“Alright, let’s make a deal.”
Lucia, having calmed her anger, reached out her hand to me.
It was a successful transaction. With this, we were able to receive guidance from Lucia.
The only problem? I was stuck to the wall and couldn’t reach out my hand.
Realizing this, Lucia used her extended hand to pull me off the wall.
“Why are you stuck in the wall? You won’t grow taller that way.”
“Keke, I’d like to point out that I didn’t get in here on my own.”
“Ahem, let’s not sweat the small stuff. We’re allies, aren’t we?”
“Keke, ‘small stuff’…”
Beating someone up and then saying not to sweat the small stuff. Isn’t that too shameless?
As I stared at her, Lucia coughed and avoided my gaze.
She must feel embarrassed too.
‘Well, let’s let it slide this time. I’ve gained so much from it, after all.’
Three weeks of personal guidance from Lucia.
Three wish grants.
An alliance with the Lucid family.
And even something good for the body to boot.
‘All I had to give in return was information about the Lester family survivor and keeping quiet about the Demon’s curse.’
I concluded the deal with overwhelming benefits.
Especially, the alliance with the Lucid family was the biggest gain from this transaction.
One of the eight pillars supporting the empire.
Information, manpower, artifacts, funds, support, and so on.
They would provide almost everything I wanted.
Being such a powerful family, they could afford to give that much without it being a problem.
‘What should I ask for? Money? Artifacts? Or the authority to freely pat Rodelin’s head?’
The image of Rodelin, blushing and reluctantly offering her head for me to pat, floated before my eyes.
Yes, my first request should be this.
To obtain the authority to freely pat Rodelin’s head!
That was when I was indulging in these pleasant fantasies.
“Remember, this is a personal alliance between you and me.”
“…Excuse me?”
The image of Rodelin that had been flickering before my eyes disappeared in an instant.
To snatch away my patting authority!
Rage surged throughout my body.
“Keke, to change the terms of our deal like this. I suppose that means I can change them as I please too, right?”
“What, what’s with you? Why are you suddenly so angry?”
“You’ve taken something precious from me! You must pay the price for that!”
“…What are you talking about? If anyone’s had something precious taken away, it’s me. You really want to get in trouble?”
Lucia raised her fist, and my body instinctively flinched.
Looks like I’ve developed PTSD. It was a situation where I could have actually died, after all.
“Listen to me first. This is all for your sake.”
Was her expression somewhat pitiful? Lowering her fist, Lucia continued.
“As I said before, to form an alliance with the family, the consent of my father and the retainers is essential. That means facing them, and someone like you would be instantly killed.”
“Keke, is that so?”
“That’s exactly why you’d be killed instantly. My father can’t stand people who act arrogantly like you.”
Lucia was right.
Due to Duke Luke’s extraordinary nature, and from what I’ve seen in the game, he was like a lion in his prime.
Provoking him would surely lead to death.
“Then my existence won’t be revealed.”
“Right. For now, I plan to keep your existence a secret. Facing my father with you would bring a lot of trouble.”
To treat someone as benign as me as a troublemaker!
She really can’t see what’s in front of her.
‘But… Lucia’s words about it being too early to meet Duke Luke do make sense.’
The tragic end of Rodelin I’ve witnessed thousands of times.
The rising anger prevented me from making rational decisions.
But, it’s no lie that I plan to punch Duke Luke one day.
“So, we’re settled then? The alliance is not with the family, but between the two of us. I won’t tell my father about your existence.”
Lucia’s decision was correct.
The story is just beginning in Chapter 2. It’s time to build strength while staying cautious.
Changing the story too much isn’t a good idea either.
‘Information is my greatest strength, after all.’
But despite my thoughts, my lips protruded in a pout.
The authority to pat Rodelin’s head at any time is worth that much.
“Ha… Let’s take it slow. Just being in an alliance with me is impressive enough.”
But it lacks the taste (?) of patting your head.
Always being a straightforward and upright girl, yet unable to do this or that, just offering her head is the real treat!
“…Somehow, I feel offended. What are you thinking right now?”
“It’s an honor to form an alliance with the great Lucia.”
“…Suspicious.”
“Keke, you’re mistaken.”
“Is that so?”
Scratching her head, Lucia spoke up.
“Just in case, I’m asking… you do know the exact details, right?”
Confusion, concern, doubt. Her voice carried a mix of emotions.
