Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 216

The day after I returned from the underworld, I stopped by Elena’s Monster Purification Club.

I wasn't there to participate in the society’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠activities, but rather to deliver information regarding monsters at Elena’s personal request.

Light fractured as it streamed through the colorful stained-glass windows of Elena’s office. I pulled a file from my bag and set it on her table.

"Here is the data you asked for. It includes habitat information for the Cyclops and twenty-four other species."

Elena opened the file, scanned it briefly, and then gently pushed it aside.

"Thank you, as always. This is a massive help. Monster movements have been unusual lately."

"I’ve heard that requests for monster subjugation have increased."

"Don't even get me started. It’s exhausting," Elena said, waving her hand as if she were completely fed up.

A letter had arrived from the Devalis main estate not long ago, declaring a state of emergency due to the monsters appearing beyond the walls. There was even talk that it would have been a disaster if we hadn't destroyed the Black Moth habitat in advance.

Lately, these strange monster movements had been observed across the entire continent. Not only had the frequency of their appearances spiked, but their ferocity had also intensified, leading to rising casualties everywhere.

While large, well-policed cities and territories were faring well enough, the damage to small villages in mountainous regions was reportedly severe.

"Several dioceses are in an uproar. We don't have enough Holy Knights to fight the monsters, and we're short on priests to heal the injured. It looks like they're even planning to deploy apprentice priests and Holy Knights from Seintea once the vacation starts."

"The situation sounds serious."

Listening to Elena’s explanation, I fell into thought.

The quickening of the Twelve Honored Ones.

This would naturally lead to their familiars—the monsters—running rampant. Their reproductive rates would soar, and their demonic nature would strengthen, making them even more ferocious.

We had been attacked by monsters quite a few times during our journey back to the Union after summer vacation, but it seemed the situation had grown even more dire since then.

This is happening much faster than I thought.

This kind of monster rampage was a phenomenon that should have appeared much later in the story. I might have less time left than I’d anticipated.

"I hope the damage to your kingdom is minimal. I should get going now."

As I gathered my things to leave, Elena suddenly stopped me.

"Are you really that busy? Why don't you stay a little longer since you're already here? I have a request for you, too."

"A request?"

"Yes. It seems I'll have to form a 'pair' next year," Elena began, fiddling with a lock of her wavy blonde hair.

A "pair" was part of Seintea’s grading system, where an apprentice Holy Knight and an apprentice priest teamed up. Until now, however, Elena had always worked alone.

What’s with the sudden change of heart?

As if reading my expression, Elena added an explanation.

"As you know, I plan to serve another term as Student Council President. Continuing in this role will take up a lot of my personal time, and I don't think I can maintain my grades as things stand."

Without a partner, Elena was at a disadvantage in many aspects of her grading. Thanks to her overwhelming aptitude for divine power and her extensive knowledge, she had managed to maintain her position at the top of her class, but it would be difficult to keep that up while serving another year as president.

She was looking to form a pair to mitigate the academic penalties. I understood the situation, but a question remained: bringing this up to me surely meant she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was nominating me as her partner.

"Then why not do it with Adler?"

Adler, Elena’s loyal subordinate, seemed like the most logical choice.

"Unfortunately, that’s not possible since we’re the same gender. And besides, there’s no one better for a partner than you."

"What are you talking about? I’m not a Seintea student, nor am I a Holy Knight."

"I know. But you’re the Union Student Council President, aren't you? And you’re also affiliated with Eredor and will soon be the president of Valerian Academy."

"..."

"That means you could also enroll at Seintea. Right?"

Elena’s lips curved into a smile. At a glance, it was a bright, cheerful expression, but right now, it looked a little sly.

As Elena said, unlike a regular student, I could choose to belong to no academy or to all of them if I wished. On paper, I was already affiliated with Eredor and planned to enroll at Valerian Academy as well. It was one of the few privileges of the Union Student Council.

"But why go to such lengths?"

Whether or not I could even form a pair with her was one thing; I was more curious about her motive.

"Because pairing up with a student from a specific diocese or under a certain Cardinal could cause political problems. When I looked for candidates outside of Seintea, you were the only one."

"Hmm."

It seemed my special position as the Union Student Council President and my status as a son of the Devalis family were proving useful in these various political situations.

"Just having your name on the documents is fine. What’s important is the administrative process. I promise it won't cause you any trouble."

"..."

Elena pressed her case, rattling off various excuses. Somehow, it felt like everything else was just a pretext, and what I was sensing was her fierce determination to become my partner.

I briefly recalled the terms of engagement Freya had proposed, then shook my head.

It’s official business, so it should be fine.

I might even be able to ask Elena for her cooperation on this matter later. I could think of it as putting her in my debt.

I sighed and decided to grant her request.

"Alright. You handle the rest."

"Heehee, thank you! Then please sign here~"

As if she’d been waiting for that exact moment, Elena produced several documents. I wrote my name on a few forms, including the Seintea enrollment consent form.

