My Illusion Is Survival - Chapter 71

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 71

 

The first day of being confined at Azel’s mansion.

 

Early in the morning, the first thing to greet me was a parade of dishes coming in.

 

“Uh- today’s menu is premium beef steak.”

 

In front, Dekan was making a pompous face while reading tiny writing on a small note,

 

“That whatsit, the beef was smoked with oak wood to capture the deep flavor of the mountains…”

 

And beside him, Simoer stood holding a water carafe with an incredulous expression,

 

“Mm, the accompanying purée combines wild mushrooms and chestnuts harvested early in the morning to enhance the fragrance.”

 

Finally, Linoa Marigold stood beside me with her usual calm expression.

 

So naturally, faced with this incomprehensible situation, I couldn’t help but be bewildered.

 

“The menu on this plate is bone broth mixed with red wine at low temperature-”

 

“What is all this?”

 

“Pardon? Should I repeat it? This is quite difficult.”

 

“…No, what is this feast that would make a 5-star hotel jealous?”

 

Immediately, all three pairs of eyes turned toward me.

 

“It’s the breakfast menu.”

 

“Originally, Milrak was supposed to come personally and explain each course, but he couldn’t come because he’s busy preparing lunch and dinner.”

 

“So I came instead!”

 

It’s just that there was no proper explanation.

 

“…So what does this have to do with confinement?”

 

Only after meeting my bewildered gaze did Simoer give me a proper answer.

 

“The master said that since you’re already confined and must be feeling frustrated, we should at least take proper care of your meals.”

 

As expected, it was Azel’s doing.

 

But the shocking news didn’t end there.

 

“Is there anything you’d like to do after your meal?”

 

“What can I do when I’m confined?”

 

“You can choose between a walk, massage, or light morning exercise. Oh, and of course you can sleep more too.”

 

“…Is this really a hotel?”

 

What was with that package catalog-like guidance? Meanwhile, Linoa Marigold added with a shy face.

 

“By the way, the post-meal massage is my responsibility.”

 

She said that although it’s her first time with regular massage and she’s still clumsy, she’ll work hard to get used to it quickly. At this point, I was starting to wonder if I had misheard something yesterday.

 

‘Is this right? Isn’t confinement supposed to be depressing because you can’t go outside freely, somewhat impoverished, and lonely?’

 

Just then, Simoer’s explanation continued.

 

“The master said that if you stay only in your room, you might easily become depressed, so he recommends outdoor activities as much as possible.”

 

“Then why did he use the word confinement? That doesn’t make sense.”

 

“You’re right. I agree with that too.”

 

It was a clean acknowledgment. Simoer, who seemed to have a profound reality check, appeared to be the only one who empathized with my feelings.

 

“Anyway, miss, you just need to not leave this mansion.”

 

No matter how I thought about it, Azel definitely didn’t understand the definition of confinement.

 

“Additionally, from now on, I will be attending to you instead of Linoa Marigold.”

 

“Why is that?”

 

“Because there’s a risk that Linoa Marigold might help you escape together.”

 

Just when I thought he had at least considered that much, Linoa Marigold expressed dissatisfaction for the first time.

 

“I told you I don’t agree with that part.”

 

“Go tell the master, not me, Linoa Marigold. Really, who told you to boldly declare betrayal in front of everyone?”

 

“I was just upholding my beliefs.”

 

“What am I supposed to do about that.”

 

Simoer’s voice was definitely sensitive in his response. It was understandable since his workload had suddenly doubled because of this incident.

 

“…It’s not my fault, but I’m sorry, Simoer.”

 

“Then I hope you’ll reconcile with the master quickly.”

 

“But we didn’t fight, so how do we reconcile?”

 

“Then how about fighting first and then reconciling right away?”

 

If I could do that, I would want to.

 

‘What would I even say to reconcile? I can’t say I’ll stay here.’

 

As I was turning my gaze away, half dejected.

 

Suddenly my eyes fell on a corner of the table. Among the fancy feast plates, there was one plate that particularly caught my eye.

