Chapter 86: Chapter 86

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The End of Solitude

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After being called in by three women and getting quite an earful, I was training, my mind a tangled mess.

'Somehow, Act 4, Scene 1 had ended, but...'

A myriad of things had happened since then, making my head spin. There was so much left to do, yet problems were cropping up in the most unexpected places.

"Is your conscience bothering you? Lighten up a bit."

At that moment, I lifted my head, following the sound of the voice. Hania was there, sparring with me.

She and I were fake lovers, but lovers nonetheless. So, during classes, we stuck together whenever possible.

Of course, in reality, there was no affection between us. Hania was devoted solely to Iris, and I had lost the emotion of love due to the Bandage of the Veil.

The possibility of us becoming true lovers was zero.

"So you realize Iris caught you, huh?"

"It was beyond my control, too. But the other two weren't my fault, were they?"

Well, I guess I did bring that upon myself.

"...Hanon, I think Iris needs you."

I blinked, looking at her.

"Iris has grown up lonely her whole life. It's regrettable to say, but the position of the Third Princess is a sorrowful one."

In Haisirion, there were four princes and three princesses. Starting from the eldest, the First Prince, in order of age:

First Prince > First Princess > Second Prince > Third Prince > Second Princess > Fourth Prince > Third Princess

Iris, the Third Princess, was at the very bottom among the imperial family.

However, her maternal grandfather was a man with the ambition to devour the imperial family. He was Duke Robliajou.

Duke Robliajou relentlessly pushed Iris up, even to the point of making a contract with the Archfiend.

As a result, Iris suppressed her elder siblings and half-siblings, competing with the First Prince for the throne.

She rose from the position furthest from the throne to the one closest. In that process, no one dared to stand by Iris, who was even called the Last Villainess.

Moreover, her mother, the only one who had ever shown her love, had passed away, becoming a haunting nightmare. Iris had no one, not even family, by her side.

"I can serve as her subordinate, but I can't be Iris's family."

Hania's breath carried a hint of regret.

"But Hanon, you can."

She gazed at me with clear eyes.

"Because Hanon is the person who can even help Iris's insomnia improve."

No. I only provided a temporary solution for Iris's insomnia. Her insomnia wouldn't truly be resolved until her nightmares were gone.

That's why there was still so much to do to solve this.

'Above all, I'm not her real family.'

I had told Iris an important lie. Therefore, I couldn't approach Iris as family.

"Hania, that's not it."

I refuted Hania's words.

"You are the most important person by Iris's side. You're the one who has supported and watched over Iris the most, all this time."

I would definitely solve Iris's nightmares. But for everything else, Hania was more suitable than I was.

"You're Iris's friend, aren't you?"

When I smiled gently, Hania just stared at me. Then, for some reason, she frowned deeply.

"Are you perhaps flirting with women like this?"

What is she talking about?

I stared at Hania with a dumbfounded expression. Then Hania wrapped her arms around herself, the one not holding her sword.

"Don't think of putting me in your fishing net too, Hanon."

"...I've never even thought that."

"Are you saying I'm not attractive, then?"

Is this a demon's palace? No matter what I say, a blade comes flying.

Seeing me speechless, Hania chuckled emptily.

"I'm kidding. I know you don't have those intentions, Hanon. The way you look at me is different from other men."

"Hania, I'm a man too."

For some reason, Hania smiled gently.

"Yes, you are."

Why did that smile feel even sadder? Suddenly, my heart ached.

"No, wait. Perhaps this very trait is why so many women keep gathering around Hanon."

Hania pondered seriously. For me, it was a bitter realization.

To be able to get along with women only because I don't see them as members of the opposite sex… what a truly sad life.

'This is like being mentally impotent...'

I'm sorry, my son. I'll try to get you back once I save the world. Until then, you'll have to remain dormant.

"Opening."

At that moment, Hania lunged at me while I was distracted. In the end, I allowed her a hit and had to roll on the ground.

***

That night. Just like last time, I visited Iris's room in Hania's guise.

By now, entering the girls' dormitory had become utterly familiar. I casually walked past the entrance and found Iris's room.

Even when other girls walked past, I calmly greeted them in Hania's form.

Was this really okay? The thought crossed my mind, but since Iris had told me to come, there was no other way.

Swallowing a sigh, I ascended the stairs, only to realize someone was standing at the top.

My head slowly lifted. Immediately, I met the gaze of a girl with honey-blonde hair standing there.

She stood with her arms crossed, silently watching me.

"...Isabelle?"

"Hmph, so that's the form you came in."

Isabelle said nothing more, turned, and walked away. Could she have been waiting here until I arrived?

