## Chapter 173 – Collusion (17)
Number 25 couldn’t hide her bewildered feelings, and that emotion was fully reflected on her face. How many beings could maintain their reason upon hearing that all life could be endangered because of her alone? If the person hearing those words possessed an altruistic nature, the confusion would undoubtedly be amplified.
After finishing her words, Veronica wore a frustrated expression rather than a relieved one, as if she was still angry with her teeth clenched. Clara was the first to speak in the serious atmosphere. She gently wrapped her arms around Veronica’s trembling shoulders with an unknown emotion, trying to smooth over the situation so that Number 25 wouldn’t be hurt.
“She’s not usually like this, she’s just acting strange today. I’ll apologize for her.”
Veronica broke free from Clara’s embrace and said in a still-sullen voice.
“I have no intention of apologizing, and there’s even less need for you to apologize on my behalf.”
Number 25, who had been looking shocked all along, finally opened her mouth.
“I’m walking the path of a Demon King… what on earth does that mean?”
Seeing Number 25 repeat similar questions like a broken doll, she was about to unleash her pent-up anger on Number 25 with a frustrated expression again, but the answer to that question was given by Orca instead of Veronica.
“Ugh, frustrating. What kind of conversation can you have with these girls who are so caught up in their emotions and only give dribbling answers? I’ll tell you everything.”
Seeing Orca step forward, Clara opened her mouth.
“Orca, this isn’t a matter to be answered so carelessly.”
Orca ignored Clara’s words and continued speaking.
“Because the energy you showed in the competition made us see a future where you could rival us someday. We came to find out for sure if you would grow into a being that would threaten us in the future. Honestly, I don’t really care if you become a Demon King. It seems like it would be more fun that way.”
Hearing her words, Number 25 lowered her gaze and barely calmed her trembling body as she said.
“I’ve never even thought about that.”
“Really? But unfortunately, a position isn’t created solely by your own will. As your power becomes more and more known, there will be guys around you who will arbitrarily idolize you. At first, they’re a crowd gathered with good intentions, but soon, there will be one or two who become traitors. Those guys have fanatical beliefs no matter what you say, so they selfishly want to help you and cause a lot of trouble around them.”
Hearing that story, Number 25 flinched. When she heard that she would have her own forces, she vaguely felt good about it. However, now that she heard Orca’s words, the meaning weighed heavily on her again.
“If you don’t have the charisma to control even such trivial elements, you’re honestly better off dying here. You’ve been watching Aselle from the side all along, right? Even if you rightfully rise to the position of Demon King, if you don’t have the power to control the masses, you’ll be on the verge of being eaten alive.”
Number 25 couldn’t think of anything to say right away. Orca was usually someone she didn’t like, but every word she was saying now resonated deeply in her heart. Before she knew it, Orca approached Number 25 in a friendly manner, put her arm around her neck, and said in a playful voice that was different from before.
“You’ve gotten better than before, but you’re still lacking.”
Number 25, who had been listening quietly, glared at Orca and opened her mouth in a resentful voice.
“How… how can I become stronger?”
Orca, who hadn’t expected Number 25’s words at all, wore a surprised expression for a moment, and then whispered something in her ear with an interesting expression. After finishing her whisper to Number 25, Orca moved to where the other Demon Kings were and said cheerfully.
“This isn’t really an atmosphere for more conversation, is it? I feel bad for Aselle, but let’s go.”
There was no objection. It was stranger to continue the conversation in this atmosphere.
As everyone got up to prepare to leave, Jane didn’t seem to have any intention of getting up from the sofa. When the people around her looked at her with puzzled eyes, she opened her mouth first in a calm voice as if it was nothing.
“Ah, you don’t have to worry about me. I still have something to say, so I’ll stay longer.”
