Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 217

Consciousness rises.

The spirit settles once again into the body that has truly ceased to be human.

An overwhelming force flows through the body, and as its flesh reconstructs, the sensations of the returned left arm are felt.

These were not trivial things that could easily be overlooked, but what was important now was not such matters.

The only thought occupying my mind at this moment is one.

“Ugh...!”

I must save Yoon Si-woo.

That was all there was.

Still, the surroundings remained a sea of fire.

If this continues, Yoon Si-woo is in danger.

With that thought, I focused all my spirit on extinguishing the flames engulfing my surroundings.

Even while I stumbled, grappling with the unfamiliar sensation of wielding this power.

Desperately, and earnestly.

Perhaps that longing resonated.

Soon, the flames that had threatened to swallow everything began to calm down.

Now, all that remained was the air shimmering with residual heat and the billowing choking smoke.

And then, there was Yoon Si-woo, groaning softly as if in pain.

It seemed he lacked even the strength to maintain his abilities, as the white armor enveloping him began to slowly fade.

Inside the armor, Yoon Si-woo’s condition was grave.

His gaze was dull, and his body bore horrific burn marks.

Though he appeared on the brink of death, it was clear that he was in a state where he couldn’t even regenerate.

It was my fault; Yoon Si-woo was in this state because of me.

Overcome by guilt, I couldn’t lift my head, but then,

“...Scarlet?”

Yoon Si-woo’s voice reached me.

As I lifted my head at that voice, I saw him struggling to gaze at me.

When I grimaced in pain, he paused for a moment, and then muttered,

“...You came back, huh?”

And with a smile as if that was enough, he looked satisfied.

“Y-You idiot...!”

I unintentionally shouted at Yoon Si-woo in exasperation.

“Why... why...!”

Words failed me.

Why did he do something so foolish?

Why had he pushed himself so hard for my sake?

There were so many things I wanted to ask, so many thoughts swirling in my mind.

Yet, what spilled out of my mouth was only the short refrain of “Why, why?”

And in response to my brief question, Yoon Si-woo seemed to understand.

“Because we’re friends...”

Just that one phrase.

A short answer meant one thing: he needed no other reason for enduring all this.

“Ah, aa...”

At that, my held-back tears burst forth.

What could I possibly say to someone who risked his life simply because we were friends?

I too wanted to help the precious people around me, which is why I had attempted to perish alongside the Lesser Demonic Beasts.

Yet the outcome was not helping my dear ones; it was inflicting this kind of suffering on them, and that guilt felt larger than ever.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry...”

With my tears, the words of apology flowed endlessly from my lips.

It was Yoon Si-woo’s hand reaching out toward me that finally silenced my apologies.

Wiping my tears away with his trembling hand, he slowly shook his head.

As if to say that wasn’t what he wanted to hear.

In that moment, I realized what he longed to hear.

So, I held back my tears.

I remembered that apologies weren’t something friends exchanged lightly.

Toward my foolish, dense, and yet incredibly precious friend,

“...Thank you. Thank you for saving me, Yoon Si-woo.”

I spoke those words, filled with gratitude as much as my guilt.

Since this gathering wasn’t actually the place to assign blame to anyone, he inhaled deeply to regain his composure and then turned to the person who had just delivered the news.

“What is the state of Captain Yoon Si-woo?”

“They say it’s a miracle he is still alive. They did their utmost to treat him, but it is little more than an empty shell... He probably won’t awaken anytime soon.”

“Damn, with Vice Captain Lucas and now Captain Yoon Si-woo in a coma, and even former Captain Telos....”

A gloomy air enveloped the room.

Not just because of the loss of personnel, but the weight of having those who held greater roles being incapacitated.

Especially currently, pertaining to Yoon Si-woo, who had become a symbol of hope, leaving humanity in despair was certainly a grave issue.

The council member sighed softly, murmuring.

“What is the public’s reaction?”

“...It’s awful. We’ve tried to suppress the news, but wherever you go, it’s all about Yoon Si-woo and that witch. Many are saying the Lesser Demonic Beasts attack was also because of her.”

Just then, while they discussed the witch, Sylvia, who had been sitting absentmindedly, abruptly yelled as if leaking out her frustration.

“That’s not true! Scarlet would never do such a thing! Do you know how many citizens’ lives she has saved this time? How can you say such things!?!”

“No... We’re just passing along what everyone is saying....”

The council members began to stir at her words.

Seeing her, normally composed, on the verge of tears and shouting made them waver in their stance.

However, one among them paid no heed to her reaction.

“But the fact is that the witch harmed Yoon Si-woo is not in question. Isn’t it?”

It was Diakonos Dolos.

Toward him, Sylvia shouted in rebuttal.

“That’s true, but still...! ”

“I understand the witch was quite familiar with Yoon Si-woo. Since she harmed someone she was once close to, it wouldn’t be strange to suspect that she hid her malice from the get-go.”

Diakonos spoke authoritatively, as usual, making a logical case.

But to the people, he appeared to be unleashing cold anger.

After all, today he lost his father, Telos.

Sylvia knew that and couldn’t bring herself to respond, merely listening to him when he continued.

“I heard the witch was seen escaping through the sewers just moments ago. It’s unacceptable to let her escape like this.”

“Then what do you propose we do...?”

“Given that this is the witch who battled Yoon Si-woo, judging by the fact she didn’t finish him off, she must have been desperate to flee. If she’s weakened, then the captains could subdue her if they join forces.”

“Subdue her!? That won’t do!”

Sylvia shouted, as if panicking at the suggestion of killing Scarlet.

Diakonos, however, muttered in a cold voice toward her.

“Is Astra in a position to voice opinions right now?”

“...What?”

“During the last hearing, didn’t you say that if anything happened to her, Astra would take full responsibility? If we let that witch go free and she regains strength only to return as an even stronger enemy, can Astra possibly bear that responsibility?”

“Ugh...”

Upon hearing the word ‘responsibility’, Sylvia’s pupils shook.

Now, she represented a noble house.

For someone in her position, that’s a burden that shouldn’t be mentioned lightly.

As she trembled at his words, Diakonos spoke.

“I’ll let this slide this time. But don’t speak carelessly about responsibility in the future. It’s a serious matter.”

With that, he turned his gaze from Sylvia back to the others.

“I apologize for imposing on the exhausted heroes today, but please convey this.”

He spoke with resolute firmness.

“Before the witch escapes from the city, find her and eliminate her.”

Hearing those words, Sylvia thought.

This way, Scarlet would die.

I must stop it.

I definitely need to intervene.

Visions swirled about her mind.

The flames.

The witch that harmed Yoon Si-woo, who also intended to set her ablaze.

Those flames.

In the end, Yoon Si-woo collapsed after failing to keep his promise to Scarlet.

Is it right for me to fulfill her wish in his stead?

I don’t know.

I can’t discern what’s right.

But, while burdened by the weight of responsibility I had once declared,

Sylvia found herself unable to say a word against Diakonos’ order to kill Scarlet.