EP-16 Charmed

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First and foremost, I checked the objective.

I then turned my gaze to the heavily breathing drooling bear monster in front of me.

'No killing.'

With this in mind, I waved to Elnore, who had already drawn her sword, to not come closer.

She's probably more of a monster than the one in front of me; powerful enough to easily end its life in minutes.

'But…'

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

The main purpose of the main quest is not 'kill the monster', but 'reduce casualties'.

Medium rank monsters have at least one or two special abilities on top of their basic combat skills.

If it has something like 'Acid Blood' or 'Death Corruption', even if we win, it would be a pyrrhic victory. There's a high likelihood of deaths occuring because of the aftermath.

All in all, it's best to entrust this job to the regular knights.

Killing the monster now will do no good.

Moreover, this just popped up in front of my eyes.

< System Message >

[ !Urgent Mission! ]

[ 0 current casualties, what a feat! ]

[ Since no one has died, let's try not to kill even the monster, shall we? ]

[ Successfully hand over the monster to the Knights of the Academy! ]

[ Upon successful completion, the level of the main quest reward, 'exclusive equipment materials', will increase! ]

"…"

This is the same as saying that a crazed murderer is also a person with a life and should be treated the same as their victims.

However, the reward at stake is unmistakably attractive.

It can be said that the materials used to craft exclusive equipment determine more than half of its performance. It is what determines the upper limit of how far it can grow.

'Well then.'

Let's just hold on.

Thinking of this, I smiled at the monster which ferociously raised its front paw.

That is a bone breaking strike if you are unlucky enough to get hit.

But like what I did in the mock dungeon before, reading the attack patterns of 'monsters' is no different than flipping through a book, as a veteran gamer who had grinded countless hours into the game.

So no fighting and just holding up the strong shield?

'I can do that with my eyes closed.'

So from here on out, it's just 'repetition'.

… Not a battle.

●

The Tristan Duke Family is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious families in the empire since its inception. The title of a Duke alone was enough to intimidate people.

However, that long line of history and popularity also comes with as many negativity.

Even if there was no Marquis Kendride, there would still be people who would want the Duke Family's fall.

And the priest was one of those snakes.

"Did you not hear what I said? Didn't I say that I didn't bring a Holy Relic?"

Suppressing the urge to slap the living shi† out of this high nosed middle-aged, Elnore calmly said.

"…I am truly sorry for what happened to Marquis Riverback. The Tristan Family will definitely take relevant action-"

"You have no idea what you are talking about, do you?"

Sparks flew out of Elnore's eyes at the mocking reply.

He's basically saying that there is virtually no room for negotiation.

The faculty members who strongly advocated bringing in living monsters and using them as research materials belonged to the Tristan faction.

In other words, the greater the damage and casualties in an accident like this, the bigger the Tristan Family's liability.

And this damn priest is under the command of Marquis Riverback, who belongs to the anti-Tristan faction.

'This f*cking trash…!'

Knowing this context, this person is actually talking nonchalantly about sacrificing people's lives for political interest. This all the while he's acting as a priest.

Anger welled up within Elnore.

-…

She bit her lips, while clutching her chest.

Her heart was getting very noisy.

An insidious aura would rise whenever she's experiencing intense negative emotions. This was the product of the madness that runs in their family.

'…Back off.'

She cooled herself down and regained her calm.

She's been repeating this cycle throughout her life.

Maintain discipline, act properly, always be perfect and never get carried away by insidious feelings.

It's a principle I learned from that damned man, but it helped her suppress the evil energy whenever it creeps out.

Though, her voice was still as cold as before, mixed with suppressed glacial anger.

"Don't bring your political interests here! This is an emergency, people's lives are at stake!"

"Ha, this is why the Tristan Family…"

"Then give it to me."

Elnore's eyes widened when she heard someone interrupt the priest who was trying to be sarcastic.

It was Dowd Campbell.

Again, this man.

-…

-…!

Her heart began to beat louder. It's much worse than the anger she felt before.

However, what she's feeling right now wasn't insidious emotions. Um, how do you describe it?

Blood rushed to her face and her body felt light like she's in the clouds. It is a feeling that she has never experienced before in her life, so she has no choice but to be wary of it.

'Didn't I tell you to back off?'

She did the same thing.

Never falter, never surrender to these feelings.

Lately, it's been getting worse every time she sees that man. However, suppressing these types of emotions was normal for her.

She can't let emotions be bigger than her.

'…Back off. I will not lose.'

That's why, she has to suppress it.

