Ch.135135. Senia, and ■■■ (4)

“May I ask… if in your memories, I’ve ever tried to use you?”

A single sentence. Yet it contained so many implications.

Another past, another version of herself, another reality. And a hypothesis she wasn’t certain about.

But she wasn’t making eye contact while speaking.

Those eyes that could catch everything from the smallest movements to obvious emotional fluctuations were now looking elsewhere.

Perhaps that meant she didn’t want to know the truth.

That made her words feel even more desperate, so Junon answered immediately.

“Yes.”

Lies would act like deadly poison. Junon offered a straightforward answer to her desperate question.

Senia’s hand, which had been about to throw a pebble into the lake, froze immediately. She had expected this question would take some time to answer.

“I… see…”

She had suspected it, but the reality was beyond her imagination.

Not just this time, but she had been prepared for the possibility that she might have done something terrible in the fragments of her memories. But she hadn’t expected such a quick answer.

The unhesitating affirmative response clearly meant it was firmly etched in his mind.

The pebble she was about to throw into the lake suddenly felt unbearably heavy, and her dirt-covered hand dropped limply toward the ground.

There was no unexpected twist.

Feeling nothing but contempt for her actions that she couldn’t even begin to refute, Senia bit her lip tightly.

‘There’s nothing more to ask.’

Her resolve had crumbled, and her determination had been mere self-deception.

She wanted to ask why he had done it, but she couldn’t grab her past self by the collar and demand answers.

Having selfishly and cowardly exploited someone’s good nature without even judging right from wrong, she deserved divine punishment.

The word “ingratitude” fit perfectly, and Senia couldn’t offer any excuse to Junon.

“There was a time when you took credit for a request that you had completed. Because of that, I ended up on the second page.”

Page? That must refer to the request pages for imperial citizens. Why is this story coming up now?

“Oh, is my explanation confusing? I’m talking about Professor Muniher’s request page. It existed back then too. At that time, I was the only one among the Tembris members who was on the third page while everyone else dominated the first page.”

She had expected him to explain what he had experienced and mention what kind of harsh criticism he had received…

No, that’s not even the issue. This isn’t about using someone…

“That’s it. That’s the only time you ever used me.”

That can’t be right. That’s impossible.

“…on’t.”

“Sorry, you’re speaking too softly. I can’t hear you.”

“Don’t lie!! Just tell me everything straight out, I don’t care how bad it is!!”

She suddenly shouted in protest, but she couldn’t help it.

“Even when I first met you. Don’t you remember what I said to you, using the scene where I secretly subdued Silvia as leverage?”

That was all to get into Class C. That’s why she approached Junon, and even appeared at the right time.

“That’s not all. I tried to dig up your weaknesses and constantly provoked you!”

“Well… that’s true. But I think you backed off a bit, so I let it go.”

“Ha, you let it go? I didn’t back off—I backed off because I couldn’t get any information. I continued investigating you afterward and even shared information about you with Michelle!!”

There was no room for debate about the fact that she had been investigating him.

It was behavior that was at minimum unpleasant and certainly enough to provoke a negative reaction.

And finally.

“Lastly… during the Sirah Heavenly Battle, when I deserted. I cornered you because of my personal feelings. It was essentially the same as using you…”

The only fragment of memory.

The desertion she committed there was clearly using him for her personal feelings.

She even presented valid evidence. Now he would surely answer properly. Senia caught her breath and waited for Junon to agree.

But he was too kind-hearted.

“I don’t consider that as being used by you.”

She didn’t want to accept Junon’s calm insistence that he hadn’t been used.

“That’s just your subjective view. Objectively speaking, it should be considered exploitation!”

“That’s not my subjective view, it’s yours.”

Senia drew in a sharp breath in disbelief, while Junon confidently continued making his point.

“You came to me because you wanted to get into Class C and attend alchemy lectures, right? That was ultimately to save the Seirens, wasn’t it?”

“…Are you trying to dismiss this with a white lie? Does that make sense?”

“If multiple lives depended on a single person, that would be different. Like how you’re trying everything possible to clear the Seirens’ false charges. So if the lives of all the Seirens depend on you, Senia, there’s nothing strange about that.”

Though his words might sound casual, his position proves they aren’t lies.

