Ch.7979. The Ring (2)

“…”

“…”

Athalante and I stared at each other in silence.

Our gazes were filled with intense pity for one another.

I can roughly guess why this person is looking at me like this.

“I look haggard, don’t I?”

“…So you’re aware of it yourself.”

“You’re saying that, Chancellor, but you look worse than me, not better.”

“…”

Well, I’ve been using all my nerves and effort trying to avoid Elnore lately, so it’s only natural.

But it’s the first time I’ve seen Athalante looking half-dead like this.

“…So, here are the results you asked for. This is the list of students selected for the exchange program.”

The selection process is simple.

Basically, they select students who have shown “outstanding achievements” of any kind.

Whether they’ve made something incredibly impressive, fought exceptionally well, or demonstrated superior strategy. As long as they have visibly outstanding abilities of any kind, anyone can be selected. It’s truly a fair field of opportunity.

Of course, as with everything in the world, some things are “more fair for some people” than others.

I quickly scan through the list of students Athalante handed me.

All the names I had “recommended” on my side were included.

Elia, Yuria, Lucien, Talion.

‘The exchange student event lasts 10 days in total…’

As soon as we arrive at the Crucible of Struggle, everyone will be busy being called here and there, so we probably won’t be moving around in a large group much, but I need to bring the people who must be assigned to each “section.”

Among them, the person who is central to completing the entire chapter is.

“…I see you managed to put Riru on the list?”

When I said that to Athalante, she returned a transparent smile as if her soul had left her body.

As if that was the main cause of her current condition.

“…It was incredibly difficult, really.”

Athalante said while rubbing her face dryly.

“You know about the situation in the Tribal Union, don’t you?”

“…It’s right after a coup changed the regime, right?”

“I wouldn’t even call it a coup. It’s a regular occurrence in that neighborhood.”

True to the name Tribal “Union,” their system is a republic run by a council of chieftains who lead powerful tribes.

The most powerful among the chieftains reigns as the Grand Chieftain, determined by combat between candidates selected through voting.

“…Is it okay for a country with that much power to have its political leader decided by combat?”

“That’s their tradition, so what can we do? They’re more stubborn and closed-off than any other group on the continent.”

Athalante replied with a slight smile.

Of course, the country still functions properly because the chieftains are all capable people who can fulfill their roles regardless of who gets elected.

“…”

This time is an exception.

The current Grand Chieftain is someone who needs to be “pulled down” quickly or the entire continent will be in trouble.

“The one who defeated the former Grand Chieftain Kasa Garda and took office as the new Grand Chieftain is Allan Va-Thor, the chieftain of the Black Wolf tribe.”

Athalante sighed deeply after mentioning that name.

It was a reaction that suggested even thinking about him was tiresome.

“…I heard he was originally a gentle and thoughtful man, but lately he’s become a completely different person. To get Riru Garda accepted from their side, I had to use every connection I could possibly pull.”

“…That must have been difficult.”

I truly mean it. Honestly, without Athalante, it would have been nearly impossible to persuade “the current” version of that man.

Cutting off three of Kasa Garda’s limbs, framing Riru Garda with false accusations and expelling her from the Tribal Union along with Kasa, and exterminating their entire clan.

All of it was his doing.

“…”

More precisely, it was done by the “mastermind” controlling him from behind.

As this person said, the Allan I know from the original work wasn’t someone who would do such things.

He got involved with some damnable Cultist of the Demon and ended up like that.

“More importantly, how are you doing?”

Athalante asked with a sigh.

“I heard the Tristan Lady is preparing a ring-“

The Chancellor closed her mouth when she saw me breaking out in a cold sweat.

“…Are you sure you don’t want my help? I’ve been leaving you alone because you keep refusing, but…”

“Helping would actually make things worse.”

There’s really no way to help.

What, are you going to stop her from delivering the ring? If you did that, Elnore would go berserk with rage.

“I’ve heard you’ve been avoiding the Tristan Lady for the past few days, but that’s not going to solve the problem-“

“-I know that better than anyone.”

I definitely need to find a solution somehow.

My current situation is truly life-threatening.

Even the skill with the same name won’t be able to help me this time.

1. Accept the engagement ring? → Yuria, who has the White Demon dwelling within her, will likely kill me as soon as she confirms it.

2. Don’t accept the engagement ring? → Elnore will likely go berserk. Again, my chances of dying increase dramatically.

A hellish dilemma.

The reason I’m just running away now is because I can’t think of any solution.

‘…Having two fragments combined is also a problem.’

There’s a world of difference between a Demonic Vessel possessing one fragment versus two fragments.

With one fragment, it just goes berserk and reveals itself in emergencies.

But from two fragments… the “resonance” gets a bit stronger.

It means Elnore will soon be able to make minimal contact with the Grey Demon’s “will.”

