“I never said that! You must’ve misheard me.”
Despite her words, Lowell was busy avoiding my eyes. Which meant she absolutely remembered our bet.
The bet where she’d staked a ‘Wish Ticket’ that could grant anything.
“Keke, not keeping your promise? Has wearing that uniform made your mind regress to a child’s?”
“W-What are you even talking about? Is there any proof we made that bet? Do you even have proof?”
Looks like she’d decided to go with the classic tactic—pretending she didn’t know. No, this was the full-blown lion’s paw defense strategy.
Using such a shameless move… she really was a dirty fighter.
In fact, denial was the strongest of all ultimate moves. Without evidence, it was impossible to prove the truth.
Especially when the promise had been made only verbally.
“Are you really going to play dirty like this?”
“I have no idea what you’ve been babbling about. When did I bet with you? Where’s your proof?”
Was she that sure of her victory? Lowell sneered as she laughed.
Maybe it was because she was wearing a uniform instead of her usual lion-themed cloak. She really looked like some kid who didn’t yet understand the world.
And a kid who doesn’t understand the world…
Needs a proper lesson.
“Keke, I suppose there’s no helping it. Looks like I’ll have to use my ultimate move as well.”
“Wh-What are you plotting now…!”
Lowell half-stepped back, crouching slightly into a guarded stance.
I brushed my hair aside lightly as I stared straight at her.
Take this. My ultimate move.
‘Speaking with the eyes.’
Baaaam—
I locked eyes with her, my expression calm and faintly smiling. Lowell flinched the moment our gazes met.
An adult lying to a child?
“Ugh!”
Baaaam—
What would happen if Rodelin found out about this?
“Kh!”
Baaaam—
Her beloved older sister… a liar. She might even tell me to state my wish so she could do it herself.
And then, naturally, I’d have no choice but to make a rather daring request of Rodelin…
“Ah, fine! Fine, I said!”
Perhaps imagining Rodelin granting me my wish, Lowell immediately surrendered.
“I’ll give you 10 merit points. That’s enough, right?”
“Didn’t you say it could be any wish?”
“I’ll arrange a position for you in our family. You know the retirement and pension benefits are solid, right?”
“That’s the kind of thing even a normal request could handle.”
“I’ll introduce you to a woman. The most gorgeous one in the Empire.”
“Anything!”
“Tch!”
Whew, that was close. I nearly gave in.
She’d figured out my weakness. As expected, not an ordinary opponent.
“Fine, have it your way. But you’re absolutely forbidden to ask to meet Delin. Absolutely forbidden!”
Lowell crossed her arms in an X-shape, strongly asserting her will.
She really did seem like a child, even in the way she expressed herself.
“Keke, but I consider that well within the range of a wish.”
“You’d be dead right after, though. If that’s fine with you…”
Hmm. Looks like the joke had reached its end. Not that I’d planned to make that kind of wish anyway.
“So, what’s your wish?”
“Aren’t you being a bit hasty?”
“I need to know so I can mentally prepare. If you don’t answer in three seconds, I’ll assume it’s null. Three… two…”
Not even ten seconds. Not even five. Three? What a complete thug.
‘Well, I’ve already decided, so it doesn’t matter.’
I’d known my wish from the very beginning. From the very moment our bet started.
“Please pat Rodelin’s head and praise her once.”
“…?”
She froze. Clearly, this wasn’t what she’d been expecting.
“Y-You’ve earned a hard-fought wish. Wouldn’t it be better to use it on something else?”
“Keke…”
“O-Okay! I’ll let you go on a date with the most gorgeous in the Em… no, the most gorgeous woman on the entire continent!”
“Kekeke!”
“I’ll grant every single condition you’ve said so far! Just change your wish!”
“Kekekekekekeke!!”
“You little brat!”
Lowell shot upward and flicked me on the head.
Her signature flying flick.
But it had no effect on me now.
