Ch.4747. Distrust, and Hatred (10)

Lemtert Village Defense Battle, Day 1.

Around 1 AM, the battle with the Kanolatlus began.

Professor Muniher is the commander-in-chief. According to his prediction, a prolonged battle has been reported.

Day 2.

Combat continues in shifts, but holding the line at Lemtert Village is the best we can do.

Judging it impossible to defend the western region of Schütt Province, the defensive perimeter has been changed from the village entrance to the eastern side.

Areas vulnerable to Kanolatlus attacks require special caution.

Day 3.

Defense has become more manageable since reducing the perimeter.

Injuries have significantly decreased compared to the first and second days, with no casualties reported so far.

Day 4.

Additional Osoptera-type beasts discovered.

Day 5.

Report on Osoptera-type beasts.

This species has many subspecies such as locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, and mantises.

However, unlike familiar animals, they have evolved to be carnivorous, possessing sharp, scythe-like forelegs similar to mantises. Caution is advised to avoid being cut.

Considering that these species primarily inhabit the western region of Schütt Province, some squads have been reorganized and dispatched there.

Although squads have been formed, it is presumed difficult to eliminate all threats as they move along the western Lilkran mountain range.

Therefore, domain soldiers and garrison troops defending western Schütt Province are requested to buy time until the reorganized squads arrive.

—

I’ve been receiving information from Schütt Province to the Academy, learning about recent events through official notices.

“Nothing’s changed.”

It’s exactly the same as what I confirmed before leaving the dormitory, without the slightest difference.

For now, it means events are following the same sequence as in the past.

Then the events at the Academy should also proceed as before. I just need to confirm that much.

—Clop, clop, clop.

Speak of the devil. Well, she came on horseback, so maybe that’s not the right expression.

As I expected, a female student wearing a healer’s distinctive robe instead of a school uniform for mana activation has returned to the Academy.

It was Erika.

And unlike Erika who just arrived through the Academy’s main gate, there were students rushing out in groups.

They all passed through the gate without saying a word, each clutching some kind of paper.

Some snickered, while others nudged them in the ribs to caution them.

In short, they’re hiding something, just like before.

‘Nothing more to see here.’

Having confirmed everything I needed to with my own eyes, it was time for me to move on.

“Huh?”

It’s been a while, but I felt a familiar sensation.

The feeling of my sleeve being slightly tugged. It meant someone was grabbing my clothes.

There’s only one person who appears out of nowhere and always starts conversations by gently pulling on my collar.

Who else could it be but Silvia, who always grabs my collar whenever she sees me?

“Junon, why haven’t I seen you anywhere lately?”

“Ah… um… I forgot to let you know in advance. Sorry.”

To be fair, I’ve been incredibly busy lately. That’s why I haven’t had time to meet Silvia.

She probably only circles the same places where I’m likely to be found, so I should have given her a heads-up.

‘Fortunately, it seems Hena didn’t say anything.’

—’I won’t tell Silvia, so don’t worry.’

I’d been half-doubting her and had prepared excuses, but it seems she was telling the truth.

“But why do you keep waiting for me?”

That’s my biggest question about Silvia. They say she was completely helpless when she first entered the dormitory, but now she can do almost everything.

She’s even better than me at some things, and in terms of life skills, I might have to concede defeat.

“Is that… not okay?”

“No, I just wonder if there’s really any need for it.”

“I just… don’t think there’s anything wrong with us being together.”

I appreciate that Silvia thinks well of me.

When I was hospitalized, I was deeply touched to have someone who genuinely came to visit me.

She’s the only one I could call a friend in my completely ruined social circle after distancing myself from the Tembris party members.

‘But it’s not exactly harmless.’

When she couldn’t do anything and had a bad reputation among other students, I could understand. But what about now?

Classmates, seniors, juniors, and even faculty members say that Silvia has changed for the better.

That’s why I needed to say something now. For her future as well.

“You can do everything on your own now, so what’s the point of always being by my side? It’s time you go your own way and do your own things.”

After all, she knows how to take care of herself and has made a good friend in Hena.

She’s not someone who deserves the resentment of other students, and unlike before, she only occasionally gets into trouble with those noble brats?

But unlike those days when she always had the same gloomy expression, now there seem to be quite a few people willing to help her.

For example, those people over there who are secretly watching Silvia like a celebrity, their eyes sparkling as if ready to worship her, regardless of gender.

But if she stays with me, her school life becomes limited, and she wastes time waiting for me.

She needs to find her own path to live her life, and following me around all the time just isn’t right. That’s why I said what I did.

But…

“…?”

“*sniff*…”

Huh? Why is she crying? I didn’t say anything wrong, did I? But why?

“Did I do something wrong to you? Why… why are you doing this…”

Wait, if you cry here, what am I supposed to do? This is really troublesome!!!!

Why does the right side of my face feel so hot?

Sure enough, when I quickly turned my head, I saw people grinding their teeth as if ready to curse me. I could die an unexpected death at this rate.

Those fierce glares from Silvia’s fans, who seem ready to attack me for making her cry, are truly terrifying…

Somehow I need to soothe her and stop her crying to prevent those burning stares from turning into actual blades.

But what should I say to comfort her?

I don’t even know what I did wrong…? What can I possibly say to avoid the wrath of those murderous-looking students?

“Um, Miss Silvia? Perhaps…”

“Miss… Silvia…?”

Why are you crying even louder… I was being extremely polite with honorifics… Why are you crying more…?

This won’t do. Staying still in this situation is absolutely not an option.

This is… dangerous in a different way.

***

Aris felt a strange sense of discomfort as she looked around Levrant Academy.

