Fled Without Realizing I Had Prevented the Apocalypse

“Well, that’s done.”
After finishing the light guidance, I shook off the dirt clinging to my legs.
Originally, I used to move so concisely that not even this much dust would cling.
It seems I’ve indeed gotten rusty, as Scarlet said.
It was possible because the predicted time of destruction had long passed.
“But that’s not related to these guys.”
After shaking off all the dust on my legs, I looked down at Lieutenant Melen sprawled on the ground.
I thought he’d be able to hold out for two or three exchanges since he’s from the Empire’s Intelligence Department, but to fall without even lasting one exchange.
It’s a case where the skill falls far short of the enthusiasm to compete.
Of course, I personally tend to value such enthusiasm highly, but most people don’t look kindly on rising to the top with just enthusiasm.

“Well, seeing that he made it to lieutenant in the Intelligence Department, the people around him must be quite decent.”

Just look at the sergeant there, who’s squeezing his eyes shut while accepting his situation.
Objectively speaking, although he caused trouble, he’s showing concern rather than blaming.
It means this guy’s usual conduct hasn’t been too bad.
“The sparring is over.”
I picked up Lieutenant Melen sprawled on the ground and leaned him against a tree.
Then I approached Sergeant Lucas standing far away and said,
“Now that the confirmation is done, I’m thinking of explaining the operation, but…”
I glanced at Lieutenant Melen whom I had knocked unconscious.
“If you relay it to me, I’ll pass it on to the Lieutenant separately later.”
Sergeant Lucas also heaved a deep sigh and nodded as if understanding my gaze.
He’s quick to handle such situations, as if he’s used to them.
I think I understand why the Intelligence Department sent these two together on the operation.

“You’ve probably already grasped the VIP’s identity.”
“Yes, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Raziel. Arlea de Raziel. Even within the department, the mission risk level has been raised from B-grade to S-grade.”
“Knowing that, this bitch still…”
“Pardon?”

At the sudden outburst, Sergeant Lucas’s eyes widened.
“It’s nothing. Just some backbiting since the sergeant isn’t here. You’d probably sympathize to some extent.”
“Ah, if it’s that…”
Sergeant Lucas’s gaze turns towards the person collapsed behind me.

Although it was just for a moment, he seemed to clearly sympathize with my feelings.
Of course, if he knew that “this bitch” referred to the Empire’s Second Star, Scarlet Frausia, he wouldn’t be able to do so.
“Anyway, since the VIP’s status has been elevated, we should try to protect them by getting closer than the usual method… Is there anything else you’ve grasped besides their identity?”
“No, just that they suddenly appeared in a southern village of the Empire. Their personal combat power is 5th rank. They wield a longbow. Other than that…”
“That they’re incredibly beautiful and kind?”
“Yes, that’s about all we’ve grasped… Ugh!”
Startled by the sudden soft voice, Lucas steps back.

He reflexively draws a dagger from his waist while unable to hide his surprise.
It’s no wonder, as she suddenly appeared behind him without being sensed by his perception at all.
Considering that Sergeant Lucas’s level seems to be around mid-4th rank, it’s understandable to be surprised.
“My, if you’re so startled, it’s a bit hurtful.”

However, the very person who surprised him smiles lightly as if this situation is nothing unusual.
“You don’t seem surprised?”
And then the brown-haired woman turns her head to look at me.
I opened my mouth while facing her amethyst eyes directly.
“It would be impolite to be startled at the sight of a lady.”
“Impolite, you say. Isn’t it more impolite to have a conversation where the subject is absent?”
“Having already been impolite once, I shouldn’t commit such an act twice.”
“Hmm… I felt an incredibly intense magical wave suddenly, so I came to see, only to find this happening.”
After briefly looking at me in response to my answer, the amethyst-eyed woman took a step back from us, slightly bowed her waist, and slowly opened her mouth.
“Well, it seems you two already know everything about me, but shall we introduce ourselves?”
“……”
Lucas and I maintained silence.
However, the woman continues speaking as if she doesn’t mind.
The identity of the woman who suddenly appeared.

“I am Arlea de Raziel. The second survivor of a now-fallen kingdom.”
She was the First Princess of the Kingdom of Raziel, whom we were trying to plan an operation to approach.
I briefly closed and opened my eyes, then responded to her introduction.
“Major Kyle, affiliated with the Empire’s Special Forces.”
“Sergeant Lucas, affiliated with the Empire’s Intelligence Department.”
Since she probably heard all of our conversation anyway, there’s no point in hiding our affiliations.
I boldly revealed my affiliation with the Special Forces, and Lucas, understanding my intention, also revealed his affiliation.
“Lucas. And… Kyle?”
Princess Arlea flinches momentarily at the name Kyle.

