Otherworld TRPG Game Master

15 – S1. The Prince and the Flower and Resistance -5

Had he not been the Prince.

If he hadn’t been born with the noblest blood and the duty to lead all his people. The 2nd Prince Ilid had once briefly contemplated such a hypothetical.

During an inspection of the imperial capital, a family’s merry laughter coming from a household. They only have a handful of wealth, and their only strength is chopping firewood or butchering a chicken.

How could they laugh so happily? What’s happening beyond the wall I can’t see? Weren’t family members supposed to be competitors?

The thought was discarded quickly, but a tiny curiosity sparked then remained stuck in a corner of his mind.

And now he knew the answer.

The people beyond the wall were in love.

————-

You were truly having a happy time. How could you have predicted that you would spend such fulfilling days in a future hundred years from now?

For the “Beer and Song”, you and Sentra slowly advanced the project. You altered song lyrics to be shared among the bards, and hid fireworks around Crown Hall to lift the mood.

“It might be a good idea to set one up at the church steeple.”

“It’s the perfect place since it’s in the centre of the town, right?”

“Can I go with you again this time?¨

“Of course. I enjoy outings with Ilid! But, you seem to be getting pretty comfortable hugging me, aren’t you?”

“……..”

So you enjoyed a romantic date armed with a grappling gun.

“Dating” was not an exaggeration. Even if it wasn’t verbalized, a strange atmosphere arose anytime you locked eyes with Sentra. At one point, you held each other’s gaze for a full ten seconds. Almost as if entranced.

“…I won the staring contest!”

Centra’s ears turned so red that even a fool could tell he was trying to laugh it off as a joke.

However, they did not cross the line. Despite feeling each other’s heartbeat reverberating sharply while embracing each other using the grappling hook as an excuse, they refrained.

The clock tattoo carved on your wrist was urging for your return. The inevitable farewell was nearing.

They maintained a distance from each other, knowing that the fall would be painful as high as they have soared. But at least, you thought, you wanted to see Centra smiling brightly once again, by making “Beer and Song” a success.

You gathered manpower, spread rumors, and instilled a subtle sense of anticipation into the citizens. That something exciting is going to happen during the National Foundation Day.

This endeavor would open the hearts of the citizens. They would consider it as someone’s clever prank and joyfully sing the peaceful song accompanied by a tasty beer.

The more people you spread the news to, the probability of success would gradually increase. If anything changes, even slightly, after the song ends, it would be more than perfect.

Time passed quickly with joy.

————-

The key executives of the Resistance gathered inside the inn for “Beer and Song”.

Some were mercenaries they’d never seen before, while others were part of the security forces or even beggars who used to beg on the streets. There were still many reminiscing the old empire.

However, their ways of reminiscing seemed to differ.

Half of the Resistance held a sense of mission or kindness in their eyes, reflecting a warm sunset hue if you rendered it in color. They gazed at Centra with hopes for the future.

On the contrary, there were those who harbored a dull red hue, those who reeked of a strong smell of blood enough to wrinkle their noses unknowingly.

“Culkis, you idiot, long time no see!”

“I thought you’ve mellowed down a bit since you’ve been so quiet lately, but no, you’re still the same, Ronia! hahahahaha! But are you really going to proceed with this stupid plan, huh?”

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“Just follow, Centra is our leader.”

“Yeah, let’s follow the captain’s orders!”

Their gaze was not on Centra, but on their own group.

Even within the Resistance, there were hardliners. Those who wanted to seek revenge through force on the United Kingdom, those who lost their families to the war. Their movements were unusual.

You, who were reviewing the papers, already knew this. As you noticed earlier, not only necessities but also items that could be used as weapons have been gathered. They were ready to spill blood at any time.

You informed Centra of this.

“Despite that, they attended the strategy meeting. They’re clearly scheming. If ‘Beer and Song’ ends insipidly, they will argue that they can’t change anything peacefully. That’s how they want to take the lead of the Resistance from you.”

“Could this be a problem for the plan?”

“I didn’t expect active help from the start. It’s not a problem for the plan if they just stay passive. I can cover a bit of distraction. Besides, your father’s influence is very huge in this assembly, the so-called Resistance. If you want to take the Resistance fully into your hands, they wouldn’t confront you more than necessary.”

“Then that’s settled. There’s not enough time to convince them, and Irid has promised to protect us, right?”

“The plan.”

“Yes, the plan.”

The main members were explained about the strategy and roles. You prepared materials and boosted morale. If fate had thrown the dice, it was your effort to add more numbers to the dice.

The finale was nearing.

“Beer and Song” left, only 30 minutes remaining.

The time left for your return… just a little.

The time left, shown by the wristwatch tattoo, is a scale that is not clearly marked by numbers. If your calculations are precise, you might have a bit of leeway, yet when this time will end is uncertain.

You would prefer to remain until the end of the operation, but, if not possible. Indeed, this could be your last moment with her.

Therefore, you … Gather a bit more courage.

“Sentra.”

“Yes, Irid?”

“Will you have a cup of tea with me?”

