Chapter 17.1

Otome Game Chapter 17 Part 1

Translator: OkubyouKun

Editor       : Fluffthoughts

017

[I also like Sheryl . ]

[Ugh… . ]

My chest feels stuffy upon hearing Rafael’s gentle reply .

To think that these words that were used to be told to me would cause this much pain in my heart .

Did Rafael also feel the same way?

Being told the same word {like} but with a different meaning is painful .

[Fuu… . Ugh… . ]

[Sheryl?]

I already knew that it’s too late . But I still wanted to tell him .

If only the overflowing tears would also wash away the lingering feelings .

[Sorr… . , towards, Rafael… . causing, you trouble… . even though I’m aware of it… . ugh]

[Wait, Sheryl . What are you talking about?]

He wiped my tears with his hand that has gotten a little free .

Still, the tears keep falling one after another .

[Rafa, el, is… . . ugh… . towards Lydi, even though, you, like… . her]

[Ha?]

As I apologized between sobs ‘Sorry I made you look after me in vain’, Rafael’s voice turns stern .

[Sor, I’m very… . sorry]

[Wait, wait! Sheryl, calm down in the meantime . Aren’t you misunderstanding something?]

[Mis, understanding… . ?]

When I looked at Rafael as if telling him I don’t understand, he breathed out a sigh .

[First of all, I don’t think of Lydi as anything special . ]

[But… . . She’s calling your name… . and her words, you believed them… . ]

That was the most painful part .

Because the fact that Rafael didn’t trust me caused my vision to turn dark .

Ahー…… Damn, just which part should I start explaining first?]

Rafael gloomily scratched his head, his eyes wandering around .

I can only look at Rafael being like that, but when I noticed, my tears have already disappeared .

[I thought that the culprit who attacked during Samuel’s funeral was Earl Boirmortie . The motive is to prevent you from establishing a to cure the Dreaming Illness . ]

[It’s about the treatment?]

[At first, I thought you were attacked for the treatment, but because of the information I received, I thought that that might not be the case . I speculate that the earl has found a method to deliberately awaken the Dreaming Illness . Under such circumstances, he learned that you were able to stop the symptoms of the illness and he probably thought that the research on its cure would progress . And that would be an inconvenience for the Earl . ]

It’s an unbelievable thing .

But the truth is that Rafael collapsed because of the Dreaming Illness .

[That method, could it be… . ]

[It’s Lydi . Did you know that she caused Mana to go berserk in front of the Earl? There’s such a rumor on the information I got . ]

It says──,

There’s a witch in the Boirmortie house .

A witch that brings disaster .

Because of the witch, everyone died .

[The cause of death was the Dreaming Illness?]

[Most probably . But when we inquired for her records at the Training Facility while she was still under their care, we weren’t able to find it . However, at the same time, I also found out that about ten people have died in Earl Boirmortie’s territory with the cause of death being the same as the Dreaming Illness’ symptoms . ]

To the best of my knowledge, that is something impossible .

Although the number of patients is increasing, it’s different from an epidemic .

The life expectancy of patients with Dreaming Illness depends greatly on personal vitality and physical strength . It’s only natural that people differ from one person to another, and if it occurs in the same period, only group suicide could be considered .

[It looked like the Earl also wanted to hide it, but if the cause of death is suspected to be the Dreaming Illness, it will be reported to the Magic Agency . Bellom-sensei was thoroughly collecting various information in order to learn about the spread of the illness . The moment the Earl wanted to wrap it in his hands, it was already too late . ]

[Bellom-sensei did?]

[I was about to go on-site to check the facts . I was interrupted because I collapsed, though . ]

The hypothesis that Lydi causing the Mana to run out of control caused the Dreaming Illness to occur leads to the fact that Raphael and I collapsed .

If that’s true, then… .

[The Earl probably planned to use Lydi to artificially induce Dreaming Illness . I don’t know the reason, but I approached Lydi to his true intentions . ]

‘That’s why you misunderstood . ’ Rafael said while laughing .

He also said that he wanted to hide it from me .

[Why?]

[You hate barging bargaining with the noble society, don’t you? I thought you disliked getting into Lydi’s good side to use her so I kept quiet . Although, I am now regretting it because you ended up misunderstanding me . Even though I like your crying face, I never wanted to see you with this pained expression . I’m sorry . ]

Rafael’s hand caresses my cheek like usual .

I wanted to feel that warmth so bad, I closed my eyes .

