Vol 1 Ch 7
Chapter 7 – Regular Exams
♦♦♦
The exam contents for the first year were announced.
“Oh…”
As they had been told, it was announced on the day of the exam.
Adele let out an exclamation of admiration as he saw the entrance to the cave that spread out before him.
“A teleportation hole. I had heard that it was an expensive magical tool that was hard to come by, but it’s as expected from the best school in the kingdom.”
Elesia, who was beside him, also let out an exclamation of admiration.
Outside the cave was a vast grassland, and the mismatched combination didn’t seem real.
Or rather, it might be more unrealistic that they had been in the school just a moment ago, but had come to a different place by diving through the hole.
“This is one of the dungeons owned by the school.”
The instructor standing in front of them spoke to everyone.
“First of all, there are no monsters in this dungeon. So, for now, you should assume that there is no risk of death. Well, of course you might get injured.”
A murmur. The students began to get noisy.
This exam was to be held in separate classes. The students of class S, who were the first group to take the exam, were gathered in the square.
However, for some reason, there were not only first-year students here—
“(Hey, why are there second-year students here…)”
“(Are the exam supervisors the upperclassmen?)”
Adele looked around slightly.
There were second-year students, who were upperclassmen. Among them were Julius and Cain, whom he had seen the other day.
“(Ugh… It’s like a pre-planned combination. Maybe God recognized my previous statement as a flag?)”
“(Well, what do you think? A second-year S class will be supervising the first-year S class… that’s not strange at all.)”
As the two exchanged friendly eye contact, the instructor spoke.
“The exam today is simply to reach the goal at the deepest part of the dungeon. There is a teleportation hole, so the exam will end when you return to the school through it.”
It’s not about defeating monsters. Just go and come back.
If you just take that literally, this exam seems easy.
However, this is the kingdom’s best school, and it’s merit-based. The students, who were exuding tension, were well aware that there was more to it than that.
“Since this is the first exam, it won’t affect your grades. However, you shouldn’t let your guard down— any student who doesn’t return within the two-hour time limit will be expelled.”
*Gulp*. The moment the word expulsion was mentioned, a gasp was heard from somewhere.
Even though it won’t affect your grades, if you let your guard down, it’s a straight path to the depths of hell.
The instructor then waved his hand, and suddenly rings appeared on the students’ arms.
The rings had some kind of number written on them—
“The exam will be in pairs. You will be paired with someone who has the same number as you when taking the exam, but this is just a guideline. Even if one of them fails to reach the goal, as long as the other does, that person will pass.”
The number written on Adele’s ring was ‘1’. Glancing to the side, the number written on Elesia’s ring was ‘3’.
Noticing this, Elesia collapsed to her knees with an expression that was hard to believe for a young lady.
“N-No way… I’m not paired with Master!?”
As usual, she’s going at her own pace. Adele’s cheeks twitched.
At that moment──
“Adele, Adele”
He was suddenly tapped on the back from behind.
He turned around, curious, to see Luna showing her ring.
“I’m ‘1’!”
“Oh, so that means it’s the same as mine, huh?”
It was good that it was someone he knew. It would be weirdly tense if it was someone he didn’t know.
Adele was relieved, ignoring Elesia, who was glaring enviously next to him.
(Plus, if something were to happen, he’d be able to protect me.)
Julius was here.
Even if he was just supervising the exam as Elesia said, it wouldn’t hurt to be on guard.
Considering that, it was a stroke of luck that he was able to work with Luna, who was currently the target.
“And for this exam, the second-year students will be supervising. Unfortunately, the instructors cannot know what happens inside the dungeon. If you become ill or get injured, please follow the instructions of the upperclassmen.”
As he said this, the first-year students began to move away to find their partners.
Besides her, Elesia stood up and reluctantly walked away, but stopped when she met up with a female student along the way. She was probably Elesia’s partner this time.
In addition, he found Serena with another student a short distance away.
That meant that Adele and Luna were the only pairs within the faction.
And then───
“Hey, you two are pair number ‘1’, right?”
A voice came from behind again.
A beautiful girl with pink hair tied up on the side, combining innocence and seductiveness. Such a student stopped in front of Adele and the others.
“I’m Charlotte. I’m ranked third in the second year, nice to meet you.”
She looked a little tired, but still friendly.
Luna, who was next to her, bowed vigorously and said, “nice to meet you too” Seeing her reaction, Adele───
(She didn’t seem particularly wary. Does that mean she doesn’t know him…?)
Suddenly, Adele looked around.
Julius, who was the important one, was heading towards Serena’s pair, while Cain was heading towards Elesia.
It was worrying how the other two were interacting with acquaintances, but they hadn’t made any contact with Adele, who started the fight, or Luna, who was their target.
If they were targeting him, someone related to the third prince would probably be the first to contact him.
(In the first place, it may not be something that students can have a say in when it comes to this type of teacher. So, am I being too cautious?)
Adele relaxed his shoulders a little and bowed his head, saying, “Thank you in advance.”
At that moment—
“Adele, let’s have a little strategy meeting. Is that okay, Charlotte-senpai?”
“Huh? Ah, it’s fine. I have no right to interfere in your exams.”
And with that, Charlotte moved away a little.
Did she think it was rude to overhear a strategy meeting for passing the exam? Adele was a little impressed by her senior’s consideration.
After making sure that Charlotte had moved away, Luna brought her face close to Adele’s ear—
“Be careful, Adele.”
“Hmm?”
“That’s the one who rose from 58th place to 3rd place just before the exam.”
She spoke in a low voice, straightforwardly.
“I don’t know her, but there must be something to this dramatic progress. Perhaps she is related to Julius-onii-sama and even stronger than him.”
The moment they stepped inside the dungeon, the scenery changed.
That said, it seemed similar to the entrance seen from the outside. However, the size was different from when she could see it, and the other students who should have entered with them were nowhere to be seen.
Maybe they had been transported to different places by a teleportation hole? That’s what Adele thought as they entered.
“I’m sure we were told that the exam was all about reaching the goal, right?”
Adele spoke, glancing to the side.
He couldn’t see the other students… but he could see his partner Luna next to him. In addition, their exam supervisor, Charlotte, was behind him.
“Yeah, that’s true. I heard there are no monsters or demons, but…”
“So basically, you want me to go back to my childhood and enjoy the maze? I hate it, I haven’t lost that innocence of my childhood, but you just assume that.”
“I used to like having picture books read to me.”
“It’s fine if it’s cute.”
Adele glances back.
Charlotte remains silent, watching the two of them.
“From here on, the exam supervisor will make no comment.”
“Well, if you interfere, it wouldn’t be a proper exam. It’s more fun if do anything unfair here.”
It was a suggestive way of speaking, as if he was issuing a faint warning.
Charlotte just shrugs her shoulders and says nothing.
It makes the atmosphere seem even more eerie, but for now the two decide to move forward.
“The standard strategy for a maze is to rely on intuition or follow the walls, right?”
“That way you can reach the goal for sure, but you’ll have to take a detour, so I don’t really want to do that. After all, there’s a two-hour time limit.”
It’s unclear how big the maze is.
In that situation, taking a detour to be sure would be a foolish plan. The school would probably take that into consideration as well.
After all, this is a school where meritocracy is the rule. If you can clear it by picking the safe cards, then skill doesn’t really matter.
“So, in other words, I want you to try your best outside of the standard strategy—Light.”
Adele gently pointed his finger up.
Then, a bright, small light rose from his hand and began to illuminate the dim cave.
“Oh, Adele can use light magic too.”
“Well, at a basic level, I guess. I’m definitely inferior to Elesia in that regard. If it was just this category, I’m no match for her, sadly.”
“As expected of a prodigy from a magical family. High specs~.”
“Recently, it’s not just that anymore, and I’m always worried it might mess with a guy’s pride. If a guy was weaker than a girl, that’d be pretty embarrassing.”
“Hmm, I guess that’s how it is?”
Luna tilts her head as she walks.
It’s not like men are bad if they’re weaker than women. There may be some difference in strength, but there’s no simple formula that determines everything.
There are cases like Elesia where the specs required for magic exceed the maximum, and cases like Mil where she has the talent to overwhelm the opposite sex with a single sword.
In fact, there were more girls than men in the top ten of the first year S class rankings.
So, it’s not that strange that women to be stronger than men.
However───
“It’s a simple, silly reason. I always want to be the prince on a white horse who saves the princess───well, it’s just a little bit of man’s pride.”
“…That’s lame.”
“Lame?”
With a slight blush on her cheeks, Luna patted Adele on the back.
The question arises in him mind as he wonders why, but Luna, who has begun to walk ahead of him, doesn’t answer.
Instead───
“Fill me, fill me. With this unquenchable flame, guide my path.”
Luna stretched her arms out straight and began to draw a line of burning fire ahead.
It continued along the path ahead without stopping, and when it came to a fork in the road, it branched off.
After a while, one of the flames gradually disappeared.
“What was that?”
“Huh? Well, if it’s a maze, there are dead ends, right? I made it so that it follows the path and disappears if it hits a wall.”
“Oh, I see.”
Indeed, that would allow them to move forward without hitting a dead end.
They would have to use magic every time, but it was better than just going along pointlessly and getting lost.
The school probably also wanted this kind of “brain-based” strategy.
“To be honest, if it was to this extent, it would take a lot of repeated use to run out of magic power. Shall we proceed like this for the time being?”
“No objection. I’m super happy to have such a reliable partner.”
“I-I wonder?”
Hehe. Luna scratched her head in embarrassment, perhaps because she was praised by someone she admired.
