The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 192

“……!”

Taylee woke up in Dex Hall’s infirmary.

Taylee had been asleep for almost an entire day. His body, which had gone completely past his limits, was still screaming. He could barely move his stiff muscles.

“Heuk…!”

All of a sudden, Taylee stood up with his throbbing body. The scene he saw just before he lost consciousness was still vivid in his mind.

After making his way through the Elte Store, he finally reached Ed and eventually defeated him. Just before being completely subdued by Lucy, who appeared towards the end, Ayla showed up and hugged him.

As soon as he saw Ayla’s face, a sense of relief flooded his body, and he lost consciousness.

“……”

After resting for a while, he finally saw Ayla, who was down by his knees, asleep with her head buried into the bed.

She was covered in minor scratches, but there didn’t seem to be any major injuries. Sighing in relief, Taylee leaned back on the bed.

The facilities of Dex Hall were somewhat outdated, but the structure itself was rather clean.

A large window behind Ayla, who was breathing softly.

A pure white curtain fluttering on that large window.

At the warm sight of the morning breeze blowing in, Taylee felt a sense of relief.

“Thank goodness…”

After saying that, he wiped his face.

A lot had happened last night, but in the end, Ayla was able to escape safely.

After confirming that fact, he could now think about everything else that happened slowly.

“Oh. You’re awake, Taylee.”

What was the deal with the chaotic mess that took place over that long night?

Right when Taylee was about to think about it, someone called his name.

There was a boy sitting next to Taylee’s bed, holding a fruit knife.

A boy with messy hair that fell down to his shoulders, an impressive build… and someone Taylee was well acquainted with.

“Ziggs…?”

“Wait, Taylee. I’m going to show you ‘The Rabbit Apple’. A special advanced technique I learned from Elka.”

Saying that, Ziggs held onto the knife as he cut the apple carefully, like a sculptor making a piece of art.

“This is the first time I’ve been stuck from the planning stage. I’m confident wielding a knife delicately, but having the aesthetic sense to leave part of the skin and make it look like a rabbit… It’s truly an outstanding idea. You will also be surprised when you see it.”

“……”

“The first steps should be to cut it into quarters vertically… And leaving some of the skin behind to make it look as if it is the rabbit’s ears… It certainly requires an incredible aesthetic sense. This job requires an incredible amount of precision… it’s not going to be an easy fight…”

A seriousness was exuding from him as he excessively dedicated himself to cutting the apple with a cold sweat running down his face.

Taylee looked at him as he spoke, completely puzzled.

“Ziggs… What… are you doing here…?”

“It’s like it looks. I came to visit you, and Elka taught me a secret technique to cut the perfect apple in the shape of a rabbit to give you as an apology. Unfortunately, this task is much more treacherous than I imagined.”

“……”

“I’m confident in my swordsmanship, but it’s hard to imitate the series of artistic cuts that can naturally form the shape of a rabbit. Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in the savage wilds for a long time…”

“No, I mean… why are you here taking care of me…?”

Taylee tried to get rid of his puzzled expression as much as possible, but to no avail. He couldn’t look past the bizarre situation, no matter how hard he tried.

“Hm? Because we’ve known each other since we were first years… Or is it because I’m not a woman? Is that why you don’t want me to take care of you…? Taylee, I had no idea you had such boorish values.”

“That’s not it…”

“There are many cases where males live under the complete care of females in the wild. I guess this is a matter of human instincts, rather than values… Then, me showing-up here must have been too short-sighted.”

“It’s not that. Back at the Elte Store, you were clearly trying to stop me.”

After saying that, Ziggs, who had a determined expression while cutting the apple, suddenly looked as if he had finally understood.

“Oh, was that the problem? If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry too much.”

“…What?”

“I didn’t do that because I don’t care about you. What I’m trying to say is, everyone has their own circumstances, right?”

Ziggs spoke as he carefully cut the apple into quarters with his trembling hands.

