Chapter 34
It was Rodelin de Lucid.
Her clothes were torn here and there, to the point where it seemed better to take off her stockings.
I took out a coat from the pocket dimension and handed it to her.
"...Thank you."
The coat was large enough to cover Rodelin's thighs. She buttoned up the coat all the way.
"I've taken care of the wounds. The exit is over there."
"Keke, are you alright?"
"It was nothing compared to the real erosion. It's highly likely it was a prototype, just like you said. There was also a place that looked like a laboratory over there."
I nodded in agreement.
Rodelin, who had been watching me intently, spoke.
"Zero, would you mind coming with me for a moment? I have something to discuss."
But the emotion in her eyes was strange for such a request.
Could it be a confession?
I am an attractive man, but that would be problematic.
The place Rodelin led me to was where the remains of the Demon's Shard lay.
Hmm, it's neatly split in half.
Not just it, the ground was also split in half.
'Is this the Sky Splitter technique? It's worthy of being called the Lucid family's greatest skill.'
If [Sky Splitter] comes up during a Potential gamble, I won't need another attack skill until the final boss.
According to the information window, Rodelin's family swordsmanship is Class C.
A Class C [Sky Splitter] is this powerful, so Class S needs no further words.
'I didn't expect Sky Splitter, which is unlocked after Episode 5, to be used here.'
"That's impressive power. Why didn't you use it from the start?"
"I wasn't confident I could control it. It's a skill I learned by observation, and... I didn't have permission."
Rodelin's arms and legs trembled slightly.
It must be a skill that puts a lot of strain on the user.
'Oh, I almost forgot.'
I approached the Demon's Shard and reached out my hand.
A hidden piece obtained from the transparent slime. It was to use [Predation].
The skills the Demon's Shard possessed were [Spatial Dominance], [Erosion], [Demon Magic], and [Corrosion].
Luckily, they were all useful skills.
Which skill would I get this time?
'[Through the power of Predation, you acquire the 'Spatial Dominance' skill. Its grade is lowered to F.]
'Not bad.'
A skill that inflates stats and increases the efficiency and power of other skills.
Though it's Class F, so the space I can dominate is limited and the efficiency isn't great.
But it's a good skill for me who can see the future.
I was smiling pleasantly when it happened.
Swoosh-.
A cold blade touched my neck.
It was Rodelin's sword. I naturally raised my hands above my head.
"What did you just do?"
"...What do you mean?"
"Didn't you just do something to the corpse of the demon? I saw it all. The black fragment entering your body."
Was there an effect to [Predation]?
Or was it a unique effect when stealing a skill from a demon?
Of course, now wasn't the time to ponder over that.
"Keke, it's a secret."
"Don't try to gloss over it. You've been suspicious from the start."
"What do you mean?"
"The way you effortlessly solved the demon's trial, and the conversation you had with it was too natural. As if you knew it all beforehand."
She was referring to the conversation I had with the Demon's Shard before the battle.
"Keke, it was an act to extract information, you know that, right?"
"...You used the term 'that person.' That implies there's someone both of you know."
"What does a prototype of erosion imply? It means someone artificially created it. That's why I used the term 'that person.'"
"Hmm. But you seemed quite familiar with it. The way you instantly proposed strategies, and how you involved me in the process. You..."
Rodelin's eyes shone coldly.
"What exactly are you?"
Rodelin's gaze and presence were quite formidable.
'Is this why I was summoned here.'
Not a confession. Disappointing, yet a relief.
There's a risk of losing my head, but I wasn't nervous.
Convincing Rodelin... no.
'Deceiving her isn't so difficult.'
To persuade Rodelin, logic is important, but emotional persuasion is more critical.
After all, she's a typical tough on the outside, soft on the inside character.
"Keke, senior. Do you remember when we first met?"
"I do."
The way people looked at me from a distance, like I was an animal in a zoo.
Rodelin must have seen it too.
"Not everyone is like you. Living with this sort of appearance, one encounters many things."
"..."
"The demon showing familiarity towards me was one of those things. That's why I acted friendly to catch it off guard."
"Ha! That sounds like a confession of meeting many demons in your life?"
"Yes, that's right. Numerous demons have tempted me. Urging me to kill those wretched humans who discriminate based on appearance!"
Rodelin flinched.
Partly because of my shouting, but also because meeting and conversing with demons is enough reason to be burned at the stake.
Confessing my encounters with demons, I've now placed my life in Rodelin's hands.
Anyone else might have been overjoyed, but not Rodelin.
It must be a burden. So much that she'd want to let go immediately.
"That's why I could easily solve the demon's riddle and devise strategies to win against them."
"I can't believe it. Everyone who has encountered demons numerous times and survived..."
...has been seduced by demons, bringing chaos to the continent.
Was she recalling that fact? Rodelin's sword tensed.
Demons aren't beings one encounters easily.
Entities that prey on the gaps in human hearts.
Meeting demons frequently implies a high chance of falling for their temptations.
But.
"Who reported the discovery of the demon's trace and wanted to investigate?"
"...You."
"Who extracted information from the Demon's Shard and cooperated in killing it?"
"...You."
"Who took all the attacks at the last moment, giving us a chance?"
"...You."
