NOVEL NEXT chapter 123
123. The Fugitive (3)
—
Before heading to the Adel Tavern, a parasite latched onto me.
When I shot it a look of disdain, it shrank back, shoulders hunching.
“Eruzel, remember this: you are but a rat, scavenging the crumbs I drop. Do not dare touch what I wish to consume.”
Suddenly, its eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Now I’m a rat, am I? I’ve been feeling miserable since I arrived here, and I can’t fathom how I’ve ended up in such a state…”
Perhaps my words had been a bit too harsh.
Feeling a twinge of guilt, I offered a gentle smile to soothe its tender heart.
“No, even a rat lives with more purpose than you. It toils day and night, fighting for survival. So, in a way, what I just said was a compliment.”
Yet, it only scowled, sulking with a stubborn pout.
“How absurd. How is that a compliment?”
“Why? Should I say it differently? ‘My dear brother, have you eaten?’ How about that?”
“Ugh. At least I’m empty-stomached. No chance of throwing up, then.”
And this is why I can’t muster even a shred of affection for this creature, let alone any fondness.
Even when I speak kindly, it reacts like someone about to be seasick.
I truly don’t understand what its problem is.
Mircel and Niasel have their charming sides, at least…
I squinted, studying Eruzel’s face.
“…Why is there such a difference between you and the twins? Do you perhaps harbor some secret of your birth?”
“Why are you bringing them up? And yes, I am indeed my mother’s son. My silver hair is just like my father’s.”
As we exchanged trivial banter, the door to the Adel Tavern swung open.
“Rest assured, though. I treat Daisel as if he were not even my brother. You are a better human than he is.”
“That sounds rather pleasant to hear. Hehe, to think I’m better than my second brother.”
“Indeed, you are far superior to that lunatic who sought to unleash chaos and slaughter.”
The eyes of the crowd turned toward us.
Eruzel wiped away its earlier dazed expression, adopting a demeanor befitting a noble.
It seems it’s trying to be mindful of others’ gazes.
“Hmm? But, brother, someone is already seated at our table?”
“Oh, it seems Emeric is treating us today.”
“…Then what about my food?”
“Do not worry. I’ll make sure you get yours too.”
—
From what Atra told me, Emeric’s winnings from the last gamble amounted to a staggering 970,000 coins.
He’s a sudden millionaire, ranked among the top five of the Frost Heart magnates.
In contrast, the coins in my possession, including half of what Atra had earned, barely reached 530,000.
I cannot forgive that.
Originally, it should have been me among the top five magnates.
I had done all the work, yet he dared to usurp my place.
Unaware of my turmoil, Emeric cheerfully gestured to the empty seat beside him.
“Ah, Hursel Ben Tenest. Please, take a seat. The food will be out shortly.”
Then he glanced at the man beside him, Erucel, and asked,
“But who is that fellow?”
It was the man sitting next to Emeric, watching the room with keen eyes—was his name Hamon?
He answered in place of Emeric.
“Oh, you must have been at the Burger Hall and missed it. That’s Erucel Ben Tenest. Hursel’s brother.”
“Ah, pleased to meet you, seniors.”
As Erucel awkwardly greeted us, Emeric pointed to the seat across from me.
“I didn’t know you entered with your brother. That’s splendid. You should sit as well.”
Emeric called over a waiter and handed the menu to Erucel.
I spoke to Erucel in a calm voice.
“Order whatever you want.”
Erucel glanced at Emeric, gauging his reaction, and replied softly.
“Is it really alright?”
“Of course. Isn’t that right, senior?”
Emeric nodded readily.
Soon, the meals began to arrive, and Erucel swallowed hard, eyeing the dishes in front of him.
Since he hadn’t ordered in advance, he would have to wait a bit longer.
As I finished a plate of meat, Emeric asked point-blank,
“Do you have any thoughts of joining the Ten?”
Hamon, sitting beside him, seemed startled, dropping his fork onto the plate.
I picked up my spoon without a care.
“Why do you ask something like that?”
—
“Perhaps I wondered if you might have any inclination, so I asked. Yet, judging by your expression, it seems you have no thoughts at all.”
The position of the Ten Great is one that only the most capable students of the Academy can attain.
Soon, Riamon would claim a seat, and the other main players were set to rise with the graduation of the third years.
“Indeed, that’s true. I have little interest in such things.”
As I spoke dismissively, Emeric fixed his gaze upon me.
