Life has been enjoyable lately. I am savoring the sensation of existence in this pre-apocalyptic world, something I never once felt within the Anbert family or the Academy. Even knowing this is but a fleeting moment, I cannot stop feeling this joy.

It’s such a shame that I realized this so late. Until now, I had been bogged down by the trivial agonies of survival, leaving me no room to consider the merits of this world.

But now I think I understand. Even standing in the exact same position of normalcy, a world with rules limits what one can enjoy. And this current world has no such limits. I can do whatever I want. Well, it doesn’t even have to be anything grand, you know?

Like calling over a cute boy to play with. Something like that?

“Senior. I’m done…”

“Ah, yeah? Let’s see.”

At the timely sound of that soft voice, I slightly raised the tips of my toes. The frightened boy’s face came into view just above my neatly trimmed toenails. That alone was already a satisfying sight, but I deliberately dragged out my response.

“Hmm…”

“…”

“Well, I suppose this is good enough? Good job.”

“Thank you. Senior.”

“No need to thank me. I should be the one thanking you, Ed.”

Only after hearing those words did the boy carefully set my foot down. Then, with a terribly trembling voice, he barely managed to open his mouth.

“Um… then can I go…”

“Already? Are you in that much of a hurry? You don’t have anything to do anyway.”

“But…”

“Is it because of your sister? Don’t worry. She’s probably doing just fine playing on her own.”

“But I…”

Despite repeated dissuasion, Ed kept trying to leave the room. But instead of answering, I raised my foot and stroked the cute boy’s cheek. Every time my pleasantly damp foot touched his skin, he flinched involuntarily. The sight sent a thrill through my heart, and a desire to keep doing this all day welled up in thick, insistent waves.

But that moment did not last long. Soon, the closed door opened, and a massive shoulder stepped into the room.

“…Roselia. You were doing this again.”

“Ah, Duke. You’re here?”

“Real laid-back, aren’t we. Hey, you. Get lost. Now.”

“Ah… yes.”

What a shame. It was just getting fun. Duke paid no mind to Ed as he scurried out like a dart, approaching me instead. Only then did I slowly rise from the chair I had been sitting in.

“So, did you send the kids to the beach? Has there been any new news already?”

“No. Strangely, they wouldn’t listen to me. But they seem to listen to you.”

“Right. That is strange.”

I swallowed a laugh at his childish whining. It seemed those guys were slowly starting to fear the crazy bitch who had survived this long over the big, dumb brute.

The rumors spread by the guys who were at the scene probably helped too. If I had known burning one useless bastard to death would make things this easy, I would have done it much sooner. Swallowing my belated regrets, I reached for my discarded socks.

“Well, it’s fine. The ship will arrive eventually, and Lope will react first anyway.”

“Are you sure?”

“I told you. He needs me more than anyone else on this island. He’ll be here soon. Maybe he’s already on his way. All we have to do is wait.”

“Then why did you send the kids away earlier?”

“Should I call it a sort of greeting? You don’t need to think about it. I’ll handle all the complicated stuff.”

I had just told him to stay put like an idiot, but I wondered if the message had gotten through. Duke stood there dumbly, either understanding the underlying meaning or not, before eventually shrugging his shoulders.

“Well, it’ll work out somehow. But more importantly, is it true? That he has a passage permit to the Land of Elves?”

“You could say that. Why, you want to live too?”

“Of course I don’t want to die here either. I haven’t had enough of that garbage milk yet. Besides…”

“Besides?”

“I need to bash that bastard Lope’s face in one more time.”

Haha…

Seriously. Like a child.

It was an immense stroke of luck for me that such an idiot had taken over the fallen Academy. Add to that the fact that an elf had actually been hiding on the island where I was. And that the elf was someone I knew. Everything was an incredibly massive piece of luck.

But crawling my way to the top in such a world was entirely my own ability. Only now did I understand why so many nobles had failed in their attempts to claim the Emperor’s throne. Anyone born into a noble lineage dreams of becoming an absolute being. That was both the duty and the rightful privilege of the nobility.

