Public Indecency
Sugar had a dream. The last scene of the dream she had on the day she received power infusion for the first stage of magic. It was the same dream she had that day.
'Even in this situation, she's holding onto hope. She's not in her right mind.'
'Yeah. Living like that, how could her mind be intact?'
Unlike then, Ryly's lines were clear, and when he pulled out the grimoire, she reached out desperately and could pierce through the transparent wall. Then, Sugar, who burst in between the two, shouted 'Aja!' and beat up the adult Ryly mercilessly.
Stop doing bad things. Stop ruining yourself. Recalling her precious childhood friend's love, with that heart filled with power, she pelted him with rapid kicks and punches, and it seemed like the faded white Sugar next to her was smiling gently.
At that moment, she woke up from sleep.
" ... "
A cozy bed. The blanket was fluffy, which felt good. The room was filled with sunlight, warm. There wasn't much furniture, but it was clean and well-maintained.
Looking at her body, she was wearing a white one-piece dress. It was stiff but clean, with a good smell, giving a neat feeling. On the bedside table next to the bed, there was a pink hairband.
After putting it on, when Sugar turned her feet towards the floor, she was surprised for a moment. Her feet were wrapped in bandages. She wondered when this was done. Sugar, who gently put on slippers and stepped on the floor, first headed to the window.
Outside the window, white buildings. Though monotonous, the elegant bas-relief patterns carved on each pillar. Looking down, people in white clothes were walking around occasionally. The ones waving cloaks in white uniforms were Holy Knights, and the ones in gowns were priests.
After confirming, Sugar sighed. There was relief and worry.
Seongdo (Holy City). The place where the Saint's remains, who descended on this land 2000 years ago, are sleeping. The place where his descendants dwell. The overall command headquarters of the cathedrals and Holy Knight orders scattered across the continent. The safest yet most frustrating place.
That's why there was relief and worry at the same time.
...
...
They say she slept almost a week. Given that she used so much magic after experiencing that, it makes sense. Ryly also woke up around the same time, they say. Hearing that, it was fortunate, but—
" Please let me meet that friend."
" Procedures are necessary."
" What procedures are needed to meet... Just let me meet him."
" The testimony hasn't been completed yet. Please tell me all the memories from the day of the incident."
" No, I mean... I don't remember well, so I'll talk to my friend and tell you."
" Please testify based on the memories you have."
" Ah, no..."
Sugar knew this would happen. She remembered that even the protagonist who was chosen by the 'Holy Staff' in the original work had this, and for others it would be worse. Always acting like procedures are needed, frustrating.
Sugar sighed. Where should she start speaking, and how much should she hide? There were more than a few things to hide, starting from Ryly's book to her own constitution.
While being so anxious, the outside of the testimony room was noisy.
" What is this inspection data! It's unbelievable! How am I supposed to testify like this!?"
" Please calm down, Guardian Nova! The testimony hasn't ended yet—"
The door burst open. And the person who entered was older than the Holy Knight she had seen before. White uniform and cloak embroidered with gold thread. An old Holy Knight grandma. However, her eyes were full of passion and vitality.
" Kid! In the name of the Saint, I ask you! Are you a heretic or not!"
Suddenly, she approached in front of Sugar and asked with a spit-flying momentum.
But Sugar wasn't flustered.
For this kind of person, yes, answering that way would be good.
The bold girl pushed the chair back with the same momentum as the opponent and boldly opened her chest. Taking a deep breath, she shouted as if spitting it out.
" In the name of the Saint! No!"
" Do not casually mention the Saint's name!"
" I am!"
" Still! A cheerful answer was good!"
The Holy Knight who nodded his head opened his mouth as if declaring to the machine-like female priest in front of Sugar, the Holy Knight who chased her, and other priests.
" I guarantee it! This child is not a heretic!"
" No, it's not up to Guardian Nova to decide...! First, the testimony must end..."
" What does that matter! There's evidence of evil in this tiny body! If it's someone who got their head beaten, they would naturally lie in the direction that suits them! We know that!"
