NABC Chapter 93: Sushia Awakens
Chapter 93: Sushia Awakens
Sushia threw the romance book aside.
After reading for about five minutes, her head started to throb.
The more she read, the more Sushia felt like she was being cornered.
The absurd notion that she had fallen in love with Ascal Erindale―
“That’s impossible. I’ve always been fine until now. Could it be some kind of magic?”
The pages of the fallen romance book fluttered.
A trigger.
――I’m in love with Ascal.
“Ahhh! It’s coming up again! Get out of my head, please!”
Sushia questioned herself.
What if her heart starts acting strange after seeing someone else confess?
A gust of wind flipped the pages of the book.
The book was reading her mind.
Intrigued, Sushia picked the book back up and turned the pages.
“Gasp!”
Sushia slammed the book shut.
―12 Ways to Steal That Man.
“Why is a book like this in the library?”
It was scandalous. Sushia hid the book in a place where no one would find it.
Casting one last glance at the book, Sushia sighed.
“I should just go on a date.”
She was determined to find a boyfriend, return to the evaluation department, and flaunt him in front of Ascal and Lia.
‘Why did you have to show me that scene... I’ll get my revenge.’
She was angry.
Though something felt out of order, Sushia decided to ignore it.
****
And so, Sushia decided to go on a blind date.
If anyone marries her, they would immediately become the Duke of Senestia.
It was like winning the lottery. Naturally, the number of men applying for the blind date was overwhelming.
It was even featured in the Empire’s newspaper.
Of course, Sushia never said such a thing.
Regardless, the news that Sushia was going on a blind date spread so far that even Jax, who ran the local butcher shop, had heard about it.
“If you succeed, it’s a complete life reversal.”
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to have wealth, honor, and a woman all at once.”
“I heard Lady Sushia almost became a saintess. She must be beautiful, right?”
The venue for the blind date was the Senestia house in the capital of the empire. With great ambition, all the men headed toward the Senestia mansion.
The era of the grand blind date had begun.
――You have a criminal record, disqualified.
――You’re too short, disqualified.
――You’re balding, disqualified.
――Take care of your current wife, disqualified.
****
However, the wall of reality was high.
Most didn’t even pass the first round and returned home dejected.
The remaining 611 were granted permission to step foot into the Senestia Duke’s estate.
The vast courtyard of the ducal house.
As expected from the most prestigious noble family in the empire, the courtyard was adorned with extravagant decorations and rare flowers.
“If I pass the test, this entire estate will be mine. Hehe.”
Knight Randeon was full of ambition.
He glanced around at the other men who had passed the first round and was convinced he was the best among them.
After a short while, the head butler stepped up onto the platform.
“Everyone has gathered. We will now begin the second round.”
And then, the servants approached the participants with containers in their hands.
“Please draw a piece of paper from the container.”
Randeon, though puzzled, drew a piece of paper.
It was white.
‘Is this simple thing really the second test?’
Looking to his side, he saw a man with a protruding belly draw a black piece of paper, stroking his chin in confusion.
‘The colors are different. Why?’
Once all the participants had drawn their papers, the butler spoke.
“Those of you who drew black papers may return home.”
Murmurs filled the air.
Randeon, holding his white paper, sighed in relief.
But he still couldn’t shake off the nagging question. What was the meaning behind this paper?
The men who drew black papers turned red with anger and protested.
“We came all this way, and now you’re sending us back empty-handed? Give us a proper explanation!”
The butler replied with almost eerie simplicity.
“The second test is one of luck. In a way, everything in this world depends on luck. You simply didn’t have any.”
With this test, it seemed that around 500 people were about to be eliminated. Naturally, complaints started pouring out from all directions.
Among them were nobles and renowned knights, and a rebellious atmosphere began to form around those who refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the test.
“We cannot accept this. Bring forth a different test!”
The situation was on the verge of turning the participants into a full-blown mob. The butler coldly scanned them with his eyes.
Then.
“If you’re eliminated, you should just go home, wash your feet, and sleep. Why are there so many complaints? Got too much energy? If you’re that upset, why don’t you take me on?”
