Chapter 129: Date Promise

Act 4, Scene 4, Autumn Demonic Palace.

Somehow, I ended up facing an unexpected situation after completing Act 4, Scene 5 first.

‘The Demonic Palace seems to be opening earlier than expected.’

Originally, there was still some time left before the Autumn Demonic Palace was supposed to open. However, something unforeseen seemed to have occurred within the palace.

And I quickly figured out why that happened.

‘It’s because of Gwaejon.’

Gwaejon had exercised the power of the Otherworld at the cost of its own damage. As a result, even Akjon within the Demonic Palace was affected.

Akjon reacted to Gwaejon’s movements, causing the Demonic Palace to open a bit earlier.

‘I never thought completing Act 4, Scene 5 first would have this kind of impact.’

An unexpected situation had arisen. This was exactly why I wanted to keep the scenario as stable as possible.

But this time, the situation was too urgent. There was no other choice.

“Prince Sweet Potato, how are you planning to form the team this time?”

Just then, Seron asked about the team composition.

At the same time, I met eyes with Isabel and Iris.

The two of them stared at me for a moment before looking away without saying a word.

I had no idea why people who could advance through the Demonic Palace without me were acting so disappointed.

But more importantly, I had to think about the Autumn Demonic Palace team composition.

‘There’s a particularly valuable floor in this Autumn Demonic Palace.’

A piece of equipment useful for the next scenario could be found there.

‘Although it’s something I could probably manage without now.’

Still, having it would be undeniably beneficial.

Therefore, I needed to assemble the best possible team, including the essential members.

But before that, I had to deal with the one currently lost in thought.

“Eve.”

At my call, Eve looked toward me.

She had only recently enrolled at Zeryon Academy.

Eve was still adjusting to life at the academy. And now, with the Autumn Demonic Palace opening earlier, the team situation was complicated.

By the second year, most students had established their teams.

Besides, we had to enter the Demonic Palace tomorrow, leaving no time to practice teamwork.

Because of that, most people wouldn’t want to recruit new members for the sake of maintaining team balance.

Everyone knew that Eve was exceptionally skilled.

But in the Demonic Palace, individual ability wasn’t everything.

How well she would fit into a team was unknown.

Thus, no one had approached Eve yet.

Except for me.

“You don’t have a team yet, right?”

“…If I join your team, I might die from stress.”

Well, not getting angry would solve that problem.

Of course, I kept that thought to myself. Saying it aloud would only make Eve furious.

“I’m not asking you to join my team.”

Lowering my voice, I leaned closer to Eve.

“I want you to join Lady Iris’s team.”

Eve’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprised by my unexpected suggestion.

But she had already sensed something unsettling about Iris.

She had even transferred to Zeryon Academy to investigate it.

There was no reason for her to refuse my suggestion.

“It’s not a bad offer for you either.”

Being on Iris’s team guaranteed excellent academic results.

And along with that, Eve’s reputation would naturally rise as well.

Eve wasn’t particularly interested in fame, but she was diligent when it came to maintaining her grades.

Just as I said, it wasn’t a bad offer for her at all.

Eve glanced at the other students before lowering her voice so they wouldn’t hear.

“Hanon Airei, the person you want to save — is it the Third Princess?”

I nodded instead of answering.

The main reason I brought Eve to Zeryon Academy was because of Iris.

Eve stared at me for a moment before letting out a sigh.

“I’ve said it before, but I really don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

“World peace.”

“That’s exactly why I don’t understand you.”

My sincere words never seemed to reach Eve.

“Anyway, because of that, I’d like you to come with me to see Lady Iris tonight.”

“…Tonight?”

“Yeah, I visit Lady Iris’s chambers every night.”

It was something I’d inevitably have to show Eve sooner or later.

Upon hearing my straightforward response, Eve’s eyes wavered.

“W-What?”

“I help Lady Iris fall asleep. We train together too. She sleeps well when her body is exhausted.”

Eve’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

“So, I’m counting on you tonight.”

“H-Hanon Airei, w-wait!”

Eve tried to grab me, but I was in a hurry.

None of the team members I needed were in the martial arts department anyway.

As I stepped out of the classroom, Seron, who had been observing the exchange, trailed after me.

I gave her a puzzled look.

“Seron, why are you following me?”

“You said you were forming the Autumn Demonic Palace team. I should at least check out the candidates.”

“That’s not what I meant. Why are you following me?”

Seron narrowed her eyes.

“You’re trying to mess with me again. Do you think I’ll fall for it?”

“Didn’t you see me talking to Eve just now?”

She gave me a look like I was talking nonsense.

Then, her lips twitched as she stared at me in disbelief.

“I already made a promise with Aisha for the Autumn Demonic Palace, so we don’t really need any more frontliners.”

“W-Wait, are you serious?”

“Seron, when have I ever lied to you?”

“You always lie.”

She made me sound like a compulsive liar in an instant.

“I’m not lying this time.”

“Liar!”

“I’m serious. If you don’t believe me, ask Eve yourself.”

Of course, once she found out the truth, she’d probably come back to kill me.

But for now, I firmly insisted I wasn’t lying. Seron clenched her fists tightly, trembling.

