NOVEL NEXT Chapter 54
“Eliaernes.”
“…You were able to move with a light that isn’t ordinary, like the light of a signal flare?”
“That’s right. My ideation is quite impressive and annoying.”
I almost said, “It seems so.” but I managed to hold back.
“What brings you to such a dangerous place?”
“I came because it’s dangerous.”
“If you had just stayed inside the Academy, you would have been safe.”
Fabiana shook her head.
“Correction. I came here because my sister is in danger.”
“It seems you care a lot for the Second Princess.”
“Of course, she’s my blood sister.”
“The Second Princess doesn’t seem to like it, though.”
“That statement just now could get you executed for royal defamation.”
“I will correct myself.”
“It’s alright. I’m standing here as a student of Karela Academy.”
If that’s the case, why bring up royal defamation?
I narrowed my eyes and glared at Fabiana.
“When you call yourself ‘Senior Fabiana,’ are you implying you have something to ask of me?”
“I really like your quick judgment. That’s right. I have something to ask of you, and that’s why I’m here as a student.”
“If it’s about killing Silina, I’ll decline.”
Fabiana’s eyes went wide.
She looked like a puppy scolded by its owner. No, maybe more like a wolf?
“…Do I… look like that?”
“No, it’s… not that. Just thought I’d check.”
“Hmm… I see. It’s understandable… yeah, it can be misinterpreted. There’s been so much bloodshed during this succession fight. But my request isn’t anything like that.”
Fabiana clenched her fist, biting her lip.
I couldn’t have imagined she would wear such an anxious expression as she approached me.
“Eliaernes. You know how to enter the labyrinth, right?”
“…I don’t know.”
“If you did know, please help me with my request.”
I felt awkward at her earnest expression, scratching my cheek as I asked.
“Why do you think I could enter the labyrinth?”
“A person of your caliber wouldn’t be wandering around here for no reason. So I had questions. I had questions, so I summoned someone to look around the Academy.”
“…Isn’t that abuse of power?”
A snicker escaped from Fabiana as she ignored my question and continued.
“I heard that your knight, Yurasia Espirot, who was always by your side and made you angry, went out of the Academy and never returned. From that, I deduced that Yurasia Espirot is stuck in the Arant Museum, within the labyrinth. So you will go to save her. Just like during the training grounds, you’ll charge in without thinking.”
I didn’t just charge in without thinking.
I thought and acted thoroughly.
And ‘charge in’?
There’s no one more calculative and rational than me.
Your judgment is lacking.
“But here you are, loitering right in front of the labyrinth. That means you must know how to save Yurasia. In other words, you must know how to enter the labyrinth.”
“…Hmm.”
“And through the process of coming here, you learned from someone that Silina is also trapped in the labyrinth. You would guess there’s something going on inside the Academy and the royal family. So you must have tried to sneak in.”
Hearing Fabiana’s rapid-fire reasoning, no, conviction, I couldn’t help but admire it.
She was no ordinary kid.
But.
“How did you know I was here?”
With my silence and occlusion, and even wearing Stella’s hood to cover my hair, how did she figure it out?
“The student council secretary has good eyesight.”
Just like Adelia, it seems the student council secretary also has good eyesight.
What kind of people are these? Do they all have good eyesight?
What a surprise.
“Am I right?”
“…Think what you will.”
“Alright. I’ll think and judge as I like.”
Chuckle-chuckle— Fabiana took another step toward me.
“Eliaernes. Please, can you take me into the labyrinth?”
“Fabiana… Senior, do you really need to go in?”
“I’m very strong. As you know, I’ve reached the 6th Rank. I can use strong magic and ideation. Though my power is bound to the Academy, I’d be much better than most commoners.”
“Yes, I know that, but… um… why are you appealing to me? I’m ranked much lower than the princess.”
“True, your rank is lower than mine, but I believe you can do more than I can.”
“More confidence again.”
“Sorry, but I can’t explain this deduction. It’s… yeah, my intuition.”
Intuition.
It really is a ridiculous reason.
But I could trust Fabiana’s words.
There’s something unique about the blood of royalty, especially in terms of power.
And this ‘intuition’ is a typical ability of royal blood.
It was the same 400 years ago.
The Emperor back then knew and felt more than others. That’s why he was fearful, a dog, a loser, and a commoner.
Looking at this, it seems Fabiana has inherited that royal blood.
Then.
“Can I ask you one thing?”
“Feel free.”
“I’m not trying to be cheeky, but just in case something happens inside. I’m asking just in case.”