“Why is it so quiet?”

It made sense, as normally Levrant Academy would have at least one bustling hall, relatively speaking.

Dube Hall, where most of the general lecture rooms are located.

Merak Hall, where popular specialized courses are taught, requiring students to maintain certain grades to attend.

Mizar Hall, the center for students dedicated to studies and training, with a bulletin board displaying newspapers large enough to catch the eye of passing students.

Megrez Hall, which houses faculty offices and where major newspapers are posted.

Phecda Hall, where student dormitories and academy landmarks are located.

Alioth Hall, which contains the museum, library, foundation, banquet hall, and rooms for distinguished guests.

Finally, Alkaid Hall, built in the form of a clock tower to supply mana to all seven halls and sixteen buildings of the Academy.

While she couldn’t speak for the other four halls, Dube, Merak, and Mizar Halls were always filled with students during the day.

But now, strangely, there were hardly any students walking around.

With the main personnel gone and students mysteriously absent en masse, Levrant Academy had suddenly become empty.

—Hey, doesn’t it seem even quieter today, or is it just me?

—Isn’t it because there are no lectures?

‘That’s not wrong, I suppose.’

Aris thought so too.

With no lectures being held, she had just seen specific groups rushing to get day passes to leave.

However, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it than that.

—Almost all the other faculty members are gone too. I wonder why?

Aris couldn’t answer that question either.

This was the source of the strange discomfort.

Students might get day passes in groups if they had something to do.

But it was hard to understand why even the faculty members were barely present.

Even if there were no lectures, at least the front desk staff, cafeteria staff, and other non-combat faculty should be around.

It felt as if only students had been left behind at Levrant Academy.

Then came a moment when Aris’s veil of suspicion was briefly lifted.

“Oh my? Who’s this?”

It was because of someone who had grabbed and hugged Aris from behind as she was looking around the Academy.

Though she asked who it was, there was only one person who would act this way.

“Erika.”

“Tch. You recognized me right away.”

Erika whined playfully after being identified immediately without Aris even turning around.

“Weren’t you supposed to go up to Schütt Province with the others?”

It was a natural question for Aris, since Erika should have gone to Lemtert Village with the other members.

Erika paused slightly, then hugged Aris’s back more tightly, clinging to her.

“I came back because I missed you. I thought you might be lonely.”

“What?”

What kind of ridiculous reason is that for deserting the battlefield? Aris thought as she gently untangled Erika’s hands to straighten her back. It was time for a lecture.

“You’re the only healer in our team. There’s no way Goden would have just let you go.”

“I told him I wasn’t feeling well, and he let me go… ahem.”

“It’s your first real combat experience, and that strict team leader would hardly allow it. Are you going to keep lying?”

“Tch. Why can’t you just let it go?”

Despite showing a slightly sulky face to the persistent Aris, it had no effect.

No matter what, Aris had participated in other teams as a mercenary before, so she wasn’t about to casually accept Erika’s excuses or complaints.

“You have mountains to learn, and you threw away that opportunity!”

“Ow, ow, ow! That hurts! Don’t pinch me. Aris!”

The expedition was sized with safety in mind, with sufficient numbers, and was commanded by imperial bigwigs, making it a mountain of learning opportunities that Erika had rejected by returning.

Moreover, it was a valuable real combat stage for Michelle, Erika, and Senia, who had no team experience yet.

By returning to the Academy citing poor condition, Erika had turned her back on too much.

“Ugh, you pinch so hard. Aris’s hands are too spicy!”

“Just confess. No more strange excuses.”

“I had some personal circumstances. That’s why I couldn’t go with the others and came back separately.”

Aris’s eyes gradually narrowed, becoming sharper and more piercing.

It didn’t take long for the light interrogation to make Erika confess that she had to return due to personal circumstances.

Of course, she kept her lips tightly sealed about those complicated personal circumstances.

Though the sun in the sky cast warm spring sunlight, the Academy was unusually quiet today, making even small disturbances noticeable.

If anyone caused even a minor commotion, everyone remaining at the Academy might notice.

And just then, someone caused a small incident!

Well… I’m not sure if it should be called small, and it’s debatable whether it can be considered an incident at all.

However, it’s certain to draw attention in the now-empty Levrant Academy.

Someone was sweating profusely after causing trouble for a girl who was once considered a liability but has now become a new idol to those she had previously approached with bowed head to apologize.

“Um… Silvia? Could you please stop crying first…?”

“…”

This is driving me crazy. It’s not even summer yet, so why does it feel so hot?

I guarantee this isn’t just normal sweat. It’s literally cold sweat forming droplet by droplet, sensing the crisis from the ominous stares directed at the back of my head.

Why am I sweating cold sweat? Thinking about it only makes it more frustrating. I don’t know what mistake I made!

I only exchanged a few words with her, but she suddenly burst into tears, leaving Junon completely baffled.

—That bastard…?

—How dare he… make her cry?

—Ppalli sageuheura. Deujigi jeone. (Apologize quickly. Before you die.)

‘Ugh… what am I supposed to do, seriously.’

The piercing stares from Silvia’s fans continued to stimulate Junon’s sweat glands.

The cause was this girl who is currently crying but whose true feelings are completely different.

‘Is this the right way to react…?’

In truth, Silvia was just nervous standing in front of Junon; she never intended to cry.

She was crying because someone had advised her to do so.

—’Listen carefully, Silvia. If Junon tries to push you away, just burst into tears.’

It was advice from none other than Hena, Silvia’s first female friend.

‘Hena, am I doing this right…?’

Let’s go back about three hours earlier today.