Watching Dowd sprint towards the monster after taking the priest's emergency tool strengthened that feeling even more. Nevertheless, she kept all those feelings locked inside her heart.

That man's existence is growing on her too rapidly. Even Elnore herself is surprised by her behavior.

It's dangerous if she gets dragged over-

"Angel's Blessing…! How could a student, that mad man, do that!"

Suddenly, Elnore heard the priest murmur which made her turn her gaze towards Dowd.

Blessing?

Even a formal priest has to go through a long prayer to be able to use it, and a freshman uses it just like that?

'…No.'

It's actually not particularly strange that that guy could use something like that.

He has shown many times that he's hiding dozens of talents under that veil.

While Elnore was thinking in a daze, she suddenly heard a frightened exclamation beside her.

"…He's fine after using a blessing? How…!?"

Hearing the priest say that, Elnore's eyes also widened.

Invoking a blessing without a Holy Relic will put a heavy load on the user's body and mind.

But, somehow, isn't that man standing intact?

"Wow. He knows that?"

Elnore then turned to the newcomer. It was Elijah, who struck the priest in the back of the head, knocking him out.

"…"

"Don't look at me like that. I just took out the trash."

"…Where were you?"

"I fainted until a while ago, I just woke up."

After her nonchalant reply, Elijah weakly sat down.

"That's a method that combat priests often use. It's something you always have in your body and only use it when needed. It's a technique that can only be used after 10 years of practice. How did he know that?"

If Dowd heard of this, he probably would have been speechless. He wouldn't use such a cumbersome and complicated method. He's literally just using the blessing he stored in an item.

However, after hearing that, a new idea was forming in Elnore's head.

10 years of studying divinity.

–There is something I want to learn in the Theology Faculty.

Learning about blessings for a long time and pursuing the study upon entering the academy.

Of all things, this field is the most direct way to lift the Tristan Family's curse.

–There's something I've been meaning to protect.

Something…, someone?

There's someone I've been meaning to protect.

–I am trying to protect you. There's no need to think too hard.

And who is that 'you' again?

-…

-…!!!!!

My heart was pounding loudly again.

So much so that it hurts.

"…"

No, no.

Elnore closed her eyes and pressed her chest with both hands.

I can't let myself be consumed. I have to push it out.

I know nothing of that man and what his intentions are. I'm not even sure what he meant by that.

'Elnore, keep your mind straight-'

However, Elijah's voice pulled Elnore out from her concentration once again.

"He favors you quite a lot."

"…What?"

"Even if it's a blessing built into the body, it doesn't mean that there is no burden. That person must be pushing his limits right now."

If Dowd heard this, he'd probably be too embarrassed and speechless to say anything.

In terms of pain, the only discomfort he's experiencing is from his left arm, which he had slashed with the rosario.

However, Elijah, who had no way of knowing such a fact, calmly continued.

"I mean there's no need to go through such risk when it can be finished in a minute."

-…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart throbbed even more. Each beat started to sting.

Elnore leaned slightly. She was getting short of breath.

"…What are you talking about?"

"If there is a casualty under your jurisdiction, it will damage your reputation. Otherwise, why would he intentionally drag out the time by not fighting to kill? Look."

Elnore could barely open her eyes and looked towards Dowd.

And, on the other side, was a one-sided abuse. Yes, an abuse since it's too embarrassing to even call it a battle.

Dodging, blocking, and bouncing back all the attacks with minimal movements. Dowd was reading every attack of the monster.

It was the same as what happened in the mock battle. It's as if he knows everything, down to the smallest of things, about the opponent.

"A person who could do that much would have been able to kill it a long time ago, don't you think? There's no point in helping."

That's true.

But still.

"…There's no reason to do something like that."

"Isn't there?"

Elijah replied with a smile.

Elnore was biting her lips until blood came out. She also remembered something.

-I, quite like that person.

Elnore bit her lip harder and managed to shake that thought off.

She then took a step forward, preparing to draw her sword.

"What are you doing?"

"…if what you said is true, then that man is putting himself in pain. I'll go and help."

That's what she thought.

However, Dowd motioned her away.

'…Why?'

Elijah giggled seeing her bewildered.

"Iya, how romantic. Is he catching the sword for you?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's telling you not to come because you might get hurt."

Heat suddenly surged from Elnore's heart.

It was not the usual sinister energy, but a surprisingly hot feeling.

It felt like someone had lit a fire into her veins.

"…what you said, everything, could just be speculation."

Elijah turned to Elnore bewildered.

Her eyes were asking, does it really sound like that even after everything?

