Chapter 237
On the forbidden rooftop of the Annwood Academy library, a young boy looked down below.
-'Hehe! Hehe!'-
The relentless sound of children's laughter echoed.
The boy naturally smiled at the sound.
"This is what youth is all about."
The pure laughter of children. Just listening to it was uplifting, almost like magic.
The boy, who thought like an old man, had his golden hair fluttering in the wind.
Indeed. The boy standing on the library rooftop was none other than Adonis.
"Have you arrived?"
Suddenly, Adonis spoke aloud to the air.
But he wasn't really talking to himself, as Caron soon appeared.
"I apologize for being late."
"Late? I just got here myself. But your presence means... what Zero said was true."
The talk of a deal with Caron—it was true after all.
Caron had to admit it too.
That Zero had figured out Adonis's true identity.
"Actually..."
Caron began to explain the recent events in detail.
It was a rather long story, but that wasn't a problem. Caron had organized the information about Zero quite succinctly.
Caron's narrative was like a well-structured report.
Listening, Adonis nodded.
"Hmm... So you haven't found the source of the information?"
"Regrettably, no."
Caron had kept a 'rat' close to Zero. Yet, there was no sign of Zero contacting anyone.
It meant that the provider of high-quality information to Zero was still unidentified.
"As you know, having superior information is only the second best trait. The most impressive is insight."
Caron nodded in agreement.
The insight to use the little information given to discern the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings, as well as Adonis's true identity, was almost chilling.
"One must assume it's borne out of experience."
"Experience?"
"Demons and black mages. He must have lived a life deeply entangled with them. Drawing conclusions from those experiences."
Is that possible? But before that, to have lived a life frequently dealing with demons and black mages...
"Do you suspect Zero?"
The reason many fall for a demon's temptation. It's a compelling allure.
Appearing at the moment of greatest need, offering a hand, not only solving an immediate problem but also promising to turn a life of misfortune around in an instant.
Such was the power of a demon, and why demons continued to appear across the continent.
'Zero would have faced more temptations than most.'
His unique appearance with slit eyes.
Born that way, but to others, it might not seem so.
Perhaps they would have thought he became a demon?
'Zero's school records mentioned no parents or siblings.'
But in this world, while there may be people without siblings, no one is born without parents.
What does that imply?
'They were killed.'
If the killers were demons or black mages, that would be somewhat fortunate.
But what if they were ordinary people? What if it was their neighbors who had committed such an act?
If neighbors killed Zero's parents, and a demon appeared at that moment to offer him a hand?
It wouldn't be strange for him to accept. Caron himself would have grasped a demon's hand to exact revenge.
"He himself said he was cursed by a demon."
"Either a minion of a demon or... possibly a spy."
Exchanging human information for demonic intelligence.
The information about the Four Heavenly Kings provided by Zero could be part of this.
A means to build 'trust.'
A loss in the short term, but a definite long-term gain.
Securing access to top-grade human information was a solid foundation.
"So, you think Zero might be the mastermind behind everything?"
"It's inevitable. I personally confirmed that he carries demon blood. Had it not been for the Sacred Sword, I would never have let go of that notion."
"A Sacred Sword?"
Why would that come up now?
Zero doesn't even possess a Sacred Sword.
Realizing Caron was lost in the conversation, Adonis spoke up.
"Ah, right, you weren't aware. Zero has been recognized by a Sacred Sword. He could even wield it... a complete recognition."
"What?"
Caron wore a blank expression unwittingly.
Adonis then began to explain what had happened yesterday.
The more Caron heard, the more incredulous he felt.
Not only could Zero wield the Sacred Sword, but he was also recognized by it?
And he hadn’t mentioned this fact to him?
'This brazen brat!'
Caron had never entirely thought of Zero as just an ally.
He had considered the possibility that Zero might be a spy planted by the black mages.
'I even tried to win him over to our side, even if he was a spy...'
But now, that suspicion had completely vanished.
Such was the nature of the Sacred Sword.
"Well, it's confirmed he's on our side. Not sure if that's fortunate or..."
"It is fortunate. At least you won't have to kill the kid now."
"It seems you feel the same, Lord Adonis."
"Ha, perhaps? I may have been a bit harsh. But what could I do? There was no way to contact you."
"I'm sorry."
Caron had no choice but to admit his mistake.
It had been his error to think that Adonis wouldn’t need his help at the academy.
Of course, not knowing that Zero carried demon blood was the biggest oversight.
'Such secrets should have been shared with me beforehand. What a fool.'
Had he not given Zero his full trust?
He had thought they had a somewhat trustworthy relationship.
Perhaps the situation was the exact opposite.
He trusted Zero, but Zero did not trust him.
An ironic situation indeed.
"First, we need to find out what this demon's curse he mentioned is."
"It might be a curse directly related to his life, since he hasn't told us about it."
"That's likely. He would tell us if he trusted us... but it won't be easy. He's been through a lot since his childhood..."
In this world, it's not just demons and black mages that are evil.
'Humans can be just as bad. Or maybe even worse.'
Caron and Adonis knew this better than anyone.
"Wounds eventually heal. It seems it will be our job to hasten that process."
"I'll do my best. Well, he is somewhat useful, after all."
"If you keep making such faces in front of the boy, his wounds won’t heal but rather worsen."
"..."
Caron swallowed a groan.
Having to treat the insolent Zero nicely.
He felt like his guts were about to twist.
"So, what’s your comprehensive assessment of the boy?"
A child worth observing.
Just as Caron was about to respond, he suddenly remembered.
The image of Zero leaving the classroom, fingers interlocked with Luna's. "He's a terribly bad influence. You could say a notorious scoundrel."
