I Became the Daughter of the Academy’s Villain

<728 – A Peaceful Day (8)>

Ishtar, who was eavesdropping on the conversation between Avalon and Darknodi, found their discussion truly shocking.

“How can a cradle be a cradle? It is a cradle because it gently wraps a child in a comfort that sways but does not move. This is a perfect place for you, so do not be sad.”

(Your use has ended. Return to the Foundation’s prison and face the isolation procedures of the comfortable facility like a cradle.)

“If you keep crying like this, won’t I look like the bad one? Do you plan to regard me as an existence that lived in a place unable to save you, as I stayed in a cradle?”

(I am the ‘second masterpiece’ created in the Foundation’s laboratory. Now that I’m here, you are no longer needed.)

“I apologize, I’m so sorry… This sudden news is just too much…”

(I want to live. Please save me… whines. I don’t want to be dragged back to the Foundation like this. sniffles.)

“Your sorrow does not fade, and it wounds my pride. Listen well, my cradle boasted extraordinary defense, capable of perfectly warding off intruders for centuries. No king’s stronghold on earth could surpass it.”

(It’s too late to cry. You’re screwed. The Foundation’s most crucial containment facility is so strict that even a warrior immersed in the Emperor’s power cannot breach it. Even with the Empire’s might, do not think you can see the sun again. Give up all hope and be dragged away quietly.)

“Stop!”

(Your life now belongs to the Foundation, so how can you believe you can die on your own terms?)

“All I need to do is disappear, right? At least I should be able to choose how to disappear…”

(I’m terrified of being dragged back to the Foundation. I’d rather die in the outside world that I love.)

“Why are you so temperamental? Didn’t the original create you as a substitute for me, so why live any longer?”

(I don’t really know, but it’s definitely a harsh statement.)

Ishtar, who had been secretly listening, felt the wall she was gripping warp like a hand.

The Academy’s facility, which should have self-repaired, was damaged due to the high-density mana following Ishtar’s rage.

Of course, she was furious.

Look at what they’re doing.

The ‘replacement’ sent by the Foundation, a Darknodi, showed such cruelty that even that delicate child’s tears didn’t make them reveal a sliver of compassion.

“Now, sniff! Calm down a bit. sniff!”

(Surrender quietly to the anesthesia. Close your eyes for a while, and when you wake up… you will return to where you belong.)

She could no longer bear it.

This was her limit.

“You trash of a woman, get away from Darknodi right now!”

It was foolish for her to treat the unknown Titosso, who emitted light like a lamp, as harmless and let Darknodi have contact with it.

If she had known it would come to this, she should have stopped Darknodi from meeting Titosso, even if it meant straining herself.

Taking away what should have stolen her hope for living.

Isn’t this essentially a suicide order?

A suicide order would be better.

Ending a life means no more despair left.

How could they take everything from her and yet leave her life intact? How is that different from being a lab rat confined to a cage just to recover experimental data!?

“Right, now I understand. The Foundation, the Foundation, that damn Foundation!! What you do is ultimately this kind of thing. I was foolish to think it might be different for Darknodi, even for a moment. I will never trust you again. I won’t entrust this child to you. You’re the worst organization!!”

She understood everything.

Professor Weird was another spy colluding with the Foundation.

Avalon was the substitute for Darknodi sent by the Foundation.

The Director believed Darknodi had outlived its usefulness.

That kind of thing isn’t even what a father is.

A father cannot send a command that brings his own daughter despair worse than death.

This isn’t family.

Of course, Avalon must feel wronged, Professor Weird must feel wronged, and the Director must feel wronged too.

Avalon only showed kindness to a substitute, Weird simply found an interesting apprentice, and the Director was just lost in thoughts about how to reveal his power by launching a nuclear attack on some country while diligently developing nuclear weapons – but how could this be a terrible conspiracy!?

Of course, Ishtar doesn’t know that.

Thus, Avalon felt a rightful grievance, and Ishtar was engulfed in justifiable rage.

In the face of everyone’s justified battles, Darknodi was besieged by overwhelming guilt.

‘No.’

Ishtar is fighting for me.

For a me that isn’t real!

“Haah. I’ll retreat for today, but remember that no matter how obstinate you are, the place that child will return to has already been decided. If it doesn’t end at my line, then dire next steps will surely follow.”

Avalon was the first to retreat, yet to Darknodi’s ears, it sounded like an obvious threat.