"Even if you can kill a medium rank monster, it won't die gracefully. Sometimes, there are crazy individuals whose corpses explode due to the reversal of magic power. That person probably took that into account, hence putting that much burden on himself."

"…"

Elijah shook her head and let out a deep sigh.

"For you."

-…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart pounded like crazy and I could feel my breath rolling deeper.

'Must, control…'

No.

You can't, Elnore.

I repeatedly reminded myself.

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the end, I couldn't control that 'heat'.

I could feel it spreading throughout my body.

I missed it. I lost the initiative.

I have been conquered.

'…'

In that moment, I intuitively realized.

That from now on, whenever I see that man, I will feel this kind of emotion.

I slumped down on the ground.

It was a depressing curled posture with my knees together and hugging them.

"…What are you doing?"

"Keep your mouth shut. Don't talk to me."

"…"

Elijah was looking at her like some crazy person, but Elnore had no intention of talking.

A shard of glass jutted out of the surrounding mess, reflecting her face.

Wearing an expression that everyone thought she's incapable of displaying, her entire face turned red.

To the point where she's an entirely different person.

"…"

Elnore was solely focused at the man in front.

Finally, the dispatched regular knights arrived, followed by loud noises erupting from all directions.

Elnore, however, remained mesmerized at his face.

●

[ Urgent Mission Completed! ]

[ The main quest reward level will increase! ]

I received a pleasant message after somehow finishing the battle and succeeding in guiding the monster to the regular knights.

But the reason why I can't celebrate was because of what followed after it.

[ Skill: Fatal Charm has been Activated! ]

[ The villain resists! ]

[ 'Pheromone' lowered the resistance! ]

[ Resistance failed! ]

[ The villain can't control herself! ]

[ The villain has been charmed! ]

"…"

I was bathed in cold sweat.

[ Favorability status change will occur on the target 'Elnore Elinalise La Tristan'! ]

[ The favorability level has been upgraded from 'Trust' to 'Love'! ]

[ Rewards Available! ]

[ She is an important character. Changes will occur in the main scenario! ]

[ The second gift awakening is imminent! ]

[ The target '???' is interested in you! ]

"…"

I feel more desperate now than confronting a medium rank monster 1 vs 1.

I don't know what happened, I don't know how it happened and I don't know where to even begin. Just know that I'm in deep shi†.

Following Elijah, changes will now occur in the main scenario. I don't know what the gift is, but I'll be getting another soon.

In addition, an unidentified character took an interest in me.

'I'm f*cked…!'

I got nothing else to say other than this.

While I was mulling over my fate, a knight came up to me and handed me a bottle of water.

"Good work out there. Here, want some? You look a little tired."

He is one of the knights dispatched to subdue the monster.

'…it was a monster.'

It was almost terrifying to see the three of them clean up a medium rank beast in just a few seconds.

This shows the power of the regular knights that the students aspire.

"Student, I cannot praise you enough. If it wasn't for you, who knows how many casualties there would have been."

Seeing that he even tapped me on the shoulder apart from the already kind words, it seemed that he was treating me kindly.

It was a big deal for a regular knight to treat a student with this much respect.

"You'd be catching eyes anywhere with that kind of skill. Better keep your eyes open at all times, alright? By the way, are you an aspiring Theology major?"

"…Yes. I am indeed planning on taking up Theology."

I answered before pointing to one side where the hero and final boss were.

They were trying to rip off the head of the priest that had refused to use the blessing earlier.

"Also, can you lend them a hand over there? If you leave them alone, they might really start killing."

"…Well, he seems like a rat so it doesn't really matter if he dies. But looking at you, I guess it is true that people with good talent have a good character, am I right?"

No, actually, I do not have such a pure intention.

Rather, I was thinking of a way to make use of that priest.

Uh.

It's better to get some use out of something rather than just disposing of them.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Take this."

The knight then handed me a letter.

"I don't know why, but I'm told that you should open it alone."

I let out a sigh as I watched the knight leave to continue his duties.

Another letter?

As I pondered, another window popped up in front of my eyes.

[ Main Quest Complete! ]

[ Go to the designated location to claim your reward! ]

[ Location: Atallante Swansong's Office ]

I am no stranger to the name Atallante Swansong.

Because she is the current president of Elfante Academy.

She's rumored to be an immortal who have lived for over a thousand years. She's a key player in the main scenario.

"…?"

Wait a minute.

The President?

My eyes widened upon opening the letter.

Reading the contents, this is definitely from Atallante.

Though, it's more of an 'invitation' rather than a letter.

This person.

She wants to have a private meeting.

"…"

Why?

What for?

You can read 255 chapters for $20. p.atreon.com/casca02