I was so flustered that I almost forgot the urgency of the situation.
Huh, that's strange… Round? What did she mean by that?
Did something happen to my ear when my neck was snapped? Did the lack of blood flow cause some brain damage?
No… even if that were the case, I should have recovered by now. Don't underestimate super regeneration. It's Lucia's bread and butter.
"My previous self from the last round seems to have died… and the one before that, and the one before that too… What am I, the captain of some death squad? Why do I keep dying? So I thought, maybe if I gathered a bunch of useful minions, I might not die this time. Yeah, let's gather strong ones like you. Well… even if I still end up dead, it's worth a try."
The words that could no longer be denied as reality echoed in my head.
Hiding behind a tree on the verge of collapsing with its roots exposed from the aftermath of the battle, I caught my breath.
My back was damp with cold sweat. My head was already a mess, and now it was dizzying.
"Round? The last round, you say?"
And to top it off, she said she died. But Astaroth is still alive and well.
She said she died every time? Not just once, but several times?
"…Oh my god."
I wanted to brush it off as a joke.
I wanted to believe that Astaroth, being the playful girl she is, was intentionally lying to tease me.
But if everything she said was true, then the current situation started to make sense.
I'd always thought something was off. Why had Astaroth already appeared before the protagonist?
Originally, it should have been winter.
On a day when white snow fell.
Astaroth, dyed in red, would make her grand debut, covering the world in pure white.
The first devil.
A transcendent being above the demonic beasts, a living disaster.
With her appearance, the story of "The Dawn of the Sword" would take a sharp turn.
Months ahead of schedule.
It wasn't even summer yet. The chill of spring was still lingering in the air.
The reason she started acting so early, unlike in the novel… Could it be because she knows the future?
Did she raid Class A to change the outcome of the last "round"?
But if that were the case, there were still some suspicious parts…
"I'll ask again. Do you like the mask?"
I couldn't continue my thoughts any longer.
I was startled and peeked my face out from behind the tree.
In Astaroth's hand was the red fox mask. The fact that she had taken it out made her intentions clear. She had taken a liking to Angelica.
The mask was an object symbolizing her malicious possessiveness. She collected people she liked, regardless of their will.
In the original story, she used it to control Eugene and also dominate the small, cute chick, Alice.
Fortunately, Alice can break free due to her dual personality, finding a loophole in the brainwashing. But Angelica wouldn't be so lucky. As a supernatural, she could resist for a few days, but eventually, she would fall under Astaroth's control.
'I can't let that happen!'
Angelica was a good teacher who protected the students of Class A from external threats and guided them to grow without going astray.
Thanks to her, the Golden Generation had bloomed, their talents flourishing, leading to unprecedented growth.
I couldn't let her be taken by Astaroth now…
"Heh, there's a rat, huh?"
My arm was severed.
The tree that had been tilting dangerously suddenly fell, cleanly cut like a saw had sliced it, and it severed my arm along with it.
If I hadn't instinctively ducked when I felt the chill running down my spine, it wouldn't have been my arm, but my head that would have been severed. Doesn't she like decapitation a little too much? Well, I'm not one to talk!
"Lucia?"
Angelica recognized me and widened her eyes in surprise.
I didn't respond, instead grimacing as I snatched up my severed arm.
Fitting it back together was a piece of cake for someone like me, whose hobby was limb reattachment. I quickly reattached my arm with super regeneration.
"So it's you? You're still alive, huh?" Astaroth twirled her parasol as she spoke.
She tilted her head slightly and looked at me. It was hard to tell where her gaze was directed because of the mask, but it seemed like she was staring at the severed arm.
"Regeneration. I see. So that's your ability. That's why you can survive even if your neck is severed…? Most regenerative abilities would kill you if your neck got cut, though… How are you still alive?"
Lucia's ability isn't just regeneration.
It's super regeneration.
Did you think the 'super' part was there for no reason? It's one of the most remarkable regeneration abilities.
"That's a pretty good ability. A strong power. You're still young, and you have plenty of room for growth. I'm tempted."
Astaroth fiddled with the mask in her hand, alternating her gaze between me and Angelica.
She let out a little sigh, as if deep in thought, before speaking.
"Sorry, but right now, I only have one mask left. If I had known, I would've kept a few more."
"…What happens if I wear that mask?"
I asked, even though I already had a good idea.
I couldn't trust the information from the novel anymore.
With so many variables popping up, I couldn't blindly trust anything.
