Chapter 73
Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Even If I Cry, I Won't Fall (1)
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“What the hell did she eat wrong?”
Rias muttered with a look of utter disbelief as she watched Justina's behavior.
It was infuriating to see this girl, who was just as ruthless as she was when it came to ripping people off, suddenly acting like she'd had some epiphany.
What right did she have to put on such a pious display at the memorial for those injured or killed in the previous incident? It was the kind of thing you'd expect from Julius, and it wasn't just annoying—it was revolting.
She should be looking down on everyone beneath her with that usual sneer of hers, treating lives like bugs whether they lived or died.
It was especially grating to see her meekly listening to Professor Selene, someone Rias personally despised.
The woman put on all sorts of pretenses of goodness, and the steady respect she got from Julius made her utterly repulsive.
Justina finished checking supplies and support items around the area with Ermina and emerged from the tent. Spotting this, Rias immediately followed.
Of course, she made no effort to hide her presence—and since Rias didn't even know how to do that in the first place, Justina noticed her right away.
“...Why are you following me?”
“That's an awfully polite attitude for you. What, did you pick up some trash and eat it?”
“I was trying to let it slide, but here you go again with your bullshit.”
“See? Your true nature always comes out. Right?”
The atmosphere shifted in an instant, and Rias smirked.
She might act like she was imitating Julius on the surface, but provoke that filthy temper of hers, and her real self would show.
You're not Julius.
You'll never be.
As if reading Rias's thoughts, Justina clenched her molars, took several seething breaths to steady herself, then let out a deep sigh and relaxed the tension in her jaw and neck.
“I'm showing you respect as my brother's fiancée. Please leave.”
“Hah. Look at that. Your change in behavior must be thanks to the Lebedev Duke or Julius. The duke wouldn't have any business demanding anything from Professor Selene, whom he barely knows, so it has to be something to do with Julius, right?”
“I just decided to change my mindset, that's all.”
“You? Why? You, who got your kicks looking down on everyone by basking in your brother's glory?”
“Cut the crap and get lost before I say something nasty.”
“No matter how much I rack my brain looking at that fake-ass smile of yours, the only reason is Julius. So here's what I figured: Julius took care of those attackers this time.”
“Nonsense.”
“Then who else could have? And why did you and that bitch Ermina change your attitudes after the incident? Don't dodge the question—answer straight.”
Rias wasn't stupid. She might seem foolish at first glance, but she always devised her own strategies.
And her number one principle was: If you're certain, act without hesitation.
“Hey. If you're busted, just say it.”
“...I...”
“What's that?”
“Honestly, if Professor Selene hadn't mediated, I might have slit your throat right there.”
“...What the hell does that mean?”
“What my brother—who never used to curse—must have said to you.”
“Hah. Afraid of getting chewed out, so you gave up? I'm not that weak.”
“Should I just talk to the one who's caused the most trouble so far?”
“...I don't care if I die. I'm going because I have something to say.”
Her resolve was firmer than expected; there was a desperate glint in her eyes that Rias had rarely seen in all her life.
Compared to the days when she'd run crying to Julius for help every time she screwed up, it was a world of difference. Justina yielded a step.
“Ask Professor Selene yourself. She probably only guided you because she thought my brother needed it, so he won't get too mad.”
“You tell me.”
“My body's all broken up, so it's awkward for me to say anything to him.”
Rias shot Justina a venomous glare, then turned and stalked off without so much as a greeting or thanks.
Justina didn't bother seeing her off or saying goodbye either, heading straight to her dormitory.
Their relationship was utterly irreconcilable.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Liza.”
“Yes?”
“That person you brought in. Any info on her?”
“Uh, she just arrived in Astraea recently? That's it.”
“Figured as much.”
Demons can disguise themselves as humans depending on the situation. The quality varies wildly from godawful to flawless based on method and skill, but if a skilled demon puts their mind to it and has a human corpse as a vessel, distinguishing them is next to impossible.
Why do I know? Ever wonder how many demon spies the Lebedevs have caught?
Anyway, I'd been in that situation myself, learning ways to tell real from fake. In the end, though, the most important thing was sharp eyes over anything else.
More bluntly, it's that gut feeling from experience.
Anyway, that woman named Lana who'd just come in—she gave off an awkward vibe from her movements to her everyday gestures.
She knew human etiquette, but not perfectly.
If she knew etiquette, she'd have to be from high society or nobility, but there were no signs of that upbringing.
And that subtle, constant gaze on me felt less like human-on-human and more like a wild beast or demon sizing up a human.
I was piecing it together on instinct, but with over ten years facing demons head-on, I trusted my gut on this.
“Heard how long she's staying?”
“A while, I think. Said the labyrinth info helps her research.”
“Sounds plausible.”
I wasn't sure if she'd come back here, and even if she was a demon, she might not be hostile—but better safe than sorry.
Big Sis Leimi was coordinating with the magic tower, Big Sis Mina with her family Elcart, so the only ones I could ask for help were Mr. Dras or Big Sis Cosetica. But they were both busy, so I couldn't just barge in demanding assistance anytime.
“Liza, bit of a favor—awkward one. If you run into her near the labyrinth, just chat casually or ask some questions. I need to judge based on her answers.”
“Something suspicious?”
“I get the feeling she might be dangerous.”
It was a sweltering summer day. I made an Einspänner—the kind I'd only ever made for Ms. Cosetica—and took a sip.
Einspänner's cream is thicker than milk and doesn't melt easily, so the taste changes with how you drink it. I chose to tilt the cup.
Coffee at the bottom, cream on top—with a straw from below, you get espresso first then cream. Tilting mixes it just right going in.
Some stir it all up with the straw. No right answer.
“No right answer, huh.”
My second big worry lately.
Saving the world. Can I do it without Ermina?
My brute strength worked even against Demon God Cult executives, which was good—but I'm all-in on self-buffs and imbuing my aura with holy attributes. No wide-area purification or denial of evil magic like Ermina.
Healing only works fully on me, and I can't enchant others' weapons.
Whether it's fate's joke or the goddess's scheme, the skill distribution assumes Ermina in the back while I go vanguard and take the enemy leader's head.
If no one matches Ermina's aptitude for light magic, we'll have to split her roles: one priest from the theocracy in the corner, one magic tower mage, one imperial knight guarding the rear, and an all-rounder elf helper. Your classic hero party mess.
“That flashy setup, and the Imir Kingdom won't even notice.”
Exclude Imir Kingdom? Chaos one way. Include them? Chaos the other.
And big credit for crushing the Demon God Cult? Lebedevs would go all-out to drag me back.
Even if I recruit smartly and clear it like a game for the ending, this world isn't a game—there's always the aftermath.
Hell, "crushing" them takes 2-3 hard years at best. Rest of my life? 70-80 years. Overwhelmingly longer.
Irritated by the mess, I aggressively stirred the Einspänner, blending cream and coffee into one.
Mm. Still tastes good.
“If she is dangerous, what're you gonna do?”
“Dunno. Haven't thought that far.”
“Make her a friend or something?”
“Not easy... but maybe.”
Demons vary wildly in alignment. They instinctively oppose humans, but the degree differs. If she's truly benign, she could even be a demon defector ally.
Change in thinking.
Change in thinking.
Change in thinking.
Ally instead?
It hit me: pull Ermina out of the academy and we could roam demon-hunting together.
Low odds, but if we agreed, it'd be overwhelmingly efficient and stealthy.
I tucked it away as one possibility in the back of my mind.