Then she grabbed the hem of her skirt and bit her lip.

“R-Really?”

I didn’t answer further.

Tears suddenly welled up in Seron’s eyes.

Oh no, I went too far.

“I-I worked so hard… Hic, I even bought a new axe to help Prince Sweet Potato…”

“S-Seron, wait a minute.”

Before I knew it, tears streamed down Seron’s face, falling one after another.

I thought she’d just get mad like usual, but I hadn’t expected this.

Panicking, I quickly rummaged through my pockets.

Fortunately, I found a handkerchief and used it to wipe her tears.

“Seron, I’m sorry. It was just a joke. Why would I leave you behind? I only suggested that Eve join Lady Iris’s team.”

Seron, still sniffling, looked up at me with teary eyes.

“R-Really?”

“Yeah, really. After all this time we’ve spent together, how could I tell you to go somewhere else?”

I hadn’t expected her to cry so sincerely, and I found myself flustered for the first time in a while.

It seemed like Seron’s feelings for me were deeper than I thought.

Maybe she burst into tears because the idea of me leaving her behind scared her.

I felt genuinely sorry.

“You’re so mean. You always tease me.”

Her sobbing finally subsided, though her face was now filled with a sulky expression.

“Sorry, I really mean it.”

This time, I admitted my fault and apologized sincerely.

Seron glanced at me, then suddenly grabbed onto my collar.

“You really mean it, right?”

“Yeah, I do. I’m sorry.”

“Really, really mean it?”

“I told you, I do.”

Seron darted her eyes around, seemingly thinking something over.

Then, with a slightly timid expression, she mumbled.

“Then… since you’re sorry, shouldn’t you make it up to me?”

Was she expecting me to buy her some bread or something?

Just as I thought that, Seron looked up at me, slowly closing her eyes.

Then she pursed her lips and stuck them out.

I stared at her in silence.

Noticing no reaction from me, Seron half-opened one eye, peeking at me.

“……Prince Sweet Potato, what are you doing?”

“I’m wondering what you’re doing.”

“You’re supposed to make it up to me.”

“I don’t listen to the demands of those weaker than me.”

At that moment, Seron’s fist shot toward me, pounding against my chest.

Her face was full of frustration.

“You said you were sorry!”

“I am sorry.”

“Then isn’t it only fair to make it up to me?”

“Shameless. I won’t succumb to malicious attempts on my body.”

Seron looked utterly dumbfounded, as if questioning if I was even human.

I caught her wrist mid-swing and held it gently.

“Seron, how about we go somewhere fun after the Autumn Demonic Palace?”

“H-Huh?”

“That’ll be my way of making it up to you. Sounds good?”

A small smile formed on Seron’s face.

Her cheeks quickly flushed red, and she shyly lowered her arms.

“O-Okay.”

Seron had calmed down. What a relief.

“Alright, I’m off to finish gathering the team.”

“Y-Yeah, take care.”

She gave me a small, hesitant wave as she saw me off.

Then, still flustered, she cupped her face with her hands, mumbling to herself ‘W-What should I wear.’

It seemed like Seron was becoming more honest with her feelings as time went on.

Leaving her behind, I headed towards the first-year building.

“That person.”

“That’s Hanon Airei-sunbae.”

“The one who uses elder dragon magic?”

Whispers from the students echoed around me, noticeably different from before.

It seemed that recent events had significantly changed how they viewed me.

As I passed by the murmuring students, one person suddenly came to mind.

‘Midra.’

Midra Penin, the first-year vice head.

I recalled his recent actions — particularly the time he had shown me the way.

‘What was that all about?’

I didn’t know much about Midra.

While there were several prominent figures among the first-years, Midra wasn’t typically one of them.

Despite being the vice head of the martial arts department, he had no notable incidents aside from his student council activities.

That was Midra.

‘Is there something I don’t know?’

It was rare for anything in Zeryon Academy to escape my knowledge, making it all the more intriguing.

‘I should probably investigate soon.’

Time to put my information-gathering skills — honed through 29 game clearances — to use once again.

With that thought, I made my way to the training hall where Aisha was supposed to be.

BOOOOM!

A massive crash echoed from inside.

It was so loud that for a moment, I thought the training hall had collapsed.

Alarmed, I quickly opened the door.

Inside, I saw Aisha slumped against the wall, clutching her greatsword.

A faint groan escaped her lips.

“Aisha, look at you! You’re far too weak! At this level, you have no business entering the Demonic Palace!”

A thunderous voice followed, brimming with harsh reprimand.

Telling Aisha, the first-year martial arts head, that she wasn’t fit for the Demonic Palace?

What kind of absurd nonsense was that?

I turned my gaze further into the room.

There, standing tall, was a man with the same ocean-blue hair as Aisha.

But his size was simply outrageous.

He was so enormous that it felt like his head could brush against the ceiling.

Just looking at him triggered a primal instinct within me — a voice urging me to flee immediately.

‘This man.’

I knew exactly who he was.

Aisha Bizbell’s cousin.

Rexaron Bisbell.

The newly appointed first-year martial arts assistant professor.