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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 86 – Catalyst (2)
“Please… save us.”
Though her words seemed sudden, I felt exhilaration rather than surprise.
It took effort to restrain the twisted smile tugging at my lips.
I had wondered if she would ever take the bait, but now, she had moved exactly as I’d intended.
Holding back my satisfaction, I tried to erase the ominous look from my face.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat lightly.
Donning a calm mask, I watched as Charlotte hesitated, fumbling a few more words.
It seemed she was gauging my reaction.
“I know… it must sound strange. But needing your help—that much, at least, is the truth.”
A fresh response from her.
She was usually a character who hid her emotions completely.
Charlotte was always the picture of serenity, moving through the world without disturbance, sorrow, or anger—like the surface of a still lake.
—Ahaha… it’s been a delightful performance.
—But the charade is over now. I’ve achieved what I set out to accomplish.
—From now on, I’ll carry out his will.
When Judas betrayed them in the final act of the original story, while the others were thrown into shock, only Charlotte had remained expressionless.
Her unfeeling reaction had led to a notorious nickname among players, some of whom went so far as to call her a “robot.”
It was a well-known in-game meme.
[Category: General Forum]
[Title: People who like Charlotte really baffle me]
She’s practically a machine.
I’m not usually picky, but there’s something about a robot girl…
[What, you don’t even consider her human? Lol]
-> Might as well call her a machine
-> Makes sense though. Even a robot would have more expression than her.
-> Seriously, she’s just blank 24/7
-> But that’s the charm
-> Tag: emotionless
-> Ahh, I see.
[Say what you will, she’s still top 3 in every popularity poll]
-> Do you not see how OP Her Highness is?
-> She’s past her prime anyway, just a relic of an older era
-> Take it back… right now…
[Does that mean if Charlotte uses a broom she’d be a Roomba?]
-> LOL amazing
[“Robot girl?” Clearly you don’t appreciate the beauty of Gundams]
-> …?
-> …?
-> Bro, just leave.]
It was one of the memes I had enjoyed quite a bit.
Whenever I uploaded footage featuring Charlotte, I made sure to add a bit of “robot” humor for attention.
“Help… it’s a sensitive matter, but if you want, I can explain.”
At any rate.
For a girl usually so emotionless, her voice now seemed to waver.
Most people might think she was calm, but for her, this was unusually unsteady.
Her blue eyes held a rare glimmer of uncertainty.
‘It must be about the Rose.’
Even her gaze was tinged with a kind of desperate hope.
I smoothed my expression, softening it with a light smile, and interrupted her hesitating words.
“You don’t have to explain.”
She’d bitten down on the bait.
It seemed my display against the thought-form had had the intended effect.
While I had made an extravagant show hoping for this outcome, I hadn’t expected it to work so thoroughly.
Clearly, the situation was dire for her.
“I don’t need to hear it to understand. The help Your Highness seeks—it’s about the Rose, isn’t it?”
“How did you…”
“I have rather keen ears.”
“…”
The girl looked up at me, stunned into silence.
I gave her a brief smile.
Then, leaning closer until my face was near her ear, I whispered softly.
“I would be happy to help you, if that’s your wish.”
My cool voice coiled around her.
There was a hint of persuasion in my tone, meant to draw her further in—like a snake tightening around its prey.
“Just trust me, Your Highness.”
My innocent, little prince.
The time had come to bind her to me.
I allowed a faintly sinister smile.
“…Thank you.”
Despite it all—
Charlotte merely nodded.
***
Once our work at the cathedral was complete, we each returned to our respective quarters.
The mission had ended successfully.
Our missing ally had been safely retrieved.
Medro was transported directly to headquarters.
Once she recovered consciousness and her strength, she would be questioned about the details of the incident.
The deputy commander would handle the report.
I had set up a separate meeting with the princess.
Charlotte had accepted my offer to help without a single trace of suspicion, her eyes gleaming with trust.
I had concealed my darker intentions as we shook hands.
—I look forward to working together.
More of a beginning than an ending.