 

It looked somewhat like a sandwich at first glance, but it wasn’t a sandwich.

 

“…Hamburger.”

 

Last night’s joke about my childhood dream was on that small plate.

 

‘What kind of hamburger is that.’

 

It was amusing how they didn’t know what it was and just tried their best to recreate my description. Of course, the most amusing thing was me picking up the sandwich pretending to be a hamburger in front of this splendid feast.

 

I could feel Dekan looking at me curiously, but I didn’t care about that.

 

“You’re eating that first instead of the steak?”

 

“This looks the most delicious.”

 

Right now, I just wanted to see Azel.

 

“After I finish eating all this, I’ve decided what I want to do.”

 

Acting foolish was enough for now.

 

*

 

“Where are you going now?”

 

“You said I could do whatever I want after finishing my meal.”

 

After finishing my meal, I boldly headed to Azel’s office with Simoer in tow.

 

Though I was stopped by Simoer who noticed this in front of the door.

 

“I believe I told you to choose between a walk, massage, physical training, or a nap.”

 

“Then I’ll choose a walk. I’ll decide the destination. Azel’s office sounds good.”

 

Of course, I wasn’t the type to give in just because of that.

 

“That person is inside right now, isn’t he?”

 

“I cannot tell you that. And weren’t you feeling depressed earlier about not being able to reconcile?”

 

“I was worried about how to reconcile. And if there’s a difference of opinion, we should meet and resolve it through conversation.”

 

I thought about it throughout breakfast. How we ended up in this situation.

 

Finding the answer wasn’t as difficult as I thought.

 

‘We haven’t communicated enough.’

 

I had been too foolish all this time. The problem was that I only asked people around me because I was afraid to confirm Azel’s answer.

 

‘In the end, I didn’t know Azel well either.’

 

I thought I knew Azel well.

 

Despite making a fuss about how he was different from what I originally knew, I was still treating Azel like an emotionless psychopath.

 

‘Azel choosing the extreme measure of confinement is ultimately my responsibility.’

 

I ignored the hurt Azel would receive and only thought about myself. To set everything right even now, I had to meet him somehow as soon as possible.

 

“I’ll just see his face for a moment and go.”

 

“He’s not inside.”

 

“That’s a lie. You told me earlier to fight and then reconcile, so why are you suddenly blocking me?”

 

As I glared at Simoer who was blocking my way when every moment was precious, he suddenly let out a sigh.

 

“There was an order from the master. He said not to let anyone into the ’empty office.'”

 

Simoer’s eyes were lifeless as he said this. Only then did I seem to understand the full story of this situation.

 

“Unless there is an order from my master, I will help you, Miss.”

 

‘He’s not blocking me because he wants to.’

 

Right. If he really wanted to stop me, he would have restrained me before I even got this far. That firm voice was meant for Azel to hear, not me.

 

Indeed, when I silently pointed at the door with my chin, Simoer nodded.

 

‘He’s inside, but Simoer can’t let me in directly himself?’

 

Then the method was simple.

 

‘I need to draw him out.’

 

If I couldn’t go in, I just had to make him come out on his own.

 

Simoer’s expression crumpled instantly when he saw my smiling face.

 

True to his quick wit, Simoer had already figured out what I was about to do when he saw me point at the necklace with my finger.

 

“Ugh!”

 

“Miss!”

 

As soon as I clutched my chest and bent over, Simoer supported me with an urgent voice that contrasted with his impassive facial muscles.

 

“Pull yourself together, Miss!”

 

There couldn’t have been more perfect cooperation than this.

 

“What’s happening!”

 

“Miss! Are you alright?”

 

“Lady Elpis?!”

 

Just then, unexpected help came pouring in. People who had been watching this way rushed over upon hearing the commotion, and Simoer delivered the final highlight.

 

“Could it be because of the mana suppression device-!”

 

This bait was more than enough.

 

Immediately, the door opened with a clicking sound.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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