Chapter 418

Rize started interpreting Luna’s question, leading to a bunch of different inquiries.

Most of the questions were about what would happen to me in the future.

It seems a lot of people are going to approach me, making me feel the weight of demons and everything else on my shoulders.

“How about we just spread a rumor that you’re engaged to someone? That would be the best way, don’t you think?”

And our Luna proposed a very effective yet shocking idea. As soon as she said it, the atmosphere became quite subtle.

Kara and Grace were busy reading the room, and Eli was just grinning like a fool.

Rize maintained her smile even after hearing the suggestion. She seemed to take it rather lightly.

“It’s not a bad idea. But if someone digs into the source of that rumor, they’ll eventually find out it’s a lie. Once they realize it’s a lie, they’ll become all the more obsessed with targeting you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. But being engaged is still just being engaged. It’s not unheard of to have fake engagements.”

“My opinion?”

As I quietly chimed in, all eyes suddenly focused on me. It felt a bit awkward, but I needed to speak up.

Being engaged or whatever aside, I needed to avoid contact with foreign dignitaries as much as possible.

Otherwise, I could end up tangled in politics, which I certainly did not want. The time is not right yet.

“Right. The most important opinion is from Sivar. What do you think, Sivar?”

“Until graduation from the Academy. I just want to stay out of it until then.”

“That’s quite the standard response. Which makes it all the more dangerous.”

Grace responded with conviction. The fact that it was standard made it dangerous.

I looked at her with a puzzled expression. It was incomprehensible.

“Waiting until graduation from the Academy? In that case, they could very well make you graduate early.”

“Is that even possible? I’ve never heard of it!”

“Just because it’s called an Academy doesn’t mean it’s not related to politics. This part is probably something even the president wouldn’t be able to stop.”

As soon as Rod, the president, was mentioned, everyone’s gaze turned to him. Rod was leisurely sipping tea, seemingly prepared for this.

Once he set down his cup, he spoke in his usual dignified tone. It appeared he knew what was going on.

“I am, after all, in a neutral position. Unless there’s a problem with the Academy’s traditions, procedures, or core, it’s hard for me to intervene.”

“Isn’t pushing for Sivar’s early graduation some kind of corruption?”

“True, but just look at Sivar. Even if he causes a lot of trouble, his grades are rather impressive, wouldn’t you say?”

“··· ···”

He does cause a lot of trouble, but in the end, he does well academically. That’s a fair point.

For now, even just with sheer strength, Academy students wouldn’t stand a chance against him. And he has some fantastic wits on top of that.

“Of course, if you look at just that, there’s no justification for early graduation. However, knowing he can become an immediate asset changes the narrative.”

“Immediate asset… That means high praise for him.”

“The duel with Hector was decisive.”

Rize said. As she mentioned, the duel with Hector likely had a major impact.

Up until then, he might have been rated with “a bit troublesome” but after that, the assessment likely jumped to “immediate asset.”

He’s young, full of talent, and can act as an immediate asset? Especially as someone with a commoner’s background?

Those who covet talent must be salivating. I’m already feeling annoyed just thinking about it.

“However, they likely won’t approach directly. They’ll do thorough investigations first. The more they investigate, the more they will desire him.”

“Is there no way to stop them?”

“There’s a way, but if you’re not thoroughly prepared, you might get caught off guard. For now, I’ll do my best to block them.”

“If the president does that, it’ll be fine, but…”

The problem still lies in the lack of a solid method. A subtle silence settled among us.

But maybe it was because I hated this frustration. Kara suddenly shouted with her characteristic refreshing voice.

“Ugh! This is so frustrating! Can’t we just openly say we’re dating?!”

“K-Kara?”

“You’re frustrated, too! If you like someone, why not just say it?! Are you really worried about what others think?!”

Her words were so refreshing they felt like a breath of fresh air! They were all the more persuasive and trustworthy.

“It’d be better to just go all in rather than test the waters! Sivar!”

“Uh, yeah?”

“Would you rather be labeled a player but have a comfortable Academy life, or awkwardly beat around the bush while getting dragged around?”

“Umm…”

The former sounds way better, right? I was leaning a bit towards that direction.

That’s not all. The bluntly spoken Kara followed up with yet another plausible point.

“Anyway, even if Sivar cheats, everyone will just overlook it, right? I mean, Sivar’s barely been civilized for long! Look at lions! A single male lion has multiple female lions under him, right? It’s the same idea.”

“Oddly compelling. But Sivar has been trained for a year; is that really possible?”

“Training and instinct are different. If we say Sivar doesn’t quite understand the concept of dating yet, people will totally buy it!”

“Isn’t that just making someone into trash?”

Luna wouldn’t be one to sit this out. She threw out a fact that was close to chaos.

How does she manage to say such things without even changing her expression? Sometimes I wish I could pop open her head like a lid and take a peek inside.