Avalon’s gaze shifted toward her and then, after a slight pause, toward Ishtar.

The meaning was clear.

‘They’re trying to kill Ishtar…’

The replacement of the warrior Ishtar representing the Era of Peace had already appeared in the Academy.

The warrior Astarot representing the Era of War.

As long as he is here, Ishtar is nothing but a ‘dummy’ with lower potential, of no consequence even if she were to disappear.

Just like her original dummy self.

Ishtar is just like her.

Even if they share the same end, that cannot happen.

-It’s a [Time of Peace] magic that makes you feel better.

-…I feel a sense of betrayal.

The kind warrior who calmed me, embracing my wicked self.

-Back when I wasn’t used to magic and lacked mana, this was a story I could never have dreamed of. Back when I traveled as a warrior alongside my childhood friend Yufi, I used to calm my hair like this every night.

-But it becomes a mess upon waking?

-When I opened my eyes in the morning, another hard day would begin. It was during sleepless nights, when I could hear Yufi sleeping soundly, that I found sleep come to me.

Sharing tales of old that even the original Darknodi wouldn’t know, the special warrior was building memories for just the two of them.

-When I’m worried about tomorrow, I close my eyes and imagine. A me better than today.

-…

-I can’t always be better than yesterday, but sometimes it might be possible. A me better than yesterday.

A new event just for me.

A warrior just for me.

-As long as you remain like this, you seem like such an angel.

In front of this person, I want to be an angel.

I don’t want to disappoint the expectations.

That special friend just for me.

“Alright, Darknodi. I will protect you.”

“Stop!”

So don’t call me by that name.

I’m not Darknodi.

“I’m not real. I’m just a fake. I’m not the child everyone wants.”

“Darknodi…”

But to you, in the end, I will only be Darknodi, right?

It hurts.

Honestly, it feels like I’ve been struck in the chest.

Thus, Ishtar became all the more special to me.

An invaluable bond I cannot afford to lose.

A treasure just for me.

Even if Ishtar looks at others through me, I only gaze directly at Ishtar.

So do Jonnas, Reap, and the friends.

The bonds I’ve built are mine alone.

I won’t share them with the original.

“So it’s alright not to stop me. I’ve made my decision to leave.”

“Shut your trashy mouth! What you have to be responsible for after giving birth is the responsibility of raising, but what gives anyone the right to take your life! That’s not even what being a parent is!”

This selfish outcry struck Darknodi like thunder and sent shockwaves.

Could anything compare to this electrifying shock tearing through from the crown of her head?

‘Not a parent…?’

Are you saying Darknodi is not my parent, but recognizing me…?

Truly, a warrior.

The one who noticed my true identity is still protecting me from harm!

That kindness is so very warrior-like.

That clumsiness is incredibly warrior-like.

Even if not as perfect as Ishtarot, and even if not cold-hearted, I genuinely found solace in Ishtar’s shortcomings.

‘So even more, thus…’

If this continues, Ishtar may face Darknodi’s wrath.

Indeed, I must leave.

“I had a wonderful time these past few days. I couldn’t help but think how much better it would have been if we had had this kind of relationship earlier.”

“Why do you keep saying farewell! I won’t let you go! I won’t!”

“The twin tails were nice. It’s a hairstyle I tried before, but having it done by someone else felt much more natural.”

My will manifested in dark mana instinctively made Ishtar step back as she attempted to approach me.

As she took a step back, Ishtar’s face began to fill with anger.

It was anger directed at her own instincts as a warrior.

“Goodbye.”

“DARKNODI!!”

Glancing back at Ishtar, who was charging through the dark mana toward the dimensional gateway, I crossed halfway through.

Just as I thought, so dignified.

Darknodi crossed through the gate while imprinting the final memory in her mind.

Clang!

The gateway did not accept Ishtar, who arrived late, pushing through the dark mana.

Unlike Darknodi, who indiscriminately slayed the wicked beings of the Underworld and amassed low-quality dark mana, Darknodi’s total mana far surpassed Darknodi’s.

This meant that the strength of the dimensional gateway and its rejection of the warrior far exceeded Ishtar’s perception.

Clang!

The holy sword rolled across the ground.

The warrior kneeled.

Tears would not stop flowing.

The warrior of the Era of Peace lost her own peace.

A long day, a peaceful day, came to an end.

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