episode_0281

As I pondered on how to separate Ada from Edan, the final event in the Witch’s Forest was steadily approaching.

In recent days, higher-level monsters near the altar had been appearing more frequently compared to the early stages. Well, it’s a leveling event, so it’s natural for the level of monsters to increase.

One thing was certain, to see the ending of this “Lara’s Secret” event, one had to successfully finish the final battle that definitively occurs right before the end of Lara’s witch trial.

In this event, there were two main types of monsters that could potentially appear as boss monsters.

One was a pair of “Moonlight Wolves” that appeared deep in the north of the altar, and the other was a “Roaring Crescent Moon Bear” that emerged from the west of the altar, opposite the direction of the lake.

Although the difficulty level was similar for both, if we had to compare, the Moonlight Wolves were slightly more challenging. If we roughly estimate the combat power of the Roaring Crescent Moon Bear to be 2000, then the Moonlight Wolves had a combat power of around 1500+1500 each.

“In reality, during the Lara’s Secret event, if there are many party members, the probability of the Moonlight Wolves appearing increases.”

So, it was somewhat established that the Moonlight Wolves were more dangerous among the two monsters, and I vaguely remembered writing about it in my previous strategy guide.

And since I had read through my strategy guide thoroughly, I had a rough idea of how Edan would position himself.

“…Edan suggested that it would be best to defend both sides of the terrain where the two monsters appear. He mentioned that once they approach the altar, entering into battle might endanger Lara and Auguste.”

“That’s a valid point. Starting a fight near the altar might pose a threat to Lara and Lizzie for no reason.”

Of course, this was a reasonable excuse made to avoid suspicion, and in reality, Edan probably didn’t want to engage in battle near the altar.

Fighting near the altar would inevitably lead to witnessing Lara and Lizzie sitting naked on the altar, and there could be situations where they would have to fight while still undergoing the trial or even flee with them.

In that case, it would go against Edan’s claim of not creating “unmanageable situations,” so it was an unavoidable choice for him as Edan.

“I’m a bit anxious about confidently predicting that the monsters will appear from the north or west. If they appear from a different direction, our response might be delayed.”

“…Most likely, Ed, your words are correct. Even in the future I saw with my abilities, the sight of the wolves appearing in pairs from the north was depicted.”

“And what about the Roaring Crescent Moon Bear from the west?”

“…I can’t be certain about that yet. While the future with the highest likelihood is clear, I can’t predict other possibilities.”

“I see…”

“Anyway, the highest likelihood is that the Moonlight Wolves will appear from the north.”

However, it’s not possible to completely rule out the possibility of the Roaring Crescent Moon Bear appearing from the west. With that said, Edan quietly nodded his head.

“Anyway, that’s good news.”

“Good news?”

“Preparing for the Roaring Crescent Moon Bear from the west is your and Lily’s role. Of course, it’s not just the two of us, Kara is also heading in that direction.”

“Ah, I see. If it’s Master Auguste, he’s someone we can somewhat trust.”

“If by any chance, the hero guy assigned you a more dangerous mission than himself, I thought, but it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.”

…Why does Ethan dislike the Guild Master so much to have such suspicions?

Well, considering the things he’s done so far, I can understand Ethan’s somewhat lukewarm reaction, but it didn’t seem necessary to doubt him to this extent.

Moreover, not too long ago, we even received help during the MacHeart subjugation incident. …Although it only amounted to making up for being late to the main battle with the Evelyn subjugation, I couldn’t deny that we did receive help.

“Ethan shouldn’t have a reason to be angry, at most I only once blocked him from giving up my Saintess status.”

As a result, he’s here wasting about half of the summer vacation in the Witch’s Forest, which wasn’t on the itinerary.

Hmm, seriously thinking about it again, there seems to be enough reason to be angry. After all, because of the Guild Master’s coercion, we’re wasting a precious month of time here together.

And thinking back to the incident when Ethan and I indulged in our desires at the Star Palace before coming here… Yeah. Ethan’s reaction was normal.

If it wasn’t for his proposal that day, Ethan and I would have crossed the line without caring about the Saintess status or anything else. It would have been after I passed on the power of the Saintess to Cerista.

We went as far as ‘licking the clam soup bowl’ and ‘biting the snake’s tail,’ but in the end, we didn’t go all the way and stopped at the last moment. In a way, the Guild Master prevented Ethan and me from having sex with just one word.

