Chapter 255

Chapter 57. Tied Tails (3)

The rooftop resting area of the Military Department Building.

This desolate space, lacking suitable seating, had very few visitors, so the sound of footsteps echoed.

Before long, a group of men and women appeared.

It was Ulan and his crew, with Iris tagging along, asking for help again.

However, they weren’t the only three there.

Following them were Ivella and Delia, waiting for Ulan, along with Kamila, who had come with Iris.

The rooftop, filled with six individuals, soon settled into an awkward silence. It was Ulan’s visitor who broke the ice first.

“I’m sorry to keep you here after your long journey…”

Iris Senior, a second-year student in the Military Department, bowed her head to her companions. Ulan and Noa shook their heads, indicating no need for concern.

“I’m fine, so don’t worry about it.”

“Me too, I’m okay. But you mentioned needing help earlier—what did you mean by that?”

“Ah, well…”

“It’s exactly what it sounds like.”

Someone cut in. It was Kamila Tanesia, Iris’s childhood friend and assistant, looking unusually serious.

“I mentioned this before, right? The election campaign is scheduled to start during the fall semester.”

Of course, I remembered. It was after the Sports Festival when I heard about it.

As I nodded silently, Iris’s lips began moving.

“Two weeks from now, the election campaign for the next Student Council President will begin.”

Five candidates had registered. The two candidates with the most support among the students included Iris.

Up to this point, everything was fine.

“But we’ve encountered a problem.”

“Huh? What kind of problem?”

“Well…”

“Honestly, I’ll be straightforward.”

Kamila stepped in to explain, letting out a sigh as she did.

“There’s been a setback in the campaign. More specifically, the current Student Council is obstructing us.”

They weren’t just spreading baseless rumors; they were engaging in malicious slander. As a result, Iris’s reputation had taken a hit.

Hearing this, Ivella furrowed her brows in confusion.

“Why would the current Student Council…”

Naturally. It was hard to grasp why a Student Council, whose term was ending this year, would impede the new candidates.

Meanwhile, Kamila wore a cynical expression.

“Because one of the opposing candidates is a member of the current Student Council.”

“…Ah.”

Suddenly, it made sense.

If a member of the current Student Council became the new president, they would retain all their rights and benefits, just as before.

“Ugh, that’s really petty.”

Ivella grimaced, clearly displeased upon realizing the truth. Ulan and Delia voiced their thoughts as well.

“Isn’t that against the rules?”

“Exactly. It’s a violation of campaign integrity, and if we tell the professors, surely…”

“I’ve tried, but it was pointless.”

Still, Iris shook her head, wearing a partially resigned expression.

Kamila soon explained why even informing a professor wouldn’t help.

“The members of the current Student Council have substantial backing. Meanwhile, we don’t.”

They were made up of individuals from the Empire’s Grand Nobility.

In contrast, Iris’s group was in a different situation.

Although Iris and Kamila came from noble households, most of the remaining members were commoners or lesser noble families.

“So, it’s a lost cause.”

Most professors overseeing the election had close ties to the Empire, thus turning a blind eye to the current Student Council’s misconduct.

“At this rate, we…”

We’ll end up losing the election.

Imagining the worst case, Iris bit down on her lip in anxiety, which prompted Kamila to look at her with concern.

Meanwhile, Noa, who had been quietly observing, sparkled with intrigue.

‘This is identical to the events in the original story.’

The current Student Council’s petty obstruction and Iris being cornered as a result.

It was a scene from the original tale.

‘So, in seeking to support Iris, Kamila…’

Would make a critical mistake.

A choice that would inevitably lead to disaster.

Following that, Kamila would rampage just like Professor Dirck transformed into a monster, triggering a hidden event surrounding Iris Senior.

Recalling the original story, Noa realized the current situation was a turning point for choices.

Should he help Iris for the hidden event to occur, or not intervene and let them fend for themselves?

It was a dilemma calling for resolution.

However, the contemplation didn’t last long.

‘I’ll help Iris.’

Noa chose the latter option.

If this had been right after entering the Academy, he might have picked the former. He had thought of this world as merely a game back then.

But not anymore.

‘This world isn’t a game.’

His experiences with Ulan and other friends shifted his perspective.

Furthermore, he came to a realization.

Even though Noa perceived this world as a game, it was reality for those born and raised here.

Which meant this place was real.

They weren’t game characters; they were humans like Noa. Once he grasped that, he couldn’t let people be sacrificed for events anymore.

‘In the first place…’

The benefits from it weren’t even that great.

At best, they would allow for a quicker replenishment of magic power. Useful for Noa or Delia, but utterly useless for Ulan.

At that moment, Ulan spoke up.

“I understand; I’ll help.”

“Really?”

“Of course. I promised.”

After the friendly mock battle and Sports Festival ended, Ulan had made a pact with Iris: in exchange for the favors she proposed, he would support her whenever her campaign began.

‘So I’ll keep my promise.’

Also, he wasn’t fond of the current Student Council’s despicable antics. With his resolve solidified, Ulan turned to Iris and asked.

“What specific help do you need?”

To Ulan, the election campaign was still rather new territory. However, the response he received was somewhat unexpected.