Wow. The words that directly pierced Sugar's intentions, and the way she said it boldly, left her dumbfounded.
" Don't make me commit a crime! The important thing is faith! The Saint also gave us strength with faith! So—"
" Get out! First, get out! If you keep doing this, we'll be scolded for not stopping Guardian Nova!"
" Don't fear punishment! It's all blood and flesh—"
" Guardian Nova!!"
Five burly men stuck to her, barely pushing out the small old woman to the outside of the room.
In that short time, it felt like a storm had passed.
" ..."
" ..."
" Am I being suspected of being a heretic?"
" This is a story about the possibility that I was used without regard to my personal will. A heretic cannot set foot on this land. Don't worry, testify according to your memories."
" Haa..."
Dealing with the grandma from earlier would have been better. Even if her ears hurt, her heart would feel refreshed.
The gold thread embroidered on that cloak. It seemed like she was a 'Guardian'. The commanders who directly lead and protect the Holy City. The Guardians of Seongdo.
'Thinking about it, that uncle seemed to be a Guardian too.'
While thinking various things, while arguing with the machine-like priest, another priest came and released Sugar. Saying 'The will of the Guardians.' It didn't matter. As long as she didn't have to be with this inhuman human, it was good, so she internally cheered loudly.
" Ah! Did you release my friend too?"
" Yes. That's right."
" Can I meet him?"
" That requires procedures."
" ... Please go through the procedures."
" Please wait a moment."
The priest who released Sugar went far away and started talking to someone via a communication crystal ball.
Standing in the corridor looking out the window, she quickly came back.
" Permission has been granted. I'll let you meet now."
Even though it was frustrating that it had to be according to procedures, as long as it works, it would do it immediately. That was the only good point.
Following that priest through the corridor.
A quiet white corridor. The sunlight pouring in felt distant. Even though it was winter, the warmth was unbelievable, what can I say, it really felt like a blessing.
Sugar, with curious eyes, looked around, but also asked the leading priest a question.
" Who released me? Can I ask their name?"
" It was Guardian Cedric and Guardian Nova who wanted it."
Recalling the 'Nova' from earlier. The cheerful grandma. Even if two people couldn't push the will alone, it raised their speaking power.
Or maybe just 'that kind of' person, so no one listened deeply.
Still, for now, she should greet them with gratitude when she meets them again.
'But who is this Guardian Cedric? Is it that uncle from before?... I don't think I've seen their faces.'
Recalling the original work.
Basically, a magic school RPG game. Holy Knights or Guardians of Seongdo didn't appear much. Compared to students of the magic school or the Shadow Cult who are major villains, very little. They appear in the later part to give some help?
In the original time, they were dealing with internal problems. Thinking outside the game, they probably excluded them intentionally for balance. After all, it's a game where the 'protagonist' is the protagonist. He has to lead the story centered on him.
However, this world is not a game. They just took the background, it's a real world where countless people interact with each other. Like Rubshi, if an unknown person appears or goes in a completely different direction, it's not strange.
'Originally, the development where I came to Seongdo was completely changed.'
While walking following the priest, thinking, suddenly outside the building. Between buildings. A small courtyard prepared there. White flowers blooming here and there, beautiful. Wearing only one white dress, not cold. Maybe magic was cast over the entire Holy City.
Sugar opened her mouth wide and looked around.
" Please wait here."
" Thank you."
Immediately searched around. There were no treasure chests or anything, but it was a pretty good space. Looked at the flowers once, touched the outer wall, listened to the chirping birds. Not some damn black bird. Small, pure white birds.
After suffering like this for a few days, this peace felt really sweet.
' ... Are the orphanage kids doing well?'
Originally, the city where she lived was in the northern part of the continent, Seongdo is near the center of the continent. Even so, it's a place with some attachment, a strange longing. Especially Frallin and other friends. Can she see them again?
Well, if there's a connection, she'll see them again. Meeting and parting with various people. That's just how life is.
Thinking like an old man, she sat on a bench. While waiting for friends, the sound of footsteps came.
