Chapter 78
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Recharge
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Ch Ch-Chairman?
Yes. It feels like Luna and I have been the only ones talking this whole time. Wendy, what do you think?
Luna rested her chin on her hand, staring intently at Wendy.
Her eyes, visible through her glasses, gleamed with a mysterious light.
Wendy swallowed hard.
Now that the question had been posed to her, she couldnt just brush it off.
A wrong answer here could plant seeds of suspicion in Luna and Sia.
As Wendy agonized between conscience and friendship, Myohail whispered to her.
Nows the time! Unleash all that pent-up Count lust youve been saving! Go on!
I-if you keep this up, Ill block you, Master!
Hahaha. Scary, scary. Youre going to block this Myohails telepathy? Go ahead, try it. My disciple!
Ugh Master only took me as a disciple to tease me
With even Myohail like this, it felt like Wendy had no allies here.
After much thought, Wendy finally spoke.
I
Defend the Count or deny him.
Of the two options, Wendy chose neither.
I dont really know.
Huh?
Hmm?
Luna and Sia reacted to the unexpected response.
Wendy slowly continued her explanation.
Ive heard the bad rumors about the Chairman, too. B-but since I havent seen it myself, I dont really know if theyre true.
Wendy herself had believed the rumors were true until she became Tristans exclusive maid.
At the very least, the man shed seen so far was no villain. His words and actions were cold, but the heart behind them was kinder than anyones.
That was why Wendy had no choice but to say this.
Th-theyre just rumors, right? So I think its still too early to say. If we watch a little longer, m-maybe the Chairman has other sides, too
Her final words were drawn from her own experience.
She also hoped that others like Luna and Sia would come to see Tristans kinder side.
Hmm.
Silence followed.
The two seemed to mull over Wendys words.
Finally, Sia nodded.
As expected of the head maid What an intriguing perspective.
R-really?
It seems we were too quick to judge. Thanks to you, Wendy, our eyes have been opened.
Uh Sia? Opened how?!
Wendy! I get it now!
At that moment, Luna, sitting beside her, grabbed her hand.
In other words, youre saying you want to step up and uncover the Chairmans true face! Brilliant!
Wha?!
Wendy, flustered, met eyes sparkling behind glasses.
As if seeing Wendy anew, Luna clasped both her hands and swore.
That bold initiative to roll up your sleeves! Ill join your noble cause, Wendy. Together, we can expose every last one of the Chairmans wicked sides!
D-did I say wicked sides?!?
No choice nowIll join you, too, Wendy.
Sia?
Wendy looked up to find Sia standing before her.
Sia placed a hand on Wendys shoulder.
We share a common enemy, so its only natural. Ill help.
Wh-what do you mean common enemy!? Thats not what I
But Wendys desperate voice was drowned out by theirs.
What we know so far is just the tip of the iceberg. The Chairman must have plenty of secrets left. Uncover them, and we can drive him out of the school.
Exactly You mean know your enemy to win. Perfect timing. We can come and go from the Chairmans office as we please.
Really? Then maybe we can find something there
As Sia and Luna plotted ahead, Wendy floundered, unsure what to do.
Watching her, only Myohail muttered softly from afar, as if enjoying the spectacle.
Heavens My disciple sure has some exhausting friends.
Zzt!
A flash of lightning brought a blast of hot wind.
But that was it.
Turn around, and someone stood before Patrick.
How dare you threaten my lord, big brother.
Flames flickered from the hand of Helga, clad in a military coat.
She had caught Patricks mana-forged lightning with her bare hand.
Not stopping there, she clenched her fist, and the lightning vanished in her grasp.
Recognizing her, Patricks face finally showed genuine surprise.
Helga. Youre still alive?
Yeah. Im not that easy to kill.
Haha Half-breed instincts, huh? Your life sure clings on.
Exactly. Bastards like us are tough as nails, right?
Helga smirked up at Patrick.
Compared to his height, she was much shorter.
Yet she showed no fear.
If anything, she was relaxed.
Patrick scowled, clearly irked by her composure.
Youve grown a lot since I last saw you. Heard you joined Aslanlost your fear, too? This isnt a place for some lowly soldier to strut around.
Got kicked out. Im here now as the Counts guard knight.
Guard knight?
Patrick glanced at me, intrigued.
Interesting. Then stay back there quietly. Why step in?
