episode_0040

“Ugh… Gaju…? Who are you talking about?”

“If you don’t know, it’s better that way.”

Despite asking just in case, I couldn’t extract any information about Gaju.

Due to the soul oath, she cannot lie to me.

So, those words must be true.

Even if I get my tail cut off by the first boss, they’re being a bit too harsh.

Gaju’s owner, Jeron Flame.

The reason why the former Bern turned rogue and Bern Flame’s enemy.

And the wall I must overcome.

In the game, Jeron doesn’t reveal his true self, but I know well of his strength.

According to the information from the game, Jeron was described as a war hero and a wielder of immense power.

Anyway, to leave the clan, I can’t avoid meeting him.

Therefore, more accurate information is needed.

Information is essential to deal with enemies.

However, the game I played didn’t provide much information; users had to find it themselves, which was quite annoying.

Well, I found it fun though.

In conclusion, there isn’t much information about Jeron.

Initially, even Bern’s information wasn’t fully disclosed, so how could there be information about him?

Still, based on the information I gathered while playing before…

I do know that the current owner of Gaju, Jeron Flame, committed a taboo.

It’s disappointing not to have more information about him, but…

For now, the worst is over.

I defeated the boss of Act 1 and gathered information on the remnants here.

“Not bad.”

But why aren’t people coming?

It seems like it’s been at least 10 minutes since the situation ended.

“Should I take Elisha back for now?”

Ah, should I take Shady too?

Shady, who can’t maintain her form properly and is so exhausted that she’s showing bare skin, is currently unable to move.

Leaving her here bothers me.

Although slightly older than us, she’s still young.

Her actions until now were clearly wrong.

But she was just a young child led astray by events in her youth.

Not that I forgive her.

But I don’t completely misunderstand her either.

If I were in her shoes, facing the same circumstances, I might have acted similarly.

If family members were slaughtered by humans at a very young age, I would have been twisted too.

Still, she must pay for her sins.

She needs to apologize properly to those who took Shady’s shadow and injured Elisha.

She probably didn’t expect to lose control, but that doesn’t change the fact that her outburst harmed Elisha.

So, to prevent such mistakes from happening again, we need to fix things.

Hmm, I’ll think about that tomorrow. For now, returning is a priority.

It’s getting late, and I need to rest and recover.

Bern’s body is very fragile right now.

Even though I protected my body with magic, there’s still recoil from the explosion.

The recovery skill remains, but it doesn’t heal injuries.

The method used last time was only possible due to special circumstances and won’t work now.

I’ve used up all the potions on Elisha, so I have nothing left for myself.

Well, it’s fortunate that the injuries aren’t severe.

Just some burns on my arms and legs and a slightly torn cheek?

But it doesn’t hinder my walking.

Having experienced a lot since arriving in this world,

I’ve become quite accustomed to this level of injury.

..Actually, it does hurt a bit, but I’ll endure it.

Screaming in pain won’t make the wounds heal.

So… for now, I have to take Shady with me.

Elisha is out cold, and Shady has consumed a lot of magic to the point where she can’t maintain her shadow form properly.

So, both of them were in a situation where they couldn’t move.

Someone from the Academy must have been sent, but they still hadn’t arrived.

They couldn’t keep waiting for them here.

Should they go back to the dormitory for now?

Since their key power, Shadi, was now unable to fight, their plans for tomorrow would likely be canceled.

Therefore, there wouldn’t be any major events for a while.

So, let’s take it easy today.

“But, Shadi. Are the clothes properly under that shadow?”

“…Don’t ask me.”

“Awkward.”

Well, let’s start by getting the clothes out.

I took out the shirt and robe I used to wear from my inventory and placed them next to Shadi.

“The size should probably fit.”

“…”

“It can’t be helped even if it’s hard to move. Put them on.”

If I were to take her like that, people passing by would think I’m crazy.

And who knows when the shadow clinging to her body will disappear.

So, taking some precautions wouldn’t hurt.

Yes, this is necessary. It’s unavoidable to avoid social embarrassment.

Thinking like that, she suddenly got up and started putting on the clothes I gave her.

