## Chapter 168 – Collusion (13)
Upon seeing No. 25 return so suddenly, Aser’s eyes widened, and before anyone could say a word, she was examining No. 25 from head to toe. It was the same situation as before, but this time, her expression was so pale it was clear how serious things were. After all, it was Lahart who had requested her presence.
“Are you okay? Did anything strange happen to you?”
Charlotte answered Aser’s worried question before No. 25 could.
“What strange things could have happened? The other party was Lahart… He’s not someone who would do something crazy out in the open like Orca, is he?”
No. 25 simply nodded in agreement with Charlotte’s words. If anything, she had been treated with respect and hadn’t experienced anything harsh.
However, that didn’t mean nothing special had happened. Perhaps something even more significant than being kidnapped by Orca had occurred. The two of them couldn’t miss the worry that flashed across No. 25’s face. Charlotte sat down and casually asked,
“So? What interesting stories did you hear while we weren’t there?”
“Well, that’s…”
No. 25 hesitated to answer, carefully gauging their reactions.
She didn’t want to deceive Charlotte and Aser.
However, could she easily reveal this story to others? She knew, without a doubt, that this wasn’t a tale she could share with just anyone without being fully prepared.
In the end, No. 25 decided not to tell Aser and Charlotte about her conversation with Lahart. She didn’t want to keep secrets from her loved ones, but she knew they would worry if they found out.
Avoiding their gazes, No. 25 had no choice but to make up a lie on the spot.
“He said he had a lot of questions after watching my match. Questions about my parents related to my powers and what I’m aiming for in the future…”
The lie, mixed with a bit of truth, sounded plausible enough. Charlotte and Aser still looked somewhat unconvinced, but they didn’t press further. Perhaps they couldn’t. After all, others couldn’t delve too deeply into matters related to Lahart.
It was Charlotte who spoke first to change the somber mood. She grabbed No. 25’s arm, pulled her closer, and gently stroked her hair as she said,
“What matters is that you came back safe and sound.”
Aser let out a small sigh, feeling like she had been beaten to the punch, then subtly moved closer to No. 25 and sat down.
“That’s true.”
Normally, she should be feeling satisfied with their happy, everyday life, but No. 25’s mind was elsewhere. She wanted to sort out the chaotic thoughts filling her head right away. There was only one person she could confide in about this.
No. 25 carefully opened her mouth.
“Um… where is Low-nim?”
Aser looked slightly disappointed that she was looking for Low first instead of her, but she figured there must be a reason and quickly composed herself.
“Low? Why all of a sudden?”
“I have something I want to discuss with him.”
Charlotte immediately questioned No. 25’s words.
“Are we not good enough?”
“Th, that’s…”
She knew better than anyone that they were still far from being able to comprehend such things. They could be put in danger, so there was no way her weak self could utter such an arrogant response.
Charlotte gradually closed the space between them, pressuring her as she spoke.
“If you’re planning something dangerous…”
It was someone unexpected who opened a path for No. 25, who couldn’t readily answer.
“Low said he had something to do and went to District 2 earlier.”
Even Charlotte was surprised to hear Aser, who usually only doted on No. 25, say such a thing. Aser sighed briefly, looking resigned, and then spoke in a calm voice.
“It’s okay, isn’t it? Like you said, No. 25 isn’t a child anymore, and this is a conclusion she came to after enough thought and consideration. We have no reason to interfere.”
Seeing Aser trust her without a hint of doubt, No. 25 felt her heart swell.
“Your Majesty…”
Charlotte naturally raised her hand and ruffled Aser’s hair, praising her in a playful tone.
“I thought you were just big-chested for nothing, but when did you grow up to be such a wonderful king who knows how to read people’s hearts?”
Aser blushed, lightly brushed Charlotte’s hand away, and looked straight into No. 25’s eyes with a serious expression.
“But you have to promise me one thing before you go.”
Seeing Aser’s rare serious demeanor, No. 25 swallowed hard and waited for her next words.
“You have to come back on time this time.”
Thinking Aser was joking because the request was simpler than expected, No. 25 relaxed, but she realized it wasn’t a joke when she saw the worry still mixed in her expression.
Reflecting on her past, when she had disappeared several times without a word, whether by choice or not, No. 25 couldn’t even begin to imagine the anxiety she must have felt. Repenting for her past actions, No. 25 decided to buy a small gift when she returned from District 2 and left, determined to show a trustworthy side of herself.