Because blocking threats to the Count is my job.
Blocking? Me?
Amused, Patrick chuckled.
Cute kid. Youve changed a lot. The scared little brat who wouldnt even look at me now stares me down like this.
His hand, reaching to pat her head, froze midair.
Helga had grabbed his arm.
Youve changed too, big brother. You used to look so big and strong. Or maybe Ive just gotten stronger? Hehe
Helga covered her mouth, laughing.
Even then, her grip on his arm didnt loosen.
Patricks arm muscles twitched.
Yet Helga didnt budge.
Their strength was evenly matched.
In the end, Patrick withdrew first.
Irritated, he shook out his hand.
Ungrateful brat Keep your good eye in check. If you werent my sister, Id have blinded you long ago.
Oh? Jealous of my good eye? Hehe Ive got my eye on yours, big brother. No thought of giving one to our little sis? Ill take it if you dont want it.
Humors improved. But
Patrick scratched his neck.
Can we talk if you let go?
No.
A voice cold as ice came from right behind Patrick.
Blanche emerged from behind his massive frame.
This is getting annoying.
Dont. Move. If you keep squirming, the thread will dig in.
Look closely: a transparent thread thinner than piano wire was wound around Patricks neck.
One of Blanches favorite hidden weapons.
As she said, it tightened with every twitch.
In that brief instant, Patrick had fallen to Helga and Blanches pincer attack.
He raised both hands in surrender.
Has the Count hired not just guard knights but pro assassins too? And such lovely ones at that. Impressive.
Forgive my impertinence but I serve not the Count, but the Lady.
The Ladys guard?
Patricks brow arched at Blanches words.
Then I really dont understand why youre doing this to me.
You just released mana with clear hostile intent toward Patrick. This is standard procedure.
Hostile intent?
Patrick looked baffled at Blanches point.
I was just trying to clear out this trash?
He pointed to where the bear dolls had been.
Theyd burned to ash in his mana strike.
A few limbs remained on some, but the rest were obliterated by lightning.
Thats too much
Bella, in my arms, sighed at the sight.
Fortunately, she was unharmed.
But quite shaken, it seemedshe showed no sign of leaving my embrace.
Only now realizing Bellas fright, Patrick spoke with deep regret.
I admit it was a bit extreme, but I never meant to harm the Lady or the Count.
Hmm.
He said that, but as Blanche noted, Patricks mana had carried clear attack intent.
Without Helgas intervention, someone wouldve been hurtits power was that great.
But it was all circumstantial.
No evidence to punish him on suspicion alone.
No one was hurt anyway, so best to let it slide.
I signaled Helga and Blanche.
Only then could Patrick escape their encirclement.
Freed, he bowed politely to us.
I apologize for the unsightly display. Whatever the reason, my regrets to you all.
The old shopkeeper eyed the charred floor, muttering.
Oh dear The floors a mess now, isnt it?
Ah Sorry about that, old timer. Ill cover all the damages, no worries.
Patrick said, looking sheepish.
On the surface, a polite young manbut twisted inside.
Like Tristan, Patrick was possessive.
While Tristan coveted all things, Patricks desires targeted women.
Once he set his sights on one he liked, hed have herno matter what.
His stunning looks hid it well; most women fell for him.
Strip away that warped womanizing, and Patrick was a capable named character.
He rose to admiral in the Imperial Navy on merit.
Even after Tristan upended the palace, he stayedand Tristan kept him for his talent and smooth talk.
In the original story, Patrick never clashed with Tristan.
Their goals aligned despite the Seven Stars and Ruelverta tiesno poaching engaged fiancées.
But the moment I gave up Bellaeven oncecollision with Patrick was inevitable.
I have no intention of handing her over.
Shes essential to clearing this game.
That said
Bella was still in my arms.
Isnt this enough already?
As I tried to pull back to check on her
Wait
?
My legs feel weak. So just like this a little longer Stay still. J-just 10 seconds no, 10 seconds
Bella whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
I couldnt see her face, but she still seemed uneasy.
Ten seconds Easy enough.
I stood still as she asked.
Meanwhile, Bella panted against my chest, failing to calm down. Huff huff
Huh? Wait Whatd she say?
As I opened my mouth with the question, Bella pulled away.
She looked utterly refreshed.
Phew Recharge complete.