Chapter 86
"There's a demon!?"
Luna exclaimed, jumping up in surprise.
The sound was so loud that one of my ears went numb.
"Keke, I never said that. I asked if she had found traces of a demon."
"That's the same thing!"
Is it, though? If they were the same, would there be a need for distinct terms? (TL Note: Traces of a demon vs actual demon)
I had a lot to say but kept my mouth shut.
Finding out the date for attacking Lérang was more important.
"Hmm, I forgot how quick Zero is to catch on. Well, alright. Since we've worked together to tackle a demon before... it wouldn't be bad to seek help."
Rodelin closed her eyes for a moment, gathering her thoughts.
Then she slowly began to speak.
"However, what I'm about to say must remain confidential. There's a chance it could be a misunderstanding."
As we nodded, Rodelin started her story.
From rumors of a sword emitting an ominous aura,
To a rock split in half by someone.
Stories about a demon sword that could grant immense power.
Fragments of a sword imbued with demonic energy.
To signs of an uncontrolled surge of demonic energy.
"The signs of the demonic energy going out of control were crucial. It disappeared in an instant, so we couldn't leave any evidence... but I saw it clearly with my own eyes. It was definitely demonic energy."
"Did you pursue it alone?"
"No, that wasn't the case. Alex and Raymon were with me, too. It... just happened that we ended up together."
It was as the story went.
One more person would be added to the team attacking Lérang, but it seemed unnecessary to mention that now.
I grimaced slightly because one of my ears wasn't hearing well.
Rodelin's eyes kept glancing my way.
'What's with her?'
Rodelin hesitated before speaking.
"Zero, I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Are you upset?"
"Not at all. Why would I be upset right now?"
"Hmm, I see. So, it doesn't matter to you who I'm close with..."
"...?"
Rodelin fidgeted with her fingers.
I couldn't understand why she was acting this way.
"Hem! Anyway, I reported it, but... the principal was furious, asking if that made any sense. How could a demon appear again within a month? Well, demons aren't common, so I understand his point..."
Rodelin held back her words.
Even if the principal was lacking, she wouldn't talk behind his back.
It was a typical Rodelin thing to do.
"Why do you think Teacher Lérang is involved?"
"Because only teachers could freely roam around that place at that time. Afterwards, we checked alibis one by one, eliminating suspects."
"So, only Teacher Lérang was left. I see."
"As I said before, it's not certain. It could be the work of an external instructor. But he is indeed one of the suspects."
"Teacher Lérang? No way..."
Luna muttered in disbelief.
Recently, Lérang had been practically a private tutor for Luna.
Yuridia kept asking about the Lester family's swordsmanship, and Lérang, though annoyed, did his best to teach.
It all exploded today, though.
‘I thought it was just Yuridia's obsession, but Rodelin had a part in it, too.’
The net was closing in.
It was understandable why Lérang lost his composure.
A contract with a demon was a reason for immediate execution.
"Let me ask again. Haven't you noticed anything unusual recently?"
"Hmm..."
Luna struggled but couldn't come up with anything.
That was to be expected.
Not only was she completely focused on Lérang's impromptu lessons, but from a student's perspective, it was hard to find anything amiss.
I raised my left hand to my chin, a posture that boosts deductive reasoning.
Immediately, Rodelin's gaze fixed on me.
"Come to think of it, there was something strange."
"What?"
"His right arm seemed suspicious."
"...His right arm?"
"Yes, it seemed he was uncomfortable with it, unable to grasp anything properly."
"Huh? I didn't notice anything like that?"
Well, that's because you're not very observant, Luna.
But to persuade Rodelin, Luna's cooperation was necessary.
"Keke, think about it. Hasn't he been writing with his left hand recently?"
"Hmm... Has he?"
"Teacher Lérang is right-handed. Yet, he's been writing with his left hand. That means there's something wrong with his right arm."
"Umm..."
"He also lifted his glasses with his left hand."
"Oh? Now that you mention it, that was different."
Only then did Luna perk up and respond.
However, Rodelin merely smiled in a troubled way.
"But to call that evidence is a bit..."
"It started two days ago."
"Hmm?"
"Teacher Lérang has been using his left arm for the past two days. You mentioned traces of demonic energy going out of control, right? When was that discovered?"
"Three nights ago. Wait, then...!"
She nodded.
Just a day... no, half a day's difference, perhaps.
The time Lérang sustained an injury and the moment traces of uncontrolled demonic energy were discovered are closely aligned.
It highly suggests that Lérang was present there.
"Thanks for the information. The right arm... I'll need to verify that."
"Keke, you're not planning to move alone, are you?"
"Of course not. I have no intention of losing to a demon, but caution is paramount. I'll stop at verifying the information. I also need to hear what Alex and Raymon have gathered."
Rodelin was slightly excited to have obtained useful information.
Now was my chance.
"When are you meeting?"
"In three days, to exchange information and proceed with further investigation. It's a day none of us have afternoon classes."
I see. In three days.
That day will be the day of the showdown.
The day I must end Lérang with my own hands.
"Um, it's a bit awkward to say this, but... both of you be careful. There might be 'problems' during class."
