Chapter 36
"The erosion disappeared after killing the creature known as the 'Demon's Shard,' you said."
"Yes, Lord."
"What if the erosion at Pascal also has a starting point?"
If something at that starting point is removed, might all the erosion entrenched in Pascal also disappear?
The erosion caused by the Demon's Shard and the erosion in Pascal are clearly different.
But the possibility was sufficient.
"It's worth investigating then. You've done well, Rodelin."
To hear words of appreciation from her father.
Rodelin was overwhelmed with emotion.
"Hm, it's about time for the meeting. Dispatching the investigation team and researching the White Plains. Anything else you need?"
Excitement tinged Duke Luke's voice.
Perhaps that was why. Rodelin, feeling invigorated without realizing, spoke.
"Lord, actually..."
What Rodelin brought up was about Luterus and the parrot.
A story irrelevant to the Lucid family, and potentially even bothersome.
Duke Luke silently listened to Rodelin's story.
"...So, I wanted to erect a gravestone for Luterus and the parrot."
"You were refused, weren't you?"
"...Yes."
Rodelin wanted to illuminate Luterus' sacrifice and past deeds, to honor him.
But she was refused, not only for the gravestone but also compensation for his father.
-It wasn't during my time, was it? What's this about a parrot? And who said to contact me on the weekend?
Those were Principal Dwener's words.
Rodelin might be famous, but she's just the vice-president of the student council at best.
Handling matters without the Principal's permission was impossible.
"Tch, damned fool. That man is a disgrace to nobility."
Duke Luke also knew about Dwener.
He was consistently among the top three most incompetent nobles in the empire.
But.
"Rodelin, there's nothing we can do about that. You understand why, don't you?"
"Because of a lack of justification."
Rodelin clenched her fists.
She knew, which is why she hadn't intended to speak of it.
But she got carried away and blurted it out.
Such a foolish mistake.
"Exactly. Using the family's power, offering appropriate compensation, and erecting a small gravestone would be easy. But do you think that's the right thing to do?"
Correcting past wrongs, doing something just and valuable.
But the 'process' is the problem.
"It would mean using the family's power and prestige to pressure the Academy."
Rodelin closed her eyes tightly.
The Lucid family's reputation is high because they don't get involved in political issues and serve the empire faithfully.
She couldn't use the honor built by her ancestors over hundreds of years for something like this.
Even if it is.
'The right thing to do.'
She clenched her fists tighter.
It's difficult and painful.
To watch injustice and wrongdoings in front of her eyes and do nothing about it.
"We are a military family. Knowing when to overlook an injustice is also a virtue one must have as a member of the Lucid family. I trust you understand, being wise as you are."
"Yes, Lord."
"Contact me this time tomorrow. If there's any information you've forgotten, tell me then."
The crystal darkened.
Rodelin sighed deeply.
"Bringing up unnecessary matters... How foolish."
But no matter how much she thought, there seemed to be no other way.
Just a vice-student council president. A lone figure without power.
She couldn't expect support from her sophomore peers.
Having power behind you means having to cater to their desires.
'Justification.'
If only the family had a perfect justification to pressure the Academy.
Rodelin's night deepened with worries.
* * *
"Kekeke."
"..."
"Kekekekekekekekekeke!!"
"Ah, shut up and eat your food! How long are you going to keep laughing like that?"
Clang!
Luna's thrown spoon hit my head.
But my laughter didn't stop.
Even getting hit by a spoon, even being scolded, the world just seemed beautiful.
Why, you ask?
[Divine Imitation: S]
You can mimic and use skills you've seen with your eyes.
It's a state imbued with special power.
You can store and use up to 5 skills (5/5).
However, the grade of the imitated skills is fixed at A.
Current imitated skills: [Swordsmanship], [Earth Flip], [One Flash], [Demon Magic], [Sky Splitter]
Yes, the number of skills I can mimic increased from 3 to 5.
An increase by two.
'There was a hidden reward.'
Uncovering the relationship between the clown and Luterus.
It was just a veteran's curiosity, but it returned such a huge reward.
I couldn't help but feel elated.
'The overpowered skill has become even more overpowered.'
Why [Divine Imitation] is called an overpowered skill.
Because it can mimic even the secret techniques of each family.
Of course, there are penalties.
First, you can only mimic skills you've seen with your eyes.
Second, if it's a mana-consuming skill, you need enough mana to use it. The same goes for skills that require other special conditions.
Third, in the case of secret techniques, only one can be mimicked.
For example, Luna has a skill called [Lester Family Style E], and Rodelin has [Lucid Family Style C].
Ideally, if you mimic [Lucid Family Style], you should be able to use all its secret techniques.
But that's not the case. If it's [Earth Flip], then [Earth Flip], if it's [Sky Splitter], then [Sky Splitter].
Each must be mimicked and used separately.
Quite a painful penalty for a skill called overpowered. However.
'The skill is so good it makes the penalty seem laughable.'
[Divine Imitation] can mimic even the final boss's skills.
The problem is dying as soon as you see them.
'The fact that mimicked skills are all fixed at A-grade becomes a significant penalty later on.'
But in the early stages, it's overpowered.
As long as the conditions are met, I alone can spam A-grade skills.
