Chapter 23 – Dawn’s Guest (3)
“He’s crazy.”
My impression after hearing all the stories was simple. Erica shut her mouth as if she had nothing to add, and out of habit I looked up at the sky. Early in the morning, the sky was blue to the point of being savage.
Even in this world, when you look at the clear night sky, Saya comes to mind. Could the incident earlier have splashed dirty water on her innocence? Unable to reveal Saya’s true identity in front of Erica, she left Haru to tidy up the house, but she felt uneasy.
But even that tomorrow is far away now. The fire that fell right on my feet was so hot. I turned my gaze to Erica, trying to ignore the impending future.
“Uh…Why?”
As soon as her eyes met mine, she flinched and shook her shoulders. Her pride, which had already collapsed as it was about to collapse, was crumbled without a trace in just three days.
The fact that the student council president’s position, which he barely maintained during the days of Hater, was destroyed in an instant must have had a big impact. The evidence of fragmented authority remained as scars on the inflamed skin.
Of course, I didn’t feel any pity. Because it’s all self-employed.
Even so, it was clear that it shouldn’t have happened. Although Hater may not have intended it, Erica’s presence served to maintain a minimum of discipline in her academy. She implied that having a student body president meant that there was a social class and that there were rules. At least the concept of barter trading could have been established.
But now that the last fence had collapsed, there were no more rules to follow. Even the concept of exchanging something may disappear. Have
If you want to take it, just kill it if you want to kill it.
No, maybe it’s just a natural phenomenon. The closer the destruction approaches, the more humanity will be obliterated.
I just hope that Rogeria’s hopes will not be trampled under that stance.
“So that’s the only reason Duke is after me? My name came out of Lena’s mouth.”
“Yes. That’s all.”
“Even though that’s the only reason, did the others agree?”
“Because…Because I’m afraid of Duke. He’s big, he’s big, he’s strong…And his gang is taking over the food storage. So I have no choice but to listen to him.”
Still, at least the head seems to be spinning. As soon as she found out Hayter was dead, she ran from there.
Or he was the guy who was in charge of that side from the beginning.
Either way it was a pain in the ass. It’ll be hard to get anything from the academy anymore.
…
It was then that a small curiosity came to my mind. It’s a good story, but I still wanted to ask.
“…By the way, what the hell did Lena say and he said that?”
“Uh…That? I’ve heard about it, so I don’t know exactly…”
“…”
“Because Duke was trying to mess with it…I heard you might not stay still later…That’s what he said.”
“…Under.”
It was more absurd than I thought, so I laughed out loud without even realizing it. Talked like that
Looking back, I’ve never thought about that before. I wonder if someone will call my name as a last resort before spreading your thighs open to covet your vagina.
There was not even a cynicism in the fact that the answer had now turned out to be positive.
“I see. So, where is Roselia now?”
“Uh…Don’t you ask me about Lena?”
“Yeah. Do you know where she is?”
“That… I don’t know if they still use it, but not too long ago they used a small guard’s quarters next to the main building. It’s a good place to be quiet.”
“Ah, right there.”
It was a place I knew well because Rebecca used to take me there. He even knew where the spare key was hidden. As Erica said, it’s a good place to be quiet.
I’m still not sure if that’s the case.
“Yeah. Do you know where it is? Maybe you can find out without me taking you…”
“Shh. Lower your voice now. We’re all going to the academy.”
The moment I saw a familiar building in the distance, I lowered my stance. Erica followed me and bowed her waist, but she kept moving her lips as if she wanted to say something. She then looked at me as if she couldn’t stand it.
“Hey… But should I go there too?”
“So you’re not going back?”
“Even…Going back?”
She stuttered her words as if it were the first time she had heard it. Then he swallowed her saliva and asked again.
“If I go back now, what will happen to the Duke… I… Can I go there with that blind girl? Just tell me the location…”
“I don’t want to take that risk, Erica.”
“However…”
“And staying with me would be even more dangerous. Duke wouldn’t keep looking for me in the future. I’d rather be found out then.”
