episode_0038

The magic library of Ariel Academy.

It was a space so mystical that one could lose their mind in it.

If one were to make a sound, it felt like echoes would reverberate endlessly.

On the walls, from floor to ceiling, countless books were lined up on shelves.

Intermittently, stone statues resembling the gods worshipped by the humans were placed along the walls.

Probably depicting the goddess Freya.

There’s a rumor.

When darkness approaches this world, it is said that Goddess Freya chooses saints and heroes from among the humans to save the world.

“It’s actually quite true….”

While humans believe it’s just a rumor, having experienced a previous game of possession, I knew that the stories about saints and heroes were indeed true.

Hence, I was well aware of the risks involved in the future events.

The Demon Lord.

The darkness descending from this world in the legend signifies the arrival of the Demon Lord.

I know that the seal of Baal, sealed a thousand years ago, is gradually weakening over time.

The complete release of the seal and the reappearance of the Demon Lord in this world are expected to occur within the next five years.

Therefore, I had to be prepared for all eventualities.

Building my own strength to protect myself.

Preparing defenses against unknown forces.

Researching why I ended up possessing this world, how to return to my original world, and everything in between.

I have been diligently cultivating my strength to protect myself.

So, I needed to devise strategies against unknown forces.

I climbed a ladder and pulled out several books from high shelves in the library.

The books I retrieved were related to magical theory.

“Direct theories on dark magic are prohibited, so I should start with something similar and investigate.”

After borrowing a few books from the magic library, I immediately headed outside.

Since it was getting dark, I planned to deal with the rest in the dormitory.

It was as I was leaving.

I locked eyes with someone passing by.

“……”

“……”

We stood facing each other silently for a while.

It was Princess Rosaria.

As I lowered my head first to pass by, she blocked my path.

“What business do you have?”

“Princess, can we talk?”

“If it’s about the royal guards, I will politely decline.”

“Please, just listen.”

“…Sigh.”

Here we go again.

I was starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable and irritated.

If situations like this continued, I might end up disliking Princess Rosaria.

“Your Highness.”

I spoke to her with a serious gaze.

“Yes.”

“I have something to discuss. Let’s go somewhere less conspicuous.”

“Alright.”

We headed towards the backyard.

The scene where I had gone to rescue Hedy before, where he was educating a group of delinquents.

It was a place devoid of prying eyes and felt the most comfortable.

To an outsider, it might seem like I was taking her to a secluded place, but without a word, the princess followed me, trusting me.

After arriving, I spoke to the princess.

“Your Highness, to be honest, I’m starting to get annoyed.”

“Annoyed?”

“Yes. Up until now, I’ve politely declined due to your status as a princess, but if this continues, it will also be difficult for me.”

“No need to feel burdened. You’ve saved me twice, you’re my benefactor…”

“No. That’s not the issue.”

I sighed and fell silent briefly to gather my thoughts.

This silence was also a conversational skill.

A momentary pause to allow the other person to focus more on my words.

Then, with a serious look, I continued speaking to the princess.

“Are you aware of the recent rumors circulating about you and me?”

“Rumors…?”

“You were unaware…”

Indeed, everyone seems cautious in front of the princess.

I hadn’t realized that my efforts to conceal my identity to hide my true self would affect me in this way in front of the princess.

“Among the female students, there’s a rumor that the princess follows me, while among the male students, there’s a rumor that I follow the princess.”

“…! That Si-an is following you, that’s incorrect…”

“Due to this rumor, my friend is also suffering. You may have seen her in the hospital before. She has purple hair and resembles a cat.”

“Ah.”

She seemed momentarily shocked, mouth slightly agape.

Her eyes flickered, unsure of what to do.

Had she not anticipated causing harm to me?

Until now, many things had been comfortably concealed due to status, but now she had to know.

If this situation continues, both Hedy and I will suffer, and the princess’s reputation will also decline.

“So, I would appreciate it if you stopped following me and became my bodyguard.”

“….”

This time, she fell silent at my words.

Was she finally giving up?

If more attention is drawn to this, hiding my identity and quietly graduating will become uncomfortable.

I thought she must have understood by now.

“Prin- Princess…?!”

“….”

She bowed her head to me.

Neatly clasping her hands at her waist, she bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle.

I intervened, flustered.

“No, there’s no need for this…! Please maintain your dignity…”

“…Failing to help a lifelong benefactor and causing harm warrants more than a mere bow. What meaning does dignity hold?”

“….”

Continuing to bow her head to me, she spoke.

“I’m sorry. Truly sorry, Si-an… I have no words. To think your friend suffered because of me, I was thoughtless. I created this mess out of my own greed, so I will try to resolve it somehow, even if it means using my status.”

“It’s okay. As long as you stop making suggestions…”

“Nevertheless, shamelessly, I still hope you will become my bodyguard.”

