Chapter 28
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Until She Crumbles: 000 Remaining (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Despite skipping classes without permission for a full week before returning to Carnea Academy, there was no real punishment.
For starters, right after that day, a three-day temporary suspension of classes had been issued to all first-year students.
On top of that, Professor Loreos had reported to the academy that Eugene was recuperating due to the aftereffects of his battle with the Wolf.
Just like that, several days had passed since I'd returned to the academy without any fuss or penalties.
In the meantime, the kids in class had all acted bright and cheerful, as if by some unspoken agreement.
It had an effect.
At the very least, on the surface, things had returned to how they were before the incident.
Time would pass like this, and Eloise would gradually fade from everyone's memories—but the single flower placed on her desk still mourned her passing.
"..."
A bitterness filled my mouth.
But I bowed my head once and shoved the rising guilt deep down inside.
I had sworn to see a happy ending in this other world, no matter what.
So I wouldn't forget them, but I wouldn't cling to them either.
...Most of us, myself included, had returned to our ordinary daily lives.
But as the word "most" implies, not everything had stayed the same.
There were several changes, but the biggest one was my relationships with three people.
The first was Vivian.
"..."
Vivian looked worse off than me, even though I hadn't slept properly or eaten for that week.
Her purple hair had grown frizzy from neglect, dark circles sat heavily under her eyes, and her pupils trembled severely.
Not a single part of her seemed normal.
During the week I hadn't shown up at the academy—her sole sanctuary—she had every reason to fall apart like this.
In truth, even aside from this incident, Vivian had always harbored guilt over using me for her self-pleasure.
And now, the knowledge that I'd gotten injured fighting the Wolf to protect her had piled on even more guilt.
In the end, the overwhelming guilt she couldn't bear had broken her.
'...Not bad.'
It was unfortunate for Vivian, but from my perspective, the situation wasn't half bad.
After all, the affection points needed for the pure-love tamer route had already maxed out thanks to this incident.
Now, I could use her guilt as a weapon to slowly isolate her, then move into brainwashing taming via the 'letters.'
And the second person whose relationship had changed was...
"Hello!"
"...Your Highness."
Liana Lumenhark.
"Wow! It's been a while, Eugene. And I told you to call me Liana!"
She was the top person on my personal list of people to avoid at all costs, but I couldn't just ignore the princess striking up a conversation with me right in the middle of the hallway.
"...Your Highness. If I may be so bold, 'it's been a while' is a greeting for when you've been apart for a long time."
"Yeah! So it's been a while!"
"...If my memory serves me right, Your Highness, we saw each other just two hours ago. Before that, it was four hours ago. To be more precise, it feels like we've been meeting after almost every lecture since yesterday."
"Hmm... Was it? I don't remember well?"
Liana tilted her head, tapping her chin with a finger and rolling her eyes.
Her innocent expression matched her radiant beauty perfectly. It was acting good enough to fool anyone at a glance, but...
"..."
Not me.
As if her memory was fuzzy, my ass.
With the princess's memory, she'd remember the exact number of rice grains in her breakfast from ten years ago.
"...Yes, that's exactly what happened."
"Hehe, if you say so, Eugene, then it must be. Still, I'm glad to see you again! You too, right?"
Liana leaned in even closer as she spoke.
A soft floral scent mixed with her breath tickled my nose.
"...Your Highness, I'm afraid being seen with someone like me might tarnish your dignity."
I took a step back as I replied.
Showing this kind of thing to students who loved gossip wasn't a good idea.
Since the princess was kind to everyone, they still seemed to think she was just comforting me after I'd gotten hurt for another student's sake. But if this kept up, a scandal was only a matter of time.
A scandal between the Calliope family and the princess?
Once that exploded, there'd be no turning back.
Whether it led to marriage or whatever, it'd go all the way to the end.
And if that happened...?
All my plans would shatter.
Straight to a bad end.
