Chapter 130: Chapter 130

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: The Autumn Demon Palace

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Act 4, Chapter 4: The Autumn Demon Palace.

Somehow, after completing Act 4, Chapter 5 first, I found myself facing an unexpected situation.

'Signs of the Demon Palace opening earlier than before.'

Originally, there was still some time left until the Autumn Demon Palace was supposed to open.

However, it seemed something unexpected had happened within the Demon Palace.

And I quickly surmised why it had occurred.

'It must be because of the Monstrous Sovereign.'

The Monstrous Sovereign had wielded the power of the Otherworld, even enduring damage to himself.

As a result, this had affected the Demonic Sovereign within the Demon Palace.

The Demonic Sovereign reacted to the Monstrous Sovereign's movements, causing the Demon Palace to open a little earlier.

'To think that Act 4, Chapter 5 proceeding first would have such an impact.'

An unforeseen situation had arisen.

This was precisely why I had wanted to keep the scenario as unchanged as possible.

But this time, the situation was urgent, so there was no other way.

"Prince Sweet Potato, how are you going to put together your team this time?"

Just then, Seron asked about the team composition.

At that moment, my eyes met Isabel's and Iris's.

The two of them stared at me intently, then looked away without a word.

I didn't know why people who could easily descend the Demon Palace without me were feeling disappointed.

More importantly, I needed to think about the Autumn Demon Palace team composition.

'There's a floor in this Autumn Demon Palace that would be good to reach.'

There was a piece of equipment there, prepared for the next scenario.

'Even without it, the problem would be solved now, but...'

Still, it was naturally better to have it.

Therefore, this time, I had to form the best team, including the essential members.

But before that, I decided to deal with the person currently fretting over this situation.

"Eve."

At my call, Eve looked my way.

Eve had just enrolled in Jerion Academy.

She was still in the midst of adapting to Jerion Academy.

With the Autumn Demon Palace being rushed, the team was a problem.

By the second year, most students already had their teams sorted out to some extent.

And now, they had to go to the Demon Palace tomorrow without even having time to practice their team coordination.

Because of this, they wouldn't bother bringing in new people, even for the sake of existing team balance.

Everyone knew Eve's skills were outstanding.

However, individual skill wasn't everything in the Demon Palace.

No one knew how well she would blend into a team.

So, for now, no one approached Eve.

Except for me, that is.

"You don't have a team yet, do you?"

"...If I joined your team, I'd probably get so stressed out I'd die."

Well, then just don't get angry, right?

Of course, I kept that thought to myself, knowing Eve would explode in a fit of rage if I said it.

"I'm not asking you to join my team."

I said, moving closer to Eve and lowering my voice.

"I'd like you to join Lady Iris's team."

Eve's eyes half-closed.

It was an unexpected suggestion for her.

But Eve had long known that an unsettling aura emanated from Iris.

She had transferred to Jerion Academy to resolve this.

So, there was no reason for her to refuse my suggestion.

"It won't be a bad offer for you either."

Being on Iris's team naturally led to good grades.

Furthermore, Eve's reputation would also rise along with it.

Eve might not care much for fame, but she was meticulous about her grades.

As I said, it was an offer that would do her no harm at all.

Eve glanced at the other students, then lowered her voice so they wouldn't hear.

"Hanun Airey, is the other person you want to save the Third Princess?"

I nodded instead of answering.

The primary reason I brought Eve to Jerion Academy was for Iris's sake.

Eve looked at me for a moment, then sighed.

"As I said before, I really don't know what you're thinking."

"World peace."

"That's precisely why I say that."

My heartfelt words didn't get through to Eve.

"So, because of that, let's go visit Lady Iris tonight."

"...Tonight?"

"Yeah, I go to Lady Iris's chambers every night."

It was a side of me I couldn't help but show in front of Eve anyway.

Eve's eyes wavered at my honest words.

"W-what?"

"I'm helping Lady Iris sleep well. We're also training together. When she's physically exhausted, she sleeps well."

Eve's lips parted.

"So, I'll be counting on you tonight."

"Hanun Airey, w-wait!"

Eve tried to grab me, but I was in a hurry.

The team members I needed weren't particularly in the Martial Arts Department.

So, as I stepped out of the classroom, Seron, who had been watching, trotted after me.

I looked at Seron, puzzled.

"Seron, why are you following me?"

"You're making a team for the Autumn Demon Palace, aren't you? I need to see who they are beforehand."

"So, why are *you* following me?"

Seron narrowed her eyes.

"You're trying to tease me again, aren't you? Do you think it'll work?"

"Didn't you see me talking to Eve just now?"

She gave a look that asked what nonsense I was spouting.

Then Seron's lips parted, and she stared at me blankly.

"I already promised Aisha for this Autumn Demon Palace, so we don't really need any more vanguards."

"W-wait, r-really?"

"Seron, when have you ever seen me lie?"

"Always."

She made me out to be a liar in an instant.

"I didn't lie this time."

"Liar!"

"I'm serious. If you don't believe me, go ask Eve."

