My Ex-Boyfriends Are Interfering With My Death

Chapter 16
No One Is Born a Hero (1)

 

What can I do? I have to let it slide. A laugh escaped me involuntarily.

I liked this strange calmness that continued even with a curse right in front of me.

“Ah, yes. An honor…. Haahh. How bad did Young Lord Behemoth say my condition was?”

“Oh, not just Ethan.”

“Pardon?”

‘There’s someone else besides Ethan Behemoth who’s worried about my condition?’

Let’s drink it since she says it’s good for the body. It’s certainly bitter, but it does seem to settle my stomach.

As I was sipping the bitter tea with a grimace, Camilla tilted her slender chin slightly and gestured behind me.

“Cain was also worried.”

“E-Edith Crowell.”

Someone entered, lifting the tent flap.

There stood Cain Guinevere, looking somewhat hesitant.

Why is he acting like that?

…Ah. I really want to run away.

Clank.

Not wanting to deal with all this, I downed the remaining tea in one gulp and put the empty cup on the desk.

Camilla alternately looked at the empty cup and me with a surprised expression, saying, “Whoa.”

Deliberately ignoring her gaze, I wiped my mouth and stood up. I’ve been here too long, haven’t I?

“Well then, I’ll be going. Thank you for inviting me.”

“Eh, leaving already?”

Cain Guinevere was one of those who disliked me.

Earlier, he just had an intense reaction due to the dramatic situation of me saving his life, but his pride probably made him upset again by now.

Staying longer with him would only lead to sarcastic remarks, and who knows how my unsettled stomach would react then.

‘Ah, surely not…’

Did my stomach get upset just from hearing some kids’ gossip? That’s a bit embarrassing.

Anyway, one unexpected stomach upset is enough. Without hesitation, I bowed my head to Camilla.

“Yes. I’ll be going now.”

“W-Wait…!”

Of course, Cain wouldn’t let me go easily. See? He’s trying to pick a fight again….

I turned to look at him with a cold expression, and he took a step back before clearing his throat.

“Ahem.”

“What is it?”

“Well. I wanted to say thank you…”

And then, with an obviously embarrassed attitude, he said…

What?

“And, I’m sorry. You’re really amazing… I don’t want to have any conflicts with you during the subjugation practice.”

“…Pardon?”

Cain bowed his head deeply. Very deeply.

“I’m sorry! I won’t pick unnecessary fights anymore. And about what happened with Chester… I’m sorry I couldn’t stop it.”

“…Excuse me?”

What’s going on? And why is he bringing up this Chester guy or whoever? Is he your friend?

As I made a skeptical expression, Camilla came over and put her arm around my shoulders. Then she boasted to Cain.

“Hehe. See? I told you she’d be very angry. Edith, you don’t have to accept the apology if you don’t want to.”

“…Did Cain Guinevere just apologize to me?”

“I-Is it not enough?”

I asked Camilla incredulously, and she shrugged. On top of that, Cain asked if it wasn’t enough.

“No, it’s not that it’s not enough…”

It’s just… I don’t usually put much meaning into apologies, and I know how easily people can change their attitudes, but…

‘Still, to lower his pride this much?’

It was a level of gratitude I had never expected from a late-teenage noble who had been confined within a noble academy, accumulating the arrogance of a frog in a well while only associating with other nobles. That’s why I was taken aback.

But feeling that Cain Guinevere would keep bowing his head if I didn’t give a clear answer, I waved my hand with a deep sigh.

“…No. It’s fine. I didn’t do it expecting thanks anyway.”

“B-But still. At that moment, Edith Crowell, you looked like an angel to me.”

“If I hadn’t saved you, Young Lord Behemoth would have. Then he would have been the angel, I suppose.”

Is this angel talk a Guinevere family trait?

Well. But it might have been a bit amusing to see Cain Guinevere calling Ethan Behemoth an angel while blushing.

…Blushing? That’s right.

Looking again, Cain Guinevere was indeed blushing. Surely not because of me.

Cain exclaimed resolutely.

