How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 279

279. Recapturing District 311 (3)

“…If you know that much, there’s nothing to deny or dispute.”

I can’t pretend I don’t know.

Ernil knows the conclusion she’s inevitably heading towards.

‘But how?’

At least Ernil was a person bound by the past, not someone despairing of the future.

“I’d like to ask why you’re asking me this in the first place.”

“…Because you’re the only one missing from my memories.”

The reason she specifically chose me as her confidant.

“In the future I remember, only you were absent. The one calling himself Aileon.”

“…’Calling myself.’ That’s a hurtful thing to say, in its own way.”

As if she’s noticed I’m not the real Aileon.

“Words you don’t mean.”

“Is that also based on your memories?”

“No, human behavior is quite easy to read. Of course, skilled liars can deceive even that, but Aileon, you don’t seem that capable.”

“Damn elf…”

In short, my face is too easy to read.

“It’s a compliment. It means you can’t become a truly evil person.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, even if it’s empty.”

If she judged me as an enemy, she would try to kill me by any means necessary.

But there’s no sign of that.

“In the first place, this situation itself is something I don’t know about…”

“I know. Anyway… I don’t even wake up until much later. Right?”

“What else do you know?”

“Almost nothing.”

She shook her head and spoke about her situation.

She remembers the original course of events and her own destruction.

“The end will definitely be Sylvester piercing me with his sword. That much is certain.”

She said bitterly, pointing to her chest.

“Knowing that, you’re still getting along with that guy?”

“I’m the bad one. He’s the righteous one. …Probably.”

Is that what she thinks?

I didn’t bother to argue.

“One more question. Does Sylvester know that information?”

“I didn’t tell him. How could I tell him? If I did…”

“If you did… Well… never mind. Let’s put that aside.”

I understand her feelings too.

“I can’t say much either. In the first place, I’m not the mastermind, but rather someone who’s getting caught up in it.”

“I can tell that much from your reaction. In a way, it’s unfortunate. Tsk, it would have been simpler if you were the cause.”

Not that I’m complaining at all.

Seeing her grinning so fiercely, whatever she’s planning can’t be good for me.

“Ernil. What do you want to do?”

“…I haven’t decided yet.”

That’s an unexpected answer.

“It’s already been proven that my thinking was wrong. At least, that’s not how it is in my memories.”

“So, there’s no need to make the same mistake twice?”

“Something like that. …But it’s not like I don’t have any regrets.”

At that moment, I felt a chilling coldness around her.

“Even if my memories aren’t complete, my anger remains. …Even if I don’t understand everything, this much is certain.”

She asserted without hesitation.

“I can’t forgive you humans.”

“Forgiveness…”

I know the reason. There’s no way I wouldn’t.

“You would know, right? That I’m not joking.”

“…Hmm.”

She probably doesn’t have much power right now.

The opportunity for her to truly awaken will come much later.

Even so, she can exert that much force with just her emotions?

‘Well, having memories means she has experience of ‘that incident’… So it’s not just bluffing.’

The question is, what does she want to hear from me?

Does she want cooperation?

“Aileon, if you also know the future… what did you come here for?”

“…Ah, that kind of question.”

In the midst of confusion, she wants to check if there’s someone who can be a guide.

“Just be honest with yourself?”

“Huh?”

A face that says, ‘What nonsense are you talking about?’

“There’s no need to deliberately choose a future where you fail, right? Well, that doesn’t mean you should cause trouble for others. Then do what you want.”

I can’t force her.

“I won’t stop you if you want revenge. Well, depending on your actions, I might have to stop you. That’s a matter for then. And you’re responsible for your actions.”

“…That’s simple. Is that really how you think, Aileon?”

“I don’t care. I’m just struggling because I want to live comfortably and make a lot of money. Other than that, I don’t care.”

Only I matter.

And if anyone interferes with that, I won’t stand idly by.

“…That’s your conclusion.”

“It’s a conclusion and the most ideal desire. I don’t care about anything else.”

Of course, it’s more of a simple assertion than persuasion.

Ernil seemed to be seriously considering it…

“Aileon, are you going to change the future?”

“At least I want to avoid the worst possible outcome.”

For me, the worst is naturally a future where I can’t be happy.

A future where the villains win.

A future where the world doesn’t exist.

Then what is the worst for Ernil?

Causing the incident as planned and being killed by Sylvester? Or something else?

“Accepting it as it is and entrusting myself to the flow is one way…”

“It’s not a very wise choice.”

“I suppose not.”

It’s the same as suicide.

Accepting it knowing that means literally abandoning your life.

At least the current Ernil didn’t seem to have given up.

Above all, she approached Sylvester even knowing the future.

“What do you want to do?”

“…Actually, there’s something I want to avoid.”

That’s what she said.

She wants to resist, not conform to the future.

You could say it’s the answer I’ve been hoping for.

“Then we can say there’s room for negotiation?”

“There’s no guarantee that my wishes and your wishes are the same. Confirming that is the priority.”

“Well, I don’t feel like hiding anything, so I’ll tell you my purpose right away… right away…”

There’s nothing new about it.

I immediately told Ernil about the ending I wanted to guide her towards as much as possible.

It’s not like anyone’s listening, but I lowered my voice and spoke only to her.

