The World After the Bad Ending - Chapter 64



63 – The Chill of the Beach

Summer break.

It’s not a very long period, about ten days.

During this time, students either rest or visit their homes.

During such a summer break.

I ended up spending time with Iris and her group.

“Does it make sense for a couple who hasn’t been together for long to be apart during the break?”

“I don’t think couples always have to be together.”

Inside the rattling carriage.

Hania and I were having a conversation.

During the summer break, Jerion Academy also opens the southern blue sea, Aron Sea, to encourage students.

Some students visit Aron Sea to relax during this period.

Iris decided to visit such an Aron Sea.

“That’s true. But Iris herself explained the real reason, didn’t she?”

Hearing that, I stopped talking.

Then I turned my gaze towards Iris.

Iris, who was looking out the window, slightly raised the corners of her mouth when our eyes met.

Recently, Iris had been smiling a lot more.

“For now, Hanon, it will be better for you too.”

As Iris said.

As a result of Nia Cynthia’s assassination coming to the surface.

There was a testimony from someone who happened to see me heading to the Demon Palace that day.

A knight who was changing shifts at the Demon Palace saw me heading in a different direction from Sharin.

As a result, my name suddenly surfaced.

I explained that I was visiting the Demon Palace as a student council member to prepare for the next Demon Palace battle.

But the timing was unfortunate.

In an instant, I began to be accused of being the one who killed Nia.

As expected, the faction of the third princess loudly proclaimed my name.

They tried to pin Nia Cynthia’s assassination on me, claiming I acted alone.

‘That would never happen.’

The faction of the first prince already knew of my existence.

If they let the third princess’s faction accuse me of acting alone, they would miss the opportunity to shake them.

So they gathered opinions from various places to defend me.

Even without my intervention, they actively collected evidence proving I wasn’t the culprit.

However, the third princess’s faction didn’t stay idle.

They intended to buy time by selling me out.

If the investigation got confused because of me, it would be easier to cut off the tail.

So I was at risk of being captured and interrogated by the imperial family.

And it was Iris who prevented this.

Originally, it was Iris who hinted at saving Nia.

So she defended me and quickly took me by her side.

「Don’t use my cousin for such things.」

No matter how powerful the third princess’s faction was, if the third princess herself said this, there was no way around it.

In the end, they gave up using me.

Their goal was to buy time from the beginning.

I wasn’t absolutely necessary.

They also had to avoid offending the third princess, who could become the emperor.

Knowing that I was on good terms with the third princess.

The third princess’s faction would no longer touch me.

Iris, knowing this, made sure to leave a lasting impression.

She went out of her way to bring me along for this summer vacation.

For that, I am truly grateful to Iris.

‘The problem is that my name has surfaced.’

Once it does, attention is inevitable.

‘Even the First Prince’s faction might start approaching.’

They must have figured out that I’m not the real Hanon.

So, they will surely approach to uncover my true purpose.

How I navigate this from now on is entirely up to me.

“And.”

At that moment, Iris patted her knee.

As I watched her absentmindedly, I received a glare from Hania and stood up.

When I sat in front of Iris, she pulled me into a hug.

Iris is tall.

She easily surpasses the average woman’s height.

She was much taller than me, who is of average height.

So, I fit perfectly in Iris’s embrace.

I felt a soft touch on my back.

Iris’s unique rose scent tickled my nose.

“Hanon is warm, which helps me sleep.”

I had become Iris’s beloved doll.

The residual heat in my body after harboring the flame.

It helped Iris sleep comfortably.

“Ugh, Lady Iris is hugging you like that.”

Hania tore at her handkerchief with jealous eyes.

For someone who loves Iris, she was extremely envious of me.

‘In reality, it’s quite difficult for me.’

To be honest, I’m afraid of the future.

Iris’s current actions are because she thinks I’m her cousin.

If she finds out that I’m not her cousin, but rather the Vicar she personally chased away…

‘I might die that day.’

Thanks to this, every time Iris does this, I feel like I’m walking on thin ice.

But that doesn’t mean I can refuse the princess’s orders.

If I refuse, it’s my neck in a different sense.

‘More than anything.’

I also wished for Iris to fall asleep comfortably.

She is the destined vessel for the Evil Lord.

The more we reduce the Evil Lord’s nightmares, the more we can prevent his possession.