Problems.
If Lérang truly owns the demon sword, there's no telling when he might lose control again.
That was my concern.
"We have to protect everyone! Don't worry, I have no intention of losing to a demon!"
Rodelin chuckled.
"It's reassuring to have Luna here. By the way, could I ask for one more favor?"
"Of course! Just say the word. This dependable Luna can do anything... mmph!"
I covered Luna's mouth, but it was too late.
Rodelin looked at me and beamed.
So, she's capable of such smiles?
A new fact about Rodelin came to light, not that I was pleased.
"Actually..."
Rodelin revisited the story she had told me earlier.
About Luterus and the parrot, and even Rezé's story.
"...So it turned out."
"I see. Not even a single friend..."
"So, would you mind accompanying Rezé? Just until she makes a friend."
Luna pondered.
No, that can't be. To think of dragging around such a hapless child.
It absolutely can't be. Our Luna does have thoughts, after all.
"Leave it to us. We'll definitely find her a new friend!"
Right, I forgot. Our Luna is thoughtless, isn't she?
I might have overestimated her.
"Keke, 'us'? Please exclude me. Luna alone..."
"What are you talking about? We're practically one and the same."
"That can't be. Each person is a separate sentient being with rights..."
"Want to taste the Cobra Twist?"
"...Upon reflection, being one doesn't seem so bad. Especially since I can't perform the Cobra Twist on myself."
Rodelin watched us and chuckled.
If she weren't so pretty, I might have subjected her to the Cobra Twist.
"Rezé must be around here somewhere, right?"
"Keke, probably."
"Rezé, this unworthy senior will take her leave now. I'm sorry about last time. I hope to at least see your face next time!"
No answer came.
But Rodelin left the training ground with a brighter smile than ever before.
* * *
The next day, after finishing lunch, I returned to the training ground.
"Where are you? Come out right now!"
Bang Bang!!
Crash-!
Luna was rummaging through the training ground, shouting.
Yes, she was looking for Rezé.
To keep the promise she made with Rodelin.
'She's like a thug.'
It seemed like she was ready to smash everything in the training ground.
And she was threatening on top of it.
It was unlikely for the timid Rezé to come out.
'This is why I didn't want to take this on.'
Luna was hardly capable of properly taking care of a child.
So, who should do it?
...Right. It had to be me.
Now I had two kids to look after instead of one.
Just thinking about Lérang was enough to make my head explode, and now Rezé too.
I really wanted to cry.
"Can't you come out right now?"
Bang Bang!
Crack-!
Hmm, our Luna is really spirited.
But at this rate, we might never be allowed in the training ground again.
'Sigh... I guess I have no choice but to step in.'
I slowly walked to the opposite side of where Luna was. Then,
Zap-!
[Hyper Sense] activated immediately. As expected.
Rezé had been moving around to avoid Luna, hiding in a box.
Swoosh-.
Tap-.
It didn't take long to find the box.
I leaned slightly against the box and murmured.
"Keke, Rezé, would you prefer to come out on your own, or should I break this precious box to get you out?"
Rattle Rattle Rattle-.
The box shook. Rezé inside must have been trembling.
Click-.
Soon after, the lid of the box opened, and Rezé peeked out.
Her curtain-like bangs were the same as always.
"What, what do you want?"
"Keke, didn't you hear? I've been tasked with looking after you."
"But, but I didn't sign up for that."
"You should say that to Luna. She's the one with the authority. Oh, here she comes."
Luna was running towards us from a distance, holding a practice bat.
Startled, Rezé tried to close the lid. But.
Tap-.
"Ah, ah...?"
"Keke, just wait and see."
"But she's coming with a bat! Can't you see?"
Of course, I can. It's a bat so big even someone with narrow eyes could see it clearly.
I smiled and decided to reassure Rezé.
"Well, what's the worst that could happen? Getting beaten to death?"
"Eek-!!"
Rezé tried to close the lid in panic. But she couldn't shake off my hand.
Rezé's strength stat was a mere 3.
Much lower than mine, who hadn't even invested in strength stat.
There was no way she could shake me off with strength.
"What? You were here? It's so hard to find you... How am I supposed to do business?"
A seasoned thug... no, Luna approached, casually resting the bat on her shoulder.
"Keke, Luna, why are you holding that bat? And what do you mean by doing business?"
"I always wanted to say that line. Well, I'm so cute it probably doesn't suit me at all."
Hmm, I wanted to say it seemed like her true calling, but I refrained.
Being hit with that bat would undoubtedly leave me boneless.
Luna tossed the bat to the corner and looked at Rezé.
"First, I want to apologize for everything that happened."
Treating her as a spy sent by the Teron faction.
That's what she was referring to.
"Keke, how can you be sure Rezé isn't a spy?"
"If she were a spy, making friends would have been easy for her."
Oh~ Sharp analysis for Luna.
Well, I knew from the start.
"Sorry. This one is a bit dumb. Please understand."
Oh~ Luna, true to form, passes the buck well.
"Yes, yes... It's, it's okay. Being dumb isn't a crime."
Oh~.
I wish they both would just disappear.
--TL Notes--
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