Turning back, there's a familiar friend.
Even though she hadn't seen him for a week, since he was sleeping, it felt like she saw him yesterday.
Still, it was too happy. The precious friend who endured that adversity together— his hair color is blonde!!
Sugar jumped up.
She knew. Of course, since 'Ryly' is blonde, this guy is blonde too. She knows he hid the color with dirt.
But confirming it directly is a different feeling. With eyes wide open, the mischievous boy rolled his eyes around.
Then, just one word.
" What."
" Ah, no... Well, are you okay with your body?"
Looking at his left arm, it was wrapped in bandages. In addition, his body was dressed everywhere. That's the same for Sugar, but still, her friend's body is more important than her own body.
So, when asked, Ryly approached Sugar.
" ... "
But no words. Just quietly leaning his face.
" Why, why are you like that, Ryly?"
Adjusting to Sugar's height, he slightly bent his grown body. Eyes met eyes.
The distance where their breaths would touch. The blue eyes, the pattern of the bangs slightly covering them was clearly visible. Sparkling in the sunlight. Like highlights sprinkled with gold dust.
Originally handsome, but with this hair color, the synergy is amazing. Beyond friendship, objectively good-looking.
But why is he suddenly like this? He's not the type that does this.
While facing each other's faces, the day a week ago came to mind. The appearance of this friend who showed in the Holy Knight's cloak.
The first time touching his hair, touching his cheek...
" ... "
Sugar, with an unknown feeling, rolled her head with flushed cheeks.
Then, something quickly came to mind.
- ... Why don't you like blonde?
' Ah!'
The day when Sugar's blonde hate speech made Ryly angry.
That time.
She wanted to resolve the grudge from that time.
Realizing, Sugar immediately loaded praise. To forget the itchy heart in her chest. With the intention to fire a strong praise towards the front, saying you'll drown in the praise swamp and die.
" ... Ugh."
Ryly suddenly turned his back. His ears were red.
What!
" If you're going to be embarrassed, why did you say it in the first place..."
" I'm not embarrassed...! What do you know..."
" I can see your red ears. You were embarrassed looking at my face."
" You, you, you, you are red too?"
" What? Me? There's no way..."
Quickly, Sugar touched her own cheek, it was warm.
" Eh... eh?"
" Look!"
" ... "
Then Sugar looked up at Ryly.
Reddened cheeks. Moist eyes.
Ugh. Ryly slightly avoided his gaze. Feeling like he got hit with one, he puffed up, but basically a boy weak to Sugar. No choice.
And, since Sugar knew that well, she said in a haughty tone.
" ... I don't know."
" What?"
" You touched my cheek."
" W, w, w?"
" So, if your hand feels cold, then I'll admit it. That my cheek is red. That my temperature rose."
" What nonsense! Just looking at it, it's red!"
" I can't believe it. Huh? It's easy. Just do it quickly. If it's real, it won't be hard."
Sugar brought out her flushed face. Slightly teasing, with a mischievous smile.
Ah, Ryly who dug her own grave.
If asked why he did it without thinking last time, then he was drunk in the atmosphere. Now, since he set the stage while already embarrassed, it's a problem.
When Sugar realized that her own reddened cheek was what she made him do, her heart was weird. That slightly curving moist lips were too pretty.
While hiding the pounding heart, to protect her pride, she put her right hand on Sugar's cheek.
At that moment, Sugar overlapped her own hand on top of it.
" Hehe..."
" ...!"
Soft, warm.
Ryly's right hand trapped between Sugar's cheek and palm.
" Um... My hand seems much hotter than my cheek."
And seeing the owner of that hand, seeing that boy's face, what can I say.
Well-ripened apple. If Sugar is a pink peach, Ryly is a red apple or tomato.
When the two fruits were looking at each other's faces, saying you are redder, no, you are, and bickering.
" Eolssigu."
The Guardian Cedric who saw this scene clicked his tongue and passed by. While thinking whether to put them back in solitary confinement for public indecency.