1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

68. What Happened in the Adel Hall (2)

“Nothing particularly unusual. Everyone is just attending their classes, and that’s all.”

Eruzel said this while savoring oysters roasted in butter.

“Is that so? So, you’re all getting along well enough.”

The playable characters of Adel Hall seemed to have no narrative for the time being, and there appeared to be little to worry about.

As I felt a sense of relief, a thought suddenly surfaced, one I had not consciously acknowledged until now, having slipped by so naturally.

“…That’s a bit surprising.”

This fool is in Adel Hall?

To me, who had thought it would be more fitting for him to be in Burger Hall, it came as quite a shock.

It’s hard to believe, but seeing him use this dining hall makes it an undeniable truth…

“You actually made it to Adel Hall.”

“Ah, why the sudden confrontation?”

He stared blankly at me.

Thinking back, he hadn’t originally planned to enroll here either.

Since he was a variable just like me, I felt the need to take a bit more interest.

“Eruzel, how’s your academy life treating you?”

When I asked seriously, he suddenly clutched his throat as if choking, gasping for air.

“Here, water.”

He took the cup I offered and gulped it down, his eyes trembling with a chilling expression.

“Brother… why are you suddenly being so scary?”

I replied in a calm tone, spinning a plausible excuse.

“Well, you’re my little brother. It’s not strange for an older brother to take an interest in you.”

“Ugh. My stomach’s churning; stop it.”

“Even when I’m trying to be nice, look at your tone, you insolent brat.”

“Ha, I’d rather it be that way.”

Seeing him look relieved, I almost considered snatching the plate in front of him.

“But the food here is quite delightful. The variety of dishes is impressive.”

“It’s cuisine made by attendants from all over the Empire. There are many dishes different from what we had at the mansion.”

“Oh, this sharp flavor is something I’ve never tasted in the North or East.”

Thus, we chatted about trivial matters, devouring the exquisite dishes and even finishing off with dessert.

“You’ve eaten your fill. I shall take my leave now.”

“Ah, elder brother.”

“Why?”

“Please call me again when you come next time.”

“······.”

I withdrew my gaze, one that regarded him like a beggar, and exited the dining hall.

The last dessert had been quite heavy, and I found myself craving a cup of tea to cleanse my palate.

Now that I thought of it, I had heard recently that Selly had been assigned to work at this café.

Since I’m here, perhaps I should take a look around.

There are things to order, after all.

* * *

With each step, the snow clinging to my boots fell away.

A carpet that maintained its cleanliness through magic, even as dirt splattered upon it.

Leana walked through the lobby of the Adele Hall, satisfied with her new armor.

Yet, she blinked at the occasional gazes of men that brushed against her.

The woman walking beside her tossed her hair, cascading down to her shoulders, and turned her head toward Leana.

“What’s wrong? Are you bothered by the way the men are staring?”

“Um, well······.”

It felt much like when she first entered this place.

Whenever she approached, the men would hastily avert their eyes and leave as if they had never seen her.

‘It had been quiet for a while, but why now? Is it the armor they covet?’

As I pondered this inwardly, the woman chuckled softly.

“Isn’t it because of the incident where you got hurt recently?”

At her words, Leana’s shoulders drooped slightly, a hint of dejection creeping in.

“Um, Sila······.”

“Hmm?”

“Do I really not belong here?”

Sila shook her head quickly, as if flustered.

“No, no. That’s not it. I meant to say that since you were someone who was hard to approach, perhaps your injury stirred some protective instinct in them.”

“Protective?”

“Isn’t it how men are? They easily get their hearts stirred when they see a woman they want to protect.”

Leana tilted her head in confusion.

Sila looked up at her with weary eyes.

“I’ve felt it for a while now. You don’t have any men around you, do you?”

Leana shook her head vehemently.

“Not at all. I had my father, and there was the butler.”

“Oh, the butler must be an old man. And?”

“…I think there’s no one else besides those two.”

In a place so sparse of people, swinging a wooden sword, there was no chance of connection.

Even if they were to cross paths, they would only glance with interest like those men, never speaking a word.

Suddenly, a thought struck Leana, her eyes widening.

“Sila, could it be that I’m an unattractive woman?”

Sila studied Leana’s face closely, raising an eyebrow.

“No, that’s not it. Maybe it’s because your face always looks like you’re wearing an iron mask?”

“A mask?”

“Like this, with that perpetual sulky expression. Even I find it a bit scary sometimes.”

Sila mimicked Leana’s characteristic blankness, then her eyes sparkled as she gazed at the group of men chatting ahead.

