Chapter 156
"Phew, thank you for the meal."
"You're welcome, it was nothing special."
After finishing a simple meal, Clael let out a breath.
Reina promptly poured a refill of tea into his teacup.
A pleasant sweetness within the moderate bitterness. The tea had just the right amount of sugar and milk, just the way Clael liked it.
"Delicious..."
It was a comforting taste.
The warmth of the tea seemed to spread all the way to his core.
"Now then... how was today's pilgrimage, Clael?"
Reina waited for the moment Clael had taken a breath before asking.
"'White Dragon Offering Hall,' right? What kind of place was it?"
"Well..."
The gang had attacked almost immediately, so he hadn't had the chance to look around properly... Clael answered while recalling the game's memory.
"It was an old ruin, but it had a somewhat sorrowful atmosphere. 'Charm'... isn't quite the right word. It's a bit hard to explain in words."
Sorrowful.
That impression might be because Clael knew the background of the ruins from the game.
The White Dragon Offering Hall is where the remains of the white dragon who once saved the Saint lie.
Though not human, the white dragon fell in love with the Saint, protected her at the cost of his life, and perished in battle against evil.
The Saint mourned her friend, the white dragon, and buried him in the ruins... but she never came to know his feelings and ended up with another man.
As a fellow man, Clael felt something for the white dragon who gave everything for the woman he loved and yet was never rewarded.
"It's certainly not a fun place... but I think it's worth seeing at least once."
"Is that so? I'd like to go there someday too."
"Yes, please do when you have time... but since it's in the outskirts and not very crowded, don't go alone."
"Okay, you'll guide me there, right, Clael?"
"............"
Reina said it as if it were only natural.
Normally, she should go with one of the romance targets... but unable to refuse, Clael nodded.
"Sure, sounds good. Shall we go together?"
"I'll make a bento. I'll even add your favorite fried chicken, Clael."
"It's not exactly a picnic, though..."
Clael gave a wry smile.
With how Reina was now, she might even go into the ruins' underground and come back as if it were a field trip.
"Oh, that reminds me... Since moving to the royal capital, I heard there are other interesting places besides the White Dragon Offering Hall. Like 'Sky Castle in the Mist' or 'Garden of Anriessa.'"
"Ah, both of those are dungeons. They're not really tourist spots... but I've heard they're beautiful places."
Both of them were dungeons featured in the game.
Beyond the Rainbow Gleam was especially praised for its graphics, and the dungeon design was incredibly detailed.
Of course, being a dungeon, it was full of monsters... but the scenery was truly beautiful.
(If I could really see that scenery in person, I'd definitely want to go...)
"They're a bit far, but places like 'Fairy Forest,' 'Edelweiss Grand Sanctuary,' and 'Ancient City Carotheas' are also recommended spots. Though, they all have monsters too."
"Wow... sounds exciting!"
Reina clasped her hands together and let out a delighted voice.
"Now I've got more to look forward to during spring and summer break! Clael, let's go on another trip together!"
"Ah... so it's me again, huh."
So stubbornly... she absolutely refuses to go with any of the romance targets.
(How should I put it... Maybe the reason nothing progresses with the romance targets is that she hasn't emotionally separated from her family yet...)
Clael couldn't help but feel a bit responsible... but even so, forcing her to be with a romance target wouldn't be right either.
(Well, just because it's an otome game world doesn't mean she has to fall in love... As long as Reina's happy, that's all that matters.)
"Next time, you'll really take me, okay? Promise?"
Reina tilted her head slightly with an adorably sweet smile.
That face was so charming it almost seemed calculated... but for some reason, Clael felt a chill run down his spine at that smile.
"You left me out today, so next time, you better not!"
"...Understood. I get it, so let's calm down, shall we?"
While soothing the pressing Reina, Clael ended up fully accepting her request.