chapter_0191

What became known as the ‘Bellium Academy Girls’ Dormitory Explosion Incident’ was neatly wrapped up as a joint effort between the Chairman, the Crown Prince, and the Red Tower Master as a special guest.

Due to the situation on the front lines and the previous incident in Bellium Forest, they intended to strengthen the defensive magic, but the order of the magic circles got mixed up, resulting in the destruction of not only the dormitory but also the nearby park.

Some people were suspicious about how the magic circles could have been mixed up to such an extent that it caused the entire building to explode, but their suspicions didn’t last long.

The Chairman and the Crown Prince admitted to it, and even the proud Red Tower Master confessed to the mistake. The mages from other towers who came to investigate, along with the Saint, all testified to the same. Even the Emperor had to back down in the face of such a powerful coalition.

“Everyone seems to be convinced. As they should be.”

Of course, it was all staged.

The Chairman, the Crown Prince, and Rosalia were obviously in on it, and they brought in the other tower masters, including the Red Tower Master, by using the Demon Sword Technique and the status-altering magic as leverage.

When they were told that the culprit would be taught a month earlier, a brawl broke out at the Mage Association building as everyone wanted to be the one to expose the truth. As the result showed, the final winner of the brawl was the Red Tower Master.

“It’s fortunate that there were no casualties. If there had been, we wouldn’t have been able to sweep this under the rug.”

The fact that there were no casualties was crucial, as it allowed them to compensate for the damage with money. If there had been even one death, there would have been constant grumbling and dissatisfaction.

Especially since the dorms at Bellium Academy were assigned based on academic performance, and the higher-ranked students, including Aria, were mostly nobles.

However, there was one official casualty.

“We remember her brilliance and genius and offer our deepest condolences…”

The only official casualty was Aria April, the second-ranked student at the Academy.

The official cause of death was a monster attack. Aria, on her way home to lend her strength to her hometown amid the ongoing situation, was unfortunately ambushed by a group of lost monsters.

Considering what she had done to us, we could have pinned all sorts of despicable reasons on her, but out of respect for Leona, it was decided that she was attacked.

Aria was widely known as Leona’s childhood friend and sweetheart, and if strange reasons were attached, people might question why Leona was friends with such a person, causing her to receive unnecessary scrutiny.

Of course, no one would dare say it directly to Leona’s face. Who would be foolish enough to do that to the hero? However, the mere existence of such rumors was not good for Leona, who was already struggling with the shock.

“The Sword Saint has disappeared?”

And there was a small commotion in the Imperial Palace as well.

“Yes. She left a note saying it was for Mira Crate, and…”

The Sword Saint had disappeared, leaving only a note behind with her sword.

It was a matter that should have shaken the Imperial Palace, but surprisingly, no one was punished. It was impossible for the Royal Guards or the maids to notice the Sword Saint deliberately hiding herself, so the Emperor ordered them not to waste time looking for her.

“……I guess there’s nothing we can do. She must have been going through a lot.”

Karna understood why she had done it, and her expression was tinged with sadness.

-Thank you.

The note, which she had specifically asked me to read alone, contained only the words, ‘Thank you.’ I wasn’t sure if it was because of the outburst I had before leaving to find the Demon God, but her true intentions were unclear.

It was probably meant in a positive way. Surely she wouldn’t have said ‘thank you’ with ill intentions.

As the commotion subsided, and with the issues at the Academy resolved, it took only half a day for everything to settle down. The incidents that occurred after the destruction of the dormitory happened during the stopped time, so there was no need to worry about them.

“A world inside a novel…?”

“……It’s hard to understand. Or perhaps I don’t want to understand it.”

“……”

Now, it was time to address another issue.

“It would have been fine for you to wait outside, but I said it was important, didn’t I? It’s only natural that a maid like you wouldn’t be able to get involved. Yustera, you’re here as a Succubus, not as a maid serving the young master.”

“I didn’t want to be alone.”

I had returned to my room with Beatrice while the Possessors were explaining the truth.

“It seems like a very important story. Everyone looked so serious.”

“Yeah, it’s something like that.”

“Is it related to romance?”

“No.”

“Is that so? It’s a little disappointing.”

Beatrice’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“What’s disappointing?”

“The people involved are quite notable. And since you used me as an excuse to leave, I assumed you were also involved. Especially Yustera, that girl, clearly thinks of you as more than just a master-servant relationship.”

“……”

“I was joking. You’re still a child, blushing at such a simple joke. Are you inexperienced?”

“I wasn’t blushing. And you’re no different, Beatrice.”

“I’m your maid. I shouldn’t waste time on unnecessary things when I could be serving you. That’s how it’s always been, hasn’t it?”

Yes. Beatrice had always been like that. I wondered why she wasn’t included when she had spent more time with me than anyone else in this world.

If we were only considering the amount of time spent together, she would be far ahead of the Possessors. After all, my parents, as the ultimate decision-makers of the guild, were often busy, so Beatrice watched over me 24 hours a day until I turned 15, claiming that I needed to be protected due to my weak body.

