Fated to Be Loved by Villains
chapter-22

༺ Netherworld ༻

Being friends with someone for 10 years, meant that you had a lot of experiences and knowledge of each other. Including, those hidden from the public’s eyes.

In other words, Beatrix not only knew but even became somewhat used to Eleanor’s bizarre behavior that would appear from time to time.

“Hey.”

Still, there were times that even she couldn’t stand it.

She didn’t exactly know why but Eleanor had been looking like an anxious addict since earlier.

She would just sigh or her eyes would turn bloodshot out of nowhere. Her emotions were like a rollercoaster, going up and down out of nowhere.

“What is it this time?”

“…”

The pen Eleanor was holding in her hand soon snapped.

Beatrix sighed when she saw the pen made of solid ore break like some kind of rotten twig.

The amount of force that Eleanor was exerting with her hand was a sign that she was holding back something.

Hence, her response was rather brusque compared to the usual.

“Don’t remind me of it. I just barely convinced myself to forget. I can’t focus on my work like this.”

“… Then explain why, you bitch!”

Beatrix curtly pursued, but Eleanor simply shook her head instead of answering.

“Fine. It’s not like it’ll get resolved if you just talk about it. Don’t worry. If anything, aren’t you working hard right now?”

This, Beatrix had to admit.

Although Eleanor wasn’t a lazy slob, her current working momentum was simply terrifying.

“… This is for the better. It’s been pretty busy lately.”

“There’s indeed a strangely high amount of administrative work these days. Is there some important project going on or something?”

“They say that it’s due to a transfer student from the Tribal Alliance. I’m sure you’ve heard of the name.”

Hearing those words, Eleanor frowned and checked a nearby document.

“Are they the forces behind the coup? The Chieftain’s daughter?”

“Yes. The Empire accepted her transfer.”

If she was indeed the Chieftain’s daughter, then she was basically a celebrity comparable to the members of the Imperial Family.

A VIP figure of this status would most likely have an entourage which the Academy, which normally insists on equality among students, had to acknowledge.

In fact, it would not be unreasonable to say that it’s their whole family tree that has fled en masse from the power struggle.

“In addition, there will also be a regular delegation from the Holy Land next semester. The Saintess herself is coming.”

“…”

Eleanor wordlessly nodded and kept the documents away.

Though her expression was more strained than before.

“… If it’s a regular delegation, isn’t it just a matter of convention? Why would such a high figure need to move herself?”

“I don’t know. There are rumors that the Academy has made some requests. They also say that the headmistress’ influence was rather strong in this matter.”

Eleanor’s expression hardened at that piece of knowledge.

“Why are you so upset?”

“Even with just these bits of information, it’s very clear that the Academy is up to something.”

“I suppose so. It’s not really their style to shy away from things like this.”

“There’s also something weird going on with Dowd. They’re definitely planning something big with the Chief’s daughter and the Saintess.”

“… Is that so? But would they really get involved with each other? The status of the two is too high to even consider involving someone from a small Baron family.”

Beatrix replied with narrowed eyes, but Eleanor responded in a clear voice.

She was serious and calm.

“Logically speaking, that would be the case.”

“So, what’s the matter?”

“It just doesn’t sit well with me.”

“…”

“Why do I have to think of him and some women at the same time?”

“…”

Beatrix massaged her forehead after hearing her blunt response.

“What nonsense…”

“When I think of Dowd, I only want to think of him. The fact that you have to think of other women together in such a situation is—”

“Just do your work. Before I have to knock some sense into you.”

With that, Eleanor sighed and grabbed another pen.

“I suppose… I have to do this much so that there wouldn’t be any problem even if I take a day off.”

A day off out of the blue?

No wonder she was working so hard, she needed to clear the entire schedule for a day.

Beatrix tilted her head and asked.

“Why, do you have an important appointment?”

The sound of a pen breaking once again starkly echoed in the office.

Eleanor had tightened her grip as soon as she heard the question.

“I will bill you if you continue to do that.”

“Then don’t keep reminding me.”

“… So explain what it is and stop with the nonsense. Just tell me. You’ll destroy all the furniture of this place at this rate.”

