The Collapse of the Harem, Twelve Years Later - Chapter 5

“May today’s prayers reach Hero Laslo…”

At the northernmost edge of the continent,
I, Alina the Saint, continued my rituals in Mavels Monastery—
strict, grueling rituals of prayer… If only my holy magic had reached him back then!

(All I can do now is repent to Laslo-sama’s soul…)

For twelve years, I repeated the ritual as part of my penance in life.
If I did not continue until my death, I would never see Laslo-sama again.
The Pope had spoken these words, and so I prayed, unwavering in my faith…

“Alina.”

“Yes, Saintess Laphte?”

“A demon claiming to be Hero Laslo has come to meet you.”

…???

“Is this a teaching of the church?”

“No, we are holding him in the visitation room for verification. Will you confirm his identity?”

“So, he is an impostor?”

“If what you have believed all this time is true, then yes.”

If she came to inform me, that meant she expected me to see for myself.

I entered the viewing chamber, a peculiar space where I could see out,
but those on the other side could only see a mirror.

And there, on the other side of the glass—!!

“That’s… It can’t be… M-Maybe, but…”

“According to the demon, ‘The lava was an illusion, the truth was a path to the demon realm.'”

“Then… that means…!”

If that was true, then that was no demon.
It was him.

The man I believed had perished, the one I had resigned myself to mourning forever…
Laslo-sama was alive?!

“Wha—No! This isn’t the time for this!”

“Would you like to meet him?”

“Of course!!”

“However, by monastery rules, he must wait for seven days before you are allowed to meet.”

What kind of ridiculous rule is that?!

“Then I’ll leave!”

“Once you enter, you cannot leave.”

“Then entering was a mistake!”

“This is an absolute rule.”

“When did Laslo-sama arrive?”

“He came at dawn. It is now evening, so…”

I looked through the glass again—
his water supply was gone.
No food had been provided either.

Until the waiting period was over, he would receive nothing.

“How could you do this to him?! Ah!”

“He appears to be leaving now.”

“Laslo-sama! It’s me, Alina! Laslo-sama—!!”

“He cannot hear you.”

I… I had to reach him, no matter what!!!

(Poor dragon, having to wait for me all this time. Let’s go home…)

So, in the end, I never got to see her.

“Please wait here.”

That was all they told me before disappearing,
leaving me in an endless wait—
a tactic Alina had once warned me about.

Sometimes, they never intended to let visitors meet anyone at all.

(I have things I need to do back in the capital anyway.)

And so, I silently bid farewell to the woman who had once been my greatest love.

(Sorry, Alina. Goodbye… The walls of faith are too high to climb.)

As Laslo soared southward on his dragon, headed for the royal capital,
a carriage traveled westward…

“Ah, Marchioness Yolan Georgil! Welcome to the Duchy of Stavik. And your husband?”

“I am only passing through to the capital. Let me through.”

The nobleman frowned at Yolan’s sharp tone.

“But the welcoming party has been arranged, and we must discuss future plans—”

“Things have changed. Cancel everything, including me.”

“What…?”

“Just drive the carriage. Quickly!”

Meanwhile, from the south…

“Ahh… What have I done…? Laslo, I…”

From the east…

“Laslo-samaLaslo-samaLaslo-samaLaslo-samaLaslo-samaLaslo-sama—!!!”

And lastly, from the north…

“Phew. I’ve finally taken care of all the obstacles. Now, I just need to borrow a carriage from the nearest village…”

Thus, the former harem converged upon the royal palace.