Chapter 58: A person made of lies

“Waaah! Help me!”

The childish fairy cried out like that.

Looking at the fairy being grabbed like prey in the crow’s claws, Lila only felt delighted inside, this foul-mouthed fairy had finally received her punishment.

Just now, when Lila ran off to get the cookies, she discovered that the silly crow had flown in through the window.

This little thing hadn’t been seen for a few days. Thinking about it, that made sense, this silly crow, with its walnut-sized brain, definitely wouldn’t think about forming connections with people.

It probably just thought there was food here, so in order to survive, it often came to Lila to beg for food.

During these past few days, it probably found enough food elsewhere, so it didn’t come around.

And now, it was probably hungry again.

‘What a dumb and lazy crow.’

Lila couldn’t help but curse in her heart.

Still, the silly crow did one good thing, when it flew in, its attention was immediately drawn to Rebo.

In that tiny brain of its, seeing Rebo’s colorful wings, it probably mistook her for some kind of insect.

Then the crow’s eyes widened instantly, its pupils shrinking into dangerous slits. It flapped its wings violently, stirring up a strong gust, and lunged straight at Rebo.

Rebo had been circling proudly in the air. Suddenly sensing a strong sense of danger approaching, she turned her head in terror. Before she could even make another sound, she was tightly seized by the crow’s sharp claws.

Rebo struggled desperately, flapping her tiny wings, kicking her legs in the air—but the crow’s claws held her tightly, leaving her unable to move.

In some situations, this silly crow was actually quite useful.

“Hey! You white-haired dumpling, you’re laughing at me, aren’t you?!”

“No, I’m just thinking about how to save you, Rebo.”

But even as she said that, Lila didn’t move at all.

“Alright! Alright! I know you’re holding a grudge! Forgive me, save me! You’re naturally beautiful, pretty, cute, and kind too. I’m not wrong, right?!”

Although Lila felt those compliments were a bit exaggerated, she still very much enjoyed seeing Rebo give in.

“Fine.”

Lila responded as if reluctantly, a trace of cunning flashing in her eyes.

Actually, she didn’t even know how to save Rebo, after all, who knew whether that dumb bird could understand her?

Still, she decided to give it a try.

“Hey, stupid bird! Put her down! How can you eat something dirty?!”

Lila ordered the crow.

The crow tilted its head, its black-bead eyes looking at Lila in confusion, as if trying to understand her words.

After a moment, it seemed to understand. It released Rebo, landed on the ground, and hopped step by step toward Lila.

“I’m not something dirty!”

Rebo, now free, became furious.

To avoid unnecessary conflict, Lila waved her hand and explained,

“Don’t be mad, I only said that to save you.”

The tiny fairy stood on the table, stomping her feet angrily.

“I don’t see any apology on your face.”

she accused.

“Then I’ll treat you to cookies. I made them myself, they’re really good.”

Lila took one from the tray, broke it into small crumbs, and placed them into Rebo’s tiny hands.

“Even… even so, I won’t forgive you!”

Rebo still sounded agitated, though there was less anger in her tone.

“Just try it.”

Lila smiled gently, eyes full of expectation, lightly shaking the cookie crumbs in front of her.

Rebo turned her head away, lips pouting high, still looking angry, but her little nose couldn’t help sniffing.

After a brief standoff, she couldn’t resist. She reached out her tiny hand, took the crumbs, and cautiously took a bite.

“So good!”

Rebo exclaimed.

Still just a kid, huh, Lila thought.

Watching this, Simon was a bit stunned. So the shopkeeper also had a slightly scheming side?

That was kind of scary.

Fortunately, she had never played tricks on him. Still, Simon felt happy. Without realizing it, he and the shopkeeper seemed to have grown closer.

Being able to see Comflor show her personality without guard, did that mean the distance between them was closing?

Thinking that, Simon felt comforted.

“Oh right, Simon.”

After watching the fairy munch on cookies and tossing some crumbs to the crow, Lila finally remembered why she had come to find him.

“What is it?”

Simon snapped out of his thoughts.

“Recently, there seem to be a lot of strange groups appearing. You should be careful.”

Lila said with a frown.

“What kind?”

Normally, people in the academy were screened, so there shouldn’t be dangerous groups. But seeing her worried face, Simon couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

He thought about it, under normal circumstances, the academy wouldn’t have particularly dangerous beings.

But now, he knew a calamity-bringing demon subordinate was lurking within the academy.

His heartbeat stalled.

“Could it be that thing?”, he asked, trying to hide it, looking at her with concern.

She nodded lightly.

“To be honest, I’m not sure either. Recently I keep feeling like someone is watching me, like I’m being followed.”

Simon’s heart immediately went on high alert.

“Shopkeeper, that’s dangerous! I’ll go with you to the inspection department, it’s safer there.”

His voice was urgent. He knew how dangerous monsters were. He didn’t want Komflor to be in danger.

Looking at his worried expression, Lila felt a bit dazed.

She could truly feel that Simon was sincerely thinking about her.

He looked even more anxious than she was.

Was it because, in his eyes, Comflor was just a harmless girl?

Probably.

Facing that worried face, Lila still chose to lie, after all, she was used to lies.

She shook her head gently.

“No need to worry. Ulysses gave me something like an alarm. If I activate it in danger, he’ll know and come immediately. So instead of worrying about me, you should take care of yourself during this time.”

Even though she didn’t need his concern, Lila still felt a bit happy.

But also a bit regretful.

Because he was Simon, a person trapped in the sweet illusion she had woven.

He didn’t realize that both the suffering and the comfort he received from Comflor came from the same source.

If he ever learned the truth, he would probably be filled with hatred and seek revenge against Lila.

But she would never let him know.

If only they could really be friends.

Lila couldn’t help thinking that.

“Well, it’s late. Go back and rest. And take the sword with you, keep working hard for a while.”

She still wore a bright, encouraging smile.

“Got it, shopkeeper. Just wait for my good news.”

With a lively and energetic mood, their conversation ended.

Lila watched Simon’s departing figure.

The warmth faded from her face. The slight curve of her smile disappeared, returning to an expressionless look.

The breeze blew through the window, brushing her hair.

She gazed at the unchanging scenery outside, her thoughts drifting far away.

Why was she treating Simon so well?

She suddenly asked herself.

Thinking carefully, she realized she had woven far too many lies.

She knew, or rather, she should know, that when hope, built on lies, collapses into despair, the resulting hatred would be even stronger.

All of it, was to keep the flame of life burning.

She had always thought this way.