[Vol. 7] Chapter 211: A Delicate Sleep
Even if Sainz had secretly teamed up with the Austre Empire, they wouldn’t help in such an obvious and fake-looking way. While Violet thought Lucine’s explanation was a bit funny, it still somehow made logical sense and helped calm the situation.
But…
As Shutak kept loudly praising the princess, adding more and more exaggerated compliments, Violet found it both funny and slightly tiring. At the same time, she also began to notice something deeper behind all of this.
Princess Carinvega’s luck… was honestly unbelievable. And now that the headmaster had been pressured into saying that much in public, the so-called “hidden setting” would probably be officially announced to the audience soon. That way, all the strange events would be explained not as luck, but as proof of the princess’s deep intelligence and strategic planning.
Heh… how interesting~
And also…
Maybe to stop Shutak from talking so much, Violet suddenly turned to him and, for the first time, started a conversation.
“By the way, your school’s team this time seems a bit different, right? Compared to last time in the [Morst Underground Labyrinth], I think I saw some new faces?”
In these large tournaments, most academies usually bring several backup players. As the host and the world’s top academy, Sainz even sent out seven different teams to rotate during the event. So swapping team members wasn’t surprising.
It’s just… the two missing members from the Frederick Royal Academy were a bit suspicious.
Maybe because Violet had gained a lot of goodwill earlier by confidently predicting Princess Carinvega’s win, Shutak didn’t seem annoyed by the sudden topic change. He simply smiled and nodded warmly.
“Good eye, Miss Violet! Yes, we did switch in two backup members at the last moment. The two who were replaced, one had a small health issue, and the other stayed back to take care of her. It’s just a minor illness, really. I believe they’ll both be ready to compete again in the next match.”
“Oh... I see.”
The black-haired girl narrowed her eyes slightly and gave a soft smile and nod.
“I see. Well, I know a bit about medicine too… do you mind if I ask what kind of illness she had?”
………………………………………
“It’s just exhaustion. She was too tired and mentally drained. It’s nothing serious. A bit of rest and she’ll be fine.”
At the Sixth District, inside the hotel where the Frederick Royal Academy’s team was staying.
After getting a clear answer from the healer girl, the few team members standing at the door finally relaxed. Smiling, they nodded slightly.
"Alright then, we’ll head back. Let her rest well. If there’s anything you need, just let us know."
"Mm-hmm! Leave it to me, I’ll take good care of Orluk!"
Patting her rather flat chest, the petite and skinny cat girl, saw off the last few teammates who had come by after hearing the news to check on the suddenly ill Orluk. Then she closed the door and returned to the bedside.
"Whew… Finally done. I didn’t think just getting a little sick would spread news so fast. Everyone really cares about you, Orluk..."
"They don’t care about me. It’s only because we’re close to Her Highness the Princess. They just want to use this as an excuse to win favor with Carinvega."
Hearing the girl on the bed speak in such a soft, dismissive voice, Noelle blinked in surprise, then gave a small, helpless shake of her head.
"You’re being way too pessimistic about people again… I mean, I won’t say you’re completely wrong, but there are people who genuinely care about your health. Orluk, have you been feeling stressed lately? You seem really off. Like, mentally tired all the time."
"......"
Since she was used to Orluk’s quiet personality, the catgirl wasn’t too bothered by the lack of reply. She struggled a bit to pull over a chair and sat by the bed, gently placing her hand over Orluk’s outstretched fingers. A soft green light, full of life, began to glow as she used a healing-type magic to check on her friend’s condition. Soon after, she nodded slightly.
"There’s nothing seriously wrong. You’re just worn out from mental fatigue, and it built up until your body gave out. But seriously, Orluk, you have been acting weird lately. You look like you haven’t had a proper night’s sleep in forever. What’s really going on?"
"...Nothing. I just haven’t been sleeping well, that’s all."
Noelle frowned a bit again and looked her over from head to toe, clearly not fully buying the explanation. The girl lying in bed looked pale and weak, after all.
"A physically strong fighter like you doesn’t lose sleep for no reason. But fine… Everyone has their own little secrets. Even if Her Highness were here, I doubt she’d push you for answers. Anyway, just rest up, okay? I’ll go check how the princess and the others are doing in the match..."
"Wait, there’s one more thing."
"?"
Just as the little catgirl was about to get up and head to the hotel’s broadcasting room, she suddenly froze and turned around. Out of nowhere, a long, pale finger, its tip glowing like it was burning with a faint grey flame, appeared in front of her at a speed no sick person should be capable of. It gently tapped her on the forehead.
“Eh? What are you… meow...”
Her voice, full of surprise and confusion, stopped suddenly, like a video being paused mid-sentence. The puzzled and slightly shocked look on her face disappeared instantly, and her whole body relaxed completely.
She fell backward, landing softly on the chair beside the bed. Her little head tilted to one side, lips slightly open, and the pair of cat ears on top of her head drooped down weakly. Only the soft curve of her chest continued to rise and fall gently with her breathing.
“......”
The one who caused all of this, Orluk, let out a quiet breath and slowly sat up from the bed. She stared silently at the now deeply asleep catgirl. Her beautiful eyes, which were usually calm and clear, now seemed to be clouded with a faint grey mist.
After a long pause, Orluk spoke quietly. But her voice didn’t sound like her usual one. It carried a strange, magnetic tone, like it had some mysterious power that could reach deep into the mind.
“Can you hear me?”
Even though she was clearly asleep and unconscious, the catgirl, still slumped in the chair, slowly opened her mouth. With her eyes still closed, she answered in a dreamy, flat tone, as if talking in her sleep.
“I can hear you...meow...”
Her voice had lost all energy, soft and uncertain, like a mumble from deep in sleep.
“Go lock the door, then come back.”
“Okay...meow...”
That small “meow” sound at the end, added without thinking, showed just how deeply relaxed and comfortable she was. Though she seemed to be only asleep, Noelle quickly stood up like someone sleepwalking. With her eyes still closed, she moved slowly but surely to the door by memory, clicked the magical lock shut, then walked back just as stiffly and stood beside the bed again.
When she wasn’t moving, her arms, legs, and cat ears all hung down limply and naturally, as if her consciousness was in an extremely relaxed state, completely losing any ability to think or act independently.
Because she was asleep.