Then she'd find out the truth and come to kill me.

But when I put on a serious face and insisted it was true this time, Seron's fists trembled.

Then she clutched her skirt tightly and began to mumble.

"R-reallyyy?"

I didn't answer further.

Then, as she remained silent, tears suddenly began to well up and gather in Seron's eyes.

Oh, I teased her too much.

"I, I trained so hard. *Sniffle*, to help Prince Sweet Potato, I even bought a new axe…"

"Se-Seron, wait a minute."

Seron's eyes were now full of tears, which began to fall in steady drops.

I expected her to just get angry as usual, but I didn't anticipate this.

I quickly rummaged through my pocket.

Fortunately, I had a handkerchief, so I wiped her tears away.

"Seron, I was wrong. It was a joke. Why wouldn't I take you? I just suggested Lady Iris's team to Eve, that's all."

Seron looked at me with a tear-streaked face.

"*Sniffle*, Really?"

"Yes, really. We've been together for so long. Why would I tell you to go somewhere else?"

I hadn't expected her to cry so genuinely either, so I was greatly flustered for the first time in a while.

It seemed Seron's feelings for me were stronger than I had thought.

Did she get scared and cry when I said I wouldn't take her?

I felt a pang of apology.

"You're really mean. You always just tease me."

Seron's crying finally subsided.

Instead, her face was filled with petulance.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong."

This time, it was my fault, so I apologized honestly.

Then Seron glanced at me repeatedly, then tightly gripped my collar.

"You're really wrong, aren't you?"

"Yes, I apologize."

"Really, really wrong, aren't you?"

"I said so."

Seron darted her eyes around.

Then, with a slightly more hesitant attitude, she spoke.

"Then, since you were wrong, shouldn't you make amends as an apology?"

Should I buy her some bread or something?

As I thought that, Seron looked up at me silently, then slowly closed her eyes.

Then she pouted her lips forward.

I stared at it for a moment.

Then Seron slyly opened her eyes halfway.

"...Prince Sweet Potato, what are you doing?"

"I was wondering what *you* were doing."

"You're supposed to make amends?"

"I don't listen to those weaker than me."

At that moment, Seron's fist flew.

She thumped my chest with her fist.

Seron's face was full of indignation.

"You said you were sorry!"

"I am sorry."

"Then it's only right to make amends!"

"How shameless! I don't succumb to malicious acts targeting my body."

Seron stared at me with a dazed expression.

Her eyes seemed to ask if I was really a man.

I caught Seron's swinging wrist.

"Seron, let's go somewhere fun after the Autumn Demon Palace is over."

"Huh? Huh?"

"That should be enough to make amends, right?"

Seron's lips curved into a smile.

Then her face flushed bright red, and she timidly lowered her arm.

"Mmm."

Seron calmed down.

This was a relief.

"Alright, I'll go gather the rest of the team then."

"G-go on."

Seron flinched and saw me off.

Then, covering her face with her hands, she fell into various thoughts, murmuring, "What, what should I wear..."

Seron was becoming more and more honest with her feelings as time went on.

After sending Seron off, I went to the first-year building.

"That person."

"It's Senior Hanun Airey."

"The one who wields ancient dragon magic?"

Then, whispers unlike before could be heard from the students all around.

It seemed my reputation among the students had changed considerably, probably thanks to recent events.

As I walked past the students, a certain person suddenly came to mind.

'Midra.'

Midra Phenin, the first-year runner-up.

His recent actions came to mind.

The time Midra had shown me the way.

'What was that about, back then?'

I didn't have much information about Midra.

There were quite a few notable figures among the first-years, but Midra wasn't one of them.

Despite being the Martial Arts Department's runner-up, he was someone who had no particular incidents other than participating in student council activities.

That was Midra.

'Is there something I don't know?'

Something I didn't know at Jerion Academy—that was a fairly intriguing prospect for me.

'I should investigate soon.'

I guess it's time to show off my information-gathering skills from my 29th game playthrough in my past life.

Just as I was looking for the training room where Aisha would be.

CRASH!

A tremendous sound suddenly echoed from inside the training room.

Startled by the immense noise, which made me wonder if the training room had been destroyed, I opened the door.

There, Aisha was lying against the wall, clutching her greatsword.

A faint groan escaped Aisha's lips.

"Aisha, look at this! You're too weak, far too weak! At this level, you shouldn't enter the Demon Palace yet!"

Immediately after, a thunderous, scolding voice was heard.

Telling Aisha, the top student of the first-year Martial Arts Department, not to enter the Demon Palace?

Wondering what kind of crazy talk this was, I looked inside.

Standing there was a man with sea-colored hair, just like Aisha's, gleaming brightly.

But this man was impossibly huge.

An absurdly massive opponent, so tall it made me wonder if his head would hit the ceiling.

Seeing him, my biological instincts screamed.

To run away from here immediately.

'This person.'

I knew who he was.

Aisha Vizbel's cousin.

Rexaron Vizbel.

He was the newly appointed Associate Professor of the first-year Martial Arts Department.