“Ah, could you wait just a moment? I see a familiar face, and I’ll go say hello.”

“…Sure.”

Sila stealthily approached behind one of the men, ready to surprise him.

The man jumped, spinning around in shock.

“Ah, what the—Sila?”

“Hmph, you didn’t even greet me when I arrived. Anyway, it’s been a while.”

The man beside him asked, “Oh, a new student? Do you know her?”

“Just a relative.”

“She’s really cute.”

Sila bowed slightly in greeting.

“Hello, senior.”

“Don’t be fooled. She’s got a nasty personality beneath that cute exterior.”

Silha stomped down hard on the instep of the man she had called a relative, her heel digging in with all her might.

“Ah!”

“Don’t get all puffed up just because you’re a senior, you fool.”

Reana watched Silha return with brisk steps, lost in deep thought.

Now that she considered it, Silha got along well with everyone, regardless of gender, even among their classmates.

She seemed quite knowledgeable about relationships and men, more so than Reana herself.

…Maybe I should consult this woman.

“Were you waiting? I have a cousin who entered a year earlier.”

“Not really. But it seems you know a thing or two about men, huh?”

Silha shot her a suspicious glance.

“Still talking about men? Hmm, what’s up? You seem a bit off today…”

She leaned in closer, scrutinizing Reana’s face.

“Your expression looks a bit more lively, too.”

“…Is that so?”

“What’s this? Do you have a man on your mind?”

As Reana shook her head, Silha chuckled softly.

“Let’s see… If there’s a guy you might have a connection with, hmm.”

“There’s no such person.”

“No way. What about Hessel?”

In an instant, Reana’s gaze turned fierce, and Silha took a small step back.

“…There’s no need to glare like that.”

“Sorry, but still. I did want to consult you about that person.”

Even if he couldn’t remember, wouldn’t this woman know the reason behind the engagement that happened without consent…?

“Really? Go on, tell me.”

After a moment of hesitation, Reana finally spoke.

She explained everything, from the engagement that had been arranged without her agreement to the circumstances that prevented her from getting a response from him. Silha replied nonchalantly.

“Well, isn’t it just because you fell for him?”

“…Fell for him? We had only met once back then. We hardly exchanged many words.”

“Oh, come on. There are cases where people fall in love at first sight.”

Suddenly, something popped into Reana’s mind, and she let out an involuntary “Ah.”

In a certain knight’s autobiography, tales of love at first sight occasionally emerged.

Most often, they did not end well, however…

“It doesn’t seem that way to me. Since we arrived here, we haven’t even shown each other the slightest interest.”

“Really? That’s a bit disappointing.”

“Disappointing? What do you mean by that?”

“He’s got a handsome face, you know. And compared to his past, he seems to have calmed down quite a bit.”

Whispers of Hursel’s exploits still trickled in from the Adel district.

Rumors of him beating a classmate named Rendell, extorting money from the upperclassmen of Shulafe, and attempting to push a man named Bidon off the city walls.

Compared to his previous antics, it was a significant softening.

“If it were like before, he would have gathered those fools from Letain and caused trouble every single day, right?”

“Indeed…”

Contrary to their fears that victims would emerge daily, the frequency of incidents had stretched out considerably.

Moreover, there were no tales of him harassing women.

“Anyway, when I asked him, he said he couldn’t remember? I can’t help but think he’s just too embarrassed to admit it.”

Leana murmured, her face deep in thought, “I don’t think that’s it.”

Sila watched her, reflecting on the path they had traveled.

The men hastily turned their heads, but their faces were all blank.

“It must be terrifying to try and talk to him.”

His demeanor was as impenetrable as the armor he wore every day, and they must have heard the rumors of his engagement.

Sila tore her gaze from the men and halted her steps.

Before long, they had arrived at their destination, the café.

“Ah, to celebrate your discharge, today I’ll treat you.”

“You really don’t have to do that.”

“Enough. I spent a lot on armor this time. If you don’t want to, then you can pay next time.”

As they stepped into the café, Leana suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Sila, who had bumped her head against Leana’s waist with a soft thud, blinked back tears and asked, “What’s wrong? You can’t just stop like that.”

“That man over there…”

Sila turned to follow Leana’s pointing finger and couldn’t help but chuckle.

The blonde-headed fellow was chattering away with a tiny maid who had recently started working here.

* * *

Reana walked toward the seat where Hershel sat.

If Silah’s words held truth, she could simply ask him directly.

Perhaps by recalling the emotions he bore, memories might resurface.

Moreover, she was curious about why he had chosen to block her path in such a manner.

