Chapter 174
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「That’s exactly what I want!」
Orphelia responds with enthusiasm.
「Listen here – after taking down the big boss, saying ‘handle the rest’ and elegantly sipping afternoon tea in the back… that kind of lame approach isn’t in my dictionary.」
Purume nods and briefly agrees with a simple 「Same here.」
Then, Angelica declares,
「I need to go to Sena. I’ll do anything for that.」
Sensei puts a hand to her chin, thinks for a moment, and then announces:
「Anon, you stay here.」
Though invisible, one could almost see the 「CRASH!!」 sound emanating from Anon’s presence.
「If you’re as wise as I think you are, you should understand without me explaining why.
You’re the one coordinating everything related to the Sealed Dungeon here in Boldaf, aren’t you? How can such a key person just leave? It’ll be too late once something happens.」
「But, but…」
「No ‘buts’ about it. Besides, son-in-law said something interesting. He said, ‘Everything’s gone so well because we have someone reliable like Anon coordinating things. I’m really grateful.’」
In her heart, she thinks 「a little white lie never hurt,」 but she keeps that to herself as she solemnly places a hand on Anon’s shoulder.
「I-Ichiro said that about me…?」
「Indeed! He also said, ‘Only Anon can manage to keep all these influential people working together. And knowing Anon is waiting for my return gives me the courage to face battle.’」
Forgive me, son-in-law! Sensei mentally apologizes to Ichiro while secretly smirking to herself.
「Come to think of it, I believe son-in-law also mentioned wanting ‘Anon to welcome me back home’…」
This was Sensei’s finishing blow, driven by her endless mischievous spirit.
「Ichiro thinks of me that way… aha, ahaha, ahahaha!」
Having successfully incapacitated Anon, who was undoubtedly wearing a silly expression under his hood, Sensei announces her next decision:
「I’ll take Orphelia and Puru with me. Angelica, you stay.」
It takes her a moment to process what she’s just heard.
「Why am I the only one—」
「Isn’t it obvious? It’s because she hates you.」
Once again, Angelica is left speechless.
「Of course, I mean ‘Sena’ hates you, not ‘I.’ I’ve heard most of the story from Mika. You probably had your reasons, but I can’t say for certain whether Sena would quietly accept a visit from you, Angelica.」
Angelica thinks this is unavoidable.
What she had done was that serious.
But still…
「I don’t want to see Sena just to be forgiven. I just want to convey Ichiro’s words—」
「—That’s why—」 Sensei tries to interject, but Angelica continues without letting her.
「I don’t want to be someone who gives up before even trying, using powerlessness as an excuse.」
「However,」 Sensei counters,
「Nothing will change whether you go or not. No, more than that, your selfishness is wasting precious time right now.」
「I know I’m being selfish, and I know asking to come along is self-centered and terrible!!
But still, I have to go with you!!」
Angelica shouts with raw emotion. There’s no logic to it – just pure feeling.
「For Eris and Mika’s sake too, I have to!」
「Hmm, you say it’s for those two as well?」
「Yes!」 Angelica confirms.
「Those girls are me. I’m the only one here now, but if something had been slightly different, it could have been either of them standing here instead.
Each of us had our beliefs and values twisted, wasted long years, and not content with just that, we hurt the ones we loved.」
Her voice trembles with intense regret and perhaps nostalgia for days past.
「If Mika or Eris were here, they would definitely say they want to come along. They are me, and I understand their feelings painfully well, so I absolutely cannot betray that.」
Tears fall with her words.
「That’s why, for my own sake and for their sake too, I cannot back down from this.」
Through her sobs, Angelica continues with 「That’s why, that’s why…」
「That’s enough. I apologize. I was being a bit mean. But I haven’t told any lies. There’s no helping it if Sena gets angry. So if anything happens, I’ll protect you.」
Angelica can barely manage to say 「Thank you very much.」
「Perhaps this might have been the perfect opportunity,」 Sensei mutters to herself.
Everyone responds with a questioning 「Huh?」 but that question remains unanswered.
「Come to think of it, there was one thing that worried me about son-in-law.」
Sensei begins her explanation, prefacing it with 「Well, it’s not something to worry too much about…」
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