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Merged by Reigokai

“Hmm, so even your childhood friend finally barged in, huh? You’re quite popular, Eugene.”

The one beside me, playing with her long silver hair out of boredom with her fingers, is the Demon Lord Erinyes, with whom I have a Body Contract.

This is the 7th Sealed Prison deep underground the Lykeion Magic Academy.

The room at the farthest end belongs to the Demon Lord Erinyes.

The purple dress she usually wears is discarded under the bed.

I could see a slight sheen of sweat on her pure white skin.

I let out a small sigh at Eri’s words.

“I never thought His Imperial Majesty would allow it… I’m surprised.” (Eugene)

A few days had passed since my childhood friend, Airi, arrived at the Lykeion Magic Academy.

Airi is the first in line to the throne of the Grandflare Empire, the largest nation on the South Continent, and thus the next Empress.

Normally, she would never attend as a student.

The academy is still buzzing with activity thanks to her presence.

◇Airi’s First Day of School◇

“Well then, shall we leave Airi-dono in Eugene’s care?” (Uther)

Principal Uther easily passed the responsibility to me.

“Eh?!”

“Wait a minute, King Uther!”

“Principal Uther!”

Sara, Sumire, and I simultaneously raised our voices in protest.

“Of course, if you have a better candidate, I’m all ears.” (Uther)

Principal Uther asked, knowing full well the answer.

“””……”””

Sara, Sumire, and I exchanged glances and understood.

Entrusting the next Empress, Airi, to anyone from the Holy Union or the Blue Waters Federation was out of the question.

There might be those from the Empire who would want to get close to the crown princess, but when it comes to the next Empress, most would hesitate.

If they offended her, their heads would literally roll.

There are rumors that the seventh princess of the Grandflare Empire is somewhat emotionally unstable.

And those rumors are true.

There was no one else suitable.

“Counting on you☆, Eugy!” (Airi)

Airi smiled brightly and sat next to me before I knew it.

“What’s the point of enrolling at the Lykeion Magic Academy at this point?” (Eugene)

“Oh, even past emperors have graduated from the Lykeion Magic Academy, so it’s not strange, is it?” (Airi)

“That was in cases where princes and princesses with low succession rights studied abroad to distance themselves from the homeland, and by chance, became emperors due to a series of accidents. At the very least, no next emperor has ever become a student.” (Eugene)

I immediately denied my childhood friend’s reasoning.

“Shut up! I decided, so it’s fine!” (Airi)

“…Is that so.” (Eugene)

I was forcefully pushed back. It is so much like usual.

“Hey hey, I haven’t bought any textbooks yet. Show me yours, Eugy.” (Airi)

“O-Oh, sure. Here you go.” (Eugene)

I showed Airi the magic history textbook. 

“Can I move a little closer?” (Airi)

“Go ahead.” (Eugene)

Airi peeked into the textbook.

Her shoulder touched mine, and her long blonde hair gently brushed against my hand.

This reminded me of our days at military school.

A faint floral scent reached my nose.

Is this…Star Rose perfume…?

Airi never used to wear perfume. She has changed a bit.

As I was thinking that…

“You two seem close, don’t you, Eugy-kun?” 

“Is it really necessary to be that close?”

I heard cold voices from Sumire and Sara from the side and behind.

What should I do…?

I looked toward my best friend, with whom I recently made a Blood Contract to become sworn brothers, seeking help.

(No chance! Sorry!) (Claude)

Claude apologized with his eyes.

Help me out, bro.

We drove off the Darkness Dragon together, didn’t we?

As a result, my school life has been giving me stomachaches for the past few days.

◇◇

“Ahahahaha! You seem to have it tough, Eugene.” (Eri)

Eri laughed joyfully after hearing my story.

Damn it, you Demon Lord!

“Thanks to that, Sumire and Sara have been in a bad mood lately…” (Eugene)

“Fufufu, serves those little girls right.” (Eri)

Eri smirked wickedly.

(That said, the biggest reason for their bad mood is…) (Eugene)

“By the way, Eugene, it’s my room again tomorrow and the day after, I’ll have you know. You understand, right?” (Eri)

“…I understand.” (Eugene)

For the past few days, I’ve been coming to the 7th Sealed Prison daily.

There are two reasons.

First, I’ve been away from the academy for a while due to the Legendary Hero Department assignments.

The second is that I was taught about how to fight the Darkness Dragon from Eri.

I had promised to do so, and since returning to the academy, I’ve been visiting Eri constantly.

During the day, I take care of my childhood friend, and at night, I attend to the Demon Lord.