Adele continued to walk through the area where flames were laid out, illuminating the surroundings.
(…However)
As he walked, Adele suddenly had a thought.
(I never knew having nothing there could feel so creepy.)
It’s better to have nothing there.
However, having too little there is just creepy.
“……”
Charlotte doesn’t say anything.
She looks like a carnivorous animal waiting for the right moment to hunt its prey.
The content of the regular exams is almost the same every year.
The current second-year students who were first-years last year take the same exams, but there is a school rule that states that ‘you must not tell younger students about the exam content.’
If they break the rule, they will be expelled immediately. As long as this rule remains in place, underclassmen will never know about the exam, even if it is the same as every year.
If it is discovered that someone has secretly taught them and that they are taking the exam with knowledge of it, both of them will have to live the rest of their lives outside the school with the stigma of being “so dirty that they cheated.”
In an aristocratic society where reputation is everything, this stigma is fatal.
Even if there is an advantage to being the teacher, cheating has never happened at the school before because the punishment is too severe.
And, every year, 80% of the first-year students pass the exam on their first try.
They just advance toward the goal, but the difficulty is so high that 20% fail.
The average time to reach the goal is one hour and 30 minutes for the entire year.
And, as expected of the S class.
Just as an hour had passed, Serena, who was ranked third, and her partner girl safely reached the goal.
“Congratulations, you passed the exam.”
At the very bottom, a huge mirror-like hole.
As soon as it appeared in front of them, Julius, who had remained silent until the end, clapped his hands in praise.
“Now, go through the teleportation hole and return to the school. Then you can enjoy another month of school life.”
Hearing this, Serena was not happy—but instead frowned.
(It’s scary how nothing happened.)
Serena belongs to Luna’s faction and is her first ally.
The other person has a personality that cannot ignore even the most worrisome factors that could cause an upset.
Therefore, when she found out that the exam supervisor was Julius, she was quite cautious, but when she opened the lid, it turned out to be nothing more than a trap to buy time in the dungeon.
“Um, excuse me! I’m Sakuna from the Saraits Viscount family!”
“I remember you, we attended the party two years ago, right?”
“You remember me!?”
Meanwhile, the other girl in the pair went straight to talk to Julius as soon as they reached the goal.
She must have heard rumors about the third prince. Still, she approached him simply because she wanted to have a connection with the royal family. Or was it his handsome appearance that attracted her?
Either way, in front of the girl who called herself Sakuna, Julius just smiled and did nothing.
They walked together, and even stood in front of the mirror.
“Well, then, let’s go back. I have to go and give my report, too.”
Julius led the way, entering the teleportation hole.
The girl followed him, and Serena also stepped in cautiously.
Then, the scenery changed completely.
The view changed from the cave-like scenery to the auditorium that they had seen at the entrance ceremony.
(If we returned to the school, we wouldn’t be able to do anything…)
Even if he tried to do something now, there were instructors waiting for the students in the auditorium.
There were other students who had already passed the exams, and there was no way he could cause a fight in a place like this.
However, Elesia, Adel, and Luna were nowhere to be seen─Julius, who was about to do something, was also in this space.
(Am I overthinking it…?)
Serena relaxed her tension and let out a soft sigh───
♦♦♦
“You’re not overthinking it.”
*Bang!!!*
A loud impact sound suddenly came from behind her.
She turned around wondering what was going on, but Adele, who should have been there, was no longer there. Instead, there was a hole in the other direction, as if the wall had collapsed.
And nearby was Charlotte, making a motion as if she had just swung her leg through.
“Huh…?”
Luna didn’t understand what the situation was.
The sudden current situation. A sudden blank moment.
Charlotte, who must have done something, shrugged her shoulders and slowly walked towards the hole.
“Regular exams… and these extracurricular exams are often out of the reach of the instructor. That’s when the perfect environment is created for a prank.”
“You’re the exam proctor…!”
Luna put her guard up as soon as possible and distanced herself from Charlotte.
However, Charlotte didn’t seem interested in Luna, as she raised her hand slightly and moved forward.
“That blow was only possible because it was a surprise attack from behind when her guard was down a little. My role is to hold back the hero. I’m not assigned to answer questions.”
That’s why.
Charlotte left these final words and disappeared into the hole.
“You and your brother should enjoy that kind of questioning.”
Luna turned to the other side vigorously.
Someone’s footsteps. The lights went out because Adele had been blown away.
Someone slowly appeared from the dim space.
“What, then…”
Luna’s face was filled with shock.
“Why are you here!?”
After all, there was—-
“So, we are finally alone together, Luna.”
—– Her brother was there, of course.
Why is he here? That question arose.
Even so, Luna quickly distanced herself. Because she understood that his appearance here was no coincidence.
“It’s sad, I finally got to see my sister, and now she’s blatantly distancing herself like that… is this the rebellious phase I’ve heard about?”
In contrast to Luna, Julius just shrugged his shoulders and acted nonchalant.
Luna felt irritated, but the image of her bodyguard, Serena, suddenly came to her mind.
“W-What about Serena?!”
“Huh? Ah, your bodyguard that I was in charge of.”
“Answer me!”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure she’ll have passed the exam by now and be returning to school with me.”
she didn’t understand what that means.
After all, Julius is standing right in front of her.
Returning to school? Did Serena pass the exam? No, there’s no way an exam supervisor can leave a student under their supervision.
If she could leave, it would surely be after something had happened to Serena.
Luna’s impatience reaches its peak. She lets her emotions get the better of her, and points her finger, preparing to chant a spell.
“You’re not thinking enough, Luna. Realistically speaking, it’s reasonable to think that I somehow brought them to see Luna. But—-”
Julius runs across the ground in one go.
He’s so fast it’s hard to believe he’s only one year older than her. Luna throws away her power and shoots a beginner-level flame that can be shot without chanting.
However, Julius dodged by leaning his body, and slipped into Luna’s arms.
“We’re siblings, I didn’t want you to think of me going on a suicide mission without any insurance.”
And then, a sharp fist slammed into Luna’s solar plexus.
“Guh?!”
“If you’re going to do it, do it thoroughly.”
Luna’s body bounced off the ground again and again.
By the time her back hit the wall, her momentum had slowed, but instead, the pain in her stomach made it difficult to breathe.
“Cough, ha…?!”
“If you enroll in this school and then drop out, you’re definitely out of the fight for the succession.”
Evaluation criteria for the succession battle.
There are many, but the more people who support you, the better.
The majority of people who support you count the advantages and disadvantages, but the premise is that you can “ride the winning horse.”
If you were to drop out of the school here, you’d be labeled a “dropout” and a “failure,” and your supporters would leave you.
“So, it would be a relief if Luna retired now.”
“Huh?!”
“Well, I can tell you don’t want to do that by the way you’re desperately trying to gather allies.”
Julius approached, step by step.
Seeing this, Luna turned her head frantically.
“I-if I report the cheating to the school…”
“I’d have more witnesses than you, but if you’re confident you can get your way. Right now, the other me is waiting in the auditorium for everyone to pass.”
It was unclear whether what Julius said was true or not.
However, his composure and the situation he found himself in didn’t lead her to believe it was a lie.
A cold sweat ran down Luna’s back.
“Her magic is incredible. I applaud her for using it in combat, but it’s also perfect for other uses.”
“……”
“That’s why I won’t make her public. Even if she finds out, I’ll dispose of her. In the first place, no matter how much effort you put into creating an alibi, it will make the person’s words meaningless.”
A dimly lit space.
With Adele gone, silence spread.
(What should I do?)
Should I run away now, or should I join up with Adele?
If I join up with Adele, Julius will definitely catch up with me.
It’s a two-on-two situation. Since my fighting ability is inferior, I’ll definitely put a strain on Adele.
If that happens, there’s a chance that the two of us will be defeated by Julius and his group.
So, should I run now and try to reach the goal on my own? Julius’s goal is to expel himself.
If she reaches the goal, she’ll avoid expulsion and the school will protect her.
If that’s the case, she’ll probably have to leave Adele behind.
But it’s the hero he admires… it’s hard to imagine him losing in a one-on-one fight, no matter who it is.
But is he really going to leave him behind, even though he’s dragged her into this because of him?
No, no, if she heads for the goal, Charlotte might turn back and chase after her and won’t let her get away.
That way, she might be able to remove the threat from Adele.
“But, to be honest, I’m worried. Just because I dropped out of school, maybe Luna could find a powerful ally and clear my name.”
But can she get away?
Not knowing how far away the goal is, or even where his destination is, can she get away from the two of them?
But still.
She doesn’t want to put Adele, who she dragged into this because of her, in danger.
“Unfortunately, murder is taboo at school. There are a lot of people watching, and even here, when no one is watching, there’s a chance he could be tracked down.”
What should I do? What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do What should I do—
“Well, once you get outside the school, anything can happen. It didn’t work out last time though.”
–Luna quickly turned away and ran away.
What had happened? Such questions dominated Adele’s mind.
“Cough, cough…”
Dust clouds enveloped his surroundings.
A pain he hadn’t felt in a long time hit his whole body, and Adele slowly got up, not really understanding what had happened.
Had three walls been blown away? It’s not like he was letting his guard down or anything.
He was cautious enough to react to whatever opponents like Elesia, Cain, or even Mil might throw at me.
But the kick to his face was more than he’d imagined.
Adele glared fiercely at the end of the dust cloud as it gradually cleared.
And then—-
“Hmm…well, I didn’t mean to go easy on you, but I don’t think you’ll get a one-hit KO with this much.”
Shiny pink hair.
