Chapter 80: An Elf Only Does This Once in Their Life

“And conserve your Mana. Why are you using your Skills?”

Rohan said so with a laugh, but Clara, who was hugging Shion, clearly felt her heart, which had started to pound as if it would explode, thump! thump!

And because they were pressed together, she could tell that Shion hadn’t used any Mana at all.

C-Could it be… Shion unni…?

Clara raised her head from Shion’s embrace. She looked up, pushing away the breasts that blocked her view.

When she saw Shion’s expression like that.

Clara knew at once.

That wasn’t some Skill. It was a face so blatantly in love, it could be used as a textbook example.

It seemed like it could be used directly in a manga or animation.

…

Thanks to that, Clara’s thoughts came to an abrupt stop. Her mind went blank.

While she was happy and welcomed that Shion had escaped her depression and was purely tasting freedom, this situation itself took Clara’s breath away!

She had anticipated it someday… but had a powerful rival, against whom she couldn’t even see a glimpse of victory, finally appeared?

And the girl recalled a certain book she had read while sitting in The Flower Bookstore.

Wh-What if that book is real…?

The reason why the population of pure-blooded Elves was small enough to be considered endangered compared to other races was because of the existence of a ridiculous, superstitious condition.

In their lifetime, an Elf, just once.

Absolutely just once could they love someone of the opposite sex outside of their family. In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for them to never know love until they died if they didn’t find that person.

It was the inherent nature of pure-blooded Elves.

Some even recorded it as a curse bestowed by the creator along with beauty.

Furthermore.

Written in bold letters in the book Clara saw at the bookstore, one of the peculiar problems Elves had was that it took a very long time for them to open their hearts to others.

And even if they did open up, it usually ended with friendship. Giving affection to the opposite sex was a very, very rare phenomenon.

As mentioned, that itself required a long time, granted only to long-lived races, so Elves mostly ended up with other Elves.

However,

There were always exceptions in the world.

If an exceptional person of the opposite sex, threading a needle’s eye, were to appear and an Elf developed romantic feelings, there were writings that said those feelings would never change for the rest of their lives.

If it doesn’t work out, they often wither away and d-die…

Recalling the unsettling end of the book, Clara moved her head and saw Rohan standing right behind her.

When their eyes met, he smiled as usual. Then he reached out and carefully arranged her bangs.

“It’s the same for Clara. Just think about living happily. Okay?”

“O-Oppa…”

Now, Clara didn’t even question why Rohan took care of her like this.

The girl was just busy savoring this sweet moment.

Wouldn’t her heart also be pounding like Shion’s, as if it would burst?

As she lowered her head with such embarrassment.

Clara made eye contact with Shion.

““…””

Shion saw the same kind of emotion she felt in Clara, who was clinging to her.

Hence the blank and bewildered face.

Was it because she hadn’t received a normal life and education?

From Clara’s perspective, it seemed like Shion hadn’t fully realized her own feelings. Her eyes were full of the question, Do you even know what this is?

Clara bit her lip in complex emotions and hid her face.

Hugging Shion tightly, she closed her eyes.

“…Rohan.”

“Huh?”

Shion gently stroked Clara’s hair in her arms and spoke.

She looked like an older sister embracing her younger sister affectionately.

“You said in the past that you would only target Monsters and criminals.”

“Right.”

“Is that the thing you’re preparing with Clara? The condition that you asked for help even once when our promise was over?”

Rohan nodded and looked down at the girl in Shion’s arms.

Looking at Rohan smiling contentedly, as if he saw a lovely creature when he looked at Clara.

Shion felt strangely warm inside.

“That’s right. But if you have something she wants to do, you don’t need to be tied down. Don’t worry about it.”

“I thought you would say that. Considering your personality, Clara must be here voluntarily too.”

That question wasn’t something for Rohan to discuss.

Clara’s silence alone would have been the answer.

“Rohan. May I ask one more thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Does the category of criminals you’re targeting also include those involved in this incident?”

“Of course, it does.”

Shion began to organize her thoughts so that her words wouldn’t get tangled later.

Choosing her words and lowering her gaze slightly, she murmured in a small voice.

“Rohan. You will definitely catch them. I have no doubt.”

