Chapter 156
Caron's face is high.
Because I'm kneeling.
Humiliating, you say? But there's no choice.
To survive, a sincere posture is important.
"But at that time..."
This and that, yadda yadda, blah blah(?).
The conversation was long, but the point was simple.
That I used [One Flash] in front of Lucia, that she agreed to be an instructer for a month, that Scarlet almost died when she made a surprise visit to the tavern, etc.
I reported the events in detail.
Of course, I hid a few things.
The demon's curse on the Lucid family, that I used Sky Splitter, the alliance with Lucia, the three wish coupons, the alliance proposal with the family, etc.
Taking out all that, the reason Lucia agreed to teach us became relatively flimsy, but...
"Using One Flash in front of Lucia. Are you crazy?"
"Keke, it couldn't be helped. I really wanted to receive her instruction."
"...You crazy bastard."
By showing [One Flash], Lucia agreed to teach us.
Caron conceded this much.
I don't know if it's because he knows the Lucid family has internal intimacy with the Lester family, or because there's something else.
"You said Lucia found out we're making a deal?"
"Keke, that's right. I kept the details secret, but she said she's coming tomorrow so I don't know what will happen."
"You cause trouble and then say you don't know?"
Kugugugu-!
Caron emitted another irritated aura.
But this time it's not my fault.
"It couldn't be helped. The rat you hid was on the verge of death."
"...Tsk!"
That's right. The reason I revealed I'm making a deal with Caron.
It's because Scarlet was in a life-threatening situation.
In the first place, if Caron had hinted there was a rat there, this wouldn't have happened.
In other words, I'm innocent!
I put strength into my knees and took a stance to stand up.
In fact, the reason I knelt was to gain momentum...!
"Sit down."
"Yes."
I obediently returned to my original posture.
Because Caron is an existence who can break knees for momentum and still have plenty left over.
"...This is no good."
I wonder what's no good.
After thinking for a moment, Caron spoke.
"You said you revealed dreaming of becoming the Lester family's rat. Then we can make the excuse that you're receiving rat training from me."
"Keke, Miss Lucia won't believe that. If it's a deal, there's usually a price, but there's no price I'm paying you, Teacher Caron."
"When the training is over, you agreed to become a rat. This much should satisfy even Lucia."
Not only learning work under you, but being used for life.
And telling me to say I walked into it myself.
Even if it's a lie, he says scary things nonchalantly.
"Keke, is there a crazy bastard like that in this world?"
"Isn't he right in front of me now?"
"...?"
"Don't worry. I only plan to recruit that damn mouth of yours."
...It's a joke, right?
It must be a joke. An extremely cruel Caron-style joke. Something like that.
It's not funny at all though.
"Keke, is this all for today?"
"...Cheeky bastard."
Caron threw something at me.
It's a small ring. I immediately used [Information Window].
[Unnamed Believer's Ring : B]
A ring that an unnamed believer wore every time he prayed.
A god, impressed by his faithful prayers, bestowed a small miracle.
Can use 'Shield' equivalent to 6th circle.
Cooldown time: 5 minutes
'An excellent reward.'
It's lacking compared to what I received before, but defensive artifacts, especially 'Shield', are highly valuable.
Especially for me, who only has one life.
And the fact that a reward was given means...
"The existence of moving corpses was confirmed in Kalos. They were fast and strong. At this point, they're no different from grown men. That's how it's being judged."
"Are the rats safe?"
"They all got out safely. I hate to admit it, but I can't say it's not thanks to you."
"Keke, then I can accept it without burden."
"Cheeky bastard."
But it's a clear fact that I'm skilled, isn't it?
When I put the ring on my finger, it shrank to fit my finger size perfectly.
What are Earth's scientists doing. Not developing things like this.
If I go back, I should provide this amazing idea and get a patent.
Based on my analysis as a liberal arts major, it's a sufficiently possible technology.
As for making it... The science guys will figure it out.
"We're forming an extermination squad. They're scheduled to depart soon."
"That's fast."
"As time passes, their numbers will gradually increase. We don't know the enemy's strength, so we decided to immediately deploy the forces we can mobilize."
An excellent decision.
I always feel it, but those running the current empire think differently.
