The delicious aroma of soup simmering permeated Sellafi Black House.
– So, Rev suits Lily. It’s Lily’s.
At Lily’s remark, a rather uncomfortable silence hung in the air.
In particular, Aria and Yeriel were quite flustered by the situation.
Lily’s comment that “Selena lacks the courage to express her feelings” applied to them as well, and more shockingly, it was surprising that even Selena, who always acted indifferent, had feelings for Rev.
“Ah…”
Seeing her flushed elf ears confirmed that this was no lie.
– Clap.
At that moment, Selena clapped her hands and smiled sweetly.
“You’re right, Lily. You go well with Rev.”
“…Ahem!”
When Selena cheerfully admitted it, Lily was momentarily taken aback but soon made a peace sign in acknowledgment.
Then Selena took a sip of her tea and spoke slowly.
“Just like a guardian and a kid.”
“What…?!”
“Until now, Lily has been acting like an adult, as if she didn’t need Rev’s help, right?”
“…!”
“But now, it seems like you can’t do anything without Rev, like a kid?”
“Oh, no~?”
As Lily whistled and tried to dodge, Selena maintained eye contact and said.
“Ever since Rev returned, you’ve been babbling in a babyish voice… whining like a child…”
“Ugh…!”
“What to do? If you don’t do that, Rev won’t show you any interest…”
“No!!”
As Lily screamed, trying to deny it, Selena rested her chin on her hand and laughed leisurely.
“In the end, Lily turned out to be the naughty one. Using Rev’s kindness to monopolize his attention… Such a coward. Such a cowardly child.”
“……Hic.”
With her head bowed under the table, Lily began to hold back her tears.
“Selena, that was too much…”
As Yeriel handed a tissue to Lily, Selena asked in disbelief.
“Why? Aren’t you guys also thinking the same things inside? Shouldn’t you be thanking me instead?”
“…!”
“And the reason Lily became dependent on Rev is partly your fault, right?”
“Yes?”
As Aria answered on behalf of Lily, Selena crossed her arms and began explaining one by one.
“Think back on the times when Rev was in danger; it was all to save you guys, wasn’t it?”
“…”
During dungeon practical lessons, at the festival, during the sorting test…
“…”
When the two of them fell silent, engulfed in guilt, Selena delivered the final blow.
“Especially you, Aria Bluebell, I told you that it wasn’t good for me to approach Rev, didn’t I?”
“That was…! You suspected Rev the whole time, so you said that, right?!”
“Well, anyway, isn’t it because you showed continuous interest in Rev that this all happened?”
“!!”
The fact that Aria had stabbed Rev and tried to kill him was a clear trauma.
“I’m sorry…”
Having not properly apologized to Rev, it was only natural for her to feel guilt whenever she saw his face.
Seeing Aria’s tense expression, Yeriel stepped in.
“Selena, this is the dormitory. Conflicts among students aren’t good. Let’s not fight over this… You’ve gone too far this time.”
Selena still crossed her arms, challenging her to refute.
“Of course, it’s undeniable that Aria and I put Rev in danger…”
“You seem to be aware of that?”
“So, I only feel gratitude and guilt towards Rev…”
“If you know that well, how about keeping your distance from Rev from now on?”
Despite Selena’s snide remark, Yeriel spoke calmly without emotional upheaval.
“…But, this is also something Rev chose. The fact that he’s gone this far for me and Aria means… he might have some interest in us…”
“What…?! You’re actually saying that…!”
“Are you feeling envious, Selena?”
“…!”
“Since you had the least connection with Rev here… it’s understandable that you’re feeling anxious.”
– Creeeak!
“Yeriel Artina…!”
Selena growled and stood up.
Her feelings had been completely exposed.
In contrast, Yeriel calmly finished her statement.
“So… let’s not fight over something trivial like this…? In the end, it’s Rev’s choice…”
-……
At her somewhat sad remark, Lily’s sobbing also ceased.
It was just as she said.
What mattered most was Rev’s true feelings, who he liked.
Thus, all four of them resolved with similar determination.
‘It’s crucial to convey my feelings to Rev first. Next… that comes later.’
‘Yes, yes… Hwangdo, Rev definitely said he likes me…’
‘He’s the man who said he’d die for me, right? And Wind Archery too. Unfortunately, Rev’s interest in me is sufficient.’
‘If he sees Lily’s summoned creature, he might think I’ve matured…!’
Player Victory.
Now that the competitor had solidified, realizing there was little time left, they had to use their respective advantages.
*
On my way back to the Black House, I contemplated the identity of the Demon King.
In the fanfic, Hwanseangaka, how would the Demon King’s prelude be narrated?
The last scene I saw was Edwin left behind, while Caeran took the non-core heroines and defeated a Great Demon.
In Hwanseangaka, the Demon King didn’t even show his face.
