Akari.

"---!!"

"Wow, what is this... a teleportation spell!?"

Tiara Rose, confused by what is happening, and Akari, who recognizes it as a teleportation spell by the magic's feel, are correct. The two disappear from in front of the fountain.