Side: Amy (13)

The Empire soldiers outside were surprisingly persistent. I’d given our troops my support, turning them into fearless warriors who didn’t even care about death. They should have been incredibly strong, so I couldn't help but wonder what was taking so long.

Lord Karl and Marcus seemed to be giving it their all, yet something still felt off.

Wait, maybe that gloomy loner is pulling the strings?

If so, he was a cold-blooded, bottom-tier loser. To think he would actually cooperate with the country that had kidnapped the Villainess he loved—just how much did he hate me?!

But it didn't matter.

As the Saint of Benevolence and the Heroine of this world, I was destined for a happy ending. I mean, it made sense, didn't it? This was the world of my favorite otome game. It would have been absurd not to get a happy ending when I hadn't made a single wrong choice!

Just as I was lost in thought, it seemed like things had taken a turn for the worse.

“Lord Karl... did something happen?” I asked, my voice trailing off in a sweet, concerned lilt.

“Ah, Amy. It seems the underground sewers were targeted by the Empire. Someone must have guided them; the enemy soldiers are using the tunnels to infiltrate the city.”

What?! To think there was a traitor in this city while I, the Saint of Benevolence, was right here!

“W-What are you going to do?”

“We have no choice but to take them down one by one. It’s alright, Amy. I will protect you no matter what.”

Lord Karl sounded reassuring, but I could tell he was panicking.

What was going on? Was this that one event from the game where the Royal Capital gets destroyed once? If so, that was bad. I hadn't come all this way just to be finished off in a place like this!

Come on, Amy! Think!

I tried to put my mind to it, and though a slight headache started to throb behind my eyes, I managed to hit upon a brilliant idea.

“Lord Karl... I’ve got it!”

“That’s my girl. Is it a prophecy from the Saint?” Lord Karl gazed at me with such tenderness.

“Yes. The enemies are in the sewers, right?”

“They are.”

“Then we should just flood the sewers with poison gas! That way, all those evil soldiers will be wiped out!”

Lord Karl’s eyes widened in surprise. Fufu, I really was amazing.

“But if we do that, the people living nearby and those downstream will be...”

Huh? Is that a no?

But if the Empire took the Royal Capital now, everyone would be killed anyway, wouldn't they? Besides, if the enemy occupied the sewers I was supposed to use to escape in the game, running away was off the table. And since Claude wasn't around, I didn't even know if I could make it to the Westadale Kingdom.

In that case, we really had no other choice.

That’s right. Besides, it’s only the commoners who’ll get caught in the crossfire and die, right? They were basically dead the moment the Empire soldiers arrived. Oh, wait. That means it doesn't matter at all!

“Lord Karl, we have to do it! I, the Saint of Benevolence, will pray for those who fall as sacrifices! We have to, or else everyone in the Royal Capital will be slaughtered!”

I appealed to him with tears welling in my eyes, and Lord Karl finally nodded.

Yes. That was exactly how it should be.

Fufu, I’d won. This would count as clearing the event where the capital gets invaded. All I had to do afterward was go and retrieve the Scroll of Concealment.

Ahaha. The effect was perfect.

Apparently, a few residents living near the sewer entrances died, but that wasn't a big deal. We successfully repelled the Empire, and since they were planning some sort of memorial service for the victims soon, I just had to make sure I offered up a nice, proper prayer.

Now, all that was left was to collect the Scroll of Concealment.

Wait, I wonder who should use it?

Musing over the possibilities, we arrived at the sewer entrance located within the academy. After having the door opened for us, we entered the small room I remembered from the game.

I looked toward the desk, expecting to see it, but...

It wasn't there!

Why?!

“Ah! That brat!”

“Amy, what’s wrong?”

“If something is bothering you, please, let us help,” Marcus added.

Both Lord Karl and Marcus looked at me with deep concern. But I finally understood everything!

That gloomy loner! He’d stolen my Scroll of Concealment! That was how he pulled off those stunts during the duel, and how he’d managed to snatch back the Villainess after she’d been sold to the Empire!

In that case! That meant!

I...!

“Lord Karl! Marcus! I have a favor to ask! Please, listen to me!”