Chapter 410
“If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t. I’ll figure it out myself.”
Lowell crossed her arms and grumbled. She looked dead set on actually making a deal with a demon.
‘Is she that cornered?’
I’d never heard anything in the game about Lowell contracting with a demon.
Which meant she probably met her end before that could happen.
‘But if my involvement changes Lowell’s future?’
It might open a route where she does contract with a demon.
“Don’t. Contracting with a demon? You’d tarnish your family name?”
“It’s my business. What do you care?”
A contract with a demon doesn’t just ruin the body. It wrecks the mind and soul too. Lowell would know that better than I did.
‘She must want to protect Rodellin that badly, even if it means that.’
What an incorrigible sister.
“Senior Rodellin would be hurt.”
“…So what? It’s not a big deal, right? What’s wrong with her getting hurt?”
“Keke, don’t say things you don’t mean. You look pitiful when you do.”
“Argh! This guy!”
The moment Lowell raised her fist, I straightened my extended leg.
The height difference between Lowell and me was nearly 40 cm.
Lowell alternated glances between my face up high and her fist, then kicked my leg.
“That hurts.”
“Of course it does! That’s why I hit you!”
Why does she think violence is ever justified?
Up and down.
I gazed down at Lowell’s bobbing head as she huffed and moved, lost in thought.
‘Lowell might contract with a demon?’
A new variable born from my interference.
For now, I’d file it away as a puzzle piece in my mind.
“So how are you so strong? Eight-star aura at your age? It doesn’t make sense.”
The secret to my strength.
Honestly, I wanted to get paid for that info. Someone at Lowell’s level would have A-rank artifacts, after all.
“It’s a specialty of mine. One of my illusion tricks.”
But this time, I’d let it slide.
If she stormed off in a huff and actually contracted with a demon—like some rebellious teen… no, adult—it’d be a disaster.
“That was an illusion? It felt real.”
“Keke, even though it looks simple, it’s a combination of three techniques. Of course it looks real.”
Not a lie.
[Divine Imitation], [Aura], [Mana Heart Method]. Without any one of them, I couldn’t pull it off.
“What about that weird defensive spell?”
“A mystical power. Can’t disclose details. And renting it out? Absolutely not.”
“Well, that much…”
In this world, mystical things hold astronomical value. Even a mad lion like her couldn’t mess with them lightly.
It’s perfect material to use as an excuse in a pinch like this.
“You seem to know quite a bit about our family. How much exactly?”
“I don’t know that much. I found two ways to break the contract, but I don’t intend to try either, not yet.”
“…You know everything.”
“No, actually, one more thing.”
“Hm?”
“There’s a personal contingency Duke Luke is preparing.”
Lowell brightened and lunged forward.
“You’re serious?”
“Of course I think it’s impossible. It goes beyond human limits…”
“What is it? What is he preparing?”
“What Duke Luke is preparing. It’s…”
Lowell swallowed hard. Naturally, I had to live up to the expectation.
I pressed my index finger to my lips and said.
“A secret.”
“…”
Thwack!!
Lowell jumped and knuckle-tapped me mid-air.
Foul play.
“It’s dangerous?”
“Keke, not really. Nothing like contracting with a demon, like you, so don’t worry.”
I added a slight jab, but no fist came flying this time.
“I see. So Father… had a plan too.”
The Lucid family members and retainers. Truth is, they still didn’t know why Duke Luke made such an insane contract.
Lately, cracks had formed in their faith, wondering if he’d just succumbed to the legion commander’s power.
But if Duke Luke had a plan?
It was natural for Lowell to feel relieved, and things were going exactly as I’d intended.
Beyond mending ties between Lowell and Rodellin—returning her to her family’s side.
That felt like the true purpose of the Dark Beast Squad’s existence.
“At this point, I’m even more curious. You… what’s your real deal?”
“Keke, as you can see, just an ordinary student.”
“Don’t mess around.”
Lowell’s expression turned deadly serious.
She glanced at Luna swinging her sword in the distance, then reluctantly opened her mouth.
“No helping it. I wasn’t planning to say, but… you seem somewhat involved, so.”
I slowly began the story. Not the stagnant water’s tale, but the life of the ‘Zero’ I’d crafted in this world.
A harsh life due to his appearance.
Tempted endlessly by demons.
Dreaming of becoming a Rat for the Lester family, eventually washing up at the academy.
It wasn’t hard. I’d told it to Caron once before.
“Come to think of it, how do you know ‘Abyss,’ Lowell?”
“I stayed there briefly and got help. Learned it then. But I don’t remember hearing they were raising someone like you.”
“I was stubborn about it, so that’s natural.”
The Lester family, who prized pride.
They couldn’t accept a lurking Rat.
“We lived like family, that’s true. But everything fell apart after the incident.”
“Branded as traitors, wiped out in an instant. Know anything about that?”
Of course I did. Who orchestrated it, which families were involved, and even.
The true ‘black curtain.’
But I couldn’t reveal that. It’d twist the whole story irreparably.
“I only know as much as you do, Lowell.”
“How much do I know?”
“Marquess Herizeus is deeply involved, and other forces egged it on. Right?”
“…You’re a ghost.”
“Sadly, that’s all I know. I’m pursuing it diligently, but… it’s not easy.”
“Diligently, my foot… You’re probably half-assing it.”
“Keke, who knows. I dare say I’m pursuing it harder than anyone.”
I winked with one eye, activating the [Eye Opening] skill.
A burning red iris.
From Lowell’s perspective, it’d look like someone barely suppressing rage.
“…Doesn’t seem like a lie.”
“Well, can’t compare to Miss Luna.”
“True. That kid… she lost everything.”
I’d provided plenty of information.
Now it was time to prevent our secrets from leaking.
