Capítulo 206: Thank you
[3rd person Pov]
"So it has already started? The king truly doesn't realize what kind of monsters he has brought to light. Nonetheless, it was a good thing that you didn't have to intervene, Lilie."
Even though the principal was clearly talking to the black-clad woman in front of him, she didn't respond at all, something that didn't surprise the old man.
Leaning back in his office chair, the principal's face was as expressionless as ever, as he continued talking to himself.
"But who could have known that the Daemon family would already bring the conflict to the surface? Those four families... They are truly bizarre."
The Juggernauts, the Vipers, the Daemons, and the Hurricanes. These were the four hidden families that had been using Mensch as their personal playground, constantly fighting against each other for supremacy.
Now, however, two of these had joined the royal house, meaning the Daemons and the Hurricanes had been put in a very peculiar spot, where they either had to choose to run away and hide or fight for their lives.
Needless to say, the Daemon family had made their choice, a choice that made more sense for them than the Hurricanes. Mostly because even in death, their transformation into a monster persisted.
This meant that it was easy for them to disguise their attacks as terrorist attacks from the demons, something that the king would have to publicly accept if he didn't want to bring the underground conflict to light in front of his people.
"But to think that Zero would be there during the attack... Or should I say, James?"
Although the man didn't know how it was possible for them to be the same person, there was no doubt in his mind that that was the case. Which was also the reason why he sent Jessica there to save him, not wanting another earthling to die a useless death.
However, he didn't think that it would be an unnecessary action, as he didn't expect the young man to be able to bring down his enemy even in the form of Zero.
It was such an amusing situation that the principal didn't report it to the king, something he could choose to abstain from due to the absence of a contract binding him from reporting anything else than information about hidden houses.
It had been impossible for that young man to escape the eyes of the principal, who somehow knew everything that happened within his domain. This wasn't just an academy, this was his kingdom. His nation.
It wasn't something he built for greed or pride, it was just another piece of equipment, another tool that was needed for his purpose, his goal.
"Let's see what he does next. He sure does remind me of myself back in the day, though I have to say... He seems to have a talent for attracting problems."
****
[Zero's Pov]
'How did this happen?'
Unknown to how or why, the room I was bedridden in was now filled to the brim with people, all coming to visit me at the same time. Of course, all of them were the ones that had been with me at the club.
At this point, they were all chatting with each other, trying to look happy and unbothered while an air of stress permeated the atmosphere. Still, it wasn't all bad. In fact, a large part of me felt like it was pretty great.
All of these people coming here to visit me, to make sure I was okay. It wasn't that I didn't understand that Adriana, Anna, and Bellatrix were just here because it was expected of them, but I was still grateful. Or at least I thought I was. No, a part of me was.
However, another part of me was carrying another kind of feeling, a feeling of petty jealousy and anger, while at the same time being very callous.
A part of me which honestly didn't care about most of these people, and who couldn't care less if they lived or died, as long as we weren't the cause of it.
'I'm pretty fucked up, aren't I? Both Zero and James... what an awful combination...'
One part of me was an impulsive crybaby that threw tantrums large enough for our enemy to end up getting torn to literal pieces, and the other was a distant sociopath that didn't care about the means as long as we fulfilled our goal.
The worst part of it was that although I knew what kind of person I was, I didn't want to change either part of me.
"Zero? Are you alright?"
Noticing my absence of mind, Stella brought me back to reality. "Ah, sorry. I was just thinking of some stuff."
"Alright... Anyway, we have to get going I think, it's already late, and I don't think Dr. Smith will be happy if we keep bothering you."
With the rest of the group agreeing with Stella, it didn't take long until most of them were on their way. Most of them, because there were two people that stayed behind for a bit, seemingly having something to tell me.
The pink-haired girl was the first to go, awkwardly walking up to the bed with her man behind her. Then, she suddenly bowed.
"Zero, I... Haaa... Zero, thank you for saving Arthur! I don't know what I would have done if something happened to him. So, thank you, truly! Even though we know about..."
Though I wanted to say that if not for the fact that the hero was a moron, I wouldn't have been forced to do so, I held it in.
"Sophie, it's okay. I did it because I wanted to, and we all made it out, right? So you don't have to look like that. Isn't it better to smile after something like this?"
'I want to puke...'
Saying such cheesy lines, it was impossible not to feel a bit nauseous, but I felt like they were words suited for Saint Zero. And luckily, they appeared to be working wonders.
Straightening her back, I could see that she had at least withheld her tears, something that felt like it had somehow become quite a rare sight. Instead, she followed my words and smiled, showing me an expression I hadn't seen in a long time.
'Come to think of it, did I ever see her smile like that as James?'
Still, there was another person that also wanted a chance to talk to me, now stepping forward while putting his hand on Sophie's shoulder, "Could you wait for me outside? I want to speak with Zero alone for a bit."
After a second of confusion, the tall girl just nodded and gave me some quick goodbyes, "See you later, Zero. Do make sure to rest up!"
*Click*
As soon as she left the room, I could feel the ambiance around the hero change slightly, just enough to give me the feeling that something was off. Unable to understand what, I just smiled at him and waited for what he had to say.
After some time, he seemed to have collected his thoughts enough to open his mouth, "First of all, thank you. Thank you for coming with me and saving me from that... thing."
It was still obvious that this wasn't what his mind was focusing on right now, this was just something he felt was expected of him. Still, I wasn't about to neglect his appreciation.
"Don't worry about it. I just did what I felt I needed to do, but although it's a bit egotistical, it does feel good to hear you say thanks. But... that's not why you wanted to speak to me alone, was it?"
There was no need to drag it out just for pleasantries. I didn't have anything against the hero, but as he had already made it clear that he didn't like Zero, there was no need to dance around it.
"No, it wasn't... Zero, you are dangerous."
'I'm what now?'
A bit surprised by his choice of words, I had to think for a couple of seconds before I could understand what he was getting at. And thinking about it, it wasn't that surprising.
Just as Adriana had said at the club, Zero was honestly very unstable, and if he said this outright to me now, then he must've seen what we did to that monstrous human.
Still, there was no way Zero would act as if he already understood his intentions, that was just the James part of us that never wanted to enter a conversation before knowing the technicalities.
"I don't understand... Didn't I save you?"
Arthur took a noticeable hit from my words, as I accurately hit a sensitive spot. How hard must it be for a man to try and criticize someone who just saved his life?
"That's... That's beside the point!"
"T-Then... What's the point...?"
At this point, his eyes were almost looking a bit frantic as he forced himself to finally spit out what he wanted to say.
"I want you to stay away from Sophie!"
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