Chapter 23

23 . Sashas true motive

While leaning against the wall of my treasure room I vacantly stare off into space .

. Im still waiting .

Its been at least 10 minutes . How long does it take to change clothes?

I knocked on the door but my only answer was silence .

Strange .

Even if Sasha was still busy Misha should have answered .

Have they left without me?

Or . ?

Misha? Are you there? Im opening the door .

I opened the door having received no reply .

The altar enters my view first . Its clearly different from before .

Its red .

In front of the altar is Misha, head slumped forward and kneeling in a pool of blood with a knife thrust into the right side of her chest .

Shes still alive but needs treating right away, except I cant . A magic barrier has been carefully set up around Misha .

Oh? You finally appeared . You were very obedient there .

On the other side of the room by the entrance is Sasha . Shes wearing the <Phoenixs Vestment> and is holding the kings sceptre .

Fumu . Whats with your behaviour Sasha?

Sahsa replied with a sneer .

Hmph . Youre an idiot . Just because we got along a little you were so easily deceived . Did you really want this me to get along with that trash doll in this little play of ours while aiming for first position in the dungeon test?

A play huh? Reconciling with Misha, being happy, even crying over her birthday present . Was all of that a lie?

Men are simple . A little kiss for only a moment and you fall for it . Did you honestly think I liked a mongrel like you?

Youre very good at acting Sasha .

Sasha flinched a little at my words before glaring at me .

. What do you mean?

What do I mean? You were so skilful I didnt see it was an act .

I see . It was a fine performance on my part .

However, as betrayals go yours seems a bit tepid for some reason . You could have killed Misha, chopped up her body to make revival difficult, sealed those pieces in rocks and spread them around the world where Id never find them . Why didnt you do that?

Sasha frowns and draws back from the atmosphere Ive just created . I cant say any more . I cant show a complete lack of empathy .

So far what youve done is nothing but pure mischief . You might as well just patted Mishas breasts with that knife .

. . Shut up . My purpose is to come first in the dungeon exam .

This stories getting stranger .

Even if you have the king sceptre, its meaningless as long as you are a member of my group .

Anything the group obtains is the property of the leader .

Contract <Zekt> was cancelled .

The contract was made between Misha and Sasha and now its disappeared . With this, she can leave anytime as it was only the contract that made her a member .

However I look at it I cant see Misha agreeing to the cancellation . Unless both parts agree it cannot be cancelled . Even if one of them dies the effect will continue .

I dont think Sasha has enough magic to forcibly break it either .

There are a few other ways to break it but those are the most obvious .

I see . Interesting .

Sasha probably thought she had the upper hand but instead she now had a cornered look on her face .

You . . are you crazy? That girl will die if you dont help her . This isnt a situation where you can be composed! Dont you understand that!

Fumu . Whats wrong with this situation? By all appearances, nothings changed . We have a tedious sleepy class this afternoon .

As I speak Sashas face becomes more and more stern .

It just seems like a small quarrel between sisters to me .

I told you I dont think of that trash doll as my sister!

Sasha puts all her anger into that shout .

She was born to be used by me . Nothing more than a tool and when it became useless it was to be thrown away like a ragged dustcloth . A pitiful, miserable, magic doll .

Sasha is spitting out words loaded with hatred .

Fufuu hahahaa hahahahahaha!! Please forgive me, but those words are the truth . How many times do you need to be deceived before you are happy? A really stupid doll . Did you really think we could get along all happy and nice? Aah, but it turned out alright . I thought I had no more use for you but you helped me deceive this mongrel .

Shes not even looking at me . Her eyes are locked onto Misha .

Nee, Misha . Are you still alive? Let me tell you this in your final moments . No matter how many times I deceived you, you still believed me . You always played the good little girl all helpless and cute . You disgust me! I hate you!

Sasha excitedly spits out words designed to hurt but the thing is, her <demon eyes of ruin> have not formed .

Not just now either . Not once have they formed since this began .

And? I take a step forward and Sasha takes a step back . Your true reason is?

Sasha glared at me .

This time her <demon eyes of ruin> formed .

Whats wrong? Are you angry I saw through you?

