Chapter 117

Chapter 117

The sun, having climbed past its zenith, was beginning to tilt sideways.

At the girls' dormitory, a minor commotion was underway.

Someone's snoring pierced through a door, echoing down the hallway.

It was a common occurrence, so one might wonder how it could cause such a stir.

"That room... right?"

"Yes... it's the Vice President of the Student Council's room."

"Maybe she's really tired. After all, she recently fought a high-level demon..."

"Right. Let's just ignore it and go."

"Let her rest. Everyone has days like this."

Rodelin always presented herself perfectly.

The idea of her snoring so loudly that it could be heard through the door was nearly unimaginable.

Though taken aback, the students quickly came to terms with it.

After all, Rodelin is human too.

'It can't be helped,' they thought as they began to leave one by one.

Then...

Someone wielding a club appeared at the end of the hallway, walking steadily towards them.

The students couldn't help but be startled. Was it because of the intruder with a club?

No. It was because of the identity of the person holding the club.

"Ro, Rodelin? Then who's inside..."

Rodelin smiled and said,

"Would you mind stepping aside for a moment? It's about to get noisy."

Her mouth smiled, but her eyes did not.

It was the first time these students had seen such an expression on Rodelin.

Something... something was about to happen.

"Yes, yes! Good luck!"

The students hurriedly cleared the area.

Not only because Rodelin always treated them with respect and consideration, but also because they instinctively knew that Rodelin was off somehow at the moment.

"..."

Rodelin was left alone in an instant.

Creak-.

As soon as she opened her door, she saw it.

The disgraceful state of her older sister, Lucia.

The room-shaking snores, the drool marks at the corners of her mouth, and not to mention, she was sprawled out on her back, exposing her belly.

The bedding, once neatly folded, was now in disarray, scattered across the floor.

But what was truly unbearable...

Was that it was 3 PM.

"A soldier sleeping at this hour! Are you out of your mind!"

Rodelin's rebuke.

Lucia flailed her limbs and rolled off the bed.

Thud!

"Eek! What? Has a war broken out?"

"Yes, in my heart!"

The unwelcome guest, Lucia.

Yes, Lucia was currently squatting(?) in Rodelin's room.

Lucia, looking around, quickly grasped the situation.

"What, it's just Delin. I thought it was something else."

Lucia climbed back onto the bed, scratching her belly.

"Ah~ I'm hungry. Can I use the student cafeteria too? When was the last time I ate? It's a bit disappointing, but this is a delicacy in its own right."

In summary, Lucia was saying:

Feed me.

Rodelin inwardly inscribed the character for patience.

After all, she's the elder sister of the family.

Being an intelligent person, she should be able to understand if spoken to.

"First, get properly dressed. If one of the Ten Swords of the Continent walks around like that, there will be talk."

"Eh? Come on, Delin, we're human too. We need to relax when we rest. I've been having a really hard time lately."

"...But you haven't been on a mission for the past six months, as far as I know."

"Hehe, I defeated a demon a few days ago, right? That's good enough. With this, I can slack off for another six months."

"It was a fourth-grade demon! As the elder sister, you should be defeating second-grade demons!"

Lucia flicked her finger, saying,

"Delin, let me tell you something. It's not about the grade, but the circumstances under which it was defeated that matter."

"...What do you mean?"

"The academy is not just for nobles but also for commoners and lowborn. Defeating a demon that appeared there? That's a greater achievement than killing three second-grade demons. You'll get cheers from the empire's citizens, and probably a medal too?"

Lucia winked.

As if she had given a child a useful tip.

This attitude from Lucia was enough to fuel Rodelin's anger.

Crack-.

Eventually, Rodelin turned into a demon herself.

"Get up this instant!"

"Uh, huh?"

"Uh, okay? Be careful."

Tatatatat-!

Rodelin started running as soon as she left the room.

What? Too busy to have time?

'A person who doesn't work even an hour a day...!'

Even if it means breaking his legs today, she will make him work.

She will also set a date for the talk with Lucia.

Thus, Rodelin started running towards the principal's office.

"Ah, our Delin is too passionate, that's the problem."

Left alone in the room, Lucia murmured.

"If only she would take it a bit easier."

Though not sure what it was about, if it was Rodelin, she would handle it meticulously.

What mattered now was that she had reclaimed the bed.

So, this contest was...

"My victory for capturing the bed?"

It was when she lay down on the bed. Between the window and the bed, in that space.

A face popped out from there.

"Kyaaak! A ghost... no, worse than a ghost, it's the nanny!"

Startled, Lucia screamed, but the nanny didn't even twitch an eyebrow.

"What, why are you coming out from there?"

"I didn't want to disturb the two of you. It's surprising you didn't notice my approach. You must have grown complacent."

The nanny's quiet admonition.

Lucia waved her hands as she replied.

"What can I do if not even a high-level demon shows its face? It's the same with people."

There were strong individuals in every region, so there was no opportunity for Lucia to step in.

The same went for challengers.

No fool dared challenge Lucia because she transformed into a different person in a fight.

Being a strong person wasn't necessarily good.

Having no one to face meant it was hard to become stronger.

'That's why I've gotten fat. Ah, my fate.'

Of course, Lucia's weight gain was due to a lack of exercise and too many snacks.

Lucia was earnestly ignoring reality.

"I did a little research, and it seems you have a rival."

"A rival?"

One of the empire's Ten Swords, herself, Lucia, having a rival?

It seemed a challenger had appeared after a long time. She started to look forward to it.

Slurp-.

She didn't know who the opponent was, but hoped they were a formidable fighter.

It could serve as a diet at least.

Yes, in Lucia's dictionary, the word 'defeat' did not exist.

Winning was already a given; the question was how the process would unfold.

"Who is it?"

"It's 'Luna,' they say."

Lucia tilted her head, unfamiliar with the name.

She didn't know any strong person with such a name.

'A newcomer?'

If someone newly famous was being treated as her rival, there was only one reason.

'They must be overwhelmingly talented.'

For the first time in a while, she felt an appetite. Today, she might just have one snack.

"Nanny, book a training ground for me. I need to loosen up my body after a long time."

"You're full of enthusiasm. I'll support you to the best of my ability."

"Did you set a date? When is it?"

"Of course, right now."

"...?"

Only then did Lucia realize something was off.

Even the choice of words was strange. Not 'now' but 'from now'?

Did they expect the duel to last more than a day?

"Nanny, what did you say the rival's name was?"

"Luna. A very cute child."

"Luna? That name sounds familiar..."

"The day you defeated the demon, one of the children nearby. Also..."

Also?

"She's also Zero's girlfriend."

Only then did Lucia realize.

The rival the nanny mentioned wasn't about a rivalry among strong individuals.

It meant a 'rival in love'.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading