☕ Support
← The Monologue Must End
Chapter 11 of 17

The Art of Survival

Rosaria

Tch...

Rosaria

Why is Hilde still not showing up?

Rosaria

You there. Don't tell me you were flirting with her behind my back?

More slander?!

Rosaria

Hmm... Then she would not be this quiet.

Rosaria

Just a little provocation is enough to make her explode, after all.

That doesn't match the Hilde I know at all.

Are you sure it isn't just someone with the same name?

Rosaria

Oh ho? Is that how she looked to you?

Rosaria

I suppose she has been busy hiding her true nature and playing the saint lately.

Rosaria

How long such half-baked acting will last, though, is another question.

You talk like you know her very well.

Rosaria

Fufu. Oh, I know her very well indeed.

Rosaria

To the point that there is nothing we do not know about each other.

Rosaria

More importantly, have you not slowed down quite a bit?

Of course, carrying someone across the wasteland was exhausting work...

It feels like I've been walking for ages...

Rosaria

Tired already?

Rosaria

Very well. Let us rest here, acting servant.

My shoulders are going to end up stiff as a board...

At least drop the "acting" part.

Rosaria

Oh ho? Becoming my official servant will not be easy, you know.

Rosaria

A proper servant must be able to present freshly popped popcorn anytime, anywhere.

Rosaria

Still, if you truly wish, I might consider putting you under special training.

There's no way I'm doing that...!

At that moment, Rosaria's blade snapped toward me.

Wait, hold on!

Was what I said really so offensive?!

Rosaria

Stay still, acting servant.

The arc of Rosaria's swing flew past behind me.

At the same time, a massive Voidborn collapsed not far away.

Thanks. For helping me.

Rosaria

Enough. Gratitude from a mortal is nothing but forced courtesy.

Rosaria

It crawled up like a cockroach, so I just simply removed it.

Rosaria

Still... It seemed to be eyeing you in particular.

Me?

Rosaria

What, did you not notice?

Rosaria

The pests that bothered us during our conversation earlier as well...

Rosaria

You appear to be bound to them by some ill fate.

They're our sworn enemies in Lavistar.

That's probably why.

Rosaria

Hmm... I see. Strife never truly ends, no matter the world.

Sounds like things are just as restless in your world.

Rosaria

It's not unique to the world I currently inhabit.

Rosaria

All worlds are the same.

Rosaria

In the end, mortals are creatures of conflict.

Rosaria

When I first encountered Hilde as well, the world was nothing but killing and being killed.

Rosaria

The moment I saw her standing in the midst of it, I knew.

Rosaria

And I came to desire the power she possessed.

Rosaria

Much time has passed since that day, but...

Rosaria

There is only one being who can quench my thirst.

Rosaria

Isn't that right, Hilde?

A white figure descended from the sky, cutting through the cloud of dust.

Hilde

Apologies, Captain. I was delayed while scouting the area.

No problem! You're not late at all!

Rosaria

Ahahahaha!

Rosaria

As expected, preparing bait was the right call, Hilde.

Rosaria

I was quite hurt, you know. You kept hiding like a mouse and pretending not to see me.

Hilde

...Rosaria.

Hilde

I'll ask one last time. You have no intention of stopping now, do you?

Rosaria

Spare me the soft words, Hilde.

Rosaria

This is a rare chance for us to clash with our full strength, is it not?

Rosaria

Come now. Entertain me like you used to.

Rosaria

Hilde.