Chapter 67

The equipment was delivered, and the box was moved. A list with the names of the items was handed over, and the support process was carried out along with casual conversation.

Suddenly, the blue hat next to Iris caught my eye. It had a round mark on the front that seemed to be the symbol of a faction.

“What’s the situation?”

“You don’t need to worry. Our military strength is overwhelmingly in our favor. There are a few rankers on the enemy faction’s side, but compared to my skills, they’re nothing.”

“I heard from the association’s report that there are some injured as well.”

Erica caught the conversation with a somewhat serious expression.

“Ah… well, that’s true…”

Iris glanced away and retrieved a large box from the desk, retorting, “You sent medical equipment. Considering this world is lacking medical centers… well.”

“Indeed, it’s a good world for a terrorist attack!”

The two of them shot daggers at me. I neatly ignored them.

As I half-listened to their conversation, I noticed the woman next to Iris whispering to her.

A short time passed.

Final adjustments were exchanged, and the banquet came to a close.

“What is it?”

“What?”

As soon as Iris left her seat, the round table fell silent.

“It seems like you’re trying to end the banquet quickly by going around in circles with your words.”

“You’re just showing off without being busy!”

“Please don’t say that.”

Avoiding her piercing gaze, I spotted the exit that Iris had just used. It was the door leading out of the conference room.

“Shall we go look for her?”

“Huh? How?”

There are many ways.

A figure beyond the glass window at the opposite exit flickered.

I pushed Erica against the wall. I took out a knife and pressed it against her neck.

“Ah! What are you doing!”

Erica’s skin was slightly cut by the blade. Seeing the blood flow made my desires surge.

The door at the opposite exit opened. A woman in uniform came in, looking at a report.

“Chief. I apologize for interrupting the banquet but…”

As I raised my body temperature, saliva flowed from my mouth. My vision turned slightly red.

“Iris! Where is Iris!”

I shouted in a low voice. The woman flinched and hesitated.

“I came to assassinate the leader of the faction! Bring her to me at once! If not, this innocent hostage will lose her life!”

Erica looked at me incredulously.

She mouthed without making a sound, as if expressing disbelief.

Assassinate. Hostage.

“Oh.”

Seizing the opportunity, I wrapped my arm around Erica’s neck from behind. Now, in a position of surrender, Erica murmured in an emotionless voice.

“Please let me go.”

“Look at this trembling girl!”

The woman couldn’t keep up with the situation and fumbled, her gaze unable to meet Erica’s downturned face.

“Are you going to stab her? Are you really going to stab her?”

“Ah!”

I pushed Erica against the wall again. In that instant, her colorless pupils gleamed.

I broke out in a cold sweat.

The woman reluctantly opened her mouth.

“I… I’ll guide you.”

“You should have said that earlier.”

That aside, I continued with my act.

“Are you crazy?”

“Was I so good at hostage situations that I seemed insane? Actually, I’ve only seen it in movies… Ah!”

I wanted to respond to Iris’s remark, but I couldn’t finish my sentence.

“Behave yourself. If you keep making noise, it will hurt more.”

The pain in my forehead intensified. Erica flicked her fingers and lifted my bangs again.

“Did you enjoy being in a hostage situation?”

Crack.

“Ah!”

“Does it hurt?”

That’s my line. I’m the one who should be saying that.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

I blurted it out and thought of an excuse. At that moment, Iris held her forehead and waved her hand at the woman who was confused by the situation.

“I was just kidding. You can go.”

“Ah, okay…”

Crack.

That really hurt.

“What did I not know?”

“It’s not fun to just ask Iris to take you. Besides, my purpose in life is to torment you.”

Crack!

“Ow! That really hurts!”

Iris, who had been watching from the side, flinched. I pleaded with my eyes for help, but I was neatly ignored.

I should have treated her better.

I pondered for a moment.

But I had no intention of doing so.

“Sigh… really.”

Erica sighed and then released the hand that was gripping my hair. My bangs fell back into place, and the loose strands settled on my forehead.

“I’m sorry for causing a commotion.”

“No… well, Orly needs to be trained like this.”

Iris seemed surprised to see Erica like this, showing a hint of distaste.

Erica turned her gaze away. I followed suit. There was a door at the end of the hallway ahead of us. Iris placed her hands on her hips.

“This is the medical room. I was just going to check on the injured.”

A brief silence passed. Iris looked away.

“Are you going to participate in the treatment?”

“I don’t have any healing stats… I can only rely on the medical equipment.”

As we entered the medical room, a spacious area unfolded. The room was decorated in dark colors, with beds and equipment placed beside them.