“You still had the strength to move like that.”

She replied in a stiff tone, fiddling with the buttons on the white shirt.

“I don’t have an obligation to tell you.”

“Tell me.”

“…I’ve always had a particularly good recovery ability compared to others…! That’s why..!!” she said.

“Then why didn’t you attack? During the pledge. No, even before that, you could have easily dealt with me.”

“…..”

“If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”

Shadi is an enemy, the one who injured Elisha.

But she looked very sad, so I didn’t ask any more questions.

Anyway, let’s go back today.

I approached Elisha and carefully lifted her onto my back.

Elisha was deeply asleep. Would she even notice if someone carried her while she slept?

Turning back to Shadi, I added, “Well, Shadi, you can walk alone. Follow me.”

As we were about to head back to the dormitory with Elisha, someone appeared in front of us.

“Oh my, Shadi. What on earth is this scene? I came to check because you didn’t come back. Witnessing such a strange sight?”

“You.”

A man with dark purple hair and red eyes, sporting a pair of horns on his head just like Shadi.

Yes, he was a member of the same demon race as Shadi, part of Requiem.

Why was he here?

He possessed a level of power similar to Shadi’s but didn’t reveal his appearance well.

As the brain behind the action team that commanded and led the members, he always kept himself hidden.

With him around, it would be impossible to protect the two of them and escape in their current state.

‘As expected, things are unfolding nicely.’

As I pondered, he started speaking again from a distance.

“Oh~. This situation is really not good, isn’t it? I was planning to deal with everyone here and leave.”

“I thought the Lord’s son would be here. The situation has become complicated,” he muttered softly.

“The Lord’s son, are you referring to the master?”

“Did you hear that? This is why you suffer if you pick up a bad habit…”

“Stop the nonsense and answer. So, did you come here to kill all the witnesses?”

“Hmm… I’ve lost interest. Let’s go back.”

Going back, huh.

Well, that’s a relief.

It would be difficult to face him in their current physical condition.

“However, before going back, let me give you a little gift.” Saying this, he threw a small dagger and disappeared into the shadows.

The magical dagger aimed for Shadi’s head next to me.

“Shadi!”

Shadi may have recovered, but it’s impossible to dodge the dagger thrown by the guy with specs similar to the first boss.

Should I use magic? No, too late for that.

Then should I use the inventory? No, that won’t help either.

It’s too late to draw the sword, and there’s no way to counter-summon that thing.

Darn it, Shadi’s assassination event is happening right now.

Nothing ever goes as planned.

-Thunk!

….

“Hmm… Where am I…?”

A warm blanket and a pleasant scent emanating from the pillow.

Was what happened yesterday just a dream?

It was a truly terrifying dream.

Being attacked by demons, having my shadow stolen, and thinking I was going to die…

But then Bern appeared at the end, and it felt like the dream ended.

What a strange dream… Haha.

I don’t feel any pain in my shoulders or legs, and my shadow is intact.

“It was just a dream.”

Bern came to rescue me from danger…

Somehow, his face seemed to flush with anger.

Anyway, rubbing my eyes and getting up, what I saw was…

“You’re awake.”

A man with black hair and black eyes, Bern Flame.

“Uh, huh? B-Bern? What are you doing here?”

“Why, this is my dorm room. Don’t you remember what happened yesterday?”

“That… wasn’t a dream?”

“Yes, that actually happened.”

Another voice besides mine and Bern’s began to be heard.

That voice, unforgettable, because it was the voice of the demons who attacked me yesterday.

“Bern? What on earth is happening? Why are the demons who attacked me here?”

“Well, there were circumstances.”

“Circumstances?!”

“Yes, there were circumstances.”

“T-then why is your hand bandaged like that?”

“There are circumstances here too.”

“What are you talking about?! You crazy person!!”

“Crazy person? That’s harsh.”

After hearing him, I felt my face flush with anger.

Whether my face had actually turned red or not, the man with black hair added,

“Hmm, seems like a cold is coming on. Wait a moment. I’ll bring some warm water.”

“Why is he suddenly acting like that?”

He’s acting so differently, it’s scary!!