The Monologue Must End · Chapter 8
The Art of Survival
Rosaria
Tch...
Why is Hilde still not showing up?
You there. Don't tell me you were flirting with her behind my back?
More slander?!
Rosaria
Hmm... Then she would not be this quiet.
Just a little provocation is enough to make her explode, after all.
That doesn't match the Hilde I know at all.
Are you sure it isn't just someone with the same name?
Rosaria
Oh ho? Is that how she looked to you?
I suppose she has been busy hiding her true nature and playing the saint lately.
How long such half-baked acting will last, though, is another question.
You talk like you know her very well.
Rosaria
Fufu. Oh, I know her very well indeed.
To the point that there is nothing we do not know about each other.
More importantly, have you not slowed down quite a bit?
Of course, carrying someone across the wasteland was exhausting work...
It feels like I've been walking for ages...
Rosaria
Tired already?
Very well. Let us rest here, acting servant.
My shoulders are going to end up stiff as a board...
At least drop the "acting" part.
Rosaria
Oh ho? Becoming my official servant will not be easy, you know.
A proper servant must be able to present freshly popped popcorn anytime, anywhere.
Still, if you truly wish, I might consider putting you under special training.
There's no way I'm doing that...!
At that moment, Rosaria's blade snapped toward me.
Wait, hold on!
Was what I said really so offensive?!
Rosaria
Stay still, acting servant.
The arc of Rosaria's swing flew past behind me.
At the same time, a massive Voidborn collapsed not far away.
Thanks. For helping me.
Rosaria
Enough. Gratitude from a mortal is nothing but forced courtesy.
It crawled up like a cockroach, so I just simply removed it.
Still... It seemed to be eyeing you in particular.
Me?
Rosaria
What, did you not notice?
The pests that bothered us during our conversation earlier as well...
You appear to be bound to them by some ill fate.
They're our sworn enemies in Lavistar.
That's probably why.
Rosaria
Hmm... I see. Strife never truly ends, no matter the world.
Sounds like things are just as restless in your world.
Rosaria
It's not unique to the world I currently inhabit.
All worlds are the same.
In the end, mortals are creatures of conflict.
When I first encountered Hilde as well, the world was nothing but killing and being killed.
The moment I saw her standing in the midst of it, I knew.
And I came to desire the power she possessed.
Much time has passed since that day, but...
There is only one being who can quench my thirst.
Isn't that right, Hilde?
A cinematic plays here.
A white figure descended from the sky, cutting through the cloud of dust.
Hilde
Apologies, Captain. I was delayed while scouting the area.
No problem! You're not late at all!
Rosaria
Ahahahaha!
As expected, preparing bait was the right call, Hilde.
I was quite hurt, you know. You kept hiding like a mouse and pretending not to see me.
Hilde
...Rosaria.
I'll ask one last time. You have no intention of stopping now, do you?
Rosaria
Spare me the soft words, Hilde.
This is a rare chance for us to clash with our full strength, is it not?
Come now. Entertain me like you used to.
Hilde.
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