42. Let Me Join Too (Swamp)

Relying on this content that can’t even be considered a “topic shift,” I managed to divert Kephiel’s sudden bold thoughts that emerged at night. I finally got through the most difficult night without incident while maintaining my villainous integrity. Although in the morning , after Kephiel and the others left, my roommate He Lu Xiaof had seen the exhaustion on my face and gave me a knowing thumbs up, this misunderstanding was nothing compared to the previous situation.

Regarding my reminder from last night, Kephiel didn’t respond. However, her silence basically meant consent.

Sure enough, the next day, when I tried to suppress the murmurs in my heart and put on a “nothing happened” facade while heading to Professor Moriarty’s office, Kephiel, who had already been there, had decided to “temporarily disguise and wait for changes” just like me.

[Moriarty framed and killed Euclid.]

At this point, the script still held, the only difference was: before, I hadn’t taken it seriously, but now, I couldn’t help but marvel at the danger level of this great professor.

Upon seeing me appear, Moriarty, who didn’t mention last night’s events at all, even had the mood to tease us.

“Oh dear, look at those dark circles under your eyes. It seems you two really had quite a lovely night after facing danger~”

What lovely night? Although my hands did almost hug her, I, Euclid, am certainly not a mindless person who jumps at the chance! The protagonist is meant to cling to the big shots, not to be consumed entirely!

Normally, I wouldn’t even need to speak; Kephiel would have jumped up to refute by now! However, today, perhaps because of her complex feelings towards Moriarty, Kephiel still seemed a bit dazed…

This slight change, of course, did not escape Moriarty’s notice!

Her teasing smile suddenly faded, and her narrowed gaze became sharp.

“You two wouldn’t really…”

“Not at all! How could that be possible!”

In a critical moment, I couldn’t let Moriarty misunderstand or sense anything, lest I alert the snake in the grass. I immediately stepped in front of Kephiel to cover for her!

“We are all conservative individuals who believe in Platonic relationships without marriage. Kephiel is just a bit tired from last night and hasn’t fully woken up yet. Right, Kephiel?”

“Ah… um, yes!”

[Moriarty temporarily dismissed her suspicions.]

The script appeared, and I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps because she was particularly sensitive about “what happened between me and Kephiel,” Professor Moriarty didn’t want to dwell on it. She quickly retracted her previous demeanor and shifted back into “work mode.”

“Now that everyone has calmed down from yesterday’s events, I won’t dwell on it any longer. The timeline for the project competition is tight; we don’t have time to hesitate. Since the preliminary review has passed and we’ve received unanimous praise from the elders of the design bureau, all we need to do now is safely complete the experimental phase. The victory in the project competition will be assured.”

Moriarty adjusted her glasses. “After all, this is such a project, and the ‘new energy’ proposed by Kephiel is widely distributed in the sparsely populated regions of Siberia in the Rosian Empire. Therefore, even if we are a bit tired, we must find a way to conduct the on-site investigation…”

However, before she could finish, Moriarty ultimately noticed Kephiel’s unusual behavior today.

“Kephiel, you seem a bit distracted. Is there something on your mind?”

[Moriarty has begun to suspect Kephiel’s behavior!]

Ugh, this is troublesome. For me, a villain who needs to disguise myself to escape, acting is as simple as the face-changing art of Sichuan opera! But Kephiel, as the protagonist, has always been righteous and upright! If she suddenly has to act, she’s bound to slip up!

I continued to cover for her!

“Professor, Kephiel is just a bit tired.”

However, this time it had little effect, and I got dragged into it too!

[Moriarty has begun to suspect Euclid’s cover-up!]

If Moriarty continues to suspect both me and Kephiel, won’t she become even more “suspicious”? Just as I was racking my brain, looking for a way to dispel Moriarty’s doubts while glancing at the script, a familiar figure burst in, bringing me an unexpected surprise in this crisis!

With a loud bang, the door to Moriarty’s office was forcefully swung open from the outside, and then… with an air of pride, Letty strode in, head held high, as if it were only natural!

“So this is the office where they raise pigs? I thought there would be a smell of swine.”

That remark was anything but polite, but I was overjoyed!

[Letty’s entrance made Moriarty abandon her previous suspicions.]

Letty arrived just in time; I almost wanted to spin her around in joy! Even Kephiel, upon seeing Letty, suddenly snapped out of her daze, as if something called “instinct” had awakened her.

“Ivan Letty, what are you doing here, you short blonde?!”

“Hmph~ Today, I don’t have time to argue with you, white-haired girl.”

Of course, Letty was unaware of everything that had transpired. As usual, she domineeringly circled the office as if inspecting her domain, finally coming to stand beside me.

“I heard about your situation from the design bureau. If you want to continue the experiment, you’ll have to go to the Siberian region of Rosia, right?”

Before we could respond, Letty smugly continued, “So, I’m telling you clearly: no way! Not to mention that your schedule will be delayed by Rosia’s climate, by the time you finish the experiment and return, the academy will probably be on break. Moreover… the Siberian region is under my military jurisdiction; ordinary people can’t just go there.”

Kephiel, of course, was not pleased with such words.

“Ivan Letty, don’t be so underhanded!”

“Wait, Kephiel, don’t be too anxious.”

Although it seems quite harsh, in my script, Reiti’s goal is not simply to be the villain.

【Ivan Reiti is here to negotiate.】

If we just talk about the subject competition, Reiti’s statement is not entirely false; the journey to Siberia is long and dangerous, not to mention that the time for the competition is quite limited.

Furthermore, in order to avoid the script where Reiti “stabs me,” I don’t want to just throw this little furball out of the picture.

“Emperor Reiti, are you here to offer us help~?”

“Hmph~ It’s nice to see that big brother understands me~”

As she said this, Reiti, standing next to me, made a face at Kefiel, and I could see Kefiel’s eyes twitching in anger!

Please don’t hit me, big shot! I’m doing this for your upgrade!

“Because it is indeed important research, this Emperor also wants to provide some conveniences. As long as you agree to this Emperor’s conditions, I can not only open up certain areas of Siberia specifically for Rublyanka Academy, but I can also find a way for you to move freely between Siberia and the academy~”

“Then, Emperor Reiti, what is the price?”

As soon as the words fell, the little midget raised her head, puffed out her small chest, and her voice carried an undeniable command.

“You must take this Emperor with you! In the Rosian Empire, no one has the power to refuse this Emperor’s orders~”

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