The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

Before leaving the nation, Catherine wanted to leave a message for Carlson. Blake also recommended it or he would have become a maniac in no time.

The Carlson from the future has hinted that in the absence of Catherine, Carlson can remain motivated. But after her disappearance, he would become hopeless.

That's why Catherine decided to leave a letter to let him know that she would be going away for a few months and would come back one day.

She wrote the letter and since it was earning around three in the morning, she didn't find it difficult to sneak back inside the academy.

Blake was near the Academy as well, so if something goes awry they can just run away from here rather than going back inside the forest.

While covering herself under a hood, Catherine slowly walked inside the male's dorm. She has come here for the first time, but she knows where Carlson lives. After all, he was given a whole separate floor to live and train comfortably.

Reaching the topmost floor, for a moment, she felt like knocking on the door and bidding him farewell in person. From what she has heard from the future Carlson, her friend has always been there for her in times of need and also did his best to protect her.

Catherine realised Carlson's feelings a little while back, and she respects how, despite harbouring romantic feelings for her, he never pushed her into a corner and made her decide. Until the very end, Carlson was the person who cried on Catherine's death the most.

One can get such a friend by accumulating several lifetimes worth of good deeds.

...however, meeting Carlson before leaving was not an option. She knew him very well, and knowing him, Catherine was sure that he wouldn't let her leave. He would try to figure out alternatives and that might jeopardize the whole thing.

That's why,

*Slide*

Sliding the letter from the thin gap under the door, she turned on her heels and began to descend the stairs

This was for the best.

Catherine intended on leaving right away since staying in the Academy for long would be disastrous. The soldiers from the capital were marching around all the time and sensing suspicious activities would urge them to follow her.

That's why she was about to leap away...when suddenly, a voice called out, "So you finally decided to elope."

This voice was familiar that's why Catherine didn't attack the person right away.

"Charlotte." Slowly turning toward the source of voice, she found the familiar brunette standing there with her arms crossed.

"Came here to say good bye?" She asked; clearly having no intention of alarming the guards or attacking Catherine.

However, the Saintess didn't drop her guard as she responded, "How do you know?"

"Because I am aware of the fact that you meet Blake secretly. And not only me but Carlson also knows it."

Catherine was stunned, speechless even. She couldn't believe her excessive caution was pointless. They were able to figure that she snuck out in the dark to meet Blake...then which means others might have as well...

"Don't worry, only the two of us knew, "Charlotte added; somehow, she was able to read Catherine. Heaving a sigh she added, "I admire you for making such a strong decision...and quite thankful."

"Thankful?" Catherine wondered.

Charlotte offered a beaming smile with her eyes turning crescent as she replied, "Yup~now that you are out of the way, I can somehow seduce Carlson and make him mine. So yeah, thank you."

Catherine smiled fondly at the girl. This was the first time Charlotte wasn't talking to her with hostile intentions, and this time, Charlotte was honestly smiling without any hidden meaning.

Leaving some words, Catherine dashed away.

"Best of luck."

Charlotte traced Catherine's fading back as she uttered under her breath, "You too..."

*******

[Ding!]

[FnF system update!]

[Forgiveness from:

[Catherine Riverdale: 100/100]

[Charlotte: 100/100]

[Ding!]

[Two new skills are unlocked!]

[Ding!]

[Seven items added to Inventory!]

[Ding!]

[Inventory function is now unlocked!]

[Ding!]

[Several sentinel weapons are asking for Host's permission to get Linked!]

The barrage of notifications nearly made him dizzy as Blake, in slight surprise, stared at the forgiveness meter.

...just what in the world happened for Charlotte to forgive him out of the blue?

But for now, he was more invested in the familiar sensation he was receiving from the weapons stored in the inventory.

Those weapons he crafted with his own hands. The ingredients he collected by himself, killing numerous beasts for their soul core, gathering rare and priceless materials to build them.

His babies were back to him!

"Ah...I can die now in peace."

"W-What?!" Hearing Catherine's cry, Blake was startled as he turned to look at her and instantly comforted her,

"It's not what you think it is. I was just so happy while thinking about our future, that I felt I had no regrets."

Catherine smiled warmly and drew closer before she gestured for him to lean towards her.

Blake did before, very sweetly, Catherine whispered, "Sir Blake, you are awful at lying."

"..."

Catherine shook her head before asking, "Shall we go?"

Raising her hand in his direction she asked with slight nervousness.

Blake smiled warmly at her before firmly holding her hand and saying, "Let's go."

The journey of the two love birds began!

********

The news of the Saintess' disappearance spread like wildfire. The whole Academy was shut down after it was discovered that Saintess was absent from her room and nowhere else to find as well.

The search team that came to locate Blake was now searching for Catherine all over the academy and also around the forest. The nearby city checkposts have been informed that the Saintess is missing, and the possible kidnapper was a lanky black-haired teenager who goes by the name Blake.

People already knew that Blake was obsessed with Catherine that's why he kidnapped her the last time, so believing that he repeated his past crime wasn't a big deal.

Every room and corner of the Academy was being searched. However, no traces of hers were found.

Under such an alarming situation, the Emperor arrived at the Academy on the same day and summoned Carlson to the Headmaster's office.

"I can't believe that you, the closest ally of the Saintess don't know anything about her disappearance." The Prime Minster spat; accusing the redhead teenager in front.

Inside the office, other than Carlson, there were four men. And all of them believed what the Prime Minister declared.

Carlson, with his hands behind his back, retained his stance and replied, "As I said before, I have no idea where she went. I got no clue about her whereabouts." His tone contained no pause and held utmost certainty.

The Prime Minister gritted his teeth but before he could have said something else, the Emperor raised his hand and stopped him.

"Fine...if the warrior doesn't want to disclose the information, then we shall ask the entity who always has her eyes on the Saintess.".

A chill ran down Carlson's spine hearing that as he looked at the Emperor in disbelief.

With a thin smirk twisting his lips, the  emperor announced, "Call the Pope. We need the assistance of the Goddess."

********

A/N:- Fuck ya all! Let them enjoy their life now!

Ugh.