Chapter 135
"It's surprising that someone from the traitor's family is still alive."
"Keke, I was quite surprised myself. To think I survived a strike from Lady Lucia. Maybe I was stronger than I thought."
"Indeed... Just like a descendant of a family that fell from grace due to their greed. Completely copying their arrogant demeanor."
"Keke, usually, this is what they call skill."
Was it because I responded so nonchalantly to the provocative comment? Lucia's eyebrows twitched slightly.
The reason I didn't react to her provocation was simple.
What Lucia was doing.
'It's just a cheap trick to elicit a reaction from me.'
If she spoke ill of the Lester family, I would show some reaction.
And she would use that reaction to deduce who I am.
But instead of showing any reaction, sliding over the topic smoothly?
It must have complicated Lucia's thoughts.
'Guessing I'm a descendant of the Lester family is as far as she can go.'
Caron's prediction was no different.
He initially guessed I was a 'bastard of the Lester family.'
'That means the Lester family was very secretive.'
Only someone from the Lester family could learn One Flash.
Caron and Lucia's reactions proved it.
The Lester family being secretive gives me a significant advantage.
Not having information means.
'It's easy to deceive.'
Clang!
Lucia's sword tip was pointed at my throat.
I couldn't even react. Lucia was too quick.
She tilted her head slightly.
"...What's this. You can't even react to this?"
"Keke, did you think I was just letting you off?"
"Being so composed even when your neck is on the line. Shall we see if you remain composed after your head is cut off?"
Squeeze-.
A slight sting followed by something hot flowing down.
My blood.
"Keke, that would be a bit troublesome. I have many things to do."
...
My neck could be severed at any moment.
But I remained unphased. Not just because of the [Mental Defense] skill.
'I should have had fewer enemies aiming for my neck.'
Starting with Luna, to Rodelin, Caron, and now Lucia.
My neck had become too much of a target.
What did it do to deserve such a cruel fate!
Squeeze-.
But I couldn't just shout that out.
Lucia held my life in her hands, after all.
"...Before I kill you, let me ask you one thing."
So, it's confirmed. I'm going to die?
I'm not even surprised anymore.
"Why did you suddenly use One Flash? If you had hidden it, you could have extended your life, albeit slightly. Oh, were you trying to eliminate me? If that's the case, I must commend your confidence."
Lucia was right.
Being associated with the traitorous Lester family and using One Flash?
It would not be strange if my neck was severed immediately.
Yet, I boldly used [One Flash] for a good reason.
'It was strange from the beginning.'
Staying at the academy for a month under the pretext of teaching the kids, searching for someone who used One Flash?
The strangeness doesn't end there.
'I never heard from Caron that he saw traces of One Flash.'
Caron, a member of the investigative team.
I never heard from him that he saw traces of One Flash.
Meaning.
'Someone erased the traces of One Flash before the investigative team arrived.'
And that 'someone'.
Was likely Lucia or the nanny. The odds were high it was one of them.
'The Lucid family is trying to restore the Lester family's honor. So, the chances it was Lucia are over 90%.'
Of course, it could have been the nanny. Both were possible.
But I could sense that the likelihood was more on Lucia's side.
'That's why I used One Flash.'
I had gathered information from various sources that the Lucid family was favorable towards the Lester family.
It was a gamble worth taking.
The only problem was that I didn't know why Lucia was looking for a child who used One Flash.
'Anyway, the gamble paid off. That's what matters.'
The fact that Lucia was engaging in a conversation with me was proof.
If she had harbored bad feelings towards the Lester family, she would have knocked me down and reported me to the emperor immediately.
Meaning, Lucia was looking for someone from the Lester family for 'some reason.'
To figure out that reason, first.
Grrrrr-!
Although calming down an angry lion seemed urgent.
Why they were so hostile towards me was beyond understanding.
I was truly aggrieved.
"Keke, it's not like I could kill Lady Lucia. I revealed myself because it seemed you were desperately looking for me."
"I was looking for you?"
"Weren't you looking for someone who used One Flash?"
"Hmm~ So you've decided not to hide anymore? Well, the moment you used One Flash in front of me, it was over."
Perhaps satisfied with the answer, Lucia slightly withdrew her sword.
"Keke, allow me to introduce myself. I am Zero, the rat of the Lester family."
I bowed slightly, placing my right hand on my chest in a polite gesture.
"The rat of the Lester family?"
"Yes, that's correct."
I responded with a broad smile.
Was it my imagination, or did her suspicion seem to deepen?
Well, saying I'm the rat of the Lester family probably contributed to that.
My smile wasn't ominous in any way.
"Starting your lies again? There's no such person in the Lester family."
"Keke, there's always an exception. I am that proof."
Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to use One Flash.
The conversation continued with questions I could easily navigate.
Similar to the story I had told Caron in the anthill.