The five skills I've chosen currently are as listed above.
Originally, [Corrosion] was in the place of [Swordsmanship], but I switched it to [Swordsmanship].
Here again, the reason why [Divine Imitation] is an overpowered skill comes out.
It can even equip 'passive' skills like [Swordsmanship].
'I'll mimic the aura later.'
I imagined myself fighting, scattering sword energy.
Hmm, just like my handsome face, a very cool image.
"Ah, Parrot died and you're just laughing..."
Grumbling.
Truth be told, Luna wasn't in a great mood.
Her friend, Parrot, had entered eternal rest.
Maybe that's why. She was only eating two bowls of rice.
Normally, she eats three bowls as a standard.
"Keke, don't you need a question token?"
A question token I give to Luna whenever she helps me.
But Luna, saying there's no need for such between friends, refused.
'Such a naive kid. How will she survive in this harsh world?'
Luna, lost in thought for a moment, spoke.
"I don't need a question token, but let's replace it with a wish token."
"A wish token? That's a bit..."
"Shut it. You don't have the right to refuse."
She's like a robber without a blade. No, she actually carries a blade, so a real robber!?
Turns out, the naive one wasn't Luna, but me.
"...Don't die."
"Excuse me?"
"Don't die. If you die, I'll follow and kill you. Just so you know."
Luna, looking embarrassed, bowed her head and ate her rice.
It could be a touching statement.
But from my perspective, she's no different from an obsessed stalker.
'No, don't follow me if I die. And definitely don't think about killing me!'
Maybe befriending Luna was the biggest mistake in this game.
To die and then die again. What could be scarier?
"So, what are we doing today?"
"Resting. How about changing our mood with some ice cream?"
"Not bad."
Contrary to her words, she seemed quite happy.
Luna's body was wriggling with excitement.
A good kid who's happy just to do something with me.
'The problem is she doesn't know the difference between a friend and a stalker.'
When will our Luna realize this fact?
I'm seriously considering confessing just to make things clear.
'Then we can just be normal friends, right? Huh?'
Squeak...
Somewhere, I heard Rodelin's horn sound.
Even on this Sunday, she was diligent in guiding the students.
But.
"The horn sounds weak. Seems like something's up."
"...You judge people's feelings by their horn sounds? Are you a pervert?"
But to my ears, it clearly sounded that way.
'Well, I have a rough idea why.'
Rodelin, having spotted us, approached while blowing her horn.
"Unhealthy opposite-sex relationships are a reason for demerits..."
Her words dragged, and her body swayed.
Her disciplinary badge was askew.
Rodelin looked utterly drained at first glance.
"...You really are a pervert."
"Excuse me?"
"Reacting to a horn sound as a sexual desire... Ah, don't worry! I'm a great person who respects the preferences of friends!"
But contrary to her words, Luna was gradually moving away.
She shouted from a distance not to worry, that our friendship is strong.
And that's how I became a pervert.
* * *
"Have one."
"...Thanks. I'll pay you back next time, don't worry."
"Keke, there's no need. You helped me yesterday, too..."
"No! I will definitely repay you!"
Rodelin took a bite of the ice cream, turning her head away.
Seemingly embarrassed.
She must be feeling overwhelmed, having forgotten her wallet and now accepting food from a junior.
'Such a tiresome personality.' Rodelin is too mature for her age.
It wouldn’t hurt her to act more her age.
'Well, I understand, though.'
The weight of the family Rodelin carries.
She couldn’t escape her family even until the end of the game.
'Rodelin de Lucid, discarded by her family but never abandoning it herself.'
In the later part of the game, there's an episode where she is betrayed and abandoned by her family.
The handle of the sword was in Rodelin's hands.
She could have proven her innocence and turned her back on her family at any time.
But Rodelin always let go of the handle.
The stigma of a traitor, the tarnished honor, the slave brand on her back.
None of these broke Rodelin's heart towards her family.
'No veteran player could ever change Rodelin's heart.'
It would be the same this time. That's why I'm also planning to withdraw my interest.
After all, my goal isn’t Rodelin's salvation, but defeating the final boss.
Rodelin, even as a slave, plays a key role as a first-party member, so there's no problem.
'Such a fool.'
Rodelin is walking into a thorny path by her own choice.
All I can do for her is to provide brief respite like this.
"Hm, by the way, where did Miss Luna go?"
"She said she needed to do some mental training to maintain her friendship."
"...?"
Rodelin looked puzzled, as if she didn’t understand what that meant.
A natural reaction. I couldn't understand Luna either.
-Being unable to accept a friend who's a pervert because he reacts to horn sounds! I need more training!
She said, starting to run.
Saying she might understand better after sweating it out.
"Hm, even on a day off, doing mental training. Truly a model student. I should reflect too."
Perhaps she rationalized it with her own logic.
Rodelin jotted something down in her notebook.
She's really severe, seriously.
"Keke, but... It seems like you have something on your mind."
"It's nothing."
"Please tell me. Just sharing your worries can lighten your heart."
I knew what was troubling Rodelin.
It was also related to the hidden piece I had obtained and the brief content connected to it.
"Actually, you see..."
--TL Notes--
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