Though the subject was omitted, it was easy to tell what she was curious about.
The contents of the pact between the Lucid family and the Demon.
She was asking if I knew the exact details of that.
‘Well, it’s understandable to be suspicious.’
I had given a vague statement about the curse of the Lucid family involving the Demon.
But that was entirely for Lucia’s benefit, considering someone might be listening.
“Keke, it’s good to be skeptical, but doubting someone as benign as me is not a wise choice. Why, there’s a saying, ‘Physiognomy is a science.'”
“That very physiognomy is the issue! Not to mention your actions and words! Right now, you’re the most suspicious person on this continent!”
That can’t be true. I’m so benign I could compete with an angel in a contest of virtue.
The insult Lucia just made is no different from insulting an angel. Right, angel?
“Then I have no choice but to clarify my innocence.”
The only ones who need to keep the secret are the Lucid family and ‘them.’
Since I’m a third party, revealing it won’t break their agreement.
“That day, the one who visited the Lucid family was the Second Legion Commander. Ah! Not in a descent, but possessed in a human, so it would be accurate to say the possessed Second Legion Commander.”
“…!”
“Right before the second line of defense was breached, the Second Legion Commander and the Lucid family had a conversation and came to an agreement. The content was about them…”
As I was about to continue, a hand firmly covered my mouth. The owner of the hand was, of course, Lucia.
“I get it. Your story is true, so please just shut up.”
Lucia glanced around, checking if anyone was there.
But my gaze was solely on her.
Lucia, who had approached me along with her hand.
A pleasant scent wafted through the air. The distance closed, allowing me to clearly see Lucia’s face.
‘She is pretty.’
And oddly enough, she resembled Rodelin. Well, they are sisters, so it’s natural.
‘Would Rodelin look like this when she matures?’
In the game, you never see what Rodelin looks like as an adult.
Because the challenge against the final boss ends in failure, and the phrase ‘The continent becomes a sea of flames, and only a few humans are bred to satisfy the Demon’ appears.
And it’s likely to be the same this time.
As I imagined what a grown Rodelin would look like while looking at Lucia’s face.
“What are you staring at? Never seen a pretty person before?”
“Keke, such confidence you have.”
“It’s a fact that I’m pretty.”
“And it’s also a fact that you’re not married.”
“You, you… brat!”
However, Lucia, trembling with her fist, couldn’t harm me in any way.
Knowing about the Demon’s curse and the events of that day perfectly.
She must have realized that she has no choice but me.
‘Well, she’ll probably try to find my accomplice through investigation.’
The Lucid family has an information network nearly as extensive as Caron’s, though not quite as robust.
But they won’t find my accomplice.
‘Because such a person doesn’t exist.’
Meaning, my threat that ‘if I die, my accomplice will spill everything. You can’t kill me~’ was just a bluff.
But for Lucia, accepting my deal is the only option.
A momentary judgment could lead the family to ruin.
‘If she realizes there’s no accomplice, she might try to kidnap and torture me to find out how I learned the secret…’
But I’ll have a way out even then.
It’s ridiculous to think of kidnapping someone as benign as me, right?
“Just one question.”
Lucia, trembling with anger, took control of the atmosphere.
“Why are you doing this? There’s no need to drag our family into this. Your goal is revenge against those who wronged the Lester family.”
Lucia implies that her help alone should be enough.
Telling me not to involve an innocent family in my personal vendetta.
But Lucia is making a big mistake right now.
‘The Lucid family alone is far from enough.’
Duke Aziz is just a piece on the chessboard.
The real culprit behind the downfall of the Lester family is the entity behind him.
‘The Lucid family alone is insufficient. At least three pillars are necessary.’
That’s just the minimum. To successfully conclude matters, cooperation from more than five pillars, a majority, is required.
‘I attempted to gain one pillar by meeting with Duke Luke… but failed.’
My reasons for wanting to meet Duke Luke aren’t just that.
‘Because they need help.’
I need help, but the entire de Lucid family needs my assistance.
As the story progresses, members of the Lucid family face crisis after crisis.
Going mad is the norm, and there are even those who kill innocent people or make deals with Demons.
To protect Rodelin, I had to help them.
But I can’t tell Lucia about this situation.
I have no choice but to convey my sincere concern for Rodelin.
“Revenge is important, but… protecting my senior is also important.”
