Chapter 35:

[35 — I'm sorry, Sera]

Reincarnated into My Favorite Game, But I Forgot Everything I Knew About It

After the third fork in the road, I lost sight of Sera.

Even with my wrist immobilized, the pain flared every time I tried to run.

"Where did you go, Sera?"

I had to find her. I had to clear up this misunderstanding... no matter what.

I rushed desperately through the streets, searching for her. But it was useless. She wasn't anywhere.

Then, I spotted a pink ribbon tossed on the ground, torn apart.

The very first ribbon I ever gave her. The one I used to teach her how to tie knots. Her favorite…

Now it lay there, destroyed.

"..."

My chest tightened.

What if… what if I never found her?

What if—

"No! Ruru, that's not an option!" I slapped my own cheeks.

There was no time to waste.

She couldn't have gone too far.

Along the way, I stumbled upon other scattered pieces. In some alleys, torn fragments of her dress. In others, broken ribbons mixed with tufts of red hair ripped straight from the root.

"Sera…"

I… I could feel her pain.

The shoes I'd bought for her were left by the spot where we'd tied the horses. That was my last clue. The trail ended there.

"..."

With nowhere else to go, I returned to the main street, hoping someone had seen her. Anyone.

I went inside the shop where we usually bought dresses. The owner was gone, and the boy at the counter swore he hadn't stepped away once. No leads there.

Shop after shop; house after house. Nothing.

No information.

No clues.

No tracks.

And with every 'I haven't seen her,' my panic grew worse.

"...Where did you go?"

I had no idea what to do.

Horrible scenarios filled my mind, one after another, and I couldn't push them away.

Should I go back and call Destroyer-sama?

Should I start screaming her name in the streets?

No. I couldn't draw unwanted attention. And if I went back for him, it might already be too late. Every second mattered.

"Ah..."

I looked toward the city gates. No guards in sight.

Inspections at the entrance rarely happened. That lowered the chance of her getting caught, but it also meant she could slip out easily.

"I hope she didn't pass through the gate…"

Outside… it was far too dangerous.

Even with the stone, anyone above the Fifth Authority would see through her disguise.

I didn't want to think about it, but… what if she'd already been captured?

I hesitated.

Maybe it really would be better to go back and get Destroyer-sama.

"Come on, Mom… the service is starting."

When I heard a little boy tugging at his mother toward the town square, a chill shot through me. I didn't want to picture that kind of situation, but…

Before the thought could even form, my body was already running toward the square. It was getting close to nightfall, and the nights were only growing colder.

Running with my wrist bandaged was awful.

Every time I picked up speed, the wood pressed against the wound and burned.

It was the first time Destroyer-sama had ever patched me up. I was grateful for the care, but maybe… maybe I'd be better off without it.

I unwound the bandage.

…Please don't be mad at me, Destroyer-sama.

My body was burning up, my breaths ragged, but somehow, I managed to reach the square

I didn't have to go much farther. From a distance alone, I could already see that place.

"The Holy Cathedral…"

The ecclesiastical patterns carved into its walls.

The saintly statues.

The stained-glass windows bathed in color…

Everything about that structure terrified me.