Chapter 20

20. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (2)

"...Is that how it was? Now the pieces finally fit together."

A guess close to certainty.

The results of this guess will only be confirmed when the story ends.

For now, it seems I should be content with the joy of discovering something that even the other veterans didn't know.

"Hehe, I am Zero. It seems you mistook me for someone else."

"Ah... Is that so? Well, it's unlikely anyway. Time has passed..."

The jester fell into thought. But his moment of contemplation was very brief.

He opened his mouth, a smile so bright it seemed to reach his ears.

"Hi! I'm the jester! Did you come to get balloons too?"

"Hehe, despite appearances, I'm an academy student. Balloons are for children..."

Shudder.

Luna seemed to shiver slightly... but it must be my imagination.

It must be.

In this game, fifteen is considered an adult. There's no way she would want a balloon.

Even if Luna is childlike.

"Is that so? Then why did you come?"

"Hehe, I thought I'd play with the children... Is that okay?"

"Looking at you now, you seem to be students who admire the jester. Of course! Just, there's no pay, okay? Hehehe!"

The jester bent back to his waist and burst into laughter.

To react like that without even a funny conversation...

Indeed, he deserved to be called the 'Mask of Madness.'

Rodelin, who was checking the security around us, approached.

Given the distance, she probably didn't hear our conversation.

"Senior, is it okay if we play with the children?"

"Hmm, it's different from our original plan, but it should be fine. Playing with children is as important as maintaining security."

"Hehe, then I'll do my best today."

Rodelin approached the jester and began to write something in her notebook.

Perhaps she had seen through his strength.

The jester switched to a submissive mode.

"Hmm... Do you have a permit to operate?"

"Of course! Hehehe..."

The jester's authority, which even made the jester cower.

I was eavesdropping on their conversation with interest when...

Luna approached, her face full of irritation.

"Hey, what are you trying to do now?"

"Hehe, what do you mean?"

"I don't know how to play with kids. And why should I play with those brats?"

Indeed, from Luna's perspective, it must be absurd.

She was probably tense, thinking I was going to ask for something important, but it turned out to be playing with children.

However, Luna has no choice but to accept my request.

"This is my request. Hehe, there's a reason for everything I do."

"…This?"

She nodded vigorously.

Living with the jester until sunset. Then I can receive the [Mimic] skill.

This is the start and prerequisite for the hidden piece I want to obtain.

"Then, if I play with the kids, will you answer one question?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Hmm... In that case, I have no choice. It's annoying, but I have no choice."

Luna scratched her head and headed towards the jester.

The moment the adventure (?) for the hidden piece began.

* * *

"Hmm! That's a wonderful drawing. I'd like to hang it in our academy."

"My drawing! Please look at my drawing too!"

"Wait a moment. A good child knows how to wait their turn."

"Yes! Pretty sister!"

"Ahem..."

Though her tone was a bit stiff, Rodelin handled the children with remarkable skill.

Telling fairy tales, teaching proper behavior, and even drawing.

Her handling of the children was perfect.

A small fan club formed around her.

So, what is our Luna doing? Luna is...

"Hey! You guys! If you get caught, you're really dead!!"

"Kyaa! A monster is chasing us!"

"Yeah, I'm the monster! Roar!"

She was playing a game of tag with a group of children, which was essentially a physical fight.

It means she's playing very well with the children.

'Except that she's acting like a child herself.'

Her mental age and even her tone have regressed.

To the point where it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say the children are playing with Luna.

If someone unfamiliar saw this, they might think they were friends.

So, what am I doing?

I am...

"Hehe, here's a small ball. But if you hold it in both hands tightly..."

I opened my hands, which had been holding the ball.

Surprisingly, there was nothing in my hands.

"Wow! The ball disappeared!"

"It's magic! I made the ball disappear with magic!"

"Wait, does that mean my ball is gone?"

I didn't answer, just murmured, "Hehe."

The child who gave me the ball looked upset.

"Wait... What's going on?"

Something round was repeatedly popping out and retracting from my chest.

The children's attention was immediately drawn to it.

"It seems the ball wants to return to its owner. You must have treated it well."

I reached into my shirt and pulled out the ball the child had given me.

I handed the ball to the child along with one of the nearby balloons.

"Hehe, it's a gift. Take good care of your friends."

"Yes! Thank you, magician!"

She smiled so brightly.

Although magic exists in this world, magicians are not common, so it was enough to capture the children's attention.

"Hehe, the next performance will be a bit later."

The children scattered.

After a 5-minute performance, I took a 55-minute break.

It's a very good work-life balance.

Even though it's just for today, work-life balance is very important.

If we didn't consider the break time...

"Huff... Huff... I'm going to die. They'll definitely pass the entrance exam with this. Really, I'm telling you, they'll pass..."

