No one could find the words after her statement.
Well, that’s understandable since a chimera is a creature that naturally cannot exist.
Basically, it’s an unstable being created by blending various species through magic and forbidden techniques, constantly on the brink of bodily collapse, and along with that, its mind deteriorates, turning it into a monster that attacks everything in sight until death.
That is what the existence of a chimera entails.
Therefore, creating a chimera is illegal in most countries, and anyone involved in researching chimera manufacturing would face severe punishment.
The general perception of a chimera by ordinary people is quite similar to how priests view undead…
In a world where the concept of human rights is scarce, it could be said to be the pinnacle of immorality.
However, the fact that such a chimera was created by a horrific method of merging human and monstrous beast was shocking enough to everyone present.
“Wait… wait wait wait.”
Kaili, who was usually skilled at hiding her emotions in front of others, looked at her with a face filled with horror.
“A chimera of humans and beasts? Is that even possible?”
“U-Um, that’s not my field of expertise, so… I don’t think I can really say anything about it…”
Of course, considering Silphier’s genius brain, it wouldn’t be that difficult to create a chimera if given enough time and budget.
But she had no reason to do so.
She wasn’t entirely absent-minded, but she certainly belonged to the category of ordinary humans in terms of way of thinking.
Creating a chimera is something only the most deeply depraved trash among the pitiful would engage in.
It would be fair to say that there was absolutely no chance she would ever dabble in chimera research.
“Hmm…”
At Silphier’s answer, Kaili let out a low groan.
Then, she sighed softly and looked at Rudell.
“If what you’re saying is true, then the one who created that chimera is a guy named Kentric, right?”
“That is correct.”
Rudell nodded at Kaili’s question.
To put it bluntly, Kentric had escaped the Royal Road.
According to Kurt, who was in charge of tracking, it seemed he used a magic scroll similar to the one Rudell previously used to escape.
It was a sort of +1 life cheat item, so for now, they could only regard the fact that he was able to use it as significant.
“We’ll look into that guy separately. If he possesses such abilities, he must have left traces of his past.”
“Understood.”
In truth, Rudell already had a vague idea about his past.
He was originally a wizard affiliated with the Empire, possessed genius abilities but was also an extreme hedonist.
He had a twisted personality that could easily trample on others’ lives for his own interests and experiments.
In fact, he had received a death sentence for kidnapping people in the imperial capital to use them as test subjects.
Approaching him while he waited to die in prison was none other than the Church of the Eaters of Death.
His tendency to use even living people as test subjects for the sake of his interests matched perfectly with their indifference toward human life for the sake of their goals.
Thus, he joined the Church of the Eaters of Death and became notorious as the world’s worst mad scientist.
Can’t say that now…
If it were known that he had such detailed knowledge about a foreign person who wasn’t even from the kingdom, anyone would surely raise suspicions.
At least until a natural timing arose, sharing information about that bastard’s past had to be postponed.
“Alright, everyone, let’s head back now. What was discussed here is absolutely confidential. Got it?”
If this matter were to leak to the outside, the repercussions would be beyond Rudell’s imagination.
The Church of the Evil God is scheming to bring their god back.
If that fact were revealed, the chaos that would spread among the public would undoubtedly be immense.
“Understood.”
“Got it.”
“Okay.”
“Y-Yes, understood…!!”
Nodding towards Kaili’s firm request, they headed towards the hallway.
*
“Rudell. Do you have something to say to me?”
“Huh? Like what?”
As Rudell walked through the hallway, he tilted his head at Leje’s question.
Had he not said something?
Excluding a few things that really shouldn’t be shared, he had laid everything out before Leje.
“Why didn’t you tell me but told them instead!? Huh!? Isn’t that too much!?”
In the next moment, with a fierce expression, Leje locked Rudell in a headlock while shouting.
“Ah! Ouch!! That hurts!!”
Struggling between Leje’s arms, Rudell let out a painful yell.
Even after that, Leje’s headlock continued for quite a while.
After a moment, once imprints had formed on Rudell’s hazelnut-colored hair, Leje finally released him.
“I really thought I was going to die…”
Rubbing his aching head, Rudell spoke in a disgruntled tone.
“That’s the punishment for hiding things. Accept it graciously.”
“Doubtful…”
Grumbling in reply, Rudell took a short sigh and opened his mouth.
“Just to say, it’s not like I deliberately omitted it. I just…”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. You didn’t want me to get involved in dangerous stuff.”
“…”
Well, she knows well enough.
Thinking that, he let out a low sigh.
“Uh, um…”
Just then, with a rattling sound and steam puffing out, Silphier began to speak.
She rarely initiated conversation, so Rudell and Leje looked at her with surprise.
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
At their reaction, Silphier spoke in a noticeably withdrawn voice, averting her gaze.
In a very typical manner, a low laugh escaped Rudell’s lips.
“What is it? Tell me. I won’t get mad.”
“What is the relationship between you two? You seem quite close for a while now…”
In response to Leje’s question, Silphier spoke cautiously.
There wasn’t much known about their relationship within the class.
It was only vaguely known that they were friends, just by being casual with each other, but no one in the class…
Well, except for Kurt, who heard from Rudell, had any idea about the relationship between Rudell and Leje.
“This guy? Childhood friend.”
“Leje and I are childhood friends.”
“Oh… I see…!!”
Rudell and Leje answered almost simultaneously, and Silphier finally nodded as if she understood the situation.
“This guy belongs to me, so just know that if you have any eye on him, you won’t be left alone.”
“Am I an object…?”
“Ah, understood…!!”
Don’t accept that.
With a sour expression, Rudell looked at Silphier.
But it seemed Leje was much scarier than Rudell, as Silphier fumbled around, visibly flustered, while answering.
Considering Silphier’s personality, that was to be expected.
In that way, the four arrived at the dormitory area…
“See you all tomorrow.”
“Mm.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow…!!”
Waving goodbye as Rudell greeted, Kurt and Silphier headed to their respective rooms.
As the two figures disappeared beyond the hallway, Leje turned to Rudell.
“What? Why?”
Rudell tilted his head at her demeanor.
At his question, Leje looked at him with a frowny face and then abruptly turned her head away.
“Nothing, then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“…? See you tomorrow.”
Somehow, she seemed mad…
Should they go out together sometime soon?
Organizing the subsequent schedule in his mind, Rudell made his way toward the dormitory.
*
“Such a fool…”
Walking through the empty hallway, she muttered to herself.
That was a statement directed at herself.
About a year ago, on a certain day.
She had resolved to become stronger.
Because the horrific scene she saw in her dream had never left her mind.
If she could become stronger than anyone in the world, she wouldn’t have to see such sights.
Right now, she was so busy with academy life that there were many more days without a sword in her hand than with it, but when she was in the duke’s territory, she trained diligently every single day.
Then, when she reached a point where there wasn’t anyone within the territory knights who could match her, she began to think.
“Isn’t this enough?”
However, that was her delusion.
The precious friend she wanted to protect was carrying far more darkness than she realized.
A colossal darkness that she could never bear on her own.
Whatever her intentions were, he had suffered a great injury while trying to bear that burden alone.
“…”
What is not enough?
What does wanting to protect mean?
She couldn’t stand how pitiful she was for not even being able to provide her friend with proper trust.
“I will become stronger… even more than now.”
As darkness gradually settled outside, she muttered this while walking through the hallway.
