Chap 22-Request

 

As the class bell rang, I fell into contemplation once more.

The reason, of course, was ‘Elise Rapelasia.’

Her corruption occurred early in the game.

If left unattended like this, it was obvious she would be in danger again.

I sighed softly.

In truth, if I used the Evil God’s power right now, I could easily remove the curse afflicting her.

But…

‘It’s… impossible right now.’

My Master’s words echoed in my mind.

Using the power recklessly could shatter my soul.

And more than anything…

‘My life isn’t fully charged yet.’

Decaymal Reverse.

It was an absurdly overpowered magic, but once all my lives were used up, it took a long time to recharge.

At least a month.

Asking someone else for help wasn’t easy either.

My Master was probably not in a stable condition right now.

Even she wouldn’t be able to easily resolve the Evil God’s curse with so many restrictions.

The Saintess was the same.

There was no way to ask for their help while protecting Elise’s reputation, and even if it were possible, I had no intention of asking her in the first place.

Unlike me, the Saintesses’ lifespans were reduced each time they used their powers.

In the end, I was the only one who could resolve her curse.

‘How do I… intervene naturally?’

I needed to create a justification for being near her.

‘…No, I need to find a way to approach her naturally, no matter what.’

I began to construct a scenario in my head.

Secretly, so that no one would notice.

Remove her curse first, and then prevent the bigger disaster that would follow.

‘Is this the only way?’

I felt a little sorry for Elise, but to solve the problem, I would have to continue playing the villainess.

-Academy Headmaster’s Office-

“ Master. I have a favor to ask.”

…

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Yeon entered, looking somewhat hesitant.

Dorothy sighed softly.

That expression.

Yeon always had that look on her face when she came to ask someone for a ‘favor.’

And that favor was always, without a single exception, for someone else, completely unrelated to herself.

She hoped that this time would be different, but Dorothy already had a feeling.

“Master. I have a… favor to ask.”

Yeon opened her mouth hesitantly.

“What is it?”

Dorothy asked in the softest voice she could muster.

Inwardly, she was worried about what kind of trouble she was about to cause.

“Um… could you change my room?”

“Room?”

Dorothy looked puzzled.

Yeon was currently using one of the best single rooms in the academy.

“You don’t like your current room? Should I move you to a better one?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Yeon hesitated for a moment, avoiding her gaze. Then, she said in a very small voice.

“I want to move to a double room…”

“A double room?”

“Yes. Um… the same room as Elise…”

“No.”

Before Yeon could finish her sentence, Dorothy’s firm voice echoed in the room.

Dorothy frowned as she looked at Yeon.

It was as she expected.

Dorothy recalled the incident that had almost put the academy in danger not long ago.

Yeon asking her to manipulate the incident caused by Elise.

“Master, it wasn’t Elise’s will,”

Yeon tried to persuade Dorothy with a desperate look in her eyes.

“She couldn’t help it because of the curse. But making her bear all the blame alone… is too pitiful.”

“So you’re going to take on that burden instead?”

Dorothy retorted coldly.

“Have you forgotten what situation you’re in? There’s no need to deliberately invite danger.”

“But…”

“I said no.”

Dorothy shook her head firmly. But Yeon’s eyes showed no sign of backing down.

That stubbornness.

That foolish stubbornness, knowing that she would eventually give in.

Dorothy sighed deeply.

Whether it was the Contamination worshippers or some other behind-the-scenes force, as long as there were dangerous elements inside the academy, it might be better to keep Yeon in a completely safe place.

“…Alright.”

In the end, Dorothy reluctantly agreed.

“Thank you, Master!”

And that decision was immediately followed by regret.

As a result of manipulating all the evidence and circumstances, Yeon Bennet had become the ‘culprit’ who attempted to terrorize the academy.

When the trial for Elise’s curse incident was held, accusations poured out.

Students, professors, even nobles pointed fingers at her.

‘Villainess,’ ‘the shame of the academy.’

All sorts of insulting words were hurled at her.

Dorothy felt her heart breaking as she watched the trial.

Yeon was silently enduring all the accusations and reproaches.

Without any excuses or explanations.

As if it were only natural.

Watching that was like torture for Dorothy.

The guilt that her decision was driving this kind and foolish disciple to the edge of a cliff weighed her down.

Awakening from her reminiscence, Dorothy spoke firmly to the disciple in front of her once more.

“Absolutely not.”

Now that the regrets of the past were vividly recalled, she could not allow Yeon’s dangerous plan this time.

She could not drive her disciple into a death trap again.

“Master, please.”

Yeon did not back down.

Instead, she took another step closer and began to plead earnestly.

“This time is different from last time. This is for Elise, but at the same time, it’s for me too.”

“For you?”

Dorothy scoffed.

“Not a single thing that comes out of your mouth as ‘for you’ has ever been true.”

“No, this time it’s real!”

Yeon’s voice rose slightly.