A beautiful girl with a strange aura slowly stepped into the space where Adele was.
Seeing her, Adele felt as if the tangled questions in his mind had been resolved.
“What are you planning… Guess I don’t even need to ask.”
“I’m glad you’ve calmed down. You’re surprisingly calm.”
Charlotte’s body instantly shook.
Right next to Adele, a figure appeared, and he raised one arm to block the fist that was aimed at him.
However, immediately afterwards, he felt a sharp pain in his opposite side.
“Wha…?!?”
And then, there was another Charlotte.
Adele’s thoughts finally created a clear moment of silence.
“You don’t know what’s going on, do you?”
“After all, there are two of me.”
The two Charlottes drew the swords they were carrying.
Clearly hostile. Without realizing what was going on, Adele immediately swung the ivy blades he had created from the ground at the two of them.
But it was only a temporary measure.
The two of them jumped to dodge, and simultaneously swung their swords down from above.
Adele raised the jet-black sword he had made to his head and intercepted the sword that was being swung down.
At that moment──
(One sword… feels heavier?)
It looked like two.
However, the weight in his hand felt like only one.
Perhaps his reaction had shown on his face, as Charlotte saw his reaction and distanced herself from Adele.
“You noticed… Well, I don’t really mind if you reveal the secret.”
While staring at Charlotte, he inadvertently close his eyes for a moment.
During that moment, for some reason, the pink-haired girl’s figure multiplies to three, and even after opening his eyes, she increases to four.
What kind of trick is this? Adele’s cheeks twitched.
“You don’t need to be flashy to defeat your enemies.”
Once again, the four blurred.
They vanished… or rather, they simply moved quickly using their natural physical abilities, just like Adele.
All four sides of Adele. The four of them filled the gaps.
“I can defeat adults without using any magic. But if you want certainty, you can maximize your potential.”
Bam!!!!
A heavy blow landed directly from above.
“It’s a simple application of fire and light magic. It changes the scenery you should be able to see, and creates things you shouldn’t see. Is it a phenomenon similar to a mirage? Well, I don’t think there’s any need for a detailed lecture here.”
In desperation, Adele made extremely thick trunks appear on all four sides of himself.
As if to protect herself from an outside enemy. Then, Charlotte’s figure returned to her original position once again.
“Yeah, I don’t need any polite lectures.”
Adele stares straight at her, feeling the sensation of his neck.
“You’re not just showing off your skills, you want recognition, right? In the end, you just want to tear Luna and me apart.”
“To be precise, I’m here to hold you back. It would be troublesome if you joined her now, since my employer is busy. If there’s one thing I want you to feel reassured about, it’s that I have no intention of killing you.”
“…”
“If there’s one thing that worries me, it’s that I might not reach my goal and get expelled.”
In any case, it doesn’t seem like there’s any way for the exam supervisor to back down.
Adele sighs, exasperated.
“…How dare you, the exam supervisor. You’ll get expelled too if you do this, won’t you?”
“I don’t really care if I get expelled… as long as I get the money. Well, the fact that I’m here means I’m already insured against expulsion.”
A question suddenly arises in Adele’s mind.
What does “insurance” mean? Certainly, normally, the moment someone disrupts something like this, they should be expelled. If Julius planned this situation, he would also be expelled for disrupting the exam.
That’s why I’m curious about Charlotte’s use of the word “insurance”.
However────
“I have no grudge against you… In any case, I will be going to fulfill my role. Of course, if you wait here obediently in seiza position, I will let you pass after signing various contracts.”
Charlotte gets into position.
It wasn’t a stance that looked like it was taught by someone — it had an unfamiliar, self-refined feel to it.
Seeing this, Adele suddenly looks up at the ceiling.
“…Every single one of them, seriously. All so damn self-centered.”
When he looked back─ a clear vein was throbbing on Adele’s forehead.
“Don’t think too seriously.”
Black ivy and trunks cover Adele’s arms.
It grows densely, without any gaps. Eventually, a sword-like mass is completed.
“Haha.”
The villain can’t help but let out a dry laugh.
Just holding the sword gives off an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
A member of the “Black Knight” who is said to have saved many people in the past.
He can’t let his guard down…maybe even more than himself? He even wonders.
Ignoring Charlotte, the hero stabs the jet-black sword into the spot.
“Don’t try to steal the smile of a girl walking forward, do you want to be killed?”
And then, the green “King of the Forest” unleashes its ferocious power.
Now, here begins the battle between geniuses.
“Elesia-san.”
Elesia continues to shine a light on the cave, providing good visibility.
The pair of girls were walking slowly, and suddenly the asked Elesia, who was standing next to her.
“What’s the matter?”
“What’s the matter…umm, do we not have to go down?”
An hour had passed, and Elesia and the others were still exploring the dungeon.
They were completely thorough. As if they were searching for a dropped earring somewhere.
They had passed over the entrance to the lower floors they had found once, and just kept walking inside.
“Hehe, it’s a rare place, so I thought I’d explore.”
“B-But…to pass, you have to go down—-”
“In that case, please go down first. I can’t drag you into my selfishness any further.”
The girl was about to say something, but then started walking in the opposite direction from Elesia, as if to gauge the situation.
She had been told to move in pairs, but did she really want to pass?
The girl, who wanted to pass even if it meant leaving her partner behind, eventually disappeared around the corner.
–the pair disappeared.
Despite this, Cain has not spoken once since they entered the dungeon, and has been following them silently at a distance.
(He’s not going to chase after me? Does that mean I’m the target… Is the problem that I’m here?)
Up until now, nothing in particular has happened.
I thought he would try to interfere, but nothing happened.
It seems like he’s just taking the test normally, but I felt like he had some kind of plot in mind.
(In that case, maybe it would be better if I reunited with Master soon.)
Just as she was thinking that, a huge rock suddenly rolled in front of her.
“I’m alone now, but should I offer my help?”
“Isn’t it the senior students’ fault for not helping?”
Cain finally spoke, perhaps worried about the rolling rock.
However, Elesia didn’t react, and instead created a flash of light from her fingertip, waving it at the rock.
“As expected, you’re ranked second in the first year. I guess I was worrying unnecessarily.”
Cain looks impressed as he sees the melted rock rolling to the side.
(…It would be easier and better if you just praised me from the audience.)
But Elesia continues walking ahead without embarrassment.
(The reason I’m walking through the dungeon without aiming for the goal is just in case… something does happen.)
There’s no rule that says “Don’t join up with other pairs and reach the goal together.” If that’s the case, we should join up after considering various concerns.
The problems surrounding Luna haven’t been resolved, and the current source of the problem is in contact.
Thinking about it like that, even though they’re taking the exam separately, it’s definitely better to act together.
Because maybe something will happen while they’re searching like this.
This exam won’t affect their grades.
As long as they reach the goal, it’s fine, so it’s wise to search as far as they can.
That’s why Elesia hasn’t been heading for the goal for a while now.
And───
“It’s about time, isn’t it?”
Bang!!! The sound of a sword shattering a wall suddenly echoed through the dungeon.
Elesia quickly crouched down and turned her eyes slightly to see Cain swinging his sword over her head.
“…As I thought, you’re planning something.”
“You’re quick to catch on.”
“I wasn’t sure. Still, I didn’t expect you to point your sword directly at me like this.”
A beam of light passed right next to the boy’s face, and Cain immediately jumped back.
“…So, you don’t want me to go, is that right? Well, I suppose I don’t really need to say it, though.”
“In that case, please don’t ask. I might end up holding back without meaning to.”
Elesia’s vigilance rose all at once.
She had no intention of retreating now. She didn’t head towards the goal to call for an instructor.
After all, the fact that he pointed his sword at her like this means he intends to interfere.
Because there is a possibility that he will harm her master.
“Don’t worry, I have no intention of doing anything to your master.”
In exchange for that,
He heaves his sword and says apologetically.
“My role is to hold you back. Sorry, but I won’t let you join them.”
“…Are you sure? If the exam supervisor gets involved, I think you’ll be expelled.”
“Don’t worry about that. There’s no way that prince would go ahead without a plan, so I’ve taken out some insurance.”
Cain looks up with his sword on his shoulder.
There’s nothing there, just a ceiling───
“Besides, even if she would get expelled, I can’t let her be made into a villain all alone.”
“Then I’ll beat her to a pulp. As we’re both servants, you can understand how I feel, right?”
───And then, the two of them ran across the ground at once.
The first real battle in the dungeon begins.
♦♦♦
Charlotte’s magic is special, just like Adele’s.
The phenomenon is similar to a mirage, but in reality, it is closer to a hallucination or auditory hallucination.
She projects the shape she desires onto the other person’s vision, and makes them imagine the sounds that her words and shapes produce.
To put it simply, it’s the current flow, but of course it goes without saying that the structure and theory are complicated.
Charlotte invented this magic when she was ten years old.
Thanks to that, she can also apply it to combat, and she is second to none when it comes to creating alibis or fakes. Up until now, this has been Julius’ strength. By showing the other person the body of someone other than herself, instead of her own, she has been able to hide even her own existence.
Of course, because it is a power called magic, if the magical power runs out, it will disappear on its own.
The first essential thing is to “not lose consciousness.”
As long as Julius remains conscious, his body in the lecture hall will not disappear.
There are many witnesses, and no matter how much Adele and Luna expose Charlotte’s existence, it’s clear who will believe which story. It will probably just be seen as an excuse made out of regret for being expelled. This behavior will probably not be seen as problematic.
(Well, given the situation, I’m the only one handling the two main people, so I’ll have some trouble clearing up the contradictions in my alibi.)