As I signed, Elena rested her chin on her hand, staring intently at me. The gaze was a little unnerving, so I scratched my cheek.

"Is there something on my face?"

In response, Elena simply gave a bashful smile.

*

After meeting with Elena, I returned to my workshop and contacted the three dwarf brothers.

They were in the middle of building the automated production system for the carbonated water makers. Once the facility was complete, dozens of machines would be produced daily and shipped across the continent.

In addition, they had begun the task of transplanting the next-generation cores—perfected using the Sage’s Glasses—into the Union’s automated golems. This was part of the effort to strengthen the Union’s security amidst the rapidly changing continental situation.

Not long ago, the Chairman himself had visited the workshop and highly praised the development of the next-generation core. When he asked why I hadn't presented it at the academic conference, I just vaguely replied that the technology was still incomplete.

After looking around the workshop, I gifted the dwarves their usual alcohol and snacks, then returned to my own workspace to begin manufacturing the magic armor.

After several months of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠work, the process was in its final stages. Thanks to the [Sage’s Glasses], I no longer needed much of Meyer’s help.

Szzzzzle—!

Sparks flew in every direction with a sharp, hissing sound. I don't know how much time passed before I finished welding and pulled off my protective mask.

"Hoo."

Clank—.

A large suit of steel armor hung from a chain. The basic drive system and synchronization with the Mana Heart were complete. All that was left was to process the outer shell and engrave the magic circles.

Once this magic armor was finished, my combat power would increase exponentially, even without using my demon form.

After finishing the welding, I checked the clock and saw that it was well past dinnertime. When I went upstairs after a busy day, Ciel was there to greet me.

After a warm shower and dinner, I lay down on the sofa, put on the phonograph, and listened to music before ending my exhausting day. I was so busy lately that I cherished these rare moments of leisure.

As I lay there, still as a mouse, enjoying the beautiful melody filling the room—

Knock, knock—.

"Lord Roen, a message from Professor Zimmer."

Ciel entered, holding a letter. I lifted the phonograph needle and took the letter to read its contents. My expression soon soured.

"...It seems things aren't going smoothly."

The Second Prince’s faction in the Gilbert Kingdom, which was currently receiving my support, was struggling. They had tried to build their power to stand against the Royal Faction—which committed heinous acts under the pretext of punishing heretics—and the First Prince’s faction led by Jeremy, but it was proving to be no easy task.

According to the letter, King Gilbert’s tyranny was worsening by the day. With Egil, Zimmer’s brother and the Captain of the Royal Guard, at the center of it, they were massacring innocent citizens and openly eliminating political enemies.

I folded the letter and sank into thought.

This wasn't in the original game.

The knight kingdom of Gilbert had always been an allied faction on the player’s side. But watching the situation unfold, it seemed that demonic forces had already infiltrated deep into the kingdom. The fact that King Kaim of Gilbert hadn't participated in the recent academy festival was another clue.

Something smelled very suspicious.

Did Jeremy create his own faction and use the merchant guilds to line his own pockets because he knew about this situation?

It might have been a measure for self-preservation—a way to survive in the Gilbert Kingdom.

I handed the letter back to Ciel and said, "I understand the situation. Tell them not to try to expand their forces recklessly, but to hide carefully."

I gave a few more instructions before concluding.

"Understood. Then, please have a good night."

Ciel was about to leave the room after her farewell. I watched her familiar back for a moment, then quietly called out to her.

"Ciel."

The atmosphere was different from usual, and Ciel stopped dead in her tracks.

"..."

A strange silence filled the room. In a calm voice, I said, "I have a few things to ask you."

The reason I had stopped her was to ask a few vital questions.

Another question that arose from reading through Roen’s diary.

According to its contents, many of Roen’s past actions were things he could never have accomplished alone. Subjugating numerous half-demons, for one, and secretly providing financial compensation to the villagers, for another.

There had to be an accomplice—a trustworthy person with whom he could share his secrets. And for Roen, there was only one such person. His maid, Ciel, who was with him through thick and thin.

In the game, Roen was indeed always accompanied by Ciel.

That meant Ciel must have been with him for all the deeds recorded in the diary. As someone who moved like Roen’s own hands and feet, she had to know something.

As I asked in a serious tone, Ciel stood by the door, a hint of evasion in her posture.

"It is very late. If you have something to say, perhaps tomorrow..."

"You're aware that I lost some of my memories in an accident, right?"

Shhhk—.

I cut Ciel off and took out the diary I kept in my drawer.

"Fortunately or unfortunately, I recently found a diary I used to keep. It contains a record of my past deeds."

Ciel turned her head slightly to look at the diary. My gaze hardened as I asked her, "Ciel, do you know... the reason why the past me did all these things?"