“Nope, it’s not trash; it’s instinctual. Wilderness instinct. What do you think? Sounds fine, right?”

“Then won’t people try to marry their daughters off to him?”

“I’ll admit if they’re prettier, more capable, and higher status than us. Even poor little Eli has lower status but a better figure than us, right?”

It’s strange. Why does this sound so darn convincing?

In reality, Kara and Grace have very high statuses and are quite capable. And can’t forget their looks.

And Eli is the same. Although she’s just a commoner, she has enough skill to aim for an early graduation from the Academy.

Above all, just like Kara mentioned, there’s that body figure, which is overwhelmingly superior; she wouldn’t feel inferior at all.

“We’re volunteering to be shields. Surely, we can handle this much, right?”

“I’m in!”

Eli just seems to enjoy being with me. She offered her support with a bright smile without any resistance.

However, Grace looked a bit hesitant, as if something was weighing on her mind.

Kara certainly wouldn’t miss that. She raised an eyebrow and challenged Grace.

“What’s up? Holding something back?”

“No, it’s not that but…”

“After living together, do you feel wronged or something?”

“Ugh…!”

That hit the nail on the head. Grace, suddenly lost in deep thought, looked down.

Did our relationship become closer during our cohabitation? That’s a bit hard to say.

Frequency of physical contact has increased, but we haven’t progressed further than that. Not that it’s impossible.

Considering the situation and Rize’s caution, this is a pretty tough spot for me.

“Right. I imagine that feels unfair. Then you should take the initiative with our public relations.”

“Huh?”

At Kara’s decision, Grace suddenly lifted her head. She looked pretty shocked with her eyes wide open.

Meanwhile, Kara turned to Eli to seek her approval.

“Eli, you’re okay with this, right? I think Grace would do well as a shield.”

“I’m okay with it. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being a mistress either.”

“Uh…yeah. You might want to reconsider that self-assessment.”

“I’m just saying I’m only good for supporting you.”

Based on Eli’s beaming face, it feels like she’s not being self-deprecating but rather, there might be some ulterior motive behind it.

Of course, given Eli’s cheerful nature, it’s unlikely she has bad intentions. She probably just genuinely enjoys my company.

For some reason, I felt a tinge of guilt. I thought I should treat Eli better.

Regardless, now that Eli has (somewhat) been persuaded, Kara shifted her gaze to a dumbfounded Grace.

“I’ve been pretty lenient with you, you know? I know just how much you like Sivar, and that’s why I’m doing this.”

“…Ha! This is amusing. I’m on board. For Sivar, I could let go of noble decorum, after all.”

It seemed like the weight on her heart had lightened, and Grace returned to her usual self. It was a sharp contrast to Kara’s laid-back and casual attitude.

As someone who knows Grace’s true self, it feels kind of surreal. She can’t sleep without me and all that, you know?

“I’m on board, too, with Kara and Eli. I can show some leniency.”

“Why does it sound like you think you’re number one in all this? You just wait until I tell my father and take it all away!”

“Wait, what? Why is the Destroyer King coming into this conversation?!”

“My father acknowledged our relationship. He’s preparing everything step by step. Meanwhile, what about you?”

“That’s unfair! Using parental help, how is that not cheating?!”

“And what about you? You’re constantly bringing up your family whenever it’s convenient for you!”

Of course, that’s Grace and Kara for you. Trying to mix oil and water, yet failing miserably.

Eli, well… let’s say she’s neither water nor oil but an affection-filled potion.

“Um… Saint.”

“Yes. Luna. Please, go ahead.”

While Kara and Grace were bickering, Luna timidly asked Rize. Her tone was quite cautious.

Given her carefulness, something chaotic is likely to pop out.

“Do women really turn into fools when they fall in love?”

“…”

It’s a rather chaotic statement, but somehow it’s a thought-provoking question.

Isn’t Rize showing a wry smile? She then glanced at the two still squabbling.

Both of them still dragging in completely unnecessary things into their fight. It wasn’t Rize who spoke up first but someone else.

“Love is sweet. And it hurts.”

It was Rod. As a ‘person’ who has lived a long life like Rize, his expression was poetic, resonating with his experiences.

“Rod’s right. Love is truly beautiful, but it can also turn into tragedy.”

After saying that, Rize paused for a moment before looking at me. I met her gaze.

But she couldn’t hold my gaze; she turned her head away at the last moment.

Then Rize started to speak again, moving her lips, her voice filled with sorrow.

“Many people think of love as sweet like honey. However, I see it differently. The apple is sweet, but it also harbors poison.”

“Poisoned apple?”

“Yes.”

Her tone remained gentle. Yet, within that calmness lay profound sorrow.

“It may feel sweet while you’re consuming it, but it slowly festers inside.”

“…”

“You realize it’s hurting you late, but because you can’t forget that sweetness, you keep consuming it. That’s the kind of sweetness I’m referring to.”

A paradoxical response truly befitting the Chaos Saint.

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