“Don’t worry.”
After bowing her head and leaving the room, No. 25 immediately reached for the necklace Low had given her before, or rather, the key to District 2. At the same time, the space neatly split open, creating a purple rift that seemed to beckon No. 25 to come over.
Entrusting herself to the rift, she felt the air change in a short moment that didn’t even last a second. When she opened her eyes, she saw a gloomy sky, bare trees, and the cries of crows dominating the air. The scenery of District 2, which she hadn’t seen in a while, was exactly the same. Even the eerie energy that felt like it would engulf her from all sides felt welcoming.
Putting her sentiments aside for a moment, No. 25 began to walk towards the tower. Before she knew it, she was standing in front of the tower, naturally opened the entrance, and slowly moved forward, retracing her memories through the tower’s maze-like space.
Before long, she was right in front of her room where she had spent the most time with Low. After taking a deep breath, she turned the doorknob, and the unique smell of medicine filled her nostrils.
Low, who was sitting at his desk scribbling something, turned his head when he heard the sound of the door opening. When he saw No. 25’s face, he stood up with a bright smile.
“What brings you here?”
“Um… there’s something I really need to tell Low-nim.”
Low, who was about to happily approach No. 25 and embrace him, stopped in his tracks as he read his expression in a brief moment.
“…You seem to have heard everything from Lahart.”
No. 25 nodded slightly instead of answering, and Low pressed his temples as if he had a headache, then pointed to the bed.
“Sit here for now.”
As Low said, No. 25 sat on the bed, looked at Low sitting next to her, and started the story from before again.
“I heard from Lahart-nim that my power is needed to catch the Outer Spirit. I will do anything for everyone who will live with me in the future…”
Low, who had been staring intently at No. 25’s face, shook his head with a regretful expression, cutting off his words.
“Ryu, I’m sorry to say this, but I can’t accept Lahart’s proposal. Yes… you can think of it as me opposing it.”
No. 25 momentarily thought her ears were deceiving her.
“Yes? Why on earth…”
“Why? Lani… you’re asking something obvious. Because it’s dangerous, that’s all.”
“D, dangerous things have happened until now!”
“Do you think it’s the same as the dangers you’ve experienced so far? You’re still weak.”
Although it was a similar tone to usual, No. 25, who had spent a long time with her, could tell. No. 25’s mind went blank for a moment at Low’s angry and firm voice, which she had never heard before.
Leaving the silent No. 25 behind, Low opened his mouth.
“I’ve known about Lahart’s thoughts for a long time. I also know that the blood of the dragon is absolutely necessary for the future that child is drawing.”
“So I’m…”
“No, give up.”
No. 25 couldn’t say anything, clenching his fists tightly. Low, judging that he could change his mind if he persuaded him a little more, deliberately spoke more harshly.
“What parent would allow their child to go to their death? It’s not just a parent’s role to always advocate for all of their child’s wishes. The most important thing to me is Ryu… your safety.”
He hadn’t imagined that Low would object. Although she didn’t have a good impression of her at first, she always looked after her warmly and gave her various experiences after learning the truth.
She had always felt that she was truly cherished, so she had rashly judged that she would naturally be on her side this time as well.
“The children of District 7 will object even if I don’t… are you going to abandon all of their wishes? Ryu, I’m sorry, but please bend your will this time.”
At that moment, No. 25 recalled the conversation he had with Lahart.
The look in his eyes, his tone, and the way he painted the future in the process. He wasn’t looking at himself in any case. He was desperately hoping for a bright future for the young lives who would live in this Demon World. He decided that he wanted to be a part of that will, and that if he could paint everyone’s future with one sacrifice, he would gladly follow that path.
No. 25 jumped up from his seat, looked straight at Low, and said.
“I can’t do that.”
Low looked flustered at No. 25’s unyielding appearance.
“What?”
“I know that I’m weak in Low-nim’s eyes. Then I just need to prove that I’m strong enough this time, right? If I win this tournament without allowing a single effective hit, will you listen to my story then?”
Low stared blankly at No. 25. Was it because he was showing behavior that deviated from his expectations? Was he amazed by the sight of him rebelling against his will? It was neither.
In a fleeting moment, Low could see his old friend in Ryu’s appearance.
