Stigma Effect

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Yuriel, who was talking to Raphlet while the food was being prepared, noticed Shudmuel looking at her from the other side and licked her lips.

Why did she ask Shudmuel to have dinner together?

She couldn’t even figure out why she brought Shudmuel when she was alone with Raphlet. They got to know each other while she helped him out for a few days….

Even if Baraha, whom she had known for a long time, was by her side, Yuriel would not have invited him to eat. To have other people while spending time with Raphlet.

She felt that her behavior was different from usual.

Shudmuel, seen from the outside, was more sensitive than Yuriel, so it felt more awkward. The silver-gray eyes seen through the glasses were looking sharply at Raphlet and Yuriel.

“Yuriel, you suddenly have a bad expression…. Are you feeling ill?”

Raphlet asked worriedly when he saw Yuriel, who had a bad expression while looking at Shudmuel.

Hearing Raphlet’s formal tone, the regret for inviting Shudmuel to a meal flooded over her even more.

If it wasn’t for Shudmuel, Raphlet would have talked as friendly as usual!

As if realizing that Yuriel was regretting, Shudmuel furrowed his eyebrows.

“Do you have anything to say to me?”

“I was thinking that I was wasting Sir Shudmuel’s time. If you have an urgent need, you can leave first!”

It was a story similar to what Shudmuel said in his office, but Yuriel’s feelings inside were completely different.

Shudmuel looked away as if there was no need to answer and started eating. Yuriel watched him eat and made eye contact with Raphlet.

Raphlet raised the corners of his lips softly as if he was thinking the same thing as Yuriel.

＊＊＊

It was near the end of the meal as Yuriel was picking at her dessert with a fork, regretting that she had to send Raphlet off, when there was a roar as if something was collapsing. A loud vibration reached the inside of the restaurant, and the sound of something breaking was followed by a loud noise.

“Ahh… !”

Yuriel closed her eyes tightly at the loud noise, and before she could even open her eyes again, she was wrapped in someone’s arms. Raphlet had grabbed Yuriel by the waist and covered her with his body, holding her head with his large hand, as soon as the sound had rang out,

To reduce the impact even a little, the table that had only a moment ago held their meal was flipped over and erected like a shield. Yuriel’s body was completely covered by Raphlet’s body and the table.

Yuriel, within Raphlet’s arms, blinked, unable to immediately grasp the situation. When Yuriel came to her senses she pushed Raphlet down and moved her hand.

She tried to lift her head out of Raphlet’s arms, but he only pressed Yuriel’s head tighter and didn’t move. She felt a loud thumping sound on her forehead, which was resting against Raphlet’s chest. Raphlet’s heart was beating loudly.

“Master, please release me… !”

Yuriel exclaimed as she heard Raphlet’s rapidly beating heart. Even when Yuriel was surprised, she still thought of her master first.

Yuriel thought his heart was beating faster than usual. She was worried that Raphlet was injured while covering her.

Yuriel pushed him hard, but Raphlet continued to wrap his arms around Yuriel. He eventually removed his hand that was holding the back of her head, but he kept holding her waist.

Raphlet slowly stood up and checked Yuriel’s condition first.

A sigh escaped both of them at the same time.

Fortunately, no injuries were seen. Only after confirming that each other’s bodies had no injuries did their gazes turn around.

Dishes that had fallen from the table were rolling on the floor. Shudmuel, who was sitting opposite them, seemed to have been hit not by the explosion, but by the table when Raphlet had flipped the table over.

Shudmuel said in a displeased voice as he took off Albraka’s uniform, which had been soiled by the food that had spilled from the table.

“I understand that protecting the weak is a top priority, but don’t you think it’s rude? Commander Raphlet.”

“I didn’t have time to tell you to avoid it.”

Raphlet, who responded bluntly, looked outside while holding Yuriel. Shudmuel threw the dirty uniform on the floor and checked outside as if he had no intention of continuing the accusation.

The view through the window had changed. No, the view was already different just by looking from the window without going far.

Gray smoke was coming through the broken windows.

The whole street, once neatly organized, was now a complete mess. The epicenter of the explosion was visible over the gray smoky landscape.

