[Silver Ash] - Become The Strongest In Another World
CHAPTER 270: The Beginning of Farewell

...****************...

In the middle of the night, Noelle turns her into a bat, and goes to sneak in unbeknownst to all the agents who observe her.

Without a doubt she went straight into one of the windows in a mansion, and returned to her human form as Noelle Lynneheim.

Noelle sat on the window sill, silently watching the figure who was struggling with the collection of documents on the table.

Without turning his head, that figure, Nantz sil Grandbell spoke.

"I plan to start this month. Are you going to cooperate? "

"Lunar end? That fast? "

Nantz stopped working on his documents when he heard Noelle's shock response. He then turned his head, and smiled faintly.

"The sooner, the better. In addition, this plan can no longer be implemented. One of the escape routes I prepared was found by a military agent. It's only a matter of time until the other route is found."

That means they are in a state of urgency.

Although Nantz had not left any traces while creating all those routes, he was still worried. That's because if military agents are serious about finding it, they'll easily find that it was Nantz sil Grandbell who created all those tracks.

If that happens, Nantz's plan will fail.

Noelle sat quietly on the window sill, and thought with narrowed eyes.

There, Nantz noticed her and smiled wryly.

If she could, Noelle wanted to control Nantz without her having to be aware of it. However, Nantz's eyes that can see the truth behind the lie will be able to easily realize Noelle's ploy.

Because of that, Noelle had a little difficulty in making a plan so that Nantz could move as he wanted.

The thought seemed to be leaking out because Noelle saw Nantz chuckling.

"I don't mind being controlled by you. But, in exchange, you have to help me. Hows it? Is this already an equivalent exchange? "

Not very. Noelle wanted to say that, but she immediately shut up.

In fact, the deal is a bit unbalanced.

Nantz could ask for help in any form from her, but Noelle could only get something if she could control Nantz.

What's more, Noelle still doesn't trust Nantz, and there's a chance Nantz will resist when Noelle asks him to do something.

Forget about controlling it secretly. It was a futile thing. Nantz's eyes seemed to be able to see the true intent behind the stratagem of the person he was seeing.

(I'm probably too wary of him.)

Noelle let out a light sigh while closing her eyes. He looked at Nantz.

"Okay, I don't mind that. So, what can I do to help? "

Although not very profitable, Noelle had reason to accept this offer.

In fact, he could use Nantz's plan to kill his identity as Noah Ashrain. Because, as he had realized a while ago, the church's oversight of him had become increasingly strict. That means the church has focused their attention on him.

Although Noelle had deliberately lured some agents to practice it, this amount was quite beyond reason. They just kept quiet and watched, doing nothing. It could be, they were not humans, but rather puppets that were secretly controlled from behind the scenes.

Despite the weight, killing his identity as Noah Ashrain was the best way to escape the matter. It is better to do it quickly, before the church begins to exert their strength.

Seeing Noelle agree with his offer, Nantz actually kept a flat face with a thin smile as a decorator. He then returned to his documents.

"Not much. I just want you to help me with the last show. It will also help your plan, so be calm" he said, deepening his smile.

...****************...

Now is October 30, just one day before Nantz's real plan begins.

However, before that, there was something Noelle had to face.

"Happy birthday! "

At the Nautica bar, with Felice's usual cheer filling her, Noelle sat quietly on the chair as she stared at everyone around her in amazement.

Noelle was planning to visit the bar today, but the sign outside the door showed it was closed. Even so, Mona who saw him outside directly pushed him inside the bar, until finally this happened.

A simple chocolate cake is placed on the table. It was coated in white cream, decorated with various types of chocolate and nuts.

Noelle thought about it for a moment, and finally came to a realization of what had happened.

In his identity as Noah Ashrain, October 30 is his date of birth. That means he's on his birthday today.

Although this was going to be quite a fun party, Noelle had a very heavy feeling in her heart.

Not because he's unhappy. October 30th was the fake birth date he made for the identity of Noah Ashrain. However, it was the date he took from his own birth date as Canaria Izaya. You could say, it was indeed her birthday, which was why Noelle did not mind.

What made Noelle feel sick was the harsh reality that would befall her relationship with this bar.

Even so, he could not lower his eyebrows in disappointment. Felice's cheerful face made her want to maintain that smile, despite the fact that it was a fake smile.

"Thank you" Noelle said, smiling at everyone.

Compared to when he had first come here, the bar had experienced a considerable decline in the number of members.

Including Noelle herself, there were only five people present. The rest are Captain Dolf, Mona, Felice, and Dexter.

(It would definitely be different if Tian, Rita, or Louen were present with us.)

Felice thought so too, but she put all these thoughts aside, and chose to enjoy the time now.

