Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 55: The Devil in Her Skin

Obersving the clear blue skies and fluffy, snow-like clouds that dotted the place, wandering mindlessly about in that vast expanse, temperate rays of sunlight falling on our skin, I wondered if this weather―that any other person would certainly call perfect―was truly authentic.

If it was perfect by chance, merely out of the grace of nature.

Or if it was by design, because the original game depicted the weather as such.

If that was the case, then this sort of consistent, idyllic weather would probably be seen every day from now on, or at least on most days. It was the same yesterday, so it would probably be the same tomorrow, and then the day after.

People generally wished for such a phenomenon, but in this world, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was the norm.

Personally, I much preferred rain.

To be more specific, I hated the Sun for being too bright, so if it was cloudy or dark outside, I was more or less satisfied.

One might argue that, since I didn’t go outside much anyway, it shouldn’t matter what the weather was. I disagreed wholeheartedly with that sentiment. It wasn’t a matter of experiencing the weather for myself, but merely knowing that the world beyond the walls of my home represented my preference, my heart was soothed.

Although, if I were to go outside, I would still rather it be dark. Though, I didn’t like the cold, not at all. Sometimes it was even worse than if it was sunny.

At least, with rain, you can hear it even from inside, and the ambience is calming.

I suppose it was more about the atmosphere than the physical experience?

It would be alright if I could sit outside and feel the light pitter-patter falling on my head directly, whether it be a gentle shower or a torrential downpour. So long as it wasn’t cold, I’d like that.

Though, since I don’t really leave the house unless I have to, I don’t get to experience it all that often.

Some people also like the smell of rain, but I didn’t particularly care for it.

There used to be a time when my tastes were all different...

"Sir Enki... Can I ask you something...?"

Abruptly, the Protagonist’s voice entered my ears, disrupting my thoughts. Turning my head halfway, I nodded.

"Of course."

’Will she ask about Lucretia?’

Hearing my swift response, she started twiddling her thumbs awkwardly.

"Um... I was wondering if you knew why... why it’s bad to be a commoner...?"

’...Oh. I wasn’t expecting that. Uh...’

Racking my brain for a moment, I decided to deflect the question.

"What makes you think being a commoner is bad?"

"O-oh, no, I don’t think so! I-It’s just, there are a lot of people who seem to not like me because I used to be a commoner..."

"Are you talking about My Lady?"

"Ah... y-... yes, well... I suppose that’s part of it..."

I leaned back in my seat, crossing my arms.

"Isn’t it because nobles are narcissistic?"

"What do you mean...?"

Meeting her pink gaze, which stared at me sheepishly, I shrugged.

"Well, they think they’re better than everyone else, right? Because they have a social status that "proves" it; that’s why you see everyone addressing other people by their family title rather than their actual name, because the status is what’s important. The two of us, though, we’re different in that way, aren’t we?"

It was only natural that a systematic hierarchy such as aristocracy would make the ones higher up on the pyramid more prone to exploiting or making fun of the ones below them. Even if it wasn’t desirable, it was common sense that that would happen.

It wasn’t just a fabrication of this world’s source material that people in a superior position love to punch downm, either. You see it all the time in real-life, too. Wasn’t that obvious?

Ever since people started Awakening, there was a worry that a similar issue would occur between those superhumans and ordinary citizens, but... well, fortunately, it wasn’t as if human weapons didn’t work on Awakened, so there was no worry there.

"Huh...? But, that can’t be true! A-at least, not everyone is like that..."

Suddenly, the Protagonist became surprisingly agitated by my words.

"You’re talking about the crown prince and that other guy from yesterday, right? The one with red hair."

"Th-that’s right! S-sir Chris and Sir Kran are good people! They don’t care about the origins of my blood..."

’Ay, you’re kidding me...’

Faced with the Protagonist’s selfless defence of her two love interests, my brows naturally furrowed.

"They might have you fooled for now, but I assure you they’re just the same as everybody else. In fact, the prince in particular is quite the sly individual."

"Enki...! Why are you being so mean? Please, stop it."

’Tsk. Maybe I’m pushing it a bit too far too early... well, maybe I can make it work?’

"I apologise if you don’t like what I’m saying, but please understand that I’m only saying it out of concern for you, not to be rude. Don’t you think I should know what nobles are like since I spend every day by My Lady’s side?"

"Just because Lady Lucretia is like that doesn’t mean everyone is! Please stop talking about it. I’ll be really mad at you if you keep saying rude things about my friends..."

Hearing her firm refusal to listen to me any further, my lips pursed slightly.

’I guess it wouldn’t be that easy to dissuade her from the other love interests, would it...’

It was annoying, but worth testing out, I guess. Since the result wasn’t anything I would call satisfactory, I would have to either try again later when my ’affection’ was higher, or otherwise find another way to take them out of the picture.

’As I thought, the most effective way will probably be to deal with the love interests themselves.’

Just as I had done with that wizard guy, Joádin, I should try and think of a solution to the red-head and, most importantly, the little prince.

Killing them was, needless to say, nothing more than a forbidden last resort since that would only lead to a whole heap of other problems, and well, it’s not like I could just kill the empire’s crown prince and expect things to go positively, is it?

Anyway, that’s something to think about later.

"...Ahem. Then, I won’t mention it again. But, if you ever need to talk about something, I’ll always be available. As a fellow commoner, I do think I’ll be able to sympathise more than anyone else at the academy."

Casting her a side-eye glance and saying that, she turned to me with, unexpectedly, a fresh smile plastered on her face.

"I will. Um, I’m sorry for raising my voice... Thank you for looking out for me. I’m still not used to being a noble yet, but everyone around me manages to play the role so naturally. It makes me glad knowing there’s someone else who can relate..."

I glanced at her radiant smile for a moment, and a dark thought entered my mind.

Ring~!

Right then, the academy bell rang out, interrupting the melodic piano keys and our conversation alike.

I wasn’t sure if this was a purposeful design of the universe in which this Illusory World resided, or if it was truly no more than a mere coincidence, but either way, it only meant one thing.

’’End of 「scene」’, huh...’

Nodding to myself, I took to my feet and faced the Protagonist, still sitting down.

"Miss Ayla. I have to accompany My Lady now, but will I see you later?"

"Yes! And I’ll speak to you again soon, Sir Enki!"

Despite having her face flush red over my earlier remarks, she now beamed with perhaps the brightest look I’ve ever seen. It was the kind of genuine smile that would bring a sensation of deep warmth to whoever saw it.

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Something that seemed to have come straight from a scene in a romance drama.

Something that couldn’t possibly bear any malice or ill intent within it.

It really was an expression of sincere, candid happiness... and yet, at the same time.

As if the person who wore that expression might be hiding something sinister deep beneath the surface.

"..."

It was a smile that made my blood run cold.