I’m likely to get burned by Sumire’s fire magic or sliced by Sara’s Holy Sword soon.

◇Sumire’s POV◇

“Hey, Sara-chan.”

“What is it, Sumire-chan?” (Sara)

Sara-chan and I were having lunch at the academy’s cafeteria.

“That Fire Shrimp pasta looks delicious. Can I trade half with mine?” (Sumire)

“Sure. I’ll trade it with your Brown Stew.” (Sara)

I exchanged plates with Sara-chan.

I entered the main topic as I took a bite.

“Don’t you think Eugy-kun has been cold lately?” (Sumire)

“Since that girl from the Empire arrived.” (Sara)

Sara-chan’s voice was cold.

I’m sure mine sounded similar.

“But it’s Principal Uther’s orders, so…” (Sumire)

“Eugene is loyal to a fault after all…” (Sara)

“Eugy-kun never goes against the Principal, does he?” (Sumire)

“He feels he owes Principal Uther for letting him enroll through a special exam.” (Sara)

“I see…” (Sumire)

Eugy-kun started taking care of me because of the Principal’s orders.

Thinking of it that way, it’s not all bad.

A clinking sound rang.

It was the sound of Sara-chan placing her fork on her finished plate.

“Wa! Sorry, I haven’t finished eating yet.” (Sumire)

“It’s fine. Take your time.” (Sara)

She said that, but I felt bad for keeping her waiting, so I hurriedly scooped my food into my mouth.

The cafeteria was noisy. But since it was after lunchtime, the crowd had thinned out.

Just then, a familiar voice caught my ear.

“Hey, Eugene! When are you going to have that match with me?”

“Sorry, Lily. I’m a bit tied up at the moment.”

Eugy-kun was being approached by one of his classmates from the Legendary Hero Department.

It seems they just arrived at the cafeteria.

“Let me know as soon as you have time!” (Lily)

“I got it.” (Eugene)

Lily-san walked away.

“Lily-chan talks to Eugy-kun a lot lately.” (Sumire)

“…Maybe we should say something soon?” (Sara)

Sara-chan’s eyes looked scary.

Another familiar voice joined the conversation.

“Hey, Eugene-kun! Isn’t it time to aim for the 200th floor? I’m just waiting for you to call me.” 

A beautiful elf with orange hair and the former festival committee president, Rebecca-san, stood beside Eugy-kun.

“I really want to, but I just don’t have the time…” (Eugene)

“Haha! I know. You’re acting as a knight for the future Empress, right? We could explore the dungeon together if you want! I have a long history with dungeons☆” (Rebecca)

“I’ll rely on you when the time comes.” (Eugene)

“Feel free to ask anytime.” (Rebecca)

Rebecca-san smiled and left.

“”……””

Sara-chan and I silently watched the scene unfold.

Then, a third person approached Eugy-kun.

“Eugy! Sorry for keeping you waiting! The cafeteria is really huge! And the menu is so varied, it’s like a festival!” 

“You’ll get used to it soon enough.” (Eugene)

And there she was, the childhood friend in question.

Sara-chan’s expression hardened.

“Sumire-chan, you’re glaring too much.” (Sara)

“Huh?”

I was surprised when Sara-chan pointed it out. 

“Was I really glaring?” (Sumire)

“You were looking like you saw your parent’s sworn enemy.” (Sara)

Yikes!

I didn’t even realize it.

“By the way, Sara-chan, you had a pretty scary face too.” (Sumire)

“…I know.” (Sara)

We both sighed at the same time.

“Eugy-kun has become quite popular lately.” (Sumire)

“I wonder how aware he is of it.” (Sara)

“He does try to be considerate of us, right?” (Sumire)

“At least he comes to apologize every day.” (Sara)

Yes.

Eugy-kun, in his earnestness, apologizes to me and Sara-chan every day for not having time to spend with us because he’s taking care of Airi-chan.

He’s strangely diligent in that regard.

“But he’s quiet about what happens at night…” (Sumire)

“Well, due to the contract, it’s all out in the open anyways…” (Sara)

“”……””

Sara-chan and I exchanged glances.

Lately, Eugy-kun has been visiting the Demon Lord Eri-san every night.

Apparently, he learned a lot from Eri-san about how to drive away the Darkness Dragon.

He says he owes her for that.

It’s apparently because of some debt of gratitude.

Just like Principal Uther, this is an act of repaying a favor.

Eugy-kun’s seriousness shows through in everything.

So, that means Eugy-kun will be going to that woman, Eri-san, again tonight.

“It’s infuriating, isn’t it?” (Sumire)

“It’s irritating.” (Sara)

I met Sara-chan’s eyes and nodded slightly.