Now was the optimal time to dream that dream. With the Emperor’s authority so miserably shattered, someone had to take that seat. Who that someone should be was beyond question. I was born with luck, so one day, I would definitely ascend to that position.

…

And for some reason, the thought that this lucky day might be today welled up thick within me. I was in a good mood, too. It was about time for the ship to arrive. Filled with a strange sense of anticipation, I looked toward the door.

And sure enough, it wasn’t long before a guy rushed in frantically.

“Ro…Roselia! Duke! Right now…!”

“I got it.”

“What? No, listen to what I have to say first. So…!”

“I said I got it.”

I didn’t even listen to the end of his words. I was already beside myself with the fact that the day was unfolding exactly as I had thought. Instead of wasting time with useless words, it was time to run out barefoot and welcome my luck.

“Duke.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go.”

“No, what is it…”

But Duke, being the foolish man he was, failed to understand the underlying meaning and just dithered there in confusion. Do I have to spell everything out for him like an idiot? Just as I was about to sigh, a booming voice echoed from outside the window.

“Roselia!!!”

“…!”

“Haha…”

His sharp, ringing voice was more than enough to answer the question. Rage instantly settled on Duke’s face, and I happily observed the change. Soon, without me having to say a word, he began to walk toward the door in heavy, deliberate strides. And I, too, followed behind Duke, thinking of the greeting I would deliver after such a long time.

It’s been a while, Lope.

It was a thrilling moment, even to myself. Holding those words in my heart, I walked toward the shining sunlight.

“What the hell is up with those guys.”

“I don’t know, fuck… did you call Duke?”

“Just now… hey. They’re coming.”

“…”

The sound of ordinary people murmuring in panic was as refreshing as a church bell. As we walked forward, the gathered crowd parted like the sea, and we leisurely walked down the path they made.

“…”

“Duke.”

“…”

In the meantime, Duke remained silent no matter how many times I called him. He looked angry, or perhaps he was tense at the moment he had finally been waiting for. It was definitely better not to talk to him in this state, but there was one thing I absolutely had to tell him.

“Don’t kill him. Got it?”

“…I know. Because that mark or whatever on the back of his hand might disappear.”

“Right. You remember well. Absolutely. Do not kill him, absolutely. I don’t think it’ll come to this, but don’t even think about cutting off his wrist.”

“I got it. So stop talking.”

Duke snapped sharply tok, then headed toward the school gate with relentless strides. It seemed he was anxious because the wait had been far too long. I, on the opposite end, wanted to enjoy this moment a little longer, but before I knew it, the massive gate had arrived right before my eyes.

Soon, as he grabbed the door handle, I took a deep breath. Of course, taking a deep breath didn’t make this tension disappear. All I could do was close my eyes in preparation for the sunlight that was about to pour in.

“Roselia!”

“…”

His voice rang out once again. As if he could wait no longer, Duke immediately threw the doors open. I matched the moment by squeezing my eyes shut jjilkkun.

But what poured in the next moment was not brilliant sunlight, but a byproduct of the sun hidden behind dark clouds.

“Lope, you son of a bitch!”

“…You’re here.”

As soon as the doors opened, Duke’s thick profanities spilled out. But because the crowd was blocking the way, I couldn’t see Lope. I could only see a few strands of hair slightly sticking up above the shoulders of the other guys.

I had no intention of showing myself just yet, so I hid my body behind Duke’s back. But he paid no mind to my intentions and kept walking forward.

“Finally showing your face. You son of a bitch. Did you come here to die?”

“…”

“Hey. You’re not answering? I asked if you’re not going to answer.”

“Where is Roselia?”

“This bastard…”

As Lope continued to avoid answering, Duke flared up and tried to step right up to him. But I grabbed his collar to keep him in the middle of the crowd. We had the numbers advantage here, so there was no reason to take unnecessary risks. By now, Duke seemed to somewhat understand my intentions, as he pushed the shoulders of the other guys and sent them forward.

“What does Roselia have to do with anything? Why did you come here?”

