Meanwhile, Allen’s group found themselves in a similar situation to Nigel, but one step ahead.

The moment Allen handed over the check and obtained a mana stone the size of his fist, documents were thrust before them.

As Allen carefully read through the papers, his face gradually souring, the situation was resolved in an instant.

The wind from Noah’s sword not only pierced through Allen’s pile of papers but also knocked down two employees and security guards.

“……Oh.”

Clap clap clap clap.

Too stunned to speak, Allen applauded.

Yenika, having grasped the situation, stood beside Allen and joined in the applause.

“Impressive.”

“You were just like a prince on a white horse from a fairy tale, Noah.”

“You were like the hero Balein, defeating evil people.”

Noah awkwardly smiled as he received their excessive praise.

“Hmm…… But what do we do now? We were supposed to uncover the auction house’s secrets, but the staff who could guide us are completely knocked out.”

“Lord Noah, do you perhaps know when these people will wake up?”

Noah approached the fallen people, checked their breathing, and shook his head.

It would take at least an hour for them to regain consciousness.

“Then there’s only one answer.”

Allen said with a seemingly serious face.

“Let’s find Nigel.”

Setting out to find Nigel in this vast place was quite a reckless suggestion.

But it was a far more rational choice than waiting idly for the unconscious people to wake up, or leaving the directionally challenged Nigel to wander around recklessly.

“Let’s go right away.”

“Yes!”

The three quickly agreed on a course of action.

“I’ll sense Nigel’s mana. Noah, you…”

“You want me to search for his presence, right?”

“Yeah.”

Allen nodded.

“Um… Yenika, would you mind waiting here for a bit? It could be dangerous.”

Yenika immediately shook her head.

“No, I’ll go with you. I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’m tired of just staying put in a safe shadow.”

Allen and Noah smiled at Yenika’s determined face.

“Yenika, just that resolve makes us feel more at ease.”

“Indeed.”

Yenika beamed and trotted along behind the two.

With Noah in the lead, the group explored the maze-like place.

Unfortunately, due to sound-blocking magic, Noah couldn’t detect any presence inside the rooms.

In this situation, Allen’s abilities shone.

While ordinary magicians could only sense the amount of mana, Allen was sensitive enough to distinguish individuals’ mana.

As Allen closed his eyes and concentrated on mana, Noah detected the surrounding presence to ensure Allen’s suspicious behavior went unnoticed.

In situations they absolutely couldn’t avoid, Yenika stepped forward.

With her harmless and lovable appearance that disarmed people, Yenika would lie about being lost, and people would stutter before coming to their senses and helping with directions.

Thanks to Noah’s keen sense of presence, they wandered here and there without being detected by anyone.

The three displayed excellent teamwork, but the most crucial problem remained unsolved.

“Where on earth is Nigel?”

It seemed they had searched most of the rooms, but they still couldn’t find Nigel.

“Could it be that he went deeper inside without us…?”

At Yenika’s cautious words, Noah and Allen immediately deflated and became gloomy.

Of course, they knew Nigel was exceptionally capable, and Noah and Allen, who had observed him most closely, knew best how well he used his abilities. But that didn’t mean they weren’t worried about Nigel acting alone.

No, the more they got to know Nigel, the more their anxiety and unease grew about his unpredictable nature.

“O-Of course not! We promised to infiltrate together earlier, how could that be?”

Yenika quickly spoke up in the dampened atmosphere.

This immediately lifted Noah and Allen’s spirits.

Yenika envied how these three – Nigel, Allen, and Noah – were each other’s greatest weakness and most precious people.

Being able to comfortably reveal one’s weaknesses, having someone to freely express emotions to – all of it.

The position of a princess was more than enough and abundant. She could have anything she liked or found beautiful to her heart’s content. She was even praised for dressing up well.

But sometimes, she felt as if she were trapped in an elaborately crafted birdcage.

The emotions she felt today were ones she would never have known if she hadn’t accidentally met Nigel on the street.

The deep trust that forms without expecting purpose or reward, and the indescribable resonance when that gentle heart is directed at oneself.

She experienced for the first time these values she thought only existed in fairy tales after running away.

So, although she knew it was immature, she felt regretful. This summer night’s adventure that would end when tonight was over.

