Disappointing Teleportation Magic ~ Even Though The Movement Distance Is Only 1 Millimeter, I Will Rise Through Ingenuity ~ - Chapter 19.3

The soldier who had escorted us said confidently before stepping out into the hallway. But even though I was told to rest, I couldn’t simply relax and fall asleep.

Whenever I closed my eyes, the horrific scene I had caused flashed in my mind, bringing a wave of nausea.

In Japan, I would claim self-defense, but in this world, would I be charged with a crime? All five attackers were certainly from the faction supporting the Second Prince, but the large man wielding the machete-like greatsword had been close to the First Princess.

I had acted in a blind panic, not knowing if it would work, and it had saved us. Doing nothing would have gotten us killed. While I had no reason to feel guilty, I hoped this incident wouldn’t escalate into further violent conflict.

I wondered if all the soldiers who had been guarding us had been killed. I had become familiar with some of them, exchanging greetings in the morning and evening.

Last night, one had even teased me about having a good time. I didn’t know who had been on duty tonight, but I would never see or greet them again.

Tomorrow, I had a meeting with the royal family, so I wanted to get some sleep, but my mind was too alert. Despite the assurance of full security, I feared another attack. Closing my eyes brought back the horrific scenes: the smell of blood, the scent of spilled entrails, the pleading eyes of the dying, the despairing eyes, and the resentful eyes.

“It was self-defense… I’m not at fault… I’m not at fault… not at fault…”

I hugged myself with both arms, repeatedly asserting my justification, but my trembling wouldn’t stop. As I prayed for morning to come quickly, there was a soft knock at the door.

“Lord Yuto… are you still awake?”

“Araseli!”

I tore the door open and embraced Araseli, who was standing in the hallway.

“Araseli… Araseli…”

“Lord Yuto, it’s alright. There’s no need to worry here.”

“Araseli… I’m scared, I’m so scared.”

“Lord Yuto…”

Araseli led me back into the room, and we lay down together on the bed. It was pathetic, but even with my face buried in her chest, my body wouldn’t stop shaking.

“I’m scared… so scared…”

“Lord Yuto, this is the guards’ quarters. It’s safe here. You don’t need to worry about another attack.”

“That’s not it… When I close my eyes, I see their eyes. Eyes filled with despair… eyes full of resentment staring right at me…”

“Lord Yuto, they killed the guards and tried to kill you. You don’t need to feel responsible for their deaths. If someone tries to kill, they should be prepared to be killed. If they lack that resolve and try to kill someone, it’s only natural they’d face retaliation. They have no right to bear a grudge. They died because of their own foolishness.”

“Even so… even so, it was me who killed them… I did it…”

Clinging pathetically to Araseli, I felt the guilt of taking lives slowly corroding my soul as time passed.

“Lord Yuto, you protected me.”

“What…?”

“The man who broke in through the window was Dorotheus, the First Princess’s knight. He was one of the Second Prince’s most skilled fighters. Honestly, if the battle had continued, I would have been killed. Thank you. I should have been the one protecting you, but tonight you protected me.”

“I… I was acting on impulse…”

“Dorotheus and the other four were my enemies to defeat. Because of my incompetence, I caused you so much suffering… I’m deeply sorry.”

“Araseli… I…”

“If you’re tormented by guilt for taking lives, then that guilt is also mine. Will you let me share it with you?”

“Araseli…”

After we kissed, I drowned myself in Araseli’s body, trying to escape the burden of my guilt.