TLVGAJ 38

~Chapter 38~

[This stop is Roma. Departure in six hours.]

The announcement echoed through the train — a sound I hadn’t heard in a while.

The lively, noisy ball had ended, and people were preparing to disembark in line with the announcement.

I looked out the window. Bright sunlight shone on the platform.

…Since we’d left Sinks, maybe the weather had gotten a little warmer?

Honestly, I wasn’t feeling great. After fainting twice, I’d been forced to face my illness — and earlier, I had coldly pushed the male leads away.

It felt like my travel plans had gone off course ever since meeting them.

Still, the sunlight outside lifted my mood a little.

Alright… let’s go.

The train doors opened.

As I stepped onto the platform with Sophie and Deon—

“My lady!”

It was Finn’s voice.

Looking over, I saw Harry and Finn waving from a distance.

…Oh, right.

I’d completely forgotten.

I had agreed to travel with Harry and Finn at this destination.

A small sigh escaped me.

A promise was a promise, so I had to keep it… but honestly, I didn’t feel as glad to see them now.

The two, unaware of anything, approached with bright smiles.

“My lady, we’ve been waiting. Did you enjoy the ball?”

“Well… yes. It ended well.”

“That’s good. We enjoyed ourselves, too. Finn has been looking forward to traveling with you.”

“I see…”

“Shall we go, then?”

Harry smiled politely and gestured toward the station exit.

I watched their backs as they walked ahead, then called out:

“Harry.”

“…Yes?”

He turned back, curious.

I hesitated, but decided it was better to say it now.

“Since we already agreed for today, we’ll travel together… but from now on, I’d rather we didn’t.”

“…What?”

Finn reacted first, tilting his head with wide, innocent eyes.

Harry, looking surprised, spoke next:

“I see… it must be because of our status. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable, my lady.”

“No, that’s not it.” I quickly shook my head.

“Then why…? Why are you avoiding my brother and me, my lady?” Finn’s voice trembled.

Looking down, I saw his eyes glistening like he might cry any second.

I sighed.

I couldn’t bring myself to be cold to Finn.

I forced a small smile, crouching down to his level.

“Finn, the truth is… I can’t travel with others.”

“Why?”

“Well… because I have to save the world!”

Sorry, female lead Emily — I’m borrowing your backstory for now.

“So I need to avoid talking to people too much and focus on my training. This trip is part of that training.”

“Wow, really?”

Finn’s eyes widened. He seemed to believe me completely.

“I see! That’s why. You’re a hero, my lady!”

“Exactly. But it’s a secret, so don’t tell anyone, alright?”

“Yes! I promise!”

I whispered playfully, and he nodded seriously.

I could tell Harry and Finn the truth about my limited time…

But I didn’t want to tell Finn — a boy who also had little time left — that I was the same.

It felt too cruel.

“Then we should travel separately next time. You have to save the world, after all.”

“Thank you for understanding, Finn.”

I patted his head with a smile.

I felt a little proud — I’d protected a child’s innocence.

“Alright, shall we start our trip for today?”

I took Finn’s small hand, grinning.

Finn nodded eagerly.

Harry, however, watched me with an unreadable expression.

Roma.

A familiar name — it existed in my previous life, too.

It was one of the places I’d wanted to visit before, and one I’d been most curious about when I saw the train map here.

I wonder… is this Roma the same as the one I knew?

And then—

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help my awe as I stared at the huge round stadium.

“That’s the Colosseum,” Harry explained. “It’s the most famous place in Roma.”

I gazed at the enormous structure with a strange sense of emotion.

This… it’s exactly like the Roma from my previous life.

Did the author run out of ideas for setting?

It almost felt like I’d returned to my old world — standing before the Colosseum I’d only ever seen in photos.

The fun part was—

“Oh, there’s a gladiator match today,” Harry said.

This Colosseum was still actively used.

Unlike the ruins I’d seen in pictures before, this one was clean and well-kept.

“There’s no entrance fee. Would you like to take a look?”

“Let’s go! I want to see!” Finn said excitedly, looking up at me with shining eyes.

I found myself nodding like him, my excitement growing.

This was an experience I could never have in my previous life.

For the first time, I thought it wasn’t so bad to have been reincarnated here.

I entered the Colosseum with Finn, full of anticipation.

We had to climb quite a few stairs to reach the upper spectator levels.

When we arrived and I looked around, the massive interior and the sea of spectators took my breath away.

“Wow…”

I’d heard it was big, but seeing it in person was overwhelming.

“They say the Colosseum can hold about fifty thousand people,” Sophie said. “Isn’t that incredible?”

“Yes…” I nodded absently, amazed that such a structure existed in this era.

Then a huge cheer erupted — the match was starting.

“There, the gladiators are coming out,” Harry pointed.

Sure enough, men with swords and shields stepped onto the arena.

“Brother, I want to see too.”

“Alright, hold on.” Harry lifted Finn so he could watch better.

We quickly became absorbed in the match. Even from this height, we could still see the fighters.

With every clash of swords, the crowd’s cheers grew louder.

Many seemed to have bets placed, shouting their support.

Boom, boom.

The sound was so powerful it felt like it echoed in my chest—

“…Oh?”

I let out a startled sound, realizing something.