Ciel might be able to answer why Roen secretly shouldered such evil karma. Why did he save the village even while being framed as a murderer, and why did he create such infamy with his own hands? And why did he never offer any explanation, never try to escape that infamy, but simply record it all secretly in a diary?

I hoped to find the answer through her.

Ciel stood frozen in place. As I waited silently for her answer, she bit her lower lip and broke the long silence.

"That... is what I have always wanted to ask you."

She turned her body to face me directly. Ciel’s deep eyes shone in the darkness. Her voice trembled as she continued.

"Why you cultivated your own infamy and shouldered that wicked karma. Why you bore it all alone and continued to be hurt. Why you kept it all a secret and swallowed your sorrow. I have always wondered, too. But—"

Ciel’s voice, which had been growing more agitated, quieted down again.

"You never once told me the reason. Whenever I asked, you would only give a bitter smile."

Ciel looked at the diary in my hand with sad eyes.

"I believed that you would one day tell me the reason... but now that you've lost your memories, I suppose it will be difficult to hear that answer."

She lowered her head with a small sigh. The long-suppressed emotions in her trembling voice were conveyed in their entirety.

As I suspected, she had followed Roen’s orders and done many things by his side, but it seemed she was never able to hear his true intentions. She could only watch in silence as Roen was hurt and scorned by others.

I couldn't begin to imagine how Ciel must have felt, being closest to him yet unable to do anything. Perhaps Ciel’s sharp tongue was a mental wall to keep a certain distance from those feelings—a minimal form of rebellion.

Amidst the heavy silence, Ciel looked up at me again.

"Still... I like the vibrant and confident Lord Roen of today. Because the you of the past... always looked as if you were about to cry."

Roen, who lived as a villain in front of others, but tried his best to smile in front of Ciel. And yet, it seemed Ciel could see the sadness ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠behind that smile.

After listening to her for a long while, I closed my eyes with a deep sigh.

"I see."

Ciel was saying that despite being with Roen for so long, she knew nothing of his true intentions. There were many ways to find out if Ciel was telling the truth or not. I had a ring crafted from a stone of truth, and I had Kavelthar, who could read memories.

But.

There’s no need for that.

Just as Ciel had trusted and followed Roen for so long, I should repay that trust. I believed in her sincerity.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, Ciel. You may go now."

"..."

Even though I had given her permission to leave, she remained in place, her fists clenched tightly as if she still had something left to say. I added one more thing for her.

"Thank you."

"...!"

"Ciel. I wouldn't have been able to endure it without you."

This was a word of thanks to Ciel from the Roen of the past, and from the me of today. The Roen of the past must have relied on Ciel, his only confidante, as his pillar of support.

The same went for me. Ciel had always been by my side as I possessed this body and resolved many issues. Without her dedication, I would not have been able to achieve such results.

Therefore, this was the least I, who had stolen Roen’s body, could do to console her.

"..."

Ciel finally unclenched her fists, bowed, and left.

"Yes. Then, I wish you a good night."

Click—.

Ciel closed the door and departed. I stared at the closed door for a moment before heading to bed. Despite Ciel’s well wishes, it was a night where sleep was hard to find, my mind filled with too many thoughts.

*

The end of the year arrived along with the sharply colder weather.

When the Student Council Presidents of the Four Great Academies announced their intentions to run for another term, no other candidates came forward. Who would even think of competing against those four and winning?

In the end, Freya, Kiriel, Elena, and Beatrice successfully secured their second terms.

No one ran in the Union Student Council President election either. However, unlike the previous cases, this was probably because it was a position no one would take even if it were handed to them.

So, instead of a vote, only a satisfaction survey was conducted. My approval rating sat at around 35 percent. It was a mediocre number, but considering my approval rating used to be in the single digits, I was deeply moved. My efforts to improve my image had paid off.

I analyzed it as the result of successfully hosting the sports festival and the academy festival, and of expanding the tram lines to win the favor of the small and medium-sized academies.

And so, the five of us smoothly secured our reelections.

Soon, winter vacation arrived.

This winter break, instead of returning to my family home, I decided to go to the Cassandra Empire. I had business at the Magic Tower related to the diary, and I also needed to check on the store that had opened in the Empire. Furthermore, I needed to figure out the Emperor’s intentions for deciding to invest in Valerian Academy.

Above all, Beatrice herself had invited me, so I couldn't refuse.

"Checking seatbelts."

Ciel and I boarded the high-speed airship that Beatrice used. Beatrice’s confidante, Yuliana, was also on board, along with Bell and Trish, who would be joining the Magic Tower tour.

The time had finally come to use the Magic Tower tour ticket I had received from the Chairman.

"Let’s go. To the Magic Tower."

I tapped the driver’s seat and ordered our departure, but the driver, with a perplexed expression, looked to Beatrice.

"Your Highness, shall we depart?"

Beatrice let out a small sigh and nodded to the driver.

"...Yes, let’s go."