Chapter 72: While Everyone Was Asleep (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 72: While Everyone Was Asleep (2)
The hours ticked by until even the moonlight was swallowed by the clouds.
The residents of Rias could instinctively feel it: the Night of Magi had arrived.
To ordinary people, it merely looked like a foggy night. However, those in the know understood it was a phenomenon caused by Magi mixing into the Mana of the atmosphere.
“Come to think of it, there’s no better night for a secret tryst than the Night of Magi.”
While everyone else was staying quietly indoors, praying for the night to pass, Aeryun—who was working like a dog even during the Night of Magi—was spouting nonsense like a man drunk on dark energy.
“What kind of crazy talk is that?”
Taylor, who had been keeping an eye on Adam, looked at Aeryun with an expression of pure disbelief.
Has he finally lost it? Looking at his face, he does seem like he’s reached his expiration date.
Unaware of Taylor’s thoughts, Aeryun laid out the logic behind his claim.
“Think about it. No sane person wanders around on a Night of Magi. Since magic can’t be used, you don’t have to worry about surveillance, detection, or wiretapping spells.”
It was a valid point. In a society that relied so heavily on magic, there truly was no better time for a secret rendezvous.
However...
“Doesn’t that apply to the people having the tryst as well?”
“Well, that’s true.”
The parties involved were under the same constraints. If they were caught, they would have to resolve everything through pure physical prowess.
“But that guy is an exception, isn’t he?”
Aeryun looked into the distance at Adam, who was moving with the Saintess.
Problems caused by Magi? With the Saintess’s power beside him, he could neutralize them at will.
“Looking at them like this, they really do make a well-matched couple.”
It was a Flower Arrangement Club filled with people whose stunning looks matched their high social standing. Even the club president, a mere lower-ranking noble, was reasonably handsome, setting aside his bizarre aura.
And Daisy, who had captured the hearts of most of the club members, was a beauty even without considering her various backgrounds. Adam, standing right next to her, didn't look out of place at all.
In short, they were a picture-perfect pair!
“Do you want to get stabbed by Adam?”
Taylor let out a deep sigh as he listened to Aeryun’s claims. Recalling everything that had happened at the Academy, it wouldn't be surprising if Adam or Marie attacked them screaming, “You damn Imperial bastards!” and they’d just have to take it.
“Don’t worry. I don’t defy the will of the heavens.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It’s a natural death, so I’ll just have to accept it as it is.”
“Wow, you’re truly amazing.”
To an outsider, it might have sounded like sarcasm, but Taylor was being sincere. He was genuinely impressed, thinking, ‘I guess you need that kind of mindset to act as a double agent under the tacit approval of the Imperial Family and the Duke!’
“It would be so much easier for all of us if Adam just took her away.”
“……”
For a moment, Taylor almost agreed, but he managed to keep the words behind his teeth through sheer willpower.
‘If only Rias hadn’t been breached, I would have said it.’
Taylor, who hadn't completely abandoned his conscience yet, couldn't bring himself to wish misfortune upon Adam, who was currently working to stop enemies trying to infiltrate Rias.
“It would be nice if Adam realized the charm of Miss Daisy that the other club members have already discovered.”
Adding the condition ‘if Adam falls for Daisy’ was the most Taylor could say.
“Emergency! We’ve spotted dangerous individuals!”
“They’re here.”
At that moment, a Rias agent came running in a panic, and Aeryun’s expression shifted. It was the look Taylor had heard about even before entering the Academy—the one that was legendary among agents!
“Right. Is it the dark mages? Or as they claimed, those who have received the power of the Evil God and are colluding with the Demon Tribe…”
With a cold gaze, he looked ready to take an enemy’s head at any moment.
“No, sir!”
The Rias agent shook his head and began to list the names of the dangerous individuals.
“It’s Prince Esid and Young Lord Gerard, along with Prince Ellen of Leon and Prince Arwen of Dale! And finally, Asran, the grandson of the Sword Emperor!”
“……”
“……”
“They are currently tailing the bait operation!”
No, why the hell are those bastards there?
Despair, terror, and a myriad of other emotions crossed their gazes. Aeryun and Taylor were plunged into an indescribable state of hopelessness.
“Walking alone like this in the middle of the night on an empty street…”
The streets were devoid of both moonlight and starlight. Due to the Magi, even the mana lamps were all extinguished. The only light came from the occasional torches flickering here and there.
“It makes my heart flutter.”
In such a situation, a man and a woman walking alone together would naturally feel their hearts race.
“The two of us… having to lure in pagans who look down even on dark mages!”
With a reason like that, it was impossible for one's heart not to pound.
“But don’t we look a bit too much like bait? We’re just wandering around in the open.”
“We’ve put out bait that they have no choice but to take, even if they know it’s a trap.”
The mere existence of a Saintess was an irresistible temptation for pagans who followed the Evil God. In fact, during interrogations, the dark mages had confessed that one of the reasons they attacked immediately was the presence of the Saintess.
“Using your lover as bait.”
“We’re out here as bait together because we’re lovers.”
Whether they were dark mages or pagans, they were the type of people who would come looking for us anyway. Not just this year, but for the rest of our lives as long as they weren't eradicated.
So.
“It’s easier to deal with them ahead of time.”
Before they could grow stronger and come looking for us later, we had to nip them in the bud.
“So, it’s for my sake?”
“Well, half of it?”
