episode_0060

Chapter 60 – The Aftermath

Fortunately, the Dark Cult’s raid concluded without major damage. While it was difficult to call it ‘not big’ when casualties totaled 50 and half of them were fatalities, considering the various forces that appeared in this raid, it was actually quite a low number.

Injured students were reportedly transported to the recovery room to rest and receive treatment from the priests.

After receiving a quick treatment, I headed towards the dormitory and ran into Abel and his group.

“Ruan. I need to talk to you. Do you have some time?” “…Yes. As much as you need.” “Thanks. Then, follow me.”

We moved to an empty lot behind the old school building, out of sight of other students.

Abel looked at me and asked. “Ruan. When you ran away from the south gate entrance, was it to ask Professor Sara for help?” “…No.”

“Then? I’d like you to tell me why.”

It was truly characteristic of a good-hearted protagonist to give me a chance to defend myself, despite my betrayal.

Instead of answering, I looked around. Though varying in degree, disappointment was clearly etched on each of their faces.

‘Perhaps Shakra was right.’ Even with a simple betrayal, it’s come to this. If they knew my true identity, everyone would despise and scorn me.

Just as self-deprecating thoughts came to mind. *Ruan, are you okay?* A careful voice echoed in my head.

Looking towards the source, I saw violet eyes filled with concern looking back at me. Despite knowing my true identity and even having been directly raped by me, Deborah still showed me goodwill. She knew why I ran away, and that I had fought hard for them.

My agitation quickly subsided. ‘Yes. I’m fine.’ If even one person understood my intentions, I could endure any persecution. So, I could do this.

*Thud!* “Everyone, I’m truly sorry.” I slammed my knees hard onto the ground, bowing my head and apologizing.

Perhaps they hadn’t expected the famous scoundrel to humble himself so much, as signs of surprise were evident everywhere.

Yas hurried over and helped me up. “Hey, hey! Get up! Why go that far? I’ve forgiven everything. Friends don’t hold grudges like that.” “…Is that so?” “Yeah, idiot! I’ll be running away later too, so cut me some slack then, okay?”

A question about whether friends shouldn’t be *more* demanding rose to my throat, but I decided to hold it back since there was no benefit in saying such a thing now.

Meanwhile, Deborah also rushed over and held my other hand. “I’ve forgiven you too! There’s nothing to forgive in the first place! You went to ask Professor Sara for help, didn’t you?” “…” “See?! He’s saying yes!”

I couldn’t bring myself to lie, so I remained silent, and Deborah interpreted it however she wanted, shouting it to everyone. Of course, even then, the expressions of the rest of the group didn’t soften in the slightest.

Alisa retorted with a look as if she were seeing a bug. “Well? I don’t believe it.” “Why not?” “Because I didn’t see that trash come with Professor Sara. If he really went to ask for help, shouldn’t they have come together? But he came alone, didn’t he? It’s obvious he was hiding somewhere and just came out.”

“That’s absurd! That’s just speculation!” “What’s absurd? How can *you*, Deborah, be so sure? That trash didn’t say anything, but you decided he did all on your own. Or are you two perhaps in some kind of relationship? Is that why you’re defending him so much?”

“Th-that’s…” Deborah had an expression that spoke volumes, but she couldn’t reveal it rashly, so she mumbled. Her behavior seemed to convey a certain meaning to the others, and suspicion began to creep into the eyes watching her and me.

Sensing the atmosphere was about to turn strange, I quickly stepped forward. “Alisa. So what do you want to do?”

“Me? Of course, I want to kill you. I want to kill you, but… then I wouldn’t be able to repay Hyun, so I’ll put up with it. Instead, I’ll spread rumors.” “Rumors?” “Yes. Rumors that you abandoned us and ran away. You can handle that much, right?” “…”

Alisa absolutely had no intention of letting this go. If she couldn’t directly harm me, she intended to incite others to isolate me.

But there was one thing she overlooked. ‘It’s a benefit, actually?’ My reputation was already so ruined that it was impossible to salvage, so this much wouldn’t even make a dent.

The moment I was about to agree, Abel, who had been watching, intervened. “Alisa. You can’t do that.” “What? Why?” “It’s not right. Ruan was wrong, but spreading rumors is going too far.” “Too far? Have you forgotten? We would have died if Hyun hadn’t been there!”

As Abel, who should have felt the most betrayed, opposed her opinion, Alisa became agitated and unleashed her heated emotions.

Against her, Abel displayed a composure rarely seen from him. “Alisa. Don’t blame it all on Ruan. We had no chance of winning in that situation anyway. You know that.” “Ugh…! Still, I can’t just let it go!”

Alisa’s stance was unyielding. This was because she desired not only retribution for this incident but also for the incident where I had raped her.

Just as this frustrating situation was about to continue, Skadia approached me. Her movements were clearly nothing special, yet they drew the eye in a bizarre way. Even Alisa and Abel, who had been locked in an uncompromising verbal battle, focused on her. Amidst the attention, she dropped a bombshell. “Ruan. Let’s break off our engagement.”

The moment those words spread, a heavy silence fell over the lot. Even Alisa, who had been so determined to spread rumors, couldn’t interject, merely gaping. There was no need to mention the others.

I asked her back. “What did you say?”

“I said, let’s break off our engagement. Through this incident, I’ve realized it clearly. I cannot be with you. Now, set me free.”

I understood Skadia’s intention. The reason she specifically said this here, not in private. She wanted me to protest. To brazenly refuse, thereby proving that I had no remorse whatsoever. And by doing so, for others to despise me.

