Chapter 298
Chapter 298
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 298
Chapter Title: Misalignment (2)
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Raniel van Trias.
To this arrogant mage whose circle of acquaintances was exceedingly narrow, Kyle Toven was a special existence. It had to be that way. He was now the only compatriot left.
The sole survivor of a village reduced to ashes.
The only one who knew her before she became a mage.
That was why Raniel had always shown a casual side to Kyle, even before they set out on their journey together. In front of everyone else, she was the revered next Mage Tower Lord, but in front of Kyle, she was just a boy who loved jokes and had a bit of a rough mouth.
Those times had truly been fun.
Looking back now, when she could no longer afford to feel that way, they had indeed been joyful memories. Raniel gazed at the Kyle before her. Then at her transformed self.
Much time had passed.
As much time had flowed, so too had many things changed, and the man standing before her was no longer the Kyle she knew. The boy who had idolized heroes and shouted about defeating the Demon King was gone.
Crunch.
Raniel couldn't look kindly upon the changed Kyle. Even if she had sorted out her feelings toward that bastard, facing him still stirred up irritation. She barely held back from snapping at him.
Hoo, a short deep breath.
She steadied her breathing several times, ruffled her hair irritably, and stepped forward. After a few steps, she stood before Kyle.
"Long time no see."
"......"
She had extended her hand first, yet he didn't even think to take it—instead, he just glared. What a rude prick.
"Raniel."
Kyle finally spoke.
"Where's Raniel? Hasn't he arrived yet?"
I'm right here, you bastard.
She almost shot back, but became aware of the surrounding gazes. With countless warriors watching, she had no intention of advertising her identity.
"Follow me."
Raniel crooked her finger, beckoning him.
Kyle blatantly ignored the signal.
"I have nothing to say to you. Where's your master? Raniel van Trias. He'll be coming here too."
In that voice, Raniel sensed something off.
It wasn't an act. She could feel he truly had not the slightest interest in her. Why? He hadn't been like this the last time they met.
"I said, follow me."
Raniel snapped irritably, reaching out to grab Kyle's collar and drag him along. But with a sharp clack, Kyle seized her wrist.
"Let go."
Kyle roughly shook off her hand.
Raniel stared at the mark left on her wrist. Then turned her head to look at Kyle again.
"What the hell?"
"That's what I want to ask."
Kyle narrowed his eyes and shot back.
"Did Raniel order you to act like him in front of me? You've been way too obvious since last time."
"...What?"
"It's unpleasant. Cut it out."
He spat it out as if he truly found it revolting.
"Stop the acting. It doesn't suit you."
What the hell is that nonsense?
Raniel blinked, feeling as if she'd been struck on the head. She couldn't comprehend what Kyle was saying.
"What nonsense is that?"
Kyle fell silent.
"Hey, what did you just say?"
No answer, no matter how many times she asked.
Now completely disinterested, he shoved her aside and headed toward Sara. As he passed, Raniel turned to watch him go.
What the hell is going on here?
Something was wrong.
Terribly wrong. Caught off guard by the unforeseen situation, Raniel felt flustered. Sara, watching her, shook her head and mouthed the words.
See? What did I tell you?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2.
As she walked with Kyle, Sara cautiously asked.
"Kyle, why were you so cold to her?"
"Because it's unpleasant."
"What is?"
"She's acting like that guy. It's an act that doesn't suit her at all. And she can't even pull it off properly."
"...Acting?"
Sara blinked.
"What acting?"
"Acting like that guy. Even though she's not him, she does it. Is she trying to confuse me? I can't fathom her intentions."
It was an unexpected line of thinking.
Sara asked back in bewilderment.
"...Then the initial interest?"
"Because she resembled Raniel. I thought there was a chance it was him. The stars said otherwise, but I still had my suspicions."
But, Kyle continued.
"It's not."
He said it with utter conviction.
"She's definitely not Raniel."
"...What makes you so sure?"
Kyle said nothing more.
He just walked on silently. His pace showed no consideration for those following. Sara had to trot to keep up.
"There's no way it could be him."
Kyle kept muttering that.
As if obsessed with the thought.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ In the guest room of Evernight Castle.
Raniel examined the handprint on her wrist.
She recalled Kyle's harsh words. The more she mulled them over, the more questions arose.
"Is he insane?"
Is he really crazy?
She couldn't understand Kyle's sudden outburst about acting out of nowhere.
One thing was certain, though.
"This is a fucking mess."
The situation was seriously tangled.
On her way north, Raniel had pondered only when to reveal her identity to Kyle. She figured he must suspect her already, so just telling him would suffice.
But reality was different.
The premise itself was wrong.
Kyle saw her as entirely separate from Raniel. And very firmly so. She had no idea what basis he had for that reaction.
"...Did I lie too convincingly?"
When they met in Arcadia, had the lies she spun on the spot worked too well? Did she actually have a talent for deception?
