Chapter 146 [Event] [Enigma Red Dungeon] [7] Layla Snaps



"Lightning Hammer!" Jayden swung his sword downward and thunder struck powerfully the tiger's head.

-ROOOOHHH!

The tiger who was smashed on the ground tried to stand with its weak limbs but the dizziness made it difficult. 

"I'm summoning you! Sword of the protector!" Milleia's voice rang and a bluish sword made of mana appeared in her hand. The bluish sword had a tinge of pink in it that only few would notice. 

With a wave of her hand, Milleia slashed her sword and bluish line flew before cutting off the tiger's head with perfect precision.

"Urghhh…" Milleia covered her mouth seeing the fountain of red blood sputtering out like a fountain out of the tiger's neck.

"You shouldn't have aimed at his head if it's to throw up right after, Milleia," Elona complained but seemed amused.

"I-I won't throw up…!" Milleia said with a blush. 

"We don't have time to waste on antics." The friendly ambiance turned cold instantly as if someone poured a bucket of ice on them.

Elona's amused smile vanished and replacing the smile was a vein threatening to burst out from her forehead.

She turned around with that same expression. "Peeking and interjecting in ladies' conversation is unbefitting of high ranking nobles, John."

John whose eyes weren't on her at all shifted to her now. "Ladies?" He alternated his gaze between Milleia who was nearly crying because of the horrible stench and Elona who was glaring at him fiercely. 

'I don't see any ladies.'

He didn't say it but his condescending gaze was exactly screaming that and Elona understood it.

She really wished to hold back from retorting to John but it wasn't the first time!

The exam had started a few hours ago and John had complained a lot during that time. Strangely all his complaints were uttered near them when they were talking together. And all his complaints were on how he was worried about his sister, Layla. It was evident that the last thing he wanted was Layla ending up in the same group of Alfred and lady luck put them together. 

"You are not concentrating enough for the exam, John. If it continues, we won't pass the exam." Elona stated as she crossed her arms.

John was extremely important in their group. Indeed he was the strongest among them. She would put Jayden just behind him with her and Milleia behind. She knew his importance and that's why she wanted him to focus on the exam. 

"If you are worried about Layla, then don't be." Elona said and puffed out her chest. "My brother is with her and as long he is here, she is safe." Her words were full of pride and confidence that it made John frown a little.

"Y-Yes! I also think that Edward is strong enough to help Lady Layla, Lord John." Milleia also chimed. 

"..."

John was perplexed. He knew that Edward was strong since he nearly beat Ronald Trueheart. He also saw a glimpse of his strength during the fighting in the BikeRace. Something was amiss though. Milleia praising her friend wouldn't be that surprising but Elona it was different.

Just two months ago, they were cold but suddenly they became close. He quickly guessed that something happened, mending their relation. And that pride and confidence overflowing from Elona's words weren't just her biased opinion on her beloved brother. 

No.

Elona was clearly putting Edward in a level above others, ignoring Alfred. It was her unbiased opinion.

Then John couldn't know what had happened. 

He couldn't know Edward's fight against Pyres.

Elona witnessed with her own eyes Edward fighting Pyres alone even though the latter was holding back. But it didn't change the fact that Edward injured and overwhelmed Pyres with his tremendous strength. It was like he was in a trance state, fighting instinctively.

John knew long ago now that Edward wasn't normal.

'I don't trust him.'

If there was one person John had no trust at all in, it was Edward and he was also in sister's group.

All John wanted to ensure his sister's safety. 

He didn't care about the exam.

Thinking that, John glanced at Jayden. He just killed a 4-star Disaster Beast alone. His black hair were slightly raised because of the bright blue lightning crackling around his whole body. 

'Strong but…' A small smirk appeared on John's face. 'Not enough.'

****

"Hah…" I knelt down and prevented my body from falling on the ground with my hands.

What the hell is that?

Suddenly, I started to feel a weird suction force. It was like my body was attracted to something. Moreover, I could feel my mana genuinely getting sucked slowly.

