Chapter 377

“…”

“…”

After the intense hug, we both looked away awkwardly, our faces flushed.

Elaine’s cheeks were bright red.

Judging from her reaction, it seemed like she had acted impulsively, without thinking.

I was happy that she was so happy to see me, but… it was awkward.

I had to break the ice, so I spoke first.

“…Where’s Master?”

“Ah, Father had some business to attend to, so he’s out.”

“I see. I wanted to say hello to him.”

“Y-You can do that next time.”

She still couldn’t meet my eyes.

I was about to say something when she spoke first.

“S-Sorry about earlier. I was just so happy to see you back safe and sound that I lost control of my emotions…”

“No, it’s fine. I’m grateful that you w-welcomed me back like that.”

I stuttered as well.

…I guess I was affected by this cheesy, youthful atmosphere.

“A-Anyway, I’m so relieved. I-I was so worried…”

“Thank you. I was determined to come back safe and sound so that I could see you again, Elaine.”

“Pfft!”

She turned her head away sharply.

“Cough, cough!”

…She even started coughing.

W-Was her reaction that extreme?

Did I say something too embarrassing?

But I had meant it sincerely…

“D-Did I say something wrong…?”

“N-No, no, no! Not at all!”

She waved her hands frantically, her face even redder than before.

…I really felt like I was in a cheesy youth drama.

I could choose to be the dense protagonist or the normal one… No, what was I thinking?!

“Cough!”

I coughed and wiped the sweat off my forehead.

I had to get a grip.

She was my incredibly beautiful, intelligent, capable, and kind female friend.

If I wasn’t careful, I might lose control and fall for her.

I couldn’t afford to make my love life even more complicated.

But why were we alone today…?

Turk should have been here.

His presence would have had a calming effect on me.

S-Should I call him back?

…No, no, there was no time for that.

I had to get her agreement and start working on the plan.

I scratched my cheek and spoke.

“Well… I have something important to tell you…”

“I-Important to tell me?!”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

Oops, I had chosen the wrong words!

I quickly corrected myself.

“I mean, I have an important request.”

“A-Ah, I-I see. I’m fine with anything, so…”

She calmed down a bit.

But she was still flustered.

I licked my dry lips and spoke quickly.

“Thank you. Then shall we go to the rooftop?”

The rooftop of Turk’s swordsmanship training hall.

It was a place where Elaine and I often talked after swordsmanship training.

The cool breeze was refreshing, and the open view was nice.

“N-No.”

“Huh?”

I was surprised by her sudden refusal.

…Had she ever refused before?

“You said it was an important request…”

“A-Ah, y-yes.”

“T-Then wouldn’t it be better to go somewhere where no one can hear us?”

“S-Somewhere where no one can hear us?”

“M-My room.”

“…”

I froze, speechless.

Sometimes, you freeze up when you’re too shocked.

My mind went blank.

But I had to snap out of it.

…Because I was already in her room.

* * *

…How did I even get here?!

I felt like a dense protagonist who had been swept away by the female lead’s flirting.

She was a formidable opponent.

Elaine was truly formidable.

She had caught me off guard with her unexpected behavior!

“Sorry, it’s a bit small, isn’t it?”

She apologized in a meek voice, like a poor heroine.

Her slightly dejected expression bothered me.

So I blurted out the first thing that came to mind, trying to cheer her up.

“No, it smells nice.”

Wait, wait a minute.

That sounded…

I cringed, realizing how inappropriate my words were, but it was too late to take them back.

“C-Cough, cough!”

She coughed, her face bright red.

…It was an understandable reaction, considering whose scent it was.

It was her scent!

…What kind of line was that?

My face flushed as well.

“T-That’s not what I meant… I mean, it does smell nice, but…”

“Cough, cough!”

“…”

I should just keep my mouth shut.

…That was the best course of action.

Silence was golden.

Her coughing finally subsided.

The awkward atmosphere in the room had eased up a bit.

But it was still awkward.

“I-It’s hot.”

…That was the best I could come up with? I guess my social skills had deteriorated after spending so much time in a world of blood and death.

“Y-Yeah, it is. It’s unusually hot today.”

We both fanned ourselves awkwardly.

How youthful.

…If only I wasn’t one of the participants.

*Gulp*

I gulped.

It was my first time in Elaine’s room.

And we were sitting side by side on her bed.

Any man would be nervous in this situation.

My heart was racing.

Hers probably was too.

I had to get to the point.

I was sorry for suddenly changing the subject, but it couldn’t be helped.

“W-Well, then, about the request…”

“Y-Yes, tell me. T-Tell me anything.”

She fidgeted with her hands, which were resting on the bed.

She was clearly nervous.

I would quickly put an end to this awkward atmosphere.