Usually in this case, they'd say 'Why worry about those bony things? Kahaha!' and ignore them, only to get beaten. That's the cliché.
Far from that, they're saying they'll deploy available forces.
'I guess they're not ruling the continent for nothing.'
It's both joyful and bad.
Because one of the existences I'll have to face in the future is none other than this 'Annwood Empire'.
Of course, it's a part, not the whole, but I could instinctively feel the journey ahead won't be smooth.
"So I'm also planning to join the extermination squad. Mr. Elester will probably have to leave his post as well."
Actually, I don't know how many undead are currently in Kalos.
I only know that around this time, Volkan the 'Maestro of the Battlefield' was creating forces there.
But.
'If Caron and Elester join... It might be possible.'
To kill Volkan, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. And in the early part of Chapter 2 at that!
Of course, the opposite could also happen.
What if Caron, Elester, and people I don't know end up leaving their bones in Kalos?
'I'll start Chapter 2 with the worst difficulty.'
That's right. It'll hurt, but not enough to give up the game.
Meaning this much of a gamble is well worth taking.
In the first place, the Empire isn't one to just let Caron and Elester die.
'To increase safety even a little...'
Deploying a powerhouse on par with them.
This is the best.
"Keke, then Miss Lucia will join as well. She happens to be here now."
"No, Lucia won't join. I reported it that way."
"...Pardon?"
"We're enough with just us."
What the. Is he crazy?
If Lucia refuses, I was going to make her join even if I had to use one of the wish coupons I have.
But Caron's side is refusing?
It reeked of something fishy.
"Keke, I have one question."
"What?"
"What is your relationship with Miss Lucia?"
"...We have no relationship."
Wow~ Even a one-year-old baby would point and say it's a lie.
My curiosity reared its head.
I approached Caron and subtly leaned against him.
"Keke, did something happen between you and Miss Lucia?"
Caron said nothing. He only glared at me strongly.
It's such an intense gaze that my heart is pounding.
Of course.
'You're just making me more curious, you know?'
It's a pounding from curiosity though.
"My mouth is itching to speak. Maybe I should tell Miss Luna that Teacher Caron is always watching over her?"
Tsk!
A tongue clicking sound loud enough to reach the dormitory across the alley.
Caron frowned heavily and said.
"...It's an ill-fated relationship."
"An ill-fated relationship?"
"Yeah, and a terribly ill-fated one at that. Is that enough now?"
Caron gritting his teeth as if even thinking about it annoys him.
But the more he does that, the stronger my curiosity grows.
"Keke, you still don't realize this is all for your sake, Teacher Caron?"
"For my sake?"
"Yes, wouldn't it lighten your heart to confide in me?"
"...For someone saying that, you look awfully happy. If you keep that up, your mouth will really rip."
Oops, looks like I failed at managing my expression.
But it can't be helped.
The fact that Caron and Lucia have an ill-fated relationship is information that wasn't disclosed in the game.
As a veteran gamer, it's only natural for me to be curious about what happened between characters and new stories.
Especially to the point that Caron, who doesn't express emotions well, is openly annoyed.
My intuition is screaming.
That there's something tremendous(?) hidden between the two of them!
'D-Don't tell me!'
Could it be they were passionate lovers?
The age difference seems quite big, but in this era, a 10-20 year age gap is considered normal.
If the two of them were lovers and broke up after a sword fight?
'It's a relationship that can only be called ill-fated.'
All the pieces fit perfectly.
That's right. Even Caron was a man!
'Well, our Lucia is quite pretty.'
To think the Empire's rat would be at a loss in front of a woman.
It's a situation where laughter naturally comes out, isn't it?
Managing my already difficult expression became even harder.
Laughter kept spilling from my lips.
"Keke."
"..."
"Kekekekekeke!"
"Come here. That mouth that will rip from laughing anyway. I'll rip it first for you."
"Keke, I appreciate the consideration but I must politely decline."
"You don't have the authority to refuse."
Aha, I see. It's my body but you have the authority over it?
That's really strange.
But Caron couldn't rip my mouth.
Thud-.
"Ha, I wondered where the disgusting smell was coming from... A filthy rat bastard was wandering around."
