“Princess Field, I don’t think Miss Liakade is that kind of person.”
Alice shook her head and spoke gently, “You didn’t even listen to her explanation before driving her away. Maybe Miss Liakade has her own reasons? Besides, even before you transferred classes, she wasn’t treating me the same way anymore. I truly believe she’s sincerely changed, not just stopping because of your pressure.”
“And… if she really had no feelings for us, why would she agree to be Princess Field’s sparring partner? Why would she voluntarily join our group and help us score full marks? She even stayed behind to cover us when we faced danger and monsters stronger than her. What do you think about that?”
“Is… that so?”
A string of questions left Field stunned. She calmed down a little, realizing she had been too emotional earlier, pushing everything to the extreme.
Thinking back on everything Liakade had done, not only had she never plotted against her, but she had risked her life to save both her and Alice.
Field, blinded by anger, hadn’t even given Liakade a chance to explain.
“Then… if she was truly just following Irina Zi-sama’s orders, and her reasons were fabricated… could that be possible? It must be, right?”
Field seemed to be asking Alice, but more like questioning herself.
“In that case, Princess Field should definitely hear Miss Liakade’s reasons!”
Alice answered earnestly.
“Let her reveal the whole truth, then judge for yourself. Would Princess Field be willing to part ways like this, unclear and unresolved?”
“How could I be willing!”
Upon hearing Alice’s words, Field finally snapped out of it.
“That’s right… Liakade’s friendship with us shouldn’t be something I decide on my own, even if it’s false, I have to confirm it myself before reaching a conclusion.”
“One more thing,” Alice added, “Now I think I understand why Miss Liakade often ends up with strange injuries.”
“It’s Irina Zi!”
Field suddenly realized as well. Back then, Liakade always covered up, saying she accidentally bumped into things, which is why Field hadn’t investigated further, thinking Liakade was just clumsy.
“Doesn’t this only prove that Miss Liakade was being forced? Maybe she’s suffering a lot too.”
“We have to find Liakade!”
Regret blossomed in Field’s heart. If Liakade was truly innocent, her earlier behavior must have hurt her deeply. If only she had been more patient and calm just now.
Lost in these thoughts, Field rushed out of the dormitory.
“Princess Field, I’ll come with you!”
***
“Sigh…”
Kicked out, Liakade only felt the night wind was a bit cold. She didn’t want to return to the dorm just yet — not with the chance of running into Irina Zi again. Following the dark path, she climbed step by step to the Academy’s back hill. But tonight was cloudy; even standing atop the hill, no stars were visible.
She could only overlook the murky sludge below from above.
It was over. Judging from the current situation, Field would still expose her, and this time she’d drag Irina Zi along to reveal everything.
Liakade wanted nothing more than to flee abroad, even if branded a fugitive — it would be better than staying here.
But in the end, she couldn’t escape. That damned Spell Command still existed.
If she disappeared for several days, Irina Zi would forcibly summon her back with the command spell, no matter where she ran. As long as she was alive, she would be dragged back against her will.
Liakade sat on a bare stone, her heart heavy.
She once thought her relationship with Alice and Field was good, but after Field learned of the Original Host’s actions, she had flown into a rage without even hearing Liakade’s side.
Could it be because of the World Will’s presence?
Liakade increasingly believed this world had a consciousness of its own, one that would repair the timeline to the original story, like an unrelenting shackle, binding her tightly.
How could she possibly turn things around?
After all, how did the Original Host manage to kill Irina Zi despite the Slave Contract?
A person bound by a contract cannot directly attack their master and must obey every order unconditionally until death. How did the Original Host do it?
A trap?
An assassination with an accomplice?
But now, where would Liakade find someone willing to cooperate with her to assassinate Irina Zi?
Moreover, if such an accomplice existed, the original story would have mentioned it, even subtly. But it never did. It only stated the Original Host was the one who killed Irina Zi.
Could it be… because of Forbidden Power?
Liakade recalled that the Original Host, after touching Forbidden Power, learned the Demon Race’s magic and killed Irina Zi. Could Forbidden Power allow breaking free from the contract’s shackles?
This might be Liakade’s last chance to turn things around — going to the Academy’s underground chamber to absorb that forbidden power.
But after absorbing it, would she be able to completely ignore the contract’s restrictions, or just temporarily break free?
If only temporarily, she’d still have to kill Irina Zi to gain freedom, just like the Original Host.
That would mean falling back into the original story’s timeline.
No… as long as she escaped, it would be enough.
After killing Irina Zi, she’d avoid any contact with the Demon Race and flee abroad wholeheartedly.
No matter if the Kingdom issued a bounty on her, no matter if she wandered across countries or had no permanent home — as long as she escaped and survived, it would be enough.
But could she really do it?
The Original Host, after touching Forbidden Power, had gone completely mad, hell-bent on starting a war. What if her mind was also corrupted by that power?
And with the World Will’s existence, could she remain clear-headed?
Perhaps all this pain would turn into rage and consume the entire Kingdom.
In the end, Liakade’s fate would still be to be sealed away by her former friends and Protagonist Party — Alice and Field.
Thinking this, Liakade suddenly felt tears welling up. They slid uncontrollably down her cheeks.
“Why… why?”
She had endured enough…
Liakade resolved to absorb the forbidden power, even if it meant eternal damnation. She wanted to vent all this pain as much as possible.
“Liakade!”
Just as she was about to make her decision, a desperate voice called from behind.
Liakade turned around, tear-streaked face and all, to see Field looking at her with worry. Behind Field stood Alice, equally concerned.
“You… why are you here?”