So, what I have to do is…
(It’s all about how to keep this monster from getting close to my master, I guess.)
Plants spread out at her feet.
Several vines grew from them, which Charlotte cut down by swinging her sword.
(The best thing to do would be to knock them unconscious, but I’m not sure if I should be asking too much.)
This time, a huge trunk approached Charlotte.
However, the trunk passed through Charlotte’s body, destroying the back wall and creating a spacious space.
Several Charlottes ran across the ground at once. Immediately after, the sharp vines swung sideways, but they all avoided them with their own movements.
The moment they closed in with Adele, they swung their swords with all their might at the exposed torso.
However────
“So… Hard!”
The sensation was dull. It was as if she’d hit a diamond.
It was supposed to be a plant. But still, the jet-black sword, which had been firmly blocked, was now swung at her.
(The “Black Knight”. I never thought the day would come when I would point my sword at that hero… I’m sure my younger brothers would get angry if I told them that.)
Charlotte gripped her sword again.
From then on, he ignored the other Charlottes and started exchanging sword blows.
He didn’t back down a single step. The only sound that echoed throughout the dungeon was the sound of swords clashing.
And just after that, Charlotte’s sword, which should have been defending, slipped through and a heavy impact struck the back of Adele’s head.
“……!”
“Aren’t you concentrating too much on what was in front of you?”
What Charlotte did was quite simple.
As she retreated, she left only an illusion, erasing herself from Adele’s field of vision and swung her sword at an unguarded part of his body.
That’s all. It was just that, but how difficult it was to do this while matching her sword with Adele’s.
The timing of her breath, gauging the distance, and the speed at which she used her magic.
It was definitely not something an ordinary person could do.
This is without a doubt—-
“I can’t believe there are other magic swordsmen out there.”
“I’ll leave it up to each of you to decide how to express it. I just find it easier this way.”
The reason there are so few magic swordsmen is simply because there are no swordsmen who can use magic.
You can use magic and wield a sword. Anyone can do that.
However, that is merely being a jack of all trades, master of none.
Can you beat a veteran warrior with a sword? Can you beat a magician who has devoted themselves researching magic?
In other words, that’s what it means—This name is only applied to heretics who specialize in both sword and magic and can use them together in battle.
“Call me what you like, if I was interested in fame in the first place I wouldn’t have become such a villain.”
Adele swung his sword, and at the same time, created a distance, causing both her illusion and herself to vanish.
At that moment, thick vines began to grow only around the invisible self.
If they were cut, their location would be revealed. Therefore, she jumped to put some distance between them, but when she landed again, vines began to grow from under her feet.
(I see, it was figuring out where she was by touch.)
An illusion is just an illusion. It has no substance.
Therefore, it has no weight where it is touched, and if you can feel it, you can catch it even if you can’t see it.
However──
“It’s a simple solution, though,”
Charlotte snapped her fingers.
With just that, the surrounding area was covered in crimson flames.
A spell of this scale without chanting──if there was an audience and someone was watching, they would have been shocked.
“Plants are weak to fire. If you burn them, they’re no longer a threat, right?”
A thick trunk approached Charlotte, burning from the sea of flames.
“But it’ll just burn, right?”
“But it will burn, won’t it?”
Charlotte swung her sword lightly and cut the trunk in half.
The trunk split in two and hit the wall, turning to ash and crumbling away.
“The power is lacking.”
The green in the dark space instantly turned red and black.
It was as if the healing blessings of nature had instantly turned into a hellish scene.
(… I can do it)
Running out of the burning flames, the multitude of Charlottes swung their swords at Adele.
(I can do it)
I can’t deal with it.
Several of the many sword strikes Adele’s body, and finally, due to the influence of the flames, the great sword begins to crumble in places.
(I can do it… I can defeat him)
If anyone had really seen this scene, they would have said, “I can’t believe it.”
They were both students. And yet, their sword strikes were unleashed with blinding speed. And powerful magic was produced at the same time.
Even an experienced adult would surely be no match for this battle.
The scene that was happening now was so abnormal that it was unbelievable.
A pair of outcasts. Battles born from the talents that surpass even that of geniuses.
But even so, it’s definitely Charlotte who’s pushing forward.
(Not just to delay, but to achieve victory…!)
Charlotte knows that better than anyone.
She’s confident because she’s constantly exchanging blows with him.
“…Hey.”
And she also knows that this confidence was only temporary───
“Get over it, genius. I don’t have time to be with you at your recital.”
───Immediately afterwards, Charlotte’s body was thrown over five walls and onto the ground.
♦♦♦
In normal circumstances, underclassmen rarely duel with upperclassmen.
Of course, it may happen depending on the content of club activities or exams, but that’s because there isn’t much benefit to either party.
Even if an upperclassman or underclassman wins against a higher-ranked person, there is no change in the ranking.
On the other hand, if a higher-ranked person loses to a lower-ranked person, their ranking will drop and the other students in the same grade will simply be moved up.
The circumstances when Adele and Serena fought Cain were a bit unusual, but because of that, they rarely exchange punches with upperclassmen.
This is why it was Elesia’s first time facing an upperclassman.
(Though I don’t know how strong he is)
She won’t go easy on him.
Elesia pointed her finger at Cain and shot light from her fingertips without chanting.
However, Cain twisted his head a little and dodged.
“Chanting without incantation? Aren’t this year’s first-years a bit too high level?”
“Considering that, you dodged it with ease.”
Cain quickly swung his sword at her side.
She took a step back and dodged the blade at the last moment. Then, Cain stabbed his sword into the ground, immediately grabbed Elesia’s wrist, and kicked her in the solar plexus.
“Ugh!?”
“Do you know?”
Elesia’s body rolled to the edge of the dark.
“By the time they reach the second year, more than half of the 100 or so students who enroll will have left the school. It won’t affect their grades in the first test, but that won’t be the case from the next time. A duel can turn from a farce into hell.”
Then, Cain closed the distance with a kick and swung his sword sideways.
Elesia quickly blocked with her arm. The blade was firmly blocked by a magical barrier. But the impact was too heavy for her arm.
“That’s why most of the second-year students are top-notch. Needless to say, the ones who make it into the top ranks are great.”
Cain swung his sword twice and three times at Elesia, who was guarding with her arms crossed.
“So, I’ll do my best too. How about you get serious now, prodigy of the Earl’s family.”
Elesia frowned upon hearing Cain’s words.
Did he think she was going easy on him? Elesia sighed as she received the sword blow.
“Even from an objective point of view, I think I’m being overpowered. Besides, if I were to attack seriously, this place would collapse. I don’t want a mutual defeat that doesn’t excite the audience.”
“But if this keeps up, it’s going to end.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m slacking off.”
Elesia kicked Cain’s sword to distance herself, then clapped her hands.
Then, countless particles of light began to float into the sky.
“The maidens who have been granted the blessing of light bless everyone equally.”
A chill ran down Cain’s back.
He’d worked so hard to close the gap. He abandoned it and reflexively retreated.
At that moment, the particle of light pierced the spot where Cain had been standing. The ground there────smoke and melted.
“…If that hits me, it won’t be pleasing.”
“Will you surrender?”
“No way.”
Cain ran across the ground once more.
“I know a much more troublesome and powerful opponent than you.”
Elesia’s floating spheres rain down from behind.
An overwhelming amount of them. Despite that, each one is capable of dealing fatal damage.
“I wish I could get closer.”
“A magician’s job is long-distance combat. You can try that approach with other girls.”
If even one of them hits, it would melt and penetrate the flesh.
That should strike Cain with fear… but for some reason, he doesn’t flinch.
Even though she was making a joke, Elesia was quite unsatisfied.
After all, he was closing the distance by accurately avoiding the rain of light that was pouring down on him.
“I was behind in that two-on-one battle, but I don’t think I’m that weak.”
It’s true that he was maneuvering around skillfully to avoid being killed. After all, he just wanted to stop them, not kill them.
However────
“I don’t know,”
Elesia said as she shot light from her fingertips.
“How can you get away with doing something so brazenly? I don’t sense any murderous intent, but isn’t this clearly an act of obstruction on the level of expulsion?”
“It’s certainly a big deal, but if the people around you don’t understand how big it is, it’s meaningless.”
Cain twists his body to avoid the light.
“Our heretic specializes in creating illusions. While we’re doing this, our illusions of you and me are in the auditorium with everyone else───which means we’ve already passed.”
“…………”
“So even if we complained about the injustice here, people would just think, ‘What are you talking about?’ This is the insurance we have.”
No one would believe someone who’d passed if they said, “We were obstructed!”
After all, they were there together just a moment ago.
Besides, if you passed, why would you do something like that? That would only incite distrust.
So, Cain and the others just need to be careful to never let the illusion and the real person to be in the same location, and then they can return.
If it is a lie, but is believed by the majority, is better than the opinion of the minority.
Cain and the others knew from their past experiences that this kind of thing could pass.
“So please just give up quietly, I beg you.”
With a look of pleading on his face, Cain finally approached Elesia.
At that moment, Elesia—-
“…Like you, I’m not particularly attached to the school.”
She placed one hand on her clenched fist.
And when she opened it—-for some reason, a sword of light flickered from between them.
“All that matters is my master and the path he is on.”
What was that? A question arose in Cain’s mind.
“Completed, the ‘Sword of Light.'”
But it didn’t matter.
At this distance, it was faster to swing the sword than to use magic.
And so, without hesitation, Cain swung his sword sideways with the same momentum as he had approached.
And Elesia’s sword blocked it and was put into orbit.