Leaving behind the crisp morning air, we made our way back to the academy.
The night’s work left me feeling sluggish.
At least it was the weekend.
Instead of attending lectures, I could rest at the dormitory.
It was a good time to let my reserves recover as well.
I secluded myself in my room, settling in for a quiet day.
While I was lost in my reading, Irene, who had been lingering nearby, finally spoke.
Her voice carried a note of uncertainty, as if she had resolved herself.
“…Um.”
I had sensed her gaze on me for a while.
Putting down my book, I responded.
“Is something wrong, Miss Irene?”
“I just… wanted to check.”
“Pardon?”
“You said you used a lot of power this time too.”
“Well… I suppose I did. After all, I had to save Lady Medro from the Magi.”
“You’re not in pain… or anything, are you?”
Her deep, dark eyes lingered on me.
It seemed she was genuinely concerned.
After all, she’d seen me cough up blood before, and during the school trip, I’d fallen unconscious for three days.
In her eyes, I must have seemed perpetually on the verge of collapse.
To reassure her, I shrugged lightly.
“On the contrary, I feel as light as a feather.”
“Really…?”
“Of course.”
“That’s… good to hear.”
The fox murmured, finally relaxing a little.
In response to her concern, I gave her tail a gentle pat.
She silently accepted the gesture, then, after a moment, looked down at my exposed sleeve.
“Those… scars.”
“Ah.”
My sleeve had shifted.
The edge of a scar peeked out.
I realized it too late and moved to adjust my sleeve, but Irene’s firm grip stopped me.
Her expression unreadable, she held my sleeve in place, studying me.
“Miss Irene?”
“…”
I called her name softly, but she didn’t reply.
She simply held my sleeve.
What was she thinking?
After a brief silence, she finally broke it.
“You.”
“Yes?”
“Have you ever considered… dressing more comfortably?”
Her eyes fell to my formal attire.
The dark fabric, covering every inch of my skin, left no room for any scars to show.
It was a necessity, a way to keep the scars hidden.
“You’re always wearing something stiff like this. I understand when you’re outside, but in the dorm, is it really necessary?”
“…”
“There’s only the two of us here, anyway.”
I understood her intention.
The reason I wore suits was to conceal the scars.
The marks were too unsightly to reveal.
I endured the discomfort to keep my appearance orderly.
‘But...’
Irene already knew about the scars now.
So she suggested I could relax, at least here.
There were only the two of us, after all, and since we both knew about the scars, I could leave them uncovered.
It seemed that her thoughts had deepened since she’d taken care of me.
“…I suppose.”
I replied hesitantly.
A faint smile, more awkward than genuine.
As if uncertain how to respond.
I held the silence for a moment before sharing my concern.
“I do appreciate comfortable clothes, but it’s more important to think of those around me first.”
“What do you mean…?”
“Well, Miss Irene might find it unpleasant. You’ve seen it before; my body isn’t exactly…”
“Never.”
The words slipped out of my mouth in self-deprecation, but her sharp response cut me short.
Irene placed her hands on either side of my face.
And turned me to face her.
“…Miss Irene?”
In her deep, dark eyes, I saw my reflection.
They were clear, with a hint of irritation.
Without a word, she drew closer.
Her breath warmed the small space between us, our shared warmth tangible at this close distance.
Her lips, barely an inch away, spoke.
“I’d never think that.”
Her tone was firm.
She spoke as if there wasn’t a shred of doubt.
“I’ve chosen to rely on you, so no matter what you look like, I’ll accept you.”
“…”
“Not once would I feel disgusted. Even the scars on your body are part of the person I chose to follow.”
The fox’s whisper was calm and unwavering.
At some point, her forehead pressed gently against mine.
“So… it’s okay to be at ease when you’re with me.”
“…”
Perhaps it was her unexpected reaction that left me so still.
The warmth transferred through our connected foreheads.
In the intimacy of the moment, I stayed silent.
Irene didn’t pull away.
Eventually, I promised her I would try other clothes from time to time.
She responded with a joyful swish of her tail, nodding with satisfaction.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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