“It has nothing to do with you. I just need to see Roselia.”

“You’re really shameless. So you brought these bitches here to protest? With such a pathetic number of people?”

“…Bitches?”

Only then did I peek my head out ppaekkom from behind Duke’s back. Then, Lope and his companions standing beside him came into view. Among them were Erika and Lena. And there was also a guard I had seen at the school gate before.

But even so, their numbers were barely ten. After confirming that my safety was absolutely guaranteed, I slowly stepped out from behind Duke’s back. Then, raising my head slightly, I delivered the greeting I had prepared.

“It’s been a while, Lope.”

“…”

As I casually offered my greeting, Lope’s face slightly stiffened. Was he nervous? Seeing that only brought a sense of composure to my own mind. No matter what he had prepared, we were the ones holding the reins.

“Did you come to see me? You’re too late. You must have been busy hiding in the corner of the island, chasing after women.”

“Look who’s talking. You must have been busy sucking up to Duke.”

“Using such harsh words doesn’t suit you. It just makes it more obvious that you’re nervous, Lope.”

“Stop talking nonsense and come over here, Roselia. We’re doing this because of you.”

“No. We’re doing this because of you, Lope.”

I smiled slightly and looked toward the back of Lope’s hand. But because he had his hands shoved in his pockets, I couldn’t see the Mark. Besides, at this distance, it would be difficult to see through it with magic.

Therefore, I turned my gaze to the people around Lope instead. Lena and Erika shrank back the moment my eyes fell on them, and the others showed similar reactions. They were clearly trembling with fear. It looked like they would crumble waleuleu at the slightest provocation.

“None of you need to do this just for Lope. I don’t know what kind of sweet talk he used to coax you, but the outcome is obvious if you clash with us like this. Isn’t it? If you come over to our side right now, I’ll forgive you.”

“…”

“Or you could just run away instead. Let me tell you in advance, excluding Lope, there’s no one among you that needs to be kept alive. Well, if you’re lucky, our guys might take you as playthings. Is that what you want, Erika?”

“Huh? I… I…”

“And Lena. I’m truly disappointed. I thought you would stay by my side. If you have any thoughts of returning to me even now, come to the Student Council Room. We might be able to reconsider our relationship.”

“Ah…”

“So, is there anyone who wants to live? If there is, run away quickly. Right now.”

I asked again, but still, no one moved. They were all timidly standing with their hands behind their backs, glancing at each other. It seemed Lope must have threatened them or something.

…

Anyway, I didn’t know the reason, but everyone was hiding their hands. Lope. Erika. The rest of the people too. It was a trivial issue that shouldn’t have mattered, but it bothered me strangely. Having such an issue on a day of luck that was supposed to be perfect made me feel very uncomfortable.

And that discomfort gradually turned into anxiety. Lope still had his hands shoved in his pockets. Normally, he would have drawn his sword by now. Something was definitely strange.

“…It seems there’s no room for negotiation.”

At that moment, the guard standing beside Lope slowly walked forward. And for the first time, she raised her hand in front of me. I swallowed dry saliva in anticipation and looked at the back of her hand.

But there was nothing on the back of her hand. No, beyond that, there wasn’t even human skin. Just cold, grayish metal gleaming faintly. I frowned at the unexpected sight, and this time, she spoke.

“Still, is there anyone among them who wants to run away? I said it before, but our objective is only that student, Roselia. The rest of the people don’t need to get involved. So if you don’t want to endure unnecessary violence, run away right now.”

“…”

“Is there really no one? This is your last chance to be forgiven for the immorality you’ve committed all this time. So run away.”

At that, this time, a murmuring sound came from our side. It seemed that seeing her metal prosthetic hand for the first time had created a slight crack in their resolve. At this rate, we might lose our momentum because of that strange woman.

“You’re spouting bullshit. I don’t know who you are, but you’re pretty shameless for a disabled person with a prosthetic hand.”

“That’s a bit harsh.”

