Chapter 79
"Hmm?"
Late in the evening, upon entering the room, [Hyper Sense] activated.
Without even needing to think, I could tell.
"Keke, have you arrived?"
Words spoken to the empty air.
Caron soon revealed himself.
His face wasn't visible because the room was dark.
'Today has been a rather lucky day.'
Not only did Luna's growth get accelerated thanks to Teacher Lérang's tutorial, but now Caron has come to offer a reward for the information I provided.
What kind of artifact did he bring? The corners of my mouth lifted in anticipation.
"Where have you been all this time? Without me, Luna would have been in big trouble."
It's crucial to flaunt one's contributions for a successful negotiation.
It was when I was appealing how hard I worked to protect Luna.
"Rather, it seems like it would have been a bigger problem because you were there."
"Excuse me?"
Only then did I realize.
Caron's voice was filled with anger.
'Why is he angry? Don't tell me...'
The ridiculous rumor that Luna and I were in a romantic relationship.
He must have heard information implying we were in that kind of relationship.
"Hmm... It's a misunderstanding. A mistake. The kind we often make, right?"
"Really? I'm quite curious how such a misunderstanding could happen."
"Keke, anyway, we're not dating, so you don't have to worry."
"You're not dating, huh..."
Caron muttered quietly.
Then he took a step forward.
Only then could I see.
The veins popping out all over Caron's face.
It meant he was suppressing his anger with superhuman patience.
"So, if you're not dating, it means you did that kind of thing."
"...Excuse me?"
"The rumor that you were underneath Luna, whispering sweet nothings."
Only then did I understand the definite reason for Caron's anger.
An accident that occurred during a physical altercation with Luna at the training ground.
'Is this supposed to be fortunate?'
The rope play (?) incident from yesterday.
If Caron had heard about that, my head would probably be rolling on the floor by now.
"There was no whispering. If anything, I was suffering."
"There's a saying that pain can be pleasure."
"Keke, I'm not into that kind of thing. Perhaps the opposite, if anything."
Caron nodded as if he understood.
"So that's what it was."
"...Excuse me?"
"Tying up Luna with ropes. I thought it was a misunderstanding... but it's because of your perverted tastes."
Caron's eyes glinted coldly.
He knew about yesterday's incident too.
Caron's information network was indeed formidable.
He pretended not to know, only to corner his opponent at the right moment.
A deep understanding that comes with experience.
A bad ending was imminent.
"Oh, it's a misunderstanding. It was just a minor accident."
"An accident... So, a thief suddenly entered the training ground and tied up Luna?"
"Well... I did tie her up, but..."
"...Do you not realize something's wrong with what you're saying?"
Hmm, I can't quite grasp how things ended up this way.
I was just playing with Luna.
"Keke, it was just play."
"I see. In your standards, rope play is merely a game... Is that it?"
"...Excuse me?"
"If that's merely a game to you, I can't imagine what surpasses playtime. Admitting you're a pervert yourself. I can't just stand by as a teacher."
How could the word 'play' be interpreted in such a way?
Crack-.
Caron moved his hand, and a strange sound filled the room.
"I knew you were bold, but not to this extent. I'm getting curious about the size of your gall. I'll let you check it yourself. You have the right since it's your liver."
The prospect of showing me my liver while I'm still alive.
He speaks so casually about cutting open my belly.
'His obsession with Lunais beyond imagination.'
Caron began to slowly approach me.
There was no doubt he intended to extract my liver.
Given the circumstances, I had no choice but to resort to a somewhat underhanded tactic.
"I swear in the name of Lady Renia, I have not wronged Luna in any way."
Caron hesitated.
Luna's mother and the head of the Lester family, Renia.
As someone who aspired to be the Lester family's rat, I held her in almost reverential esteem.
'...as Caron knows.'
Having sworn on her name, he would realize my innocence.
And one more thing to add.
"I also harbor no special feelings towards Miss Luna."
"...Impudent brat."
The veins on Caron's face receded.
It meant that the misunderstanding had been cleared.
"Keke, there will be no such incidents in the future. Well, I can't do anything if Miss Luna falls for me."
"Then I have nothing to worry about. Luna wouldn't like someone like you anyway."
Ouch, that hurts. I consider myself quite charming, you know.
"Phew... Personal matters aside, let's exchange information first."
"Keke, an excellent decision."
"Because if you die, I won't be able to hear the information."
Ah, I see.
So, my death today is already confirmed?
"What's this big trouble you said Luna got into?"
"Keke, it's nothing serious. She nearly died due to Teron's scheme, and I splendidly saved her, that's all."
"...What exactly do you consider not a big deal?"
Caron's reaction was surprisingly calm.
Fortunately, it seemed I wouldn't be scolded too much for bringing up the main topic in such an atmosphere.
"In front of Miss Yuridia, Mr. Teron, Mr. Daike, and Miss Luna, I used One Flash."
Bang!
"Cough!"
A sudden shock applied to my body.
Though it happened in a blink of an eye, it wasn't hard to grasp what had occurred.
Caron had grabbed my collar and pushed me against the wall in one swift motion.
I couldn't help but groan, having been slammed against the wall hard enough to be plastered against it.
"Using the Lester family's secret technique in front of everyone! Are you out of your mind?"