“Is it because you’re filling in for those who went out this time? You seem to be treating them quite well?”

“Oh, really? Well, that makes sense. The attendants must have slipped away with the graduates.”

As she approached, Selly nodded with a look of surprise.

“Oh, hello. Lady Reana.”

Hershel looked up at her with a sullen gaze.

Selly, sensing the tension, quickly grabbed a tray and retreated.

“Oh dear, look at me. I’ll just get back to work now.”

Reana looked down at Hershel, seeking his understanding.

“May I sit?”

“What if I say no?”

“I’ll speak while standing.”

“······If that’s the case, just sit.”

As he conceded with a hint of resignation, Reana took a seat and glared at Hershel.

Without preamble, she blurted out her question.

“Do you perhaps have feelings for me?”

Hershel stared at her with a vacant expression, his voice devoid of energy as he replied.

“Feelings?”

Reana squeezed her mind for a description, desperately trying to conjure the right words.

“Like, when you see me, your heart races, or you want to be together… something like that.”

It was humiliating to utter such words in front of this man, yet somehow, she managed to do it.

But Hershel remained impassive, his expression unchanged as he spoke flatly.

“So, are you asking if I’m in love with you?”

Nodding, she watched as he blinked in surprise.

“Is this yet another pointless question?”

His gaze bore into her with a seriousness that sent a shiver down her spine.

Hershel leaned in a little closer, his face hovering near hers.

A strange familiarity made Leana instinctively tilt her head back slightly.

“Indeed, you must have a headache.”

His voice dripped with a hint of pity.

For a moment, her mind went blank, but Leana clung to the threads of her consciousness.

Wasn’t it rather her place to say something in response?

“…Still, the only thing that comes to mind about your reckless engagement is that reason, nothing else?”

Hershel shook his head slightly.

“You’ve neglected your treatment, and it seems you’re at the terminal stage of princess syndrome.”

“Stop with that nonsense and answer me properly.”

“Hmm, fine. Shall I speak honestly this time as well?”

Nodding, she watched as he gestured to his armor with a finger.

“The spirit that wishes to become a knight is commendable. Those who chase their goals shine brightly enough. But this is a café. You’re the only woman who comes here in armor.”

This time, he took a sip of tea, scanning her from head to toe.

“Moreover, you spend all day clutching a sword. There’s no pretense. Training, training, and more training. Of course, preferences vary from person to person, but I’d like to respond this way.”

Hershel spoke softly, his gaze devoid of deceit, yet tinged with a truth that cut deep.

“Sorry, but you lack… the charm of a woman, as I see it.”

Huh?

“If I can forget you so easily, then the reason behind your hasty engagement must have been trivial. You’re merely wasting time on something of little importance. So, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop being such a bother.”

One of Leana’s eyes twitched in irritation.

Hershel, unfazed, stood up as if her reaction meant nothing to him.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Leana stared blankly at the spot he had just vacated.

…A deep-seated humiliation blossomed within her.

Of course, there had been moments when she thought it possible that she lacked charm as a woman.

But to hear it spoken so directly, for the first time in her life…

Especially from someone she despised so thoroughly…

‘Ah, it seems I could grow to want to kill someone I already want dead even more.’

Just as she felt an unbearable rage rising within her, Sila approached hurriedly, concern etched on her face.

“Leana, are you okay?”

—

Sila frowned as she gazed at the spot where Hershel had departed.

“That wretched b*stard. There are words a man should speak to a woman and words he should not. It seems his character remains unchanged.”

She patted Leana’s back in a gesture of encouragement, but Leana merely hung her head, staring at the armor she wore.

“Sila, is it strange for a woman to wear armor even in a place like this?”

Sila let her gaze drop, saying nothing in response.

* * *

After exiting the café, a sigh escaped her lips.

The same question, for the third time.

True to her slightly foolish nature, she asked it without a hint of concern.

Feeling a bit weary, this time she decided to raise the stakes of her remarks.

If she could teach Leana that engaging would only sour her mood, then there would be no more fatigue to endure.

She resolved to maintain this attitude toward Leana.

As I left the Adel Hall lobby, I recalled the schedule ahead.

In a few days, the class on ‘Monstrology’ would commence.

While the focus would be on ecosystems and behaviors, it was also a lecture where actual monsters would be brought in for the professors to demonstrate how to handle them.

That meant, a month later, the field practice in the Monster Realm would begin…

“Hm.”

And tomorrow marked the start of after-school activities.

The main characters would enjoy a tranquil routine for the time being, but with so much lacking in my own life, I could not afford to waste even a moment.

I needed to stay sharp.