It was a 'killing two birds with one stone' situation, but they were future terrorists and attempted kidnappers. Since about 99% of their reasons for terrorism and kidnapping would likely involve Daisy, directly or indirectly, cutting them down now would be beneficial for her too.
“I see.”
It was a shame that her voice held absolutely no trust, but I let it slide. And for good reason.
“They’re here, aren't they?”
“Yes.”
I had felt those tailing us for a while now.
“My senses aren't that special, are they?”
“I think you could become quite special with a little training. Want to learn?”
“From you, Adam?”
“No. I know an expert in that field.”
It’s not that I couldn't teach her, but Uncle Aeryun was more of a specialist in this area than I was. Given the talent Daisy had shown so far, if she was going to learn, she might as well learn from the best.
“Learning the sword is my priority for now. I’ll think about it later.”
“Are you coming to the Swordsmanship Department?”
“I’m going to think about it until the end of the second semester. For now, the Sword Emperor said he’d write me a recommendation for the Swordsmanship Club…”
Normally, joining a club is impossible outside of specific periods, but a recommendation from the Head Professor of the Swordsmanship Department was enough to bypass those regulations. Of course, it could lead to controversy over special treatment.
However, any swordsman who had seen Daisy’s big, beautiful sword in person wouldn't dare utter the word 'special treatment.' And even those who hadn't seen it wouldn't be able to say a word once they heard the Sword Emperor himself had recommended her after seeing her talent.
“They say if I go to the Swordsmanship Department training grounds, there’s a very high chance I’ll get to spar with you, Adam.”
“That’s true.”
“Be prepared then. I’m really going to give you a proper smack.”
“You do know I have the right to refuse, right?”
“If you refuse, I’ll just sit right down on the spot and burst into tears.”
“Now that is actually a bit scary.”
I wasn't joking. That really was scary, so please have some mercy.
“Then, shall we get ready?”
As we chatted, we naturally lured the enemies to a deserted area away from residential houses. The enemies seemed to sense it too; the further we got from people, the more blatantly they revealed their presence.
“Now then.”
Daisy said as she firmly grasped my hand. I could feel the enemies flinch in surprise.
“Hmm.”
Feeling the surge of Divine Power flowing into my body through our joined hands, I carefully drew my sword to face the enemy…
“Ellen?”
I looked, but why the hell were you there?
“Adam!”
He stared at me, his eyes shaking violently.
“Y-You can’t do that!”
Seriously, what the hell? Was I caught in an illusion spell? No, an illusion spell shouldn't be able to overcome Divine Power.
“T-This is wrong!”
What’s wrong is you being in front of me. No, seriously, what is this? Is it really an illusion?
“I-Indeed.”
But as the others revealed themselves one by one, I became certain that I wasn't under an illusion.
“Prince Esid.”
Damn it, I would have preferred an illusion. I’ve been caught in a Domain Expansion.
“What were you planning to do, bringing Daisy to a place like this?!”
“Ahem. You might find it strange for us to say this, but…”
The name of the technique: Domain Expansion: RoFan World. Its effect was roughly that incredibly nonsensical things would happen as if they were perfectly normal.
“W-What is this?”
Daisy looked up at me in confusion, but I just let out a deep sigh and asked her to explain the situation to them.
“Me?”
“Look at them. Do you think they’ll listen if I’m the one talking?”
“Uh…”
That was true.
Though her face was full of annoyance, Daisy seemed to accept that she had no choice. She let out a deep sigh and stepped away from me to explain things to the RoFan male leads.
“Huh? Adam!”
“Ha.”
A darkness that felt distinct even in the dark environment suddenly split me from the RoFan group. Then, they vanished along with the darkness.
And at the same time.
“Die.”
This time, the real enemies jumped out.
The RoFan group vanished, and suddenly these dark-clad bastards started lunging at me, so I killed them. Then, the one who looked like the leader of the group blocking my path spoke to me with a dissatisfied expression.
“Just give up.”
“On what?”
“Your life.”
“Do I look crazy?”
Do you have any idea how much money I haven't spent yet? It’s not like I was being stingy, but there’s still so much left.
“You’re full of yourself. Are you under some kind of delusion?”
The man mocked me as he raised his sword.
“Without the Saintess, what do you have?”
Hmm. I see. What am I without Daisy by my side?
“First year, first semester, second place overall in the Swordsmanship Department.”
“……?”
“Based on the unofficial win rate of the Imperial Swordsmanship Department, second place in win rate.”
“……”
“Besides that, the second most talented swordsman recognized by the Sword Emperor, and the number two swordsman with a promising future according to the Leon Royal Family’s evaluation, and a member of the Royal…”
There were a lot of 'second places.' Actually, it was mostly second places! But even the God of Second Place said it. Being second is still doing well. Being second is still doing well. It was important, so I said it twice.
“I have quite a lot, actually.”
I raised my sword with confidence. Since the Divine Power Daisy had shared was still circulating through my body, I could draw out my mana naturally despite it being the Night of Magi.
“Oh. And.”
I had explained quite diligently. Was it because there were too many second places? Or was it because these guys were also Imperial bastards who didn't recognize titles from the Leon Kingdom?
“Gah!”
By the time I had cut down about three of them.
“Oh, right.”
I realized there was one more title they might actually recognize.
“I also took down Silence.”
When I mentioned the 'I-killed-Silence' achievement that even they would understand, I finally saw the look in their eyes change.
“Too late.”
If they were going to do something, they should have done it sooner.