Chapter 275


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After Sena discovers Orphelia, she wastes no time bringing her to her cabin deep in the mountains.

There, Sena serves tea and encourages Orphelia to pour out her feelings. Whether due to her own confusion and uncertainty, Orphelia’s story comes out disjointed – jumping back and forth in time, lacking clear purpose, and remaining rather vague.

She continues talking for what might have been one or two hours, as if emptying out all the sediment that had settled in her heart.

Throughout it all, though Sena speaks little, she occasionally interjects with nods and encouragement, patiently listening to Orphelia’s meandering story.


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By the time Orphelia finishes speaking, the tea Sena had served has long since gone cold. Sena keeps her gaze lowered for a moment, remaining silent, but eventually looks directly into Orphelia’s eyes.

「I understand what you’re saying.」

At Sena’s words, Orphelia leans forward, clenching her fists tightly.

「What should I—」

「Wait. Don’t rush.」

The momentum taken out of her, Orphe slowly sits back down from her half-risen position.

「Orphe, there are two things I can do for you.」

Sena holds up one finger and announces the first option.

「We made an agreement that ‘if you could reach this cabin without our help, I would allow you to live here.’
Given that you’re troubled enough to recklessly challenge the mountain alone against my advice, shall we pretend that agreement never existed?」

「But that’s—!!」

「Don’t worry. I’ve seen enough of your capabilities by now. You’ve already made it up to the seventh station. Without a doubt, you’ll soon be able to reach this cabin on your own.
So, being generous, I could consider the condition already fulfilled.」

Sena’s words were contrary to what Orphelia had expected.
Caught off guard by this unexpected development, Orphelia finds herself at a loss for words.

「If you’d like, you can return to town now, tell Eris about this, and prepare to move here.」

However, Orphelia—

「I’m sorry.」

「What’s wrong?」 Sena asks.

「I’m sorry, but I just can’t accept that proposal.」

Orphelia bows her head deeply.
Sena lets out a sigh before offering some words of comfort to Orphelia.

「I didn’t make the proposal to spite you. I truly understand how hard you’ve all been working.」

Orphelia’s shoulders tremble at Sena’s words.

「Thank you, Boss. But I just can’t forgive myself if I were to accept that proposal.」

As soon as she finishes speaking, Orphelia holds her breath.
For a moment, she thinks she sees Sena’s expression falter at her words.

「My proposal was genuine. But Orphelia—it’s also true that I expected you would answer this way. I’m glad about your decision. So let me present my second option.」




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Sena raises her index finger again.

「The other thing I can do for you is simply teach you how to deal with your opponent who forced you to retreat this time—the Heavy Serpent.」

At this new proposal from Sena, Orphelia’s eyes light up. She jumps up with an enthusiastic 「Yes!」 and a fist pump.

「Let’s start! Let’s start right away!」

「I told you to wait earlier, didn’t I? Listen to what others have to say before jumping in.」

Orphelia’s spirits visibly deflate as she sits back down.

「With your talent, you should be able to grasp the technique and defeat the Heavy Serpent in a short time. However, there’s an issue—」

An issue? Orphelia tilts her head.

「Yes, there’s an issue. But don’t worry. It’s all right. The timing is perfect.」

All the pieces fall perfectly into place in Sena’s mind.
Just then, BANG! The cabin door flies open. Orphelia turns to look.

「I’m back!」

Yamada Ichiro has returned.



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