"...Ke, keke. But if I hadn't, Miss Luna would have died."
Daike is a monster, after all.
Perhaps realizing the truth, Caron slightly loosened his grip.
"And it wasn't in front of everyone, just four people including Miss Luna. That's manageable. Without me, Miss Luna might have already..."
Either lost an arm or died.
Either scenario would have certainly led to Luna's bad ending.
Only then did Caron let go.
He knew Daike's abilities better than I did.
"...You can't win against that guy without using a big technique. Instead of playing with Luna, work on improving your skills."
"Keke, thank you for the advice. Though, I did kind of provoke that situation on purpose."
"You used One Flash deliberately?"
I nodded.
Now, with the noble society openly speculating whether the Lester family was framed.
'One of the game's storylines is that 'they' begin to erase evidence of the Lester family's existence.
With Caron's information network, he would likely know that someone was erasing traces of the Lester family.
"If they realize I exist, they'll come after me. Just being alive is troublesome enough, but showing them I can use One Flash..."
Well, in reality, it happened while trying to save Luna, but there was no need to divulge the truth.
"A strategy to approach the mastermind, huh? Risking your life over such a trivial thing. You really are audacious."
Trivial? Hardly.
Approaching 'him' is anything but trivial.
Well, it's not important right now; best to move on.
"The important thing is that the attention that might have been directed at Miss Luna is now focused on me. Isn't that right?"
"...Impudent brat."
But contrary to his words, Caron seemed quite pleased.
'I must be expendable to him. What matters to Caron is Luna.'
He would probably prefer that I die embracing the Lester family's secrets.
What exactly is Caron's relationship with the Lester family?
As before, every action Caron takes continually piques the interest of someone seasoned like me.
'If it weren't Caron, I might have forced the issue.'
But with Caron, it's a problem. Caron, the maker of bad endings.
Speaking carelessly could result in being sent flying face first.
For now, I decided to bear it and gather more information.
"That's all. If I had to mention anything else noteworthy, it would be that Miss Luna has accumulated a lot of demerit points?"
"Obviously, that would be your fault. Be more careful next time."
Unfair. What am I supposed to do about a crazy stalker who raises her hand to share demerit points with me every time I get them?
It was when I was about to ask if there was a solution to the stalker issue.
"You were right. In the Galeta region, we found traces of a fusion entity and a research facility."
"A fusion entity?"
"Yes, he calls it a 'Chimera.'"
He? Could it be...
"Do you know the one called the Creator of Madness?"
Caron's eyes gleamed menacingly.
The Creator of Madness. One of the Four Heavenly Kings and the craziest bastard on this continent.
'What? He actually met him?'
I had provided the information, but I didn't expect he had actually met him.
The Creator of Madness is known for being extremely cautious.
At most, I thought he might have disrupted the experiment to delay the Chimera's appearance or just confirmed its existence.
He didn't actually fight with the Creator of Madness, did he?
"Did you let him escape?"
"It's not that I let him; he escaped."
"Keke, that's the same thing, isn't it?"
"Not at all. You impudent brat."
Caron gritted his teeth.
Ah, I see. So there was a proper fight?
Thinking of fighting that madman after seeing him. That's not something a sane person does.
"Seeing your reaction, it seems you know. If you have any information about him, spill it."
"Did something happen?"
"...Nothing happened."
That's not the reaction of 'nothing happened.'
I was lost in thought for a moment.
'I shouldn't release too much information.'
If this opportunity could be used to eliminate one of the Four Heavenly Kings, it would be worth it.
It would change the main storyline significantly, but it's a risk worth taking.
However.
'If I reveal that I know too much about the Creator of Madness, it might arouse suspicion.'
I know everything about the Chimera, but I've been somewhat vague for that very reason.
But it's true that Caron seems to be in a tight spot.
"The Creator of Madness... It's the first time I've heard the title, but it seems to be the same person I know."
"The same person?"
"The madman who fuses demons into his body."
"...It seems likely. Have you met him?"
I shook my head.
"In fact, I don't know much. I've only heard bits and pieces from some low-level black mages."
"Tell me everything. Even if the information is wrong, it doesn't matter."
He means to filter the information himself.
Uncharacteristically, Caron seems desperate.
Normally, I'd enjoy this, but not now.
I haven't decided how much information to share.
'I need a little time.'
A difficult situation.
But there was one topic that was perfect for buying time.
I made a circle with my index finger and thumb and said,
"Keke, before that, haven't you forgotten something?"
Caron frowned.
Information fee for the Galeta region and the Chimera.
Now that my words have been proven true, he has no choice but to pay the information fee.
Caron rummaged in his pocket and pulled something out.
"Take it. This is the artifact you asked for."
Whoosh-.
I respectfully caught the artifact thrown by Caron with both hands.
My eyes widened.
It was an incredible item, enough to make my eyes pop open.
[Spirit's Breath: S]
Once per battle, it prevents an attack that would lead to death.
'Isn't this an endgame item?'
An artifact you'd only get in the final chapter.
And here it was popping out, not even at the end of the first chapter!
'Caron, you bastard! Turns out you're a good guy after all?'
It was when I was swiftly stashing it away.
"Give it to Luna."
"..."
Only then did I realize.
Caron, you bastard.
You're a lolicon, aren't you?
--TL Notes--
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