Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Episode 116
Immediately after being released from the disciplinary committee, Eleanor headed for her dormitory.
Just by interrupting the two's lovey-dovey affair, her mission for the day was complete.
"I'm back, Baekyang. Hasn't Lucia returned yet?"
"Nooo."
"Where on earth is she wandering around? She was definitely here just yesterday, wasn't she?"
Eleanor grumbled as she threw herself onto the common sofa in the dorm.
There was something important to discuss. She had even told her in advance that they needed to talk.
But she just couldn't seem to schedule a time with Lucia.
"By the way, where are Marie and Ulla? I'm sure I called for them too."
"Marie is over there-ooo."
"Ehehe... Noah, hello."
"Baekyang, did you give her alcohol again?"
Eleanor looked down at Marie, who was crawling out from under the sofa, with a cold gaze and nagged Baekyang.
"If I told them to wait, isn't it their fault for not coming by this time-ooo? I was so bored I couldn't stand it-ooo."
"Hmm... I'll give you that. I was just going to check the situation and come back, but then the Saintess crossed the line, you know?"
"I'm pretty sure it was you who crossed the line, Noah-ooo."
Baekyang hit the nail on the head.
She knew Eleanor's usual tendencies well, so she judged that this incident was also highly likely to be her one-sided lie.
"The Saintess... scary... hurts..."
Meanwhile, Marie, at the mention of Arietta, seemed to recall the events of the final exams and, terrified, began to slowly crawl back under the sofa as if to escape.
"Like a cockroach."
"...Noah, you shouldn't say things like that, no matter what."
That was just too harsh.
Baekyang shuddered at the cruelty of Eleanor's tongue. If Marie had been sober, she would have undoubtedly been deeply hurt.
"Haa..."
Eleanor let out a deep sigh, unfazed by Baekyang's criticism. The timing was off.
"Why is she only busy at times like this?"
She had experienced a lot during the summer vacation. Taking a step closer to her own origins, she had gained courage.
She now wanted to be accepted by her precious people for her true self, not a false one.
After escaping Chrysos, countless accusations had pushed her into fear, but it was okay now.
Because she knew that even if the whole world betrayed her, there was at least one person who would not.
"I have something important to talk about..."
Eleanor kicked her feet on the sofa, feigning disappointment.
Meanwhile, Baekyang's eyes as she watched Eleanor were cold.
She knew. Anyone who wasn't as simple-minded as Marie could clearly see the mood Eleanor was giving off.
No, from the beginning, Eleanor was so suspicious it was as if she had no intention of hiding anything. The only people who stayed by her side were those with their own motives, or those who didn't care regardless.
Or just the simple ones.
'Well, I guess that's why she'd rather avoid facing her...'
Eleanor was easy to read.
Anyone who spent time near her could notice that she was hiding something.
Then what about the opposite?
What if she tried to reveal her true self from behind those lies?
'I knew this would happen...'
A relationship built on lies.
That relationship could shatter at any moment like a fragile glass bead.
It's just that she hadn't expected the one to initiate it would be Eleanor.
Baekyang could easily guess that the unstable relationship would one day fall apart.
It didn't matter to her. Finding out about Eleonora's status or identity late wouldn't change anything.
But what about Lucia?
From Baekyang's perspective, Lucia had approached Eleonora with a political stance. She had probably even crafted her appearance to avoid getting on her bad side.
Could she, who was made up of nothing but lies, handle a sudden truth?
When she herself remained a lie?
'She must know she can't run away.'
To run away, she would have to disappear from Eleanor's side forever.
And that was probably impossible. Because even if it was a lie, the two were friends.
It was then, as Baekyang was sighing internally.
"Huh?!"
"..."
Marie, who had crawled under the sofa, suddenly popped out.
Seeing Marie, Baekyang couldn't help but recall Eleanor's comment about her being like a cockroach.
She was so startled she almost screamed, but she barely held it back, knowing Marie would be hurt.
"What is it now, Marie?"
"Oz is using magic!"
Oz, the [Successor of the Mage King], using magic. What did that mean?
"That happens all the time."
"Right."
At Eleanor's calm reply, Marie went back under the sofa.
It was a relatively common occurrence for Oz to suddenly cast magic.
Just as the topic was about to fade, Marie poked her head out again.
"Oz is using magic!"
"Right, yes, he is."
"I think he's fighting someone! I'm going to help!"
With those words, Marie crawled out from under the sofa and ran off with staggering steps.
"Marie...?"
It was so sudden.
She couldn't even control her own body properly, yet she was incredibly fast.
"Haa... Baekyang, don't give her alcohol from now on."
"Why-? Isn't it fun to watch?"
"What are you going to do if she gets into an accident?"
"...Are you the one saying that, Noah?"
Baekyang was displeased with Eleanor's perfectly common-sense reply.
Who was she to talk?
But Eleanor paid no mind to such a critical gaze.
She was not one to listen to the commands of someone less popular than herself.
"I guess I'll have to go find her."
"We could probably just leave her be..."
"But you're worried, right?"
"Well, I suppose you are."
"Want to come with?"