“I learned this from the Marquis of Astia family—-”
Then, the moment the swords clashed, Cain’s seemed to slide and melted into two halves.
“Surprisingly, when a knight loses his partner, it seems that any human would be surprised.”
Cain doesn’t know.
That this sword is a collection of the particles she showed him earlier.
When sunlight converges, it generates a great deal of heat. Just like when you focus light with a magnifying glass and shine it on paper, it burns.
In other words, the sword Elesia holds is a magic sword that is hotter than regular flames.
Its power is—-a blade that can melt even iron.
“Huh?”
Just as Elesia said, a moment of emptiness appeared in Cain’s mind.
At that moment, Elesia’s small hand gently touched Cain’s eyes───
“And so, if a human shows an opening, even a weak girl like me can defeat them.”
Immediately afterwards, there was a loud thud!!!
A pale light echoed throughout the space at the same time as the pain ran through his skull.
(…Ah, I see.)
I’ve lost, he thought.
As his vision faded, the thought suddenly occurred to him.
And then───
“You’re not cut out to be the villain. You’re a kind person, after all.”
───For some reason, at the end, the image of a beautiful girl with pink hair appeared in his mind.
Cain’s body collapsed.
Seeing this, Elesia turned on her heels.
“Well, shall we go? If you are a servant, you should serve your master… right, Lord Cain?”
Now, the curtains fall on the battle between the servants, which has been going on in secret.
Another upset, with a lower-class student winning.
♦♦♦
I should tell you in advance that Luna Carbon is not that “weak”.
She is skilled enough to be ranked eighth in an academy that is tied to rankings.
Of course, she is inferior to Adele and her guardian Serena, but as a magician, she is far superior to her peers.
Compared to Elesia, who was known as a child prodigy from that magical family, she can only smile wryly, but even so.
Even so, she was a genius worthy of the name of royalty.
However───
“Is that all?”
A spear of earth leaps out.
The one who shatters it in an instant───her own brother.
Luna bites her lip at the sight, and chants softly as she runs.
“Blessing of the earth, deal him sharp justice…!”
Once again, spears of earth surrounded Julius.
There was no hesitation in the shot. They were all aimed at Julius, but before she could even blink, Julius had smashed them with the sword he was holding.
“A second-rate, through and through. It’s not like you’re not talented or anything, but…”
Julius’s figure blurred.
Perhaps her intuition kicked in, as she stopped running and curled up.
Then, a merciless swing struck Luna’s torso, showing no regard for her as a lady.
“As I thought, you’re unfit to be my sister.”
Her delicate body rolled on the ground.
Luna’s face was in pain and agony, but she got up and ran off immediately.
(You’ve got to be kidding me! As I thought, there’s just too much of a difference…!)
Julius Carbon.
The most combat-specialized and gifted of the royal family.
He is blessed with a talent for swordsmanship, so much so that he is called the “reincarnation of the Sword Saint,” and his physical abilities are such that he can overwhelm not only those of his age, but even adults.
His abilities are not just rumors; Luna has seen them many times before.
And that’s precisely why — “don’t mess with me”. She couldn’t help but spit out those words.
(Come on, why haven’t I met up with anyone! S-class is too excellent!)
If she could meet a third party who doesn’t know the situation, there would be more witnesses.
But still, for some reason, there’s no on around. Maybe they’ve already cleared the test, or maybe Julius and the others did something.
It’s a relief that I haven’t run into Adele or Elesia, who I don’t want to trouble yet, but having absolutely nothing to work with is tough.
So, Luna continues to aim for the goal, feeling a sense of danger.
“My older siblings are useless.”
Luna jumps into the stairs to the basement at the side.
At that moment, a sword is swung down and pierces the place where she was just now.
“The oldest brother is intoxicated with power, and the second brother is a studious person. The older sister seems to think about the country to some extent, but in the end, it’s just a lady’s story. She doesn’t have the initiative, and even if she wanted to wake her up, she probably wouldn’t actually do it.”
Julius turned his gaze to Luna, who was tumbling down the stairs.
“On the contrary, Luna is a waste. She doesn’t have more talent than the other siblings, but she has the drive. If she had been born earlier, she would have likely gathered more allies in the factions by now.”
*Clang* Julius’ footsteps echoed throughout the dungeon.
Luna knew that it was the Grim Reaper’s footsteps. So, without a word, she ran off to the dungeon on the lower floor.
“That’s why, in a way, Luna is more terrifying to me. If you’re always looking up, you won’t notice the stones at your feet. I want to clear the path as soon as possible.”
In that instant, as she turned her back, Julius’s kick struck Luna’s side.
“—!?”
“I’m going to go higher, to make the country move forward even more.”
She rolled on the ground. And was unable to stop.
With the distance now, Luna felt a little relieved—she could still escape.
Julius didn’t seem to care about his sister’s feelings, so he took out a watch from his pocket, checked the time, and put it back in his pocket.
“Y-You’d kill your family for that…?”
Luna coughed and finally spoke.
“Want me to say some nice words?”
“…There’s a line you shouldn’t cross.”
“You can decide whether a sacrifice is necessary by looking at the results.”
Luna chanted silently as she blasted the earth pebbles from her palm.
However, Julius easily deflected it with his sword.
“If I’m going to do it, I’ll do it thoroughly. I won’t tolerate even the slightest impurity. It’s not a question of whether to kill or not, it’s just that it’s certain. Of course, I’m aware that I’m a cruel bastard.”
But even so, he’s going to do it.
Even though he understands this, he still doesn’t hesitate to continue on this path.
An ambitious man──── a typical madman at that.
If she were to be defeated and knocked unconscious by Julius here, she would definitely be expelled.
She doesn’t know why his current actions haven’t been discovered, but it tells her that this sense of ease is not a lie.
And if he loses here, she wouldn’t know what will happen to him outside of the school.
Suddenly, the incident when she nearly died outside the city comes back to her mind.
It was only speculation, but it was something his brother had prepared────
(…………Ah)
The moment Luna tried to stand up, she realized she couldn’t put any strength into her legs.
Was it a flashback of the incident that nearly killed her a while ago, or was the damage she had sustained up until that point finally showing?
Luna, trembling like a fawn, repeatedly tapped her legs, as if trying to move a stationary machine.
“…Move.”
“This is the end.”
“Please moooooooooooooooooooooooove!”
At this rate she’d lose.
If she lost, expelled, and separated from everyone… she might die.
The fear caused tears to flow from Luna’s eyes as she frantically tapped her legs again and again.
“This concludes the game of tag.”
Julius slowly approached, sword in hand.
And then───
“Well then, my mediocre little sister… prepare yourself.”
─── Debris began to fall from the ceiling.
“Hmm?”
Julius reflexively looked up.
The debris had fallen between him and Luna.
Among the rubble that fell as if the ceiling had been shattered… Julius suddenly saw the figure of a girl who looked like someone he knew.
The girl was thrown to the ground along with the rubble, and Julius spoke without thinking.
“Charlotte… why are you here?”
“Isn’t that obvious…!?”
The moment he began to speak, Charlotte instantly got up and jumped under Julius.
She looked as if she was running away from something.
In the next moment, several giant knight swords dyed black and green pierced the ground from the opening.
“Thank goodness, I made it in time.”
A boy appeared late.
The boy was holding a jet-black, sinister sword.
He stood in front of Julius, as if to protect Luna.
“A-Adele-kun…!”
Luna couldn’t help but cry out as she saw his back.
She didn’t want to cause him any trouble. She didn’t want him to get hurt after all, that’s why she ran away.
But she still felt happy.
It must be because this back was once—-
“Leave the rest to me, princess. So, stop crying now.”
—It was probably because of that big back that helped her up when I was crying.
The Black Knight.
Just as the rumors had it, the hero appeared dashingly to save someone in trouble.
“Now, let’s fight, you instigator. It’s a knight’s duty to protect the princess, so gather up your petty selfishness and come at me all at once.”
Today, the hero clenches his fist for someone else too.
♦♦♦
It was no coincidence that Adele appeared here.
While fighting Charlotte, he stretched the roots into the ground to check for sounds.
Before facing Charlotte, so that the opponent wouldn’t notice, he buried his sword in the ground the moment he plunged it in.
If something was happening, there should have been a strong impact, such as heavy footsteps or magic. It could have been another student, but if they were fighting seriously, the degree of vibration would have been different.
And so, he begins to sense things, and while fighting Charlotte────he comes to this point.
“A-Adele-kun…”
Luna is in a terrible state, tears streaming from her eyes.
Her beautiful face is crumpled, and her shiny, beautiful blonde hair is stained with dirt.
Adele turns around and approaches, lightly wiping Luna’s eyes with his fingers.
“Don’t cry, okay? I don’t really like seeing people crying.”
“B-But… I-I… I put Adele in danger…”
“This isn’t really in the danger category.”
Or rather, he says.
Adele’s mouth curls slightly.
“Something like this has happened before, I remember now.”
“Huh?!”
Luna’s heart was struck hard by the gentle voice and words that were inappropriate for the situation.
To think that he remembered.
“You saved me, didn’t you?” she wanted to say that since they first met.
But she couldn’t say it because she thought that she was just one of many to the hero known as the Black Knight.
But he remembered.
And now──
“Just like that time.”
Adele stood up and showed her the reassuring back he had shown her some time ago.
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. I’ll definitely make you smile in the end.”
With that, Adele slowly walked towards the two of them.
Across from them, Julius was swinging his sword lightly, while Charlotte next to him was catching her breath heavily.
“Are you done?”
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Well, it’s because the hero is coming out… I wish I could tell you that, but unfortunately my partner was breathing heavily.”