“In that situation, I had no choice but to join Ed’s side. I already agreed to help him beforehand, and it seemed he had his own personal reasons.”

“There is no one in this world without a story. I even have one of my own.”

Those were the words that came out of Ed’s mouth when he had his foot on Taylee, standing in the pouring rain.

Unlike the way he imagined, that evil appearance of his after abducting Ayla and fighting against Taylee… It was much more serious and anguished than he had anticipated.

“Regardless, Ayla’s life was at risk. There’s no justification for you to take the side of someone who was going to kill her.”

“Ayla’s life was never at risk, Taylee.”

“What…?”

“In the first place, Ayla was the one who agreed to Ed’s plan… At the very least, Ayla’s life was never in danger.”

Give me proof.

Even though Taylee tried to say that, he couldn’t cough up the words.

In his final attack, Ed had jumped in the way without keeping a safe distance, taking the brunt of Taylee’s wild attack.

Ed had risked his life to protect Ayla, who was sleeping in the wooden shelter.

As a result, Ed was cut down by Taylee’s sword and ended up seriously injured.

Taylee lost his breath. He looked down at his empty hands.

With those hands of his, he almost hurt Ayla. That heavy truth began to weigh on his shoulders at once.

And the situation was the same at the Elte Store.

Aside from Clevius, who could not control his powers, no one showed bloodlust towards Taylee.

Not only Elvira, but Ziggs also fought solely with the intention of stopping Taylee. Even then, it was clearly evident that neither of them tried their hardest.

When he reached Yennekar, she only continued to watch him stand up over and over again, despite being capable of destroying him at any given moment.

Even Trayciana, who chose to not stop Taylee and instead went to rescue the employees from the collapsing Elte Store.

If they had been determined and had attacked him at once, Taylee wouldn’t have stood a chance. He remembered the way they were all slowly waiting for him to make his way through the store towards them.

Ayla Triss’ safety.

Now that the most important thing to him was secured, it was as if a wave of reason slowly started to rush through his head.

“Kaaaak!”

Ziggs suddenly let out a scream, as if he had been stabbed by a knife.

As Taylee looked up, startled, he saw the carefully cut apple peel slip away.

“Shit… it’s not symmetrical… Plus, the rabbit’s head is twisted. This… is a failure…”

“Why are you so obsessed with a rabbit shaped apple…?”

“I was just impressed with Elka’s delicate craft, and I wanted to try it myself.”

After saying that, Ziggs began to peel the skin off the apple.

“Anyway, since you’ve been lying in bed the entire day, I’m sure your body is rather stiff all over. The new semester will start soon. It’s going to be a big event that everyone has to attend, so you should lie back down for a few more hours and rest up.”

“Wait, I still need to hear more about it.”

“Yeah, I understand. That’s why I came here. I’ll tell you what happened as much as you want to hear, so let your body recover.”

Taylee and Ed.

Seeing the two of them, who were opposites—like hot and cold water. Ziggs felt mixed emotions thinking about those two.

“Ayla was also saying something strange. So, listen to Ayla and my stories first.”

Ayla was asleep with her head buried in Taylee’s lap.

Looking at Ayla’s face, Taylee shook his head as if bewildered by what Ziggs said.

* * *

Dune Grex.

After a long, long night, he thought that the power structure around the Elte Company would have completely changed.

When the sun rose on the morning of the first day of school, Dune Grex would become the new deputy director of the Elte Company’s Silvenia Branch.

Using Ed Rothstaylor as bait, Slogg, the new director of the store within Oldek, would win over the favor of Princess Persica.

Eliminating his rival, Lortel, he would reign as the ruler of the Elte Company.

Under him, Dune would become a powerful individual that would be able to control all of the money within the Elte Company.

The imperial convoy would take care of arresting Lortel, the school would stay silent under Deputy Headmistress Rachel’s orders, and none of the employees within the Elte Company would take Lortel’s side.

