The Tale of the Redeeming Villain - Chapter 40- Date?

It has been two months since Catherine went missing and despite their effort, the knights from the Capital weren’t able to track them down.

Different means were utilised, and even a bounty was raised that whoever tracked them down and brought them to authorities would get rewarded a million gold coins. However, only fake saints were presented before the Emperor in the greed of the reward.

Now, the flames of Catherine’s disappearance have begun to subdue a little since the efforts didn’t lead them anywhere.

’64 days huh….’ While throwing a pebble into the lake, Carlson remained seated at the shore and thought about his friend.

It would be a lie to say he has forgotten Catherine, but he somehow now can live his life knowing that she has chosen happiness for herself and got rid of the responsibilities which others burdened her with.

She is now free from all the shackles and living her life as however she likes.

Carlson was happy for her.

“Not again…” Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice from behind and was slightly startled since Carlson never sensed Charlotte approaching.

Was it that he was so lost in his thoughts? No, Charlotte has developed her skills quite efficiently in these two months through the training she forced Carlson into.

She always said, ‘Training is the best way to keep oneself busy. And if you are busy, you won’t be mourning over your first love.

Carlson has realised her feelings in these few weeks and has hinted that she didn’t need to be nonchalant about her opinion of Carlson and Catherine. But maybe, she feared her feelings might ruin their current relationship, so she never took the hint and always pretended to be oblivious.

She even never took a step to decrease the distance between them. And if not for her unusual shyness on random occasions, and how she always rejected others’ proposals while saying that she already has someone in her heart, Carlson might not have realised her feelings for him.

Seriously, in the love department they both were newbies and were learning the concept slowly.

“Why are you sulking again? Saw some withered leaf that reminded you of Catherine?”

(A/N:- Withered leaf= yellow= blond= Catherine)

Carlson chuckled before shaking his head and telling her, “I was just thinking about her decision to run away. It’s kind of liberating to think that at least one of us is now free.”

Charlotte sighed and took the seat beside him before she added, “Right. Me, you, Catherine and that woman has been burdened with the responsibilities of the world. I don’t know what effect it might bring without Catherine’s presence tho…”

The prophecy of the Goddess stated that four individuals would be responsible for bringing the upcoming war to a conclusion. Each of the four individuals was blessed by a different deity.

Now, not only has Catherine run away from her duties, but Charlotte has heard rumours that she even removed her blessing somehow.

“Don’t worry, she will return. And I am sure that will happen before the war begins.” Carlson responded, holding a sense of certainty in his voice that nearly made Charlotte believe his words.

However, she still asked, “How do you know?”

Carlson just smiled and didn’t reply to that. Some things just couldn’t be proven through some evidence.

Getting up, he extended his hand toward the brunette before asking, “Are you free tonight? Wanna have dinner with me?”

Charlotte took his hand and got up before asking in puzzlement, “Why are you asking me this? Don’t we eat together like every day?”

Carlson shook his head before making it clear, “I am taking you out to a good place. Would you allow me to be your date for the evening?”

Charlotte’s heartbeat quickened and suddenly the connection of their hands began to make her feel a little hot as she slowly nodded,

“Y-Yes, I would love to.”

*********

But those plans were cancelled as just Carlson was about to take Charlotte to that special place, someone arrived and told the duo that the Headmaster had summoned them.

“Do we have to go?” Charlotte asked; a bit of annoyance and sadness blended in her voice.

Carlson heaved a sigh as he held her hand delicately in his while they walked towards the Headmaster’s chamber.

Looking at the girl who wore a pretty pink dress and had used make-up for the first time, he couldn’t help but feel even more regretful. But,

“If it’s the headmaster then it must be something important. However, if it doesn’t turn out to be urgent to discuss things, we will excuse ourselves and leave.”

Charlotte smiled slightly, hoping that the matter indeed turned out to be another report of Catherine or something.

However, maybe the lady luck wasn’t on her side today, at all.

“Foreign spies?” Carlson frowned at hearing that.

“As from what I have received it seems the Empire situated in the west has been sending spies for the past three years now to integrate them within the system.” The Headmaster replied.

Carlson frowned as he asked, “Why are they doing so? Do they want to start a world war?”

The old man pulled several files before sprawling them over the desk.

Carlson and Charlotte read them and discerned that most of those statements, which came from the spies, mentioned things related to the academy and Carlson.

Seeing that the two teenagers have read the basic element of the reports, the old man said, “Their target is you and your team, Carlson. They want to have the world’s saviour as their messiah who would protect them when the war begins.”

Hearing those words, Charlotte seethingly uttered, “Is Carlson a thing that they want to snatch away? In the first place, Carlson doesn’t belong to any Empire or any individual. He is with humanity!”

Her tone grew sharper with each syllable, and the old man across the desk had to admit that the girl in front of him had grown quite strong and intimidating compared to the time when she first appeared before him.

Carlson remained silent for a bit before asking the old man, “Can I get in contact with the Emperor of the West?”

“Carlson?” Charlotte exclaimed and even the Headmaster looked surprised.

However, Carlson didn’t back off and retained his gaze on the old man.

The headmaster heaved a sigh before nodding, “Yes, but we have to first get the permission of Your Majesty.”

“Then, please help me set up the meeting. I will talk to him myself.”

….

After leaving the office, Charlotte didn’t wait even for a moment before asking, “Why did you do that?”

Carlson didn’t speak but rather led her out of the building before finally showing her a letter he received two days ago.

Charlotte, with a frown, read the name written at the bottom before exclaiming,

“Blake?!”

“Just read the letter first.” Carlson urged and Charlotte heeded his request.

After she was done, she looked at Carlson with her eyes widened.

Carlson nodded before telling her, “They are heading to the west, that’s why we have to do something about that psycho emperor….or God knows what would happen if Catherine got caught in their territory.”

*******

A/N:- Good friend.