In short, he wanted to buy some time and get in shape as much as possible.
Adele frowned slightly at Julius’ reaction.
“What kind of tactic did you use in the first place? It’s the first time I’ve seen Charlotte breathing so hard.”
“…I guess if you pay me, I’ll even try a shuttle run.”
“Okay, maybe I’ll ask you to do it next time. And I’ll get Cain to work on his stamina too.”
It was a conversation without any sense of tension.
Or rather, it seemed like Julius didn’t feel any sense of danger.
While Charlotte made lighthearted remarks, she didn’t take her eyes off Adele. She was on guard, ready to respond immediately.
Of course, Julius, being her master, sensed this───
“Well, that’s only after he’s sunk the way we wanted him to, though.”
Adele’s approaching feet finally stopped.
The distance between them was roughly five meters. If he ran, they would close the gap in an instant.
And behind Adele, several giant green knights were lined up.
“…Why?”
“Huh?”
“Do you guys really need to interfere with the life of an ordinary girl? And Luna is your family, right?”
They’re family.
And yet they’re trying to force her to drop out.
Luna’s tattered and stained uniform made it obvious, that she’s been hurt.
Seeing Adele’s vein bulging on his forehead, Julius shrugged.
And then───
“It’s for my ambition.”
────A sword was suddenly swung in front of Adele.
“…………”
Adele parried it by instantly matching his sword.
However, Julius appeared in front of him in an instant and swung his sword.
His speed was too fast for eyes to follow. And his swordplay seemed to flow smoothly. He understood how his opponents moved and how he could break them down, and his swordsmanship induced them to make mistakes.
Just as one would expect from a man known as the “reincarnation of the sword saint.” There was no doubt that his sword strokes and speed were on a different level from Cain which he had seen before.
Luna, watching from the side, couldn’t help but hold her breath — Adele effortlessly parried them.
“Wow, I knew you’d do it, but I never thought you’d block my sword so easily.”
“Have you forgotten what family I came from?”
“I know, you came from a family of knights. Also, I know they say you’re a disgrace.”
As Adele brings his sword together, he looks to the side.
She sees Charlotte, who has appeared out of nowhere, about to swing her sword.
“You never learn, either.”
“I’m not defeated yet!”
However, in the middle of that, the knights behind him start to move.
When Charlotte caught sight of movement, she ran back to where she came from, as if fleeing in fear from a predator.
This made Julius, who was exchanging sword blows, feel uneasy.
“Charlotte…?”
“Are you looking away?”
In the split second he looked away.
At that moment, Adele struck him with a swift kick instead of a sword.
Julius quickly blocked with his sword, but the force was so great that he was pushed back.
Julius stepped back, clenching and unclenching his hand to feel the sensation.
Adele said to Julius—-
“…I’ve been getting irritated this whole time.”
“Why?”
“Because of your actions.”
Adele thrust his sword into Julius and spoke, anger seeping from his face.
“You’re family, right? Your sister? You’re a human being, right? Why drag others into your selfishness? Is it to spout some grand nonsense about peace and the country? I’ll tell you, no matter what excuses you make, it just sounds like cheap selfishness.”
“It’s not like I’m doing this because I want others to understand.”
Julius stands calmly, even as he receives Adele’s anger.
“I’m going to reach the summit I’ve been aiming for. I don’t need to compromise; I don’t care about others. I have no desire to serve under my incompetent brothers… I’m me. I want to have everything that comes with being a leader. Money, status, honor, subordinates, citizens, everything.”
He’ll do anything to achieve that.
Even if his sister’s smile disappearing is part of the process, he will continue to move forward relentlessly.
That’s the kind of man he is.
Julius Carbon was that kind of man.
And that’s why──
“…Haaaa”
Adele sighs.
Then, Adele slowly drew his sword and pointed the tip at Julius.
“You”
this time to Charlotte.
“And you too”
Adele exuded anger as he once again thrust his sword into the ground.
In an instant, it came.
The jet-black ivy that had been wrapped around Adele’s arm climbed up to his face, completely covering half of it.
It might not go as far as to call it armor. But even so, the ivy that covered his arm, where he was holding the sword, his shoulder, and half of his face was eerily fitting for the word “knight.”
Unusual, strange.
Even though he was just wearing it, an oppressive atmosphere was created around Adele.
“Why don’t you fall into hell once and start your life over? If you’re scared of falling, I’ll push you down myself.”
“If you can.”
And from there it begins───
“From here on out, I’ll take you seriously. What’s coming is an overwhelming assault.”
───Two against one.
The final stage of a numerically disadvantageous situation.
(…Charlotte retreated?)
A sense of discomfort.
The weak-kneed of the most capable girl in his mind. This creates a discrepancy with his perception.
But still, a threat appeared before his eyes in this space.
A boy covered in black armor and a knight who appeared as if to lead them.
His body was easily twice theirs, and if you looked closely, you could see that the knight was made entirely of plants.
(It feels strange… but it makes sense.)
There’s a different atmosphere from when he showed up in the intrusion battle.
Even though it was magic he had seen before, there was an odd aura emanating from Adele.
He could sense it from the moment their swords were exchanged and the blow was parried.
“What’s wrong?”
The boy took a step forward.
He then pointed his middle finger at him in a mocking manner.
“Are you going to come again? It’s two-on-one special time, you know?”
Julius and Charlotte made their move.
They ran across the ground at the same time, closing the distance to land a sure blow.
However, standing before the two were knights that Adele had likely created.
They raised their giant swords, blocking their escape route with just their size and reach. Still, it was a big swing. Julius slid under his feet to avoid it and ran across the ground again.
This time from the side. Another knight’s sword came swinging.
However, the sword passed through Julius’ torso───
“Two against one, do you still intend to win?”
In reality, the moment Julius slipped out from under his feet, he slid back under the other’s feet.
The Julius heading straight for him was an illusion created by Charlotte.
And perhaps it was the same for Charlotte, as the sword the knight swung down from above also passed through the girl’s body.
So where did the real body go?
…Of course, they’ve vanished and are hiding in the shadows, without a doubt.
“On the other hand, if you didn’t have this much of a handicap, I wouldn’t be able to break your arrogance, huh?”
Immediately afterwards, Adele’s arm swelled.
It was about three times the size of a human’s arm. Of course, this was a metaphor, and Adele’s arm was not actually swelling.
What was swelling were the ivy wrapped around the arm that was holding Adele’s sword.
Adele swung it around by twisting his body.
(What a mess…!)
Julius, who had been hiding in the shadows, quickly blocked with his sword. However, despite his efforts to brace himself, the momentum carried him all the way to the wall.
“Don’t let your guard down, master…”
Charlotte appears, glancing sideways with a twitching cheek.
“The man you entrusted with the task of holding me off… It seems he’s not going all out yet!”
I never thought Charlotte would say something like that.
She’s a perfectionist and thorough. That’s why she never let her guard down to begin with, but…to be honest, even though she should have accepted it, she still can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.
(…Ah, I see.)
As he cuts off the head of the approaching black-and-green knight, Julius realizes the true nature of the feeling that something is wrong.
(Is there a discrepancy between the image and reality?)
Honestly, Julius is aware that he is strong.
To the point where he thinks he can win not only against his peers, but even against adults.
And paired with Charlotte, who I honestly think is “stronger than me,” I can’t see a future where we’ll lose.
She created an illusion, disappeared from the opponent’s sight, and sneak into his arms.
Combined with Charlotte’s outstanding close-combat abilities and her chanting-free magic, there’s no way I’ll lose.
That’s why I feel uneasy about the current situation, with Charlotte’s impatience spreading across her face.
(Indeed, this knight alone won’t be able to fall behind…)
Cain was taken down with one blow, but he hasn’t fallen behind even though he’s been swinging his sword at him for a while now.
Indeed, new knights are growing in place of the ones I cut down. It’s unclear how many he can create, but he don’t think the situation will change no matter how many appears. They have power, but their large size makes their movements large. An average student might sink in fear, but for him, it just looks like an opening.
In fact, Charlotte, who he can see at the edge of his vision, is burning its large body and crushing it with precision.
So, there’s no problem───
“Of course there is.”
───Adele’s giant sword pierces Julius’s side.
“?!”
“That’s it, the main body.”
Julius’ body rolls on the ground.
It’s been a long time since he felt the floor. Julius immediately gets up, but the force of it makes him cough.
“Her magic is troublesome, but if I see them fighting, I’ll know it’s the main body. My eyes are finally getting used to it.”
The illusion is just an illusion.
It’s not doing anything about the main body, it’s camouflage.
At one point, he was able to identify the real body by feeling the forest that was spread out, but if he did that, it would be burned away by Charlotte’s magic.
The power of the magic would be weak.
If that’s the case, he can just go directly───
(But then he doesn’t think he’ll get used to it in the first fight…!)
It’s a two-against-one situation.
Moreover, both he and Charlotte possess abilities that are more than just average.
Who would normally think that they would be able to attack reflexively the moment they found a physical body?
“Charlotte!”
“I know!”
Julius’ body disappeared.
If they could counter the moment the physical body emerged, they could have just stayed hidden all along.
It would be a simple solution, but they shouldn’t have been able to counter it.
The forest wasn’t spreading out beneath his feet. In that case, there was no way to check by touch.
Julius gripped his sword tightly and dove into Adele with one leap.
If it had been an average student or adult, the fight would have ended in that instant. Even if he had eyes that could counter it, it was meaningless if he couldn’t see him.