Junon, who had been an acting commander, would have felt more keenly than anyone how natural it is to become desperate when multiple lives are at stake.

“What about the investigation then? Can you answer the same way about that too?”

But this is different. An investigation could potentially expose someone’s secrets to the world, so regardless of the purpose, it can’t simply be overlooked.

Nevertheless, Junon precisely identifies the blind spot.

“If you had truly intended to use that investigation against me, those noble bastards would have tried to deal with me in advance. But nothing happened after that day. I think that’s sufficient.”

“…”

A noble defeated by a commoner. The moment it became known that he had been defeated by a student considered the weakest vanguard, they would obviously try to cover it up.

In other words, it would be normal for something to happen. They would obviously send someone.

This was the first time she’d heard about sharing information with Michelle, but that didn’t really matter. Michelle, like Senia, wasn’t the type to spread such information around.

For the second issue as well, Junon provided a valid argument that Senia couldn’t counter. His unharmed body proved that Senia’s investigation had no malicious intent.

Only one issue remained.

Knowing that Senia would desperately try to refute him, Junon once again drew out a clear memory.

“When you deserted the battlefield during the Sirah Heavenly Battle, I was definitely watching you. And I said, ‘Come back safely.'”

Senia nodded slightly.

Even without any mention, his explanation continued smoothly with no discrepancies.

“But I don’t know if you’re aware of this. I had prepared a horse in advance.”

“…”

She couldn’t possibly forget.

A horse rarely used on the battlefield, a map tucked into the saddle, and a note.

Junon then delivered the final blow.

“I let you go knowingly. I thought that forcibly taking you along in that state might backfire. The same applied to the soldiers.”

With this, he could pass any question Senia might ask.

How could he immediately take Senia’s place?

Because he had deliberately let her go.

How could he guess Senia’s position and mouth the words “come back safely”?

Because he was the one who had designated the desertion spot from the beginning.

Preparing the horse, designating the spot—as the acting commander, he could have prepared all of this.

In other words, Junon had known all along that Senia would desert the battlefield.

While carefully observing Senia’s seemingly perfect appearance gradually becoming disheveled.

“Do you understand now? I’ve never been used by you. Not in the past, not in the present. This was entirely my own will.”

Until the end, Junon firmly stated that it wasn’t exploitation, but his own will.

The same applies this time. Junon didn’t act because of someone else’s expectations.

He made his own judgment and took the gamble of directly confronting Shanbereshu.

Now, there’s no room for refutation.

There are no contradictions in any causal relationship, and there are certainly no falsehoods.

Senia, who once cornered Junon and read him as if using mind-reading, was now completely overwhelmed.

Her tightly closed lips showed no will to speak further.

It was none other than Senia who was being cornered like this.

“But do you wonder why I’m saying all this?”

And his final words were more sincere than anything that came before.

“To me, Senia isn’t some pathetic person who tries to use others, but one of the few colleagues who acknowledges me and one of my most precious friends. That’s what I wanted to tell you.”

The gap between Senia’s reason and emotion, which had collapsed, now begins to find its place again.

Once more wetting her face with tears, Senia could finally look at Junon.

“Junon…”

She called his name with a choked voice.

But he had already turned away. Saying he hoped they could talk tomorrow, he walked unsteadily toward his lodging.

He’s too kind.

Truly, to the point of seeming foolish.

That’s all she could think while watching his unsteady figure.

Thanks to him, one word took on a clear definition in her mind.

It was the word “friend,” something that had been absent from Senia until now.

In the deepening night, no more sounds of pebbles falling into the lake could be heard.

The rippling waters subsided.

And once again, as if nothing had happened, calmly.

The lake returned to its original state.

***

The Empire celebrated good news.

They welcomed the isolated troops who had returned on their own, after rushing to rescue them.

Although they were delayed due to the terrain formed by the collapse of Shanbereshu’s lair, their safe return was cause for great celebration.

But what about internally? The number of people showing symptoms of the Lemtert plague had steadily increased, and due to mutations that increased its contagiousness, the number of symptomatic individuals was growing even more.

As the returning soldiers also began showing the same symptoms, the citizens couldn’t help but become restless.

The time had come to reveal the Lemtert plague, which until now had only been known to those in higher positions.

“The cure is… still not ready. What are we going to do now?”

