Chapter 98

"Um, so... you mean to say that 'we got along so well talking that we left the stage and played until morning, but then we realized Lin was in trouble, so we used Zweig’s ‘Transfer’ power to get here'?"

"Yes!"

That evening, after exorcising the disturbance caused by the rioters, Cecilia nodded while sitting on the floor in the salon of the academy. In front of her stood Gilbert, who had a look of exasperation. Next to him sat Zweig, also in a formal sitting position. Behind Gilbert were Oscar and Dante, and Aine, who was hanging his head.

By the way, they were not forced to sit in this manner; they had chosen to do so voluntarily.

"…Don’t you think that’s a bit far-fetched, even as you say it?"

"Oh, I don’t think so!"

While straightening her back, Cecilia loudly asserted this. Gilbert looked troubled, scratching the wrinkle between his eyebrows. He glanced at the red marks on her neck and sighed deeply.

"Hey…"

"It’s all my fault! I’m really sorry!"

Interrupting Gilbert’s words, Zweig said this and bowed deeply.

"I thought Aine was going to take Cecilia from me, so I… I was mistaken! And then, I—"

"That’s not it! It was the disturbance!"

"Even when it wasn’t possessing me, I was bullying Cecilia!"

Saying this almost shouting, Zweig bit his lower lip tightly. With a face that looked like he was about to cry, he bowed even deeper.

"I’m really sorry. I’ve reflected on my actions. Please turn me over to the military police! I’ll take full responsibility—"

"I also apologize. I’m sorry."

Sitting next to Zweig, Aine bowed his head. Holding the back of Zweig’s head, he brought his own forehead almost to the ground.

"If you’re going to turn Zweig over, please include me. What Zweig did is also my responsibility."

At his firm voice, Zweig’s voice softened even more. "Aine…" Aine smiled at his troubled brother.

"Your sin is my sin. We are one."

"Sorry. I’m really, really sorry…"

Tears streamed down Zweig’s large eyes as he sobbed. Wiping the tears from his cheeks with his sleeve, Aine gently said, "You’ll get a red mark."

At this scene, Cecilia’s eyes also welled up with tears. However—

"Absolutely. Kidnapping and attempted murder can’t be resolved with just an apology."

"Indeed," Gilbert and Oscar remained resolute. It was only natural, given that their beloved had almost been killed. Oscar stood next to Gilbert.

"Aine aside, Zweig will be tried according to the law."

"We’ll prepare the documents by tomorrow, so for now, please—"

"No way!"

Cecilia shouted. Oscar and Gilbert were taken aback by her sudden outburst. Cecilia stood up and shouted with tears in her eyes.

"I’m really sorry for worrying you! And I’m grateful for your efforts in searching for me! But I’m telling you, nothing happened to me!"

"But, the injuries…"

"I was just playing with Zweig! I inflicted these injuries on myself!"

"That’s a bit—"

It was far-fetched. Cecilia knew that. The marks on her neck clearly showed she had been strangled, and the blisters on her wrists were clearly from ropes. However, she couldn’t remain silent.

"If you do anything to Zweig, I’ll—I’ll really, really hate both of you!!"

The moment Cecilia said this, the atmosphere between the two men froze. Oscar’s voice trembled.

"Hate…?"

"Hey, Cecilia, calm down!"

"I’m calm! You two are the ones who are being unreasonable! Nothing happened to me!"

Seeing Cecilia’s rare anger, the two men looked at each other in confusion. After a few seconds of silence, Dante, who had been silent until then, spoke up.

"Haha, Cecilia, you’re the best!!"

Holding his stomach, Dante pushed past Oscar and Gilbert and wrapped his arm around Cecilia, as if declaring his support for her.

"Give it up, both of you. Cecilia probably won’t back down."

"But—"

"Indeed, this is—"

Ignoring their protests, Dante looked closely at Cecilia.

"Cecilia, it’s okay to say you ‘left the stage and played until morning’?"

"Yep."

"What about the marks on your neck?"

"I inflicted them on myself!"

"What about the blisters on your wrists?"

"I got them from a fall!"

"…But, both of you—"

Dante said this with a full smile, and Oscar and Gilbert exchanged glances, sighing simultaneously. It seemed they were conceding defeat. Gilbert pulled Dante away from Cecilia and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Do you understand what you’re doing?"

"I do! It’s fine!"

"You’re forgiving someone who tried to kill you?"

"That’s why I’m saying we were just playing!"