“And I said it before, but you’re the ones who should be scared. Everyone knows, right? Other than Lope, I don’t care if you kill them all! Kill them, or make them your fuckholes, do whatever you want. Got it?”

“…That’s what he says, Lope. Should we just start?”

“I suppose we should.”

Lope looked at me and let out a deep sigh puk. And finally, he took his hands out of his pockets and drew the sword at his waist. Then, a brutally cold metallic sound rang out, digging into my fragile heart.

The drawn sword pointed straight up at the sky, scattering a sharp light. In an instant, everyone’s gaze turned toward the sharp blade. Amidst the sound of people swallowing dry saliva heard here and there, some unknowingly grabbed their wrists.

In the meantime, I barely pulled my head back to look at the underside. My gaze, slowly, very slowly flowing down the blade, soon headed to one place. The final destination of my journey so far, and the beginning of new hope. With a thrilling sense of anticipation, I looked at the back of his hand.

But what was drawn on the back of his hand was only the rough scars of time left behind.

To be more precise, there was nothing.

“…Huh?”

I opened my mouth in vain. Wondering if it might be on the other side, I turned my head, but there was no Mark there either. There was only the empty apricot-colored skin. Duke seemed to have noticed the fact as well, and asked me in a low voice.

“What’s going on, Roselia… there’s nothing there?”

“That can’t be…”

“It’s not that it can’t be, there’s actually nothing there. Did you lie to us again?”

“No… that can’t… that can’t be…”

I repeated that one phrase like a crazy person. That can’t be. I definitely saw it. I saw that blue glowing Mark. The more I denied it, the more reality revealed its ugly face, ruthlessly shattering the hope I had painstakingly built up. Even so, I kept turning my head, searching for the blue light of the Mark.

“Ge…Get ready!”

At that moment, Erika’s sharp voice suddenly tore through the air. My wandering gaze turned toward her by some instinct. Then, something that shouldn’t have been there caught my eye on the back of her raised hand.

It was exactly that deep blue Mark I had been so desperately searching for.

“Huh…?”

I had what I had been searching for in my sight, but I just stupidly opened my mouth. Erika? Why on earth Erika? But the unbelievable sight didn’t end there. The next moment, when the other girls beside her raised their hands, I felt like I was going to lose my mind entirely.

All of them had that blue Mark engraved on the backs of their hands.

“Huh…? Huh, huh…?”

“What… what is this, Roselia. What is…”

“Ah…”

“What is it, Roselia!”

Even Duke was flustered by the nonsensical sight and shouted. No, was it really a nonsensical sight to begin with? Because I didn’t even know what the Mark looked like. So I couldn’t distinguish whether those were fake or real. They could all be real, or they could all be fake.

No. Calm down. There’s no way they’re all fake. Because there was no Mark on the back of Lope’s hand. Seeing as he kept wearing gloves instead of moving the location of the Mark, there’s no possibility that he hid it somewhere other than the back of his hand. So they definitely aren’t all fake.

But that doesn’t mean they can all be real, either. That’s completely impossible. Some of them are fake, and some are real. But how do I distinguish them? How can I when I don’t even know what it looks like in the first place? Even if I caught them and checked them one by one, would I be able to tell them apart?

Or should I just take them all to the mainland?

Do I have to do something so absurd?

…

Lope.

What the hell did you do?

“Roselia! What is this!”

“Ah…”

“Roselia!”

My lips trembled. If only the Mark had at least remained on the back of Lope’s hand, things would have been simple, but it wasn’t even like that. In the meantime, blue lights were gathering right before my eyes. It was clear that if I didn’t make a decision, everything would flow into catastrophe.

Ultimately, in such a situation, there was only one conclusion I could reach.

“Don’t kill them…”

“What?”

“Don’t kill anyone…”

I stupidly repeated that one phrase. And then, once again, I shouted with all my might.

“I said don’t kill anyone!!!”

“Roselia!!!”

“…!!!”

The sound of hope shattering echoed desperately like a prelude to destruction. At the same time, the blazing divine punishment was a deep indigo blue, darker than the full moon in the night sky I had seen in my childhood.