NOVEL NEXT Chapter 168
Even without money, is it that I have the fortune to eat? Stella arrived just as we finished preparing lunch.
While we were eating together, Stella mentioned that we lost the wagon in the fourth ambush and half of our supplies in the fifth attack.
Well, losing half is a problem, but not for me because the supplies Stella entrusted to me are all still with me.
Not only that, but Stella packed horrifically large amounts of supplies as if she were going off to war. If we distribute them well and save, the five of us could easily last a fortnight.
By the way, I recognized it from a distance, but seeing it up close, the change is quite significant.
The mana wasted on using magic has considerably decreased, and the maintenance has improved. Maybe it’s because I’m putting the lessons learned from the Flame Sovereign to good use, or perhaps I could do this much with just a little training.
Nevertheless, since meeting the Flame Sovereign, I can say my growth has been quite substantial. My stake in Stella as a person keeps increasing over time. At this rate, I feel like I might even take her human rights before long.
What a wonderful flow.
“…Why are you looking at me like a piece of merchandise?”
“The sunset is dazzling.”
“Don’t lie. I saw that strange look you had on your face just a moment ago.”
Lately, she has been quick on the uptake. She notices my changes far too quickly.
“How did you see the awkward look for just a second?”
“Well, um… that’s… profit! I don’t know!”
“Oh ho.”
“Ughhh!”
Hmph! I turned away, pinching Stella hard in the side and stood up.
“Grrr… I feel like I’ve been stabbed with a knife…”
“Hmm? Where are you going?”
Mumbling—Yurasia, who was busy munching on the buttered grilled squid she had brought, stood up.
“I’ll go alone.”
“Where to?”
“To take care of business.”
“Ah… Young lady! That’s a bit… um, you should say it quietly… or, like, something like ‘I’m going to pick flowers’? Something like that…! There’s a lot of ears listening here…!”
“What are they gonna do about it?”
“Still…! But, is there no separate bathroom?”
“Of course not.”
“…Then what do we do?”
“What do you mean, what to do?”
Thump—I pointed at the shovel hanging from my waist.
“A shovel? What for?”
Yurasia tilted her head, confused.
“If you dig with this, that becomes a bathroom.”
“Oh my…”
Yurasia covered her mouth in shock. Behind her, Pina, who was puffing up her cheeks, let out a cascade of walnuts, while Stella, holding her sides and squirming, wore an expression of disbelief.
Girls who have never experienced such a thing must find a bathroom the most horrifying.
Not just these three girls, but probably half of the first years would feel that way.
Of course, I’m used to it. And I’m not really going to do my business.
“It’s better to go on time than hold it in and have an accident.”
Yet, I laughed and teased the kids as I turned around and walked away.
*
I strolled slowly down the path covered by the sunset.
It was warm but not suffocating. Many bugs were buzzing around, but the breeze blowing between the dense trees and the giant mountains felt quite refreshing.
I was full and enjoyed the fresh scent of the forest. The sound of leaves rustling in the gentle breeze was pleasing, and the shimmering scenery they created in the shade was quite nice to look at.
So, is that why I’m in a good mood? No, that’s not it.
“How did you know I called for you?”
“Well, if you watch so openly, how could I not know?”
“The other students don’t seem to notice at all.”
“I’m not included in those ‘other students,’ am I?”
Adelia Baros. She smiled with her crimson eyes crinkling.
“True.”
“So, why did you call me out to this secluded place?”
“Honestly, I expected Lady Eliaernes wouldn’t come.”
Adelia tilted her head.
“Has your opinion of me changed a little? Or…”
A seductive tongue licked the corner of her mouth, which was curled into a smile just like her eyes.
“Are you calculating that if I put my hands on Lady Eliaernes now, she’d be able to resist?”
“Neither, really.”
“If it’s neither, then?”
“Hmmm… I don’t know. It feels weird to say it. No matter how rude and arrogant I am, I would never say I’m going to rip a professor’s throat out or gut them.”
“Oh my… Hehehe, then… well, yes. I am a bit curious, but I’ll bury the questions since I probably won’t have a chance to confirm them in the future.”
With a still cheeky smile, Adelia pointed to the back.
“There’s a lovely spot over there. It’s a beautiful field covered in the sunset, filled with blooming wildflowers. What do you think, shall we go together?”
“Let’s go.”
Upon hearing my answer, Adelia’s eyes widened in surprise, and she beamed.
“You’re really obedient today, huh?”
“I have something to ask, and I thought I could get you to answer if I did well.”
“Ahaha! I see. Then I must make sure to answer so Lady Eliaernes will not be disappointed.”