‘How cute.’
A simple wish—just pat Rodelin’s head and praise her.
But for Lowell, it was incredibly difficult.
Not only was she constantly trying to crush Rodelin’s dream of being a soldier, but also—
‘It’s embarrassing for her. It’s been too long.’
Yes. Years of nagging and pushing away.
Praise would inevitably feel awkward.
I’d confirmed that much earlier when she was taking pictures.
‘When bodies grow distant, hearts grow distant.’
There was a gap between them. And the best way to bridge it was physical closeness.
That was the conclusion I’d come to.
“Hurry up and say another wish. I’ll grant anything else!”
“Haa… very well. I’ll overlook it just once.”
“Thank you! Seriously, thank you!”
“Hug Rodelin and say ‘I love you.’”
“…$%&!”
Lowell spewed incomprehensible words. It had to be some savage curse that even [Interpretation] couldn’t handle.
After spewing those unintelligible insults for a while, she raised a hand and dragged it down her face.
“Haa… you’re seriously weird. Me patting Delin… why is that your wish?”
“Keke, seeing sisters get along makes me happy.”
“You feel happy about that? You’re beyond perverted. How is the Empire not arresting people like you?”
“I’d say deliberately tormenting your little sister is more perverted.”
“…Shut it.”
Through the gap in her fingers as she covered her face, a fierce light burned in her eyes.
Looks like the joking part really was over now.
Lowering her head, sighing over and over, Lowell muttered.
“…Delin probably won’t like it.”
“Excuse me?”
“The head-patting. Maybe once upon a time… but she’s not a kid anymore.”
“No, she’ll like it.”
“And how would you know that?”
Huh? How do I know? Well…
“Because I’ve done it myself?”
Crack—
Suddenly, Lowell’s head twisted at an impossible angle as she looked up at me.
That angle… was that even possible for a human body?
“What exactly did you do to my sister?”
I’d done plenty of things(?) but I had to deny everything.
I wasn’t about to get the bad ending of being mauled to death by this mad lion.
“I did nothing.”
“You did nothing… to the cutest girl in the world? You wanna die?!”
Whether I said I did or didn’t, she’d be furious either way. I had no idea what she even wanted.
“I’m asking you to pat that adorable person. Now, let’s go. It’s time to keep your promise.”
“Ugh!”
I gently nudged Lowell toward Rodelin.
Rodelin had been looking this way for a while now, and as a result, she and Lowell locked eyes instantly.
“…”
Lowell slowly began walking toward Rodelin.
Her steps were stiff—like a mechanical doll. Then, out of nowhere, she raised her right hand high into the air.
Rodelin flinched and squeezed her eyes shut.
That reaction said it all—how often she’d been scolded, how little trust remained, and just how far the distance between their hearts had grown.
Maybe Lowell realized it in that moment. Her raised right hand trembled slightly.
As her hand lowered bit by bit toward Rodelin, it stopped just above her head… then clenched into a fist.
Bonk!
Rodelin opened her eyes. It barely hurt—in fact, there was no pain at all. Just a soft flick on the forehead.
“What are you smiling for? You think I’m getting deployed because you’re strong? You better reflect on that!”
“A-Ah, I-I’m sorry!”
“You’re probably getting deployed in this operation too. I don’t know what role you’ll have, but whatever it is, do it right. I won’t tolerate failure in our first mission together. Got it?”
“…Of course! Don’t worry! I’ll make sure our first mission together is a complete success!”
“Obviously.”
Rodelin’s eyes sparkled brightly. A mission together with the sister she’d always dreamed of working alongside.
That dream had just come true.
Lowell hadn’t excluded Rodelin from the operation. It was as good as saying she supported her dream.
“You never understand people’s feelings. Seriously…”
Grumbling, Lowell walked back to my side. She seemed too embarrassed to stay near Rodelin any longer.
I simply looked at her the same way I had earlier—quietly and expectantly.