"And still, you doubt me? Just because the demon felt familiar with me?"
I took a big step forward.
Blood from my neck flowed down the blade.
Rodelin trembled and stepped back.
"You are not the only one that hates demons. I do too, Rodelin."
"..."
She remained silent, but that must have been enough for her.
Being the soft-hearted person she is, she was likely convinced.
The moment she stepped back marked the end.
Click-.
A clean sheathing of the sword.
It was as good as admitting her defeat.
"Anyway, what I just did was part of the investigation. The corpse of the demon is a big help."
"...A nice excuse."
Though I may have lost some favor, it doesn't matter.
A suspicious guy and the vice president of the student council. Our relationship is just fine as it is.
With a troubled look, Rodelin brushed back her hair.
"For now, it's hard to judge. I'll withhold any decision on your fate."
"That's an honor."
"Don't be sarcastic. And stop with the exaggerated claims of meeting demons multiple times. If someone else heard, you'd have been arrested on the spot."
Is she choosing to overlook it for now?
Rodelin pulled out a potion, soaked a handkerchief with it, and applied it to my neck.
"Remember, I'm always watching you."
Contrary to her words, her eyes were filled with regret.
Though I might have lost some favor, it seems not too much.
'I wish she'd lose interest in me. It would make things easier.'
What kind of trouble should I cause next to decrease her favor?
The thought alone makes my heart flutter.
'Is it time to seriously consider making a confession?'
"Zero! Come here! Something's wrong with the parrot!"
Luna's urgent cry came from afar.
When I rushed over, Luna wasn't the only one awake.
Raymon was circling the parrot, not knowing what to do.
"Zero! Hurry up! Parrot... Parrot!"
"Luna, calm down. And what do you mean by the parrot? Who are you talking about...?"
"Parrot! My friend!!"
Luna yelled.
She seems to have already given it a nickname. Calling a parrot 'Parrot'. (TL Note: Basically, she's calling the parrot (???), Parrot (??). This doesn't make sense in English, but in Korean, ? is used for birds, so it's basically parrot bird. But now she's just calling it Parrot, which indicates that it's a name. In Korean, it went from aengmusaie to Aengmu.)
Her naming sense is quite poor.
"Do something! Parrot is in pain!"
Has she already built such memories? Tears were streaming down her face.
I carefully checked the parrot's condition.
But there was nothing I could do.
'The treatment has already been completed.'
I touched my neck.
The wound Rodelin had just made on my neck.
Though it was a deep cut enough to bleed, it had healed very cleanly.
It must have been treated with a high-grade potion.
Given Rodelin's personality, it's highly likely she used the same on the parrot.
Meaning, the reason for the parrot's poor condition isn't just a simple injury.
Aging, stress from physical shock, the sense of loss after achieving its life's goal of revenge.
All these factors have combined.
Or else.
'This is the role given to the parrot.'
This was the most likely scenario.
A developer's trick to end the story emotionally.
"Friend... friend..."
The parrot struggled to speak.
But it wasn't me who answered.
Luna pushed me aside and said,
"Yes, Parrot! Sob sob... I'm here!"
"..."
The parrot sharply turned its head to the other side.
Even in its near-death state, it refused to acknowledge Luna as a friend.
It deserved a statue in its honor.
"Parrottttttt!"
Of course, Luna was clueless.
She hugged the parrot and buried her face in it, crying.
I worried it might die sooner like this.
"Luna, please calm down. This will lead to trouble."
"How can I calm down when my friend is dying!"
"...I don't think the parrot sees it that way."
"What?"
Luna's eyes widened, then she stared straight at the parrot.
As if asking if that was true.
"..."
The parrot pretended to be in pain and avoided her gaze.
Then Luna muttered,
"I have to ask directly."
"Directly? Ask whom?"
"I'll have to meet Hades and ask."
Meet the god of death?
It's difficult enough to meet him, but she wants to ask if 'Parrot considered me a friend?'
She's lost her mind.
"...What will you do when you meet him?"
"Ask him to revive Parrot. If he refuses, I'll cut off his head."
Ah, I see?
So, she thinks she can revive the parrot?
Is she serious right now?
"Parrot has to consider me a friend! It protected me! Even sacrificed itself!"
No, the parrot protected me, not you.
What on earth is happening in your mind?
"You must let go when it's time. That's being an adult..."
"No! I'm going! I'll bring my friend Parrot back!"
She really seems determined. Did the parrot sense the same thing?
The parrot cried out urgently.
"Friend! Friend!"
"Sob... Parrot!"
The parrot declared Luna its friend.
Is it just my misconception that it's pleading to be let go?
'...Did I befriend someone dangerous?'
Both Raymon's reaction when I called him best friend and now.
Luna's obsession with 'friends' is terrifying.
"My friend... you mustn't be in pain..."
Luna hugged the parrot tightly and sobbed.
Seeing that, even Rodelin sniffled.
Her eyes were red, trying to hold back tears.
"Hmm, such a beautiful friendship."
...Really?
If that's the case, I'm the strange one.
It was time for a serious consideration on whether my [Mental Defense] skill blocks even the emotion of being moved.
"Keheuk!"
The parrot coughed up black blood.
--TL Notes--
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