“Skip the preface and get to the point.”
“Fabiana, are you stronger than Silina?”
Fabiana’s lips, about to answer immediately, slowly closed. She tilted her head and glared at me.
“Power?”
“…Yes.”
“I don’t know what you’re hoping to find out with this answer, but I’m stronger than Silina. She can’t compare.”
“Then, well… could you overlook a minor accident?”
“If someone kills, I can make that person non-existent from the start. If they’re a noble, I can uproot their entire family.”
“Do you have a lot of money?”
“I could probably buy a small frontier nation with my personal funds.”
“Let’s go.”
Fabiana, who had been silently observing me with a look trying to comprehend the intent behind my question, nodded reluctantly.
“Oh, and let’s make one promise.”
“Anything.”
“Whatever I see, hear, or realize inside… I can’t forget, so please keep it a secret.”
As my words finished, Fabiana placed her hand over her chest.
Then she quietly recited,
“I, Fabiana de Herman, swear under the sky of the illustrious Yurpia, with my mana. Fabiana de Herman will keep silent about everything she sees, hears, and realizes within the labyrinth.”
And then, whoosh—! A brilliant platinum magic surged and settled within Fabiana’s heart.
“Done?”
Damn. That’s intense.
“…Impressive.”
“Good. Now let’s go.”
Fabiana, removing the hood covering her head, handed me a signal flare.
“First, I’ll draw the attention of the Knight Order and Royal Guard. During that time, you find a way to shoot off this signal flare. Then I’ll come right over.”
“Understood.”
As Fabiana walked past me, she suddenly stopped, turning around.
Her brilliantly shining platinum eyes stared at me.
I looked back at her.
Soon after, she smiled—her sharp gaze softened.
“Eliaernes. I will never forget this. Really, thank you so much.”
“…I’ll accept all thanks once everything is done.”
“Cough cough. Right. Sounds good.”
Chuckle-chuckle— Fabiana continued to walk away.
I sighed softly as I watched Fabiana moving further away.
At first, I wanted to overpower Fabiana and go alone, but I felt that doing so would genuinely frustrate my father, so I couldn’t.
And if, as Fabiana said, she has some power, money, and a strong sense of secrecy…
If she can swear like that with mana…
It doesn’t seem like my actions in the future will be hindered. Rather, they might even help.
Furthermore, if I leave a debt to a person like the First Princess, I believe it will be a considerable benefit in the future.
“Still… it feels a bit uneasy.”
Just a few days ago, I vowed never to be involved with the royal family.
I promised I wouldn’t brush against them even a little.
But here I am, already entangled so deeply.
…What if I just run away to the Demon Realm right after graduation?
As those thoughts crossed my mind…
“Damn you! Haven’t you found the way in yet?! This won’t do. I’m going to personally slaughter each and every one of you right here before I sleep!! Step up, you bastards!!”
Fabiana’s crazy act began.
…Or is she just being serious?
*
“Wait a moment. Please wait here.”
“…Why?”
Yurasia, swallowing hard, gripped the hilt of her sword with trembling hands.
“On the other side of this… there seems to be a presence that isn’t a monster.”
“A different presence?”
Yurasia’s tiny voice reached Silina’s ear, avoiding the tired people lined up behind her.
“…I think there’s a Mage.”
Dark Mages are those who accept the magic of demons.
However, it’s not just Mages who can accept magic.
Humans who are not Mages can also do it.
In general, they are called Mages.
The difference between Mages and Dark Mages is clear.
While Dark Mages draw upon demon magic to cast spells, Mages take in the magic directly into their bodies. Thus, their appearances differ.
They transform into ambiguous forms that straddle the line between human and demon.
Therefore, their physical abilities are enhanced.
They can engage in close combat, and if they have directly received magic from a high-ranking demon or a Legion Commander, they can use the abilities that they wield.
That means they can utilize both close combat and magic.
However, that doesn’t mean they are unbeatable.
As they are using their own power rather than borrowed strength, the level of power varies greatly among Mages.
But they are certainly stronger than humans.
At least a 5th Rank.
That is a Mage.
And right now, a Mage is just beyond this thin wall.
“First, we should move the people back.”
“…Okay.”
Knowing the strength of Mages, Silina nodded slightly and turned her back.
At that moment.
Thump—
“…Huh?”
Yurasia pushed Silina’s back.
And then.
Swish—
The dagger swung by Silina’s guard, which had just been in the place where Silina stood, was aimed at Yurasia.