‘Ending Iris’s nightmares.’

That’s in Act 6.

So until then.

I must prevent Iris from being completely consumed by her nightmares.

‘One of the other bad endings, the Nightmare Ending.’

A bad ending where Iris is completely consumed by her nightmares before Act 6.

The world falls completely into the Evil Lord’s nightmare and meets its end.

For this, Iris’s nightmares needed to be consistently managed.

‘Originally, I could see the percentage of nightmares.’

But now, this is not a game, it’s reality.

So I can’t see the percentage of Iris’s nightmares with the naked eye.

‘I have to estimate.’

Iris’s nightmares are still ongoing.

For this, I have consistently worked to improve her sleep quality.

‘But it’s not a fundamental solution.’

In the end, it’s all just temporary measures.

This won’t completely stop Iris’s nightmares.

‘To solve this.’

Just one person.

I need to call that guy who can replace the Flame of Determination to Jerion Academy.

‘It’s a mountain of tasks.’

But it’s something that must be done.

I quietly ignited my will.

“Hanon has become warmer.”

First, I need to get out of this situation.

* * *

The southern Aaron Sea.

In the past, it was an unknown sea pioneered by Aaron, who opened the Age of Discovery.

As there are many mysterious and strange creatures in the sea of Firefly Butterflies.

Pioneering the sea was a great achievement, enough to be called a hero for generations.

The beach owned by Jerion Academy in such an Aaron Sea.

Students who came to the sea were enjoying swimming at Apiros Beach.

The sea is a place that holds many dreams of students.

Especially, this Apiros Beach is a place where fresh teenage youths gather.

The sea is a magical place that makes people shed a layer.

Women harbor a strange sense of anticipation, and men strengthen their resolve to pursue their dreams.

“Hey, hey, do you want to play with us?”

“Ah, um, what should I do.”

Therefore, many students at the sea clearly revealed the freshness of their student days.

And I, watching them.

I am the porter guarding the luggage.

“Why do I feel so annoyed for no reason?”

On the sandy beach.

Seeing the students being hunted and hunted in front of my eyes.

An unnecessary irritation rises.

So, as I frowned for no reason, I soon heard footsteps.

“Why do you have such a grim face?”

Hearing a familiar voice, I turned my head, and there, peach-colored hair fluttered.

Naturally, the gazes of the surrounding students all focused on this side.

Soon, what caught my eye was an excellent physique with everything in the right place.

Wearing a peach-colored swimsuit with cherry blossoms drawn on it, matching her hair color.

The daughter of the Imperial Knight Commander.

Hania Lepididaia was there.

I almost let out an exclamation without thinking.

I had seen Hania in a swimsuit in illustrations before.

But now that it was real, its impact was on a different level.

And it seemed that the surroundings felt the same.

The eyes flying from behind were stinging.

The jealousy of the men was hotter than the sun’s rays on the sea.

“This time, the stares are unpleasant.”

“It’s inevitable.”

“I didn’t wear this to show you, you know?”

“But now that we’re a couple, didn’t you wear it to show me?”

“Should we break up?”

“Fine. I’ll go hunting too.”

I decided to move, leaving my luggage behind.

“Where are you going?”

At that moment, another voice reached my ears.

A voice with a strange sensuality naturally drew my gaze.

And then my vision went dark.

“What are you trying to see?”

Hania covered my eyes with her hand.

“Hania, my eyes have a duty to see treasures.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll capture it all for you instead of Hanon.”

“You two really get along well.”

I heard Iris’s short laugh.

I could feel Hania looking at Iris and grinning.

Taking advantage of the moment, I quickly poked Hania’s side.

“Eek!”

Hania, whose bare skin was poked, flinched and removed her hand.

Soon after, I faced Iris.

She revealed her slender, white legs beneath a black swimsuit.

But, he was wearing a long coat and even a straw hat.

My eyes gradually cooled down.

Bang!

“Are you crazy? Where are you stabbing?”

Then I got hit by Hania and rolled on the sandy beach.

I paid for my sins.

“I’m sensitive to sunlight.”

Iris’s skin is as white as snow.

It was only natural that her skin was sensitive to the sun.

‘I knew this would happen from the beginning.’

Given how much reality has changed, I wondered if today would be different.

