Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: The Changed Future (4)
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A massive explosion of mana erupted with a deafening roar.
The King Serpent's head vanished without a trace, leaving behind its headless body.
And Ethan Richard Blackwood had witnessed it all with his own eyes.
"......"
"......"
In those bewildered eyes staring at me, I could sense at least some of Ethan's emotions.
I had no idea how to even begin explaining myself—no words came to mind at all.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Lilith has reached Level 7! Lilith has reached Level 8! Lilith has reached Level 9!
...Even in the midst of all this, my level went up because I defeated the boss monster.
For using Mana Blast to take down the King Serpent, the level gains felt surprisingly modest.
I'd thought a monster worth 6,000 experience points might push me all the way to Level 12 if things went well.
But with only about 2,000 experience coming my way, it seemed the points were distributed only among those who'd actually participated in the King Serpent hunt.
The remaining 4,000 probably went to Seraphine and Ethan, 2,000 each.
'...I wonder if this will affect the original story?'
In the original, Seraphine and Agnes would have split that experience evenly—not the three of us.
2,000 or 3,000 experience wasn't something you could just brush off. It might even cause slight changes in Agnes's storyline.
...Not that I had time to worry about others right now.
I was the one caught red-handed by Ethan, proving I was a commoner who could use magic.
And not just anyone—Ethan Richard Blackwood, of all people.
"Li, Lilith..."
"......"
"That just now... that was you, wasn't it...?"
...Shamelessly playing dumb or making excuses wasn't an option anymore.
Seraphine had recruited me on the condition that I keep her secret, and given her personality, she wouldn't go blabbing about it.
But with Ethan, the mere fact that he'd caught me was the problem.
In the original game, that's exactly when Lilith started getting exploited by that creep—after her ability to use magic as a commoner came out.
'That's why she basically functioned as his personal buffer in the early story.'
Of course, I wasn't worried that the current Ethan would pull any of that creep's stunts.
He didn't seem the type to blackmail Lilith over her magic.
If anything, he should be grateful—I'd saved his life using magic, after all.
"Miss Lilith! Over here, hurry!"
As I pondered how to explain to Ethan, Seraphine's urgent call gave me the perfect excuse.
I gave him a brief reply and turned toward her.
"Her Highness is calling, so I'll explain everything back at Blackwood Manor."
"Ah, yeah..."
"Until then, please keep my use of magic a secret from others..."
"Yeah, I won't say anything. Don't worry."
"Thank you."
With one final bow, I rushed to Seraphine. She was struggling to pull something from inside the King Serpent's severed neck.
It didn't take long to realize it was the leg of a swallowed Imperial Guard.
"Miss Lilith, help! We can still save him! If we cut the body open a bit more and widen the hole..."
"Y-yes!"
Watching Seraphine desperately try to save even one more life, I used the silver dagger Ridge had given me to slice into the King Serpent's body bit by bit.
Thanks to her unyielding effort, we managed to rescue two guards who'd been swallowed alive.
...Though it was a victory hard-won at the cost of far greater sacrifices.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Argentia Empire, South Gate Evacuation Shelter.
-KABOOM!!
"Kyaaah!"
"Wh-what is that?!"
The South Gate shelter, still locked in fierce combat with endless waves of Lake Serpents, reacted with considerable confusion to the explosion echoing in their ears.
It was just the South Gate entrance, but monsters had already breached deep into the palace grounds.
And then this sudden massive blast.
For a moment, everyone's attention snapped to it—some even wondered if it was a terrorist attack targeting the entire palace.
A few began panicking, fearing another assault on top of the monsters.
"Wh-what?! Another attack?!"
"We need to run while we can..."
Even those who'd formed proper lines and started fighting faltered, scanning their surroundings in alarm.
The first to notice the change was one of the Imperial Guards.
"Wh-what?!"
The monsters, who moments ago had charged with clear purpose toward the humans, suddenly started behaving erratically.
The Lake Serpents looked bewildered, twisting in place as if they'd lost their direction. Excluding those already dead or engaged, they split into two main behaviors.
Either rushing back out through the South Gate they'd invaded... or, following their base instincts, turning to fight nearby monsters.
The seasoned Imperial Guards instantly grasped what this meant, sighing inwardly with relief as they hurried to mop up the remnants.
"The monster wave is over! Finish them off quick!"
"...It's over?"
"I-is it finally done?! Then let's get our carriage..."
"You damn monster bastards! Die! Die, you filth!"