Seeing her unwavering stance, the two men nodded, saying, "There’s nothing we can do" and "Indeed." At that moment, Cecilia’s face brightened.

"Thank you both! It’s great, Zweig!"

"Yeah, but are you sure it’s okay…?"

"It’s fine! We were really just playing, right?"

As Cecilia said this, she tightly gripped Zweig’s hand, and he said, "Thank you, Cecilia. I’m really sorry," his expression breaking.

"But! You need to properly apologize to Lin for the dress. Lin worked hard on it!"

"Of course! I’ll try to remake it, even though I’m not sure if I can. But—"

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the salon, and everyone turned to the entrance. There stood Lin, supported by Hugh, with bandages on her legs. Cecilia ran to her.

"Lin! Are your burns okay!?"

"They’re fine. Thanks to Cecilia, it’s just a minor scratch. The doctor said there won’t be any scars…"

"They’re treating it as a minor injury because there are so many injured people."

Hugh’s stern words revealed the tension between him and Mordred. There must have been a confrontation that Cecilia and the others didn’t see. Lin smiled wryly at her lover’s words.

"Um, what do you mean it’s not necessary?"

Raising his right hand, Zweig asked about the previous matter, and Lin placed her hand on her chest.

"Do you think I wouldn’t have a backup? I always make two copies of dresses and unique costumes in case of emergencies! So, there’s no need to remake the costume!"

"Lin, as expected."

Cecilia praised her, and Lin’s cheeks lifted in pride.

"So, I’ll accept your apology, but there’s no need to remake the costume. Instead—"

"Instead?"

Lin leaned in close to Zweig.

"Work like a horse from tomorrow. If Cecilia says you won’t be punished, I’ll let this go."

"Okay! I’ll work hard!"

"Aine too?"

"Okay."

Seeing them nod, Lin smiled in satisfaction and moved away from the entrance. The salon’s dedicated waiter appeared as if waiting for this moment.

"So, everyone is tired, right?"

"Huh?"

"I ordered food from the kitchen a while ago. Would you like to join me? I haven’t eaten anything since last night, and I’m starving…"

"In that case, there’s also deer meat!"

Jade appeared, peeking in. He had gone to check out the festival. The cart he was pushing was loaded with enough deer steaks for everyone.

"Hehe, the store that lent me the net sold it to me cheap! They regularly catch deer for the leather but have extra meat! So, we might start buying from them! And it’s 30% cheaper than from other sources!"

"You’re really good at business, aren’t you…"

"That’s my only talent."

As Oscar spoke, Jade laughed and distributed the plates of deer meat. Everyone slowly took their seats, and the food Lin had ordered arrived.

"Wow! There’s so much on the table! I’m so hungry!"

"Me too. I need to eat something before I sleep."

Jade and Aine.

"Sorry for causing trouble for everyone?"

"You were just playing with Cecilia, right? It’s fine now."

Zweig and Dante.

"Oh, that’s what happened?"

"If you’re satisfied, I don’t care."

Lin and Hugh.

"I’ve never had a meal like this before. Do we take what we want from the large plates?"

"Exactly! It’s nice to be informal sometimes! Hey, Oscar, do you need to taste the food? I can do it if you want?"

"Cecilia, you don’t need to do that! Aren’t you tired? Do you want something to drink?"

Oscar, Cecilia, and Gilbert. And then—

"Really, I came to treat Lin, but what’s all this commotion…"

"I’m glad everyone is doing well."

Mordred and Grace.

Seeing the two standing in the open doorway, Jade smiled warmly.

"Why don’t you join us, Professor?"

"Huh?"

"Sure! Grace too!"

"Me too?"

Grace pointed to herself at Cecilia’s voice. Jade and Cecilia stood up and led Mordred and Grace to the empty seats, forcing them to sit down.

"Now it feels like everyone is here!"

"Everyone, everyone!"

Jade and Cecilia returned to their seats, looking satisfied.

"Really, you all have no manners. Are you still my students?"

"Well, it’s fine today. It’s a break from the academy!"

"Right, Professor. Don’t be so strict!"

Dante and Aine’s light-hearted tone made Mordred frown for a while, but he eventually sighed in resignation.

"…Alright. Let’s make an exception today."

"That’s the spirit!"

As Jade cheered, Lin stood up and looked around at everyone seated.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work today."

Several people responded, "Thank you for your hard work!" and the post-work meal began.

Even though it’s an epilogue, it doesn’t seem to end (it got long).

I hope everyone enjoys it!

This is really the last one!