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Chapter 50: The Trump Card to Save the Vice President

Bad Ending.

Ancient Dragon.

It was summer, at the Demon Dungeon.

Nikita, who had come to wield the magic of the Ancient Dragon, killed the Third Princess, Iris, with her own hands in the Dungeon.

And at that moment, an unexpected event occurred.

The power of the Demon Sovereign, which had been residing within Iris, reached out and engulfed Nikita, taking over her completely.

Nikita's hatred for the world and the temptations of the Demon Sovereign intertwined, and eventually, Nikita succumbed to the Demon Sovereign's grasp.

With the magic of the Ancient Dragon and the power of the Demon Sovereign,

armed with these two overwhelming forces, Nikita utterly destroyed the world.

That is the bad ending.

The Ancient Dragon.

「Junior Lucas... I just wanted to live freely. A life where I could do what I wanted, marry someone I loved...」

Her tearful cry from the "Flame Butterfly" arc’s bad ending echoed in my memory.

「I hated my life so much... the life shackled to the Cynthia family, that I was willing to throw it all away so easily.」

Nikita Cynthia, born into the illustrious Cynthia Marquis family, known for their exceptional magical talent, without any magical ability of her own.

She lived her entire life bound by her family, and they also predetermined her future.

The Cynthia family did not even allow her to wield a sword properly.

They merely used her as a pawn for a political marriage.

The title of Marquis in the Empire is an enormous one.

This was not a modern society where individual efforts could break free from the family’s grip.

No matter how much a daughter struggled, she could not escape the family's bonds.

Her older brother, Nia, was the only possible escape from this life for Nikita.

「Perhaps it’s a sin that I relied so heavily on my older brother. I should’ve carved my own path in life. When he died, I wasn’t just devastated by his death—I despaired because my unchanging life lay ahead of me.」

Tears frozen by the magic of the Ancient Dragon dripped down Nikita's face.

Seeing that sight, I was driven to play the "Flame Butterfly" arc countless times to change Nikita's life.

But there was no way to save Nikita in the "Flame Butterfly" arc.

Or rather, even if there was, it was beyond the abilities of Lucas at the time.

A monumental fate.

Nikita was destined to die in that story.

「All things in the world have a breaking point, a limit they cannot surpass.」

The advice Sharine had given me came to mind.

To break a monumental fate, one must be equally relentless.

So I waited and waited.

For one single way for Nikita to live a life free from the Cynthia family.

And the one way to pull her out of the inevitability of the main storyline.

My eyes landed on Nikita as she was now.

There was no longer any trace of her former kind self.

Consumed by anger and revenge, she was now nothing more than an embodiment of vengeance.

"Senior Nikita, you don’t look well. Are you okay?"

"Hm? I’m fine. Don’t worry about it."

Nikita said that with the brightest face she’d had recently.

Flames burned.

Flames that left no trace of themselves as they blazed on.

Her eyes no longer held any attachment to this world.

"Junior."

"Yes, Senior Nikita?"

"You’ll be participating in the Demon Dungeon expedition this summer, won’t you?"

"Yes, most likely."

Unless you’re in the special class for first-years,

every second-year student participates unless they’re severely unwell.

"Then don’t go too deep into the Dungeon this time."

Nikita said that as she turned her body away.

"That’s advice from your senior."

And with that, Nikita left.

Watching her retreating figure, I suddenly realized my fists were clenched tightly.

After that, I devoted myself to helping the student council wholeheartedly.

I wanted to prepare everything so the students participating in the Demon Dungeon expedition could enjoy it comfortably.

Soon, I could see students leaving to rest after filling their bellies.

Among them, there were still some who were eating.

‘Nikita.’

Thankfully, she was talking with the professors.

She wouldn’t have time to pay attention to this side.

I quietly moved my steps.

And soon, I stood beside someone who was still eating.

There was a mountain of plates piled next to her.

Yet, as if her stomach still had room, she continued eating.

Even the burliest male students had given up, but her appetite was truly impressive.

"Third Princess."

Calling her name quietly, she turned to look at me.

Her ruby-like eyes gleamed between her jet-black hair, filled with a decadent allure and a touch of curiosity.

As if my presence beside her was entirely unexpected.

"I haven’t eaten yet, so may I sit next to you and eat as well?"

Sitting next to a royal for a meal was not something easily permitted.

But this was Zerion Academy, a place that valued equality.

More importantly, Iris wasn’t the type to care about such things.

"Go ahead."

True to her character, Iris didn’t object.

She even shifted slightly to make room for me.

"You seem to have something to say."

I had hardly ever spoken with Iris.

To be precise, I had judged that it was too early to get involved with her.

The enormous forces surrounding her…

If I got involved now, I’d be torn apart.

So even if I might eventually ally with her,

I avoided her until now.

But now, with the "Bad Ending: Ancient Dragon" looming before me,

I couldn’t avoid her any longer.

Luckily, I had already made an impression on her during the group competition.

I decided to convey what I wanted to her.

"For the upcoming Demon Dungeon expedition, may I join your team?"

Iris’s gaze lingered on me as she took another bite of her meal.

She was sharp; she undoubtedly knew I wouldn’t make such a request lightly.

"Troublesome."

As expected, she didn’t agree easily.

"But if you explain your reasons clearly, I might cooperate."

She was cautious, as always.

That was just like her.

"There is someone targeting the Third Princess in the Demon Dungeon."

Iris paused, her utensils still.

Targeting royalty was a crime among crimes in the Empire.

It wasn’t just about erasing the criminal’s family;

everything connected to them would be obliterated.

The punishment was to exterminate three generations.

That was the most fitting description of the penalty.

