Chapter 88

Chapter 88

"By the way, it's quite something for you to personally make your way here. What brings you?"

"...Is it so strange for a teacher to observe a student's training?"

Yes, it's strange. Very strange.

Before anything else, you're Caron, the Killing Machine.

There's no way you came here without a purpose.

'It couldn't be to check on the information about the Maestro of the Battlefield.'

What used to be the capital of the Rohan Kingdom, Kalos, was close to the western edge of the continent.

I had only given out the information two days ago.

Although Caron's abilities are notable, verifying that information in just two days would be impossible.

'If he had verified the information, he would have contacted me late at night at the dormitory.'

There's no way he would make contact in a place as public as this.

In other words, his visit now must be due to personal reasons.

And that means.

'It's likely because of Luna.'

If not for that, what? To see my handsome face?

The latter could be possible, but the probability of the former was just a little, just a tiny bit higher.

"Keke, did you come to give advice to Miss Luna?"

"That's not it at all. Insolent brat."

Well, it's Caron who dislikes the idea of Luna getting stronger.

The stronger she gets, the more her desire for revenge would grow.

Meaning, the visit wasn't for guidance.

If he came to interfere, maybe, but it didn't seem like that was his intention either.

If he wanted to interfere, there were more efficient ways to do so.

'I can't think of any reason for him to come all this way...'

I briefly revisited what happened with Caron two days ago.

I nearly died due to the misunderstanding about my relationship with Luna.

We shared information about the Four Heavenly Kings and the Maestro of the Battlefield, Volkan.

In exchange, I received two artifacts.

And... what else...

"..."

Wait, could it be?

"Did you come here because you wanted to see Luna puffing her cheeks?"

Caron flinched. It meant I had hit the mark.

The so-called cheek puffing.

'I shared that information to tease Caron, who couldn't get close to Luna.'

I never thought he would come all this way just to see that.

Truly surprising.

"I, I wouldn't come to see such a thing!"

Yeah~ sure~.

If he wanted to see the cheek puffing, he just had to say so.

Caron can be such a shy one, can't he?

No choice but to live up to Caron's expectations.

I filled my cheeks with air and puffed them out.

Then.

Snap!

Caron's left hand grabbed my face. It was a merciless, brute force.

"I clearly told you if you do that sort of thing again, I'll kill you."

Aaaaah! Stop! Stop!

It's crushing! My handsome face is getting crushed!

Beating on Caron's arm was useless.

The more I resisted, the harder he squeezed.

Boom!!

At that moment, the training ground shook.

Startled, Caron slightly loosened his grip, and through the fingers that parted, I could see Luna with a dumbfounded expression and Rezé with her hair standing on end from shock.

"I, I did it! I finally made progress!"

Progress?

Only after using the Information Window did I understand what had happened.

[Lester Family Style D].

From E to D, Luna's skill level had advanced by one grade.

The vibration of the training ground was the result of Luna's 'One Flash'.

"Zero! Did you see? You saw, right? Did you see what I just did?"

Luna ran towards me, shouting.

She was so happy, she even started hopping around.

"..."

Only then did Caron let me go.

Hmm, my face feels somewhat squished. Must be my imagination?

"Hehe! How about that? My skills."

I didn't see anything because of Caron, but I couldn't tell her the truth.

If I did, Luna's One Flash might be directed at me next.

"Keke, it was very impressive."

"Ahem! This is nothing for me. Right? But why does your face look like that?"

"Keke, thank you for the compliment."

"That means you're as filthy in your thoughts as your face is."

Caron's face was filled with disdain.

Well, if you're going to act like that, what do you expect!

‘Anyway, it wouldn't have made genetic sense.’

Because Luna is cute.

If even a bit of Caron's genes were involved, such cuteness would be impossible.

Though, her temper might be somewhat similar to Caron's.

'So what's the reason?'

Because he's a real lolicon!?

"...That's absolutely not it. Do you think I'm as crazy as you?"

Caron's disdain intensified further.

Well, if not, then not.

But how does he know what I'm thinking? Is he using some sort of mind-reading technique?

"Tch, your thoughts are transparent. Focus on looking after her instead of having pointless thoughts."

"Keke, I'll try my best."

"Then, I'll be leaving now."

Caron turned around.

Seeing Luna's puffed cheeks. Having achieved his goal, he intends to leave.

"So soon? Why not give Luna some guidance while you're here."

"I have no obligation to do so. I just stopped by."

He only wants to take what he desires and leave?

Such a miserly act fits the empire's rat.

If that's how it's going to be, I have no choice but to play dirty as well.

"Keke, if you leave like this, you might never see Luna's puffed cheeks again."

Caron halted at the door, trembling slightly.

"...What do you mean by that?"

"I'll make her stop doing it. You know, Luna listens to me well."

"..."

Caron's frown deepened, a frown so significant that even a layman could notice.

It meant Caron was truly shaken.

"I guess I'll have to teach her One Flash as well. It'll be a grand and beautiful One Flash that everyone can recognize. Keke, that should be fine without your supervision, right?"

Caron's gaze turned fierce.

It's a bit scary, but it's okay.

We're in a business relationship, and this is within the bounds of what's allowed.

And Caron knows this too.

"...State your demand, excluding any guidance for Luna."

He's willing to pay the price without any fuss.

Seems like Luna's puffed cheeks were satisfying enough.

Hmm, let's see. What I need most now is money, artifacts, and...

'Information about Lérang.'

With just two days left until the end of Chapter 1.

I need conditions and information that could lead to Lérang's repentance.

'But where to get such information... Huh?'

I looked up at Caron.

He was giving me a look as if I were a bug.

'...What? Am I an idiot?'

I've been acting foolishly until now.

The golden goblin loaded with information is right in front of me.

I'm a veteran in this game.

In some respects, I possess more information than Caron.

So, I've been thinking about giving information, but I hadn't considered obtaining it.

'I've been too fixated on money and artifacts.'

While I have the upper hand regarding information on the enemy and the future, Caron overwhelmingly dominates in this world's information.

Information on Lérang? Caron could probably tell the number of spoons in his house.

'Such a fool I've been.'

It's good that I've realized it now.

The problem is what to offer in return, but if I continue to pay with Luna's smiles or emotional expressions, I won't be at a loss.

'But if I ask directly, he might become suspicious...'

If I say Lérang seems suspicious and ask for information?

Caron would rush over and tear him limb from limb.

Then, including Rodelin and the others, and me.

We would all be left hanging.

The main cast might miss out on opportunities for growth.

But as someone whose quest is to tackle the hidden boss, I won't be able to receive the next quest.

A life waiting only for death is not what I'm here for.

'I need to obtain information on Lérang without arousing Caron's suspicion.'

My mind began to race.

--TL Notes--

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