"Someone like me? Hmm... I think the Calliope family has a name prestigious enough to stand beside the imperial family, don't you? Oh, are you talking about your mother's side?"
Liana stabbed right at the heart with a smile.
She'd been trying to shake my emotions and find an opening by keeping me emotionless and detached, but honestly, it didn't faze me.
I knew who 'Eugene Calliope's mother, Pavolie Chiara,' was.
That was it.
I felt sorry for her.
That was the extent of my emotions.
"...Even if the Calliope name is lofty, how could I dare compare it to the imperial family? And that's not what I meant. It wasn't about the family's status—it's that I don't measure up as a person."
"...Heh, is that so? I don't think that at all. I think you and I would match perfectly."
"You're mistaken."
Despite my clear rejection, the princess brushed it off casually and continued.
"Hmm, come to think of it, do you have plans during break, Eugene? If not, want to come to the imperial palace? I'll invite you as my guest."
"No, thank you. I'll stay in the dorms at the start of break and head home later."
Carnea Academy's break lasted just under two months.
I could go home early if I wanted, but based on tons of playthrough experience, aside from the one month absolutely needed to progress Chapter 3, it was better for攻略 to prepare for the next semester at the academy.
"Then you're open to an invitation!"
"I wouldn't recommend it."
"But what if I do it anyway?"
"...My apologies, but I'd planned to be sick."
"You can even schedule when you get sick?"
"It seems that way if Your Highness invites me."
"Hmm... This is the first time I've been rejected so thoroughly... So, no matter what, you won't come?"
"My apologies again, but I won't."
"Hm... Even if I let you touch my breasts?"
"...?"
For a split second, 'Prince on the Bed' nearly activated.
What the hell was this crazy princess spouting?
I quickly glanced around, but fortunately, no one seemed to have heard her.
"...Your Highness. Please treasure your precious body."
"That's weird? Don't guys all fall for that?"
"...I don't know where you picked up that ridiculous idea, but it doesn't work on me."
"Ah, Eugene, you're too much! Don't you get it? Don't you know how I feel saying this? Or are you pretending not to?"
"..."
Liana suddenly spoke with moist eyes, like a woman whose pure heart had been trampled.
But when I stared blankly without reaction, she instantly switched expressions.
"Hehe, that didn't work either. Still, it was fun! See you next time!"
The princess, who'd whirlwinded in, waved and scampered off.
"Haa..."
...Exhausting.
I pressed my throbbing forehead hard with my hand.
It felt like I'd endured Professor Loreos's special training with pure mental fortitude.
As I leaned against the wall with a long sigh, I spotted someone approaching from the opposite hallway, radiating a chill like midwinter.
It was Lucia.
Lucia's eyes looking at me held none of the affection she usually showed.
No, it was worse—her gaze was close to disgust and hatred.
It was like the early days of the first playthrough, right when taming had just begun with Lucia.
Lucia passed by me with her group of followers.
"...Tch."
She eyed me up and down unusually and clicked her tongue before whipping her head away.
Then she just kept walking casually.
As I watched Lucia's back, I slipped my hand into my pocket.
-Vrrr.
I gripped the Controller Stone in my pocket and infused it with a bit of mana.
"...Ngh...!"
The moment the mana flowed in, Lucia suddenly flinched, whipped around to glare at me, and bit her lip in frustration.
I gave her a friendly smile as I watched her face.
"...Kgh..."
Lucia trembled, clenched her fists, and opened her mouth.
"...Excuse me, but go ahead and eat without me. I just remembered somewhere I need to be."
"Lady Lucia? You don't look well. Is something bothering you?"
"Shall I call someone?"
"No, it's nothing. Please don't wait—enjoy your meal."
After a curt farewell, Lucia broke away from Class 1's group, brushed past me with quick steps, and whispered coldly.
"Trash..."
An irrepressible smile crept onto my lips as I watched her actions.