Several hunters who appeared to be injured were groaning.

Silence flowed.

Suddenly, my arm was tugged. My body was pulled. Erica dragged me in front of the injured.

“What do you think?”

“What about?”

“What’s their condition like?”

I lowered my gaze. The only thing I could ascertain was the blood-related issues.

“They’re just there.”

“Can you do anything?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Then I’ll set up the healing technique, so just assist me a bit. We can’t expect complete recovery from the medical equipment.”

What is she talking about?

“Why should I?”

“Huh?”

“Why should I do that?”

Erica looked at me calmly. I stared back.

“You seem to be under the impression that I have ever forgotten my duties.”

“Couldn’t you at least listen to me once? After all, you’ve been taken care of.”

“I don’t want to.”

Erica’s eyebrows twitched. I pointed a finger at her.

“I don’t know when you started expecting kindness from me, but that’s pointless. No matter how much you shower me with affection, I won’t budge.”

“The one who cried and clung to you.”

“That’s right. Your embrace was warm. I wanted to stay in your arms all day.”

I smiled slightly.

“But what can I do? No matter how well you treat me, I only feel it as fleeting amusement.”

My voice trembled unconsciously. It was hard to lie.

“Oh really? Did you cling to me because you liked me? I guess it was all temporary pleasure?”

“Yep. It was so much fun being spoiled by you!”

From the beginning, wasn’t it wrong for us to have this conversation? Since the day we met, we should have been cautious of each other, ensuring that the invisible chains wouldn’t bind our bodies.

But our relationship was already twisted, and Erica and I accepted that. Thus, this conversation was my final struggle.

“Your violence earlier was really exhilarating.”

“…… You’re still a foolish person.”

Looking into her snow-white pupils made my desire to embrace her flare up again. I barely managed to withstand the fleeting patience I had built up.

“You don’t want to? You’ll continue to hate me from now on.”

I gazed back at her with a smile. The touch that had cared for me moments ago had vanished, and its owner was gradually returning to her original self.

Although it was a twisted conversation like a cog in a saw-naba wheel, I thought the end was wrapped up nicely, so it should be fine.

“I should have slapped you until you cried and clung to me.”

“Too bad!”

“Go away. Get in the corner, raise your hands, and kneel.”

“Okay!”

I obediently moved to a corner of the spacious medical room.

Kneeling on the cold floor sent chills through me. I raised my arms. The sleeves of my dress fell to my wrists as the cold air made my arms feel cold.

“Why didn’t you just behave obediently?”

“I’m already sulking, so it’s meaningless.”

Iris glanced down at me with her arms crossed.

“You look happy even while being scolded?”

“Well, I feel good no matter what happens with Erica.”

“You’re completely foolish.”

As I lowered my arms to tidy my hair, I hesitated.

…I can’t move without Erica’s permission.

As I looked towards her, Erica was writing a technique in front of the injured. It seemed to be something related to healing based on its green hue.

Iris also turned her gaze.

“Isn’t she kind? So gentle. How can she be so pretty?”

“You’ve completely fallen for her.”

“This is what love is.”

“To think you’re loved by Orly. This is a real problem?”

“Are you dissatisfied?”

“What will you do if I am?”

“I’d go wild like a year ago.”

Iris chuckled softly. My arms began to ache. As I tried to lower my gaze, I met Erica’s eyes.

I quickly pretended not to notice.

“They’re treating the injured in the medical room dispatched for support…”

“I glanced around earlier, and it seemed Erica could handle the treatment process alone. My presence would only be a hindrance to her.”

“Huh? Why the sudden excuse?”

“Still, I said harsh things in front of the injured. Although I don’t really care.”

If I was lying still on the bed, it’d probably feel bad to say I wouldn’t treat them.

“Is this part of becoming a person?”

“At least you realize you’re from a mad tribe.”

“Of course.”

Normally, that would be a line filled with emotions, but since I was focused on Erica, I had to maintain a calm tone.

“Are you completely foolish?”

“Am I only supposed to be foolish like Iris?”

“I’m not foolish, you know?”

“That’s a huge revelation.”

I chuckled slightly.

“It’s okay. You’re still not a bad person.”

“You just called me a mad tribe earlier, didn’t you?”

“That’s one thing, and this is another.”

I think I am foolish.

“Well, I still don’t know. I’d rather Erica call me a bad girl.”

I wish it could be clearly defined.

“I think Erica might think that way?”

“In fact, I’ve heard accusations like that a few times.”

“Are you completely foolish?”

I think I really am foolish.