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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Sorrowful Cry to the Past Chapter

Chapter 317: We’re Ready

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“Alright! We’ve managed to secure the cooperation of the Holy Nation. It seems that the Magic Kingdom is also on board with our plan, so now we have support from all the nations!”

“Hmm. Congrats. That’s all thanks to your efforts, El.”

“Yeah. It was Eir who managed to persuade those stubborn cardinals. Good work.”

After the meeting in the Holy Nation concluded, we received their support as planned. Having left the Holy Nation a few days earlier, we were camping on our way to our next destination.

“Haha. That’s not true. Fiera and everyone else helped create easy-to-understand materials, and Bagira gathered information by talking to various people, right? That really helped me convince the cardinals of my story. I truly can’t thank everyone enough.”

If I had acted alone, no one would have believed my words, and I might still be out there, appealing to people with nothing but baseless claims.

Thinking back, Fiera and Olga cooperating with me to create a situation where my story was credible was already a tremendous help.

“Well then, since we’ve gained cooperation from all the nations, it’s finally time to head there.”

“Yeah. We’re going to bring this world to an end.”

“Hmm. Let’s do our best.”

“But before that, let’s toast to our victory and hard work so far!”

“Cheers!!!”

As we clinked our drinks together, we downed them quickly, enjoying our last banquet before the battle.

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“Finally made it!”

A month had passed since we left the Demon Domain.

Using teleportation magic to shorten the distance as much as possible and utilizing fighting spirit for minimal rest, I managed to return to the Imperial Capital in half the time it took to get there.

“Ahh. My winter break…”

However, since the long winter break was already over, it was only natural that other students were attending school, and I would have to return to the academy soon.

“Not that it matters much since I’ve been slacking off anyway.”

That being said, I received permission from the academy head, Mejina, to be exempt from all classes, which means I could take a break any time I wanted.

Still, it’s a matter of feeling—while the other students were resting, I felt like I was missing out by being the only one busy.

“Ahh. By the way, I wonder if the academy head got back okay after that.”

I didn’t expect to meet her in the Demon Domain, but I did send her back to her room with teleportation magic when I rescued her. I just had no idea what happened to her afterward.

“Well, I guess it’s fine. Ahh, back to the academy.”

For now, if it’s Mejina, as long as I don’t let my guard down, there shouldn’t be any issues, and since I’m sure I sent her back, I pushed her from my mind and forced my heavy legs to move back to the academy.

“Man, just as I expected, I was called right after I got back.”

I mumbled that as I walked down the familiar hallway of the academy after a long while.

“By the way, the atmosphere at the academy feels even worse than before.”

Since it was mostly elective classes at this time, students without classes were resting in the cafeteria or the plaza, but the way the students I passed by looked at me was far worse than before, almost resembling hostility.

“I shouldn’t have done anything yet…”

While I was about to collaborate with the demons to induce an internal conflict, nobody should have found out about that. Besides, having been away from the academy for over three months, there shouldn’t have been anything I could do.

“Something must have happened without my knowledge.”

I still didn’t know exactly what happened, but from past experience, even if I hadn’t done anything, it was bound to turn out this way eventually. So, there was no need to worry too much about the other students.

“Finally made it.”

I said that as I opened the door leading to the designated garden for Class S, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

“Welcome back, Lewis.”

“Welcome back, Lord Lewis.”

As I entered, the first to greet me were Iris and Shuvina, whom I hadn’t heard from in a while, followed by Sonia, Sephiria, Miria, and finally Sharueina.

“Hmm? Where’s Fiera?”

However, the usual Fiera, who would have rushed to greet me and hug me first, was nowhere to be found. I looked around, puzzled, but she was definitely not there.

Amidst this, I found myself pondering the strange positions of Shuvina and the others. They had arranged themselves in a semicircle around Iris, as if hiding something behind them.

“Is Fiera back there?”

“Sigh… I guess hiding was impossible. Come on out, Fiera. You’ve been found out.”

“Ugh. But…”

“There’s no ‘but’! Are you planning to hide from Lewis until you return to normal? I wouldn’t mind as it would reduce my rivals, but do you really want Lewis to forget about you?”

“I don’t want that.”

“Then hurry up and come out.”

“Ugh…”

As expected, it seemed Fiera, who was hiding behind them, had a conversation with Sonia and was promptly nudged by her. Timing it perfectly, Fiera slipped out next to Iris, revealing herself.

“W-welcome back, El.”

“……….”

“El?”

“Ah, yeah. I’m home.”

Uncharacteristically lost for words, Fiera wandered her gaze awkwardly, while I too found myself unable to respond right away, finally managing to mumble a reply.

The reason being…

“Did you cut your hair?”

“Hmm. Y-yeah. A lot of things happened.”

“I see.”

The Fiera I hadn’t seen in a while had cut off her waist-length hair and now had it neatly trimmed just above her shoulders.

“Does it not suit me?”

“No, I think it looks good on you.”

I said while reaching out to touch Fiera’s now short hair.

“But, it was matching yours and now it’s not.”

“Hmm? You liked that we matched? If so, I could just cut mine too.”

“Eh?”

She looked so disappointed and anxious for some reason. It seemed she liked having the same hair color and style as mine, and now that it was different, she was concerned.

“It’s not like I particularly care about hairstyles. I’m only growing it out to please my mother. If you wanted to cut it and be satisfied, then there’s no problem. Plus, if I told my mother that you wanted to trim it and I followed through, she wouldn’t say anything. So, if you’re happy with the cut…”

As I said that, gripping my hair, I began to gather magic power to cut it, but before I could act, Fiera embraced me.

“Don’t.”

“Hmm? You don’t want me to cut it?”

“Yeah. El can stay the way he is. I like El’s hair, and if you wanted to match again, you could just grow it out.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. Also, I love you, El.”

“I don’t quite get it, but thanks.”

I didn’t understand why she felt that way, but she hugged me tighter, smiling happily.

It felt as though she was saying she wouldn’t let go for a lifetime, and I found myself almost drowning in the affection from Fiera, who was directing it at me after a long while.

By the way, the tail visible behind her, while hugging me, was happily wagging back and forth.

 

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