"Are you curious? Heh, okay. Let me tell you."
Astaroth smiled and, as if showing off, held the mask up.
"I made it by weaving my flesh and blood together. It's a part of my body. If you wear this, you'll become… incredibly fond of me. You'll want to follow everything I say and do anything for me."
"So, I'd become your slave."
"Don't put it like that. We'd be friends."
At least, the information about the mask was the same as in the novel.
If that's the case… the way to break it must be the same too, right?
Split personality, willpower that transcends logic, or breaking the mask by force.
"I have a request."
I swallowed dryly.
My heart was racing faster and faster.
"The Dawn of the Sword" is still in its early stages.
I don't know what the future holds, but one thing is clear:
I can't lose Angelica now.
"If you're going to put the mask on, do it on me, not her."
"Lucia?!"
Angelica called my name in a bewildered voice.
You don't have to make that face. I'm not trying to be a martyr here.
I have a plan.
"Huh? Are you serious?"
Astaroth snorted.
"You're interesting, but right now, I prefer this one. If I'm going to gift the mask to anyone, I'd rather it be her than you."
"Huh?"
Well, I guess that makes sense.
It's natural for her to prefer Angelica, who is closer to a god, over me, someone with 'only' regeneration abilities.
Besides, Astaroth is trying to expand her power to avoid the death that's coming in the future. She'd likely prefer someone with strong combat abilities.
"You said if there's any dissatisfaction, raise your hand, right? You said you'd change it for something else."
"Huh?"
"I raised my hand. You saw that earlier, right?"
When she sliced my neck as a 'gift', Astaroth had said if I wasn't happy, I should raise my hand. She promised she'd change it for something else.
Of course, she probably didn't expect me to actually raise my hand. It was probably just a taunt.
But I did raise my hand. And now, she has to change the gift, right?
"My gift. I'll take that mask."
It wasn't that I was offering to sacrifice myself.
I couldn't afford to lose Angelica, but I also couldn't afford to lose myself.
After all, I'm the heroine, right? An important character. Maybe even more important than Angelica.
Even so, considering the situation, this seemed like the best option. That's what I thought.
If Angelica wore the mask and got controlled, it would be a huge problem. She's strong—among the top-tier heroes.
In other words, there aren't many heroes who could challenge her.
And if she wore the mask, her abilities would increase dramatically.
If Angelica, a supernatural, became even stronger and turned to Astaroth's subordinate… the damage would be significant.
But I'm different.
I'm not as strong as her. Even if I became stronger from the mask, I wouldn't be as powerful as Angelica.
And the brainwashing can be broken if the mask is destroyed. Even if I get brainwashed, there are plenty of people who can break the mask.
Experienced heroes could easily suppress me, and with my super regeneration, I wouldn't need to worry about losing my limbs or anything.
Yes, this is the best option.
No, it's the second best.
I absolutely don't want to become Astaroth's slave. Nope.
I never thought of becoming a footstool, even for a second!
"The gift is up to the giver, isn't it?"
"But the receiver's feelings matter too."
Astaroth has no reason to grant my request.
I'm not as strong as Angelica, so I'm much lower on the priority list.
The only reason she's showing any interest in me is because of my remarkable regeneration ability. Nothing more, nothing less.
In the end, the one who holds the overwhelming advantage here is Astaroth.
If she really wanted me, there were plenty of ways she could take me. She could put the mask on Angelica and turn her into a slave, then easily cut my neck off and take me in a parasol.
She can make more masks anytime.
So, there's no reason for her to grant my request.
No one wants to suffer unnecessary losses, right?
In this situation, if I want to ask her to back down, I have to show sincerity worthy of the request.
"That's why…"
I bit my lip to hide my fear. I tried my best to put on a pitiful expression, even though I couldn't bear to look directly at Astaroth. I lowered my gaze.
My trembling knees gave way. Supporting my body with my hands, my head slammed hard into the ground with a loud thud. I felt a sharp pain in my forehead, as if it had split open.
"Please…," I stammered.
My body shook uncontrollably, not in a feigned way. The pressure from Astaroth was suffocating, and the current situation was terrifying.
I felt like I might scream at any moment, overwhelmed by the mess of everything. There was so much I didn't know, and so much I couldn't do.
"Please… I'll… be a, a slave…," I continued, barely able to speak.
But strangely, I felt a weird sense of exhilaration.
My heart was pounding, but not out of fear—more like excitement.