And I don’t know exactly how that will manifest.

‘…She’s always been kind, though.’

The Grey Demon has always shown me consistent goodwill.

But whether she’ll forgive me if I completely reject her or, even worse, “cheat” on her…

Well, I’m not sure about that.

“…I just need some time. If I think about it for a few days, maybe a good solution will-“

!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emergency ‘Demon-related’ Event Occurring!]

[This is a critical event!]

[Failure to act correctly within the time limit will result in death!]

[This event is related to ‘Elnore’!]

[Return to the dormitory immediately and prepare!]

“…”

What is this?

●

Elnore scrutinized her appearance with wide eyes.

She had prepared herself with the utmost care.

She had been checked multiple times by Beatrix, had spent almost the entire day grooming herself, and even had the “token of promise” for him and her custom-made by the most famous designer in the State of Kagenov, spending a fortune.

Her preparations were perfect. She walked confidently into the dormitory.

“Oh, Madam President? What brings you to the freshman dormitory?”

“I’m here to see someone, Lady Ophelia.”

When Elnore replied with a voice full of determination, Lady Ophelia tilted her head.

“Darwood again? He seems to be in the dormitory today since he doesn’t have any classes scheduled, but it might be better not to disturb him-?”

“Is there a reason?”

“No, it’s just that he looks really unwell today- Earlier he was pale and sweating profusely-“

“…”

He’s always been a man with a huge gap between the parts where his intuition is good and where it isn’t.

He probably has a good idea of what she’s coming here determined to do.

“…Thank you, Lady Ophelia.”

Elnore nodded her head with a solemn gesture.

“But I must see him today.”

Her subsequent actions clearly stemmed from that determination.

Taking large strides, Elnore quickly reached Darwood’s door and took a deep breath.

“…”

Her heart was pounding. Her entire body felt like it was on fire.

Although she had excelled in most fields since she could remember her own actions, at this moment she couldn’t suppress the anxiety weighing down her entire body.

“…”

She raised her hand to knock.

But despite the resolve that had brought her this far, she hesitated.

If, for whatever reason, if…

If Darwood were to reject this ring.

“…No.”

A thin, moist voice escaped her lips.

Just imagining it felt like a huge hole was being punched through her chest. Her nose stung. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“…”

With that thought in mind.

The hand she had raised to knock on the door simply wouldn’t fall.

She wanted to run away. This could potentially be the catalyst that would completely upend her relationship with him.

Wasn’t she happy as things were? Wasn’t she happy just watching that man from his side?

Perhaps this was her greed. Perhaps she was unilaterally imposing too heavy a burden on him.

At least judging by how he’s been running away, he clearly doesn’t welcome her actions.

Rather than that.

Rather than doing something that man dislikes.

Perhaps, just, like this.

From now on, just continuing like this-

[Are you satisfied with that?]

Her body froze.

It was a voice that rang clearly in her head, eerily distinct.

It felt like the “sinister energy” that had previously been confined to her heart had now risen to her head.

As if what was previously “one” had become “two.”

She couldn’t tell if this voice was rising from within herself or if “something else” was speaking inside her head. She couldn’t even distinguish between the two.

She had never experienced anything like this before.

But what was certain was.

Those sentences carried an atmosphere that was impossible to refuse.

[Can you bear it if that man falls into the arms of another woman?]

[You can’t, right?]

[Then you must act.]

[Make that man yours.]

[And if he doesn’t become yours-]

At that voice.

“…”

Elnore knocked on the door as if entranced.

Knock, knock, knock.

“My lord.”

“…”

No answer.

Again, knock, knock, knock.

She continued speaking, swallowing dryly.

Although she knocked as if pushed by something, she was still extremely nervous.

“My lord. Are you listening?”

Still no answer.

But Lady Ophelia is not someone who would lie to her. Darwood is definitely inside.

“I already know you’re in there. It would be better for you to open the door quietly.”

“…”

“I’ve already asked Lady Ophelia, the dormitory supervisor. You have no classes scheduled today.”

“…”

Still, there was no answer.

Elnore gritted her teeth.

“Fine. If you’re going to ignore me to the end.”

Having come this far, she couldn’t back down.

She gripped her longsword.

“Then I’ll cut my way in.”

A flash.

The dormitory door was completely split.

Inside was Darwood, sitting with an astonished expression.

“…Isn’t this against school rules?”

“The student council is responsible for enforcing penalties for rule violations. Coincidentally, I currently hold the position of student council president.”

Elnore replied lightly as she sheathed her longsword at her waist.

“I came because I have something to say to you. You’ve been avoiding me constantly lately.”

“…”

“About… 32 times, I believe?”

“…Why are you counting such things?”

Why count such things?

Her time, her heart, her body—all of them are essentially mortgaged to this man.

