15 Arena Thirteen: The Right To Rule III

Roxy and I kept talking about various things, mainly books.

I didn't remember why, but from my childhood, I had a strange fascination for stories, and never had any willingness to play with the kids of my age.

My collection of books was vast, covering everything from classic literature to crime or science fiction stories.

If I was to be honest, I had fun talking with her. But even so, my back was sweaty, and I was trembling.

I couldn't bear it any longer. My mind was breaking apart, trying to reject Roxy's very existence. The moment I thought about it, my mind became clouded.

My vision became hazy, and my head started aching. I was hyperventilating.

"... Then..."

Roxy stopped whatever she was saying, and looked at me. I somehow managed to pull my head up, only to find her staring at me with pity and sadness.

"You can go now, Arnold."

"I..."

The oppressing pressure became lighter just as I thought about leaving. Taking deep breaths, I tried to apologize, but she held up her hand and shook her head.

"It's enough. You should really go now."

"I... I'm sorry..."

Even so, I wanted to apologize.

"You don't need to be. You've made me happier than I could have ever imagined being."

She smiled, and stood up. Gesturing at the way out, she beamed.

"T-thank you."

I bowed and left without turning back. My pace hastened without me noticing.

I could feel her gentle gaze on my back, but I didn't dare to look back.

...

Roxy saw him leaving. A part of her was relieved to see that he was the same as the others to some extent, and at the same time, she felt sad.

"Milady, it is time."

A butler stepped out from behind the dense trees. He had been there the whole time, silently waiting for his mistress's command.

"I know."

Roxy muttered as she turned away and walked through a different pathway from among the trees.

"If milady wishes, I can find all information about that boy."

"No need."

Roxy dismissed the idea as she looked at the book in her hand.

"I never thought that someone would be able to keep up with me this long without dying..."

"He is truly exceptional in that regard."

The young butler commented gently. Roxy smiled and nodded.

"I hope to meet him again, but as my true self... Not as this fake copy."

...

I walked through the trees, wiping the sweat from my brows. It was already early noon, and not many students were out due to the heat of the sun.

Roxy... And Phillips's behaviours and their unusual aura had made me think.

Their aura was different. It didn't feel normal... As if their souls were that of a supernatural being.

"Surely not."

This was an era of science. Ghosts and such things didn't exist in the era.

Of course, Phantoms were an exception.

...

In the dark room, sat three figures.

"It feels like it has been long since we met, doesn't it?"

One of them, a figure hiding behind a mask, commented as they played with the knife in their hand.

"..."

The figure sitting to his right, judging from her well-endowed body, a woman, nodded but didn't say a word. Her face was hidden behind a black veil.

"It has been long, indeed, Lord Winchester."

Another woman commented, hiding her face behind a half mask. Only her emerald eyes were visible.

"True. On that note, Lady Valentina, I heard that Anastasia was attacked that day by an S-ranked phantom. Is she well now?"

Lord Winchester asked, stopping his fingers.

"She is well enough. The new SSS-rank, Arnold Tilgen, had saved her."

"Truly splendid, worthy to be called a man."

Winchester commented with a slightly teasing tone.

"Honestly, I hope that he wouldn't risk his life in such a way."

Valentina sighed as she gracefully signed on the paper in front of her.

"Haha, you say that, but you are grateful that she is alive, aren't you?"

"..."

Valentina didn't comment. Instead, she passed the paper to her left, and the veiled woman took it and started reading it.

Glancing at her, Winchester started again.

"But it is rather unfortunate that the [Eyes Of Charm] didn't manifest in her... I mean, I guess she is not really a human but..."

In the corner of his eyes, he saw Valentina stiffen. Chuckling, he continued.

"It would have been better if she had inherited the ability."

"True."

Valentina muttered as she looked down.

"On that note, how does Jeffery fare?"

"He is... Well enough."

"I heard that he was again caught trying to charm and rape a noble girl?"

The third member of the group finally opened her mouth. The veiled woman looked at Valentina, who averted her eyes.

"No harm has been done to the girl. We have sorted out the incident."

"But that does not excuse the fact that it happened, Lady Valentina."

The air in the room seemed tense. All three of them stayed silent, before Winchester breaking the ice.

"Now now, no need to become hostile. Lady Rubiat, do not worry. This is the last time such behaviour will be tolerated. Am I correct, Lady Valentina?"

"Yes."

Valentina nodded, and Rubiat backed down silently.

"To be honest, Lady Valentina. Is Jeffery's wife okay?"

"I have her secured. She will give birth to his child soon."

"Hopefully, the first child inherits the ability."

Winchester muttered as his fingers again started playing with the sharp blade.

"I am hoping for that too. If that happens, can I depend on you to take care of Jeffery?"

Valentina asked with a slightly pained expression.

"Yes, rest assured, I will take care of him. The usual way is fine?"

"Yes. Please make sure to remove any traces of him."

She looked at him with a pained expression.

It wasn't easy to ask for your own son's death sentence.

Yet, she had no choice.

"Of course."

Winchester nodded and took the paper from Rubiat, who had already finished signing it.

"Hm... It feels oddly saddening."

He chuckled as he read through the document.

Once he signed it, he would lose his ability. And his son would inherit it.

Instead of him, his son would bear all the suffering from now on. If possible, he didn't want to do it. But, just like Valentina, he had no choice.

"There."

He signed the paper, and put it in the middle of table.

The paper suddenly glowed brightly, and broke down into particles. The particles soon dispersed, vanishing into the darkness of the room.

[Acknowledged the transfer.]

[Transferring ability to the heir.]

[Ability transferred.]

[Repeating process.]

A mechanical voice announced, and the three figures inside the room suddenly started emitting a gentle yet strong glow.

The glow disappeared after a few moments, and the mechanical voice announced the completion of the process.

"This should be all... Hm... Ah! Lady Rubiat, I heard that your daughter also met with the new star. Any thoughts on that?"

"None."

"Really? You don't mind her falling in love or getting involved with a man not chosen by you?"

Winchester asked curiously.

"I do not wish to force her to do anything. She can lead her life the way she wants, as long as she does her job and helps the empire."

"This is a surprise. I never thought you would be so liberal."

"..."

Rubiat didn't reply to Winchester's joke. Instead, she stood up, and turned away.

"I believe we are done here?"

"Yes, we are."

Winchester shrugged. Rubiat nodded, and left the room.

"So... What do you think, Lady Valentina?"

"... I don't think anything of particular about it."

"Oh? I thought Anastasia seemed obsessed with him?"

"... Just like Lady Rubiat, I do not wish to force her to do anything."

"Ah! I had forgotten, but that was the reason why you forced her to enter Stigma, was it not? Quite ironic, if you asked me."

Winchester made a provoking statement, but Valentina didn't get angry.

She just stood up and left the room.

"That was the only way I could save her from Jeffery back then, Lord Winchester..."

The whisper reached the masked man's ears. He smiled at her retreating figure.

"You haven't changed, have you, Flora?"

The words that had escaped his lips were gentle, as if he was reminiscing a nostalgic scene.