“….”

For a moment, I was speechless.

Asking her to become my bodyguard in such a situation.

What could be the reason behind this?

What makes her so desperately want this?

What am I…

“There are many more skilled individuals on the royal side than me…”

“There are. However, I still hope you’ll be my bodyguard.”

“…May I ask for the reason?”

After saying this much, curiosity was inevitable.

Having experienced her personality through a previous game, I knew her well.

She doesn’t bow to just anyone.

She values her worth greatly.

Thus, in the true story, amidst numerous threats, she even vows to become an empress to protect her value.

Originally uninterested in becoming an empress, it all began when she met Cain.

What could be the reason that compels her to show me favor, even utilizing her status?

I was curious.

“…There may be many inspectors more skilled than Si-an, but there aren’t many with such a clear conviction.”

“The princess may have misjudged. I’m not as great as you think. If my skills were slightly lower when I saved the princess, I might have been able to pass unnoticed.”

“No.”

She raised her head.

And her gaze met mine with certainty.

“Even if someone were more skilled than Si-an, most wouldn’t risk their lives to the extent I would. My claim to the throne is significantly lower than other siblings.”

“….”

“You’re aware of the rumors circulating, right? I’m a bastard. So, even if I repay you, I can’t offer something substantial. Especially not something equivalent to a life.”

She continued speaking.

“Si-an might have thought it was a given, but what she did could have been anything but obvious to someone else. Nevertheless, Si-an saved me twice. …Even when there was no danger if she hadn’t moved.”

It was a principle.

She simply saw it as something that needed to be done.

It was the same when she had a social life before possession.

In situations where it would have been fine to pass on tasks to her subordinates, she took them on herself.

I knew that the company’s true performance would only show if I did it myself.

I thought that was the right thing to do.

If I had left it to my subordinates, I might have been more comfortable, but the team’s reputation would have suffered.

Most of it was not my responsibility.

But still, I had to do it.

…Rosaria’s words pierced through the facade I had hidden so far, revealing my true nature.

“Furthermore, what struck me even more was that Si-an didn’t manipulate participants weaker than herself in the proving ground of the tournament. If she had, the class difference would have been evident, catching the eyes of the upper nobility.”

“……”

I just didn’t want to stand out.

If I had followed Rosaria’s advice, I would have been severely punished by Hedy afterward.

“That’s why, no matter how much Si-an denies it, I cannot deny the beliefs I see in her. I need someone like Si-an.”

“What is it that Your Highness, as my escort, wants from me?”

Upon hearing my question, Rosaria briefly closed her mouth and then spoke.

“I will become the Empress.”

“……!”

As soon as I heard Rosaria’s answer, I immediately scanned the surroundings.

It was a dangerous statement.

It was fortunate that no one was around; otherwise, it would have been a statement that could have posed a great risk to my safety if overheard.

“You don’t need to worry since there’s no one around.”

“How long have you been watching me to say such things…!”

Why did I speak without hesitation about rumors spreading?

“I told you. I don’t think Si-an will say anything.”

“…Hoo.”

“Please become my escort, Si-an. I need someone upright like you by my side. I have realized from past experiences that power must be used correctly. I hope for a world where we, as Empress and you, do not waste our strength tearing each other down.”

“……”

“I am currently very weak. I lack the power to protect those around me or the support to invest in. Recently, I found out that Uncle is trying to harm me. So please, be my first person to protect and grow with me. If I become Empress, I will make sure to give you what you desire.”

Did Third Prince Gerald already know that someone was trying to harm him?

When sincerity hits this hard, even I feel awkward.

“…Give me a week to think about it.”

“Alright. Then until then, I won’t follow you anymore.”

With that, Rosaria once again bowed her head to me and disappeared.

I, too, felt very conflicted.

I had planned to graduate quietly, ensure the safety of this world, and then return to my original world.

If I became her bodyguard, I wouldn’t be able to guarantee my safety.

“Sigh.”

Exhaling deeply, I decided to go back to the dormitory for now.

There was much to investigate, and the recent conversation had left me with a lot to ponder, making me very tired.

…With a week at hand, let’s take it slow.

Four days passed.

Rosaria no longer followed me around as she said she wouldn’t.

“Now the princess isn’t looking for you? Have you two had a falling out?”

“…Say one more word, and I’ll flip your plate.”

I shot a warning look at Lloyd, who was having lunch with me.

The four days at the academy were peaceful.

Eating the packed lunch from home, practicing the swordsmanship Laura taught me, waking up early in the morning for breakfast, going to the training grounds for strength exercises.

After attending a martial arts class, Lloyd, Bobby, and Louis met up casually for lunch.

Hedy suggested sparring in the evening at the training ground, so they met separately to cross swords together.

Days passed smoothly.

That was until the news of Rozaria being kidnapped the next day.