“Ugh, what! Why are you staring? I patted her, didn’t I?!”
“You hit her.”
“Hit her—? If I hit her, would she be smiling like that?”
Rodelin was smiling softly. Despite getting flicked on the forehead, she looked genuinely happy. Honestly, she might be even more of a weirdo than me.
“Keke, you’re the one who didn’t specify clearly. If you keep this up, I can’t guarantee how our future deals will go.”
“You really are a petty little bastard. Fine, I’ll do it later. Later! I’m the Mad Lion, remember? I always keep my promises!”
Lowell growled. Her eyes, which had been playful before, now carried a rare seriousness.
“It probably won’t happen, but… if I get kidnapped, I’m leaving Delin in your hands.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make her happy.”
“…That sounds incredibly suspicious.”
“Keke, you’re imagining things.”
Lowell glared at me.
I had no idea why she was upset. All I said was that I’d make Rodelin happy.
Although, truthfully, in this episode, Rodelin wasn’t really in any danger.
She’d be part of the operation, yes—but not the most important part of it.
In fact…
“It might be you who needs to be careful, Miss Lowell.”
“What are you talking about? You think those losers are a match for me?”
“Keke, there are always unexpected variables. Even if you end up in danger, hold out until the end. I’ll come rescue you.”
“What are you saying? What could you possibly do if you showed up?”
Quite a lot, actually. I knew the exact crisis she was going to face.
After all…
“I’m a genius.”
“A genius? Don’t make me laugh. If you’re a genius, then I’m a god.”
Time passed quickly, and the sun was already beginning to set.
The instructors had also been briefed on the operation, and like Lowell, a few of them had put on student uniforms and started walking around the village.
Even their patrol routes had been left deliberately loose.
“All students are to return to their dorms!”
Aside from us, none of the students knew about the operation. But they wouldn’t be coming outside either.
With the entire knight order having gone AWOL, tonight was more dangerous than ever.
Just before we parted ways, Rodelin approached Lowell.
Was it just my imagination? It felt like the distance between them had shrunk—just a little.
“Please be careful. I wish you good fortune.”
“Good fortune, huh. As if they’d kidnap someone like me. This whole operation is ridiculous. It’ll probably get canceled first thing tomorrow.”
And then, the very next day, we received a report.
Lowell had been kidnapped.
“E-Eeeeeek! I-Instructor Lowell got kidnapped?!”
Rezé screeched, clawing at the dormitory wall like a maniac.
Did she miss the briefing yesterday? Now that I think about it… didn’t she faint the moment she made eye contact with Lowell?
Well, no need to tell her. A little tension is good for the body.
“Everything’s going according to plan. So, what’s next?”
“The tracking should’ve already begun. It’s a mine, so with all the twists and turns, it’ll take some time.”
As many as there were entrances, there were just as many exits.
A layout that blocked off paths efficiently was essential—and Caron had most likely spent the entire night drafting one.
From here on, things would follow the storyline I remembered.
Well, with one exception…
‘Adonis has disappeared.’
One of Adonis’s roles in this episode was to point out that Nade’s mana was behaving strangely.
‘But that role ended up going to Rezé.’
Out of tens of thousands of playthroughs, not once had Adonis disappeared.
This could only mean one thing—a Hidden Piece had been triggered.
‘The biggest shift in this episode so far came from the Dark Beast Squad’s recent activities.’
That meant it was likely tied to them—but I had no clue what the connection might be.
Where the hell did he go?
No way…!
“That old geezer… he’s not taking a nap somewhere, is he?”
–TL Notes–
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Adonis didn’t get assasinate did he?
finally the sisters are getting closer again,I have a feeling that when she talk about most beautifule woman in the continent she was talking about herself lol
I suppose we will get to see Super saiyan Demonic Nade cornering Lowel?
Actually what if Nade have a demon from the second legion and used it on her?