Volume 7 - Chapter 10 - The Most Dangerous Man
It was shortly before Leon and Serge ended their fight.
The main people aboard Licorn watched the battlefield from the bridge. The conversation between Leon and Serge, who were fighting, was broadcast, and Alberg, who overheard it, held his face with his right hand.
- ... Serge, did you want to be loved? Was the way I treated you bad?
Alberg seems to regret it, but Louise's reaction was the opposite.
- How did he want to be loved? So did you think that you would beforgiven for being able to do anything? He's a really nasty guy.
While each of them displayed a different attitude, Marie looked at the masked knight on the bridge.
In fact, the masked knight was in command of the fleet that Leon had assembled.
- The battle is over, isn't it?
- Bella lady, unfortunately this is the only place that has come to an end.Besides the Holy Kingdom of Rachelle, I am not aware of the movement of the remaining rebels. In addition, there are still some important figures.
Important figures ... he was referring to Ideal.
Ideal had been working behind the scenes manufacturing multiple attack units, but now his whereabouts were unclear.
The masked knight was also cautious because he did not know what he was thinking.
- But we have Luxon here, so we're safe, right?
-I hope so.
Julian became the masked knight because he seriously thought his identity would be unknown. However, Marie knew his true identity.
He noticed, but wondered if he should be more careful.
When Marie looked to her side, she saw Kyle, who had saved Yumeria.
Mother and son were here, watching the battle of Leon.
And Livia sighed a little relieved.
- ... It's over, isn't it?
On the monitor prepared for Licorn, Arroganz approached the motionless Gia with his great sword.
Angie was happy about Leon's win, but she still wants to complain to him about his bad speech.
- Isn't that idiot capable of winning in a smarter way? If he kept quiet, hewould be a man worthy of being a hero.
After hearing Angie's high praise for Lion, Marie was drawn inward.
I don't think he looks like a hero even with his mouth shut. Even so, my brother is still terrible. Did he plan to say a few final words to him before finishing it?
What was the last thing Leon wanted to say? Marie was worried about that, but a person appeared who began to cry, and directed her gaze towards her.
... It was Lelia.
-Stop! Stop now! Don't kill Serge! You don't have to go that far, do you?
Hey, please stop him!
Lelia looked at Alberg with hostile sentiment.
But Alberg thought it would be better to end up here.
- It would be better to end it here. Both for the country and for Serge.
Lelia shook her head in disbelief.
-How can you say that? He just wanted to be loved! You really didn't love him, did you? That's why you can say those horrible things without hesitation!
Lelia started crying, but then Noelle came over and slapped her.
When Lelia was shocked and stopped crying, Noelle explained the situation to her instead of Alberg.
- Do you really think you can help Serge after all this? Can't you imaginewhat would happen to him if they found him? If you don't get this over with soon ... he will continue to suffer.
It is not a peaceful modern story.
It was difficult for Lelia to understand.
Yet Marie knew. Once she was about to be crucified to replace the Saint.
Somehow, there are some parts that are the same as the previous life, so misunderstandings will happen. Although this world is quite radical, I thought too lightly of the peaceful life I had before this one.
It is a world that, unlike her previous life, was less aware of human rights.
If this didn't end here, Serge would be in for hell.
Lelia, who couldn't understand it, clung to Noelle.
- I won't let them do that! Please save him. You can save him, right? Isn'the amazing in his hometown? Please ask Leon to save him!
When Noelle turned around, Lelia turned to Angie.
However, Angie did not accept such an offer.
- Don't put one more burden on Leon. Sorry, but ending it here is the mosthumane thing we can do.
- ... And what about you? Won't you help me? If you ask him, Leon woulddo anything for you, right?
Lelia turned to Livia, who had been silent until now.
Marie, a reincarnated person just like her, quickly realized that she was trying to take advantage of Livia, a somewhat soft person.
However, Livia, who had gained several experiences, was not kind.
- I can't bother Leon with my selfishness, there's nothing I can do.
When he told her crudely that he couldn't help her, Lelia lowered her head.
- Why? ... please help me.