I shouldn't feel this way… I know I shouldn't, but…
Heh… heh… I think a switch is about to flip~♡
"I'll do anything… so… please… let go of the teacher…"
The fresh scent of dirt hit my nose.
I couldn't see it since I had my head lowered, but I could tell.
She was watching me. Watching me grovel so pitifully…
My neck felt hot, and I could feel my earlobes turning red.
"Lucia… what are you saying?!"
Finally, Angelica, unable to hold it in any longer, shouted.
Don't be so angry when you're injured, please. I saw your blue jacket turn crimson, and if that wound gets worse, it'll be a big problem! You don't have Lucia's regeneration, do you?!
"Don't beg this scum! Look up! Don't worry, I'll protect you…!"
Ugh, so dramatic. From what I can tell, the match is already decided.
Angelica, drenched in blood, and Astaroth, untouched and unscathed. The outcome is obvious, right?
Still, I expected her to say that.
She cares so much about her students. If she saw one of her students begging like this to save her life, even prostrating herself, her eyes would surely go wild.
I'm grateful she's playing along with my intentions.
"…Heh."
It was a soft, teasing laugh.
A laugh that felt like it was scratching at my skin.
Almost like she was mocking me.
"Interesting."
Footsteps.
I could hear them.
Not too fast, not too slow, just leisurely approaching.
"Stop!"
Angelica shouted.
It seemed she was trying to stop Astaroth from approaching me, but the footsteps didn't stop.
Since I had my head down, I couldn't see what was happening. But I could predict it by the sound.
Angelica must have been knocked out in one blow.
It was inevitable. When a person is wounded, they become weak. Judging by the amount of blood she lost, Angelica must have sustained serious injuries. Any normal person would have died by now.
There was no way she could fight Astaroth in that condition.
"Ugh…"
My hair was forcibly yanked, and I was lifted up.
It hurts… My scalp felt like it was going to be ripped off.
With tears welling up in my eyes, I lifted my head, and Astaroth, still holding my hair, was staring down at Angelica's crumpled form on the ground.
"Such a good girl. Don't you think so, teacher?"
"Stop…"
Ugh, teacher.
Your leg is broken. That must hurt. I'm sure you did it on purpose.
Astaroth is someone who always seeks out fun and excitement.
And part of that excitement has a sadistic side to it.
She hurts the student right in front of the teacher.
It's such an amusing game, isn't it?
I wondered what would happen if things went the other way, but Angelica reacted so fiercely that I was saved.
Really, thank you, teacher.
Yeah, you're the best audience.
You'll need to keep watching closely as I fall apart, okay?
"Your student's heartfelt devotion has made me lose. Oh well, it can't be helped. Lucia, right?"
"Ugh… stop, don't you hear me?!"
Control over the earth.
Angelica put everything she had into attacking Astaroth, but even when she was at her best, she couldn't win. What could be different now?
Astaroth threw her parasol.
With a thud, it pierced through the back of Angelica's outstretched hand and lodged into the ground.
At the same time, the earth, which had been shaking like an earthquake, calmed and became docile.
"Watch closely, sister. When you're weak, this is what happens. You can't do anything. Even if there's something you want to protect… it gets taken away right before your eyes."
A hand caressed my cheek.
I flinched and convulsed, causing the girl to burst into gleeful laughter.
"So, if you don't want that to happen, get stronger. When we meet next time, make sure you've grown."
That way, it'll be more enjoyable when I reap the harvest.
She whispered the last part in my ear, making sure Angelica couldn't hear it.
I looked at Astaroth, wide-eyed.
What should I say? Was the promise broken? No, not really… I didn't tell her not to touch the teacher, just to let her go.
So, what should I say to make it sound like I said the right thing?
Hmm, I've decided.
I opened my mouth to say what I had planned.
"…Ah."
It was in vain.
Before I could speak, the red fox mask was lowered before my face.
Unlike its ordinary appearance, the inside was filled with squirming flesh.
Just looking at it gave me chills. The horrific stench of blood filled the air.
"It's going to hurt a little."
My heart was pounding madly.
"Heh, just kidding."
Did she misinterpret the tremor in my pupils as fear?
Astaroth said in a soothing voice, seemingly reassuring me.
"Actually, it's going to hurt a lot."
The mask was placed on my face.
The writhing chunks of meat brushed against my skin.
"Wha… hey, wait, I-I don't want this… stop, aaah, aaah, aaaaaaaah…!!"
Yeah.
This really hurts~♡