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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Encounter
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Seeing him like this, it was clear Darcy's magical power, or perhaps his physical strength, was considerable.
The more time I spent with him, the more I realized what an incredible person Darcy was.
I was glad I’d been able to save someone like him.
“I had a ring made, just like mine.”
Darcy took out a ring with a magic stone set in the center.
“Hand.”
At his word, I unconsciously held out my hand.
With a bright smile, Darcy took my hand.
The ring he slipped onto my right ring finger fit perfectly, as if it were custom-made.
“It fits well.”
I nodded and twisted the ring on my finger, admiring it.
It was a simple silver ring with only a magic stone, but I liked it all the more for it.
I loved the design, which struck a perfect balance between elegance and simplicity. It walked a fine line, a delicate dance between the two.
What made me even happier was the fact that Darcy wore an identical ring on his right ring finger.
Anyone would think they were a matching set.
‘Though they’re just tools for teleportation.’
The fact that he’d placed it on my ring finger also played a part. If it had been my left hand, my imagination would have run even wilder.
Darcy casually added.
“By the way, it also has an effect that blurs our features.”
An essential feature for a vacation where we didn't want to be noticed.
Just because we were far from the Empire didn't mean rumors wouldn't spread.
Even if the Empire maintained good relations with its neighbors, everyone was always on edge for new gossip.
A rumor without legs can travel a thousand miles, as they say. The same would be true for gossip about Darcy.
‘This wasn't a feature he added just for this trip; it must have been there all along.’
After all, even if he escaped, the imperial family wouldn’t let him go so easily.
His meticulous planning, born from long-cherished thoughts of escape, was impressive. I stroked the cool metal of the ring and thanked him again.
“Thank you.”
I wasn’t just talking about the ring.
I could feel the weight of what he had given up for my sake.
Darcy’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I have no regrets about my choice, Marso.”
His voice, understanding my meaning, was soft.
“Are you all ready?”
“Of course.”
When I answered cheerfully, Darcy nodded and pointed to the spot next to him.
Darcy, who I’d thought wouldn’t pack anything, had surprisingly brought a box-shaped bag.
“What did you bring?”
He brought a finger to his lips and shushed me.
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
“You’re such a tease.”
I laughed and chided him.
With the hat he wore for the occasion, he had the air of a magician. It seemed to be a secret weapon he planned to reveal on our trip.
I shrugged as if to say I understood, and Darcy pointed to his side.
I scanned the room one last time, checking to make sure the windows and door were securely locked.
They should have been locked since I'd asked to be left alone all day, but you never knew. It was always better to be safe than sorry.
A moment later, I scurried over to Darcy's side.
We stood on the magic circle Darcy had drawn. Though the marquis's mansion had its own wards, they were hardly an obstacle for someone like Darcy, who had mastered the art of teleportation circles.
The magic stones piled on the circle and the ones in our rings began to sparkle dazzlingly. Their reflected light was as beautiful as a sun-drenched sea.
A moment later, we arrived in a completely new place.
“We’re here…”
The sharp scent of the sea filled my nostrils. The rush of crashing waves, the sparkling sea spray catching the sunlight. It felt like I was frolicking in a dream.
Having spent the last year confined to the capital to acclimate to high society, it had been a long time since I’d last seen the ocean.
Overcome with emotion, I dug my fingers into the sand. It scattered through my hand, warm with the sun’s heat.
The coarse yet soft texture felt good.
A handful of sand revealed hidden seashells and conches.
“Sit.”
Lost in my fascination with the sand, I only stood up when I heard Darcy’s voice.
He had already laid out a blanket on the sand for us to sit on.
I naturally settled down beside Darcy.
“You're not going for a swim?”
“I prefer watching.”
Looking at his physique, you’d think he’d be into all sorts of outdoor activities.
“Here, this is what I was talking about earlier.”
He took something out of his bag.
I’d expected it to be a magic tool from the moment he took it out, but…
“I recorded some of your favorite pieces.”
The magic tool he presented looked like a miniature phonograph. It was smaller than a typical one, but the sound horn was large—for better sound quality, I presumed.
In place of a record, a thin plate of magic stone was set.
He placed the phonograph between us and played it. A familiar nocturne filled the air, its melody harmonizing perfectly with the sound of the crashing waves.
“It’s just like what I read in books.”
Darcy said, gazing at the sea that stretched out far into the distance.
“I wanted to come here.”