Then conversely, let’s consider the game Hwanseangyongsa, where Edwin reincarnated as a player.
Here, the final boss, the Demon King, wears pitch-black armor and a mask covering his entire face, making it difficult to identify him.
If I were to recall one thing, it would be that he had wild red hair growing between the brown horns on his head.
‘When I think red, Caeran comes to mind.’
At the current timeline, since Yellody is trying to use Caeran to defeat the Demon King, the equation ‘Caeran = Demon King’ cannot hold.
Conversely, in the future timeline, there’s a possibility that Caeran would kill the current Demon King and become the Demon King himself.
Considering the links that connect Hwanseangaka and Hwanseangyongsa, it’s quite a plausible hypothesis.
‘Then, it means that there’s a separate Demon King now.’
Just now, the one I thought was the Demon King…
To be precise, it’s the conditions for the Demon King’s appearance that I identified.
Hypothetically, it’s this.
– Ding!
——————————————————
[Mission Object]
1 – Graduate from Claris Academy without being held back or expelled.
2 – Stop the Caeran ending. (Achieved)
——————————————————
If failed: The world line might collapse, and you may become trapped in the eternal flow of time.
——————————————————
I came across this state window when I first possessed this place: the mission object.
Looking back now, one strange point arises.
While it describes what penalties would be given upon failure, there is no mention of what rewards would be given upon achieving those two missions.
Initially, I vaguely thought I would be able to go home upon achieving those goals.
However, considering that I helped Aria with her revenge and activated the game end button as a reward, the context becomes weird.
It seems like even if I complete those missions, it may not necessarily lead to wholly positive rewards.
If the author has some schemes left, this mission object will certainly play an important role.
‘Anyway, if I can clear that mission, something might come out…’
If my predictions are correct and that mission object becomes the condition for the Demon King’s appearance…
‘That would actually be beneficial.’
I could use it as well.
.
.
.
I realized I had already arrived.
When I came to my senses, I was right in front of the Black House.
“Ha.”
Today, I’ll speak around to Lily.
I need to properly apologize to Aria as well… There are many things to resolve.
– Clatter.
With that, I forcefully opened the door of Sellafi Hall.
*
In the Administrative Hall, towards the third investigation committee room.
“Mi… Mimy, hwaang…!”
“…”
Mellisa of the Principality of Prominence, facing Edwin, simply wiped her tears with her palm.
She regretted it.
She lost everything again by falling into Caeran’s trap.
The close friend she thought she would have, Aria…
The guy she had feelings for, Edwin…
Her honor and prestige as a princess, all of it…
Reality was cruel.
It wasn’t just about escaping with her life from Mystic Island.
Of all things, Caeran was a Demon, and siding with him had created a situation where she couldn’t say a word at the investigation committee.
Once the event was made public, she would be stripped of her title as a princess, and everyone would blame Mellisa.
“Ed, Edwin…”
“…”
As Edwin said, if she had silently accepted punishment during the crimson ash extermination incident, things wouldn’t have deteriorated this much.
“Edwin, what should I do…?”
“…”
For Mellisa, the only one she could depend on was Edwin.
He had saved her when she was completely out of her mind under Caeran’s threats.
“What should I do…? Huh…?”
“…”
Despite Mellisa’s continuous questions, the green-haired man simply maintained his silence.
That only made Mellisa more anxious.
It would actually ease her mind if he just scolded her bluntly.
– Slither.
-!!
Eventually, he quietly walked past the two.
“Edwin!”
Aveline ran up behind him and caught him, halting Edwin’s steps.
“I-I was just controlled by Caeran! Didn’t you see?! If you just tell the committee about this part, I…!”
“…”
Edwin turned his head to gaze at Aveline.
-!
The expression on his face held a kind of contempt mixed with a trace of sadness.
“Ugh!!”
Seeing this, Mellisa slumped down.
And began to weep openly.
It was an appearance devoid of any dignity.
Edwin delivered his announcement to them in a stiff voice.
“My stance is the same as before. Each one of you must take responsibility for your actions and choices.”
“……”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Edwin…”
Mellisa crawled across the ground towards him.
– Tight…
Then she grabbed his pant leg, subtly indicating skinship as she pleaded.
“I’m sorry… I’m really sorry… I’ve done everything wrong… Edwin is all I have left…”
If there’s something a man could kneel and beg for his life,
this was a weapon that only a woman could use.
“I-I’ll accept my punishment. So… don’t abandon me, please don’t abandon me… You said you’d wait until I got through all this, right…?”
– I’ll be waiting! After I clear it all… then we’ll see each other again!
Indeed, Edwin had said that.
And if someone were to ask whether he still held onto that sentiment…
“I’m sorry.”
“!!!”
He could certainly respond like this.
“Ah… ah…?”
Leaving Mellisa, who stared into space in a daze, Edwin walked away.