A noble young master, who'd been focused on defense, now wore a dazed expression at the news.
A lady from somewhere, scrambling to prepare her return home the instant she realized it was done.
And an immature lordling, who'd hidden throughout, now charging in rage at the fleeing monsters.
Reactions varied wildly, but everyone's innermost feeling converged on one thing.
Now, they were safe.
The monster wave threatening the entire palace was over.
Whoever took down the boss didn't matter right now.
Escaping death and securing safety was enough—such details were irrelevant.
"......"
And one more person.
Amid the noble youths showing all sorts of reactions upon realizing the crisis had passed, one lady from the Augst family harbored distinctly different thoughts.
Unlike others wanting rest or a quick return home, the lady of Augst quietly set a new goal in her mind.
The 'Lilith' who'd faced down monsters with just a single silver dagger right before her.
'Ridge, stay right there.'
'If you dart off somewhere else, I really might not be able to protect you.'
-Thump.
Recalling that figure sent her heart pounding wildly for a moment.
During social events, she'd felt 'I want to befriend that person' a few times before.
But this emotion was clearly something else—far beyond mere fondness.
The way she'd escorted her to safety, shielding her with her own body from the monsters.
That resolute back, methodically cutting down the swarming Lake Serpents with just one silver dagger—it was so valiant.
Even after the monster wave ended, Ridge's mind lingered on that scene.
As she stood there lost in a daze, her younger brother from Augst belatedly rushed over with a worried shout.
"Sis!!!"
Her brother, who'd jumped from the carriage heading home the moment the wave hit to join the palace defense.
Seeing his foolish expression, the fluttering in Ridge's chest cooled instantly.
A beat late, she kicked Karaham's shin hard with the front of her shoe.
-Thwack!
"Ow!"
"Hey, Karaham! During a monster wave, where were you wandering off instead of protecting me?!"
"I-I had no choice! Monsters were already hitting the carriage lot, and if we hadn't defended the South Gate, the horses and carriages would've all been toast..."
-Thwack! Thwack!
"I almost died while you were gone! Are the horses' lives worth more than mine?!"
"N-no, Sis! Of course your life comes first!"
...How many headaches had this idiot brother caused her today alone?
Ridge vented meaningless anger at poor Karaham with such thoughts.
Yet she felt a twinge of contradictory gratitude—he'd stepped away briefly, but for good reason.
If monsters had breached the South Gate with him by her side, she'd have been safe from start to finish.
And Lilith probably never would've ended up protecting her.
"Hmmm..."
"Sis? Why'd you go quiet all of a sudden..."
"Shut it, Karaham. I need to think for a sec."
"Yes, ma'am..."
The lady named 'Lilith' she'd met today was unlike any Ridge had ever seen or heard of.
She'd even briefly wondered if she was from a baronet or viscount family.
It wasn't impossible. Lilith had attended the masked ball as partner to a Blackwood noble scion.
She might even be a 'fake fiancée' Ethan invented to shake off clingy ladies chasing the Blackwood heir.
In truth, Ridge's guess was half-correct.
'If I investigated every Blackwood branch family...'
Checking Blackwood branches down to viscount or baronet level might reveal Lilith's origins.
The problem was, a house as ancient as Duke Blackwood's had countless minor branches.
Poking around could make them suspicious, thinking she was digging into them.
In practice, this approach was nearly impossible.
'If not that, then maybe...'
Ethan Richard Blackwood's official age was 22 this year.
Next year, he'd turn 23—his last chance to enroll at Luminor Academy.
As a Blackwood scion, he'd likely seize that opportunity.
Even if the curse left his body younger, academy rules used chronological age fairly for all.
And if the lady named 'Lilith' was still playing 'fiancée' with him by then...
She'd probably enroll at Luminor next year too.
"......"
Ridge Lynn Augst had taken the entrance exam last year but failed due to lacking magical talent.
Convinced she had no gift for it, she'd planned to focus on social circles instead.
But today's mysterious lady was enough to change her mind.
"The academy entrance exam... maybe I should try once more."
"Huh? Didn't you give up on the academy, Sis?"
"I only quit because it seemed like the smarter choice. ...My mind's changed a bit now."
"Really! Then starting today, I'll teach you swordsmanship..."
"Idiot, who said anything about swords? There are ways into the academy, so just focus on your own exam."
"Y-yes..."
Originally, she'd have abandoned academy hopes after one failure.
But now, Ridge found the will to challenge it again.