It seemed he was trying to delve deep into my intentions.
“Then what is it that you desire?”
For a moment, I pondered how to respond to his question.
What could I possibly wish for?
Well, for now, merely to graduate without incident.
To live a prosperous life, observing whether the scenario flows smoothly, and to escape this hellish Academy.
“There’s nothing much I want. If we’re speaking solely of the Academy, all I desire is to graduate without any trouble.”
Emeric asked with a voice tinged with curiosity.
“By trouble, you mean things that might disturb your peace of mind, yes? Then, what will you do in such cases?”
“What can I do? I must change things so they don’t disturb me.”
To ensure the scenario flows smoothly.
“······.”
As I replied bluntly, Emeric fell silent.
He soon chuckled softly and nodded.
“Ah, so that was it.”
“What was?”
“Nothing, nothing at all. Let’s eat. Your brother is coming over there.”
For a while, only conversation about food passed between us.
As my stomach began to feel pleasantly full, I glanced at Erucel.
He still seemed to have a great deal he wished to eat, showing no intention of leaving his seat.
“I think I’ll take my leave now. I’ve eaten well, senior. Erucel, you can finish up and head in when you’re ready.”
“Understood.”
With that, I exited the dining hall.
* * *
As Hershel departed, Hamon inquired.
“Are you just planning to sit quietly and graduate without a fuss?”
Emeric scoffed at the words.
“Is that really the case? It sounded quite different to my ears.”
“Hmm?”
Hamon blinked, staring at Emeric’s face.
Emeric set down his fork and began to explain slowly.
“Hussel Ben Tenest said he would change anything that bothered him.”
“Why’s that?”
“That man chose the Shulafe crown. What do you think that means?”
Hamon tilted his head in confusion.
“What do you mean?”
“Discontent with the current regime. The slave revolution was proof of that. It wasn’t merely a protest aimed at us.”
“Uh, uh… So?”
Emeric gazed at the spot where Hussel had been seated as he answered.
“He doesn’t like this place. He surely sees the entire academy as something that needs to be changed.”
A shiver ran through Hamon, his pupils constricting.
“You don’t mean…”
Emeric chuckled softly, voicing his thoughts.
“He intends to become the student council president.”
Hamon gasped, his mouth agape.
“Doesn’t it all fit together now? Hamon. The seat of the Ten is easily seized by force. But he’s not interested in that. It’s not enough for him. He’s aiming for something much higher.”
To become the student council president, one must not only be strong but also approach the ideal of perfection.
One must prove their capability in handling affairs and capture the hearts of the populace to finally earn the students’ votes.
That position was a throne of power reserved for those who possessed both wisdom and virtue.
“To change the academy, one must sit upon the throne. And if it’s Hussel Ben Tenest—”
Emeric abruptly halted his words.
Hamon, with a serious expression, pressed his fingertip to his lips and glanced around cautiously.
“Watch your mouth, will you? What if someone hears?”
“Ahem, I spoke too freely…”
Comments about a coup must always be treaded upon with caution, no matter where one is.
—
It was hardly wise to let the ears of the current power hear such things.
Emmerich, realizing his blunder, cast a furtive glance at the nearest Eruzel.
“Hmm, ah. This is truly delicious.”
The fellow, cheeks puffed out, was wholly absorbed in shoveling food into his mouth.
“Eruzel, did you catch what I just said?”
“Hmm? What did you say?”
“…No, never mind. Enjoy your meal.”
Emmerich left Eruzel to his feast and turned to converse with Hamon.
“More importantly, Emmerich, let’s return to the matter at hand. What shall we do about the gambling? Those above the seventh round will be back in a few days.”
“Let them be. It’s clear they’ll strut about, boasting of their direct tutelage under the current ranks. If we keep our lips sealed about Hursel, friction will arise on its own. They particularly despise the Shulafe crown, after all.”
Eruzel treated their chatter as mere noise, quietly chewing on his food.
‘Honestly, to prattle on during a meal. Such lack of decorum.’
Eruzel had no interest in the student council president or any of that nonsense.
* * *
In the underground dungeon, Henderson gazed at the backs of Luon and Alena, who walked ahead.
She limped slightly, as if one leg troubled her, while Luon supported her as they moved.
He hadn’t noticed it during the surgery, but now, as they traveled, the truth became apparent.
“Hey there, miss. Your joints seem fine; is this a ruse?”