Eleanor pondered for a moment.

She then gently placed her hand on the chair’s armrest.

Soon, creaking noises resounded from the chair.

“…”

What is she holding back so much that she’s acting like this?

As Beatrix was having such thoughts, Eleanor finally spoke with great difficulty.

Her voice was very solemn, painful, and even melancholic.

“Beatrix.”

“What?”

“I miss Dowd Campbell.”

“…”

Beatrix clutched her face.

The headache she barely managed to control was returning full force with that statement.

“He asked me to meet in three days. So shouldn’t I finish all the work until then?”

“…”

“How can I not see him for three days? That’s too much—“

“… This is the last warning. Get to work.”

Beatrix coldly declared. Eleanor pouted and picked up another document.

Fortunately, the contents interested her at least.

“The Full Moon Festival is in three days?”

“Oh, has it already come to that time?”

The Full Moon Festival.

It was the most celebrated day among the imperial holidays.

Even the Academy faculty and staff who were working next to the Void Zone took a break at this time.

‘Hence why it’s also the time when the defense is the most vulnerable.’

As someone who grew up wielding the sword, that’s all Eleanor could think of.

Surprisingly, such a holiday coincided with the day she would be meeting Dowd.

She smiled and put away the documents related to the Full Moon Festival.

Anyway, all she needed to remember was that three days later was an important day.

In more ways than one.

< System Message>

[ Updated additional information on the Main Quest! ]

[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 1 – Purifier 〗

[ Successfully resolve the events in Twilight Iris! ] [ D-3 ]

[ Reward: Branch benefit from the main scenario! ]

I looked at the system window in front of me.

This came up after receiving the invitation from Marquis Riverback.

‘Branch benefit.’

I scratched my cheek as I read what was written in the rewards section.

I knew about this reward as it randomly appeared a few times in the game.

Originally, if you refused Marquis Riverback’s offer in the Twilight Iris, what would follow was either a high-stakes escape or battle. Chapter 1 was all about fast-paced progression.

Branch benefit basically added a much easier option than the original two outcomes.

‘That’s nice.’

As a Chapter 1 boss, you didn’t need to worry about the PURIFIER anymore once you’ve beaten them at once. At least, it was far better than the subsequent chapter bosses that required the repetition of the boss battles.

It was just a little difficult to do it all in one go.

‘That’s why I brought this person here.’

Thinking so, I looked at Iliya, who was rubbing her hands while saying that it was cold. We were currently at a quite high altitude.

“…”

She will be of great help in this endeavor.

I initially thought persuading her would be difficult, but she didn’t even need to listen to what it was and just agreed straight up.

“We’re friends. Is there anything to worry about?”

—She was even so enthusiastic about it.

I called out to Iliya with a smile.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Take this.”

Iliya tilted her head in wonder when she saw the item I held out to her.

“…What is this?”

“You will need it.”

This was the only explanation I could give to her right now.

Her asking about it was natural.

After all, what I gave her was a several-meter-long iron rod. One couldn’t even imagine what it was used for.

Meanwhile, I was holding onto a disc that was big enough to fit at least two humans.

Nonetheless, Iliya took the rod and then looked up at the sky, checking her watch from time to time.

We were currently at the rooftop of Gregory Hall, a building that originally served as a spire and was now being used as an observatory.

Although it fell a bit short compared to the clock tower at the center of the Academy, it was one of the tallest buildings in all of Elfante.

“… I know you asked me for help but what are we trying to do in a place like this?”

“For the gathering.”

“…Yes?”

“Wait a little.”

I said while focusing on the sky.

Soon, what I had been waiting for began to unfold.

“…Uh?”

Iliya uttered in confusion as a cluster of light suddenly began to gather at a height so high that it was even difficult to see from the observatory’s viewpoint.

Even in Elfante, where all kinds of abnormal things occurred, this phenomenon only came once every few months for only a very short amount of time. Hence, most faculty members, let alone students, were unaware of it. It was only natural for Iliya to be confused as well.

“Alright, get ready.”

“Yes, yes? How, what should I prepare for?”