'Jarvis, what's happening…?'

[I don't know either, Edward.]

'Cleenah?'

"..."

No answer.

'Cleenah! Something is happening!'

"Are you okay?" Eric approached and reached out his hand.

I grasped his hand and stood up. "I don't know. I feel sick suddenly…" I said to him, unable to explain what I was feeling.

"I hope it will be over soon. It's not the moment to fall sick." Eric said and he was right.

But something is inside that Enigma Dungeon and I could feel it. At first, it was a small tickle but now it has worsened. It has nothing to do with me being inside an Enigma dungeon as in the Enigma Dungeon of the Falkrona City, I hadn't felt this sensation.

It had to do with me.

"Hey." 

I felt someone poking my shoulders and I found Layla behind me.

"What?"

"Don't 'what' me," Layla said and put her hands on her hips. "You told me that you'd help me get His Highness, Edward."

Already used to her seducing, I ignored her fake pout and shrugged. "I already told you many times to stop sticking to him. Just play hard to get and be innocent like Milleia and you will get him soon enough."

"Why…?" Layla lowered head suddenly.

"What?" I asked, seeing her clearly out of her character.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Eric discreetly escaping.

"Like Milleia…Like Milleia! Be like Milleia! I have enough to hear that." Layla raised her tone and she was glaring at me.

[She is genuinely angry.]

Thanks but I already noticed it.

"Wait-"

"I have enough of that! I don't like that girl and I won't be like her!" Layla let out and put her hand on her chest. "I want his Highness to like me! Not that little pest with blue hair!"

I covered my ears and sighed. "He will if you-"

"What…What do you all have with that girl?" Layla cut me off and laughed snarkily. 

I felt like a sensation of déjà-vu from the Game and it didn't bode well.

My bad, I should have avoided speaking about Milleia to her from the beginning.

"Listen," I approached her. "I have nothing-"

"Oh, yes, yes~"Layla didn't let me finish and laughed again. "You must be really eager to put her in your bed, Edward, isn't it?"

I frowned at her words. "What are you blabbering about?"

"Otherwise you wouldn't help me with His Highness and try to separate that blue pest with His Highness. You know, Edward, I might have said that before but I did not believe it but your overprotective and twisted way to protect your beloved Milleia is really blatant and it is creeping me out." Layla's speech struck me a good deal of damage.

"I have no feelings for Milleia, stopping spouting bullsh*t," I rattled out, annoyed.

"Whatever." Layla lifted her hand and waved her hair arrogantly. "I do not need you to win His Highness. It was my mistake having…" Without finishing her words, Layla stormed out joining the others already a little far ahead of me.

"..."

Is it my fault?

[Definitely.]

My fault?!

I helped her as much as I helped Milleia to get close to Jayden and she is lashing out to me?!

When I tell her to do something, she ends up spoiling the effort right after because of her obsession!

Who I am?!

A matrimonial agent?!

I have enough of hooking up girls and boys around!

I just wanted to get that freaking happy ending and even me helping her was saving her life!

Do I have to tell her that she was going to freaking die if she continues to hate Milleia?

I snorted inwardly, erasing that thought.

If I say that, she would just insult me even more, taking me for a MilleiaSimp.

[Your overprotectiveness toward Milleia had really made you a MilleiaSimp.]

'Why should I not try to protect her?'

Milleia's survival will secure my safety since I'm close to her. 

And Jayden, that dumbass has his freaking eyes only for Carla and Aurora!

What I am fearing the most is him privileging Carla's and Aurora's lives above Milleia's one. 

Why?

Why Milleia does not fall for Jayden dammit…

Just that.

I just need them to beat together with their power of love like they said in that cringe battle, all those fuckers villains from this Game.

[And you.]

'What?'

[Whose life do you privilege between Milleia and Layla?]

"..." 

I looked at Layla who was speaking to Alfred. 

"Milleia."