When Clement approached Lelia, who was shedding big tears, he tried to calm her down from showing an unpleasant scene.
- Don't look, Miss Lelia. Let's move away from here.
- No! I do not want to!
Lelia got up and made a statement to protect Serge.
-He is like me. He just wanted to be loved! I know exactly how it feels.
Because I wasn't loved either!
Lelia said she understood Serge's feelings, but Clement was puzzled.
- No, your parents loved you deeply, Miss Lelia.
- When? They only worshiped my sister because she had the skills to bethe priestess. I was excluded and my sister along with them used to talk a lot!
I… was my sister's runner up.
She said she was less loved than Noelle.
Noelle grabbed Lelia, who was crying in tears.
- That's enough.
- Let go of me! You have no idea what it's like not to be loved! - They didn't love you? You have no right to say --Marie tried to stop them.
They started fighting again. These girls shouldn't be together … Eh?
The moment Marie started moving to stop them, what she saw was a man with a gun.
- Noe ...
It was Clement who moved before Marie could scream.
- Mistress! ...!?
Pushing them away, Clement stepped in front of the man and crossed his arms. Without hesitation, the man pulled the trigger against Clement.
Although a slight "puff" from a small pistol was heard only a few times, the bullets easily pierced Clement's well-trained muscle and blew him away.
When Clement's blood splattered the bridge, the surroundings were surrounded by silence.
Noelle and Lelia couldn't understand what had happened, and they were shocked and unable to move.
Louise's eyes wavered as she looked at the man who had shot him.
- W-Why did you do it?" Why did you shoot, Emile?
The one holding the gun was Emile.
Emile's pistol was different ... its shape was different from ordinary ones and especially in its power.
With Emile holding the weapon, the light in Clement's eyes disappeared.
Then, he silently pointed the barrel at Lelia.
Dismayed by actions that no one had imagined, everyone was slow to react.
- Goodbye.
Emile's target was Lelia. Noelle, who noticed it, moved quickly and pushed Lelia away.
- Get down!
- Hey?
Lelia, who had been pushed aside by Noelle, did not understand what was happening.
Emile pulled the trigger many times and there were slight "puff" sounds. In a panic, Alberg jumped on Emile, pinned him to the ground, and took the gun from him.
Emile was curtailed, but was looking at Lelia blankly.
Lelia was safe. She was pushed away and fell to the ground.
- N-Nee-san?
A trembling Lelia called out to Noelle, who stood in front of her and showed her back. Noelle stared back at her, but she was bleeding from the edge of her mouth.
- You really are an idiot. You and Serge ... are very alike.
Blood slowly trickled down Noelle's back.
... It wasn't in one place. She had been shot in several places, blood spilling and scattering on the ground.
As she was, Noelle collapsed on the ground.
- Noelle!
Marie ran to Noelle and confirmed the injuries, was it a very powerful gun or she was in a terrible state.
Marie immediately used her healing magic, but upon checking the wound, she noticed right away.
T-This is not good. It will not survive .
Blood was pouring from her face.
Marie burst into tears when she saw a large amount of blood flowing from Noelle.
- Hold on, Noelle. If you hold on a little longer, my onii-chan will come.
Leon will definitely help you.
She continued talking to her, but Noelle was laughing painfully.
- Y-yes. I want to see Leon ... for the last time.
- It is not the last time!
Then Angie raised her voice.
- I'll inform Leon. Luxon should be able to do something about it!
Livia went to Marie, who used magic on Noelle, to help her with healing magic. But her face was surprised ... and, with regret, she looked away only once.
So, Marie asked Livia.
- You can do something about it, right?" You are much better than me,right? Healing magic is your specialty, right!?
She saw a hope in Livia, who was a better healing mage than her, but shook her head.
- I'll buy some time. Now that I don't have Are, I have to trust Luc.
Kyle and Cara were tending to Clement as the noise and murmur inside the bridge began to increase.
- T-This way looks good!
- Miss Marie, please take care of Noelle.
Julian, who was wearing a mask, took Emile's gun and walked over to him. "What the hell do you think you've done !?
No one thought that Emile would target Lelia.