It was a perfect plan with hardly any variables.

All he had to do was lock Lortel up tight and hand her over to the imperial convoy. And like that, the plan would be complete.

A plan that should have gone smoothly, without any issues. On the morning of the new semester, Dune Grex would be sitting in the office of the deputy director as the new leader.

“Dune Grex.”

However, he was bound, sitting in an interrogation room within the royal residence.

“The basic investigation of the Elte Store has been completed. We have also confirmed the money located in the basement of the villa that you set up.”

“Princess Penia…!”

Tied up since that morning, Dune Grex, who was completely tied up and hadn’t even been served a meal… raised his voice as soon as he saw Princess Penia enter the interrogation room.

“Why?! Why…!”

“You bastard! How dare you raise your voice to her…!”

Some of the guards who followed Princess Penia entered, yelling at him.

“To the third princess of the Kroel Empire, Princess Penia…!”

Princess Penia, who barely used her imperial power. Ever since she came to Silvenia, she tried her best to avoid using it.

However, contrary to Dune’s information, Penia had completely taken control of Persica’s convoy, putting them under her.

Princess Penia gently raised her hand as she stopped the guard. The guard bowed his head as he stepped back.

She then sat down across from Dune as she began to speak slowly.

“I’m going to be honest with you. I don’t get along all that well with Lortel Kehelland either.”

Penia and Lortel were like water and oil.

It was a well-known fact to those who knew them.

“Still, there is no evidence that the origins of those gold coins found in the basement of her villa are illegal.”

“That can’t be…! Princess Penia! There are various documents to use as evidence to prove that! Even though the building collapsed, still…”

Dune was clearly trying to suggest something.

“Please ask Poel, who is in charge of the ledgers. Or Lienna, the chief secretary, to testify on behalf of that! They have the evidence to prove that Lortel was embezzling…!”

“Dune, I told you already. The investigation is over.”

Princess Penia’s attitude towards Dune was now cold, unlike before.

When dealing with those under her, she always listened fairly, with understanding and attentiveness… However, her attitude towards him was the complete opposite of what he had heard.

Only then did Dune notice. Princess Penia entered the interrogation room already doubting Dune.

“There is no such evidence.”

“What… Did you say…?”

He was sure he prepared everything.

He gathered key personnel to ensure that proof of her embezzlement was secured. He had planned it for several years. Something like that was the very basics.

There was no way those documents were simply lost. Dune was sure of that.

“Rather, you were the one who was stealing the store’s funds little by little, Dune.”

“…What?”

“I didn’t even have to look through all of the ledgers. I was able to find proof of it right away.”

Princess Penia shared the blood of the noble Kroel Imperial Family.

Embezzling public funds, deceiving workers… Such improper behavior was inexcusable.

Imperial power was only established through strict loyalty.

Completely different from the culture of merchants, whose embezzlements would be overlooked if they could do their job well.

In the eyes of Princess Penia, Dune had already become the worst of the worst for committing embezzlement. To her, who could easily see through other people more than anyone else, Dune’s intentions were clearly visible.

Princess Penia never trusted Dune. That fact had finally entered Dune’s mind.

“Consequently, it seems highly likely that the construction of Lortel’s villa was to hide your embezzlement. Looking at the amount there was in the basement, that seems to be the case.”

“Princess Penia!”

“Just because you say my name earnestly doesn’t mean my decision will change, Dune.”

Princess Penia no longer looked benevolent and kind as she once had. That kindness was something directed toward good and faithful people, not traitors who would commit inexcusable acts.

“This can’t be happening…! This, it has to be a trap…!”

Dune appealed to Princess Penia, desperately calling out to her.

“This is… yes. It’s Lortel Kehelland’s plan to temporarily get rid of me…! I… I’ll prove it! If I can just get in contact with the people within the Elte Company…”

“Dune.”