“Ha, hahahaha!”

That’s right, you summoned just a little more courage. You chose tea time instead of a farewell kiss or a goodbye hug. Still, it seems like Sentra took a liking to that gesture.

Didn’t a bright smile break out upon her face?

“Ah, hahahaha, I shouldn’t laugh…”

“… …”

“No, I’m not making fun of you. I mean, you … you’re too cute. Is it rude to entertain such a thought?”

“It’s rude.”

“I am sorry, um… I’ll invite you to my room, so can you forgive me for being rude?”

You quickly forgave her. When you’re with Sentra, you feel about ten times more generous than usual.

Just like the moment of your first encounter.

Sentra took your hand and guided you. You are once again led by warmth.

Her room was modest. A small room, a bed that takes up a corner of the room, a petite desk with manuscript papers. Books like ‘How to Become a Leader,’ ‘Leader Speaks: Eleven Ways to Persuade Your Subordinates’. A sprig of rosemary decorated in a small vase.

Her scent lingered heavily in the room.

“I’ll make some tea real quick!”

Thump thump. Your heart shook as if your whole body was vibrating. Until Sentra boiled two cups of black tea, you anxiously jittered your leg. You corrected the habit of shaking your leg when you were seven, by getting a spanking from a strict maid.

There wasn’t even space to set out a table, so the two of you sat side by side on the bed. Close enough for your shoulders to momentarily touch each time you moved.

Then, Sentra leaned her head on your shoulder. You feel a pleasant sense of weight. It was amazing that such simplistic actions could bring happiness.

Silence prevailed.

It certainly wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Rather, you didn’t feel the need to speak since you were conversing through exchanged body heat, weight, atmosphere, scent, and soul.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

The sound of the ticking hands of your watch echoes in your ear. Your heart sinks heavily. You could intuitively tell. You have, to go back.

As you were about to utter your final farewell.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The door was rapped.

“I’m coming out!”

Centra rose from her bed. Taking five steps to reach the door, she slowly grasped the doorknob with her index finger. To you, the entire scene appeared to unfold in slow motion.

Tick. Tock.

When Centra opened the door, there was no one on the other side. She leaned outside the door and scanned the corridor to the left and right.

You shuddered with an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Something, something was being missed.

“I’m against it.”

“Hey, you’re under suspicion right now. Giving documents to a suspect…”

=＞ Doubt poured onto the stranger. You thought it natural, but Ronya’s attitude seemed to almost wish for there to be no one around Centra.

“After the founding festival, it’ll be hard to see Centra. We’re moving forward into a new era.”

=＞ Ronya does not know you are a time traveler. So why would he say it’ll be hard to see Centra?

“I thought you’d been behaving lately, and had lost some of your fire, but you’re the same old Ronya! hahahahaha! But seriously, are you really going through with this stupid plan? Huh?”

“We have to follow, since Centra is the leader.”

=＞ She was clearly negative about the “Beer and Songs.” It seemed she might be seeing low chances of success. Then, how could she speak of moving ‘into a new era’?

“Of course, it’s the era of beer and shouting. Take care.”

=＞ If it’s not a mix-up of operations names. “Beer and Shouting,” what on earth could it mean?

Resistance. The young leader who inherited her father’s authority. Killing her and usurping the leadership would turn half the Resistance into enemies.

But if she were to die at the hands of the ‘United Kingdom’?

If the young leader, who cried out for peace and love, met a tragic death by the ‘United Kingdom,’ the half of the Resistance that sympathized with Centra’s peace would draw their swords too.

And that was precisely the scenario the radical faction of the Resistance craved.

You must not go out.

Your mouth opened far too slowly. You screamed dozens, hundreds of times, but the plea for her not to leave only echoed emptily in your heart.

Centra looks left. At the end of the left corridor there is a window. She seems to notice something and walks to the left. Thud. Thud. She disappears from view.

Please, let it be a false alarm. A delusion. The ramblings of a paranoid. You desperately prayed in the frozen confines of time.

Tick.

And then.

A massive crash-!!

Explosion. Debris scattered, black smoke billowing in the aftermath.

In the smoke so thick you couldn’t see an inch ahead, you chased after the lingering scent of rosemary with your eyes.

And then.

A blink.

————-

“You’re awake, Your Highness. Did you enjoy…?”

Prince Irid, the second in line, grabbed the magician by the scruff and slammed him against the wall. Unrefined magical energy rippled through the prince’s body while tears of blood streamed down his eyes due to the rapid use of magic.

At the same time, the purple tower master and the boy knight made their moves.

The boy knight unleashed a strike, and with its mere repercussions, the walls of the tower were torn, revealing the grim, rainy sky.

The purple tower master conjured droplets of water at his fingertips. The resonating droplets deceived the world, causing space to lose its meaning and twist into distortion.

However, Prince Irid paid no mind to these happenings. They were not of importance.

Ignoring the world as it melted into illusion and shattered with each stroke of the blade, Irid desperately implored the dimension magician.

“Send me back to that world, now──!!”