Emile, who was caught, remained expressionless. He only moved his eyes to look at the lying Noelle.
- She got in the way. In reality, I was going to kill Lelia.
Lelia, who was told that she would be killed, looked at Emile with a horrified face.
- Emile?
Emile began to speak clearly.
- I thought you would choose me, but I knew Serge was better for you.
Lelia, I loved you.
- Y-You're wrong. I don't want to help Serge like that!
- I'm not wrong. After all, I've been watching you.
Emile's cold, chilling voice was not that of a frail, kind young man.
Emile slowly lifted Alberg, who was holding him down.
- What kind of power is this !?
With his slim body, he lifted Alberg with just his strength.
The scene was strange, and it looked like Emile wasn't human.
- I've been watching all ~ this time. You're worried about Serge. You might have thought it was slip-proof, but you were always the best for me. … And yet you betrayed me!
When Emile exploded his emotions, the bridge window in Licorn smashed. What appeared from there was ... Ideal.
[I have come for you, Young Emile.]
- Thanks, Ideal. But more importantly, Serge failed, didn't he?
[He was never meant to be a king. But it seems that we should switch to
Plan E. Young Emile … Are you ready?]
- Yes, that's fine. I'll take Lelia as she is.
Loic and the Masked Knight got in the way when Emile extended his right hand towards Lelia.
- Do you think I'll let you !?
- I won't let you do what you want!
However, Emile's arm transformed into the roots of a plant and he pushed them away as if he were brandishing a whip. The two of them let out a pathetic voice.
- Guaaa!
- Guheh!
When the two of them fell, Emile turned to Lelia.
- Well, does it matter if they're dead or alive? Come on, Lelia.
The roots of the tree came closer to Lelia. Lelia fell into a sitting position and tried to pull away.
- No, stay away! Stay away, monster!
When Emile heard that, he smiled weakly and darkly.
- It's okay, Lelia. ... As of right now, you will be part of that monster!
When the tree's roots tried to get entangled in Lelia, flames appeared to interfere.
- Tsk!
Emile clicked his tongue and turned his head to look at Angie. Flames were appearing around her. Angie, who manipulates the flames, launched an attack on Emile.
- You've made a fuss at your whim. I won't let you do anything else!
When the flames hit Emile, Ideal deployed a barrier to protect him. Emile's skin color disappeared and turned white, and the color of his eyes turned red.
[There are many obstacles. Shall we merge first?]
- Yes, I know. It's okay to be one with Lelia later. Lelia ... we’ll see youthen.
As Emile smiled, Ideal fired a flash of light that took the vision of everyone present.
When Marie opened her eyes, Emile and Ideal were nowhere to be seen.
Marie instructed the others to inform Leon immediately.
- Call Leon immediately! Don't forget to tell him that Noelle is in danger!
However, Louise was pointing at the monitor.
- W-Wait. Why does it keep moving? And the way it looks ...
All eyes turned to the monitor, where black liquid was pouring out of Gia.
And then, Gia was swallowed.
The appearance gradually changed ... a hideous thing had been born.
◇
- {Ideaaaaaaaaaaaaal !!}
Gia's figure was engulfed in black liquid and then turned into a hunk of meat. Something like blood vessels floated to the surface smoothly and was throbbing.
Several small, thin hands appeared, and there was even something that looked like a face. A voice that sounded like Serge's kept calling out Ideal's name.
- Hey, that face, don't tell me that ...
[... It's the same Serge. Ideal appears to have put a piece of the magical armor that he said he had destroyed on Gia. It really did. Yes, it has been a long time since someone besides you, Master, has made fun of me.] - This is no time to joke! Can you save him?! [Were you going to save him?]
- ... Pretend you I didn’t say that.
I asked him if he could help him, but given what Serge did he would be executed even if he hadn't been fooled by Ideal.
- {Someone! Shomehbohdy hehlp mehph…. }
When the pained expression disappeared from Serge's face that appeared on the surface, bright red eyes emerged afterwards.
Luxon warned me. [Master, it's dangerous!] - I know!
[No, it's not just the magic armor in front of you ... it's also the Sacred
Tree.] - Eh?