“I just need you to stay by my side.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes, just having you, my Master, next to me would provide a significant publicity boost.”

Seventeen-year-old Ulan, a prodigious Master being eyed by the Empire, standing beside Iris during her campaign was a clear sign of support.

It didn’t stop there.

“And they won’t dare obstruct us either.”

The current Student Council had previously faced severe consequences from Ulan. Especially Cliff Anton, the president, had been flipped upside down like a totem.

Because of this, they wouldn’t be bold enough to openly provoke or scheme against them.

“Hmm, got it.”

Ulan nodded in understanding at Iris and Kamila’s explanations. He then turned back to them, asking again.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, for now, this is all I need.”

Iris nodded willingly, looking much brighter than when she first arrived. At that moment, Kamila poked her in the side, as if to question what she was saying.

“Hey, but there’s one more thing.”

“Kamila, that’s…”

Iris stammered, seeming troubled.

Trying to hold Kamila back while she pushed through, Kamila strode up to Ulan.

“Sorry, but could I ask one more thing?”

“What is it?”

“Could you lend your ear for a moment?”

She wanted him to lean down.

Ulan immediately bent his knee, and Kamila tiptoed, bringing her lips to his ear.

Then she whispered softly.

“…Iris is being watched.”

Kamila quickly laid out the situation.

Starting about three days prior, Iris had sensed an unidentifiable gaze on her, as if someone were hiding and watching.

“I tried to find out what the source of that gaze was, but every attempt has ended in failure.”

Kamila sighed heavily.

Remembering that time clearly, her expression was somewhat haggard. Meanwhile, Ivella tilted her head, puzzled.

“Could it just be your imagination?”

“I thought that too at first, but I realized it wasn’t. Because Iris isn’t the only one feeling the gaze.”

Including Kamila, others helping Iris with her campaign had also sensed an unidentifiable gaze at least once.

Had it only been one person, it could be dismissed as mere imagination, but with multiple individuals feeling the gaze, it was no longer a mere coincidence.

“Do you still feel that gaze now?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

Iris, looking around nervously, shook her head.

Her words rang true.

Right after Kamila finished explaining, Ulan had heightened all his senses and used detection magic.

‘But…’

He didn’t find anything suspect.

And he wasn’t the only one trying to uncover the source of the gaze.

“It doesn’t seem like magic either.”

Delia used her Starlit Eyes to scan the surroundings thoroughly. Yet, she couldn’t detect any traces of surveillance magic like a Watcher’s Eye.

As questions masked the faces of the group…

“So, about that…”

Kamila cautiously initiated.

With her tail trailing off, she fixed her gaze on Ulan and pleaded.

“For the duration of the campaign, if it’s okay with you, could I ask for your help in guarding Iris?”

“Sure. I’ll cooperate.”

“Is that really okay?”

Ulan answered without hesitation.

Both Kamila, who made the request, and Iris looked surprised at his swift response.

Ulan silently nodded.

Though he hadn’t formally pledged to guard her, this much was manageable.

‘Also…’

There was something troubling related to what Kamila just mentioned.

A story he’d heard from Marquis Gorphant.

A sighting of a giant eyeball monster near the Source of Magic. Ulan was particularly attentive to the mention of the eyeball monster.

‘Followers of Rakus.’

Those beings possessed abilities specialized in watching or observing others. So, upon hearing Kamila’s words, Ulan felt a surge of concern.

It could mean that the entity observing Iris was one of Rakus’s followers.

‘If that’s the case, I need to take action.’

No matter how gifted Iris was, she was still at the beginning level of a High-ranking Knight and wasn’t enough to face the Minions of the Abyss.

Thus, Ulan readily accepted the task of guarding Iris. The two girls watching the situation chimed in unison.

“Then, we’ll help too.”

“We’re not fond of the current Student Council.”

Delia and Ivella.

Their eyes burned like flames.

However, it was more akin to feelings of jealousy and rivalry than true righteousness, as they couldn’t accept Ulan and Iris being alone together.

“Thank you so much. I’ll never forget your support.”

Completely unaware of this, Iris kept bowing her head, touched by their kindness.

A little while later, after Iris’s heartfelt gratitude concluded their conversation, the group stepped out of the building, stretching their stiff bodies.

“Phew, and just like that, we’ve got work to do.”

“Starting tomorrow, things will get busy.”

They were both set to support the election campaign and take on the task of guarding Iris. While discussing the sudden developments,

Noa suddenly spoke up.

“But what about Fertisha?”

While Ulan and his party were guided to the Military Department by the inspector, Fertisha followed a squire with brown hair to the guest accommodation.

Rimer Yen Lapis.

One of the Empire’s Five Swords and the knight who served as the escort to Fertisha.

“Well, I don’t think anything serious will happen.”

“They’re from the same noble house, and it’s been a while, so I imagine they’re just catching up.”

Delia and Ivella shrugged nonchalantly. Then they resumed their discussions with Ulan regarding the next day.

“Hmm, I hope that’s true…”

Despite hearing the two girls, Noa’s worried expression lingered.

It seemed like a simple conversation, but Fertisha looked incredibly upset.

“…I hope nothing happens.”

With a short sigh, Noa looked anxiously towards the western sky, the direction where Fertisha had followed Rimer.