“…In other words, it’s like this.”

“Huh?”

She looked bewildered after hearing that.

“…Are you serious? You’re deliberately choosing a difficult path?”

“It’s not so much a difficult path as it is the most desirable path possible.”

I can be sure of that from what I’ve seen so far.

The plan can be changed as much as possible.

And the course of action I told her will be much more helpful to me.

“…Okay.”

And Ernil accepted my proposal.

“I’ll cooperate as much as I can. I want to avoid that too…”

“Then the deal is done.”

Both for the future.

Unintentionally, those who know the ending want to avoid it together.

“So? What do I need to do? It’s hard to say this, but there’s not much I can do right now.”

“Well, I know you can only play the role of a healing shuttle right now.”

“Sh… what?”

“Never mind. Instead, what I want you to do is to persuade Sylvester to act according to our intentions.”

I have no intention of acting like a mastermind.

But there’s a risk that he might misunderstand something and take unexpected actions.

If I talk alone, he might also question me.

So, it would be easier to get him to move if Ernil mediates and adds a word.

You. Seduce the protagonist. And control him.

“…That’s an evil way of thinking.”

“You’re not really in a position to complain, are you? Above all, it’s good for him too.”

I’m putting myself aside, but you were definitely a villain.

She doesn’t seem to like it, but Ernil agreed.

“Ugh… what else?”

“Just don’t cause any accidents.”

“Kugh!”

…She’s glaring at me as if she’s annoyed, but what can I do?

That’s all there is.

“If I were to ask for one more favor…”

It’s not like there’s nothing else to ask.

I lowered my voice slightly, lest anyone should hear, and gave one more instruction.

“Actually…”

It’s just insurance and advice for the worst-case scenario.

* * *

Finally, the day of the operation.

“Then, shall we move as discussed? Anyone have any objections?”

Now is your chance to speak up.

Of course, no one would say anything different now.

Just as I have prepared, those who have already agreed to cooperate are all prepared.

Ellaut waved the operation plan I handed over, grinning as if asking what was so new.

“So, kid? All I have to do is move as you tell me?”

“Yes. If you just move according to that, it will somehow work out. Of course, unexpected situations can happen, so don’t blindly believe it.”

“Don’t worry. I know that much. Well, I have something to do with ‘this guy’ anyway. I’ll do the job properly, so don’t worry.”

She won’t do the job carelessly.

Meanwhile, Cruise didn’t say anything.

I didn’t give her any specific instructions.

Rather, she expressed her intentions first.

“Cruise?”

“…It’s okay, so Aileon, think about your own safety first.”

She said this coldly and closed her eyes, thinking intently about something, as if she wanted to continue concentrating.

Let’s leave her alone for now.

And as for Sylvester.

“Sylvester! Be careful.”

“I know. Ernil. Rucel. Alnix. I’m counting on those here.”

…Well, there’s no need to worry about those guys either.

It seems that Ernil is properly advising Sylvester as requested.

Then, when you think about it, the most worried person here is me.

Yeah. I just have to not make a mistake.

That’s what I decided to do.

“Then. Let’s start soon.”

“Are you going to move as planned?”

“Of course. As discussed, let’s start the operation as soon as that sound rings.”

I grinned and sent a signal to ignite what would be the celebratory fireworks to announce the start of the operation.

“Now, cover your ears.”

And…

“Please explode~.”

Kwagagagagagang!

An unusual explosion rang throughout the capital, and explosions began to occur here and there.

It’s a magnificent sound of Aileon’s special explosives, made for today, demonstrating their power.

“Um! It works properly!”

It’s worth sneaking around the capital using Yeongbo [a stealth technique or item] to install explosives.

By igniting a large amount of hydrogen tanks I produced through a detonating fuse based on black gunpowder and the embers of spirits, they explode all at once.

Even if it’s crude, it will explode well.

“…Does the explosive exert this much power? Um… If it’s this much, I want to buy it for my mercenary group later, kid?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s not for sale. I don’t sell it. It’s too dangerous to use.”

I hope today is the first and last time I handle such dangerous things.

I don’t know how nervous I was while secretly installing it, wondering if I might make a mistake.

Anyway, if the fake activity in this city itself is a magical ritual, it will be paralyzed for a moment.

And the guys will react too.

“Let’s move quickly. We have to move in the gap while those guys are focused on restoration.”

The effect is momentary as the explosives are flashy.

Soon this fake city will be restored, and the guys will tighten their guard even more.

If we move late, it will be counterproductive.

“Aha ha ha! Leave it to me, kid.”

“Then I’ll be off.”

“…Aileon, be careful.”

Everyone leaves a word like that and moves to do their job.

Now it begins.

* * *

First of all, the first thing.

We have to wipe out the annoying bat swarm that dominates the skies around the capital.

From the beginning, everyone agreed with Aileon’s opinion on that point.

No matter where we fight, we can’t rest assured as long as those things are above our heads.

That’s why everyone agreed that the vampire should be dealt with first.

Vampire Elsaria Ru Cantarest.

The problem is who will kill it.

“…Well. I may be the most suitable person in that regard.”

Sighing, Sylvester firmly gripped his beloved sword and decided to start acting.