Chapter 50: Beyond Equivalent

Chapter 50: Beyond Equivalent

(T/N: As I have mentioned, the unreliable narrator is very prominent in this novel, so you can make a report at the top button there if you spot any inconsistency or leave a comment below. I have already fixed a lot of inconsistency parts in the past chapters since the information given is rather vague. And I might be making minor changes in the past chapters regarding some terms from time to time, I wont be mentioning this since its just minor things.)

The ceremony to honor Kaguya with a bonus for this incident will now commence. First, the representative of Kaguya, Rain Aldar, please step forward.

Yes.

Having gone up on the stage, Aldar bowed to the kingdoms high-ranking official standing in the center of the stage before receiving the certificate of commendation. A round of applause resounded from the audience simultaneously.

Next, Fina Trinity.

Yes.

The following person was a black-haired girl whom everyone was already familiar with. While Aldar was a military man, the graceful mannerisms of an aristocrat dominated Finas bearing.

Fina Trinity. In light of your distinguished contributions to this string of episodes, notably the arrest of rate A+ Hunter and rate S Art of the Corpse Princess, I hereby commend you and confer upon you the rank of a second-class magician.

I humbly accept.

The school gymnasium, which had been hastily transformed into a venue, was flooded with cheers as Fina received the certificate of commendation (to me, it seemed to be nothing more than a piece of paper). Whereas the gymnasium would ordinarily be able to accommodate the whole school, the presence of all the top officials from the city and the royal capital created a bit of a stuffy atmosphere.

Next, Her Royal Highness Princess Karen Ortesia has a few words to deliver. All of you, please rise up, take off your hats, and pay close attention.

A gasp of admiration issued from the audience.

For Karen made her entrance from offstage, sporting not her usual school uniform or Kaguya uniform, but a crimson dress, attired in the garb of royalty

Eh, I would have loved to see Karen in that appearance too.

On hearing about the award ceremony that took place today, Arti shot me a reproachful look with a disgruntled expression on her face.

It is inevitable. The magic that I have cast on you has not yet manifested itself to perfection. I have already informed the school and your parents, and besides, you dont mind taking a furtive vacation, do you? Just consider it an opportunity to indulge yourself in a sneaky vacation.

You refer to this as a vacation, but its more like house imprisonment! I want to go outside

Please behave yourself, youre disturbing the neighbors.

While shushing Arti, who was being a nuisance, I confirmed that the coffee was down before pouring it from the coffee pot into a cup. The aroma of coffee pervaded the room, which seemed to be damp and dreary all day long, bringing me an inexpressible sense of euphoria.

Ah, coffee? Me too

Yes, here you go.

Having spent time with Arti over the last several days, it was evident to me that she was an avid coffee drinker as well. I handed the cup of coffee to her first, to which a bemused expression spread across her features, before beaming as she thanked me.

As expected of a man of talent! Thank you!

Yes, yes, forget it, have a sip of it already.

But why is it that marriage eludes you?

Please hurry up and drink.

After pouring my own cup of coffee promptly, I settled down across the table from Arti. Since chairs were not available in my house, both of us were seated on the floor, but Arti had a spontaneous cross-legged posture to sip her coffee, so if I spread out a newspaper for the rest of the day, I would be an old man myself. Well, from someone who was not accustomed to sitting upright on the floor, it was reasonable that would be a strenuous practice.

Eto averted her eyes, then lowered her gaze to the floor, a flow of tears trickling onto the ground.

Etos resurrection. It was undeniably nothing short of a miracle, and it was only made feasible by Matthias usage of the Philosophers Stone replica at that time.

Even the Philosophers Stone, though, was not an unconditional miracle. According to later research, the Philosophers Stone allegedly possessed the absolute principle of equivalent exchange, which precluded it from executing actions like creating something out of nothing. Matthias stone, which was a replica, was likewise no exception.

That was why Matthias revived Eto in accordance with the principle of equivalent exchange. With his own life, body, soul, and all. I once heard the saying, Heaven does not create one man above or below another man, which indeed rang true. It certainly seemed that people were all born equal. The Philosophers Stone was certainly devouring all of Matthias and creating the whole of Eto. And to the extent of even her soul before her birth.

That may be why the Eto in front of us now, strictly speaking, may not be the Eto that we were previously familiar with. But so what? She was already Eto to us if she can smile or cry in our presence like she used to. Who in the universe would be distressed at such things after witnessing a miracle like this?

Seriously, even Eto is crying. Lets hurry up and go visit your fathers grave.

Yes.

Before employing the Philosophers Stone, Matthias had several requests for me. The future of Eto was one of them, as should come as no surprise.

Please look after Eto until she gets married, even though I know you have a special interest in her.

At a time like this, I figured he was joking, yet as expected, the look on Matthias face was deadly serious. That man was still somewhat out of place. Speaking of which, we ultimately had only ramen, which he claimed to be his least favorite dish.

You two, lets go out for ramen on the way home today. Arti, as I recall, you like ramen, too, right?

Hiccup ugh like it!

You are making a hell of a face right now Well, its settled then. The three of us, lets go.

Bieeeeeeee!!

How long are you going to cry!?

Teacher Kanaki, I heard that you are absent from school today, so I came to your house without notifying you butWhat in the world are you doing bringing two schoolgirls home in the middle of the day, Teacher?

Fina!? No about this, you are having a huge misunderstanding right now

Teacher locked me in this house for days! I cant get married anymore!

What are you saying all of a sudden, Arti!?

But indeed, Arti has been staying in this house ever since!

Teacher Kanaki. Youve left me disappointed. You are under arrest here no, you are condemned to death.

Eto, stop that nonsense! Come on, lets be on our way then!

Oh, wait!

Rushing out of the room, which has grown boisterously noisy as if the earlier atmosphere was a lie, I dashed to the outside.

Of course, such a normal life will be gone today, and I will resume my previous role as the sickest pleasure-seeker, prowling the dark streets while humming to myself in quest of my quarry. This was therefore only applicable today. Tomorrow I will be a psychopath again, so giving the impression of myself as a normal human being at least for now would not be a bad idea.

While doing so, a wry chuckle slipped out of my lips as I realized that in the corner of my mind I was contemplating where the four of us would eat our ramen tonight.

Apparently, I was a rational monster at heart, unconsciously attempting to deceive even myself

(Act I, complete)