“Won’t they get caught? Or even if they get caught, if you just kill them…”
“I’ve never had the confidence not to get caught. I don’t have the confidence to deal with all the guys from the academy. If you just disappear like this, you’ll think I killed you. It’s safer to be alone like that.”
“I don’t have the confidence to survive alone…”
“Just go back, Erica.”
“Ah…”
I didn’t say why you were asking me for such a favor. After all, Erica herself would have known it best. I averted my gaze indifferently and tossed a word.
“You’d better go back and try to make your side. After a while there will be some guys who will be unhappy with Duke. If you’re the student council president, why don’t you prove your leadership in that situation.”
“I…”
“Your business is over.”
With that word, I grabbed the sheath. Erica looked at it and bit her mouth. No matter what she said, she wouldn’t have heard it. All my nerves were already focused on the academy.
I see the academy building submerged in darkness. It looks especially shabby and shabby today, probably because all the remaining vitality was sucked up by the roundworms in the stomach. Was it always like this at night? It’s the first time I’ve been here at this time, so it’s just unfamiliar.
I wondered if there was at least one guard set up, but it was a futile worry. School gate. Main entrance. A window without curtains. No matter where you look, no one is walking around.
Well, in a world like this, what are you going to do with a security guard? Anyway, everywhere is the enemy. In a situation where there were no clear external enemies, he wouldn’t want to relax in such a place. There is only one person in this academy that I know of who would do such a grandiose thing.
But even that person couldn’t find the proper security. Perhaps because it was past midnight, the guard who had been set up at best was dozing off his chair. I didn’t even notice that I was approaching.
That’s how he barely woke up after I recited a greeting in his ear.
“Wake up. Baron.”
“Ugh…!”
Surprised, Baron hurriedly searched for a weapon, but it was faster for me to aim the sword at his neck. As the cool metal clung to his skin, he hurriedly raised his hand.
“Lo… Lope?”
“Yes. It’s me.”
“What’s going on here…”
“Is Roselia inside?”
“That is…”
For a moment, he was torn between a sense of duty and fear. As I raised the blade to help with my worries, an urgent voice poured out.
“There is… It is. It is inside.”
“I didn’t mean to threaten you. I just ran out of time. Are you still awake?”
“Yeah. He seems to be losing his sleep, probably because he’s been worrying a lot lately. Maybe… He’s still awake.”
“Okay. It won’t be long.”
“That…”
As if he was uneasy about the fact that it would not take long, he tried to add more words to me. But I was already inside. I could see two rooms across the narrow hallway.
Of the two, the room with the bed was the one at the far end. It didn’t take long to get there because it was a narrow place. Standing at the door, I was about to go in, but thought I should be polite, so I knocked.
But what came back was a very rude reply.
“Go away, Ruth.”
“…”
Even for Rogeria, the edge was too sharp for her voice. Ruthra. Not her baron, but the name of the guy who follows her. It seems that she thinks of me as her boyfriend.
It was a bit strange though. No matter how annoying the situation she was, she somehow managed to hide her true feelings. Is there something going on?
I knocked on the door again just in case. Again, he did not raise his voice.
“Didn’t you hear me say go away?”
“…”
“Are you Lena’s business again?”
“…”
“Ha… I’m not really a babysitter…”
Laughter and cynicism flowed out at the same time. She laughed to herself and let out a long sigh.
“I helped as much as I could. The rest is up to you. Don’t you think it’s wrong to slap Duke for being stupid and proud?”
“…”
“And it’s not like he’s doing anything gross. It’s not like he’s having an orgy in public like he does with Erica. Does he just come back and report it to me every time he touches his body?”
“…”
“Tell me to endure it. It’s only been three days.
“…”
“Even so, I’m going to die of a headache from all the weird guys arguing…”
In the short conversation, I got a rough idea of how things were going. In the meantime, Rogeria raised her voice little by little, perhaps starting to get angry.
“…Are you still ignoring me?”
“…”
“Didn’t you want to live with me? Wasn’t it like that. Do you think I’ll leave you later if you act rude just because the situation is like this? Absolutely not. If you thought so…!”
“It’s me. Roselia.”
