The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

[Dear Carl,

I am leaving. I know it would sound absurd, but I think now I am sure what I want the most in my life.

I want to be with Blake.

I have thought this through and I know I won't regret this later. I didn't know when but Blake became a very important person to me...to the point I no longer can live without him.

In a few months, when everything settles down, I will be back. I promise you. So until then, please take care of yourself and don't do anything stupid to make me angry.

—Catherine.]

Reading the letter for the nth time, Carlson sighed. He found this letter at his doorstep in the morning and upon reading it, for a moment, he felt the urge to go and look for Catherine and Blake.

He had the strength to cover long distances within seconds, and within his knowledge,e, he could easily detect Catherine's presence even in a crowd.

But in the end, he chose not to.

He was no stubborn lover to chase after a girl who clearly loved someone else. And to an extreme extent.

Carlson remembered how Catherine always gave her duties and church her utmost attention and concern. And to think that Catherine abandoned them to be with Blake...it signifies her firm determination to be with him.

And knowing it all, Carlson would be nothing but an idiot and backstabber to chase her down. That's why he also didn't disclose the information regarding the letter to the Principal.

"Feeling heartbroken?" Hearing Charlotte's voice, he didn't have the strength to scoff. He just...admitted it,

"Yep.....feeling a little low. Never thought she would leave without even meeting me once." Carlson uttered honestly, letting his grief resonate with his words.

Charlotte, with a more sober expression after hearing him, sat down beside Carlson on the stairs. She could understand how he must be feeling. Having your love stolen away from you—a very familiar feeling to which Charlotte could relate.

However, now she had a chance to claim what she desired.

Slowly bringing her head to rest it over his shoulder, she asked, "Don't you think it's romantic to just stop caring about the world and live with your loved one?"

Carlson raised his brows in surprise, "You are impressed by something that Blake did? That's something new."

Charlotte scoffed, "Knowing him, I thought he could only kidnap someone. However, from Catherine's recent behaviour, I have a feeling that it must be her who suggested eloping."

"True...Catherine was just head over heels for him." His voice dripped with grief but he forced himself to smile.

Charlotte could no longer bear to see him like this so she suggested, "Let's go hunting."

"Hunting? That's the only way you know to repel someone's sorrow?" Carlson joked.

Charlotte pouted and hit his shin with her knuckles, making Carlson wince for real.

"Don't blame me! I have lived my whole life with adventurers and my friends are hunters. Sorry for not being a gentle lady like Catherine, but in my books hunting is the best recreational activity!" Charlotte rose from her seat and stated these words with her hands resting over her waist.

Carlson chuckled seeing her antics. Despite how many people come and go in his life, this girl never changes.

Holding her hand and dragging her along he said, "Let's go."

************

Blake had planned his escape route. Leaving through city roads was not ever in his options, considering that every checkpost must have been informed by now.

The Emperor was being manipulated by the deities themselves so there was no point in trusting the authorities anymore.

They want Catherine beside Carlson and Blake inside a cell.

The four sides of the school were covered with forest, and beyond that came the trade centre. The perfect place to blend in the hustle.

Blake didn't pick the same route as before since the last time he got caught by the battalion and Carlson while returning.

Thankfully, as much as she looked, Catherine wasn't a delicate girl with fragile stamina. She was a renowned Saintess who had gone on numerous adventures with her friends.

They had sufficient food to eat and other supplies, but because they had to remain hidden, Blake suggested they move at night. During the day they mostly remained on alert and slept turn by turn.

It was one of those nights when Blake and Catherine were moving toward the east, where the trade centre was situated. All of a sudden, something made Catherine stop and the luminescent orb around them disappeared.

Blake instantly lit up the flame torch before nearing her and asking, "What happened?"

Catherine looked pale. Her breathing was ragged and sweat poured down her face at a rapid pace.

Blake grew worried before he began to check if something had bitten her, but suddenly Catherine held his hand and informed him,

"T-The Goddess...she located me through the blessing."

Blake took a deep breath, before putting his hand over her shoulder, "So she traced us, right?"

Catherine was shocked, "Why are you so relaxed?! We need to run away!"

She grabbed his wrist and pulled him, but Blake halted himself and asked her, "Will that make any difference? We will go somewhere else and they will find us there as well."

Catherine was in a great panic as she nearly shouted at him, "Then what should we do?! Surrender? That can't be possible. They will put you in jail, and I won't-"

"Catherine, relax." Blake chanted slowly and firmly. His hand gripped hers as he took several deep breaths and Catherine mimicked him.

After she somehow calmed down, he told her, "We need to remove your blessings. And because we are far away from any checkpost it would take them at least an hour to reach here."

Catherine's eyes widened hearing and her face began to boil up in embarrassment.

Slowly she uttered, "B-Blake...do you know how to remove my blessing?"

Blake blinked before shaking his head.

Catherine gulped before she tiptoed and whispered in his ear, "We need to c-c-co

pulate."

"...."

**********

A/N:- Lessssssssgooooooooo! That's what I am talking about!