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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Story (5)
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Because I didn't know who Envy would provoke, or when and where she would cause trouble.
As someone who had read Envy's novel, I couldn't help but feel tense.
However, surprisingly, time passed peacefully.
Was it because of Malik's presence? Nothing happened to Sage or Rose.
The same was true for Daisy, who was protected by Lily and Deren at the temple.
Perhaps my perspective was too narrow.
Thinking this, I began to periodically check on other important figures, not just those close to me.
Dian, as usual, told unamusing jokes to the students in the classroom.
Fran, as usual, swung his sword in a secluded training ground. It was puzzling how unbelievably his swordsmanship had improved, but as he was the protagonist of the original story, I just let it be.
These days, where peace and tension coexisted, continued for a month. While periodically checking on those around me, I also traveled all over Adenia, searching for Envy.
However, I couldn't find Envy, let alone a trace of her, and I had no choice but to live with a subtle anxiety, keeping all my senses alert everywhere.
Suddenly, a doubt crossed my mind:
perhaps Envy had left Adenia.
But that doubt didn't last long. To be precise, I realized just recently that my doubt had been unfounded.
Had the previous calm been the quiet before a storm?
The situation began to unfold rapidly.
"Son-in-law, please look after my daughter for me."
Summoned unexpectedly by the Emperor, Deren called me into his carriage before leaving.
"And... I recently received a message from that person. He's apparently coming here. It seems Envy, that woman, called him."
Deren shook a black communication orb in front of me and said that Mort, the former hero, had completely fallen and was coming here.
After parting ways with Deren, as I was racking my brain over the complicated situation, Senior Randel, who suddenly sought me out, made my head even more complex.
"An order has been issued to the organization under the name of 'Alphonse'. The day after tomorrow, they say they're attacking this place to lay the groundwork for a major revolution."
"Alphonse is dead, isn't he? No, setting that aside, does the 'Wings of Freedom' even have enough personnel to attack the academy right now?"
"All the personnel capable of such a thing died with Alphonse."
"Then what about the members around you, seniors?"
"Since there were many thorny issues, everyone decided not to follow. However, some members reportedly saw something strange."
"Something strange?"
"They saw several ghouls entering the northern forest. They pursued them, but found no trace."
Having heard Randel's unusual story, I was immediately convinced.
Envy, that woman, had finally begun to move.
In my opinion, the ghouls that entered the forest must be members of the 'Wings of Freedom' revived by Envy. Alphonse would be among them.
Feeling the need to immediately inform Dian of this fact, I parted ways with Randel and began walking toward Dian's office.
On my way to Dian's office, as I was passing by the temple, I unintentionally overheard a conversation between some paladins who were chatting excitedly, and I immediately had to stop.
"Have you heard the news, lads? The pilgrimage date has been moved up, they say."
"Huh? When is it?"
"Four days from now."
"Good heavens, this is no time to be standing around."
"Alright, everyone, let's start preparing for the journey today."
It was bad news. We hadn't even dealt with Envy yet, and Lily's 'pilgrimage' schedule had been moved up to the immediate future.
'Envy, that woman, is behind this.'
I could guess why Lily's pilgrimage had been moved up: Envy must have told Lust, the Sin of Lust who controlled the Holy Nation, to do so.
'I don't know how she knows, but...'
It seems Envy knows that I intend to follow the 'pilgrimage'.
The reason for moving up Lily's 'pilgrimage' must be to add to my confusion.
The situation was suddenly becoming tumultuous.
Honestly, I was flustered. My mind became so complicated that it caused a headache.
That was until I finished organizing my thoughts right where I stood, just moments ago.
'It's better this way, actually.'
It's true that the situation is complicated and troublesome.
But if I handle it well, it could be an opportunity to deal with not only Envy but also Mort, the former hero.
And that's not all. After dealing with them, I could immediately follow Lily's 'pilgrimage' without wasting time.
That is, if I handle it well.
****
"I know."
When I arrived at Dian's office and relayed what I had heard from Randel, Dian replied calmly.
"They leaked the information themselves. As if daring us to stop them."
"They leaked it themselves?"
"Yes. I've just come from a faculty meeting where we discussed this very matter."