(True, there is no point in regretting the past. My problem with Silis is something that happened in the past, I don't have to fixate on it.)

While watching Noah cut the cake, Felice smiled gently.

It was Noah's figure that made him develop that thought. To go on living life, without turning away from the past.

No matter what problem befell him, in the end it was caused by something that existed in the past. There's no point regretting that. He has to face it directly.

Felice nodded cheerfully as one piece of chocolate cake was placed on a small plate.

"Let me feed him first! "

Bribing someone on a birthday with a cake is a Republican tradition. The first feed means hope for happiness, the second feed means hope for luck, and the third feed onwards means cheerfulness and fertility.

The men present there did not quite understand the tradition, so they paid no heed to it. However, Mona who clearly understood the meaning of the mouthful had a gentle smile plastered on her face.

He gives Felice the plate, and lets the girl give Noelle her first bribe.

Usually, the first feed is the family, or the person who will be part of his family. Therefore, the first feed can be interpreted also as a feed of affection and love. Although not many know.

Felice took a small cut with a spoon, and asked Noelle to open her mouth.

For a moment, Noelle could see a strange smile on Mona's face, but she ignored him. In the end, Noelle opened her mouth, and accepted the bribe from Felice.

"It's delicious."

That's not a lie. It felt right, reminding Noelle of the cake that Olivia had made, even though it did not taste exactly the same.

Noelle has a very sensitive tongue, so it takes a special dose to fit her tongue. Miraculously, this cake is suitable for enjoying by his sensitive tongue.

"You should praise Felis for trying so hard to make it."

Mona's remarks made Noelle naturally look at Felice. Sensing the gazes of his four comrades, Felice's first reaction was an embarrassed smile, before finally turning into a small laugh.

"Now, you can all enjoy it. I hope you like it! "

Dolf and Dexter who saw it from the side could only smile wryly.

Felice was the youngest among them, so naturally she was considered a younger sister by everyone.

Unfortunately, Rita who liked Felice the most was not present here right now.

Even after the siege a few days ago, the Nautica bar still had no new members. The church was too busy organizing their troops to search for the traces of the Swallow Life Order and the Hermit Cult, so it was unable to split the focus for their small units scattered across the city.

Somehow the bar was able to survive with the number of members suddenly decreasing. But of course, the more shifts everyone has to follow, and the more time they have to close.

The loyal customers also question the presence of three people who always serve, and the bar can only tell if Tian died, but not with Rita and Louen. To date, Rita and Louen's absence is a recurring question that everyone begins to hear all the time at the bar.

The cake has been shared, and everyone has given their congratulations to Noelle.

Noelle sat on the chair right beside Mona who was alone, and suddenly asked with a moody expression.

"Who actually attacked you back then? "

This is a question Noelle does not yet know the answer to. He has the characteristics of the culprit, but not with his identity.

Mona suddenly silently pondered, and returned to answer while looking at Felice who was serving beer to Dolf and Dexter.

"Name Klowd. He used to be my neighbor, and we were pretty familiar. But, one day he suddenly left without giving any news, and a few months ago he sent me a letter."

Noelle read the letter in silence, and quickly concluded its contents.

"So he joined the Hermit Cult, and intends to recruit you, yes … "

It is undeniable indeed. Mona's talent in magic is quite obvious, although she rarely shows it. That should have been enough to become a member of the Hermit Cult.

Only, there was one mistake Klowd Noelle realized.

Unlike the members and traits of the Hermit Cult, Mona had absolutely no deep interest in magic. He was just talented, and used his talent as he should. However, he was not interested in digging deeper about magic.

Perhaps that's why Mona turned down Klowd's offer to join the organization.

"I myself never expected that he would join the Hermit Cult. Indeed, he was a little quiet, and would only speak when it was necessary. More ... I didn't expect that he would attack me."

Actually it makes sense. The case is similar to Silis's eyeing Felice.

Klowd may have deliberately volunteered to jump directly into this mission to finish off Mona.

His attack was enough to kill Mona, but there was one thing Klowd failed to predict.

He had not expected the presence of someone who could heal all Mona's wounds in such a short period of time.

Now Mona was fine, and she had also given Dolf a detailed account of the situation.

"Alright, I didn't expect that you had a relationship with him. Sorry for bringing this topic."

"No, no problem. I did want to tell you from the beginning, Noah. You're the one who told everyone about his physical features, right? "

"Then let's forget this, and enjoy the party" Noelle said as she lifted the cup containing warm tea.

"You're weird, Noah … "

Noelle heard the sound of daydreaming coming not far from where she was sitting. The words were spoken by Dexter, who was drinking his beer with a red face.

(His alcohol is strong, or he is weak?)

It's clear that Dexter is drunk right now.

"Whatchu mean? " ask Noelle.

