Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Half
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A sweltering space thick with scorching heat that went beyond mere warmth.
Everywhere she looked, flames devoured everything in sight, or things already ablaze filled her vision.
If hell existed, this might just be it.
The chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves, the cries of insects.
All of it had vanished.
What remained was the agonizing screams echoing from a short distance away, and...
"H-Hot..."
"Just... just hold on a little longer. They'll figure something out from outside."
"How much longer do you think we can last?"
Only cadets teetering on the brink of destruction.
They scraped together hopeful words as best they could, but the scene before their eyes offered no such hope.
Beyond the hastily conjured barrier, flames roared fiercely, and the barrier failed to block the heat entirely, turning the inside into a sweltering sauna.
Their minds grew hazy from the blaze, and their sweat-soaked bodies felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton.
No way to gauge how much time had passed.
How did things end up like this?
The woman, propping herself up on her elbows and gasping for breath, replayed the recent events in her mind.
It had started with simple curiosity.
A casual question at the makeshift infirmary after a slight ankle sprain: Do you know the red-haired cadet?
How could she not be curious? Especially when the one asking brushed it off ambiguously.
Already bored out of her mind, she thought it was perfect timing. Returning to her sector, she immediately sought out the 'red-haired' cadet.
Finding her wasn't hard.
She'd probably be slumped under a tree, claiming fatigue in no time.
And sure enough, her guess was spot on—a red-haired cadet sat beneath a massive tree.
'...Not just an excuse, then?'
Unlike when she'd left earlier, her face was crumpled in pain, looking ready to explode at any moment.
Touching her might lead to trouble, the thought flickered through her mind.
But curiosity outweighed it.
The 'school nurse' who'd been the talk of all sorts of rumors was looking for her, after all.
How could she resist?
For someone starved of excitement, nothing could be more intriguing.
Still, those narrowed red eyes were a bit intimidating.
So she approached the red-haired cadet with another cadet she was somewhat close to.
No intent to threaten or bully as a group.
Just curiosity about why the nurse was looking for her.
"...What."
But hearing that prickly voice laced with wariness soured her mood.
Why the fuss just for approaching?
No wonder she keeps wandering alone.
The minor grievance turned to sarcasm, and the red-haired cadet, unable to contain her fiery temper or the rising pain in her body, went along with it.
That's when the anomaly struck.
"G- Gah—urk!?"
"Wh-What's this all of a sudden?"
The red-haired cadet, veins bulging in her neck as she yelled, let out a guttural cry of pain before collapsing like a puppet with cut strings.
Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
In that frozen moment of shock...
Flames erupted from the fallen cadet's body.
That's when the peaceful forest began transforming into hell.
The rising inferno swallowed its surroundings, gaining momentum.
Those standing before the red-haired cadet managed to shield themselves just in time, avoiding becoming fuel for the fire.
But by the time they regained their senses, flames raged on all sides.
...Leaving them trapped, waiting for rescue.
Replaying it all, the woman still felt unjustly wronged.
What did I do wrong to deserve this?
Tears welled up from the frustration.
As the gloom spread, the transparent barrier enveloping them wavered.
Are we really going to die here?
The shadow of death loomed.
I don't want to die—anyone, please help us...
She'd even welcome the hand of the fallen demons if it meant salvation.
But only the crackle of flames and her companions' sobs filled the air.
In that instant.
"Oh my god..."
A familiar voice whispered softly.
A voice she recognized.
'This voice...?'
At first, she thought the heat was causing hallucinations. Having seen her wield water and water spirits, it seemed plausible.
Blinking her dry eyes and looking around...
"Huh?"
"A person...?"
"How...?"
An unbelievable sight unfolded.
Silver hair, radiating a gentle warmth, fluttered wildly.
A figure whose ample curves seemed to jiggle with each step approached slowly.
Finally drawing near, she spoke.
"Wow, is this magic too? Amazing. Oh, is everyone okay?"