Raniel knew that was ridiculous speculation.
If she were that good at lying, she wouldn't have been found out here and there from the start. Now, the number of people who knew her identity was nearing double digits.
'Master, Kalt, Cardi, Belnoa, Black Mage Tower Lord, Rak, Draka, Kelrhalm, ancient dragon, Galahal, Sara, Chloe...'
As she ticked off the names one by one, folding her fingers, she realized she had no more to fold and rubbed her face.
'Shit, over ten people already...'
At this point, it was practically an open secret.
"Any plans to keep hiding your identity? Ashen One."
"You're practically advertising it, senior."
"I actually had a hunch for a while...'
The words from those who had seen through her flashed through her mind. What had she done in front of them to get caught? As she pondered, she muttered aloud.
"No, but why can't Kyle recognize me?"
Anyone else, fine.
But in front of Kyle, hadn't she dropped all pretense? The moment she saw his face, irritation overrode any intent to hide.
Yet he still didn't see it.
That fact inexplicably irritated her.
She'd thought it fortunate until now, but when the time came to reveal herself, it pissed her off.
"Fucking hell..."
Slouched in her chair, Raniel kicked idly at the wall with her toe. After a while, someone knocked. Sara entered when she opened the door.
"...What are you doing?"
"Thinking."
"With that scowl?"
"Didn't you know I have a naturally sour face?"
"That's the old you. Now, scowling just makes you look ridiculous instead of intimidating."
Sara sighed and fully entered the room.
She sat on the bed and looked at Raniel.
"What have you been up to lately?"
"Nothing."
"Doesn't seem like it, with Kyle openly hating on you. He wasn't like that before."
In fact, until recently, Kyle had been very interested in the girl named Lania. As if reacting to something connected to Raniel.
"No matter how I look at it, you did something."
"I told you, nothing. The last time I saw that bastard was at the ruins."
"...What about Galahal's funeral?"
"No idea. I was out of it."
Sara sighed at Raniel's nonchalant reply and continued.
"I'll arrange for you two to meet alone. We need to get this sorted quickly, given the circumstances. Kyle's sticking around the north anyway."
Sara crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Seriously, we're busy planning to repel Death Sword, and now we waste time on this..."
Raniel narrowed her eyes at Sara.
Never thought I'd hear this from you. With that glare, she spoke.
"You gonna die soon?"
"What's with the ominous bullshit?"
"They say people who change suddenly die."
She muttered, then sighed.
"Anyway, got it."
"Got what?"
"I'll talk it out. If I blow my ashes in his face, he'll get it."
Even though he hadn't in Arcadia, whatever.
"It'll work out somehow."
Raniel declared confidently.
And three days passed. Nothing happened, and naturally, nothing worked out.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 3.
Three days passed, and Rak arrived in the north.
As Rak headed to Evernight Castle, the first thing he saw was Lania, sitting on a chair brought to the warriors' training ground, leg bouncing idly.
Tap, tap.
Propped on her chin, the aura emanating from her restless foot was ominous. She looked thoroughly displeased.
'Hmm.'
Rak had zero tact for reading the mood, but he could sense the awkward air around someone in a foul temper. Especially when it was Professor Lania, who smashed things when annoyed.
'She seems really upset...?'
He followed her gaze.
There, among the warriors lightly swinging swords, was a familiar figure. He hadn't seen him in person, but newspapers and portraits had shown him.
The Hero, Kyle Toven.
The man titled the strongest.
"Oh..."
Rak let out a short exclamation of admiration.
He started toward Kyle but halted. To speak to his idolized hero, he'd have to pass Professor Lania, but his instincts warned it wasn't wise.
'Something... really...'
Feels dangerous.
Gulp. Rak swallowed dryly and glanced at Lania. Then their eyes met as she turned. Her gaze was like a predator spotting prey.
"Rak."
The predator spoke.
"Come here a sec."
Rak flinched, shoulders trembling.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Rak, just one question."
"Wh-what is it?"
"What do you do when words don't get through?"
"When words... don't get through?"
"Yeah. He won't listen. Keeps ignoring me. Makes me pissed. What do you do with a guy like that?"
In this absurd scene of master consulting disciple, Rak stroked his chin and hummed.
"...Hmm, not sure myself."
The warriors gave some advice.
At that, Lania nodded as if to spill it. Rak continued cautiously.
"The warriors said if words fail, have a physical conversation. Once fists fly, words will follow..."
Advice from muscle-brained warriors that made one doubt if their heads were pure muscle. Normally, Lania would laugh it off, but...
"Oh..."
With sensible methods failing repeatedly, it sounded plausible to her now.
"So, if human words don't work, treat him like a beast and beat him first...?"
"Pardon? I don't think that's what they..."
"Sounds solid."
Lania smiled.
"Thanks for the advice, Rak."
In that smile, Rak sensed madness.
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