In fact, Adele’s gaze was directed in a different direction from his own, and he didn’t seem to have noticed───
“You idiot! Don’t approach carelessly, that beast is the one who cornered me!”
Charlotte’s words rang out.
What are you talking about? A question welled up in Julius’s mind.
What could it be that he was so unaware of that he could be so cornered?
Even if he was aware of it, at this distance. He could react even if the plants he had shown in the intrusion battle attacked him. He could just exchange blows even if they countered with a sword.
“And yet, don’t get close? Charlotte, of all people, being cornered? It doesn’t make sense.
Even so, Julius swings his sword with all his might.”
“I’m going to say something a little trivial…”
*Crack!!!!*
The sword was blocked by fangs that appeared on his arm.
“What!?”
“Family is something you’re supposed to protect, right? Why are you getting serious about hurting them?”
The tip of the sword he was swinging. A creepy mouth had appeared from part of Adele’s arm.
The mouth gradually protruded and began to swell.
Nothing came out of his mouth.
After all, the growth gradually took on the shape of a beast, large enough to fill the dungeon───
“Complete, the Green Beast”
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!”
───A roar echoed throughout the dungeon.
Then, the blackened arm of the plant beast mercilessly blew Julius’ body away.
“Gah!?”
There was no bounce.
Just like that. Julius’ body broke through the wall without a single bounce, and was slammed into the wall further back.
His consciousness was… snatched away in an instant.
“Damn it…!”
Charlotte clicked her tongue at Julius, who showed no signs of getting up.
“Now then,”
He said, without turning to face the direction Julius had been blown away to.
Adele’s gaze fell on Charlotte.
Charlotte gasped when she realize that.
“One last person. I’m gonna wrap up this farce — you don’t mind, do you… genius without a master?”
For the first time in her life—-she felt true fear.
The threat of the person before her goes without saying. And the difference in their abilities goes without saying.
But that’s not it.
If that were all, the word “fear” wouldn’t be so strong.
I’ll be honest with you.
I don’t mind being expelled from school.
I don’t mind being thrown in jail. At worst, I don’t mind being put on the execution platform and having my head chopped off.
–As long as it means my family can be saved.
As long as my beloved family can continue to live and smile like they have until now, I don’t care about my own life.
But the current situation… Not only was I in a disadvantageous position, others were also in an unfavorable position.
Of course, she had imagined it.
She had thought about the possibility of this happening, and what to do if it did.
However, that was merely hypothetical.
She had never imagined it would actually come to this───
Now, back to the point.
If she lost here, all of her plans would be exposed.
If that happened, Julius’ position would plummet in an instant, and he would lose even his advantage as a member of royalty.
In short… She would no longer be able to earn any more money. If her client went down, not only would she, but her family would fall down with her.
That was Charlotte’s true fear.
As the reality of it all intensified───
“Damn iiiiiiiiiit!”
Charlotte screamed.
At the same time, a scorching heat that threatened to burn even her own body spread throughout the area.
(It’s still not enough…!)
The cost of medical treatment to keep him alive.
The cost of the priest and herbs to make a full recovery, and labor costs.
She had managed to save a few, but not everyone.
(It’s still not enough!!!)
Her ally was weaker than her, but he was still ranked number one in the second year.
She didn’t think that if the two of them took on him together, they would still be defeated, even if it was a tough fight.
She hasn’t been defeated.
As long as she is maintaining her energy, the insurance she had put up wouldn’t disappear.
Of course, she also had the option of running away.
Well, she couldn’t imagine that his opponent would let her get away───
“No holding back!”
As the dungeon becomes scorching hot, Charlotte creates dozens of herself.
It’s impossible to tell them apart. Watching from nearby, Luna gasped at the unexpected sight.
Just one person.
Only the boy holding the black great sword stood calmly leading the knight and beast, who were beginning to be engulfed in flames.
“You said earlier, ‘If only I could get my hands on money,’ didn’t you?”
Adele looked straight at Charlotte.
“What will you buy with it? What do you want after stealing girls’ smiles?”
“Family.”
Charlotte answered the irritated question with an immediate response.
“You nobles probably don’t understand… A commoner, especially one born as an orphan, can’t get what a noble can get easily.”
“…”
“Can I get it by living an honest life? Ah, of course I thought about it. I could use this talent to become a mercenary, join the Knights, or join the Magicians. But even then, the amount of money I’d earn in a lifetime would only be what a noble would earn if they waited a year.”
Even if I were to achieve military success in war, or receive a title or reward, it wouldn’t come close to the lifestyle of a noble.
Of course, it’s not a small amount. In some cases, I might be able to earn enough money to never have to work.
But it’s not enough. If I work hard and steadily, I won’t have enough time.
I want to make my family smile as soon as possible.
“I know very well that it’s not something I should be praised for. There was a man who was worried about me… But even so! Even if I fall into evil!”
Charlotte and her clones run to the ground together.
Each changed direction, making different movements, and began to move around so as not to give away the true body.
The burning knight swung his sword. However, it missed the main body.
“I’m going to save my family. I can’t let go of the reins for that!”
Instead, the beast roared once more.
At that moment, the illusions around them were scraped away and the scene where there should have been dozens of them became desolate.
But that was something they had known by the time they got here.
Without appearing, Charlotte swung her sword from Adele’s guard.
However───
“That’s not right.”
With a bang.
Adele’s sword blocked Charlotte’s sword, which was supposed to be invisible.
“What?!”
“That’s not it, right?”
How was it blocked?
Though there were times when the vines were too stiff and repelled the strike, it had never been fully blocked before.
How on earth did he know? While she was wondering, Adele swung his sword precisely at Charlotte.
“There is someone who is worried about you, right? If so, it would be normal to throw away all pride and status and consult with them first. Before coming to a foolish conclusion and rushing ahead.”
“Is that just a nice thing to say?! I did think about that for a moment! But I know even before I heard it that there is no point in clinging to them!”
An invisible person. At first glance, it would seem that Adele is just pretending.
“…Haha! Only people who were raised in a nice environment can spout such pretty words! What, are you gonna say in the end, ‘My family wouldn’t want this’!?”
“I will say it, as many times as it takes… A child who cares deeply for their family has been hopelessly stained black.”
“I know the sisters would say that too!”
Irritation. Resentment at being pointed out.
Charlotte gritted her teeth, and in the end even released her own magic and shouted.
“What am I supposed to do!? Should I stay by my family’s side, praying to God while nursing them through the Accursed Bloom disease!? Knowing there’s nothing I can do, should I live a righteous life while crying!?”
A relentless series of forceful strikes follows.
There was no subtlety in it, and the sword that should have been sharper than Julius’s showed its dullness.
“I know it, too! That all my actions up until now… that the money I got from hurting that girl was rubbish! I, a rubbish piece of trash, know it better than anyone!!!”
But even so…
Carrying the tears she hadn’t shed in a long time, Charlotte screamed, driven purely by her emotions.
“I want to save my family, even if it means falling into evil ways! If there’s any other way, tell me, idealist!!!”
Finally, truly finally.
Charlotte put all of her strength into this one swing.
And then───
“Just rely on me.”
With a thud. Adele grabbed it with one hand.
“When we first met… you should have just said ‘help me’ from the beginning. No matter what circumstances anyone has, the ‘Black Knight’ has always been clenching his fist for that purpose.”
True to those words, Adele threw away her sword and clenched his fist.
The word ‘avoid’ appeared in Charlotte’s mind.
Should she fire magic at him, or put her sword away and distance herself?
Worst case scenario. She would ignore the risk of expulsion and run away, keeping her insurance alive.
If she thought about it calmly, this was the most important thing.
But for some reason… her body wouldn’t move.
(…Ah)
In front of her was a boy clenching his fist to protect someone.
Behind him was a girl with a battered body, watching over him with a worried look.
Seeing that, a thought suddenly occurred to her.
(I’m really a shitty woman…)
At that moment, a dull sound reached Charlotte’s ears, and her consciousness faded.
The body of the girl with pink hair collapses.
Adele looked at Charlotte’s figure───
“Plague, the Accursed Bloom… was it? If I remember correctly, that’s…”
A pale flower slowly appears at his feet.
A plant rarely seen around here. It glows with a vivid color, making it stand out.
Adele produces dozens of the same flowers, picks them, and gently places them on Charlotte’s chest.
“…Isn’t this enough? An apology for letting some foolish fool spout such arrogant words.”
A Genius and a genius.
The moment he takes off his black armor and turns his back, the final stage ends with the hero’s victory.
♦♦♦
The dungeon is silent. Then, the sound of Adele’s footsteps echoes.
Following this, the dry sound of burning trees can be heard, and Adele’s cheeks twitch at the terrible sight.
(That was pretty spectacular.)
By now, a certain amount had burned off, with only small fires visible here and there.
The knights that had been burning red had turned to charcoal, and Adele had made the giant beast disappear.
This much damage. What would have happened if this had happened above ground instead of inside the dungeon?
(They were strong… the third prince could easily pass for an Astia family, and Charlotte easily surpasses my siblings.)
The reason why the standard was the members of a knight family is probably because Adele does not yet know the average person’s strength.
But he still knew that they were “strong.”
He glanced at Charlotte, who had collapsed on the ground───
“Adele-kun!”
────Just as he was about to do so, he was hit by a firm sensation on his chest.
He looked forward wondering what was going on, and lowered his gaze to see a beautiful girl embracing him.
“Ah, well… are you okay?! Are you not hurt anywhere?”
Luna jumped into Adele’s chest and touched his body.
Due to the battle with Charlotte, parts of his clothing were singed, and each time Luna spotted those areas, her face turned pale with worry.