"Eh? Didn't you just say he was useful?"
"Did I say that?"
"Being dishonest hasn’t changed from then to now."
"I was just stating my honest opinion."
An utterly unbiased, subjective opinion!
As Caron was rationalizing to himself.
"Then I suppose I could take him."
"Excuse me?"
"The Sacred Sword aside, the boy has talent. Can't let such a kid go to waste. I should place him in the Imperial Knights."
The Imperial Knights.
Upon hearing this, Caron could only bulge his eyes in surprise.
It's also a place where only the most exemplary knights can serve, which made it an esteemed position.
The benefits a royal knight could enjoy were too numerous to list.
'To think of placing Zero in such a place?'
It was troubling. Very troubling indeed.
Because Zero was supposed to be a 'rat'.
"Surely, not just anyone can enter. Especially not a suspicious child like that; he'd be disqualified in the paperwork stage."
"If I personally recommend him, it would be the opposite."
"…!"
Adonis himself was from the royal knights and had even risen to the rank of a hero.
If Adonis were to recommend someone, securing a spot in the royal knights would be trivial.
'Lord Adonis has never recommended anyone to the royal knights before. Does he really think so highly of Zero?'
Caron was deep in thought when Adonis's face came into view, smiling slyly.
Caron realized then that Adonis was testing him, seemingly under the impression that he had intentionally withheld information about Zero.
"...Please don't misunderstand. I never dreamed that the child would arouse Lord Adonis's suspicions."
"Hahaha! Perhaps my jest went too far. I apologize."
While Caron internally grumbled, he also sighed in relief.
The idea of recommending Zero for the royal knights wasn't serious after all.
"He may not be nobility, and he carries demon blood. It's bound to be problematic. However, it's true he has the qualities. 10 years? No, maybe just 5 years would suffice for him."
The current youngest record holder in the royal knights was thirty years old.
To join the royal knights at twenty?
It seemed preposterous.
And more importantly.
"It won't be easy for you. He dislikes working under others. I'm embarrassed to say, he has even refused me."
"Hmm, really? It's easy to look down on rats, thus it doesn't compare to the royal knights."
As Adonis put it.
The life of a rat scurrying on the ground versus the life of a royal knight dancing with the emperor in heaven.
The difference between the two was stark. Yet.
"Shall we make a wager?"
Caron's words were somewhat provocative.
Was it confidence? Or was it an indication of how difficult it was to persuade Zero?
It was unclear, but it was enough to capture Adonis's interest.
"That sounds intriguing. It could spice up the mundane academy life."
Thus began a covert wager unbeknownst to Zero.
*
Late at night, as Adonis and Victoria headed back to the dorm, Adonis was enduring a torment.
"You've read the book, haven't you? How was it? You've fallen for the duke too, haven't you?"
Whether it was the Duke of the North or the South.
Urged to quickly recall the content of a book he had barely skimmed, Adonis was in a real predicament.
'She seems more excited than usual today. What happened while I was away? Hmm...?'
As he vaguely described the (supposed) charms of the Northern Duke, Adonis sensed a presence.
Right, left, then right again.
He deliberately took a roundabout path, but the presence showed no sign of falling behind.
Indeed, someone was tailing them.
'Who is the target? Victoria? Or perhaps...'
The method to determine the stalker's target was simple.
"Yes, yes, the great Northern Duke indeed. Makes me want to read it again."
"Lord Adonis has finally come to appreciate the greatness of this novel! I'll recommend something even more exciting. You can look forward to it. Oh~ Hohoho!"
"Yes, I'll look forward to it. I need to stop somewhere else briefly."
Pushing Victoria into the dorm and moving to another location himself.
This would simply clarify the tracker's target.
'If the stalker stays put, it's Victoria; if they follow me, I'm the target.'
Of course, this also meant he was doomed to read another bizarre novel.
"..."
Shortly after, Adonis sensed the movement of the tracker.
He was being followed. The target was not Victoria, but himself.
Adonis entered a dark alleyway and leaped onto a building.
Perhaps because he had vanished suddenly, he could sense the tracker's confusion in the shadows.
"Do you have business with me?"
"…!"
Responding to Adonis's words, someone emerged from the shadows.
Pink hair in twin tails, an overall cute appearance but with slightly fierce eyes—it was Luna.
Lifting her head, she addressed Adonis standing atop the building.
"So you think you're strong? How about a match with me?"
Adonis let out a slight chuckle.
It had been ages since he'd been challenged like this. He couldn't even remember the last time.
"A challenge to a strong opponent? Not bad."
A smile curled the corners of Adonis's mouth.
These days, duels were frowned upon as uncivil, but there was a time when merely making eye contact would lead to drawing weapons and testing skills.
After the fight, they would share a drink, celebrating the joy of victory and nursing the pain of defeat.
It was a romantic era, the era that Adonis had lived through.
Reminded of those memories by Luna, Adonis couldn't help but feel uplifted.
"Well, there's that, but... there's a more important reason."
"Oh? What's that?"
"If I win, stay away from my friends. Don't even look their way."
Adonis's face, initially stunned, soon filled with laughter.
A fight for friends. Were there still young people like that nowadays?
"Ah, a fight for friends... That's a rare reason these days."
"What are you saying? Anyway, it's a promise. Come down here. Let's have our match."
"Hold on, you're only setting conditions for yourself. Isn't that unfair? What if I win?"
Luna's eyes rolled as she pondered.
"I'll grant you one wish. Anything but harming my friends."
"Indeed, not a bad condition."
As Adonis smiled in response.
A small lightning bolt struck the alley.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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