7th Time Loop WN Vol. 6 Fan Translation

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The man lay sprawled on a chaise lounge, his tall frame stretched out comfortably. Beside the lounge chair stood a fireplace, its flames dancing brightly despite the midsummer heat. The man, with a bored expression, continued to peruse the documents bundled in his hand.

With each page he turned, he tossed the completed document into the fire. Reaching out lazily, he absentmindedly fed the paper into the flames without looking, muttering softly to himself.

"Arnold Hein, huh..."

The rippling water of the canal outside resembled the flickering of stars. Without glancing towards the window, the man released the final document from his grip.

"It seems the time has come to pay a visit to that accursed crown prince."

***

Looking back on her life as a knight, Rishe realized that most of her memories revolved around Yoel.

After all, Yoel shared his room with her, was her senior, and served as the "genius" from whom Rishe learned swordsmanship.

"Lucius... Lucius, come over here."

Having grown closer over the years, Yoel affectionately called Rishe by his alias, "Lucius," treating her like a younger brother.

"Yoel... While having messy hair is nothing new for you, it might be a serious matter to present yourself like that in front of His Majesty. You'll definitely get scolded by the captain!" Rishe scolded.

"If it bothers you that much, Lucius, then you should do something about it. I'm barely awake here... Zzz..." Yoel said sleepily.

Rishe was often tossed around like a helpless kitten by Yoel's carefree behavior.

As she wielded a comb, utilizing skills she had acquired during his life as a lady's maid, Rishe was satisfied to see Yoel squint contentedly.

"In return for your obedience, I, your senior will protect you, junior."

"Yoel..."

The stories about Yoel that circulated around were always the same.

Always seeming half-asleep and doing nothing. Not conforming to his surroundings, lacking in chivalry. But more than compensating for all that with his genius in swordsmanship.

"Yoel doesn't cooperate with anyone. There's nobody out there who can keep up with his swordsmanship." The former knight commander had once said with a slightly lonely smile.

"The only person who can handle Yoel's support on the battlefield is you, Lucius."

Indeed, Yoel had helped Rishe. And in the end, he sacrificed himself to protect Rishe, falling by Emperor Arnold Hein's sword. Reflecting on this in his seventh life, Rishe couldn't help but think.

(Yoel, the genius swordsman, died because he fought alongside me. ...If that's the case, then someday, the same might happen to His Majesty Arnold too.)

With a lantern in hand, Rishe gazed ahead at Arnold's back as they walked.

Under the starry sky, with the sound of water flowing in the canal beside them, Rishe found herself lost in thought.

(By fighting alongside him, I might one day endanger His Majesty.)

"Rishe."

Startled by Arnold calling her name, Rishe looked up. Feeling like her thoughts were being read, her heart skipped a beat as Arnold's blue eyes gazed directly at him.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly.

"N-nothing! I apologize for falling behind...!"

Despite feeling completely transparent to Arnold, Rishe concealed her thoughts and hurried to catch up to Arnold's side.

"Don't worry about it." she said frantically.

"Rishe."

Walking along the promenade paved with reddish-brown cobblestones, Rishe's tall boots made her appear somewhat unsteady to Arnold.

"...Come here." Arnold held out his hand.

Surprised by Arnold's invitation, Rishe tentatively placed her hand on Arnold's outstretched palm.

This gentle call of "come here" was something Arnold had only started using recently, mimicking how Rishe would call for a kitten. It was reserved only for Rishe.

Even though Arnold's demeanor was calm, his voice was gentle. But when directed at Rishe, it felt incredibly ticklish.

As Arnold's left hand gently enveloped Rishe's, Rishe's fingertips involuntarily fluttered.

"What's wrong?"

"N-nothing...! I just feel a bit nervous being escorted like this."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Though Arnold looked puzzled, it wasn't something Rishe could attribute to mere infatuation.

Perhaps it was due to their roles the previous night as "young lady and her attendant" or their behavior during the day as "crown prince and his guard," Rishe hoped Arnold would understand the reasons behind her nervousness as she glanced around.

"Anyway, it's really beautiful here." Rishe's gaze shifted to the canal flowing nearby.

The rippling surface, reflecting the city lights, shimmered like a sky full of shooting stars.

"For you to show me such a view, Your Highness Arnold..."

"..."

Feeling incredibly happy, Rishe smiled at Arnold.