However, it was literally just for a moment, and she quickly regained her composure, maintaining the demeanor she had shown so far.
“Then the person collapsed over there is…”
“You can call him Lieutenant Melen.”
After confirming Lieutenant Melen collapsed and leaning against the tree, Princess Arlea nodded at Lucas’s words and continued.
“I expected the Intelligence Department, but I didn’t think the Special Forces would come too.”
“You speak as if you were waiting for us.”
“Is that right? You were waiting?”
“Pardon?”

Sergeant Lucas’s eyes widen at Princess Arlea’s answer that she had been waiting for us.
For someone from the Intelligence Department, his expression changes are too clear.

Certainly, a lot of surprising information is being exchanged, but still, he should try to manage his expressions better.
After lowering my score for Sergeant Lucas by about 5 points, I threw a question at Princess Arlea.
“If you were waiting for us, there must be a reason for that, right?”
“Yes.”
“May I ask what that reason is?”
At my question, Princess Arlea closed her eyes for a moment as if pondering.
“Umm, it’s to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”
To meet His Majesty the Emperor.
Certainly, if it’s for that, waiting for the Intelligence Department makes some sense.
If it’s none other than the First Princess of the Kingdom of Raziel, she would qualify for an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
Of course, it would take longer compared to when the kingdom existed, but it’s possible to meet.
Nevertheless, the fact that she specifically waited for the Intelligence Department means there’s a matter she needs to discuss more quickly.
Since information from the Intelligence Department goes directly to the Imperial Family, it would be reported to His Majesty the Emperor faster than making a formal request for an audience.
Besides, it can skip various inconveniences.
It’s certainly a method worth considering, as the current Emperor seeks efficiency by skipping trivial procedures.
In fact, Lucas seems to accept Princess Arlea’s answer.
However.
“That doesn’t seem to be all.”
Wanting to meet the Emperor.
It’s a somewhat flimsy answer to say she waited for the Intelligence Department just for such a reason.
It’s understandable to some extent, but not enough to submit a report as is.
Lucas also seemed to have made the same judgment, as he wasn’t responding and was waiting for Princess Arlea’s answer.
“…Indeed, it seems difficult to pass without answering.”

Meeting our gaze, Princess Arlea also heaved a deep sigh and put down the white longbow she was holding.
Then she took out a piece of paper that she had been keeping rolled up in her bosom and held it out in front of us.
“The Empire is also searching for this man, right?”
On that paper, along with a very familiar face and an increased bounty of 1 billion, a name was written.
“Kyle Amillan.”
A name I couldn’t possibly not know, my name.
Princess Arlea, holding the wanted poster with my name and face, declared.
“I want to cooperate with the Empire in capturing this man who was a citizen of the Kingdom of Raziel.”
She wants to capture me.
At this shocking statement, Sergeant Lucas closed his mouth, and I barely managed to ask a question while hiding my trembling voice.
“What do you intend to do after capturing that man?”
“Hmm? Of course…”
The killing intent that momentarily leaked from the First Princess’s body.
The princess’s smile accompanied by that intense killing intent is so bright that it makes one doubt if she’s really the one emitting such an aura.
However, her answer wasn’t the same.
She smiled brightly and said,
“I have to kill him.”

She said she would kill me.

That day was exceptionally dark.
A day when light couldn’t be seen even though the sun was up, and shadows remained covering the entire royal castle.
When the citizens of the royal castle were trembling in fear, and the knights were thrown into chaos.
That’s how the fire demon struck.
Watching the flames engulfing the entire royal castle, Arlea de Raziel ran as fast as she could.
That day, magic power was unusually difficult to gather, but the First Princess of the kingdom ran towards the burning royal castle, enduring the pain of her heart about to burst.
And there, she encountered.
“…Arlea.”
Her family members, sprawled on the ground with holes in their hearts.
“Kill Kyle, Kyle Amillan, Arlea.”

And she heard.
“He is the main culprit who caused this calamity.”
“Remember this without fail.”

The King and Queen’s resonating words, almost like an oath.
The master of these flames.
“Kyle Amillan has destroyed the kingdom.”
The enemy of the Kingdom of Raziel.