"So, what did you decide to do?"
"Well, we decided to prepare. Classes will be suspended for a week, and all combat-capable professors will stay at the academy. Students will be notified separately."
Listening to Dian, I pondered.
Envy, why would that woman insist on attacking the academy, even invoking the name of the 'Wings of Freedom'? And why did she deliberately leak the information?
As I pondered, an episode from the novel Envy wrote came to mind.
In it, when the jealous female protagonist met her first love after a long time, she killed someone first.
A woman who had lingered by her first love's side, desiring more than mere camaraderie from him.
I immediately asked Dian.
"Professor, are you close with any woman lately?"
"...?"
"It would be good if she liked you, but even if not, is there any woman who spends a lot of time with you?"
"Since I'm in charge of the same grade level, I do interact frequently with Professor Kalmia, but... why do you ask?"
"Where is Professor Kalmia right now? She's in danger."
"Why would Kalmia... Ah!"
Dian, who had been expressing doubt at my question, stiffened and immediately rushed out the door, and I followed after him.
How long did we wander around the academy like that?
"..."
Ultimately, we couldn't find Professor Kalmia.
****
Kalmia, regaining consciousness, looked at the scene before her and thought.
Am I dreaming right now?
It was a reasonable thought.
Because the place where she was bound to a cross-shaped wooden board was some kind of underground tomb, and below her line of sight were hundreds of ghouls.
In addition, there was the face of an old friend, smiling contentedly as she looked at her.
"It's been a long time, Kalmia."
"Sele...tina?"
"It's quite surprising that you remember me."
Envy ran her fingers through Kalmia's hair and continued speaking.
"But I wonder why you forgot that I'm very jealous."
"What do you mean by that..."
"You little girl, stop feigning ignorance. You like my fiancé, don't you? Watching from afar, it was utterly laughable."
"I... Mmph, mmph."
Just as Kalmia was about to reply, Envy stuffed a piece of black cloth into her mouth and smiled alluringly.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you right away. And watch closely. See how I steal Dian's heart."
Envy gestured toward the ghouls and continued speaking.
"The price for your immoderate greed won't be too late to pay after that."
****
Somewhere in a forest with a magnificent waterfall.
Fran, having received a request from Narita, pondered for a long time before replying.
"I will help you. However, promise me this one thing."
With a resolute voice, clearly.
"That you will not kill anyone."
"Of course. What I desire is a reunion with my old love, not some paltry slaughter."
"And please bear this in mind: what I'm helping you with is Princess Celetina's past, not the Seven Deadly Sins. If you break your promise with me..."
Saying so, Fran stood up, gripped his sword hilt tightly, and muttered.
"Regardless of how many teachings you've given me until now, and regardless of your true intentions, I will have no choice but to cut you down."
"I promise. And thank you. For respecting my last lingering regret."
Narita smiled brightly at Fran.
What a cute guy.
Muttering that to herself inwardly.
****
Malik watched from afar as the three women ascended the mountain, muttering to himself.
"Ah, it seems I'll have to give up my own room now. Damn that junior of mine."
Malik, who had been watching Sage and Rose from a distance, had to sigh as he looked at the light-haired woman beside them.
It was understandable.
Malik was already overwhelmed and exhausted just by living with Sage and Rose, and now, on top of that, this woman named Daisy had also decided to stay at his house for the time being.
Although he hadn't spoken with her yet, Malik, watching Daisy from afar, immediately realized.
Given that she bickered with Rose and subtly threw sarcastic remarks at Sage, that girl clearly had quite a strong personality.
Malik fervently prayed inwardly. He didn't mind sleeping on the floor, but he hoped his rank wouldn't plummet to the ground.
"...?"
Malik, who had been praying inwardly, tilted his head and looked curiously at a man approaching him.
A chillingly billowing black robe,
Dull skin visible beneath a deeply pulled-down hood,
And potent demonic energy, tingling through his very bones.
Dangerous. Thinking this, Malik moved his hand to his waist and spoke in a calm tone.
"Ah, I think I know who you are."
"..."
"The hero who fell, the pathetic excuse for a human. That's you, isn't it?"
With those words.
The man in the robe and Malik simultaneously drew their swords and began to clash.