…Even if it made me look insensitive.

“Well, first of all, have you heard the rumors? About the assassination attempt on the empress.”

“Y-Yes, of course. I’m so glad she’s alright. I heard you were there. You must have been terrified.”

She was worried about me.

…Why was she so kind?

It made me feel even more guilty about asking her for a favor.

“Yeah, I’m glad it wasn’t worse.”

I nodded and continued, “Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I have something important to tell you about the people behind it. You know Red Rain, right?”

Of course she knew Red Rain.

She had been trapped in that secret dungeon with me on Diotes Island.

And her help had been invaluable.

We wouldn’t have been able to defeat the Shadow Ghoul without her, and we wouldn’t have survived Natasha’s attack.

Her expression hardened as she remembered that time.

“Yes, I do. They were behind this incident…?”

“That’s right. They were behind the assassination attempt on the empress.”

“I see.”

“And after a thorough investigation, we discovered something shocking.”

“Shocking?”

“Don’t be surprised, and listen carefully.”

I looked at her with a serious expression.

“W-What?”

She looked flustered by the sudden change in atmosphere.

But it couldn’t be helped.

I had to tell her.

“The Imperial Intelligence Agency discovered that a spy from Red Rain has infiltrated our academy. And not just any spy, but an executive of the organization.”

Of course, it was all a lie.

I knew it because I had experienced it myself.

But using the name of the Imperial Intelligence Agency would make my story more believable.

That’s why I had brought up the assassination attempt on the empress.

“A-A spy from Red Rain in the academy? O-Oh my god, is that true?”

She blinked in shock.

“Yes, it’s true. I’ve already discussed it with the principal.”

“W-With the principal? W-What did you talk about?”

“Of course, we agreed to eliminate the spy at all costs. But there’s a problem.”

“W-What problem?”

“He’s a very cautious person. So we can’t let him get suspicious.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s why I came to you.”

Our eyes met.

I could see her eyes wavering slightly.

“What do you mean?”

“I need your help, Elaine.”

“M-My help?”

“I can’t think of anyone else who can lure him out without arousing suspicion.”

“W-Who is this spy?”

She asked, her face filled with curiosity.

“You know him.”

“Who is it?”

“Armin.”

“What?!”

Her face was filled with shock.

* * *

“I-I had no idea.”

It was understandable.

He was a model student who was excellent in his studies, had good relationships with his classmates, and was well-behaved.

“…Honestly, I didn’t really want to be the student council president, but he helped me a lot when I was struggling.”

I knew.

She had been pressured into running for president by her friends.

Brett, who had been the class president of the Royal Class since their first year and was nicknamed “President,” had refused to run for anything other than class president. So the position of student council president had fallen to Elaine, the only other suitable candidate.

“But why would he…”

“I’m sorry, Elaine. This is a difficult request. You can refuse if you want. I won’t mind at all.”

I said, feeling guilty.

But it seemed to have had the opposite effect.

Her eyes hardened with determination.

“N-No, it’s fine. You wouldn’t have come to me if it wasn’t important. I-I can do it. I can do it.”

Her voice was firm.

Her fists were clenched.

…This was it.

It had to be.

She had agreed because I had asked her.

Because it was me.

‘Ugh, her determination is making me feel even more guilty.’

No, no.

I had already made up my mind. I couldn’t afford to feel guilty now.

I had done this for the greater good.

My priority now was Elaine’s safety.

Even though she was a genius mage, her opponent was the second-in-command of Red Rain.

If he sensed something was wrong and attacked her, she would be in danger.

“Thank you, Elaine. I won’t forget this. I’ll repay you.”

“I-It’s nothing.”

“No, it’s not. You’re an amazing friend.”

I expressed my sincere gratitude and took her left hand in mine.

I was used to holding the hands of beautiful women.

And that was the problem.

…I had done it unconsciously.

“E-Eeeeek?! M-M-Ma…”

…She wasn’t used to it.

That was the problem.

She stuttered, her face bright red.

Her eyes darted around nervously.

Oh no!

I had messed up!

Someone, please save me!

“Elaine, why aren’t you answering? Is something wrong?”

*Click*

The door suddenly opened.

A middle-aged man with a scar on his forehead appeared.

It was Turk, Elaine’s father.

He froze, his eyes wide with shock.

We froze too.

“…”

“…”

“…”

An awkward silence filled the room.

And then…

*Sniffle*

Turk’s eyes welled up with tears.

“…I-I’m sorry. My daughter has grown up so much. I’m so proud, but… I-I can’t help but cry. B-But I won’t interrupt.”

He was shocked, but he was trying to be considerate of his daughter.

N-No, don’t go!

*Thud*

The door closed again.

“…”

“…”

…It took a while for the awkward scene to end.