While I was flying Arroganz into the sky, I looked at the Sacred Tree and Luxon enlarged the image. The one who was in that place ...
- Why is Emile merging with the Sacred Tree ?!
[I have contacted Licorn. Master, it appears that Emile was working with
Ideal.]
- … Enough is enough. My stomach can’t take anymore!!
As I looked down, I saw the magical armor resembling a piece of meat approaching me with blades of ice appearing around it.
He approached Arroganz while releasing an ice blade.
Maybe this also has a tracking function, even if we ran it will chase us.
There were hundreds of them.
- Intercept them!
[Understood.]
The missiles were launched one after another from the additional armed unit attached to Arroganz, destroying the ice blades.
After firing all the missiles, Luxon ejected the additional armed unit.
So Luxon asked my permission. It was a method of solving all the problems in this second otome game. Looking at the actual problems that followed, this was the quickest solution.
[That's all. Master, the Sacred Tree is apparently out of control. Before that happens, an attack on my main body ... is ...]
- Luxon? Hey, Luxon! Stop joking right now!
When Luxon suddenly stopped working, a more inorganic voice than usual was produced as if it had rebooted.
[The link with the main unit has been cut. Going offline.] - You must be kidding me!!!!
The link with Luxon was severed and I had to fight alone against the demonic unit and the Sacred Tree.
◇
In a sky far from the continent where the republic is located.
Luxon, who dropped the optical camouflage and made the aircraft appear, was surprised that the wireless connection to the unit was broken.
[... Are you serious, Ideal?]
The land of the republic was seen in the distance. Furthermore, the Sacred Tree was also visible. Floating between the Republic and Luxon was a square-shaped transport aircraft. This was the main body of Ideal.
[Luxon ... I will make effective use of your body. I'm really looking forward to getting the main weapon you have. It's unnecessary for someone broken like you.]
[You're the one who's broken, Ideal. Changing masters all the time is a problem for an artificial intelligence.]
By changing masters without a routine logic, Luxon decided that Ideal was broken.
[Why am I broken? That’s unlikely. You're the one that's broken! The way you've succumbed to new humans and are being used a lot by them is repulsive! What do you think we are and what have we fought for? You don't need that power!]
And then, he noticed that Ideal was pointing her own main weapon at him.
[You and I are not going to fight.]
Comparing his fighting abilities, Luxon was overwhelmingly superior.
As a supply ship, Ideal didn't need to have offensive capabilities. He could load weapons for attack interceptions, but that was it.
Even Ideal wouldn't challenge Luxon if he didn't have a plan.
[... Did you think I have not come prepared?]
Immediately afterwards, a rainbow-colored sphere engulfed the entire Republic.
As much as Luxon tried to investigate, he was unable to examine the state of the Republic. The republic was completely isolated without receiving any information from the wireless connection of the units installed inside it.
[What are you planning?]
[I will conceal the Republic. Now you can't fire the main gun. If you shoot, you might hit your Master.]
After sealing Luxon's biggest attack, Ideal unveiled his next move.
[And I won't challenge you with a single aircraft]
Luxon noticed a new reaction, and the next thing he saw were several aircraft emerging from the sea. It was not an aircraft built by Ideal, but one used by ancient humans.
And it wasn't just any aircraft.
Not just two or three, Luxon was surrounded by a total of six aircraft.
Luxon immediately tried to contact the other supply ships, but they did not respond.
[Did you remove the AIs that controlled them? Ideal, are you operating them yourself? Such processing power shouldn't be available to a supply ship like you.]
Luxon was also surprised by events that exceeded Ideal's processing capacity.
[I will push like this with this number]
Immediately after that word, Ideal and the other supply aircraft launched their optical weapons, royal weapons, and missiles towards Luxon one after another.
Luxon intercepted them, but it was inevitable that he would be hit by a massive attack surrounding him.
[...Master]
Luxon and Leon faced strong opponents on separate battlefields.
◇
In the meantime...
Emile, who began to merge with the Sacred Tree, incorporated the lower part of his body into the Sacred Tree.
