In a Female-Dominant World with a 5:1 Gender Ratio, I Saved a Girl as a Kid, and She Said She Wanted to Be My Bride—Who Would’ve Thought She Was a Princess… - 51

Chapter 51: The Crumbling Birdcage and the Muddy Hero

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(Alto’s POV)

CRASHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

It sounded as if the world itself shattered. Sleipnir and I pierced straight through the cathedral ceiling, plunging vertically downward amid a rain of vividly colored stained glass. Below us were Leonardo, his face twisted in shock, and Lilianna, staring up blankly with tears pooled in her eyes.

I stabilized myself midair and poured my magic power into the tires.

“Here we go—landing!”

DOOOOOOM!!!

A jet-black mass of iron descended right into the center of the deep crimson carpet between the altar and the pews. The violent impact tore up the stone floor, sending clouds of dust billowing into the air. As the finely dressed nobles screamed and fled in panic, I revved the engine, its heavy bass roar drowning out the choir’s voices.

The smoke slowly cleared. I slid my goggles down, fixed my gaze on Leonardo—who looked ready to collapse—and then turned to the bride staring at me as if she were seeing the impossible. I flashed her a grin.

“…Yo. Sorry I’m late.”

The cathedral fell deathly silent. As everyone stood frozen, my voice alone echoed through the hall.

“I object. …That bride is coming with me.”

“Y-you bastard…!!!”

Leonardo was the first to react. His handsome face twisted red with rage.

“To defile a sacred ceremony! And crashing in through the ceiling, no less!? Have you no sense of decency, you ape!?”

“If I came in through the front, I’d have had to listen to your long-winded bragging, right? So I took a shortcut.”

I calmly dismounted the bike and walked toward the altar.

“Guards! Knights! What are you doing!? Kill this blasphemer! Tear him apart!!”

At Leonardo’s shrill scream, the royal guards standing by drew their swords all at once and surrounded me. But to me now, swords looked no different from sticks that couldn’t move.

“…Sorry. I’ve got nothing against you, but step aside.”

I lightly flicked my right hand. A shockwave of black and gold surged outward.

BOOOOM!!

The knights’ armor caved in as their bodies were blown away like scraps of paper, smashing into the walls of the seating area.

“W—what…!?”

“M-magic!? I-impossible…! And the royal guard was wiped out in an instant…!?”

Leonardo staggered backward, pointing at me with a trembling hand.

“D-don’t come any closer! A mere commoner like you… Stay away from me! I have the ‘chosen power’!”

Fwoosh.

That tiny flame lit at his fingertip again. To him, it must have been a finishing move and the crystallization of his pride.

“You’ll regret this! Burn to ashes!”

As he swung his arm, a lighter-sized fireball drifted unsteadily toward me. Too slow. Far too fragile. 

This is the “genius”? This is the “Thunder Emperor”?

I didn’t even bother dodging. I caught the fireball with my bare hand.

Sizzle.

I crushed it in my palm. I felt no heat at all.

“Wha-…What…?”

Leonardo gasped, collapsing where he stood.

“He crushed magic with his bare hands…?”

“This is the ‘power’ you were so proud of?”

I crouched in front of him, grabbed his collar, and yanked him closer.

“Kid’s fire play. …Not nearly enough firepower to protect Lilianna.”

“H-hiiih! Savage! Stop this violence! I’m from the ducal house…!”

I shoved him away and no longer spared him a glance. The one I cared about was the trembling bride behind him. I stepped up onto the altar and stood before Lilianna. His Majesty the King tried to draw his sword, but froze when our eyes met. His instincts must have told him he couldn’t win.

“…Alto.”

Lilianna lifted her tear-soaked face. Her pure white dress. Her neatly styled silver hair. Yet her hands were trembling, cold as ice.

“Just like I promised, I came to get you.”

I held out my hand to Lilianna.

“This cramped birdcage is finished. …Will you come with me?”

I knew it was a foolish question. But I had to ask. This wasn’t a “kidnapping.” I wanted it to be a future she chose of her own will. Lilianna grasped my hand without hesitation. Tightly. Painfully tight.

“…Yes! Please take me with you—to the ends of the earth!”

She smiled like a flower in full bloom. The moment I saw that smile, it felt as though the weight in my chest finally lifted.

“Alright!”

I pulled her slender waist close and lifted her effortlessly into my arms. It was the classic “princess carry.” Shriek-like cries rose from the guests, but I didn’t care.

“Father! I am truly sorry!”

From my arms, Lilianna shouted toward the King.

“But I choose to live as just an ordinary girl, with this man! Thank you for raising me until now!”

“L-Lilianna…!”

The King reached out, but it was already too late. I turned on my heel and ran back to Sleipnir. I swung onto the bike and seated Lilianna behind me. Her arms wrapped firmly around my waist. I felt her warmth and heartbeat against my back.

“Hold on tight. …We’re taking to the skies.”

“Yes, Alto-sama!”

I twisted the throttle.

VROOOM! VROOOOOOM!!

The modified engine roared. Drinking in my magic power, the tires began to spin, glowing pale blue.

“Wait! Don’t let them escape! Shoot them down!”

Leonardo shouted as he finally came back to his senses. But I just smirked.

“See ya, Tin Prince. …The only one you’re suited for isn’t a princess, it’s the reflection in your mirror.”

I released the clutch. Sleipnir burst forward with explosive acceleration. Using the pile of rubble as a ramp, we leapt back into the air, charging toward the massive hole in the ceiling. Gravity control. Magic power boost.

The bike ignored the laws of physics, racing skyward and piercing through the light. The view opened wide. The royal capital spread out below us. A crystal-clear blue sky stretching endlessly.

“Amazing…! Alto, I’m flying!”

“Yeah. We’re free now!”

Lilianna cried out in joy and buried her face against my back. We had made an enemy of the entire nation. A wanted notice was all but guaranteed. Even so, our future stretched out endlessly, just like this blue sky. With a thunderous roar, we vanished into the open heavens.

Leaving behind the chaos in the cathedral and the clown whose pride had been utterly shattered. At that moment, I was too happy to notice…. That the Demon King was still alive…

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