Dexter was still unconscious, but he kept muttering a lot of things that were hard to understand.

"Ahhh .. Louen that bastard .. how dare he leave us. .. when he comes back I will hit him immediately … "

"Hehe, right. We have to punish Louen for suddenly leaving without telling us! " said Felice not far from her place.

Dolf who had remained silent since then also chuckled. "Don't worry about that, because I'll directly give him the punishment when he comes back."

Noelle, who knew the facts more than anyone, could only lower her eyebrows in disappointment.

To this day, he kept asking himself. Does she have to live up to the expectations Louen placed on her? The question kept echoing, but Noelle already had the answer.

He will not live up to his expectations. She'll be gone soon, leaving a place Louen and Rita desperately want to protect.

The hope Louen placed on her would also be dashed, and Noelle did not know what kind of expression Louen would give when she found out.

He'll be disappointed. No, more than that. The feelings of disappointment may be so high that they are difficult to measure.

Still, Noelle had no intention of changing her choice.

He would abandon Loen's hope, and leave as if he had no burdens. This was the path Noelle chose.

Guilt will continue to haunt him, and the sin of disappointing someone who believes so much will also be very heavy.

Noelle involuntarily smiled mockingly at herself, but she instantly covered the smile with a porcelain cup filled with her sweet tea.

...****************...

The party continues. Unknowingly, the sky began to turn orange.

The situation at the bar is already quite chaotic. A drunk Dexter suddenly opened the door of the bar, and all the loyal customers who were already waiting just walked in.

In the end, Noelle and Felice must overcome a sudden wave of customers.

Both of them have already left the bar.

Noelle intends to help Mona and Dolf to take care of the dirty cutlery, but Mona rejects him violently and immediately drives him home.

The same thing happened to Felice.

That is why, at this moment, the two can be seen walking leisurely on the sidewalk, towards their apartment which is not so far away.

The two continued walking in silence, until finally Noelle suddenly opened the conversation.

"By the way, has the corpse of that strange creature in your room been cleared? "

It was a long-standing problem, so Noelle almost forgot about it, she really only remembered when Felice said she was going back to her old room.

"Mhmm, yeah. They say that the creature is a familiar animal belonging to Silis. A type of tracking animal, which will instantly die after some time."

"So that's why the body is still there, yes … "

Noelle smiled wryly as she thought of that reason. The reason was so simple, that he could not help but click his tongue.

"Yahh, thank goodness. Now you can sleep in peace."

The syphilis is gone, too, so Felice doesn't have to worry about anything. Although, the situation would be different if Noir let Silis activate《One's Hope》to reincarnate.

Silence fell again, and Noelle already did not have anything she wanted to talk about.

He wants to break up with them. That was why, he wanted to cut off the conversation as much as possible, but at the same time also wanted to enjoy every moment he had left.

His feelings were so ambiguous, that he himself could not understand them.

Felice beside him rubbed her palms as she looked up at the sky.

"Winter is fast approaching, yes … "

Noelle also looked up, and noticed the flock was migrating to a warmer place.

"Hey, Noah …. Thank you." Thank you."

Beside him, Felice suddenly muttered, and made Noelle glance at him.

"For what? " ask Noelle.

"Everything. I thank you for all your kindness. If you weren't around, I might have fucked up by now."

" ……… "

Noelle did not speak, and let Felice continue her own words.

"You managed to convince me when I was at my worst. That's why I can apologize, as well as thank Louen and Rita. That's why I can be here now, spending time with everyone, without having to think about my past."

It's ironic. Noelle told herself that.

He managed to convince someone, and make it live without having to be tied to the past. However, he himself was still trapped in all of that.

Noelle had not moved a single bit from her past circle. Be it about her family, Olivia, Wakana Hakui, and everyone she has ever been attached to.

Every now and then he would think, is he really alive?

That's a silly question, because he himself knows the answer.

Noelle smiled in self-deprecation, and saw Felice move forward even faster.

Felice then turned around, showing a cheerful smile as well as a slightly unusual embarrassment on her face.

"Thank you, Noah. I don't know what else to say. I just want to marry you now."

He turned around again, facing the apartment building that was already in sight. For a while, he kept silent, then finally turned his head slightly towards Noelle who was still in her place.

"Of course, I'm kidding" he said with a shy smile.

Noelle lambsung realized her true intentions. He was not stupid enough to not realize that. It was impossible for the words spoken with that expression to be a joke.

She finally ran away leaving Noelle, rushing into her own apartment room.

Meanwhile, Noelle who was still standing there did not move in the slightest.

His gaze was fixed on the door of Felice's room which was visible from below, and a flawless smile instantly appeared on his face. This time, however, he did not bother to cover it up.

"I am the worst."

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