The place where the ship was preparing to depart from the marina near the restaurant was engulfed in flames.

Raphlet confirmed the ship and said to Shudmuel.

“That is the ship that carried some of the monster cores from the Alchemy Tower.”

“It’s terrorism. How many cores were on the ship?”

“It was a small, low-importance core type. At best, there will be no protests at the Alchemy Tower, since they were the cores used to make lanterns.”

“… Is that so.”

Shudmuel answered slowly, followed by a question.

“Commander Raphlet, isn’t it something you should go to?”

“Yes.”

After Raphlet finished his words, he released Yuriel. As long as the ship was completely destroyed, the possibility of a chain explosion was low.

The terrorists only hit places where monster cores were located.They did not threaten places where ordinary citizens congregate.

Raphlet, who was looking at Yuriel quietly, rummaged through his arms and handed the gun he was holding to Yuriel.

“Use this when you’re threatened. If someone who appears to be a terrorist approaches, it’s okay to fire.”

“You said I shouldn’t aim at people.”

“In special circumstances like now, that’s fine. If you feel threatened, do not hesitate to use it.”

“But if you shoot this at a person….”

“Yuriel.”

Knowing the power of the gun, Yuriel had no choice but to hesitate. A weapon powerful enough to pierce through the hard skin of a monster. If she shoots it at a person, no matter what part it hits, it would be a significant blow.

Raphlet grabbed a reluctant Yuriel’s shoulders, lowered his voice and said firmly.

“Answer me that you’ll use it.”

“… Yes.”

“Even if there is a problem, I will take care of it, so don’t worry.”

Yuriel looked into Raphlet’s eyes and nodded her head.

Raphlet, who asserted in a small voice that would not be heard by Shudmuel, straightened his body only after hearing Yuriel’s response.

Yuriel looked at Raphlet getting ready to leave and grabbed his collar. She wanted to stop him from going to a dangerous place.

“Lord Raphlet, do you have to go… ?”

Seeing her body trembling anxiously, Raphlet comforted Yuriel.

“No one has died from the terrorist attack. No need to worry.”

However, rather than reassuring Yuriel, it only made Yuriel’s face become paler with worry. Yuriel grumbled with a face that had lost all the blood.

“That means everyone will be injured. You can just say that you were protecting civilians here. Yes?”

“It would have been possible if Commander Shudmuel was not here, but….”

Raphlet looked at Shudmuel’s face and muttered. If Shudmuel was here, there was no reason for Raphlet to remain.

“Yuriel, taking time like this makes it more difficult to deal with. I will be back soon, so please evacuate to the place where Commander Shudmuel will guide you.”

Yuriel bit her lip and nodded her head. If she made Raphlet get in trouble because of her, she couldn’t stop it.

Raphlet clenched the gun in Yuriel’s hand, leaving her no choice but to nod, and said to Shudmuel.

“Commander Shudmuel. I ask that you protect and evacuate the civilians.”

“I will.”

After hearing Shudmuel’s answer, Raphlet looked back at Yuriel and headed towards the place where the explosion occurred.

Yuriel, who had been staring blankly at Raphlet’s back, came to her senses and approached Shudmuel. Shudmuel was informing the restaurant staff where to evacuate.

“Sir Shudmuel, I’ll help too.”

Yuriel suppressed her desire to follow Raphlet, and helped Shudmuel to evacuate the people.

She moved hard because she wanted to help Raphlet in any way, so he doesn’t have to care about anything other than the terrorist attack.

Yuriel felt a cool sensation when the place where the explosion took place became less crowded and the surroundings began to clear up.

She felt the sensations all over her body rising sensitively.

“… Sir Shudmuel!”

Yuriel called Shudmuel in a high voice as if screaming.

It was a feeling she had never felt before. It was an eerie sensation that can only be felt when a living monster approaches.

Even though the cold winter wind was blowing, cold sweat flowed.

Yuriel hurried to Shudmuel’s side, who was looking at her.

“A monster is approaching.”

“… Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Whispering quickly in a low voice so as not to be heard by those who were evacuating, Yuriel nodded her head, clutching the gun Raphlet had given her.

Many signs that were difficult to comprehend were approaching where Yuriel was.

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