I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

50. Freebie

The reason Henriette IV was in this academy was to “display” her power in various ways, and then… “lure” the previous attacker to take the bait.

However, at this moment, although the other party had indeed appeared, it didn’t bring Flora or Henriette IV a feeling of “finally succeeded!” On the contrary, her identity and behavior were all tinged with strangeness. It was as if she knew there was a “trap” in place and yet, willingly stepped right into it!

Then, a yawn, a single sentence, and the atmosphere shifted in an unsettling way.

“Ugh~ It would have been better to just come find me directly. Why go through all this trouble~”

The lazy attitude instantly brought Flora’s encounter from that night rushing back into her mind! She couldn’t help but clench her hand for Henriette IV’s sake, because… what she had reeled in wasn’t some “small fish,” but perhaps a “piranha” that could devour the entire fishing rod!

Ranks were merely a relative evaluation standard made by the Empire’s academy. Being at the sixth rank, Flora didn’t think she was that strong, but at least… she wouldn’t lose to someone from the get-go.

However, after clearly recalling that night’s encounter, Flora realized: she had truly been powerless at the time. It wasn’t because of the hasty action or the clumsy weapon in the elf’s hand, but because of the… sheer “terror” that had resonated within her. How much strength was she hiding? Seven? Eight? Or had she already…

Flora was starting to worry about Henriette IV.

“Ludwig, what means did you use to sneak into this academy?! Who gave you the permission?”

“So troublesome… Flora, with your lack of strength, you better run far away first. Otherwise, you might get caught in the crossfire and die a pathetic death.”

“!”

Those words, as if saying “You have no strength anymore, I’m not even interested in you,” made Flora a bit indignant. But both the truth and Henriette IV’s next reminder told Flora what she should do at this moment.

“Flora, run far away. My appearance is to deal with her, so… you can’t stay here and be of no help, even hinder me.”

That attitude! Talking as if this Henry IV was doing it for her own good! Even though just moments ago, she was being sarcastic and threatening?

However, Flora knew now wasn’t the time to dwell on why Henry IV’s attitude was “growing stranger.” She could only fret over how “unhelpful” she was being, and quickly leave the classroom. After all, that immense “pressure” had already descended, and even without Flora’s prompting, Henry IV would be able to sense this Ludwig’s “danger,” wouldn’t she?

How did the academy let such a dangerous individual slip through…

At that moment, only after Flora had left did Henry IV dare to more boldly face the elf.

It went without saying that this “white-haired elf,” whom she’d never seen before, was quite peculiar. Though, Henry IV wasn’t entirely without some memory of her: during a previous practical lesson, she’d easily defeated her, and the elf had simply lay on the ground, readily admitting defeat. It was her.

“Putting on a good show in public, I see, elf.”

“It’s just… such a bother. Those pretend games… they can’t be taken seriously…”

Concealing her strength, masking her intentions, Louise IV certainly didn’t have time to investigate why such an elf would appear at the academy. No wonder even the people the Great Britian Empire had sent out had not found any important clues related to her.

But none of that mattered. The person had been found, and now…

“No one is allowed to run rampant within the royal capital of the Great Britian Empire, even if you are an elf.”

If Flora were still here, she would surely be astonished to discover: the “feeling” Henry IV gave off now was different from before.

“Laying a hand on Great Britian royal kin is an even greater crime. The things you’ve done, if they can still be undone, I advise you to turn back immediately. Otherwise, Great Britian Empire will not let this go simply because of your identity.”

Drawing her sword, pointing it, Henry IV said in a low voice, “Or should I make myself clearer: the power you stole from Flora, do you have a way to return it! In light of that, I will decide how to deal with you.”

“…So troublesome, you humans. Both the wording and the methods. By comparison, I rather prefer Zelola’s way of resolving problems.”

“!”

Henry IV didn’t respond, instead adopting a hostile demeanor to make her stance clear.

Because, in truth, she had no idea just how strong the elf before her actually was. Flora described her as “very strong.” If the standard was to be able to “easily defeat” Flora, then the elf before her must be at least on the seventh level.

But… Henry IV could only judge based on that, and make a rough estimate. Even if she wasn’t capable of dealing with it herself, the Great Britian Empire would send more people shortly. Ludwig, now that this elf had revealed herself, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

“Then… let’s make a wager, shall we? A fair wager.”

“I don’t have time to play games with you.”

Henry IV immediately refused, but… the elf before her showed no restraint at all, and simply continued on, regardless.

“You seem to be in good condition right now, so I’ll use the power I obtained from Flora, then. If you win, then I truly am unworthy of using Flora’s power, and I’ll return it to her. If I win… hee hee…”

She… was she toying with her!?

Before she could even respond, the next moment, Henry IV felt an incomparably powerful pressure.

Just like… the worst possible scenario she had imagined.

This elf had been strange from beginning to end. If she only had a smattering of knowledge and was putting on airs, so be it. But… what if it really was the kind of situation that everyone, even Henry IV, scarcely dared to think of?

Because Great Britian Empire hadn’t seen a “Sage level” power that was “eighth level or above” for a long time, they simply referred to anything above that as “Sages”. The elf before her, Henry IV’s instincts told her: she wasn’t afraid of her at all.

Clearly… within the Great Britian Empire, she wasn’t being arrogant, Henry IV felt that she couldn’t find an opponent.

What else was she hiding…?

Eyes wide, in her sight, the elf was already using what Henry IV almost shouted, that now-vanished “space magic,” rummaging through the space beside her for something.

Then… found it… a wand?

What else could possibly be in there?

“Human… I came here only to seek ‘power’.”

“I’ve always found it a nuisance when supporting characters volunteer themselves to ‘punish’ me…”

“So, I hope your power… doesn’t disappoint me.”

Familiar magic pulsed through the air!

Henrietta IV couldn’t mistake it: the elf was wielding Philola’s magic!

Not only could she steal it, she could *use* it too?!

The updates for the second day of the Lunar New Year will be more stable, because a lonely person like me really has nowhere else to go. *Sob*.