Knowing this, I couldn’t help but be swayed by Skadia’s intentions. ‘Damn it.’ For the scoundrel Ruan Friuli, the reaction here was set.

Just as I was about to open my mouth, my gaze suddenly met Deborah’s. Her worried violet eyes somehow made me want to act childish. ‘Wait. There was that method.’ A good idea came to me just in time.

I smiled triumphantly and faced Skadia directly, answering. “Yes. Let’s break off the engagement.” “…Pardon?”

Perhaps surprised by my easy acceptance, Skadia’s eyes widened instantly.

I gave her a definitive answer. “I said, let’s break off the engagement. I’ll send the annulment papers to the Maryland mansion during the break. Let’s end it there. Is that enough?” “…Are you serious?” “Yes. I have no lingering feelings for you anymore.”

Because someone more precious has appeared. I didn’t say the rest, but I looked at Deborah as if to reveal my inner thoughts.

Following my gaze, Skadia turned her head and stiffened the moment she saw Deborah. All the other companions reacted the same way after seeing Deborah. Only Yas burst out in admiration. “This bastard. Just when did he…!”

He sent envious glances, as if jealous that I wasn’t satisfied with a beautiful fiancée and had even seduced Deborah. And Deborah, who had suddenly been saddled with a strange misunderstanding, stammered in confusion. Before she could regain her composure, I quickly sent a telepathic message. *Deborah. Just this once, I’m counting on you.*

Deborah’s aggrieved eyes fixed on me. She struggled alone as if to deny, then bowed her head deeply. The group seemed to take her reaction as agreement, sighing softly.

Skadia opened her mouth. “…So that’s how it is. Alright. Let’s do that. If you don’t send the annulment papers, I’ll tell my father everything about this. Do you agree?” “As you wish. Anything else to say?” “No. Then… I’ll be going.”

Skadia hesitated slightly, as if there was something unresolved, but then left the empty lot.

After she disappeared, I let out a small sigh and gazed at Alisa. “Alisa. Let’s talk about that earlier matter again. About the rumors…” “Wait! It’s fine.” “What?” “I said it’s fine. Thanks to this, I’ve learned something interesting. I’ll let this one go.”

Alisa snickered, glancing between Deborah and me, then left the empty lot.

With the biggest obstacle gone, Abel smiled contentedly and resolved the situation. “So, everything concerning Ruan is settled, right? No one has any complaints, do they?” Everyone nodded readily in response to the question. Only Uni mumbled with a displeased expression. As someone who liked Abel, she probably couldn’t stand me, the betrayer.

In any case, with this, I managed to avoid my reputation plummeting through the floor and into the abyss.

A moment later, after Abel and his group left, only Deborah and I remained in the empty lot.

Deborah immediately grabbed me by the collar. “What in the world have you done?! Why did you do that?! Why!” “I’m sorry. But I couldn’t help it.” “Help what?! What are we going to do if strange rumors spread?! Didn’t you see Alisa’s face just now? She’s definitely going to spread rumors!”

Given Alisa’s personality, she would certainly spread rumors, and then some. It would just change the content from ‘traitor’ to ‘relationship.’ I patted Deborah’s shoulder. “Calm down. Anyway, it’s the holiday ceremony next week. If you endure just one day, we won’t have to meet for a month. By then, the kids will probably have completely forgotten about it, won’t they?”

I had no intention of seriously pretending to be in a relationship with Deborah. If I could just get through this situation, it would be enough. If they asked later, I could just brush it off by saying I meant something else, and they simply misunderstood. No problem.

However, Deborah’s next words struck my weak point. “Do you think I’m talking about the other kids? What about Teacher-nim?! Is it okay if Teacher-nim finds out?” “Huh? Teacher-nim?” “Yes! Teacher-nim pays so much attention! If rumors spread, she’ll definitely find out!” “…That is a bit of a problem.”

From my experience so far, I knew well how much Roxana cared for Deborah. She would undoubtedly pay close attention to any news concerning Deborah, and if rumors of a relationship spread, she would certainly keep an eye on the person involved. If I committed rape without realizing I was being watched, my life would be ruined that very day.

As I fell silent with a serious expression, Deborah clutched her head, distressed. “Ugh… I can’t let her find out.” Had she made a promise with Roxana not to date? I didn’t understand why Deborah was acting like this when only I would get scolded if we were caught.

I pondered for a moment, then offered a solution. “Then how about this? We spread multiple rumors.” “…Multiple ones?” “Yes. We don’t know if Alisa will actually spread rumors, but we can get ahead of her and randomly link ourselves to others, saying we’re dating. Then, even if rumors about us circulate, the kids won’t pay much attention, right? Don’t you think?” “Th-that’s right! Then people will just think they’re false rumors and move on!” “Right?” “Yes! That’s a great idea!”

Upon hearing my brilliant idea, Deborah, who had been sulking moments before, smiled happily. The girl seemed a bit simple-minded.

“Anyway, this solves it then, right?” “Yes! But how do we spread the rumors?”

Deborah looked at me, her eyes sparkling, as if expecting another groundbreaking idea. I betrayed her expectations. “How would I know? You figure it out.” “Eh…?”

“I don’t really care if rumors spread about me. You’re the only one who dislikes it. So, take care of it yourself. Got it? I’m leaving now.” “Uh… W-wait a minute! Stop right there! Ruan! Ruan!!” I dashed out of the empty lot like a gust of wind. I heard a desperate voice calling from behind me, but I didn’t look back, leaving the scene heartlessly.