“…Thinking about it this way, I’m a little annoyed too.”

If Cerista was going to awaken as a Saintess without my help, I could have just done it that day. I should have just done it instead of holding back.

Then, I wouldn’t have to worry about what method to use to have our first experience. Once we crossed the line that day, it meant that we could do whatever we wanted at any appropriate opportunity.

Crossing the line for the first time is difficult, but it gets easier afterwards. Once the constraint of the ‘Saintess status’ that was blocking Ethan and me, as well as the psychological barrier of being virgins, disappeared, we wouldn’t have to hold back anymore…

“No, no, nooo…!!”

Ugh, that was close. Why does the story keep going in this direction?

Of course, it’s true that I’m considering the issue of exchanging with Ethan and Ada, but I certainly didn’t have any intention of mixing our bodies without restraint afterwards.

What happens between Ethan and me is only when Ethan wins against Harold.

…Actually, these days, the rule is almost not being followed, but still, it was necessary to exercise some restraint rather than recklessly mixing our bodies according to our desires. For both Ethan and me.

“Even if the ‘Luminor Academy’ is considered a game for adults, it’s not a game where levels rise and achievements are accumulated by doing lewd things.”

I couldn’t raise Ethan, who will inherit the Blackwood family in the future, as a corrupted man.

His father, Harold, is a swordsman who is skilled enough to be one of the Emperor’s Three Swords, and his son, Ethan, must at least reach the level of a swordsman.

In order to do that, I have to continue to play a role in providing opportunities for Ethan to focus on his training from my position…

-Thud.

“Eek?!”

“…Um, Lily. Are you tired lately?”

“Ye-yes?! Oh, no?!”

My voice became awkwardly high in response to Ethan suddenly grabbing my shoulder and asking me a question.

My answer, which seemed like a lie to anyone, made Edan’s eyes narrow slightly.

“Seems like you’ve been absent-minded even during the meeting earlier. What are you thinking about for so long?”

“Oh, no… It’s nothing, really….”

“…Are you worried that if you lose your status as a saint, you’ll drift away from that guy you like?”

“That’s absolutely not it….”

“Then what is it? What are you thinking about that you keep getting lost in your own world? Is it a secret so secretive that you can’t even tell me?”

“Well, um….”

Of course, Lily couldn’t tell Edan this story directly. If she mentioned that she was contemplating the methods and standards for doing naughty things in the future, Edan would surely see her as some kind of perverted maid.

“Don’t lie. It’s easy to tell when Lily lies. If you not only get distracted while talking to me but also lie, then I’ll really get mad.”

“….”

Unable to come up with another excuse in front of Edan, who would get angry if she lied, Lily had no choice but to carefully reveal the cause of her dilemma.

“I, I was thinking about Edan….”

“….Huh?”

“I, I was thinking about Edan, I, I really wasn’t thinking anything weird….”

“….”

“It might sound a bit strange, but…. thinking about Edan in front of Edan might seem a bit odd…. But, it’s true….”

“…Well, judging by your reaction, it doesn’t seem like a lie.”

Edan seemed to accept my shameless answer to some extent, no longer doubting me and understanding my response.

I didn’t lie. It was an undeniable fact that my mind had been filled with thoughts of Edan for a while now, and it was better in many ways than trying to cover it up with lies.

“Oh, sorry for misunderstanding, Lily….”

“No…. If we really want to pinpoint the cause, it’s because I can’t seem to focus on Edan’s words. I don’t think I need to be bound by the constraints of being a saint anymore, so I keep thinking about Edan….”

“I see. So, ever since you heard that Cerista has truly become a saint, you’ve been thinking about me…. Huh?”

“Why, why are you looking at me like that, Edan? Did I say something strange?”

“….”

After hearing my response, Edan seemed to realize something, then he looked at me with a thoughtful expression before suddenly smiling at me.

“No, it’s nothing, Lily.”

“…Yes?”

“Yeah, so that’s what you were worried about. I feel relieved after hearing that.”

“…Did I hear you correctly? You’re not misunderstanding anything, right, Edan?”

“I know. And you don’t have to worry about that. It’s a problem that should be worried about from the perspective of a man like me, not Lily.”

“….”

His response felt somewhat unsettling. It was unclear whether he truly understood what I was worrying about or if he was just giving a vague answer without knowing. One thing was certain, though – whether Edan knew the contents of my dilemma or not, the situation was not ideal.