“But still, the one who saved me…!”

“Enough. Edith Crowell isn’t someone who values life that much anyway.”

Thud.

Ethan Behemoth closed his book and put it down, interjecting again.

You really…

“Why would you say such a thing?”

“Am I wrong?”

It’s not about being right or wrong. There are people watching.

Camilla and Cain were staring at Ethan and me with wide eyes.

Looking at them like this, they do seem like siblings.

The biggest problem with this regression is probably that not only did Ethan discover my regression attempt, but I also failed to succeed.

Still, I decided to try living for now. But if he’s going to be this persistent, maybe I should just die and see the result…

‘…Ah, these thoughts again.’

As my expression twisted uncontrollably, Camilla reached out and gently pressed my forehead. My expression barely relaxed.

“Oh, come on. Ethan may be annoying, but relax your face.”

“…Okay.”

“Am I annoying?”

“You need to ask?”

Camilla and Ethan started bickering again.

I’m grateful that Camilla took my side, but I plan to use this chance to escape quickly.

I really dislike being caught in awkward situations.

Just as I was about to quietly move towards the tent exit, Cain, who was still standing there blankly, carefully grabbed my outer garment.

Come on!

“Um…”

“What is it really? I said the thanks are enough. It wasn’t a big deal. Even if it wasn’t me…”

Even if it wasn’t me, Ethan Behemoth would have saved you! I really shouldn’t have intervened.

But what Cain hesitantly offered was beyond expectations.

“J-Just a moment. There’s something I haven’t said yet… So, if you have any favors to ask of me… I could specially, willingly, grant them.”

“Oh my, would Edith have any favors to ask of you?”

“You never know!”

Favors?

“Oh. Come to think of it, I do have one.”

Camilla and Cain’s gazes simultaneously fixed on me. Camilla had an unbelieving expression while Cain suddenly looked triumphant.

Surprisingly, and very fortunately, I did have something I wanted to ask Cain Guinevere.

“It’s not really a favor, but I have a question.”

“Y-Yes! Anything.”

“Do you happen to know a knight named Ruth?”

“Ruth?”

“Ruth Chandler?”

As expected of Cain Guinevere, the leader of the troublemakers. Just mentioning the name was enough to identify the person.

“I’m not sure about the family name, but he was in the same group as Guinevere. His hair was tied like this.”

I gathered my hair to show the ponytail style of the guy who was setting up tents for other groups while sweating profusely. Cain clapped his hands in recognition.

“Ah. Right. …Why Ruth? Did he cause trouble while I was away?”

“No, it’s not that…”

…By the way, Cain Guinevere. Didn’t you also roll down a cliff trying to pick a fight with me?

I was amazed at how quickly he changed his stance, distancing himself from events that happened just hours ago.

Anyway, that’s not it.

“He seemed close to Rimos Therion. I was wondering if they were originally friends. He even helped set up our group’s tent.”

“Hmm? Well, I don’t know who Rimos Therion is.”

“Me neither.”

Following Cain, Camilla also shrugged.

…Really? Is Rimos Therion that much of a mystery student?

I should have asked the Dean more about the students in my group.

Still, I thought I could get information about what kind of student Rimos Therion is by borrowing both of their connections.

“Well, since he’s in the same group as me… if you don’t know, then it’s fine.”

Just as I was about to withdraw with disappointment, Ethan Behemoth quietly said,

“He’s a holy mage. The only one admitted this year.”

“Ah!”

Only then did the two nod as if remembering. They said things like they might have seen him at the entrance ceremony, or asking if he was the one they were talking to earlier.

…But Ethan Behemoth remembers that? Curious, I asked without malice.

“That’s right. But somehow, it seems only the person who appears least interested in others knows about him.”

“What do you mean?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“Common sense.”

“Oh, come on, are you saying we lack common sense?”

As I wiped my mouth clean and tilted my head, Ethan Behemoth also narrowed his eyes.

Ah, I had a feeling that I would never be able to get along with him.

🥀

Thank you for reading! ♡