Sasha carries on glaring at me but I smile back .

Oh? Did you possibly think that I couldnt control my <demon eyes of ruin>?

Sasha closes her eyes and when she opens them again her <demon eyes of ruin> are gone .

As you can see, I can control them .

Sasha seems slightly relieved that she did it .

Did you want me to say it was my misunderstanding? I see . Anyway . .

I take another step forward .

Your true reason is?

Sasha presses her lips together .

Is she cautious of my approach or is it something else?

I heard the story about Zepes and Liorg . You put a lot of pressure on the brothers to get along . Youre the same as that doll . A peaceful, easygoing, naive fool .

Im naive? Well, in this age I guess I am . However, she says Im peaceful?

Even though youve got a little bit of power you know nothing . Dont force your ideas on others!

I refuse .

Sasha was at a loss for words at my reply .

When I want to say something Ill say it . When I want to ask something Ill ask . Who can give me orders?

Of course I still need to know some courtesy, however, I dont need to hold my words back here .

Sasha . While you were my subordinate I gave you the hand of friendship . Surely you didnt think it will end with this?

I walk right up to Sasha whos gripping the king sceptre firmly while being on her guard .

If you hurt me even a little that girl dies .

Synchronisation magic Conditions <Lent> .

If I harm Sasha the barrier around Misha will shrink and crush her but before that happens it will push the knife in deeper and kill her .

The knife will be pushed in and kill her . Even you will need at least 10 seconds to break the barrier and heal her . Thats all the time I need .

Sashas body starts to float . She rises up and starts to fly out of the exit .

I was quicker though . I kicked the ground and rapidly approached Sasha grabbing her hand . Sashas face was completely surprised .

Because the conditions had been met <Lent> activated, however, Misha was safe . There was no change to the barrier .

Why . . ? <Lent> definitely activated .

Sasha turned her demon eyes on Misha .

If you looked into the abyss you would see that the knife, the barrier and the blood were all illusions made by my illusion magic .

Misha was healed with recovery magic Healing <Ento> a long time ago and the barrier was broken . Activating it does nothing .

Illusion Mimicry <Rainel>Its a lie right? . When?

The moment I saw it . My friend was dying . Of course I would act .

After that, I knew Sasha was planning something so I activated <Rainel> .

By the way . I did that in 0 . 1 seconds . You had another 9 . 9 seconds to run away . What should I do with the remaining time?

I lay a little bit of emphasis on the hand Im grasping .

Sasha frowns in pain .

. . Wait . .

A voice was heard from the altar .

I look back while grasping Sashas hand .

I released <Rainel> and Misha was standing there .

. . Forgive her .

Fumu . Saying something like that .

I dont mind forgiving her but it would be better if she tells me what shes really thinking instead of this lax betrayal and bad acting .

Misha shakes her head .

Force is not good .

Yare yare . She doesnt normally look at me with such serious eyes .

. . No good?

Whatever . Its fine I guess .

I wont take orders but its different if its a request . Ill willingly accept the requests of this particular friend .

You should thank Misha for this .

I release Sashas hand and she flies away immediately .

You are truly foolish Misha . Did you honestly think Id say thank you? Too bad . Your life exists to be used by me . In your last moments, youll regret this!

Spitting out those words Sasha suddenly loses control of Flight <Fres> causing her to fall to the floor doing a flashy roll along the ground as she hits it .

. Ouch . Wha . This . . ?

Aah, my bad . You were in such high spirits with your little speech I forgot to tell you but I disturbed the magic flow around here so you cant fly .

I laughed at the girl whos face showed humiliation .

A loser is a loser . Give it your all and crawl on the ground all the way back, otherwise, I might change my mind .

. Insolent fellow . . Ill remember this

*Hahaha* I instinctively release fresh laughter .

I wanted to hear such lines . Do it, if you can .

Even though I was undoubtedly being glared at I turned my back to Sasha and walked off .

Calling out over my shoulder I speak to Sasha .

Sasha . Im tolerant of betrayal by my subordinates not to mention yours barely ranks as mischief . Ill forgive you if you show suitable manners and thanks .

Sasha didnt say anything and left without looking back .