"I wonder... Hmm..."
Baekyang knew that Eleanor was surprisingly worrisome.
The problem, perhaps, was that she didn't have the strength to worry about others?
Didn't she run out just like this the other day and end up a complete mess?
"I guess I'll go."
Baekyang nodded. She was worried she'd get beaten to a pulp again somewhere.
'Well, the place Marie is headed is where Oz is anyway, so I can take care of my own business at the same time.'
Recalling the message from the [Goblin King] that had been delivered just a short while ago, Baekyang began to prepare to leave.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Strange.
I am definitely angry, but it's not like I've lost my reason.
This atmosphere I'm artificially creating is also intentional. This is a protest directed at them.
And yet, there is no reaction from the other side. Unless they plan to completely break ties with me, they should at least come to make some excuse.
But still, they didn't move. They are not running, nor are they coming to face me; they are waiting.
Are they trying to lure me in?
If so, why?
Have they decided to be hostile towards me? And here, within [Scientia]?
Even with Tia away, there's no way they could do such a thing.
Even the Empire wouldn't be able to handle the fallout from the [Dragon Emperor]. If you put my neck and the well-being of the Empire on a scale, there is only one answer.
My neck isn't even worth putting on the scale when compared to the value of the Empire.
"...What on earth are they planning?"
Should I raise the level of provocation a little more?
As the thought formed, I turned towards [Tenebris] and deployed my magic. The goal was purely provocation.
Something visually threatening would be better than a spell that was simply powerful.
In that case, here.
Advanced-level Magic
[Mage’s Gearwheel]
I deployed the most flashy and intimidating magic.
Since this spell had already been shown to many people during the final exams, the other side should easily understand what will happen when it's complete.
"Still no reaction."
But there was no response. It was certain that they were watching me.
They're too far to see, but I could detect the fact that they were looking at me through [Contemplation].
Is it a trap?
For them not to move from that spot must mean they have a reason or are confident.
But there's no reason for that, and the risk is too great.
"Alright, if that's the case, then I must go."
Since we're inside [Scientia], there shouldn't be any direct danger.
With [Mage’s Gearwheel] still deployed, I headed towards where the opponent was waiting.
In the meantime, the number of gearwheels increased one by one, eventually forming the shape of giant wings. This was the maximum I could currently unfold.
And so, accompanied by the blue-white gearwheels, I headed towards [Tenebris].
"What splendid wings."
"The worst imaginable outcome has appeared..."
The place I arrived at was, if I had to classify it, a trap.
Yes, someone like the [Princess of Bloodshed] could certainly be called a trap.
Honestly, it was a plausible enough event. I knew she had recently shown an interest in me, and I also knew she possessed a somewhat unhinged sensibility.
I just hadn't expected her to appear this soon.
She was a potential villain.
However, at this point in time, she is not yet classified as a villain, but a being with a very high probability of becoming one in the near future.
"I have them too. Wings."
Fwoosh—
Wings of blood spread out from behind Princess Stacia's back.
"We're two of a kind. I knew we'd get along well. Since we've met like this, shall we take some time to get to know each other more deeply?"
"..."
Yes, that's it. That damn race is the problem.
The characteristic of Dhampirs, who drink blood to steal power and memories, is the problem.
Peeking into another's memories is a very dangerous thing. In fact, even I, who had accepted Oz's memories, am I not letting my guard down?
It's the same for her. She is insane right now.
Having drunk the blood of countless death row inmates, she has come to possess a set of values far removed from the sensibilities of an ordinary person.
And that will later accelerate the moment she drinks the blood of [Parade].
Influenced by their unfiltered emotions, she will completely lose her mind.
The leader who sought to understand the thoughts and emotions of criminals is eventually consumed by the emotion of murderous intent.
Even Stacia, with her strong mental fortitude, couldn't resist the blood of those whose emotional filters had been shattered by the power of the [Agent of the Other Side].
Of course, it would be nice if I could prevent that beforehand, but...
"What is your purpose today? Your Highness, Stacia von Helios."
"Hello, Prince Oz. The weather is nice today. Won't you marry me?"
"..."
As long as I can't understand what's going on in her head, it's going to be difficult. I doubt persuasion would even work in the first place.
Main Story Chapter 13.
The group of lunatics, [Parade], begins to make their move in earnest.
To her, who drank blood to understand those who commit crimes, the group known as [Parade] must have seemed quite interesting.
She sought to understand the psychopaths of [Parade], captured one of their executives, drank his blood, and finally went insane.
Thus was born the mad Princess of Bloodshed. The main villain of Chapter 13.
I really did not want to meet her.
"...A charming proposal, but I must refuse."
"Really? Then what would it take for you to accept?"
"...Actually, I already have someone I like, so it's a condition I find difficult to accept."
"Is that so? Then I'll just have to drink that person's blood."
"..."
This is why I didn't want to meet her.
It's obvious that nothing good will come from talking to her, who is incomparably more insane than Eleanor.
To her, everything is for the sake of the Empire, and emotions or circumstances are merely means to that end.
In the end, it's all rationalized under the banner of "for the people of the Empire," but there's a problem with sugarcoating that as being a good person.