“Come on, Iris, let’s leave that person and go have fun by ourselves.”

Hania pushed Iris towards the beach.

Watching them, I packed my things and followed.

‘Who will come in this side story?’

The beach event is the side story of Act 3.

Depending on the influence Lucas had on the heroines, the visitors to the beach change.

I couldn’t guess who would come to the beach this time.

That’s because the protagonist, Lucas, is dead.

“Really, you’ve worked hard this time, so you can play a bit today!”

“But, I need to train a little to…”

“That’s training addiction. Addiction!”

Following Hania and Iris, I heard another familiar voice.

The moment I looked up with a face of disbelief.

There was the owner of honey blonde hair being pushed by a friend.

As soon as I saw her, I blinked.

Then, the girl who was being pushed also looked at me with wide eyes.

“You, you?”

Isabel Luna.

She was there, wearing a swimsuit that matched her hair color.

I unintentionally took in her swimsuit-clad figure.

Perhaps due to her recent diligent training, her physique was even more sculpted than an illustration, with a short skirt barely covering her thighs.

And, though she cowered like a small animal, her chest, brimming with power that couldn’t be concealed.

Isabelle perfectly embodied the essence of a ‘main heroine.’

“Y-You.”

Clearly not expecting to encounter me, her face was filled with bewilderment.

“Eek!”

Belatedly, she covered herself with her hands.

As if that would hide anything.

But one thing’s for sure, that kind of action only serves to provoke a man’s reaction.

“What are you staring at?”

At that moment, the one who shielded Isabelle was one of her close friends.

It was Mina, also a martial arts student.

“Our Belle is very pretty, but…”

“M-Minaa!”

Isabelle protested from behind her, but Mina scoffed and remained assertive.

After briefly glancing at Mina, my eyes met Isabelle’s again.

She flinched and timidly hid behind Mina.

“I-I’m not skipping training! Mina begged me to come.”

Isabelle offered an excuse.

Listening quietly, I eventually adopted an indifferent expression.

“Alright, have fun.”

People need to rest sometimes.

If this could lift Isabelle’s spirits, I was all for it.

“Ah.”

But for some reason, Isabelle’s expression crumbled.

What? I told her to have fun, why that look?

As I pondered this, Isabelle lowered her head.

Tap, tap-

Just as I was about to speak to her, someone tapped me on the back.

Turning my head, I felt a cold sensation on my cheek.

There stood Sharine, who had poked my cheek with her ice cream-covered finger.

This girl was here too.

Wearing a navy blue swimsuit, she revealed her slender frame.

Her lower body, however, was hidden by a long skirt.

“Hello, Hanon.”

“Why are you poking my cheek with your ice cream-covered finger?”

“It’s fun?”

“Only you think it’s fun.”

“I guess so.”

Sharine took away the hand that had poked my cheek and licked the ice cream off her finger clean.

It was an incomprehensible action.

“My cheek is sticky because of you.”

“Then shall I clean it?”

Sharine slightly parted her lips, revealing her tongue.

“Forget it.”

Asking her would probably lead to a terrible situation.

“Such a waste of ice cream.”

Then she shouldn’t have poked me in the first place.

As I wiped my cheek, Mina and Isabel looked at me with strange eyes.

“……Seriously, you’re really close with Sharine?”

Mina looked at me with an unexpected expression.

I’ve never made a good impression on Mina.

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From Mina’s perspective, I would be an unwelcome person.

So, it was naturally surprising to her that I was close with Sharine, Isabel’s close friend.

“Sharine, this is the first time I’ve seen her act like that towards a guy.”

Mina looked at Sharine, who was nibbling on her ice cream.

Sharine’s languid face was unreadable.

As Mina tilted her head, Isabel spoke.

“Sharine and you… too……”

“Han-on, what are you doing?”

It was Hania who interrupted Isabel’s words.

When she appeared, everyone paused.

It was because all three of them knew that Hania was my girlfriend.

“Oh my, Lady Iris is waiting.”

Hania naturally grabbed my hand.

For a moment, I wondered if I was really Hania’s boyfriend.

Hania’s eyes quickly read the three people.

It was an intentional act to imprint it a little more.

A strategist indeed.

But at that moment, for some reason.

Even though it was a summer that should make you sweat, a chilling cold swept through.