[Translator - Night]

    [Proofreader - Gun]

    w

    Chapter 91: Caught Doing This?

    The Side Story of the Azure Flame focuses solely on the first-year life of the protagonist, Eve.

    The reason is simple: this side story serves as an epilogue to earlier arcs of Demon Dungeon Academy Slayer.

    Demon Dungeon Academy Slayer consists of three main arcs.

    The first two arcs, preceding the Flame Butterfly arc, are set in different time periods.

    Both of them belong to earlier generations than the Flame Butterfly arc.

    I didn’t play much of the first two arcs.

    One was a puzzle game, and the other was a bullet hell shooting game.

    As someone who enjoys pixel RPG games, they didn’t suit my tastes.

    Perhaps that’s why Demon Dungeon Academy Slayer had different fans for each arc.

    Among them, The Side Story of the Azure Flame was an appendix to the second arc.

    It was released as an RPG epilogue to promote the third arc, Flame Butterfly.

    As a result, The Side Story of the Azure Flame’s Injury doesn’t have a particularly long playtime.

    The first-year life at Ordo Academy is all there is, which proves the point.

    ‘In other words, Eve is...’

    ...a character who has completed her scenario.

    This side story is also the only arc I played apart from the first two.

    Eve strode in confidently, her blue hair flowing.

    “Azure Flame.”

    “The sole star of Ordo.”

    Eve’s remarkable achievements in the Ordo Kingdom are widely known.

    Because of this, other students seemed to be aware of her reputation.

    “...So that’s the Azure Flame.”

    Isabel muttered as she looked at Eve.

    It seemed even Isabel had heard of Eve’s name.

    ‘Well, she was frequently mentioned in the Flame Butterfly arc, too.’

    Eve is one of the six stars who made a name for themselves in their generation.

    My decision to play The Side Story of the Azure Flame was driven by my curiosity about Eve.

    From the perspective of the game developers, this was probably a ploy to pique curiosity and make players purchase the earlier arcs as well.

    It was a cunning tactic, but thanks to it, I encountered the protagonist of another arc.

    I could feel the heat emanating from her body.

    Seeing this, I was convinced.

    ‘I absolutely must transfer Eve to Zerion Academy.’

    During the summer break, I wrapped up the event with the headmaster.

    The headmaster had agreed to handle Eve’s transfer process, provided she was willing.

    ‘Preparing for this was an absolute nightmare.’

    That’s why I barely rested during the break.

    Now, only Eve’s decision remained.

    But that was the hardest hurdle to overcome.

    Eve wouldn’t lack attachment to Ordo Academy, even if the students there envied and resented her.

    “Finally, we’re all here.”

    Among the six stars, the only one from the humble kingdom of Zebra, which failed to record any stars in its generation, stood up.

    Following the president of Rosley Academy, the other student council presidents also rose from their seats and headed to the roundtable.

    Even the acting president, Iris, stood up and moved toward the roundtable.

    Soon, the attendees took their seats at the roundtable, and the meeting began.

    The content of the meeting didn’t particularly interest me.

    After all, it was just about discussing the international individual competition.

    ‘While the influence of student council presidents within the academies can’t be ignored...’

    ...events on the scale of the international individual competition are managed and overseen by the headmasters and professors.

    Thus, this meeting was more symbolic than anything else.

    In reality, networking with future influential figures during the party afterward held more significance.

    ‘But because of that...’

    ...the conversations during the meeting were intense, without any concessions.

    Everyone here was aware that they would likely become representatives of their respective nations in the future.

    Losing ground here was tantamount to falling behind later.

    This was a meeting staking the pride of their nations.

    It was a brutal power struggle, to say the least.

    “Yaaawn.”

    Sharin yawned, completely uninterested in such matters.

    Iris tilted her head, her actions urging me to hurry and come over.

    I quietly inhaled and exhaled.

    This feels like it’s going to lead to another fight between the two of them.

    It’s about time I drew a line.

    This is going too far.

    “Lady Iris, your recent antics have been excessive. Even I find it difficult to handle this constant behavior.”

    I conveyed my words to Iris with utmost politeness, gazing at her firmly.

    Iris, perhaps realizing something, opened and closed her hands repeatedly.

    She wasn’t someone who couldn’t be reasoned with.

    She was likely acting this way because Isabel’s presence had triggered her possessiveness.

    Iris was someone capable of restraining herself if she chose to.

    “I’m more than willing to help ensure Lady Iris has a restful sleep. However, if you continue behaving like this, it will tarnish your name. Not to mention, it puts me in a difficult position.”

    Isabel and Sharin weren’t the types to spread gossip, but if someone else were to witness such behavior, it would become a serious issue.

    No matter how close we were as cousins, such displays between an 18-year-old man and woman would invite rumors.

    Especially for someone like Iris, a princess, such rumors could spread as damaging scandals.

    There were always people eager to find flaws in her otherwise perfect image.

    “...Alright, I’ll only act like this when we’re alone.”

    Not stopping altogether, huh?

    Still, Iris showed willingness to restrain herself.

    Satisfied for now, I turned to Isabel.

    She nodded approvingly, as if agreeing with my rebuke of Iris.

    Isabel, you’re no different.

    “And Isabel, you’ve been meddling too much lately.”

    Isabel flinched.

    She had grown more intrusive recently, acting like a childhood friend despite our rocky history.

    Understanding her insecurities, I had overlooked it, but her obsession had been escalating.

    “I know you dislike me criticizing Lucas, but enough is enough.”

    I reminded Isabel of my disdain for Lucas, knowing it would strike a chord.

    Although it hadn’t been very effective lately, I had originally been at odds with Isabel.

    After various twists and turns, we had become rivals.

    But we weren’t supposed to be this close.

    “....”

    Isabel lowered her gaze to the floor.

    Having warned her enough, I hoped she would restrain herself for a while.

    “Lastly, Sharin.”

    I called out to Sharin, who had somehow sneaked into the room and was munching on popcorn.

    “If you keep watching with that entertained look, I’ll give you a German suplex.”

    “Ummm.”

    With popcorn stuffed in her mouth, I couldn’t make out what she said.

    Her puffed-up cheeks made me want to pinch them.

    But I refrained, knowing she would probably retaliate with magic.

    “Well then, take it easy. I’m going to get some fresh air.”

    I quickly excused myself, unwilling to stay in that tense atmosphere any longer.

    Fortunately, no one followed.

    Once outside, I finally caught my breath.

    Today, I learned one thing.

    The compatibility between Isabel and Iris is the worst.

    I need to avoid putting them together in the future.

    As I reflected on this, I continued walking.

    It was then that I saw a cascade of blue hair fluttering near the hallway window.

    Familiar with that hair color, my eyes widened slightly.

    It was Eve.

    The moment she saw me, she walked straight over, as if I had been her target all along.

    Her unwavering gaze locked onto mine.

    As expected of the protagonist of a side story, her presence was extraordinary.

    “You.”

    Eve addressed me directly, leaving me frozen on the spot.

    “You’ve been affected by the magic of an ancient dragon.”

    This was an unexpected turn of events.

    [Translator - Night]

    [Proofreader - Gun]

    w