“I’m fine.”
“But…”
Adele shrugged his shoulders at Luna’s worried gaze.
“See, you’re not hurt anywhere, right? You’re in such good health that you wouldn’t have a problem even if you were made to join a scavenger hunt to make up the numbers.”
“……Why?”
“Why?”
He is impressed that she wanted him to be injured.
“N-no! It’s not that! Those two were really strong, weren’t they!? It was my first time meeting Charlotte-san today, but I know that Julius-onii-sama was amazing…”
“Then you knew I was strong too, right? You were watching, weren’t you?”
Adele gently placed his hand on the worried Luna’s head.
He then gave a gentle, reassuring smile.
“Then don’t make that face. I’m happy to receive the medal for protecting the princess.”
“Huh!?”
“You did a great job, until I got here. You really did a great job.”
Even though he’d caused her trouble.
The words that came out were “I’m happy” and “Good job”, far from complaints.
The look in his eyes and his expression didn’t seem like he was lying.
There was something about him that made her feel “I’m glad” from the bottom of her heart───
(Ah… I knew it)
I really do love him.
Luna had a feverish expression on her face, befitting her age.
“Hmm? What’s wrong, Luna? Your face is red…”
“Nya?! I’m not even meowing!”
“Hah! The way you’re panicking… Don’t tell me you’re desperately trying to hide an injury───”
“Are you flirting with another girl again, Master?”
“Whoa!?”
A voice called out from behind Adele, who was too busy worrying to notice that Luna was simply acting like a lovestruck girl.
This caused Adele to show a pathetic reaction, the complete opposite of the way he had acted earlier.
“Sigh… This is what happens the moment I take my eyes off you. You should have realized during the production process that mass-producing something only devalues it.”
“Um… What should I realize?”
Probably referring to that maiden-like thing.
“Well, why is Elesia here? What happened with the exam?”
“I put it off because I wanted to meet up with Master. I was actually planning to meet up a little earlier, but… I faced a similar setback. Well, I don’t need to tell you the result.”
Suddenly, the image of the senior student who was supervising Elesia’s exam popped into his mind.
Because of their relationship, he understood who she dealt with.
“Are you okay, Luna? You’re in bad shape, but…”
“Y-Yeah… but it’s okay. The ‘Shadow Hero’… Adele-kun saved me.”
“As expected of Master. My predictions haven’t been overturned at all.”
As expected, Master can’t abandon someone in trouble.
He had predicted that this would happen when trouble occurred, and sure enough, he clenched his fist to protect someone… and rescued them.
“C-cough! Forget about what else I have to study───Now that there’s no one in the way, let’s get through the exam quickly!”
“Y-Yeah, that’s right! Let’s go!”
“But is it okay if we don’t finish them off? There’s a proverb in this world that conveniently fits this situation: an eye for an eye.”
“No way! Payback is limited to a forehead flick! Elesia-chan, you scary girl!”
“…Well, I don’t mind if the person involved doesn’t.”
Remembering that they were in the middle of an exam, the three of them each turned to face each other.
Adele took out his watch from his pocket and checked the time… there were about ten minutes left.
“Ah… We’d better hurry. Being reported as a lost child at this age is definitely something to be regretted.”
“Don’t worry, master. We won’t make it to the bottom, but I know the way down to a certain extent.”
“Okay, as expected of my partner, I love that about you.”
“Hehe, I also love your honest personality, master.”
“Mmmph!”
“Why is that beautiful girl puffing out her cheeks next to me?”
I’m a little worried that I’m leaving the exam supervisor behind… but I can’t make any excuses unless I pass.
Of course, the insurance line has disappeared since we defeated Charlotte, but we can’t give a definite answer now.
So, Adele and the others immediately ran away from the scene.
At that moment—
“Umm, Adele-kun.”
Luna, running alongside Adele, peered into Adele’s face.
And unlike when she had puffed out her cheeks, she now gave a wide, captivating smile that was appropriate for a child her age.
“Thanks for helping me!”
Factional disputes, regular exams.
An incident involving all of those things.
And now, the curtain has fallen on all of that.
♦♦♦
All of her joints hurt.
That’s why she had woken up… or so she thought, but Charlotte slowly opened her eyes.
Her vision was blurry. Gradually it became clearer, and she could see the ceiling of the dungeon.
At this point, Charlotte understood her current situation.
And then───
“You’ve woken up, Charlotte?”
She turned her head to the side.
Cain was sitting there, his uniform stained with dirt, but he didn’t seem to care.
“…I see, we lost.”
“We both did.”
She didn’t get up.
It could be that her body was as heavy as lead, but from the sidelines, it looked like Charlotte was clenching her teeth.
She then slowly spoke.
“What happened to master?”
“He’s lying down. That said, he doesn’t seem to be getting up yet.”
“…It’ll be terrible if he wakes up. What awaits him is the reality he wishes was a dream.”
Julius had lost.
Actually, to be precise, Julius’ defeat was confirmed the moment Charlotte lost.
Charlotte’s magic was forcibly terminated the moment she lost consciousness.
Right now, in the auditorium, the students and teachers were probably shocked by Julius’ sudden disappearance.
If Adele and the others returned and explained the situation, it would be the end. Since the three of them weren’t together, there was no way to make excuses.
And once her magic is revealed, there’s a good chance that all she’s done up until now will be dug up and put on trial.
“You’d better think of a good excuse. Out of the three of us, you’re the closest to being innocent… after all, you’re the only one who didn’t cross the final line.”
“It’s too late now. This incident will remove the third prince from the fight for the succession. My family will soon switch horses and abandon me.”
“…Nobles are scary, they’re so comfortable thinking of their family as the tail of a lizard.”
Very different from me.
Not the tail, but the body. It’s because she couldn’t abandon her family that she’s here now.
Why are they on the same ship, in different environments and with different feelings? Charlotte couldn’t help but feel sorry for Cain, who was beside her.
Perhaps he understood the sympathetic look in her eyes, Cain shrugged his shoulders at the girl he’d been with for so long.
“It’s nothing you should be worried about. If anything, it’s just that a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”
“But…”
“And you, too, don’t you? You look refreshed somehow.”
Charlotte touched her own face.
Is that the way I look? She wondered. Unfortunately, there was no mirror here, so she couldn’t really tell.
But somehow…she could understand why she looked like that.
“…It must be for the same reason as you.”
Even though she had thought she had accepted it, somewhere deep inside she was thinking something.
To get involved in evil deeds. The guilt that swirled around every time she met the people at the orphanage.
She would no longer be able to save her family…but she felt strangely relieved.
At that moment, Cain took something out of his pocket.
It was───
“Blue-white grass…!?”
A pale-white glowing flower.
The moment Charlotte saw the plant; she sat up vigorously.
After all, that plant was said to be hard to come by…it was the ingredient in a miracle cure for the Accursed Bloom Disease.
“Why is it here!?”
“When I found you, it was placed beside you. There was a fire, so I’m sorry, but I had to hold onto it to prevent it from catching fire.”
Cain handed Charlotte the pale grass, which costs more than a million apiece, without hesitation.
Not just one, but several. Charlotte checked it over and over again the moment she received it…and cried.
“Ah… it’s real. What I’ve never had for so long, finally…!”
It’s been a long time since he’d seen her, act her age.
When Cain saw the rarely seen appearance of the close girl, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Well, there’s no need to say who left it. Even though I wasn’t there, I can kind of tell what your hero’s figure looked like.”
Charlotte looked up and suddenly remembered the words of a certain boy───
“When we first met… you should have asked me for help from the beginning. No matter what circumstances anyone has, the Black Knight has been clenching his fist for that purpose all this time.’
A knight carrying a jet-black sword.
A hero who can clench his fist for someone.
Charlotte looked up at the ceiling and wiped away her tears.
“Is he even willing to lend a helping hand to villains…?”
Charlotte holds the pale grass carefully.
She looks at it with care, even though the flames are barely visible anymore.
“I need to thank him.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“…No, I need to apologize to him first.”
“…Yeah. Well, I hope I get a chance to apologize before I’m thrown in jail.”
Cain said this with a smile.
Charlotte opened her mouth at the sight of that.
“After all, don’t you think you should turn back? The idea of you ending up in a cell is… well…”
“Don’t say it, Charlotte. I don’t like the idea of being the only bystander when you go that way.”
Why? Charlotte asked.
In response, Cain—-
“If I can be with the woman I’m in love with, in a way, it’s easier to live here than in a place full of attachments.”
Charlotte’s face turned bright red.
It was the first time she’d heard such feelings casually spun.
Once again, a reaction befitting her age. Charlotte buried her face in the flowers in embarrassment, and immediately relaxed her lips.
“I hope you don’t get beheaded.”
“There’s a chance you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison.”
“If you ever get out, would you come to my hometown? It’s a beautiful place, full of nature. The sisters will surely like you.”
“That’s an attractive offer, and I’m glad you did… I’ll take my master with me. You might not have anywhere to go.”
“Haha, but I’m worried about whether you can wash the dishes.”
Inside the deserted dungeon.
The two laugh, even though they know that hell awaits them.
Maybe it’s because they’ve been liberated from so many things───
Chapters
Comments
- Free Vol 1 Epilogue May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 7 - Regular Exams May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 6 - Flashback ~???~ May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 5 - The Battle for Succession May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 4 - Factions and Invitations May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 3 - Flashback ~Elesia Elemirea~ May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 2 - School Admission May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 1 - The Black Knight May 8, 2025
- Free Vol 1 Ch 0 - Prologue May 8, 2025
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