Volume 2 Chapter 15 Interlude： Lene's Darknes
*This is from Lene's perspective.*
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"Sigh..."
As I stood at the entrance of the forest pretending to head towards the fields, I leaned against the trunk of a large tree and let out a deep breath.
"A master and a disciple, huh..."
I never expected Mr. Ryuuji to take Belle as his disciple.
Well, I don't mind him taking on a disciple at all──
"What is wrong with me? Did I really care so much about Mr. Ryuuji?"
Until now, I didn't think I was bothered by such things, but ever since Belle arrived, I've clearly started to see her as an 'intruder.'
I shouldn't be thinking like that.
Is this feeling jealousy?
If so, I can somewhat accept that this ugly emotion has been lying dormant within me.
After all, I am already broken.
"But I have to pretend to get along on the surface. If we're going to reassess the production system going forward, there will likely be more craftsmen."
"Oh? Do you really need to deceive yourself just to keep appearances?"
"Huh...?"
I wonder how long she has been there.
A beautiful woman with long, fiery red hair stood right in front of me.
Her thin clothes revealed a lot of skin and seemed unsuitable for the chilly autumn air, yet she stood there unfazed and serene.
But who is this person?
I get an incredibly unpleasant feeling from her.
Almost like she is my older sister──
"Nice to meet you, Elf maiden. I could see you were troubled, so I came to offer some advice."
The woman waved her hand lightly and made such a statement with a smug expression.
It was filled with an air of suspicion that even a child could detect.
"...Who are you?"
It's clearly unnatural for you to approach me, an elf, without being noticed.
Moreover, I have a memory of detecting this person's presence somewhere.
But where was that, exactly?
"Oh my, please don't be so cautious. I've come to tell you how to defeat that man."
"...I don't understand what you're talking about."
I forced out my words with a throat that felt like it was being scratched, responding to the words thrown at me by the suspicious beauty who smiled faintly.
I tried to avoid her as she crept closer, but there was a large tree trunk behind my back.
A lifeless white right hand rested on my chin.
I felt an extremely cold sensation.
"Use the Orb. You have it, don't you?"
"What!?"
The Orb she mentioned was the one taken from the Cattle Village.
How did this woman know about it?
"Why do I know? Because I set that Orb. It was a nuisance when it was taken, but if you have it, it can be effectively used. That's why I've shown myself."
The woman announced this in a small but clear voice, as if she had read my thoughts.
She set the Orb.
...which means this woman is undoubtedly a Dark Mage.
"...I remember your presence. You were with that Evil Tree... no, you're the Dark Mage who created that Evil Tree."
"Correct, young elf lady."
Ignoring my glaring gaze, the woman chuckled deeply from the back of her throat, sliding the right hand that was on my chin down to the center of my chest, as if saying, "I can kill you at any time."
But, not doing so... it must be because there's some use to it.
Perhaps that's what we were talking about earlier, making good use of the Orb.
"I don't know how to use the Orb, but are you saying that I should simply obey you?"
Probably, this person can use the Magic Crystal to create that monster.
But, I already have countermeasures prepared for the Magic Crystal.
Even if I'm pierced by that needle here, I'll be fine... I think so.
"My, how bold. But, you'll obey me, absolutely."
Looking at her with beautiful eyes as if she had seen something interesting, the woman turns her heels and begins to walk deep into the forest.
"My name is Adiliana. I am a Dark Mage, rivaled only by Ferron. Although that child is already dead, thanks to you all."
Adiliana turns her face slightly towards us and smiles again, softly.
"We are the 'salvation' that appears before those who carry darkness in their hearts. We'll meet again, young lady."
It sounded like a whisper, yet it resonated directly in my brain.
As if melting into the forest, Adiliana disappeared.
"........."
Only silence remained.
The forest was silent, as if nothing had ever happened in the first place.
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