Saying his name in a cold, sullen voice, Dune continued to clasp his tied hands together as he desperately shouted.

“I’m not asking for help for free…! If you’re interested in competing for the throne, I am working with Princess Persica. It’s true. I can prove it!”

Those who were cornered would do everything they could to survive.

No one in the world wanted to die. Until he could accept that it was all over, he would continue to try and escape by any available means.

“You need to use me, Princess Penia! If I work for you and act as a double agent against Princess Persica, she will never know what hit her! I can’t go against you now, so please just use me as you need to!”

“……”

“It’s not a bad suggestion! I’m the perfect chess piece for you to use! This… is a chance for you, too, Princess Penia!”

If nothing happened, Dune would end up being escorted back to the imperial household. Knowing that fact, Dune had to put up his final fight there.

“I know my worth, Princess Penia. If you leave me like this, Princess Persica will cut me off and pretend she doesn’t know anything. It means nothing to her to cut off a mere merchant like me.”

“……”

“But it’s a different story if you publicize it instead! Please use me! I am your best weapon to inflict a fatal wound on Princess Persica, depending on how you use me!”

Being pushed to the edge, it was his last fight.

He pushed on the chair with his hands tied behind his back, pushing himself forward. He yelled out in complete desperation.

His offer was a perfect chance for Princess Penia if she wanted to fight for the throne. From a merchant’s point of view, his proposal was reasonable and made sense.

However, that was only from the view of a merchant.

“Dune Grex. Listen carefully.”

However, Princess Penia was completely different from the world that Dune Grex and Lortel Kehelland lived in.

Princess Penia slowly approached Dune’s ear as she whispered.

“No one would hire someone whose purpose is to betray.”

Those who sought to ascend to power through betrayal would only end up falling to the ground because of it.

Merchants who were unable to make even a single person one of their own… Those who thought of everything as a means of self-interest and transactions.

Princess Penia was a person who despised such people.

Dune stopped breathing upon seeing Princess Penia’s cold expression.

“Take him to the imperial palace.”

After her brief order, Princess Penia stood up and left the interrogation room.

Seeing that determined attitude… A feeling of despair began to slowly creep up on Dune.

* * *

Even though the Elte Store collapsed, there were still some parts that were fine.

The warehouse for storing valuables was built with a strong frame, so it was safe from the aftermath of the collapse. Many rooms on the west side of the Store were unharmed, as Taylee’s attack didn’t reach them.

That was also where the temporary office of the deputy director was. An empty office above the valuables warehouse.

A place where employees were busily moving around, carrying construction materials. Heading west, going up the outer stairs, and turning down the hallway at the end of the third floor, you could find the room.

The size of the office was much smaller compared to the original deputy director’s office, but it still had room for everything.

“You went to Trix Hall and negotiated with Deputy Headmistress Rachel overnight?”

“Well, if issues started to arise in the commercial district because of this, it would be a headache. If Rachel managed to keep in contact with Dune and try to push him as the next deputy director… That would also have been an issue.”

Lortel’s villa in the camp had also been cleaned up. Ed had also recovered his stamina somewhat after taking a break.

The recoil of the ring also started to weaken, so it didn’t seem like using magic power would be as much of an issue as before. His treatment after being cut down by Taylee was also taken care of.

Still, Ed didn’t seem to be in perfect shape, as he struggled to move his body freely. Lortel took a deep breath upon seeing him like that.

“I’m surprised you managed to convince that stubborn deputy headmistress. She’s even been giving Headmaster Obel a hard time lately.”

“Well, I’m not someone who is incapable of making deals with stubborn people at the negotiation table.”

“I heard that Dune promised to give up on the monopoly over some school supplies, as well as increasing the customs fee… So, it’s quite surprising that she would take your side, despite what he promised her.”

Ed took the bandage off his arm as he put a new one on.

“What did you promise that stubborn lady to make her take your side? And to do it all in one night, as well.”