A chilling voice came from the entrance of the alley.
I was a bit surprised, but didn't take a defensive stance.
Because it was a voice I knew well.
"...Miss Lucia?"
Perhaps because it's a dark alley. Lucia's eyes shone ominously as she stood with her back to the light.
"Get away from that child."
A voice spat out as if chewing. Then Caron immediately distanced himself from me.
It's a docile attitude that's hard to believe is Caron.
As expected, the two of them are burning lovers...
"Step back, dear."
Caron's empty spot was taken by Lucia.
Literally in the blink of an eye, she stood by my side.
To be precise, she stood in front of me and was wary of Caron.
"I'm sure I warned you the day I came here. To not run into each other."
"...You came to where I was though?"
"Shut up."
What a strange situation.
Not only is Lucia getting angry at Caron who only spoke the truth, but.
'It's too fierce to be just a lover's relationship.'
At this rate, it won't just be burning lovers, but real lovers who set fire to their surroundings.
Was the ending that bad?
"What's your reason for approaching this child?"
"I'm also a teacher at this academy. Is it strange to care about a student?"
"It's not for that reason, right? Meeting late at night in a place like this. It's because of the deal you two made, right? What kind of deal is it that you're talking secretly in a place like this?"
"...It's a lawful deal. Mutually beneficial."
"Is that so? Then you can just tell me. If it's an upright deal, it shouldn't matter if I hear it, right?"
"...There's no reason to do that."
"Ha!"
Lucia's scornful laugh echoed through the alley.
The air wavered. Because it contained mana.
If I can feel it, you can know how much mana is contained without me saying it.
After briefly making eye contact with Lucia, Caron turned his body.
"...I wasted too much time. I'll take my leave for today."
"Hey! Did you hear me? Don't approach him ever again! You filthy bastard!"
Before Lucia's words even finished, Caron disappeared.
All Lucia could do was fume and swallow her anger.
Rather, it's a good thing for me.
Because dealing with Lucia is a million times easier than dealing with Caron.
"Keke, it's passionate. I almost got burned standing next to you."
"I'm not in the mood for jokes. Good timing. You need a scolding."
"Pardon?"
"I don't know what deal you made, but stop it right now. Not only meeting alone, but making a deal with that guy. Are you in your right mind?"
Being wary of even meeting alone.
This is true love, true love indeed.
"In front of love, age and all, no obstacle can stand in the way. Have I ever told you that I'm always rooting for you two?"
"...I don't know what misunderstanding you have, but it's absolutely not that. Love with that bastard? I'd rather bite my tongue and die."
Then who will train us now.
Anyway, judging from Lucia's reaction, it seems my guess was wrong.
They're not past lovers who broke up.
Then why did they become ill-fated to each other?
"Why do you hate Teacher Caron so much?"
"Because he's a rat. Annoying, isn't it."
"Keke, it doesn't seem to be simply for that reason. You didn't say much to me who dreams of becoming the Lester family's rat, did you?"
"...The Lester family. Come to think of it, there's that reason too."
The Lester family is included in the reason for hating Caron?
Another hidden story has popped out.
No matter how hidden it is, this is too much.
It's like forcibly shoving it into my mouth with a shovel.
'Was this game always this kind?'
I suddenly became anxious.
Usually, when this kind of luck comes in a row, there's a reason for it.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'll refuse the opportunity that has come.
Satisfying my curiosity. That's just as important as clearing the game.
"What, you really don't know? This is information everyone in the know knows. I thought you of all people would definitely know."
So what is it. You woman.
Don't keep the fun stuff to yourselves!
"Will you be okay? You'll be really shocked if you find out. Well, my goal is to separate you and Caron, so I prefer to tell you."
"Keke, I'd like to inform you that the only thing that has shocked me so far is Miss Luna's face."
Perhaps because she knows our Luna is quite a looker(?).
Lucia let out a chuckle.
I also smiled back at her.
But even I was surprised enough by the shocking words that spilled from Lucia's mouth.
"The one who presented Renia's head, the head of the Lester family, to the Emperor..."
Lucia spat out as if chewing.
"That's none other than Caron, that bastard."
--TL Notes--
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