Luna, who had been staggering, collapsed beside me.

She had been running around non-stop since we started, so it was natural for her to end up like this.

"I agree. How can they be so energetic and curious... I should propose a study. If it can be applied to the academy, it could lead to significant progress."

Rodelin, who had plopped down beside me, said this.

Her always neat ponytail was now frayed.

She probably didn't notice that the angle of the armband on her left arm had drooped.

"Hehe, we just need to hold on for half a day more. Everyone, let's do our best."

"Hey, aren't you going to give us something to eat? If you brought us here, you should at least give us food."

"Hehe..."

"What? Can't you hear me? I said, give me food!"

"Hehehe..."

"..."

Luna's eyes glared at me.

But I had no choice.

We were still living on the meals provided by the academy.

Especially now, in the square where various events were taking place.

The price of snacks was at least twice as high as usual, and food was even more expensive.

Yet, she was asking me to buy food?

Absolutely not.

"I didn't even bring my wallet! If you don't give me food, I'll eat you!"

"Hehe, Miss Luna. Cannibalism is prohibited in the empire. Isn't that right, senior?"

"It might be an exception now. Even His Majesty would agree."

"..."

No, are you selling out the emperor here?

Is this the same Rodelin I know? My heart swells.

I felt fierce gazes from both sides.

It's as if they're really going to eat me.

What should I do? Should I buy some cheap and filling potatoes?

Rodelin and Luna's faces were getting closer.

Ah... That's right. Potatoes won't fill them up?

Then potatoes and sweet potatoes? Would that be enough?

Still, they didn't stop.

Just as I was about to be squished between them...

"Hey, hey! Emergency! Something big has happened! Hehehe!"

The jester, who had been away for a moment, reappeared.

His movements were somewhat exaggerated, but it seemed something had happened.

"Hehe, what's the matter? I don't think anything bigger than my current situation could happen..."

"Well, the people who were supposed to perform a play didn't show up! Hehehe! It's a big problem, a big problem!"

The play has been canceled.

That means we have to fill the time.

Rodelin and Luna won't have time to eat either.

"..."

I didn't need to turn my head to know. Their eyes were full of anger.

They looked ready to tear me apart for not buying them something as expensive as meat.

"Hehehe! So... Could you guys perform the play instead?"

"Us?"

"Yeah, yeah! It's a very simple play. You can improvise the lines. The props are all ready. Hehehe!"

Yes, I guess we only need to prepare props for two people.

I'm about to change from a human to meat.

"Ah, really! Uncle Jester, that's too much! We're working hard for free, and now you want us to do a play...!"

"Hehehe... I'll give you food."

"Huh?"

"I'll give you food. Hehehe!"

Rodelin and Luna's gazes met in the air.

"There are studies that show plays help children's creativity and emotional development. It's something we must do."

"Didn't I say I've always wanted to be an actor?"

Senior, are there really such studies in this era?

Luna, and wasn't your dream revenge?

"Hehehe! Great. Then we'll all do it?"

"Hehe, I think I can sit this one out..."

"Hehe! No way. There's a perfect role for you."

A perfect role?

I don't know what it is, but I'm getting very nervous.

* * *

"Princess! I've come!"

"Hero! Please save me!"

Rodelin, in a cloak, gave a powerful performance.

Luna, tied up, was also excellent.

Not only their acting, but how well they fit together is amazing.

I realize again how truly talented they are.

By the way, Rodelin was the hero, and Luna was the princess.

And I am...

"Hehe, you're finally here?"

Black wings spread out behind me.

Cheap wings made of sturdy paper.

Yes, my role is... the devil.

"Ugh... Incredible demonic aura!"

"Hero! Be strong!"

The acting and lines are all improvised. It's a typical low-grade story.

But the acting is so good that the children are fully immersed.

'Let's finish this quickly and get some food.'

I don't know anymore. Let's just finish it.

"Hehe, come at me!"

"Devil! Taste my sword!"

"Hehe, that won't work. You can't defeat me with such crude sword skills."

The red eyes hidden in a squint.

It was the perfect climax.

The problem was that I made three mistakes here.

First, Rodelin is a hungry beast, second, my slip of the tongue.

And third...

Rodelin was too immersed in the role.

Her eyebrows twitched.

"Crude... You insult my family. You are a very bold devil."

Crack.

Rodelin placed her wooden sword on the ground, holding it at an angle.

Hmm? I've seen this motion before.

I quickly recalled where I had seen it.

It was a pose I had seen many times in the game.

"Wait...!"

But Rodelin's wooden sword had already moved.

Yes, this is...

The first secret technique of the Lucid family.

"Earth Flip!"

The stage floor began to flip.

A word involuntarily escaped my lips.

Damn it.