I then instructed the fidgeting Iliya to hold the stick to the ground, to which I rolled the disc over on the tip.

It looked like a spoon lying on the ground.

“Great, now lie down here.”

“…Yes?”

“Quickly.”

Saying that, I flopped down onto the disc. I tapped the seat next to me and urged her to do the same.

“What are we going to do?”

Despite her grumbles, she laid down next to me nonetheless.

“So are we just going to lay down here and watch the night sky together?”

“For now.”

After saying that, Iliya hesitated for a moment before replying.

“… Hee. They’re shining romantically. So, what do you want me to do instead of leaving it to Lady Tristan—”

“Is it romantic? Well, it does look pretty.”

“Yes? Why?”

For ordinary people, Gregory Hall may be nothing more than a tall building, but for players who had cleared the Sera DLC, it held a special meaning.

In the game, this was where the portal to the Netherworld opened. A place where materials with all sorts of bizarre effects, that had never been seen before in the main story, appeared.

This was the space where those angels were gathering before.

“That is the entrance to the Netherworld.”

“…”

Iliya alternately looked at the clustering lights in the sky with a loading bar above her head.

It was then that she finally processed the meaning of my words, and her face gradually turned pale.

“…What did you just say it was?”

“I said it’s the entrance to the Netherworld.”

“Why would something like that pop up in a place like this?!”

Her reaction was normal.

This Netherworld can be simply expressed as the Hell of Savior Rising’s world.

In the first place, it can only be accessed by purchasing the DLC after completing the main story. Needless to say, the survival mode was difficult.

‘… Actually, I don’t really want to do this either, to be honest.’

I wouldn’t have even considered this as an option if the damned storyline hadn’t been fucked up so much. Now, I had to go because I needed something in there.

I gritted my teeth while fiddling with the black card in my pocket.

The portal to the Netherworld that opens in Gregory Hall wasn’t the only one; there were others like the portal to the Spirit World.

Perhaps the Headmistress already knew that I would use it to enter such a place when she gave me this otherworldly key.

I just needed to enter and quickly leave right after obtaining everything I needed. Staying in such a dangerous place for long was a no-go.

I never expected her to know the Netherworld, which was considered the worst in terms of survival difficulty among all the otherworlds.

“…”

And I was sure she wouldn’t expect what I was about to do either.

“… Fortunately, we’re far away from it. It doesn’t seem like it would affect us much since it’s so high up in the sky.”

“I guess so. It’s normally impossible to even get close to that place. And, at the very least, you need to have the ability to survive in there to even attempt to enter.”

It was in that context that portals were created at such a terrifying height.

Each profession needed to master their own skills to even enter that place.

For example, a Priest must have at least enough skill with divinity to make an air bridge up there, a Knight must be strong enough to jump up there, and a Mage must be capable of floating or flying magic…

In any case, it was a place filled with complex and powerful restrictions.

“But that is if it’s done normally.”

“…Why do you say that?”

Iliya’s expression suddenly became strange.

She probably noticed that her body was fixed on the disc by now.

This was because I activated it by pressing the button underneath the disc.

“…”

“…”

As Iliya was silent, wondering what was going on…

There was the sound of the iron rod that she had laid down earlier being driven into the floor.

“… Mister..”

“Eung.”

“No way, no, is it what I’m thinking it is?”

“Eung.”

The rod bent into an arch.

And the disc tilted at an angle.

Yes.

It was just like a catapult before launching a stone.

These two items were a set. However, they have very limited use and cannot be used for multiple purposes. That’s why they had been gathering dust in Elfante’s Vision Warehouse. But its performance was certain.

It was originally designed to shoot projectiles at a very fast speed and high into the sky, with terrifying momentum.

Naturally.

It had enough power to launch me and Iliya to that portal.

“Are we going in there now?”

“Uh.”

“… In the Netherworld, without any equipment?”

“It’s okay. It will be over soon.”

Uh. It should work.

I was confident that it would.

It was definitely dangerous, though.

“…”

At this time, Iliya suddenly smiled broadly.

“You really are crazy, fuck.”

“…”

Before I could even respond.

Iliya and I were shot into the air at a terrifying speed.