Lucia had no choice but to accept my words.
After all, even Caron was deceived by that lie.
"...You dreamed of being the Lester family's rat but failed. So, your purpose is revenge against those who brought down the Lester family?"
"Well, that was the original plan... but now there's one more thing."
"What's that?"
What? Obviously.
"Keke, it's a secret."
I said that, placing my index finger on my lips. Then.
Thwack!
"You're pushing it. Am I your friend?"
Lucia smacked my head.
The sword that had been pointed at me was now sheathed.
'Has she realized I'm not an enemy and thus sheathed her weapon?'
But what's with hitting my head?
My handsome face might get squashed.
It might already be squashed. The hit area was insisting so.
My face is squished right now.
"Well, fine. I don't really want to know anyway."
She truly seemed uninterested.
This is problematic. I still have things I'm curious about.
"Now it's your turn, Lady Lucia. What's the reason you've been desperately searching for me?"
"Honor restoration."
"Pardon?"
"I wanted to restore the honor of the Lester family. That's all."
In a way, it was expected.
The noble Lucid family.
Not one to simply watch an innocent person suffer, let alone a family that has protected the empire for centuries like the Lester family, be falsely accused?
She must have wanted to restore their honor by any means.
"Tch, so you're not a descendant then."
"A descendant?"
"Yes, what's the use of restoring honor if there's no heir left? It's a great loss for the empire that such a noble family just disappears."
Lucia scratched her head, genuinely seeming regretful.
'Maybe I can use this...'
The thought that I might be able to exploit this crossed my mind.
"What if they are alive?"
"What?"
"If a descendant of the Lester family is alive, and I know of their existence, what would you do?"
"...What would I do? Protect them, of course. Until the Lester family's honor is restored."
Did she sense something odd?
Lucia's eyebrows twitched.
"Besides, you talk as if it's real?"
"Keke, yes. I know. Let's make a deal."
"...A deal?"
"Yes. If you guide us for the remaining three weeks, I will reveal to you the sole survivor of the Lester family."
Exchanging the existence of Luna for teachings.
A quest to gain Lucia's recognition and surprise her?
If luck is on my side, I might even manage to accomplish it. Well, I'm half resigned anyway.
About a minute passed. Lucia slowly opened her mouth.
She was, after all, going to accept my deal...
"I don't want to."
...She didn't accept it.
This was somewhat unexpected.
"Keke, why not?"
"There's no guarantee that everything you've told me is true, for starters..."
Lucia's eyes glinted coldly.
"A deal with someone full of secrets and suspicious. No, I don't want to get involved with someone like you. I know from experience it won't end well."
These darn slit eyes are the problem.
Tainting my pure intention of using Luna as a bargaining chip to receive teachings.
"Well, now that I know they're alive, that's enough. I'll find them."
Lucia walked towards the training ground's door.
Meaning she's achieved her purpose and is leaving.
This is problematic. Not leaving the training ground, but.
'She might have to leave the academy.'
Lucia's decision to stay at the academy for a month was entirely to find the user of One Flash.
Now that she's achieved her goal, it wouldn't be strange if she left tomorrow.
I had to find a way to keep her here.
"That would be troublesome."
"Mm~ That might be troublesome for you. But it's not my problem, is it?"
"Keke, that's not it. If you leave just like that, it won't be troublesome for me, Lady Lucia..."
I subtly used the [Eye Opening] skill as I spoke. Atmosphere is important in such matters.
"It means it will be troublesome for you."
Stop-.
She paused at the door, then turned to look at me.
"...What do you mean?"
Perhaps sensing the unusual atmosphere, Lucia's body exuded a strong presence.
Like a lion.
The use of 'you' and the almost threatening tone.
Though she was expressing her anger with her whole body, I wasn't affected at all.
The cheat-level [Mental Defense] skill was protecting me.
I slowly walked towards Lucia, taking my time.
Yet, Lucia waited for me in silence.
"It's a simple matter. Let's make a deal."
"Ha, didn't I say it before? I have no reason to make a deal with you. If we, the Lucid family, can't find the child you mentioned, who can?"
She had a point. The Lucid family is a noble aristocratic family, one of the empire's eight pillars.
With a hint, they'll find Luna one way or another.
From Lucia's perspective, there's no reason to make a deal with me.
The scales of the deal.
On Lucia's side is the weight named 'teachings,' and on my side, the weight named 'the descendant of the Lester family.'
But the scale is tilted towards Lucia.
For the deal to happen, the scales need to be at least balanced, if not heavier on my side.
Meaning, what I need to do now is.
'Add more weight to the scale.'
To tip the scale entirely in my favor, I need to add a weight that Lucia can't ignore.
"Keke, currently, the Lucid family is under a curse from a demon, right?"
The weight named 'demon's curse.'
A weight so heavy that the scales didn't just tip in my favor; they completely collapsed.
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