“Oh, by the way, keep it secret from Teacher Caron that we’re the Dark Beast Squad.”
“What if I don’t?”
“Keke, then I’d have to tell Teacher Caron the Lucid family’s secret.”
“How sneaky… Fine, whatever. Watching Caron suffer might be entertaining in its own way.”
The corner of Lowell’s mouth twitched up. She seemed to enjoy the idea of Caron struggling—and struggling even more ahead.
“By the way, where’d you get the info on the Second Legion Commander? If you have a source, I’d like to contact them directly.”
“Trade secret.”
“Be honest. You’re lying, right?”
Tch, doubting my info? Foolish mortal.
“Keke, even so, I’m on equal footing with Teacher Caron in trades.”
“Ha! Big talk… You might end up dead without a trace? Why not just tell the truth?”
“You can check. Teacher Caron will vouch for my info’s credibility.”
Lowell met my gaze. Did she sense something?
Suddenly, her mouth gaped open as she stared at me.
“Stop staring. My handsome face will wear out.”
“…It’s already worn out too much. Seeing something other than a face on your head proves it.”
“…?”
A compliment, right?
Lowell scratched the back of her head.
“Today’s full of shocks. If you’re hiding more, spill now. Don’t make me mad later when I find out.”
Why are you getting mad about me hiding my info?
I sorted through my thoughts.
Among the info that’d benefit me if Lowell knew, what hadn’t I mentioned?
The holy sword, Adonis, the culprit of this episode, the impending death threat to Lowell, the continent’s top handsome man Zero, and…
“Ah, one more. Actually, I’m Lady Lucia’s disciple.”
“What!?”
Lowell shouted.
“My sister’s disciple? You…?”
I nodded. Affirmation.
Lowell’s eye twitched.
She seemed more shocked than when I revealed the Lucid secret.
Well, in a way, it was natural.
‘Lucia has never taken a disciple before.’
Lowell hadn’t raised many either, but she had a few.
To build connections.
But Lucia hadn’t even done that. Too much of a hassle, mostly.
“Sister doesn’t need to…”
Lowell muttered to herself, staring at me.
In other words, I met Lucia’s standards as a true disciple.
But it was too early to be done being surprised.
“By the way, there are two more.”
“Two more? No way…”
Lowell’s gaze shifted to Luna and Rezé.
Feeling it, perhaps? Rezé slipped into a box and blended into the scenery in an instant.
Luna shrugged, having lost her stone-thrower.
“I’ll give Luna that, but that coward too? As a disciple? I refuse to accept it!”
“No matter what you say… it’s true.”
“Uwaaaah!!”
Lowell screamed like a madwoman.
Well, none of my business.
Now it was time for my reward.
I held out my hand to Lowell, whose hair was a mess.
“What now?”
“Keke, don’t you owe me something?”
“…The proof token’s on hold for now.”
“Why?”
“No guarantee your info’s real.”
The info about the Second Legion Commander in the north.
But it’s impossible to verify from the start. Crossing Erosion isn’t feasible.
“I know that much? I’ll give it after confirming if your info’s reliable. Honestly… from my view, both sides are hard to believe, right?”
Me trading info on equal terms with Caron.
Being a Rat from the Lester family and Lucia’s disciple.
Yeah, each one was tough to swallow.
“I’ll confirm with Caron and my sister, then hand over the token. What, no confidence? If it’s a lie, confess now. I’ll spare your life.”
Lowell smiled thinly.
Was it my imagination, or did it look like she was thrilled at the chance to bury someone?
“Well, do that. You’ll find out soon enough. That I’m a benevolent being who only speaks the ‘truth.’”
“Yeah, right…”
Lowell eyed me suspiciously.
Not bad. After doubting like that and learning it’s true.
‘Her trust in me will rise even more.’
The issue is whether Lucia or Caron will speak well of me…
Nah, no way.
Who’d badmouth a good kid like me?
“Trash. Don’t associate with him.”
“Knew it.”
At Caron’s words, Lowell clenched her fist tight. That lying brat.
‘How dare he make a fool of me?’
Maybe even the Second Legion Commander tip was a lie.
As she imagined burying him up to his neck and working him over—
“…But he does have at least one piece of intel worth using.”
“Hm?”
“His insight isn’t bad… and his talent is… well… usable. If he crawls under me, he might pass for a proper person.”
Lowell’s mouth fell open again. She’d lost count of how many shocks she’d had today.
‘Such generous praise—from him?’
Caron’s standards aren’t just strict; they’re fussy to the point of absurdity.
For him to praise someone? That’s basically high acclaim.
“Did something happen?”
“N-no? I just… thought he had a sharp edge to him.”
“If you’re thinking of teaching him, forget it. He isn’t worth the effort.”
Worthless, huh? Then why did it sound like—
Like he was saying, I’ve already marked him. Hands off.
“But sharp, you say… I don’t particularly care, but since I’ve got nothing better to do, I’ll listen. What did you two talk about?”
“Huh? W-well…”
“Knowing you, you picked a fight. Knowing him, he’d likely dodge… but from your face, he showed you something. The kid mimics techniques; you must’ve been surprised. Hmph, trivial talent. I can do that much myself.”
He can mimic techniques? I didn’t see that.
But if that was true—
“That’s trivial? Sounds incredible…”
Was it my imagination, or did Caron’s brow crease?
A beat later, Caron spoke.
“…It’s trivial.”
“Huh?”
“Trivial, trivial, and trivial again. You, me, anyone can do it.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. He’s trivial. The pettiest sort there is. Only fit to be a Rat in the gutter!”
Zero is perfect as a Rat.
Only after hearing that did Lowell finally manage to escape Caron.
–TL Notes–
Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!
If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /InsanityTheGame
Join my Discord! .gg/BWaP3AHHpt