"So you wish to stop them."

"Yes, absolutely."

Iris resumed moving her utensils.

What I just said carried some risk for me as well.

I had skirted around directly reporting that someone was targeting her.

I was nervous. If Iris became offended, my life could end here.

This was reality.

Unlike a game, there were no do-overs.

"Alright. That’s not too difficult."

To my surprise, Iris responded more readily than expected.

"But if it’s someone related to you, they’ll recognize you."

"It’s fine. I have a plan. Could you swap one of your usual teammates with someone from our team?"

"An exchange, is it?"

I took a bite of meat like Iris.

Perhaps due to nerves, it tasted bland.

"Alright. I’ll do it."

Her agreement finally relieved the tension within me.

I was lucky that Iris was a generous person.

‘No, to be precise…’

The look in her eyes betrayed her curiosity.

Iris was observing me closely.

From being her cousin to defeating her team and claiming first place in the group competition,

I must have seemed like a peculiar person to her.

And now, I had come to her with a proposal.

Of course, her interest would grow.

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‘She likely hasn’t even considered the possibility of her own assassination.’

Such confidence.

No wonder she’s called the strongest royal in history.

But even she couldn’t handle the disaster that Nikita had become as the Dragon of Disasiter.

‘This was originally supposed to be Lucas's responsibility.’

This time, I have to take on that role myself.

“By the way...”

Suddenly, Iris brought up something unrelated.

“In our group, there's only one person with a physique similar to yours.”

Since I was joining Iris's team, someone from their side had to come to ours, disguised as me.

For me, it didn’t matter who it was because of the Veil Bandagese.

But for them, it was a different story.

“One person, you say...”

Ah.

I realized who it was.

“To avoid suspicion, we'll switch rooms for a day.”

Iris drew a captivating smile on her lips.

“Along with everything else, of course.”

Suddenly, my vision darkened.

* * *

What is life, anyway?

Why am I going through all this?

Lost in thought, I walked down a corridor.

The long hair brushing against the back of my neck felt strange.

My usual black hair was now a light peach color, fluttering as I moved.

Was it because of the unfamiliar body shape?

Even walking felt awkward.

To be precise, the broader hips and heavier upper body were uncomfortable.

I couldn't believe someone could fight in this body.

‘Fuck.’

I cursed inwardly and slowly turned my head.

Reflected in the window was an incredibly beautiful woman.

Her eyes had a fox-like sharpness, and the corners of her lips curled slightly upward.

Her red lips carried an allure that could unsettle any man’s heart.

The problem was that this face was mine.

I covered my forehead momentarily and let out a sigh.

This appearance…

Second place in martial arts,

Hania Rapidedia.

The daughter of the Empire’s Supreme Knight Commander.

Always by Iris's side, she was, in her own way, an icon of admiration for men.

Her exceptional looks aside, she knew exactly how to melt people's hearts.

A few conversations with her, and most men were utterly enchanted.

The issue was that it wasn’t just men.

Women, too, were vulnerable to her beauty.

Hania was exceptionally skilled at winning people over, even other women.

‘What a talent.’

She actively used her assets and leveraged them to her advantage.

Hania was a woman I personally found intimidating.

Women like her were unsettling for some reason.

Most of all...

“The thought of being away from Lady Iris... Hania, how will I endure it?”

I knew exactly who she genuinely cared for.

In the distance, near Iris, someone was wiping away tears.

That person no longer had the peach-colored hair but short black hair instead.

Even her eyes were different from before.

Like Iris’s, her crimson eyes gleamed as the light filtered through the window.

Hannon Irey.

That was Hania disguised as Hannon.

Among Iris's team, the only one with a physique remotely similar to mine was the woman, Hania.

Watching her act that way toward Iris in her current appearance felt incredibly awkward.

“You're here.”

Iris noticed me and gave a slight smile.

She was definitely laughing at how hesitant I looked.

“...Yes, I’m here.”

“Hania doesn’t speak like that.”

“Is that so?”

I didn’t have the confidence to mimic her manner of speaking.

I’d just keep my mouth shut until we reached the Demon Dungeon.

“Hannon Irey.”

At that moment, Hania, as Hannon, turned to me and called my name.

The affectionate gaze she had for Iris just moments ago was gone.

Instead, her cold, sharp eyes were now fixed on me.

“For today, make sure to assist Lady Iris properly. If you do anything to inconvenience her...”

Hania didn’t finish her sentence.

She simply smiled, leaving the interpretation up to me.

“Hania, don’t be too harsh.”

“Yes, yes, if Lady Iris says so!”

But the moment Iris spoke to her, the tense atmosphere dissipated instantly.

Hania truly adored Iris.

If Iris asked her to, she’d do anything.

Perhaps she tolerated Hannon because she was Iris’s cousin.

‘If she found out I wasn’t actually Hannon but Vikamon...’

Hania would probably stop at nothing to prevent this.

This secret must never be revealed.

I swore to myself.

“Take care of my role, too.”

“Hmph, worry about yourself.”

Maybe it was because I defeated Iris’s team in a group match once.

She didn’t seem to like me much.

After finishing her cold remarks, she exchanged a passionate farewell with Iris and left.

Though she looked teary at the thought of leaving Iris's side, Iris's request left her no choice.

“Well then, let’s go.”

At that moment, Iris turned and began walking.

“...Are we really going?”

“Hania doesn’t talk like that either. Come on.”

Once again, she corrected my tone.

Damn it.

“Are we really going?”

“That’s a little better.”

Iris said with a smirk.

“Yes, we’re really going.”

Disappointment was written all over my face.

For today,

I had to live in the women’s dormitory.

[PR/N: Disappointment huh….]

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