Every single moment spent with this man is a precious memory that she cannot afford to waste.

“…”

She slowly took out the ring from her bosom.

“You probably know well why I’ve come here.”

She approached him with steady steps.

She barely suppressed her body’s attempt to tremble. She had never been this afraid of anything in her life.

“I ask you, Darwood Campbell.”

She continued speaking, barely managing to calm her constricting throat.

“Will you marry me?”

“…”

And so.

The die was cast.

Elnore, acting unlike herself, lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut.

She simply couldn’t look this man directly in the face.

Silence continued.

On and on.

“Elnore.”

The silence that felt like an eternity to her was broken.

Finally, Darwood slowly opened his mouth.

“This doesn’t seem right.”

-…

A chill crept into her heart.

“How can you suddenly give me something like this without even telling me beforehand?”

“…”

She was being torn apart.

Just from that one sentence.

It felt like her heart was being shattered into a thousand pieces.

Her legs wobbled, unable to stand properly. Her temples tightened. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“You should at least give me a chance to choose.”

“I, I, I-“

She didn’t even know what to say.

Her head was spinning.

‘It hurts.’

It hurts, I feel like I’m dying. I can’t breathe.

My chest, it hurts so much.

“…”

Even amid the sensation of her entire body being torn apart, the sentence she had just heard crossed her mind.

What did he mean by choice?

A woman other than her?

[And if he doesn’t become yours-]

That voice echoed in her head.

It was the voice she had just heard.

But stronger than before.

So strong that it felt like her consciousness was flying away. So strong that it felt like all reason in her head was being devoured.

If she really fell for those words, and if this man didn’t become hers, then rather-

“The size doesn’t fit.”

“…?”

Elnore’s eyes flew open.

This man.

What did he just say?

“See, it doesn’t go in well.”

When she hurriedly raised her head to look at Darwood, she saw him struggling to push the ring onto his finger.

“Shouldn’t we go together to get something like this fitted? How can you just estimate by eye?”

“…”

Her mouth fell open.

She still didn’t know what to say.

But for a completely different reason than before.

“Let’s go to the store together later, Elnore.”

Darwood smiled brightly.

“Something this important should be chosen together by the future couple.”

“…”

Ah.

This man.

Really.

“…Darwood.”

She struck Darwood once.

With a thud, Darwood rolled on the floor, but instead of apologizing, she blushed and huffed.

“Don’t, don’t tease me!”

“…”

“I, I, this time, really, you, really, really-!”

By the time she spat out the last word, she was grabbing Darwood, who was writhing on the floor, and swinging him around in the air.

And on Elnore’s face as she did this was the “genuinely bright smile” she was wearing for the first time in her life.

Not the vague, faintly emerging expression from before.

But because she was feeling a level of happiness that truly brightened her entire life.

“I’ll go! Then, I’ll go! I’ll go wherever you say! Just tell me!”

“…E-Elnore, please put me down, I’m going to die like this-“

“I’ll inform everyone at home! I have many things to take care of, so I’ll see you again soon!”

Saying that, she threw Darwood back into a corner of the room.

She really did have many things to take care of.

An irrepressible smile continued to flow from the corners of her mouth.

“Oh, Elnore- You’re out early…?”

Lady Ophelia at the entrance was so shocked by her appearance that her mouth fell open.

“E-Elnore? W-why is your face like that? What happened-?”

“Lady Ophelia, the world is truly beautiful.”

“…”

“Life is worth living!”

After conveying just that, Elnore ran out of the dormitory at tremendous speed.

Truly, life was worth living.

To think that a person could become this happy!

“…Has she finally gone mad?”

She could even ignore such mutterings coming from behind her.

●

I stare at the window in front of me, dripping with cold sweat.

[Remaining Time Limit]

[00: 00: 03]

[Target ‘Elnore’s’ corruption level has decreased from 122% → 0%!]

[You have successfully resolved the ‘Elnore’ related event before the time limit!]

[Death has been canceled!]

Darwood Campbell.

Miraculously survived with 3 seconds left until death.

When it said “correct action,” I spent a long time wondering what nonsense that was.

It seems my final action was the right answer.

If I hadn’t accepted the ring just now, I would have died on the spot.

It was a sudden event, but I managed to resolve it somehow…!

“…”

But I can’t be too happy about it.

Why?

!!!!!!!!!!!Demon Alert!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emergency ‘Demon-related’ Event Occurring!]

[This is a critical event!]

[Failure to act correctly within the time limit will result in death!]

[This event is related to ‘Yuria’!]

[Find a way to survive!]

[Remaining Time Limit]

[12: 00: 00]

Darwood Campbell.

Remaining lifespan extended from 3 seconds to 12 hours.

“…”

I’m fucked.

●