“Well, I basically promised everything Dune had, as well. However, I also added a cherry on top.”

“Cherry?”

“Something that Silvenia Academy was desperate to have. Well, I needed to survive, so I had no choice but to make the deal.”

When Ed looked at Lortel with a puzzled look on his face, Lortel spoke with a smirk.

“The heart of Silvenia. It’ll look good when it’s back in place.”

“…You promised to return the ‘Sage’s Seal’.”

“It was a difficult proposal for her to refuse. Even for me, I had to clench my teeth and bite my lips to offer it.”

Lortel smiled as she sat down at her simple desk.

“Originally, it was an item that was intended to be re-sold to House Rothstaylor. However, since that fell apart, I should just be grateful that there was another use for it.”

“Whatever the case, the school must be ecstatic because of this.”

“Normally, the person who intervenes and mediates is the one who makes the most money. So, wherever there is a fight, there will always be a merchant.”

For the school, the seal was a symbolic treasure rather than an economic asset.

Notes about Celestial Magic that were left by the Great Sage Silvenia. That alone was the main reason Silvenia Academy wanted to get it back, regardless of the cost.

“Anyway, a large-scale opening ceremony for the new semester is scheduled in the afternoon. So, I didn’t expect you to come to the store this morning. Do you have time for this?”

“Unlike you second years, we third years don’t really have as strict a schedule. I’ll still have to show up, but I promised to go with Yennekar later.”

When Yennekar’s name was mentioned, Lortel pursed her lips.

Yennekar had an absolute advantage by being a fellow third year student with Ed.

Thus, she was in a position to accompany him to academic events, unlike Lortel, who was a year younger than him. Lortel felt a sense of distance from Ed upon remembering that fact.

Lortel looked at Ed with squinted eyes, but Ed was busy concentrating on putting pressure on his arm with the bandage.

Even after continuing to ask him who his second kiss was, Ed never revealed the fact that it was Yennekar. It didn’t seem like he was ever going to tell anyone, either.

So, what did Lortel have to do to create a romantic relationship with him?

Since he wasn’t revealing who he had kissed to Lortel, that meant he also felt a strange romantic atmosphere and tension around Lortel.

Recognizing another’s attitudes and reading their inner feelings. Lortel was more confident in doing so than anyone else.

Ed was serious towards the women around him, but that didn’t mean he treated any of them particularly like a lover.

He wasn’t someone that could clearly differentiate the sense of distance between a good female friend and a lover.

However, because he had such a tendency, it was possible that one day he would ‘suddenly come to his senses’ and end up in a relationship… Such a miraculous relationship could form.

That was good news for Lortel.

However, there was a problem.

Even though she realized all of that, what was she supposed to do? Lortel didn’t have an answer to that question.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have experience when it came to games of tug-of-war in a romantic relationship. She had never experienced such a romantic youth.

Even though she could identify counterfeit gold coins at a glance, it was difficult for her to understand the intricacies and depth of love.

However, at the moment, it wasn’t time for her to push. Rather, it was time to pull. She was confident of that fact.

Ed had put himself in a bad situation to rescue Lortel. Since he had pulled her, it was now her time to try and pull him back.

Wouldn’t he feel pleased if she were to show a sensual smile and say something romantic? And the moment she was about to try and say something with such intentions…

“Since I had some time, I came here to see you.”

Instead, it felt as if her hand had suddenly been pulled towards Ed.

“……What?”

“Weren’t most of the employees here also involved in Dune’s plans? Even if that wasn’t the case, isn’t it going to be hard to get them all under your control again?”

“Well. For me, that’s a piece of cake.”

“This isn’t an issue with your skills, but rather other mindsets.”

Ed spoke bluntly, but in reality, he was being quite considerate towards Lortel.

“You must be upset, since so many of your employees laughed behind your back and joined Dune’s side.”

“Ah, Ed. You should know, you can’t be a merchant if you’re bothered by such minor things.”