An Ideal wireless connection unit is floating off to the side.
[Are you sure you want to do this? Once you merge with the Sacred Tree, there is no going back.]
-Yes, that's fine. For me, this world can disappear. [I am reluctant to be in a situation like this.] - Me too.
Emile had been working with Ideal for quite some time.
It was at the moment that Lelia cooled down her relationship with Emile and her heart was taken by Serge.
But Emile still loved Lelia.
- I wish I had Lelia ... I didn't need anything else.
All Emile wanted was Lelia.
However, the difference with Serge was that he wanted nothing more.
Emile was easier to handle than Serge, not only because of Lelia, but also a rivalry with Leon and a distorted affection for his family.
[I wanted to fix things for you. I was serious.]
- Thanks. I will ask you one last favor. It doesn't matter if she's dead or alive, bring me Lelia. We will be together from now on.
Emile, who spread his hands ecstatically, was picked up by the Sacred Tree as it was. When Emile disappeared, the color of the Sacred Tree changed.
Tree branches and green leaves petrified and cracked.
The huge roots that supported the seven lands of the republic also lost their color and cracked.
As the leaves fell apart and fell to the ground, the territory of the Lespinasse family smoked from the impact of those falls.
And the branches of the Sacred Tree were not petrified, but pulsed like living beings. The huge and numerous branches of the sacred tree swelled like creatures. It was better to call it a Magic Tree, not a Sacred Tree.
If it were a demon world, it was convincing even if such a plant was said to inhabit there. [Sacred Tree ... let's keep our promise together.]
As Ideal's red eye began to glow, the Sacred Tree began to absorb the magical power from the air. So when the red particles came together to the point that humans could see them and were absorbed by the Sacred Tree ... a white insect-shaped monster from the Sacred Tree appeared that had taken it in.
Ants, bees, centipedes, mantises ... various kinds of insect-type monsters of sizes from 1 meter to 30 appeared.
As they appeared one after another, they drifted away from the Sacred Tree.
Ideal was observing the scene.
[Eliminate the new humans from the republic ... And be sure to kill
Luxon's master. Don't leave him alive.]
When ordered to kill Leon, the monsters flocked towards Arroganz
◇
The masked knight watched the Holy Tree turn white and petrify from the cover of Licorn.
He hit his fist on the railing.
-Damn!
He also saw the monsters flying from the Sacred Tree one after another, but was unable to do anything else.
The masked knight used a smartphone-like device to confirm the location of the kingdom's airships floating around.
- How many aircraft still have the ability to fight?
It was Daniel who responded to the communication.
-{Keep fighting!? We are low on ammunition. The armors also need repairs and supplies, they can barely move.}
Leon's friends fought the rebels, but they fought well because even though the enemy aircraft and armed units were high-performance, the quality of the enemy personnel was poor.
Even the opponents with the emblem of the six great nobles sank in front of Einhorn and Licorn.
When the battle ended, they realized that the opponent was weaker than they expected.
However, even though they beat the rebel troops, they did not escape unscathed.
Looking at the Licorn deck, Jilk's armed unit was being resupplied and fixed by a drone.
All the armed units that fought against Serge were shattered.
Then the masked knight asked Greg, who was sitting on the deck, if he could still fight.
- Greg, can you come out again?
- Why should I receive your orders? I'd like to say that, but it's justbecause of this situation. I will go out, but it will be difficult for us to deal with so many with our numbers.
Chris, who was watching the monsters fly from the Sacred Tree, took off his pilot's suit and put on a loincloth.
Coldly correcting the posture of his glasses, he saw the countless enemies.
- They have launched an attack indiscriminately. Have they finished theevacuation?
Brad waved his hands with a tired face and said that it is impossible with the republic of now.
- The emblems are missing and the chain of command is a mess.If therewere no aircraft that could move properly, wouldn't that be the same as anarchy?
Jilk held binoculars and checked the damage from the allied aircraft.
- Our allies have also suffered damage. The problem is, Count Baltfaultneeds our help. I don't think I have time to help the people of the Republic.
The masked knight looked up at the sky.