“Are you talking about Rodelin? Why? You’re not even family.”
“Keke, I just took a liking to her.”
Lucia’s eyes narrowed, and then one corner of her mouth twitched upwards.
What to say? A smile that seems to sour the mood of the observer.
“Hmm~ So that’s what it was? Yeah, kids are indeed like this. Now you’re looking a bit cute.”
…What kind of absurd fantasy is she having now?
I was about to clear up the misunderstanding when Lucia spoke up first.
“Our Rodelin is quite something, making a boy fall in love. I thought she’d only be interested in playing soldier her whole life… Guess I don’t need to worry.”
“That’s not it…”
“Oh! Are you embarrassed? That’s really cute. I thought you were a weirdo, but kids will be kids. Completely a baby in front of love, a baby. Is this your first love?”
“…”
“Kyaa! What to do! This is too fresh!”
Lucia grabbed both of my cheeks and started turning them this way and that.
This is beyond fantasy; it’s like breaking through a planet.
‘What is she even thinking?’
My feelings for Rodelin are not of love.
The temptation of the Demon that constantly approached during thousands of playthroughs.
But Rodelin never once fell.
I harbor only respect and awe for her.
‘Well, she’s definitely cute when flustered…’
But whether that amounts to love, I’m not sure.
“Kyaa! What to do! What to do! I’m getting excited too!”
“That’s why I’m saying…”
“You don’t need to make excuses. What’s there to be ashamed of in love?”
Lucia’s attitude, as if she knows everything, and that twisted smile.
I want to wipe that smile off her face, make her tremble.
‘In some ways, she’s easier to tease than Rodelin… but I can’t tease her.’
I can’t because of my desire to receive guidance from Lucia.
Hmm? Wait, now that I think about it…
‘…Isn’t the restriction lifted? We’ve already agreed to make a deal.’
That’s right. It’s already settled that Lucia will teach us.
I had been holding back to increase my chances of receiving Lucia’s guidance even by a little.
But now, there’s no reason to hold back.
Snap-.
I grabbed her wrist.
Both of Lucia’s wrists, as she was frantically shaking my cheeks.
“Keke, you’re right. Senior Rodelin is attractive. Enough to captivate my heart.”
“I knew it! Our Rodelin is cute. Well, winning her heart will be tough, though.”
“But the moment I saw you, Lucia, my heart changed.”
“…Huh?”
Realizing that the situation had taken a weird turn, Lucia quickly pulled her wrists away.
“Ah…”
I let out a sigh of disappointment, along with a sticky smile.
“What do you mean your heart changed? That, that’s nonsense!”
“I’ve come to love you, Lucia. The moment I was punched, I realized it. That this is what love is.”
“No, no! That’s not love! Normal people call that pain!”
“Love comes with pain. And you, Lucia, are the only one who has given me such profound pain.”
“You, pervert! Feeling that way means you’re a pervert!”
Lucia started to slowly back away.
She wouldn’t dare try to hit me, knowing I’ve set up the premise that pain makes me fall in love.
…Just to clarify, I’m not really into that sort of thing. This was all just to tease Lucia. Really.
“Oh, don’t come any closer!”
Lucia was cornered against a wall of the training ground, specifically a secluded corner.
Trembling in the corner, she looked somewhat like Rodelin.
Snap!
I blocked her way with my arms, not letting Lucia escape, and wore a sticky smile.
“This is serious. To fall in love with sisters. This must be… fate?”
“How is that fate! You’re just a player!”
“Being a player doesn’t matter as long as I can win Lucia’s heart.”
Lucia’s eyes started to spin.
Never having dated a man, she’s immune to such things.
She’s just the right person to tease.
“I, I’m a spinster. An unpopular woman…”
“The men of this world must be blind. If it were me, I’d propose right away.”
“Ah, ahh… No. My, my chastity…”
Lucia, having collapsed, covered her chest with her arms.
I’m not sure why chastity is coming up. I was just playing a joke(?).
‘Phew… This is quite stress-relieving.’
Having given her a good scolding, she won’t bother me anymore.
Just as I was about to help Lucia up.
Click-!
“Zero! Sister’s here! You weren’t whining, were you?”
Luna, who had flung open the door of the training ground, froze upon seeing us.
No, perhaps it’s not Luna who entered…
But the Killing Machine.
–TL Notes–
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