“I knew you would say that.”

“……”

Ed then disagreed with what Lortel was saying.

A devil crazy about gold coins. The greedy merchant of the Elte Company, Lortel Kehelland.

Rumors circulated around the world talking about Lortel like that.

“You said you hate being alone in a crowd.”

Something that Lortel had told him herself.

“To be honest, knowing that fact… It’s not easy for me to ignore you.”

“……”

“In short, I came to see you because I was worried about you. That’s all.”

During last night’s fiasco, Ed Rothstaylor had pulled Lortel as close to him as he could.

However, weren’t human relationships meant to be a game of push-and-pull?

When one pushed, the other pulled. And when one pulled, the other pushed. Feeling that rhythm completely break, Lortel was completely bewildered.

“B-But… Ed.”

“What?”

“It was supposed to be my time to pull…?”

“What?”

“Nevermind. What I’m trying to say is… If you keep pulling me like that, I don’t know how I’m supposed to react… I can’t keep on pushing you…”

“What the hell are you even talking about?”

Lortel hesitated as her lips trembled. She then spoke clearly.

“To be straightforward, l’m embarrassed…”

“……”

“……”

“……”

Has she ever been embarrassed before?

Ed looked at her as if thinking that question.

In fact, Ed also felt the same to some extent. But seeing Lortel’s embarrassed smile and her eyes that kept darting around… it also made him drop his guard.

Her usual strong and active attitude had suddenly broken down, and now she was acting embarrassed and flustered… In fact, seeing her act like that only made Ed more embarrassed.

She was the one who had taken the initiative to kiss and flirt with him.

She was the one who was always saying nonsense, because she was just that type of girl.

“A-Anyway… I just wanted to say thank you.”

Lortel spoke as she slammed her hand on the desk suddenly.

“Thank you, Ed. Thanks to you, I survived. It’s all because of you.”

“…Did you take care of the rest?”

“Yeah. However, there is something strange.”

Lortel spoke while tilting her head.

“Dune spent several years preparing this plan thoroughly. Collecting embezzlement money over time and then hiding it in the basement of my villa.”

“Yeah. Since he had to frame you, it must have taken some time.”

“Yet in the end, the charges Dune had against me were all dismissed. I thought for sure he would have manipulated the books to charge me as the culprit.”

The day after the incident, Lortel had already regained control of the Elte Company.

It all happened extremely quickly.

“I figured they would even open a hearing to analyze the authenticity of the ledger. But since this entire situation was settled smoothly without me needing to do anything, it’s strange.”

“Well, I have something to say about that. Actually, I came here to tell you this, as well.”

As Ed said that, the office door suddenly burst open.

At the time, no one would be willing to enter the office so recklessly. That was because the entire store was being careful of Lortel.

In particular, the employees who actively participated in Dune’s plan were unable to even breathe.

Nevertheless, the one who opened the door of the office and entered… wasn’t even an employee of the store.

“…I’m here.”

With a somewhat upset expression on her face, a girl with her neatly braided pink hair hanging down entered. The number one elementalist of Silvenia Academy.

“…Yennekar?”

As soon as she saw Lortel’s face, Yennekar inflated her cheeks. In any case, Yennekar was an ally who helped Lortel reclaim the Elte Company.

Despite her grumbling, Yennekar was one of the people Ed had asked for help.

“Uh… Uhhhhh…”

And the girl who came in alongside Yennekar… was Lortel’s head secretary, Lienna.

After tidying up her elegant red hair, she followed behind Yennekar shyly.

“……”

Lortel’s puzzled expression quickly darkened. For Lortel Kehelland, Secretary Lienna was nothing less than a traitor.

“I was late because I needed to attend the imperial investigation. My testimony was important.”

“I see. Thanks, Yennekar.”

“B-But Ed…”

Yennekar glanced at Lortel as she spoke.