No, more importantly, how did she see right through me? The Bandage of the Veil was perfect in terms of appearance, if nothing else.

Unless it was Sharin, who possessed Mirinae, there was no way anyone could recognize me.

Was it a coincidence? Or was she just testing me?

I stared blankly at Isabelle's retreating back, my face drained of color. Isabelle truly said nothing else.

Feeling somewhat uneasy, I knocked on Iris's door.

"Come in."

Hearing Iris's reply, I opened the door. Iris was sitting by the window, quietly gazing at the sky.

The evening sky was heavily clouded, not a single ray of moonlight visible. Perhaps because of this, the room, lit only by a small lamp, was quite dark.

"Iris?"

When I called her, Iris turned to face me.

"You helped with this boycott incident, I hear."

So, she called me here to interrogate me about this? I closed the door slowly, a wry smile on my face.

"Yes, I did."

"Why?"

I couldn't tell what answer Iris wanted. I only knew she didn't want flowery words.

"It was necessary for what I aim to achieve."

It was a vague answer. But it was the truth, so as I stood there calmly, Iris tilted her head.

Her raven-black hair cascaded down with the movement. Although it was still autumn, glimpses of her skin were visible through the thin fabric of her clothes.

In the darkness, only her two ruby-red eyes shone clearly.

In her eyes, which would later act as the Archfiend's vessel, there was undoubtedly an unknown, captivating magical power.

"If it's about your goal..."

"It's to graduate safely from Zerion Academy."

The point when Zerion Academy ends. That point is the ending of the 'Flame Butterfly' arc.

After that, I don't know what will happen to the world. That's why I plan to live well, using the knowledge I've accumulated so far.

'Or perhaps I might return home after seeing the ending.'

I don't have high hopes for that. By then, returning home would probably feel more awkward.

Iris slowly tapped her hand on the table. She continued doing so for a while before looking back at me.

"So, this incident was related to your graduation?"

"As I've been active in the student council, I've come to realize that there are impure elements among the professors. I acted because I judged it better for Zerion Academy to function smoothly without them."

"Then, what about Senior Nikita's situation?"

"That was no different."

It was a necessary step for Zerion Academy to progress. That's why I took action.

"I see."

However, a flicker of disappointment crossed Iris's eyes. Reading this, I tilted my head slightly.

Was there a specific answer Iris wanted?

"So, it wasn't for my sake."

Immediately, I read the solitude dwelling in her eyes. Hania's words from earlier that day came to mind. That the solitude that defined her was something she couldn't help.

'...The person who would free Iris from her solitude was Lucas.'

Iris, who had to aim for the throne like a puppet by Duke Robliajou. In her life, Lucas was a truly unique individual.

He couldn't stand injustice and was always the first to step forward when danger arose. Even if it meant putting himself in harm's way, he willingly sacrificed himself.

Thus, at one point, Iris had felt an interest in Lucas.

It was a faint interest, one that vanished after Lucas's death, but at the time, Iris had certainly found Lucas intriguing.

Lucas, possessing the Flame of Spirit, was the key to resolving Iris's nightmares. Every night, Lucas stayed by her side, for her sake, as she struggled to fall asleep.

In that process, Iris gradually felt comfort and peace, and opened her heart to him, a warmth she had never experienced before.

Finally, on the day Lucas saved her from her nightmares, Iris truly fell in love with Lucas.

That was the story of the heroine, Iris Haisirion.

This was a far cry from my own story, as I didn't possess the Flame of Spirit.

Therefore, I couldn't play the main role like Lucas. But this alone wouldn't resolve Iris's fundamental solitude.

Her solitude ceaselessly gnawed at her. And that, in turn, directly affected her nightmares.

'I...'

I had come here in the guise of her cousin, Hanon Airey. And Iris longed for a human connection she had never experienced.

'I can do it.'

If it meant Iris would be alright, I would gladly play the role of her cousin, Hanon Airey.

But would that be enough? Would it be okay for Iris to feel a fake family bond by me acting as Hanon?

No. Absolutely not.

That wouldn't truly be for her own good.

What I wanted wasn't a decorative, fake happy ending. It was a true happy ending where everyone was happy.

"Iris."

"Yes?"

"Starting today, let's train together every morning."

"Huh?"

Fake family bonds. They could go to hell.

"Iris's nightmares."

Iris's shoulders twitched.

Everyone only knew she suffered from insomnia. No one knew she had nightmares.

Because of this, Iris's eyes widened, and a flustered expression appeared on her face.

Watching her, the corner of my mouth turned up.

"I'll take care of them."

I'll forcibly create a life for you free of insomnia.