Jake handed the first research results he had barely received from Dalia during reorganization to Muniher and asked cautiously.

“Can we hold out longer?”

“Impossible. You know too. People are already saying that those infected with the disease should be isolated. When we return to Levrant, we’ll have to make an announcement immediately.”

People gripped by fear had already begun taking sides.

Ever since the fear of being threatened by the disease had been imprinted on them based on infection status.

If information about the Lemtert plague wasn’t revealed, riots might break out soon. Jake had come to seek Muniher’s permission for this.

But Muniher wasn’t pleased about revealing it.

If a cure had been developed, that would be different, but revealing the truth might have the opposite effect of heightening the anxiety of the imperial citizens.

Also, he couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who were currently enjoying the success of the subjugation campaign.

And one more person.

Concern for a student’s well-being also played a part.

‘If this is revealed now, that kid will undoubtedly become a public enemy.’

Betrayal tends to bloom from the closest places.

The reason they had been delaying and postponing the announcement about the infection route of the Lemtert plague was because of Junon, who might be beaten by his peers.

There wouldn’t even be voices asking why he did it.

Once the floodgates opened on the fact that he knew the infection route but only amplified the damage, they would be quick to tear him down.

By revealing this fact, it was predicted that Junon would face even harsher academy life than he did now.

But they couldn’t delay any longer.

“You make the announcement, Jake.”

“…Is that okay? If we announce it, that kid will…”

“We have no choice. If we want to save even one more life, we need as many people as possible to work together on developing a cure.”

One person’s hardship versus the lives of countless imperial citizens.

Anyone comparing the two would choose the latter without hesitation.

Commander Muniher had been breaking the rule that personal judgment shouldn’t jeopardize the mission.

“Understood. I’ll make the announcement as soon as we reach Levrant. But…”

“I’ll keep an eye on Junon. He’s a kid you care about.”

“Yes. I’m counting on you. I’ll go ahead. Hyah!”

In truth, he didn’t know Junon’s location.

He had just assumed Junon was with Cain, who was reportedly receiving treatment in a safe place.

‘You need to be present to explain yourself. When will you show yourself, Junon?’

It had been over a week since he had last been seen.

***

Another day passed.

My body is still difficult to control, but at times like this, lying still can actually hinder recovery, so appropriate exercise is necessary.

That’s why I’m forcing myself to take a walk.

And on this walk, I encountered Senia again.

“I was wondering when you’d come. Ah, I guess it doesn’t matter since we didn’t specify when to meet.”

“…Don’t tell me you’ve been waiting for me here?”

“Hmm? You said we’d talk tomorrow, so I’ve been waiting.”

“Huh…”

How did she know when I’d wake up, to wait in advance?

Not just the timing, but I never specified meeting at this lake again—how was the location decided?

“Hey, don’t make that face. I didn’t wait long. I just figured you’d wake up around this time and come here.”

“Hey… does that make any sense…?”

It really doesn’t make sense by common standards, but Senia didn’t seem to think so.

“Why doesn’t it make sense? You’re diligent enough to visit Mizar Hall regularly, so you’d wake up in the morning, and even though your physical condition is terrible, you’re the type to take care of yourself, so you’d at least go for a walk. And as you walk around, there aren’t many suitable places to go. This lake is the most appropriate. So both the time and place match perfectly, right?”

Really, she’s still the same.

I once asked her if that was just a guess.

But it’s not a guess. Only when you’re half-certain can you lay out something so specific.

Which means Senia is currently in full condition.

“So what did you want to ask me?”

“Ah, about that. In the basement…”

“All the people who were imprisoned were released this morning.”

“…Huh?”

“I made a deal with the Seirens. Cain took them away safely, and they should have rejoined the main force by now.”

Senia was calmly saying that the Seirens had released the humans.

That’s not something to be so casual about…

“Well… they don’t trust humans, but they trust you. They did set some conditions, though.”

“Conditions?”

At that moment, as Senia pulled something out of her hand,

“Senia…? What are you…”

“To have this conversation, there can’t be any other humans around. That’s why I sent them away.”

Senia’s medium-length hair had turned pitch black, displaying a familiar color from the past, or rather, from long ago.

“Jang Seon-hee. That’s my real name.”

The hair color I saw in South Korea before falling to the Kempton continent.