“You seem to trust me more than I trust myself. Thank you.”

At those simple words of gratitude, Shion almost pulled her goggles down to cover her eyes.

Her heart was beating so loud, she was afraid he would hear it.

“…But I’m not the type to just lie down and wait, even knowing what I know.”

“Hmm?”

Rohan listened attentively.

Shion stuck out her tongue a little, wetting her lips dry from nervousness.

“If it’s alright, I, I also… want to move together with you.”

She had prepared to say it as soon as the opportunity arose, but now that she was about to say it, why was it so difficult?

And unlike her normal self, Shion stammered as she conveyed her meaning.

Rohan blinked in surprise, then smiled brightly.

“I always welcome valuable manpower that works well with me. What do you think, Clara?”

The girl in Shion’s arms shrugged her shoulders and showed her face.

A bewildered look spread across it.

“Uh, uh, isn’t Oppa the boss…?”

“Still, I need to hear your opinion.”

Clara looked at Shion, who wouldn’t let go of her.

A gentle gaze, like she was looking at family, and the lip movements asking her to speak her mind comfortably.

For a very brief moment,

Dozens of different thoughts flashed through Clara’s mind,

And she arrived at the ideal answer.

“I like Shion Unni…”

Saying she liked Shion was true. Compared to her desire to continue being with Rohan alone, if she were to put them on a scale, it would be so evenly balanced that it would be difficult to decide.

However, Clara knew.

Putting aside her personal desires, if she truly cared for Rohan, this was the right path.

“Thank you. I like Clara too.”

Shion hugged Clara’s frail body tighter.

The moment she had dreamed of was within reach. Realizing this, Shion drew a deep smile on her lips.

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Rohan dismissed the notification windows and hurried with his preparations.

He had to move quickly to return to Academy City in time.

Rohan brought the car he had hidden at the entrance of the ruins and opened the trunk.

He scattered the large quantities of incendiary grenades, explosives, flammable liquids, firearms, and ammunition the criminals had stolen from the gun store throughout the building.

Even as he made his final checks, it didn’t seem like there was anything that interested Shion and Clara.

“Shion. Did you pack everything important? Check one more time, just in case.”

“Alright.”

At Rohan’s words, Shion headed to her room without a word.

After taking in the room, which had nothing to pack in the first place, she checked the small items in her vest pocket.

When she returned, Rohan continued his explanation.

“There will be a lot of valuable things inside. The Chief Elder’s Robe is unusable now, but things like the Staff are all gems.”

“Are we going to take it all?”

At Shion’s question, Rohan shook his head. Taking Judas’ Silver Coin, which the Chief Elder had, was enough.

Frankly, he was tempted. If he sold them, he would have enough money to live comfortably.

But it was a foolish act driven by greed.

He wasn’t sure how much interest Reverse Praise Society would show in Shion once this place disappeared.

There was a possibility that they would ignore her completely, just like with Abyss City, deeming her a failure and focusing on other vessels.

But he didn’t want to leave any trace.

Tracking items sold is a piece of cake, even if it’s not Reverse Praise Society.

With those words, Rohan stepped outside and led the two, holding a rod-shaped Cluster Grenade.

Shion and Clara moved away from the building.

Rohan nodded, satisfied that they were far enough away, and checked the time.

“It’s dawn, so… Hmm, when we get back, I can go straight to exercise. You two can sleep in my Dormitory for the time being.”

At the same time, he threw the Cluster Grenade as hard as he could.

Watching the grenade spin as it flew towards the building filled with explosives,

Rohan leisurely recited his plan.

“To celebrate Shion joining us, I’ll buy you something delicious for dinner. Let’s all go eat together.”

Before the two girls could reply with their agreement, the grenade landed at its target,

And a tremendous roar erupted.

KABOOM──!!! KWAAANG──!!!

The dilapidated building swayed from the explosion, then collapsed completely as huge flames soared, engulfing the rubble.

Satisfied with the firepower, Rohan turned around without a second glance and walked ahead.

“Let’s go back. It’s dusty.”

“Unni…! Let’s go quickly!”

Looking at the two people waiting for her,

Shion couldn’t hide her smile.