Even knowing what I might ask, she pretended not to know, and it seemed like she wanted me to ask while offering this particular bargain.
That’s how she always operates.
She deliberately provokes me, wiggling her tail until I take the bait, and when I eventually ask, she places some sort of demand on me.
Of course, those demands, like asking to go to a field, are trivial, light things, or ordinary requests that a student and a professor might make, or… things that families might do together.
Still, it feels bad.
I feel unpleasant that I can’t read her intentions, and though I can’t shake the notion that there’s nothing ulterior, it makes me feel even worse.
I especially detest the sensation of being maneuvered as the Dark Mage’s puppet.
Considering that I can’t read her mind, she’s the most cryptic Dark Mage I’ve encountered in both this life and the last.
In truth, if Adelia’s actions were free of schemes and simply stemmed from a pure kindness, then sure, there’s no problem in understanding every action and word.
But the gaze still felt present.
Eyes, subtle magic, mana, and illusions that occasionally surged into conversation. Each of those tidbits kept me tethered to suspicion.
Most decisively, I’ve experienced hell four hundred years ago.
I have witnessed what Dark Mages can do when they receive a single command from their master, with wide-open eyes.
So, I simply cannot like Dark Mages.
“Did you enjoy lunch?”
“I ate lunch and pigged out on dessert until the sunset, so it would’ve been a lovely meal, but it seems I couldn’t enjoy it fully because of someone’s gaze.”
“‘Pigging out’? Don’t demean yourself like that.”
“I’m not doing this for the first time! Why don’t you just let it be?”
“It’s not the first time, which is precisely why I’m always trying to correct it. It’s upsetting when such a lovely girl like Lady Eliaernes uses those harsh words.”
“There’s plenty to be upset about.”
“There’s hardly any. I’m only upset about Lady Eliaernes doing that.”
I briefly stopped walking and looked at Adelia.
While humming a tune, she paused, tilting her head.
“Are your legs hurting? Would you like a piggyback?”
“Why are you even asking that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Because I like Lady Eliaernes, right?”
“I just don’t get it. You were kind to me from the very first day of school, weren’t you? Why? You’re still like that now. As I see it, my behavior is rude. Yet, you’ve never gotten angry. Why?”
“It’s because I like Lady Eliaernes.”
“Hah.”
If it were someone like the Flame Sovereign, Leona, or others… Yurasia, Stella, Pina, Fabiana, Silina. Sara and Uncle Kerian who remained in the principality. My Mom and Dad.
If any of those people had said something like this, I wouldn’t mind. I might even smile a little.
But a Dark Mage saying this?
The ultimate Dark Mage at that, the future master of the ominous Black Tower that emerged in the last four hundred years, telling me she likes me?
“I dislike you.”
“Why does Lady Eliaernes dislike me?”
“Because you’re a Dark Mage.”
“Why do you dislike Dark Mages?”
“Because you’re Dark Mages too.”
“Do you hate all Dark Mages, loathe them, and wish ill upon them?”
“It’s not just Dark Mages. I detest all magic.”
Adelia made a strange expression for a moment but then resumed her bright smile.
“That’s really, really upsetting, but… I’ll work hard so that at least you can like me!”
“No matter what, my thoughts won’t change.”
“Even if your thoughts don’t change, you never know how a human heart can be.”
“I’m different.”
“Is that so?”
I gritted my teeth and glared at Adelia, but she just smiled as if delighted by my gaze.
“Just a bit further ahead, there’s a field. So, would you like me to carry you?”
I briefly considered if I should carry her and then snap her neck. However, that human wouldn’t die in such a trivial manner, so I quickly abandoned the thought.
“What about a princess carry?”
“Why not just kill yourself instead?”
“Hey! Bad words are prohibited!”
*
Just as Adelia said, the field she led me to was indeed nice.
Well, I’m not one to enjoy good views or pretty flowers, but this field was worth a compliment.
“It’s wide and refreshing to look at, right? Moreover, the sunset’s colors add even more to the atmosphere.”
Adelia smiled brightly at the entrance of the field.
“Now then… since Lady Eliaernes has obliged my request, it’s my turn to heed yours, right?”
“Why are you so closely watching Yurasia?”
Without unnecessary delay, I asked straight away.
“It’s not watching over her.”
Unfazed by my tone, Adelia answered calmly.
“I’m keeping an eye on her for her protection.”
“Protection?”
“Isn’t it common for a professor to watch over a student in their class?”
“That’s not wrong, but I’m already with Yurasia, so I don’t need your help.”
“Really?”
Adelia’s crimson eyes sparkled.
“Are you sure you can keep Lady Yurasia by your side for life, no matter what happens?”