A man appeared, casually picking at his ear. In his hand was a white slip of paper.
It was Arthur Debrue.
“Is there perhaps a particular type you’re drawn to? I can search again.”
“Hmm... someone with black hair, a sharp nose, a bit clumsy like they have a hole in their side, but sometimes serious, competent enough, and lucky too... gasp.”
Sushia swallowed her words.
She had just described Ascal.
Her ideal type had been overtaken without her realizing it.
“There was one contestant just like that.”
“Really? Where is he now?”
“He forfeited, but said he wanted to see you. I’ll call him.”
The butler left the room.
Sushia stared expectantly at the door.
‘Finally, my destined man is...’
And then the door opened.
“Huh? Red hair?”
It wasn’t the person Sushia had been hoping for.
One of the earlier disqualified participants, Ignis Chesterfield, stood before her.
“I can’t go back empty-handed. I must take over the Senestia family, even if it means using force.”
Ignis raised his hand to the eye covered by his eyepatch.
“The wound I received from the Empire still burns. Lady, you must become my prisoner.”
Ignis, or rather, the “Last Leg of the Spider,” also known as the One-Eyed, slowly walked toward Sushia. She took a step back.
“P-please! Someone help me!”
“It’s useless to call for help. I’ve already cast a soundproofing spell.”
Sushia pointed behind him.
“B-behind you!”
“What kind of trick is this? It won’t work on me.”
“B-black hair!”
-Thud—!
Ignis collapsed where he stood. Behind him, a man with black hair came into view.
It was Ascal Erindale.
“Seeing you is always such a hassle, Sushia.”
“Minister..”
Sushia looked at Ascal with eyes full of emotion, but her face quickly turned serious.
“Why haven’t you been coming to the evaluation department lately? You’re close to being reported for absenteeism.”
“It’s all because of you.”
“Why?”
Sushia puffed out her cheeks, looking slightly annoyed, and simply said,
“You’re just too handsome. I give up.”
Acceptance... it was the only right action.
In the end, Sushia admitted it.
She was, indeed, in love.
****
At the Evaluation Department.
“Eek! Who are all these people!?”
“Oh, those are the lion tribe warriors I hired on a temporary contract. If walking gets tough, just ask them to carry you.”
A hundred lion warriors, bare-chested, were wandering around the department. They were staying temporarily until they captured the ancient dragon.
“If you ever need anything heavy lifted, just ask them. They’re strong.”
“What in the world happened while I was gone...”
“Nothing much.”
Just pulling out a legendary sword, slaying ancient monsters, watching a pegasus evolve into a golden pegasus, seeing Fer become a dragon steed, raising a celestial turtle, and hiring the lion tribe for the evaluation department.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
“A... a consultation room? When did that show up?”
“Oh, not too long ago. Why don’t you check it out?”
Sushia opened the door to the consultation room. As soon as she did, a beautiful blonde woman greeted her with a smile.
“Welcome, dear lamb. What seems to be troubling you?”
“...Saintess?”
“Please call me teacher here. Oh, my, look at the time.”
With a smile, Eileen, the saintess, left the consultation room for the day. Her destination was Haven Academy.
“Uh, is it okay for a witch and a saintess to be in the same place?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Ugh... never mind.”
Sushia opened the door to the office. It was a familiar place.
“Welcome back, Sushia.”
Lia bowed her head politely.
“I’m back.”
Sushia grabbed a cookie from the tray.
“Today’s cookie... 9 out of 10. If it had been just a little sweeter, it would’ve been a perfect score. So close.”
“Did you come back just to critique cookies?”
“I am an evaluation department employee, aren’t I?”
Sushia smiled.
As she was laughing, a book fell out of her bag.
“...Wait, since when do you read books?”
“What do you take me for? I’m the daughter of a cultured Duke family. Of course, I read books.”
Sushia, who had been speaking so confidently, immediately crouched down to pick up the book in a panic.
‘No one saw that, right?’
She shoved the book deep into her bag, hiding it from view.
The title of the book read:
―12 Ways to Steal That Man.
Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance.
And finally.
It was the ‘Awakening’.
– – – The End of The Chapter – – –
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