Alena whipped her head around.
Her gaze was laced with disgust.
“Were you leering at my leg, you creep?”
Henderson clenched his teeth and pushed past the pair.
‘I have eyes too, you know. What does it matter if you look decent? You’re completely unhinged.’
“Is this how it’s done?”
“Good. Ah, turn right there.”
At Alena’s command, Henderson veered down one of the three paths.
Suddenly, three bats the size of rabbits swooped in with a flurry.
“Ahhh!”
Henderson flailed his arms, swinging his bone whip.
Alena found the sight so amusing that she doubled over in laughter, clutching her sides.
—
“Cackle, cackle, cackle!”
‘This, this crazy woman!’
Henderson, hastily dispatching the bats, shot a glare at Alena and asked,
“Ugh, do you really know the way?”
“How should I know it all? This dungeon changes paths at the drop of a hat.”
In that moment, Henderson felt a surge of anger, a desire to strike her down.
But to act recklessly now would mean his head would burst open.
Besides, he couldn’t wander off alone…
“Ugh, then it’s better if I find the way myself.”
“Oh, don’t worry. The sentinel’s position is always the same. Just follow my lead.”
“What, what? The sentinel? You’re thinking of going to where that thing is?”
Alena shrugged her shoulders.
“Of course. There’s an emergency exit there. If you don’t like it, you can go your own way. Come on, Luon.”
Luon and Alena stepped ahead.
Henderson, caught in a dilemma, soon found his feet moving.
The eerie cries of the monsters echoed from all around.
“L-Let’s go together.”
After walking in silence for a while, Alena pointed to an entrance.
“Here, here.”
As she reached for her spellbook to enter, Luon held her back.
Alena looked at him, surprised.
“Why? Is Luon going to hunt?”
“Well, I want to stretch my legs a bit.”
Henderson scoffed at Luon, who was about to step in unarmed, as if he had just narrowly escaped death.
‘Now that I think about it, that guy doesn’t seem quite right either. Is he just indifferent? I guess like attracts like.’
Henderson’s mind was filled with thoughts of abandoning them, leaving them behind.
Once they escaped the dungeon, they would no longer hold any value to him.
But as Luon crossed the threshold, something caught his eye.
“Hmm?”
In the center, a skeletal lizard opened its blue eyes.
Though merely a mockery of a bondragon, it was still a formidable foe to face unarmed.
Yet, one of its eyes was suddenly cleaved open with a sharp sound.
‘A clean cut? That means that creature…’
There was no time for reflection.
The sentinel, with azure flames flickering at its lips, charged toward Luon like a bolt of lightning.
Still, Luon approached with a leisurely stride.
“Hey!”
The shout came out in haste, but it was already too late.
The sentinel’s maw, hurtling straight at him, loomed closer.
As Henderson squeezed his eyes shut, the sound of bones scraping against the stone floor echoed through the hall.
Kkakakakakak!
“It’s over.”
Only after Alena spoke did Henderson dare to open his eyes.
“Yeah, your boyfriend’s probably splattered all over.”
“Is your eye a hole in the ground? Look straight, will you?”
At her irritable voice, Henderson peered through the swirling dust.
Then, his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Wha—?”
The sentinel lay motionless, sprawled on the ground.
And beside its tail, Luon stood, gripping a heart as large as a grown man’s torso in one hand.
Hwooosh—
A chill emanated from his grasp.
As Luon hurled the heart to the ground, it shattered with a sound like glass breaking.
Henderson swallowed hard as he watched Luon, nestled against Alena.
‘This guy, he’s something else.’
In that fleeting moment, he had evaded the sentinel’s charge and extracted its heart.
With skills like that, it was only a matter of time before he became a high-ranking sentinel in the shadows.
A talent too precious to let slip away.
“Pheldira, but why not erase the memories?”
“Oh come on, I told you to call me Alena now. And memories? I have precious ones with you—why would I erase those?”
—
It’s true that the strange words and ramblings echoing from earlier belong to the madmen…
I was pondering whether to take them seriously, squinting my eyes in contemplation.
Elena stood in the middle of the corridor, flicking her fingers.
“Hey, mister. What are you doing? Hurry up and come here.”
“Uh? Uh…”
Henderson stood there, his face blank and vacant.
Then Elena began to draw a sigil, and the ground shimmered, transforming the landscape entirely.
Pop!