The approaching figure—Iris—muttered something, and cool streams of water poured down from beyond the barrier.
The cadets inside felt their bodies cooling and nodded dazedly.
The unrelenting flames were pushed back by transparent waves, unable to be fully extinguished but at least dissipating the surrounding heat.
And that was enough.
The cadets—the girls—trapped within the barrier.
Gazed at Iris with dreamy expressions.
Receiving those looks, Iris scratched her cheek awkwardly and murmured softly.
"I'll fix this right away, so just wait a moment, okay?"
"Y-Yeah..."
"Sure..."
...They look like they're under hypnosis.
Feeling burdened by the strangely hot, sticky gazes for some reason, Iris pressed on toward the source amid El's chattering in her mind.
Only then could she lay eyes on the red-haired cadet she'd been searching for since last night.
...What a strange feeling.
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The red-haired cadet she'd been hunting down yesterday and today was right before her eyes.
Her condition couldn't even charitably be called good.
From the girl sprawled on the ground came horrific screams conveying unimaginable agony.
And the even more disconcerting part?
Her hands clawing desperately at the earth didn't look human.
...Not human, then?
In this world, it might not be all that surprising.
There were elves, beastkin—surely lizard... beastkin existed too?
A large, limp tail was visible, suggesting she was some kind of beastkin.
And the flames that had turned the area into a hellscape were spewing from her body.
Whether intentional or not, her evident suffering suggested otherwise.
- Why are you just standing there gawking? Hurry and get closer. Leave her like this, and she'll lose her life soon.
"...That bad?"
Hesitating slightly at the ferocious sight, El sighed and continued her explanation.
- The girl's power is running rampant; she can't control it. Likely her heart's surging energy is beyond her grasp.
Even so, it was hard to fully comprehend.
But one thing was clear.
If she didn't approach now, the red-haired cadet would meet the same fate as those described in game text.
She'd crossed a pillar of fire already—no need for fear now.
As she cautiously drew near, a question arose.
El seemed unusually concerned for the girl's life.
"Do you know her?"
- Hm? Well... is that a question?
"...Never mind."
...Her image as an inscrutable spirit solidified.
Well, with a title like queen, some whimsy was expected.
Capriciousness...?
Or did she sense Iris wanted to save the girl?
She hoped for the latter.
Meanwhile.
"Urk... kgh... I-It hurts... sob..."
Iris had arrived before the girl.
Thanks to El's barrier, it wasn't hot, but the girl's pain was clearly far from ordinary.
"...You okay?"
"Grk... kh..."
Expecting a proper reply was greedy, apparently.
Shaking her head inwardly, Iris asked El.
"What now?"
- Sit comfortably and lay her head on your lap.
"Uh... so."
A lap pillow, then.
Following the instructions, Iris plopped down unceremoniously and lifted the red-haired cadet's head onto her thigh.
...Hard to see her face with these breasts in the way.
But up close, a faint, lukewarm warmth emanated.
- Now place your hand on her chest. But first, a question for you, contractor.
"What?"
After a pause, El asked unusually cautiously.
- Are you sure you want to help her?
"..."
What.
Spirit or ghost? Shaman, maybe?
Or had she noticed Iris's inner turmoil?
In any case, an eerily perceptive being.
She had hesitated, true.
But backing out now? No—the decision was made the moment she passed through those flames.
"Why ask that? That's why I'm here."
- Fufu. Right, of course. Then let's begin. I'm looking forward to the price.
...That sounds ominous.
El's following words sent chills down her spine.
- What price to calm a half-dragon heart? You might want to think it over carefully.
Pardon?
"W-Wait a sec."
- Hurry! Place your hand on her chest—delay further, and she'll cross the point of no return.
With a bitter resolve, Iris had no choice but to lay her hand on the girl's chest.
She'd come because letting someone die felt wrong.
...But this felt like it would tangle her in far more than expected.
A story diverging wildly from the game she knew.
The premonition hit hard.
But there was no turning back.
This wasn't a game anymore.