[The reason you called yourself a coward is because of this?]

[That’s right . Since I’ve talked this much then I will be frank… . I am willing to use other’s goodwill if needed . There might even be something that could harm the other person . I think it’s difficult for you to accept such a thing . But I want you to be aware of something . Sheryl, I love you . ]

[Rafael… . ]

I raised my eyes and stared at Rafael’s amethyst pupils .

I have been living in a gentle world, always being protected .

But behind are definitely some people who think and act the same as Rafael .

Do I have the right to show contempt for such people?

[Even I don’t want to always be protected . For that purpose, I think it’s necessary to face each other . That’s why, thank you for telling me this… . I also love Rafael . ]

We put all our feelings on our naturally overlapping lips .

In the end, I’m the one who didn’t trust Rafael with my all .  (TN: It’s really misleading so it can’t really be helped that he’s misunderstood . :/ )

I’m frustrated of myself for getting led on by her words .

Furthermore, to be affected by her Mana .

… . . Be affected?

Rafael’s and her Mana emissions shouldn’t be that different .

Besides, when she was talking to me, there weren’t any signs of Mana running out of control .

I remember that time when I also collapsed in front of Noe’s lab .

At that time, Noe looked like he was about to fall, too… . were we already affected then, Noe and I?

If so then the only thing I can think of is that Rafael’s Mana emission and hers are different in nature .

Suddenly, for some reason, the lightning that’s occurring outside the window passed through my mind .

[Mn, Rafae… ugh… hang o, wait!]

[I won’t allow you to say no at this stage . ]

[You’re wrong, I, I must go see Lydi!]

[What… . ?]

I pull away from his tongue that’s trying to invade inside my mouth, and I raise my body up .

I must confirm it to her .

I got off Rafael and raised from the bed while still feeling anxious .

[Wait, Sheryl . What do you mean?]

[She will definitely make Rafael worse, so don’t you ever come!]

[Hey! Damn it, someone hurry and get me out of this restraining clothes!]

Although his arms are free, the majority of Rafael’s body is still restrained as I quickly leave the room .

As if to replace me, the maid who heard Rafael’s anger hurriedly entered the room .

[Sheryl-sama, is something the matter?]

[I want to go to where Lydi is . Before that, Camille and Serge, I have a favor to ask of you . ]

I called the two who have been waiting by Rafael’s room . They look at me with an apologetic look

[We’re sorry, Sheryl, about that thing back in the classroom . ]

[It’s fine, I don’t mind . More importantly, I’d like you to stop Rafael if ever he tried to leave the room . His life is at stake at this . Can I ask this of you?]

[Understood, we will stop Rafael-sama with all we’ve got . ]

[Please leave it to us . ]

With the two’s nod, I sit down on the wheelchair Nicole prepared .

When I sat down, Nicole pushed the wheelchair without hesitation .

[Do you know the place?]

[Yes, she seems to be isolated(quarantined?) at the research building . ]

[She’s being isolated?]

[Bellom-sama seems to consider her dangerous… . will it be alright?]

[It might not be alright . ]

To my reply, Nicole stopped moving .

I bitterly smiled towards his obvious reaction .

[If her influence increases, the people around her may collapse like Rafael did . That’s why we need to clear out people . ]

[Isn’t it unnecessary for Sheryl-sama to go?]

[There’s something only I can do . Besides, I have a way to deal with it . Nicole, it’s an urgent matter . ]

Seeing the urgent expression on my face, Nicole got caught in himself for a bit but followed my instructions in the end .

[Is Noe inside the research building, too?]

[Yes, Bellom-sama is also there at the present . ]

[Got it . ]

◆◆◆◆◆◆

When we entered the research building, it was quiet inside .

In front of the innermost laboratory, there are two soldiers standing guard .

In the meantime, we headed towards Noe’s lab .

[Sheryl-kun, someone who rarely comes here is… . ]

Noe who saw me stood up .

Bellom-sensei is also inside the room . Noe has definitely heard about the Earl Boirmortie story .

While replying to Noe, I turn my eyes towards Bellom-sensei .

[I’m aware of that . Bellom-sensei, I plan to meet with Lydi . ]

[Even if you know that she’s dangerous?]

[Yes . There’s something I want to confirm . ]

[Does it have to be you? If you want to ask her something, you can send a soldier instead . ]

[I’m sure that I’m the only one who can to her about it . ]