The archbishop and the priests stood before each one, praying for their peace.  

Their devout prayers brought comfort not only to the families of the victims but also to the count and his officials.  

Once the prayers were completed, the priests made their way to the hospital to see the injured.  

During this time, one of the priests quietly separated from the group.  

With a white hood pulled low over his face to hide his pink hair, the priest made his way to the shore where the monsters had attacked two days earlier.  

Flowers and handwritten notes had been placed along the beach in memory of the departed.  

The priest stopped at a spot overlooking the sea and took a deep breath.  

The lingering scent of death filled his lungs.  

The malevolent energy that still clung to the area like a thick residue was so overpowering that he couldn’t help but frown in disgust.  

His gaze slowly swept across the shoreline until it stopped at the far end, where a tent had once been set up for the fireworks display.  

A faint smile curled his lips.  

“Your Eminence, here you are.”  

A soft voice interrupted his thoughts, drawing his attention away from the shoreline.  

“I didn’t want to disturb the others while they were working,” the priest said calmly.  

“You mentioned there was something you needed to confirm here?” Archbishop Seian asked, following the cardinal’s gaze to the same spot on the shore.  

It had been kept a secret that the cardinal had accompanied the priests on this trip, so as not to burden the local officials dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.  

“Is it an ominous sign?”  

“I see conflicting signs,” the cardinal replied.  

“Then isn’t it a serious matter? Shouldn’t we take precautions from the temple?” Seian asked, concern in his voice.  

“It’s not time for us to act just yet,” the cardinal said with a relaxed smile, but Archbishop Seian’s face remained troubled.  

‘Finally, the capital.’

As I passed through the warp gate, I saw the white rooftops that symbolised the capital through the window. The thought of meeting the main characters from the original story made my heart race with excitement. 

“Come here,” Edwin said, pulling me to his side from where I stood by the window.  

I looked at him in surprise, and his sharp gaze softened.  

“There’s no need to be nervous,” he said, patting my back with surprising tenderness.  

‘How did he notice?’ 

I had tried so hard not to show it. Thinking back, Edwin always seemed to be the first to notice my condition, as if he was always watching me.  

‘No way, that can’t be it.’ 

Who was Edwin? He was the unruly dragon, indifferent to other people’s feelings. 

‘It’s probably just that his senses are sharper than others.’ 

Still, my heart fluttered for some reason. 

“Are you feeling seasick?” Edwin frowned as he studied my face. 

“No, I’m fine,” I shook my head, but he narrowed his eyes. 

“Don’t lie. I won’t hang you out the window, but lying makes me angrier than you being sick.” 

“I’m really fine.” 

“Then why do you look like that?” 

“I guess I’m just a little nervous.” 

I couldn’t tell him it was because of him, so I gave him an excuse that seemed reasonable. 

“Tsk, when will my bride’s courage grow as strong as a rock?” he said, clicking his tongue as he pulled me into his arms. 

“Don’t worry. I’m right here,” he reassured me. 

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony of feeling safest next to a dragon. Yet, I couldn’t deny that his gentle hand stroking my back calmed my racing heart. Slowly, my heartbeat returned to its normal pace. 

“Now, shall we take a look at the capital?” Edwin said with a grin, throwing open the curtains wider. 

“It’s your first time in the capital, right? It’s mine, too,” he said, pulling me closer to the window with him. 

“So, they have white rooftops. It doesn’t suit a place that reeks of filth.” 

His sarcastic comment made me chuckle. 

“Oh? Did you just laugh?” Edwin suddenly became serious and leaned in close to my face. 

Worried he might think I was mocking him, I stiffened. 

“Ed, I laughed just now because—” 

“Laugh again,” he said. 

“What?” 

“Laugh again, just like you did a moment ago.” 

His expectant eyes made my palms sweat. 

‘How am I supposed to recreate a spontaneous laugh?’ 

As I sat there at a loss, Edwin’s eyebrows rose higher and higher. 

‘Oh no, what should I do?’ 

Cold sweat trickled down my back. Thinking I needed to laugh somehow, I clasped my hands and pressed them to my lips. 

“Heh.” 

I tried my best to recall the feeling from earlier and let out a small laugh. Hoping it would suffice, I glanced up at Edwin, only to see his eyebrows knit together.

‘Ah, I guess that wasn’t it.’