The republic, surrounded by a barrier of rainbow colors, could not see outside. It was doubtful if the country could be escaped.
What should I do? It is out of the question not to help Baltfault, but the people of the Republic are in danger as well as they are. But, it is also impossible with the force there is.
Then the masked knight looked at the bridge.
... Marie is also treating Noelle, but how long will it last?
The masked knight, to whom Leon had given command, was disgusted by his own indecision.
You fought well, Baltfault. I honestly respect you. But if you're in charge, even I ...
But when the masked knight was determined to issue an order, Angie reached the deck.
-Angelica?
While the masked knight was confused, Angie took the communicator and spoke to the allied airships around.
- This is a message from Leon. Defeat all the monsters that attack thepeople of the Republic.
When Leon's friends heard that, they started screaming.
- That's impossible. Impossible!}
- {My unit is smashed!}
- {No matter how strong an aircraft is, it has its limits!}
Raymond's persuasion could be heard from Angie's comm.
- {Miss Angelica, we are at the limit. It is impossible to fight in thissituation. I cannot order my subordinates to die. This is the republic. Leaving aside the argument about protecting our homeland, it is impossible for us to give our lives to fight for another country.}
Even if Raymond was ordered to fight for the Republic, the morale of his men would decline. In the worst case, they might even run away.
Once Angie took a deep breath, she put a lot of power into her brows and put on a sharp look. Then, loudly from the belly, she gave a loud cry.
- How can you leave those things alone and say that it will not affect theKingdom? What if they let the monsters keep breeding and burn your hometowns!? At this point, do your best to stop the damage as much as possible!
- {B-But ...}
Angelica smiled and began to talk in a good mood with Raymond and the others, who were still not convinced.
- And did you forget who my fiancé is? My fiancé, Leon, is a man whodoes not fight in a fight that he cannot win! He has always been victorious even in the most difficult situations. And now Leon is fighting on the front lines. Why do you think this is so?
Until now, Leon had won in desperate situations.
His friends remembered it too.
- At first it was a duel with His Highness, Julian. They all said he wouldlose, but who won?
- {... It was Leon.}
Julian, who was dressed as the masked knight, was embarrassed to be reminded of the duel.
Are you repeating that history here? Can you stop?
He remembered that day, when he was more naive than now, when he challenged Leon believing he could beat him, and he took a beating.
However, Angie didn't stop there.
- The next thing was with the principality. Who defeated the Principality'sfleet and the Black Knight with a single airship boarded by students? - {It was Leon. That's how it is. He defeated that black knight!} The voices of Leon's friends gradually grew brighter.
- After that, the kingdom, suffering an internal struggle, fought against thePrincipality. It was an overwhelming handicap, but who led them to victory? -{Leon!}
-That's how it is. He only fights when he's sure he's going to win!
- {Well then, can we win this time too? In this situation !?} Angie raisedher voice to the surrounding allies.
"Win this battle and make a name for yourself in both the kingdom and the republic! If your names are engraved in history, they will be honored by generations to come. What will you brave men do?
Daniel was inspired when Angie called them brave men.
- {I will do it! If I've made it this far, I'll make a name for myself in the
Republic!} Raymond sighed.
- {In the end, we will continue to the end. Haa, it's okay. He repaired myaircraft for free and gave me an armed unit.}
Before they arrived in the Republic, Leon was making preparations.
One of them was the repair of the aircraft and armed units that he handed over to his friends.
When the speech was over, the masked gentleman approached Angie and asked her about her true intentions.
- That was amazing. But do you really think they can win?
- ... There is a 50% chance. The rest will be up to Leon.
-I see. But there is some chance of winning. So I can fight too. White grains flew out one after another from the writhing Sacred Tree. Every visible grain was a monster.
Angie crossed her hands in front of her chest as if praying.
- Leon, don't do anything reckless.
◇
This was happening at Licorn's medical office.
Noelle, who was taken there, managed to stay alive with the healing magic of Marie and Livia. Marie had ripped Noelle's clothes with scissors and she was now naked. Noelle, who had lost a great deal of blood, looked bluer than usual. There were dark circles under her eyes and her breathing was weak.