Alright! If we don’t take action, nothing will change.

I made up my mind.

“Sara-chan, I’ve decided!” (Sumire)

I stood up and declared.

“I see, Sumire-chan. You’ve finally made up your mind. You’re going to assassinate Princess Airi!” (Sara)

The response I got was way off from what I imagined.

“Sara-chan… What are you talking about?” (Sumire)

“I’m joking.” (Sara)

“Even if you say it with a straight face, it doesn’t sound like a joke.” (Sumire)

Seriously, it’s a joke, right?

“So, what did you decide?” (Sara)

It seems Sara-chan didn’t catch on to my feelings.

So, I said it out loud.

“I’m going to meet Eri-san and give her a piece of my mind!” (Sumire)

■Comment Response:

>Airi is HERE—-!

>It has gotten pretty far from the beginning of the story with their crossed paths!

-I can’t get her to appear in the Empire, so I have made her a student of the academy. 

>The scene of Eri assaulting Eugene has been cut! 

-I have begun this time with Eri’s scene. 

■Author’s Comment:

A new chapter begins.

I’ll be updating leisurely.

 

• ZAP – Chapter 130: Eri and Sumire

“Eugy-kun! Let me meet Eri-san!”

Sumire asked me this after school out of nowhere.

“W-Why…?” (Eugene)

“Is that a no?” (Sumire)

She responded to my question with a question.

Does that mean she doesn’t want to answer?

“It’s not that, but the 7th Sealed Prison has too much miasma for a normal person to even enter…” (Eugene)

I remembered something.

“Ah, but we could ask the angel, Rita-san, to summon her to the 100th floor. You can take the dungeon elevator from there…” (Eugene)

(That won’t do. If she wants to meet me, tell her to come to the Sealed Prison. I’ll see her if she can make it here.) (Eri)

The Demon Lord’s voice echoed in my mind.

It was Eri, speaking through thought transmission.

“Hey, Sumire, about Eri…” (Eugene)

I thought of telling Sumire that Eri didn’t seem willing to meet. Sumire wouldn’t be able to go to the Sealed Prison.

“It’s fine. I heard her voice too.” (Sumire)

“…You heard it too?” (Eugene)

Eri should’ve only spoken to me. But if Sumire heard it too…

(Is Sumire’s abilities still growing…?) (Eugene)

Sumire’s potential is still unknown since she is an Ifrit. Her mana capacity has already surpassed even Principal Uther.

“Alright, let’s go!” (Sumire)

“N-Now?” (Eugene)

Sumire was unusually pushy today.

Though I felt uneasy, I headed to the entrance of the 7th Sealed Prison with Sumire.

◇◇

…The heavy black door creaked open with a grating sound.
The door’s condition had deteriorated.

We have attempted repairs several times, but the door’s inner structure quickly crumbled due to the miasma and mana from the mythological creatures within the Sealed Prison.

The door couldn’t stay open long, or the miasma would leak out, so we had to open and close it quickly.

Currently, the only ones who could remain in the “Seventh” for extended periods were me and Principal Uther.

Not only the academy’s students specializing in barrier magic, even the teachers couldn’t enter. A desolate place.

“Sumire…are you okay? Let me know right away if you feel sick.” (Eugene)

I turned to check on Sumire…and froze.

“Hmm? I feel totally fine.” (Sumire)

Sumire’s surroundings were covered in a golden aura of mana. The density and amount of magic she radiated far exceeded that of any human.

(It’s turning into Ether…) (Eugene)

The Ether around Sumire was so dense that it repelled the miasma of the Sealed Prison.

“Shall we go?” (Eugene)

“Yeah!” (Sumire)

I took Sumire’s hand and slowly descended the stairs leading underground.

Many of the mythological creatures in the 7th Sealed Prison were either asleep or had blurred consciousness.

We proceeded cautiously, keeping the light dim enough to barely see the passageway ahead.

Footsteps echoed down the dark hallway. The Demon Lord’s lair was at the deepest part of the underground prison.

We had to pass through corridors lined with cells on either side to get there.

The underground prison was dark and damp, far from a pleasant place.

“…”

Sumire tightened her grip on my arm.

Kusukusukusu… Kusukusukusu…

Kyah! Kyah!

Fufufufu…

Laughter echoed from all around as if mocking us.

Sumire’s shoulders trembled slightly.

“It’s alright. Those are just mischievous spirits of darkness or night. They enjoy scaring people, so try not to react too much.” (Eugene)

“O-Okay..” (Sumire)

Sumire nodded slightly, gripping my arm tighter.

