Chapter 13 – Reunion (4)
Roselia.
Even at this academy, where many children of aristocratic families attended, she held a special position. It’s not just because she has a high status or looks good. To put it bluntly, she had plenty of students who were more noble and better-looking than her.
It’s just that she’s never been as cunning and filthy as Roselia.
Roselia has always been good at manipulating others with her wickedness hidden behind her cute appearance. It’s the same even if you just think about that day right now. The person who bothered Saya the most while pretending not to be her was Rogeria.
She might have expected it. If she was like that, even in this situation, she would definitely be doing something unusual. That she would never meet again under unwelcome circumstances.
And now was that moment. She already felt like her head was pounding. She is much more tired of humans who only roll her small heads like Rogeria than smart ones.
“I haven’t seen you in a while, and you don’t even pretend to know me? I’m sorry.”
“I didn’t expect you to wait for my greeting, Rogeria.”
“I didn’t tell you, low level. I was asking Lena.”
Roselia calmly shuddered at her arrogance and waved her hand at Lena. Then she let go of her sneer in satisfaction.
“But, well, maybe you can arrange a greeting. Nice to meet you, Lope. Actually, I wanted to meet you someday. They say you’re the craziest person around here these days.”
“So you’re sad? Originally, you were the craziest bitch here.”
“Your jokes have increased, Lope. Originally, I couldn’t even meet my eyes.”
“I still do. I still get sick just by looking at your face.”
“…Oh my. This hurts a bit.”
Rozeria’s complexion hardened slightly as I scolded her bitterly. Maybe it’s because it’s the first time I’ve been so rebellious. But she wasn’t stupid like Erica, so she quickly adapted to the situation.
“Anyway, I want you to get out of there. Lena decided to go with us.”
“She decided to go with us. Looks like she came alone.”
“Are you aware of that too? You’ve grown up a lot, Lope. I’ll praise you.”
That’s right, I heard footsteps on the other side of the door. Judging from the sound of pacing, there seemed to be at least three people. It would have been embarrassing if he had just jumped in, but he didn’t seem to think so.
By the way, how is Roselia maintaining such a position while her student body president is also being treated as an idiot. No matter how good my hair is, I don’t think it’s a world where you can survive only with your words.
It seemed like there was something hidden that I didn’t know about. While she was contemplating, Roselia proudly raised her chin.
“Anyway, if you understand that much, why don’t you get out of the way? Or are you shocked? Her fished prey is being snatched right in front of her eyes.”
“Because it’s like he’s brazenly sticking his head into a late topic. It definitely annoys me.”
“It wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for the sudden change of schedule. Heyter, that stupid bastard suddenly acted on his whim, and things almost went wrong. Our cute Lena almost got in trouble.”
“Is she the one who said you came to Lena beforehand and spilled her information?”
“Of course. If not me, who could have known that in advance?”
“.Haha.”
A smile came out without me knowing. What’s crazy The spies Hater was talking about really existed.
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Hater seems to have been able to make the right decision only once after he broke down. Because, as he suspected, there really were people behind the scenes.
But still the question remained unresolved. So, why was Roseria able to gain Hater’s trust? But why did she betray him and try to take Lena? I couldn’t easily guess anything.
Have you ever given Hater a shot? Like everyone else, I tried to come up with a reason for being low, but it didn’t make sense. If I had wanted that, I would have just knocked it over by force. But aside from her looks and hair, Roselia’s strength lies only in her aristocratic status…
…
No way.
“…Rogeria. Are you the person Heter said was the contact for the Empire?”
“Oh my. Did Heter tell you that? Even so, Lope is quick-witted.”
Damn…
I swear inwardly. Since that day, the world has continued to run in the most shitty way possible. All in all, Rogeria was the contact point from the Empire needed to escape the island.
In a way, it was a natural thing. There is no other high-ranking aristocrat other than Roselia who is resourceful enough to keep in touch with the Empire even under such circumstances.
But the fact that the person I hated the most in the world was that contact was so painful for me.
“That’s why Heter couldn’t touch you carelessly. Now I understand.”
“That’s right. Still, he was a smart guy. But that doesn’t mean he’s smart enough to say empty words.”