“If I’m by her side, monitoring her in advance and preventing the curse, something like last time won’t happen.”

“It would be much safer for you to just give up on Elise Rapelasia.”

Dorothy said coldly.

“I can’t watch you put yourself in danger again because of that one child.”

“I can’t do that.”

Yeon’s answer was firm. Her eyes unwavering.

She seemed to have already made up her mind.

“Haa…”

Dorothy sighed deeply. In the end, she had lost again.

Knowing that she couldn’t break that stubbornness, and because there was some truth in Yeon’s words.

“…Alright. Do as you wish.”

As the reluctant permission was given, a smile of relief spread across Yeon’s face.

“But!”

Dorothy added in a stern voice.

“This time, you must promise me. You must prioritize your safety above all else, no matter what happens.”

“Yes! I’ll keep that in mind, Master!”

Yeon replied brightly and bowed.

Dorothy frowned, but at the same time, she felt her heart softening at the sight of her disciple being so happy.

“Alright. Now go…”

Before Dorothy could finish her sentence, Yeon hesitated and opened her mouth again.

The confidence from before was gone, and she looked hesitant again.

“Um… Master. About… the history professor this morning…”

Yeon asked cautiously.

“Did anything happen to him because of me…?”

Dorothy was momentarily speechless.

Even in this situation, she was worried about that guy.

“Haa…”

Dorothy sighed deeply once more and shook her head.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t fire him.”

In fact, she wanted to find that professor right away and make him pay dearly for daring to lay a hand on her beloved disciple.

But if she did, this foolish disciple would blame herself again, saying ‘the professor was fired because of me.’

So, she simply and quietly arranged for the professor to be excluded from all the classes Yeon was participating in.

Of course, she gave the professor a plausible excuse that he was assigned to ‘other important tasks.’

“Really? That’s a relief…”

Yeon’s face brightened noticeably.

She smiled brightly, as if she was truly relieved, and bowed once more.

“Thank you, Master!”

Dorothy was momentarily lost for words at the sight of Yeon smiling so brightly and expressing her gratitude.

It had been a long time since she had seen her smile so innocently.

It was only for a brief moment, but Dorothy’s heart softened a little at the sight of her looking like an ordinary girl.

“Yeon.”

“Yes?”

“Come a little closer.”

Dorothy beckoned Yeon with her hand.

Yeon looked puzzled, but obediently approached Dorothy.

When she came to the desk, Dorothy got up from her seat and, without hesitation, reached out and hugged Yeon’s small body tightly.

“…Ma-, Master?”

Yeon’s body stiffened slightly at the sudden embrace.

She felt her squirming in Dorothy’s arms, as if she didn’t know what to do, looking flustered.

Her cheeks seemed to be slightly flushed as well.

All the usual boldness was gone, and she was reacting like a pure child.

Dorothy held Yeon in her arms for a while longer without saying anything.

A small, frail body.

But inside, she was an child who possessed unimaginable strength and sadness at the same time.

Dorothy closed her eyes and quietly savored the sunshine-like scent emanating from Yeon.

‘If I go to the Duke Bennett territory this time… I might not see this child for a very long time.’

The price for breaking the Geass was approaching faster than she thought.

Her power was gradually weakening, and she sensed that her time to stay in Terra was running out.

A situation where she had to go there, even knowing it was a traitor’s trap.

The thought that this might be the last hug made her heart ache.

Her heart felt heavy when she thought about the trials this child, who would be left alone, would have to face in the future.

But Dorothy tried to shake off that anxiety.

‘It’ll be alright.’

Even without her, who was becoming useless, Yeon would be able to find her own way.

A child who gained strength even in pain, and who managed to stand up even in despair.

She was a much stronger being than she thought.

Dorothy slowly released Yeon from her embrace.

“Alright. Now go.”

Yeon, whose face was still slightly flushed, awkwardly stepped back and bowed.

“W, well then… goodbye, Master!”

Then, she hurriedly turned around and left the headmaster’s office.

Dorothy smiled faintly because her appearance was somehow cute.

As soon as Yeon had completely disappeared and the door closed, the smile disappeared from Dorothy’s face.

She returned to her cold and determined expression and called out a name softly into the air.

“Emilia Gale.”

As if responding to the call, the space rippled slightly and a Witch with sky-blue hair appeared.

“You called, Elder?”

Dorothy’s voice was low and firm.

“I assume you’re ready”

Emilia bowed respectfully and replied.

“Yes. All preparations are complete. You can depart at any time.”

“After I disappear, my disciple will come looking for you. Please take good care of her.”

“Yes???”

Emilia asked back in shock at the mention of her having a disciple.

Dorothy did not answer.

She simply looked out the door, in the direction Yeon had disappeared, for a moment, before turning around as if she had made up her mind.

It was time to go.

She moved her steps to fulfill her last role.

Author’s Note

Thank you for reading!