In terms of the depth of our relationship, she might even surpass the Possessors.

“Is there anything you need?”

Beatrice straightened her back as she felt my gaze. I shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking that I’ve known you for a long time.”

“Yes. I’ve seen you since you were very young, young master. Are you suddenly trying to confirm our relationship? Do you want to throw a tantrum and cling to me like you used to? Good. My arms are always open.”

Beatrice spread her arms wide. Her face remained expressionless.

“……I told you it wasn’t me, but you, Beatrice, who forcibly hugged me. How many times have I told you I’m not hurt and I’m fine?”

“There was an order from the master and mistress.”

A shameless answer came back. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but all you need to know is that I, Beatrice, am always on your side. Even if you were to rebel against the Empire…”

“You already said that before. I still remember.”

When I asked Nika, who was disguised as a maid, if she trusted me, she proudly claimed me to be the only one she could confide in.

“Hmm. What about this, then?”

Beatrice, who had been deep in thought, opened her mouth as if she had a good idea.

“Even if the world were to end, I will always be on your side.”

“……Don’t say such insecure things.”

After all, it almost happened less than a day ago.

.

.

.

“How are they doing?”

“They’re all brooding. Our hero is holed up in her room, the Chairman is in the Chairman’s office, and that Succubus has returned to her territory.”

It was time for me to take over the explanation, but I decided to postpone it for now. Nika, the Chairman, and Leona were all in shock after learning the truth about this world and why Aria had done what she did.

Especially Leona, who had already been struggling with her thoughts, was hit with confirmation, causing her to retreat to her room and refuse to come out. She didn’t have a fever, but she buried herself under the blankets, not wanting to face the world.

“It must have been a big shock.”

“We feel the same way. Do you know how surprised I was when I found out that the reason I wore such revealing clothes was because of Aria?”

That was true.

Rosalia’s ‘saint outfit’ had an outrageously high level of exposure, unbefitting of a romance fantasy novel, and Laura had vehemently denied designing it that way. It was all Aria’s doing.

She had prepared in advance to make this world more to my liking.

“She really wasn’t a pitiable woman.”

The reason Rosalia was the only one to suffer was simple. She hadn’t experienced many regressions, so she was able to maintain her sanity. It was Aria’s genuine curiosity about how a human would react.

Laura had her memories sealed and became like a character in the novel, Priscilla was on the verge of breaking, Elysier was already like that, and the remaining candidate was naturally only one person.

“It’s a sincere compliment, but who would have thought that you would so naturally tamper with our memories. We wouldn’t have known what memories were implanted if it weren’t for your sacrifice.”

“Ah, that’s true… No, wait. Don’t agree with that. You’re teasing me! Hey!”

Aria had given up on the plan after trying to tamper with the saint outfit, but the remnants remained. When the four of them explained the novel, they all commonly mentioned the ambiguous expression, ‘for now, it’s a yuri story.’

Aria had intentionally created a strong sense of dissonance to make us less concerned about the memories being implanted.

She had given up on the plan, and there was no reason to waste time and energy to change it back to the way it was, so she left it as it was.

“Then why did you add the setting that the stronger the demons are, the less they wear?”

“……”

Laura avoided answering. She had no excuse for that one.

Rosalia and Elysier ganged up on Laura, who squirmed under their gaze, and Laura, unable to bear it, took a sip from her teacup.

“Why are you making that face, Mira?”

“I’m a little concerned.”

“Is it about the Goddess and the Demon God?”

“Yeah. I’m wondering if my guess is right. Aria said that the last of her strength would be used to bring me to them, so they should be back by now.”

However, neither of them had made any contact, and I wasn’t even sure if my guess was correct. What if they had truly disappeared?

“Can’t we go to them?”

“I want to, but I don’t know their location.”

Both of us had tried to find their coordinates, but it was fruitless. I had been taken to the Heavenly Realm by the Goddess, and the Demon God’s realm was reached through a proxy that Aria had given me.

“They should be contacting us soon, shouldn’t they?”

-Knock, knock.

“Mira, are you there? Can I come in?”

Outside, I heard Leona’s voice along with a knock on the door. Rosalia and Elysier, who had been glaring at Laura, relaxed their expressions, and Laura, who had been squirming under their gaze, took a sip of tea, her hands trembling.

“Come in.”

I unlocked the door with magic, and it opened silently. Leona poked her head in. Her face looked a little haggard.

She still hadn’t returned my coat, which she had been wearing since the beginning. When would she give it back?

“Are you feeling better?”

“I was fine from the start. It wasn’t my body that was hurting, it was my heart.”

“That’s good to hear. What brings you here?”

“This.”

Leona held out the Holy Sword.

“I keep hearing a voice in my head calling your name, Mira. I think it’s the Goddess.”

At the mention of the Goddess, I was about to take the sword when Leona added something that shouldn’t have been added.

“……Probably.”

 P.S. Hello everyone! I completely translated all the chapther of this novel. If you want to read the last 100 chapters you can subscribe to my Ko-fi or Patreon, if not don’t worry the schedule will remain the same.