She was in a state where she could have died, but kept her life and consciousness at the last minute thanks to healing magic.
Marie, whose hands were all red with Noelle's blood, continued to speak to her.
- Hang on, Noelle! Soon. Leon will be back soon. Luxon will restore yourbody!
Marie's eyes watered as she wanted to help her friend. Right now she was about to cry, but she held back.
Seeing her, Noelle giggled helplessly.
- If this was going to happen ... I should have confessed. Sorry, Olivia, but
...
Livia desperately continued the treatment, but her expression had a sad feeling.
- It's not too late yet.
- Haha ... you're lying, right? I understand. My body ... is in bad shape,right? Both Marie and Livia knew in their minds that Noelle could not be saved. However, they did not intend to stop her healing magic.
Livia smiled with all her might.
- Leon is a coward when it comes to love, so he often runs away. So if youwant to confess to him, you'd better do it in a situation where he can't run away.
She even gave advice to her romantic rival. Noelle smiled when she heard it.
- I think the same. You know he always dodges the answer to the mostimportant question? Ah, but ... that side of him can be good too.
A bloody Marie joined the conversation. She desperately tried to keep her voice cheerful.
- You are a fool, Noelle. There are a lot of good guys out there. Let's finda better guy than Leon. II-I'll even help you find someone better.
Noelle smiled at Marie, who was about to cry.
- Don't cry, Marie.
- I-I'm not crying! I will save you and help you find a good man! And then... And then we'll spend more time ...
Lelia shook her head in the corner of the room.
- I do not get it. Why did you save me?
She didn't understand the reason why Noelle saved her. If the situation had been the other way around, Lelia would not have been able to move.
Even if she could move, she would not have protected Noelle.
However, Noelle was seriously injured and dying for saving her.
Livia looked up when Noelle moved her mouth and whispered something to her. Then Livia looked at Lelia.
- She wants to talk to you.
Lelia moved shakily closer to Noelle.
Looking at Noelle lying on the bed, she was afraid of what Noelle might say. But ... Noelle told her an important story.
- Lelia, he's probably no longer with you ... so I'll tell you.
- What? Do not give up. You are the priestess, right? You should be ableto do something with your mystical powers!
If you are a priestess you can surely do something, right?
However, Noelle effortlessly denied it and showed her right hand.
- For a long time. The little sapling of the Sacred Tree is trying to help me.
But it seems that it is not working.
The priestess emblem on the back of her right hand glowed with a dim light to aid Noelle.
But that didn't seem to be enough to help her.
- Nii-san!
Lelia tried to say something, but for some reason she couldn't get a word out. Then, Noelle spoke to Lelia about her parents with a serious expression. - Lelia, you were actually the most loved.
- Eh?
Lelia couldn't understand what she was saying. Is it a story that should be heard right now? She couldn't ask such a question and was silent.
- Our parents ... have always loved you. It's a lie that you weren't fit to bethe priestess.
From there began the story of the past that Lelia did not know.
◇
It was around those times, when Noelle was only five years old.
The Lespinasse family was still alive, and Noelle and Lelia lived in wealth. Noelle listened to Lelia's conversation with her parents from afar.
Her father hugged Lelia.
- Lelia is so smart! Yes, politics needs the opinion of the people! That isdemocracy, right?"
- You know difficult words very well. Good work, Lelia! Noelle couldn't understand what they were talking about.
However, both her father and mother continued to smile in front of Lelia.
Her mother stroked Lelia's head.
- We can really trust Lelia for the future of the republic.
In her mother's words, Lelia was like a bright light to her eyes. - A priestess! Can I be a priestess too?
In front of the cheerful Lelia, her parents laugh troublesomely.
They did not claim that Lelia could become the priestess, and the answer was ambiguous. Her father spoke sweetly to Lelia.
- The priestess is certainly important, but there are more important things.
You are smart and you will surely follow our will.
Lelia responded with a big smile.
-Yes!
Her mother hugged Lelia too.
- With you here, the Lespinasse family will also be safe.
Noelle felt very lonely when she saw her parents spoil Lelia.