She's just a lunatic.
"Even if Your Highness drinks their blood and peeks at their memories, even if you wear their skin, even if you imitate their emotions, actions, and everything else, you can never become that person. That is impossible."
"Is that so? Well, perhaps you're right. After all, I still don't understand the hearts of those who commit crimes."
We're not getting through to each other.
She took my advice to simply mean that it's impossible because she's still inexperienced. She made the ridiculous judgment that it would be possible later.
She fundamentally fails to understand human emotions. The emperor who designated someone like that as his successor must be a madman too.
"Then what must I do to make you consider marrying me?"
"Let's see. For a start, how about you stop the whole blood-sucking thing?"
"That's impossible. I must understand those who commit crimes. Shouldn't I be able to see from their perspective to be able to set up countermeasures to prevent the same things from happening in the future? Everything is for the Empire."
"It seems the two of us cannot understand each other. Then there is no room for negotiation."
"Is that so... What a shame."
Stacia placed a palm on her cheek and shook her head, as if genuinely regretful.
But is this really the end?
I understood that Stacia's goal was to summon me before her. To do that, she must have used my acquaintance, Lucia, to commit such an act. It's truly an insane thing to do.
At a time when she needs to be earning my favor, hasn't she only increased my hostility?
But would a person who commits such madness so casually have come all this way for a simple Q&A?
"You can't understand... Ah, I have a good idea. If getting married right away is difficult, I'd like to ask for something else, would that be alright?"
"...I wonder. Whatever it is, I don't think I'll want to grant it."
"But if you can't even grant me this, I will be very disappointed."
Stacia's wings gradually increase in size. As the pungent, fishy smell of blood made me instinctively wrinkle my nose, she declared.
"Prince Oz, I want to understand you. Therefore, I want to drink your blood and learn about you. Would you share it with me?"
"I had a feeling it would come to this."
Perhaps because she has the world's strongest nation, the Empire, at her back, Stacia can't distinguish between what she should and shouldn't do.
From her wings, stakes made of blood began to rain down.
An absurd area-of-effect attack.
KABOOM!
Keeping [Mage’s Gearwheel] deployed was the right call.
I was able to react instantly.
"Rampaging within the Dragon Emperor's domain, is that not truly a harm to the Empire?"
"Oh, don't worry. I'm scheduled to transfer into Scientia next semester anyway, so this is entirely on my own authority."
This is driving me crazy.
The princess is enrolling in [Scientia]? I can see Tia having a massive headache over this.
In [Broken Sky], Stacia never enrolled in [Scientia].
In the first place, there's no reason for an imperial princess to attend an academy.
If that's the case, then the problem is a change from the original story's flow...
I have no idea where, what, or how things got so twisted to end up like this.
Could it be because of me?
I'm not sure what it is, but I have a feeling it's my fault.
"Your blood, please teach me what kind of person you are!"
"My, my..."
Because of the [Tenebris] members bowing their heads nearby, I can't act rashly. This is insane.
Subduing Stacia is easy. Though her power is great, the way she uses it is truly simple.
But the process of subduing her doesn't seem like it will be smooth. The moment I inflict even a single scratch, I can't predict how the ones on standby will act.
It was then, as I was searching for a way to safely subdue Stacia.
"Oz, I found you! What are you doing here? Who are you fighting?"
"What the..."
[KP Death King]
Marie Sistus
Marie appeared, her steps staggering as if she were drunk.
I really think I'm going to lose my mind.
Two people who think lightly of the weight of life have met. This is the worst.
A flow that wasn't even in the original story; I can't predict how this will unfold.
"Wow~ I know you. You're that Princess Marie Sistus, right?"
"Mmm... Princess? I'm a princess?"
"Of course. You're the daughter of the king who rules the Underworld, aren't you? I wanted to meet you too, so I'm lucky today."
Today is the worst day of my life.
If not for Arietta's kiss, I don't think I would have been able to endure it.
"Princess Marie, will you marry me?"
Ugh, that crazy woman.
Is she saying that for political purposes, gender doesn't even matter?
"Marriage? What's that?"
Perhaps because she was from the [Underworld] and had lived as the [Death King]'s puppet, Marie didn't even seem to know the meaning of marriage.
She lacks common sense. It's not a new thought, but she's a pitiful one.
"It's becoming family!"
"Family? Becoming family?"
Listening to their conversation, my senses were sounding an alarm.
This is dangerous.
However, the dangerous one was not the crazy princess of the Empire, Stacia.
"Then you'll die like me? That... sounds nice."
It was Marie's twisted value system, belonging to the [Underworld].
It seems that to her, family meant being dead or half-dead.
"Open."
Marie, her face flushed from intoxication, sluggishly extends a hand forward.
The whites of her eyes had long been stained black by demonic energy.
Behind her back, a giant skeleton had already taken its place, and her staff was imbued with an eerie black light.
"The Boundary of Life and Death."
The situation began to flow in the worst possible direction, one it could not possibly exceed.
"...They say marriage is the grave of life."
At this rate, someone is actually going to end up in a grave today.