Chapter 41:Say It Out Loud
Every student was present.
Nobles in front.
Commoners behind.
Instructors above.
At the center—
A raised platform.
And standing on it—
Lucifer.
Rank #1.
Again.
Whispers filled the hall.
“…Of course it’s him…”
“…Monster…”
“…Commoner…”
Lucifer looked bored.
Hands in his pockets.
Eyes half-lidded.
“…This again.”
The principal stepped forward.
Presence alone silenced the room.
“Today,” she announced,
“We evaluate not just strength—”
A pause.
“But character.”
Lucifer smirked slightly.
“…Now that’s interesting.”
From the noble section—
Elira stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No permission.
The entire room noticed.
“…Princess Elira?”
“…What is she doing…?”
She walked straight toward the stage.
Lucifer’s eyes shifted.
Locked on her.
And for the first time—
His smile faded.
Slightly.
Elira stopped below the platform.
Looked up at him.
“May I speak?”
The principal studied her.
Then nodded.
“…Proceed.”
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Expectant.
Elira turned—
Facing everyone.
“Lucifer Morningstar,” she said clearly,
“is not what he appears to be.”
A ripple spread instantly.
Lucifer didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
But his eyes—
Sharpened.
Elira stepped forward.
Voice steady.
“He manipulates outcomes.”
“He controls situations.”
“He allows deaths… when they benefit him.”
Gasps.
“…That’s insane…”
“…She can’t be serious…”
Lucifer tilted his head.
Slowly.
“…Careful.”
Elira didn’t stop.
“The village incident.”
“You let casualties happen.”
Lucifer shrugged slightly.
“I saved who I could.”
“The dungeon.”
“You used prisoners as bait.”
Murmurs grew louder.
Lucifer smiled faintly.
“They chose to fight.”
Elira’s voice sharpened.
“You enjoy it.”
Silence.
That word—
Hung in the air.
“You don’t protect people,” she continued.
“You use them.”
Now everyone was watching.
Not whispering.
Not doubting.
Watching.
Lucifer.
Elira pointed at him.
“Say it.”
A pause.
“If I’m wrong—deny it.”
The entire hall held its breath.
This—
Was the moment.
If he hesitated—
If he slipped—
It was over.
Lucifer exhaled slowly.
Then—
He laughed.
Soft.
Genuine.
“…That’s it?”
Confusion spread.
He stepped forward.
“Princess,” he said calmly,
“You’re not wrong.”
Shock.
Absolute shock.
Elira’s eyes widened slightly.
Lucifer continued—
“I do calculate outcomes.”
A pause.
“I do make decisions others won’t.”
He looked at the crowd.
“…Because someone has to.”
Silence.
“If I hesitate—people die.”
“If I act—some still die.”
A beat.
“The difference?”
His gaze hardened slightly.
“I make sure it’s fewer.”
The room shifted.
Doubt turned into thought.
Thought turned into agreement.
Lucifer stepped closer to the edge.
“Tell me,” he said calmly,
“How many of you would make that choice?”
Silence.
No one answered.
Lucifer looked back at Elira.
“…You want perfection.”
A faint smile.
“But reality doesn’t offer it.”
A pause.
“So I settle for results.”
For the first time—
She hesitated.
Not because she was wrong.
But because—
He turned truth into justification.
And the crowd—
Accepted it.
The principal stepped forward.
“That’s enough.”
Pressure filled the room.
“This is not a trial.”
Elira stepped back slowly.
Not defeated.
But not victorious either.
As the crowd dispersed—
Lucifer walked past her.
“…You almost had me,” he said quietly.
A pause.
“…Next time, bring proof.”
He stopped beside her.
Just for a second.
“…Or don’t try at all.”
Then he left.
Elira stood still.
Eyes steady.
Mind racing.
“…I didn’t lose.”
A pause.
“…But neither did he.”
And that—
Was worse.