As we continued deeper…

—“Oh my, what a cute one.”

—“Never seen her before.”

—“Hey, let’s have a little chat.”

The eerie sound of raspy voices scraped against our ears.

“Huh? Who’s—mgh!” (Sumire) 

I quickly covered Sumire’s mouth.

“Those are the voices of evil spirits and ghosts lingering in the prison. If you respond, they might possess you, so ignore them.” (Eugene)

“…”

Sumire nodded repeatedly.

I could exorcize them if needed, but it is not a pleasant experience.

We pressed on again.

…Tekeri…ri… Tekeri…ri…

…Shan…shan…shan…

Though we couldn’t see anything, strange sounds came from the darkness at the back of the large cells, along with unsettling flapping noises that set us on edge.

“Um, Eugy-kun…what is that…?” (Sumire)

“Honestly, I still don’t know. Let’s keep moving.” (Eugene)

According to the Principal, those sounds come from a summoned mythological creature, but I had never seen it myself.

It wasn’t a place you wanted to linger, so I quickly sped up to get past that area.

At the deepest part of the 7th Sealed Prison was a massive underground cell.

Unlike the other cells, this one was illuminated by numerous lanterns, providing clear visibility.

As usual, I unlocked and then re-locked the multiple layers of seals one by one.

This is how Sumire and I finally reached the place where the Demon Lord resided.

Normally, I would have to wake Eri, who was usually sprawled lazily on her bed, sleeping, but today…

“Welcome, Sumire.”

Eri was surprisingly already awake.

Her purple dress didn’t have a single wrinkle, and her long silver hair was flawlessly smooth, without a hint of bedhead.

She gracefully crossed her legs, rested her chin on her hand, and gazed sharply…not at me, but at Sumire.

“I have come! It was scary though!” (Sumire) 

Sumire faltered slightly, intimidated by the Demon Lord’s imposing presence.

“Oh my…you’re trembling, aren’t you?” (Eri)

Meanwhile, Eri radiated a calm authority, exuding confidence.

(She is kind of…acting totally different from usual…) (Eugene)

It reminded me of when I first met her.

I was pretty nervous back then too.

“Of course I’m trembling! You tried to kill me!” (Sumire)

“Oh, you mean during the Trial of the Gods on the 100th floor? I had no choice. Once summoned to the Zenith Tower, you can’t go easy on challengers. Though my power was restricted.” (Eri)

“I was really freaked out… But later, I realized her wounds weren’t that deep, and you avoided her vital spots, so that was a relief.” (Eugene)

“Well, that’s because you were there, Eugene. He can usually heal an injury no matter how bad it is.” (Eri)

Eri responded nonchalantly to my remark.

The conversation had taken a dark turn.

The tension in the air was palpable and uncomfortable.

“So, what brings you here today? Revenge, perhaps? It’s true that while I’m in this Sealed Prison, my powers are suppressed, so I wouldn’t be able to resist.” (Eri)

“N-No, I never thought about that!” (Sumire)

Sumire frantically shook her head at Eri’s words.

That’s a relief.

I was a little worried about that possibility.

“Hmm, so what is it, then?” (Eri)

“………”

Eri asked, and Sumire’s expression became serious.

“Demon Lord! I have something I need to say to you!!” (Sumire)

“Oh? Are you going to tell me to stop seeing Eugene?” (Eri)

Eri smirked slightly.

“I wouldn’t say something like that! Wait, that’s not it… Demon Lord-san, do you…like Eugy-kun? You have been doing that kind of stuff with Eugy-kun…every night, right?!” (Sumire)

“Uhm…Sumire-san?” (Eugene)

Having that said aloud felt incredibly awkward.

“……Well, yes.” (Eri)

Eri, on the other hand, seemed to relax a bit.

“That’s why I have to ask you!” (Sumire)

“What is it?” (Eri)

Eri urged her.

“Demon Lord-san, do you love Eugy-kun?! Or is it just about his body?!” (Sumire)

“”Eh?””

Both Eri and I let out a surprised sound.

Sumire’s question was far more blunt than I had expected.

■ Comment Response:

>It feels like there’s a horde of death flags that would blow up in the face of Eugene-kun in the literal sense. Will he even make it to the end alive?

-Honestly, I’m worried too. I hope he doesn’t end up like a certain Makoto from School Days.

>”So this is that woman’s house.”

→ Got a lot of comments like this.

By the way, here’s an image of the underground cell. Eri’s room is actually pretty bright. 

■ Author’s Comment:

Regular updates along with Zero Believers have been exhausting.

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