“But I still don’t understand. Why would someone in such a comfortable position risk risking his heavy ass to come here?”
“Well. Why? Curious?”
When I asked, Rogeria dragged her words along with her signature sarcastic expression. Her face was as if she had found a good prey.
She was too lazy to listen to her answer. I thought so, but unexpectedly, she shook her head right away and opened her mouth again.
“Well, it’s not such a big secret, so I’ll tell you. I’ve been needing competent people around me. Really nice people, not babbling talkers like Hater.”
“Why. Are you going to create an organization?”
“I guess you could say that? To put it very simply for you to understand, that’s pretty much it. I need people to keep me safe. At least on this island.”
“What you’re doing now seems far from safe.”
“Haa. I guess I have to tell you this. But it’s really a secret…”
Roselia suddenly mixed aegyo and coquettish. Then I scanned her body from head to toe. It was as if she was making her own estimates. She even talked to herself as if she wanted to listen.
“How can I… I need a wizard, but a fool with a sword isn’t bad either.”
“…”
“It’s rebellious, but… I guess that has its own taste.”
“…”
“…Okay Lope. Let me tell you.”
It wasn’t until after such a long time that she nodded her head as if to patronize her. Then she declared in a very serious voice.
“I’ll be leaving this island soon.”
“…I’m leaving the island.”
“But I don’t want other idiots to stick around. So I need someone to protect me. I wish I had guards, but there are only a few left.”
“How many? I thought all the guards were gone.”
“Is that important now, Lope? There’s something else I need to ask. Do I have to be kind enough to explain?”
“What is that? Why don’t you explain why this happened? A smart person should patronize you.”
“It’s about to cool off suddenly. But, well, you’re right. Enlightening the civilians is also the role of a noble. What you have to ask right now is this, Lope. Why are you trying to leave the island in this situation?”
But. That’s right. Rapists should be overflowing on this island, but if the world is going to end anyway, you have to escape from here to be the same wherever you go. But why is Roseria trying to escape this island?
…
Perhaps. Is it the same reason as me?
“…That’s right. I’m curious. Everyone will die soon anyway, so what’s the reason for trying to get out of here after all that hardship?”
“But I’m not a very stupid person. But if you’ve guessed that far, haven’t you decided the answer?”
“You really want to tell me that you found a way to avoid destruction once you leave the island?”
I asked a question out of curiosity. Only then did Rogeria nod her head in satisfaction.
“Right. Very smart.”
“…No way.”
“It’s hard to believe. But there is a way.”
“What is that?”
“That’s right…”
Perhaps hoping for a dramatic effect, Roselia slurred her words once more. And I nervously hid her gloved hand behind my back. Soon, a heavy word came out of her mouth.
“Have you heard of the land of the elves, Lope?”
“…!”
Holy shit.
The moment I heard that word, I had to use a child to manage my expression. I even heard the illusion that the pattern on the back of my hand was getting hot again.
Fortunately, Rogeria was busy laughing smirking at the story she brought up. It seemed that he didn’t care about the change in my expression.
“You’ll remember what the professor said that day. The elves fled to their lands before the dragons came. That said, their lands are safe from the dragons’ threat.”
“Yes…”
“But I guess they didn’t just seduce humans. That’s right, there were humans who needed it. So, only selected people were given permission to enter the land of the elves. And of course, among those selected humans… “
“…”
“…Of course my father was included.”
Is that too
Saya said that humans are all the same from the point of view of the elves, but anyway, they must have their own selection criteria. And the simplest criterion is, of course, status. From that point of view, it was natural that Rogeria’s father, a high-ranking aristocrat, was also included. From what I’ve heard, he’s as good a politician as Rogeria.
It seemed that there were cracks in my expression as I chewed. Roselia arrogantly opened her mouth, as if she mistook it for surprise.
“On this island, only I have a way to survive in this world of destruction. That’s why I’m trying to escape the island. But when I hear this news, wouldn’t the idiots who want to live naturally cling to me?”
“So you’re gathering people to help?”
“I’ll try my best to keep my mouth shut, but secrets are bound to leak out someday. And well, I’m sorting out people in my own way. There are people worth living in this academy, too. For example, Miss Lena, the head of the year.”