“Let’s cheer up and keep searching!”

Yenika clenched her fist, putting aside her regretful feelings.

Now was not the time to be sentimental.

That’s when it happened.

BOOM!!

An enormous sound like an explosion was heard nearby.

“Kyaah!”

Startled, Yenika sat down on the floor and covered her ears.

Fortunately, no more loud noises were heard. Checking her body, both arms, both legs, fingers, and toes were all intact.

Only then did Yenika relax and carefully stand up.

“A-Are you all alright?”

Yenika’s eyes widened as she looked up.

Noah and Allen’s faces were shining brightly. They wore hopeful smiles like adventurers who had finally found an oasis after being stranded in a vast desert.

Yenika was momentarily worried that they might have gone a bit mad from the shock.

“…Nigel.”

“…It’s Nigel.”

Belatedly, the image of Nigel’s powerful and beautiful goddess-like appearance, impressively intimidating a pickpocket with blazing magical flames, vividly came to Yenika’s mind.

“It’s definitely Nigel.”

Without a word, the three quickly ran towards the source of the sound.

Haa, haa.

Excited breaths burst out incessantly. The robe that had been pulled down tightly came loose, Yenika’s hair flew wildly, and the hem of her dress changed shape precariously, almost getting caught under her shoes.

It was the first time she had run like this since her vague childhood memories, when it was deemed undignified.

Her lungs protested and her breath came short, but she felt free.

After a while, Noah’s footsteps stopped at a certain door.

And without hesitation, he flung it wide open.

Inside, Nigel could be seen. More precisely, Nigel was helping Sid up by the hand.

Noah’s wide, upturned smile quickly hardened.

“I was right, wasn’t I? That ridiculously loud noise of yours couldn’t be blocked by anything less than soundproofing designed by an imperial magician.”

“Shut up.”

The voices of Sid and Nigel bickering could be heard.

Nigel abruptly let go of Sid’s hand and approached the group at the door with a smile on her face.

“Were you worried? Sorry.”

The gentle voice quickly passed by Noah at the front, slowly passed Allen, and reached Yenika at the back.

Nigel seemed to be taking something out of her pocket, but Yenika couldn’t tear her gaze away from Nigel’s sweet smile.

From the first time she saw her, Yenika had been captivated by Nigel’s face, which seemed cold yet constantly drew her attention. But when she smiled openly like this, she truly looked like a creation lovingly and carefully crafted by a goddess.

This soul-sucking sensation was something she hadn’t felt since she first met her fiancé, Calein.

That’s when it happened.

Swish.

She felt something cold touch the ring finger of her left hand.

Yenika finally tore her gaze from Nigel’s face and looked down at her own hand.

“…!”

She was so shocked that her throat closed up and no words came out.

The ring she had lost had returned to its rightful place.

It was the precious ring Calein had made for her, saying the color was like a mix of Yenika’s hair color and his own red eyes, meant for her to remember him even when they were far apart.

An emotion similar to the excitement she felt when she first received this ring washed over Yenika.

Nigel tilted her head, suddenly went into the room, then returned to Yenika and knelt down.

“Nigel?”

Someone’s curious voice was heard.

Nigel didn’t answer and removed Yenika’s high-heeled shoes. Then she put low-heeled flats on those small feet and stood up.

“…Your feet looked uncomfortable. It might be unpleasant to wear someone else’s shoes, but it’s better than being in pain.”

Nigel muttered, averting her gaze.

How can even this be the same? Yenika whispered in a small voice.

When she was young and followed Calein around wanting to exchange even one more word with him, Calein had looked at her intently and then put soft shoes on her feet.

Grab.

Yenika reached out with her ringed hand and firmly grasped Nigel’s hand.

“I… I think I might fall for you!”

She covered her ticklish mouth with her free hand.

And Nigel’s face, upon hearing this sudden confession, turned as red as if it might catch fire at any moment.

Click.

Fearing that people might rush in if they heard the noise, Allen and Noah volunteered to block the entrance tightly using curtains and such.

When the two were separated from the group.

“…What do we do, Noah? Looks like we’ve got one more rival.”

Allen whispered in a small voice that only Noah could hear, glancing at Nigel’s still tomato-red face.