No one around her had the right to say anything about her choice. Clara took care of Veronica until the last moment and expressed her apologies to Number 25 by bowing her head, expressing her feelings of guilt. Orca left with the words that they would meet again later, and the drawing room where the three had disappeared was instantly filled with silence. In an atmosphere where no one could easily open their mouths, Jane kept sighing with a thoughtful expression.
Soon, the sound of shoes clicking up the stairs was heard, and the doorknob turned. Aselle apologized for being late as soon as she opened the door.
“Sorry, am I very late?”
But there was no answer. Aselle felt a sense of bewilderment in the drawing room, which had an awkward atmosphere, and looked around.
“What? Where did everyone go?”
Jane said without even looking in the direction of Aselle.
“Everyone left.”
“Why? You gathered everyone together because you had something to say, and then suddenly like this?”
“Where on earth have you been and what have you been doing?”
“I had something to sort out in my head for a moment….”
Even though she said she had something to sort out in her head, it wasn’t a big problem. Jane, who roughly sensed that fact, clicked her tongue once, got up from her seat, approached Aselle, and slapped her across the face before anyone could stop her. The strength that was hard to believe came from her slender arm made Aselle fall to the floor.
The moment Aselle frowned and tried to argue with Jane, Jane opened her mouth before she could. And she looked quite angry.
“Are you out of your mind?! You can’t even stand such trivial jealousy in a situation like this and send the kid alone? There’s a limit to what Charlotte can stop by herself. If they had been determined to kill Number 25…!”
In reality, Rou was there to suppress the situation, and fortunately, her effect worked well this time, but they were clearly Demon Kings of one area. In order to protect their people, they had a justification for killing Number 25 in this place, even if it meant taking risks. Outer Gods, that’s a disaster that goes beyond the category of ordinary enemies.
“Kill? What’s that….”
Jane didn’t answer Aselle’s question and got up from her seat and headed for the door.
“Behave yourself. It’s not like I’ve given up completely.”
Aselle couldn’t even think about caressing the cheek she had been hit on and stared blankly at Charlotte. She looked like she had lost her soul after being suddenly slapped by her friend and scolded. Charlotte picked up Aselle, who had collapsed on the floor, dusted off her clothes, and carefully sat her on the sofa.
“What happened?”
Seeing Aselle open her mouth in a weak voice, Charlotte immediately poured water into a teacup. Aselle took a sip of water and quietly listened to Charlotte’s story while staring blankly into the air.
After hearing the whole story, Aselle dropped her head and said in a self-deprecating manner.
“So that kind of thing happened while I was away.”
Not long after, Aselle’s shoulders heaved, and she soon began to cry sadly. Surprised to see her shedding tears like raindrops, Charlotte quickly brought a handkerchief and wiped away her tears.
“Why have you been crying so much lately?”
A sobbing voice flowed from Aselle’s mouth in an uncalm state.
“I’m sorry. There’s nothing wrong with what Jane said. I said I’d protect you for the rest of my life, but I put you in danger because of my unnecessary jealousy… no, when I think about it, you keep getting into dangerous situations when you’re with me. After all, Rou or Jane….”
Number 25, who couldn’t bear to see Aselle blaming herself, quietly hugged her shoulders without saying a word. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand Aselle’s thoughts. However, she didn’t want to see that side of her.
She always wanted her face to be full of smiles, and that was one of Number 25’s wishes.
“Don’t say things like that. Everyone else is precious to me, but you’re special, Master. I’ve never even thought about another path. From the day I was given a new life by you, I decided to walk by your side for the rest of my life.”
Only then did Aselle stop crying and put a faint smile on her face. Seeing that smile, she was finally relieved. Aselle probably didn’t know that things would go this far because of her trivial jealousy.
“But I think I know what I have to do right now.”
“What you have to do?”
Number 25 nodded and opened her mouth in a serious voice.
“I hate to admit it, but I realized one thing after listening to Orca. If I don’t make up my mind, everyone will end up being harmed in some way.”
Number 25 let out a short sigh and took a deep breath.
“So I’m thinking of going to Orca for a while.”