“Lortel is causing you too much trouble.”

When Lortel saw Yennekar’s expression, she smiled for a moment. She had a habit of smiling when there was something difficult to deal with.

“Thank you, Yennekar. Did you personally bring over that traitor so I can punish her?”

“You really don’t know anything. Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

After escorting Secretary Lienna into the office, Yennekar took out her wand and spoke.

“Then, I’ll go out to the entrance of the store. I heard that, due to the circumstances, I’m not allowed to stay inside the store for long. However, since Ed is registered as an employee, it’s okay for him. I guess I’m the only one who’s not registered here.”

“Oh, Yennekar. I forgot to register you. Due to my negligence… I’m sorry. Next time you come, I’ll make sure to process and register you.”

Even though she smiled like that, everyone knew that the next time Yennekar came, she would still be treated like an outsider.

“Well, either way, thank you for helping me.”

She didn’t forget to add a hint of sincerity as well.

Regardless of their rivalry, she was still someone who had helped Ed in his plans to regain control of the Elte Company.

Yennekar was about to say something, but with a bothered expression on her face, she grunted and left the office. Did she feel some sort of sincerity in Lortel’s thanks?

“…So, haven’t you thought about it?”

“About what?”

“The reason I was so deeply involved in an issue with the Elte Company.”

Ed looked at Lienna, who was trembling. He told her to come sit down.

With his bandaged hands, he handed her some tea as she spoke quietly.

“It’s because there was a spy attached to Dune.”

“…What did you say?”

Ed lifted up his teacup, taking a sip, and then continued.

“Isn’t it strange that I knew you were tied up inside the store, as well as the internal structure of the entire building? I’ve only gone in and out of your office a few times, after all.”

“That’s true…”

“Not only that, but when the building was in chaos and everyone was evacuating, there was one person who was running around inside, gathering all the proof of Dune’s falsified ledgers. Who do you think that was?”

The ledgers Dune had prepared.

Hearing that, Lortel’s eyes flickered for a moment.

It wasn’t that Dune’s plan was lax.

Dune certainly had the proof to arrest Lortel on embezzlement. However, someone had gathered it all beforehand and burned it.

All while complete chaos was ensuing, and everyone else was busy trying to escape from the collapsing building.

“However, there was one person who was running around inside the building without escaping right away.”

“……”

“From the start, the first person to offer me a contract was none other than Secretary Lienna.”

While Ayla and Ed were talking at the Terrace Cafe, Secretary Lienna suddenly came to see him.

And like always, she spoke shyly.

“I’m here because of an offer regarding the Elte Company.”

While Dune had gathered the help of various employees to try and bring down Lortel,

in the eyes of that timid girl, the sight of them trying to take down Lortel… they all seemed like monsters.

“Please save Deputy Director Lortel!”

Her favor, which was also a decisive factor for gaining Ayla’s agreement with Ed’s plans… She had been on Lortel’s side from the start.

Although she was following Dune’s orders, she was still on Lortel’s side until the very end, unnoticed.

Someone who was timid and full of fear. Someone who ran away in fear just at the sight of Yennekar.

Nevertheless, that sense of righteousness of hers kept her moving.

“She’s one of your people.”

Ed took a sip of his tea as he spoke calmly.

Maybe she was just a little girl who didn’t talk much and wasn’t the best secretary. Nevertheless, until the very end, she was faithful towards Lortel.

Lortel opened her eyes wide as she looked towards Lienna.

Lienna didn’t do anything wrong, yet she still shuddered in surprise.

“Even if I didn’t take your side, this girl was always there for you, willing to save you, Lortel.”

“……”

“Did you forget the promise you made with me last winter? How could you forget, even though you came up with it?”

Ed tightened the bandage around his arm. He was satisfied after properly dressing it himself. He then stood up from his seat and looked at Lortel.

The snow that had been falling had finally stopped. Only silence remained in the forest.