“…Lope? Why didn’t you tell me…!”
She uttered her voice too late, and Rogeria stuttered her words, terribly flustered. Then it made a thumping noise and caused a small commotion.
Soon, the tightly closed door opened and Roselia appeared. He was dressed so neatly that it was hard to believe that it was the middle of the night.
“It’s late Lope. I think she said to come in three days.”
“Is it so?”
“Did you put on some perfume in the meantime? It smells good. I guess you were looking forward to meeting me.”
Just kidding in this situation. It was as if he had completely forgotten what had just happened. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to go along with the shamelessness and nodded.
“I thought he died there. I was a little worried.”
“Because of this and that. I’ve been very busy too.”
“Yeah. You must have had a lot to deal with. Who wouldn’t be busy in a situation like this.”
“Among them, you seem to have been especially busy.”
“…Right.”
The words I couldn’t spit out had to be chewed in my mouth and swallowed. Roselia was unable to continue her speech for a long time, and then, uncharacteristically for her, brought up the main topic.
“So? You can think of coming here as positively accepting my offer, right?”
“It’s a suggestion.”
“You haven’t forgotten it already, have you? The story of asking me to stand by your side.”
“Is that the story of asking you to do something similar to what Baron is doing outside?”
“I can’t do it. I can’t make you do chores like that. I’ll be in charge of something more important than that. I’ll be able to do more than now when you come.”
Even her impatience was felt in her way of explaining. During the past three days, even Roselia must have felt desperately that she needed proper power.
And it was the same for me. I had to leave this beggar island as soon as possible. To do that, she desperately needed help.
It seemed that the answer had already been decided.
“So what’s the answer?”
“…Okay. I’ll be on your side, Rogeria.”
“Okay! That’s how it should be. Then come in first. We have a lot to talk about.”
Roseria was delighted with my answer and let out a sigh of relief. It must have been the first time I’ve heard positive news in nearly three days.
But my answer was never yes.
“But I think there are some issues that need to be addressed before that.”
“What? All of a sudden, what… I understand now, so come in. Let’s talk inside.”
“No. Answer first.”
“What the hell do you want to talk about…”
“Where is Lena?”
At my question, Rose Lea shut her mouth. Then, struggling to control her expression, she answered in a fake voice.
“…She’s in her room, but not here. I don’t think she wants to be with me.”
“Are you safe?”
“That’s safe. Why, do you have feelings for him? If it’s a personal matter like that, you can talk about it later.”
“Rogeria. I know he’s not safe. And I know the situation he’s in. That’s why I’m asking.”
I slipped away from the door and leaned against the opposite wall. I could feel the tension on Rogeria’s face.
“I just found out that you’re lashing out at people who choose to be on your side like that. How can I trust you? Are you sure I won’t end up like Lena?”
“Lope. What do you mean, crashing into me?”
“I don’t know what to say anymore. Lena became like that in just three days, and what will happen if I end up with you?
“Don’t worry about that, we’re still in touch. Positive replies are coming. So…”
“No.”
I firmly cut her off. And she said in a clear voice.
“I need to get an answer. Right now.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll have to hear from you that they’ll take me on the boat themselves. Without insurance like that, it’s hard for me to give you a positive answer.”
“Rope…”
For the first time, a look of bewilderment crept across her face. Roselia pondered a little, then she barely nodded her head.
“Okay. Then, let’s go together tomorrow morning and call. Is that okay?”
“It’s too late. It’s absolutely right now.”
“It’s late at night. I have to contact my father directly, but that’s impossible.”
“You’re probably still awake. What father in the world can sleep comfortably with his daughter crammed into his limbs?”
“…Lope. You’re crossing the line.”
“Everyone on this island has crossed the line long ago. You too.”
“…”
For the first time in a long time, fierce eyes shot out. It was the same gaze that noble Rogeria used to look at the noble class.
However, at the end of the long run, the answer was yes. She coldly nodded her head with her hard face.
“…Great.”
Only then did I raise my eyebrows. And Roselia stepped in front of me with a confidence that she hadn’t faked in a long time.
“Let’s go if you want to. Right now.”