The wide-open sea, a place devoid of people, offered a sense of liberation.
It must have been perfect for Darcy, who had grown sick of people.
A sense of unease began to creep into my thoughts.
What if Darcy likes this place too much? What if he says he wants to stay here?
“Do you like it?”
I asked, my heart pounding with anxiety. Darcy looked at me and let out a soft laugh. It was a smile so beautiful it instantly melted away all my tension.
“Because you’re here with me.”
I couldn’t stop my face from flushing, feeling as hot as if I’d been sunbathing all day.
The sunlight warming the beach was pleasant. We savored the leisurely time, lost in music and contemplation.
There were still plenty of unresolved issues, but it was such a pleasant day that none of them seemed to matter.
I took photos with all my might, hoping to capture the feeling of the moment.
Soon, it was lunchtime.
“We’ve come to another country; we have to try the food.”
“I don’t have any money.”
“Who said you needed to pay?”
With Darcy naturally escorting me, we left the beach.
Leaving the magically deserted beach behind, we were once again surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a crowd.
Of course, no one paid us any mind. We were just passersby.
Blending into the crowd like this, I felt as if I’d returned to my own time.
The buildings here, while similar to those in the Empire, had a completely different architectural style. I eagerly took in the sights, snapping photos.
Darcy gently took my wrist. I blinked at the sudden contact, and he explained softly.
“Just in case we get separated.”
The crowd was indeed quite thick. I nodded.
“Where should we eat?”
“I've prepar—no, this place looks good.”
Darcy, who had opened his mouth confidently at first, quickly shut it and pointed to a restaurant. Anyone would think he had scouted the place out beforehand.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Just as I readily agreed, I realized the people around us were suddenly pulling back.
Following their lead, I stepped back and saw a prison cart with tightly packed bars being dragged along, people trapped inside.
“…That’s.”
“Slaves. They're common here. Looks like a new batch has been captured.”
Darcy’s voice dropped, his displeasure evident.
‘So slavery exists in the Empire and here as well.’
Among nobles, buying slaves wasn’t such a strange thing. Of course, from my modern perspective, it was insane.
Buying and selling people.
But I knew it was considered normal by the people here.
Still, I hoped Darcy wasn’t the kind of person who would see it as normal.
“I suppose I’ll never be able to stomach the act of using people.”
He muttered as if whispering. I was relieved to know he thought similarly to me.
Watching them, Darcy, lost in deep thought, stroked his chin.
“If I were to become emperor, I could change all the things that have always bothered me, but…”
I imagined Darcy on the emperor’s throne.
He might be somewhat rude and do as he pleased, but he would rule the Empire with a surprisingly modern perspective, shaped by his experiences.
‘He suits it better than I thought.’
He was a better fit for the throne than Ryan.
Lost in thought, Darcy suddenly shook his head. He looked at me and smiled brightly.
“I must have lost my mind for a moment, being out here. I haven’t the slightest intention of becoming emperor.”
Did he realize how strange it sounded, him making excuses to me?
“Shall we go eat now?”
As he squeezed my hand tighter to hurry me, the eyes of a child being dragged away met Darcy's gaze.
The boy, who had been glaring venomously at the crowd with a defiant expression, felt his eyes tremble.
Darcy’s brow furrowed once more.
“That boy is…”
“Huh? What’s wrong?”
This was an island nation, far from the Empire. There was no way Darcy could know anyone here.
“Why is he here?”
…It seemed he knew him.
The boy, realizing Darcy had noticed him, gripped the bars tightly and banged on them.
The sound was mostly lost in the noise of the crowd, but his reddened face, contorted from shouting, made his desperation clear.
‘But we’re wearing the rings.’
I checked my finger, wondering if the ring had somehow fallen off, but it was still securely in place.
I didn’t understand. Had our magic been dispelled? But there was no way Darcy’s magic could have failed…
My trust in Darcy’s abilities was infinite.
“Don’t worry, it’s not the rings' fault. It’s just that boy’s ability.”
Seeing me blinking anxiously, Darcy reassured me. An ability. The moment I heard that, I knew.
“He’s a magician, that boy.”
Darcy replied with a long sigh.
“That’s right. I don’t know why a brat who should be living in the mages’ sanctuary is here, but…”
He pressed a hand to his temple, a clear sign of trouble.
There had to be a reason he’d left the safety of the sanctuary to wander the dangerous outside world.
And I had a feeling that reason had something to do with Darcy.