In the middle of the fallen snow, with a campfire between them, Lortel spoke to Ed.

“Even if I turn everyone else in the world into my enemy, please be on my side.”

“You already have people behind you, Lortel.”

She used to live in a place where no one was on her side, always alone. But in the end, Lortel managed to overcome it on her own.

The battle to recapture the Elte Company that took place over that long, long night… No matter what happened, it would have always ended in Lortel’s victory.

He only wanted to engrave that fact into Lortel’s heart.

Ed walked over to her, putting his hand on Lortel, whose eyes were trembling. He then patted her a few times.

“Thank you, Ed. Thanks to you, I survived. It’s all because of you.”

Those words didn’t sit well with Ed.

“You survived because of the people you have gathered on your side.”

“……”

“So, don’t thank me for what happened.”

After saying that, Ed patted Lortel on her shoulder once more before turning around.

“Then, I should go and get ready to head to the third year’s opening ceremony. Yennekar is also waiting outside… So, I’ll have to take my leave first. Take care of the rest.”

“…Yes.”

“You’re going to come to the opening ceremony, right?”

“After I finish a few things.”

“Alright.”

Thud.

After saying that, Ed opened the office door and left.

* * *

“…Euh…”

Lortel, who was left alone with the timid Secretary Lienna, bowed her head in silence for a moment.

She looked down at her empty hands.

A world where you started empty-handed and ended empty-handed. She lived her life certain that on the day she died, she would be empty-handed.

Remembering the rainy streets of Oldek.

The dark alley full of vomit and wasted food.

A young girl with reddish brown hair, standing there blankly, staring at the sky.

Finding leftover bread while digging through the trash can.

Picking up the bread in both hands, she removed the moldy parts and shoved it into her mouth.

A time where she wandered without ever knowing the reason as to why she was living. That gloomy sky she looked up at still remained in her heart.

After putting the rotten bread in her mouth, all that was left was a few leftover crumbs in her empty hands.

How many years had passed since then?

Thinking that she would live the rest of her life empty-handed, only to realize one day that her hands were full.

“……”

Lortel sat across the desk for a moment as she lowered her head. She wiped her face with both hands as a faint sobbing sound was heard.

“Eh, eh…”

Lienna, who was sitting on the sofa, didn’t know what to do as she awkwardly freaked out.

Not knowing how high you’d climbed. Only after looking behind you at the scenery would you realize it.

To know what was in your hands, you first had to open your clenched fists.

After ten years, the girl who barely came to realize that simple fact… continued to weep silently.

Secretary Lienna had no choice but to tremble in her spot awkwardly.

* * *

It seems that his specs were good enough to defeat Velbrok. Taylee was stronger than I had expected.

So, in that regard, things looked hopeful. However, there were still things that needed to be done.

In preparation for Velbrok’s revival, to minimize the damage as much as possible, I needed to gather as many forces as possible.

From the Knight Templars, the Imperial Guards, the talented people within Silvenia, the mercenaries of the Elte Company, and various other powerful families within the Empire.

In order to be able to defeat Velbrok—which would end the entire story—without any casualties, we needed to mobilize all means possible.

I couldn’t let my mind wander until the very end.

With that thought in mind, I left the Elte Store.

Come to think of it… I also heard that Tanya was returning to Silvenia. There was so much for her to take care of, it seemed that she was only able to return to school right before the break was over.

I should go and see her first.

There were too many things that hadn’t been settled yet with House Rothstaylor. Though, I need to go to the opening ceremony first.

As I stepped out of the building, I saw Yennekar with her cheeks puffed up, leaning against a tree across the street. Seeing her act like that, it was clear that she was angry.

So, maybe the first thing I would need to do was make Yennekar feel better? As always, I had more work to do than I originally thought… However, I needed to thank Yennekar, who had helped me greatly.

I raised my arms as if surrendering as I headed towards Yennekar.

The weather was nice. The sky was bright blue.