Roselia smiled and met Lena’s eyes for the first time. Lena also met her gaze with a slightly proud expression. Their secret deal seems to have been carried out in this way.
However, it seems that Roger Ria did not know the details of her circumstances. If she did, she wouldn’t be presumptuous about selecting survivors for the academy. Did she think that as long as she had the pattern, she could go with her servants? A truly noble idea.
…But after listening to it, one more question arises. I know that the Duke of Rogeria has eight siblings under her. Did the elves assign as many as eight patterns to that family?
“So where’s that permit? Do you have it?”
“Of course, the permit is not paper, Lope. It’s stupid, but there’s no way they made it into a destructible form. Of course, I made it with engraving magic and engraved it on my father’s body.”
“Eight of them?”
“It’s really stupid. Did you make it one by one and engrave it all? My father and my eldest brother received it as representatives. Should I even explain this?”
…
Uh…
“…”
Oh yeah.
Realizing the truth, I was silent. In the meantime, Rogeria was busy pretending to be proud.
“Because you keep asking strange questions, the story leaks sideways. I believed that I was smart and told you such an important story. Are you going to disappoint me like this?”
“…Sorry.”
“It’s nice to apologize quickly. If you keep that attitude, I can talk to my father and take you to the land of the elves. Well, it’s up to you to the end.”
“Yes…”
“Anyway, as you’ve probably noticed, I’ve been talking about this over and over again. Lope, I want you to help me too. What do you think? Don’t be stuck in a corner alone and come over to me.”
“I…”
“Wait. What are you saying, Roselia?”
As I was sorting out my feelings alone, Lena first intervened in the conversation. He wasn’t particularly interested, but he looked very perplexed.
“Wait a minute. I never said anything like that. I’m sure all I need is…”
“Lena. You’re quiet. You’re talking to Lope. Anyway, I’m thinking highly of you, Lope. You’re good at swordsmanship, and you seem to know how to live.”
“…Thank you very much for that.”
“So what’s the answer? Actually, I think it’s already been decided, but I’ll ask anyway. What do you want to do?”
“…”
Rogeria’s words choked my throat. It was a question that could not be answered quickly.
Simply put, I had to answer yes, of course. Anyway, Roselia seems to have a way out of the island, and I desperately need it. Besides, she could get information about the outside world if she was with her.
But that made it even more dangerous. If she realizes her truth about her glyph. And if she is with her and she discovers the existence of the pattern, what will happen then? It was a future I didn’t even want to imagine.
“Under…”
I couldn’t stand it, so I let out a short sneer. I thought it was already a twisted situation. Things could have been more complicated here.
Really, I really can’t say anything other than I love it.
“Answer me quickly, Lope. Time to wait…”
“What! What are you guys doing here?”
Then I heard someone shouting outside the door. Actually, there was nothing surprising. Even outside, it was time for someone to come.
“What the fuck are you doing here when the fucking situation is so fucking bad! Won’t you answer me?”
“Ooh…We…”
“What are you making rice cakes in here? Hey! It’s not coming out there!”
“…It seems difficult to give an answer right now. Rogeria”
Without hesitation, I immediately drew my sword. Then, he quickly approached Rogeria and said.
“I can’t stay here much longer. But if you see the three of us together like this, they’ll be suspicious. I’ll go out and get their attention. You take Lena out.”
“Um…Does it really need to be like that?”
“Don’t notice. I’m also going to prove my ability to you. I’ll go and tell you the answer later.”
“Ooh. I like that.”
Only then did Roselia show me a thin smile. Then she nodded her head in her characteristic cheeky posture.
“Okay. Then take care of yourself so that we can get out safely. When the situation is sorted out, be sure to find me. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Three days. Visit me at the academy within that time. Don’t let me visit you.”
“There may or may not be.”
I gave a confident answer and walked towards the door. And Roselia let out a sigh of hers secretly so that he wouldn’t see it.
I really don’t know what the world will be like. I definitely thought today was a feast day for beasts looking for prey.
In fact, I would have thought I was the most delicious prey among them.
A thin smile crept across her own lips at her laughable joke. I kicked her door as hard as I could, crumpling that handful of smile with her dust.