But that changed in one night.
Noelle, not Lelia, was called to her parents' room. Noelle was worried that they would be upset with her, but at the same time she wanted to be pampered like Lelia.
When she plucked up his courage and went to their room, her parents were waiting for her and greeted her with grim looks.
- Father, mother, um, this ...
Speaking to her silent parents, little Noelle couldn't handle herself like
Lelia. Seeing this, her parents let out a disappointed sigh in front of Noelle.
Her mother blatantly compared her to Lelia.
- Noelle, you are Lelia's twin and older sister. You should learn from herand be more assertive.
The same thing happened with her father. His eyes looked at Noelle as he crossed his hands in front of his mouth and looked at her coldly.
- It's terrible to compare her to the brilliant Lelia, but it's also a problemwhen the same twin is so different.
Noelle leaned in.
Lelia, who does everything right, was expected to be the future of the Lespinasse family.
Everyone said that Lelia would be the next priestess.
Noelle was also seen only as a replacement.
Noelle's silence left her parents even more astonished. But then ... his mother spoke.
- Noelle, you will be the next priestess.
- Eh?
Noelle, who raised her face, was glad to think that her parents recognized her. However, the next moment, it felt as if she was being pushed down into an abyss.
Her father talked about why he didn't make Lelia the priestess.
- I can't allow Lelia to have a difficult life as the priestess. I need that girlto continue our will, so I will announce that Lelia is unfit to be the next priestess.
Noelle could not understand the reasoning of her parents, who said that they would not let Lelia be the priestess to protect her.
However, she wanted to say that she would do her best.
- A-Ah, father? I will do my best. I will do my best as the priestess andcarry on with her will.
- I'll do my best ... I want you to see me! It seems her parents didn't expectmuch from Noelle who acted desperately.
But then, her mother spoke coldly.
- Do your best as the priestess? That is why I cannot entrust our will toyou. Noelle, as an older sister, you will protect Lelia. That girl is the hope of our family, the Lespinasse family.
-Hope?
It's as if they told her that they didn't expect anything from Noelle.
Despite being twins, Noelle was told to live for Lelia.
- Did you understand, Noelle? No matter what happens in the future, youwill protect Lelia.
Noelle, who was heavily pressured by her mother, got scared and nodded.
Seeing that, his father seemed to feel a bit relieved.
- With this we can protect Lelia. And Noelle, you can't tell anyone aboutthis. Of course, you can’t tell Lelia. Because she is a smart girl.
Noelle thought about this moment.
If I was a better girl, would you treat me more lovingly?
That is why, whatever happens, she decided to protect Lelia because of the promise she made to her parents.
◇
... Licorn medical office.
After Noelle finished speaking, she started spitting blood from her mouth. Lelia was worried.
- Nee-san!
With her mouth stained with blood, Noelle told Lelia what she really wanted to tell her ... show her how difficult it was for her.
- I'm clumsy and I'm not as good as you. I'm not very helpful ... but as abig sister, I always tried my best ...
-It's okay! Okay, just be quiet!
Noelle grabbed Lelia by the arm.
- I was jealous of you. You were so good at everything and the peoplearound you loved you ... You could see that just by looking at Clement, right?
They cared more for you than for me.
Lelia shook her head.
- Not. You're wrong! I really…!
Before Lelia could say anything, Noelle smiled. It was the best smile she could do. Noelle herself didn't know why she was smiling.
- I hated you. Although we are twins, my parents loved you more. When Iheard what Mr. Alberg had to say, I understood that I was not cut out to be a priestess. They knew from the beginning that we couldn't be the priestess.
They knew it and made me do the most painful part.
Lelia covered her ears with both hands to stop listening.
Noelle dared to tell Lelia a story she didn't want to hear.
- You were loved. You were loved much more than me. Why didn't younotice it? With Emile too. Why didn't you notice it?
- And me...!
Noelle said goodbye to Lelia, who was beginning to cry.
- You were more loved than me, but I seem to have made it this far, so doyour best alone.
Lelia clung to Noelle.
-Wait! Wait, please!
And then, Noelle's consciousness disappeared.
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