"Ares—I mean The First Year Representative, please take a seat!" Erina stated.
After hearing Erina's statement, I now understand what important matters she wanted to discuss with me.
I quickly came out of my thoughts and sat on the seat Erina had indicated.
"Why don't you take a seat as well, Ziona?" Erina turned to face Ziona and said, as Ziona stood behind my seat, instead of taking an empty seat beside me.
"No, I'm more at ease standing here; who knows what you're up to by letting our guard down?
When you're in enemy territory, it's always a good idea to be on guard." Ziona stated with a solemn expression.
"...."
"...It is not a wise move to label us as the enemy when we are merely attempting to establish friendly relations, is it?" Erina said while gazing at Ziona.
"And do you really think that you alone being on guard against everyone here will make a difference?" One of the students seated around the table said, and the others just nodded in agreement.
"Pftt, hahaha—"
Ziona burst out laughing as soon as she heard him, but I could just shake my head and smile.
!?
"...Oh, did I say something funny?" the student scowled and said, When he noticed our reactions.
"No, you didn't; it's just that your words reminded us of my brother—er, I mean the second-year representative," I clarified while smiling.
Huuu!—
After taking a deep breath, Ziona halted her laughter and continued.
"...Yes, he said the same exact words, almost got himself killed, and also every member of his faction wound up in the hospital after that.
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention how their factions' stronghold is now nothing more than a pile of dust," Ziona said, her gaze fixed on Erina.
"...."
"You—" One of the students seated around the table was about to speak up fiercely but Erina signaled him to stop.
"...I'll get right to the point since you don't seem to appreciate any more formalities," Erina spoke, pausing to look between Ziona and me before continuing.
"I will appreciate that," I replied with a smile.
"So...now that you've dealt with the second-year representative, I know you're planning to target the third-year faction leaders, which are undoubtedly Zerix and me.
And, as you may already be aware, I am contending with Zerix Madlock for the position of representative," Erina said, looking at Ziona to see how she would respond.
!?
"...I am not on good terms with Zerix, so you can say whatever you want without worrying about anything," Ziona clarified as she felt Erina's gaze on her.
Erina simply nodded when she heard Ziona before continuing.
"So, in order to defeat Zerix and his faction, I'd like you to work with me," Erina stated.
"...."
"What! Is that it?" I gave a response with a disappointed expression.
"Hmmm? What does that actually imply?" Erina scratched her head in confusion at my response.
"I mean, why should I assist you in dealing with him? And consider this: what if I did assist you and Zerix is dealt with? Then what? Will you voluntarily give up on being the representative and appoint me as one?" I smiled at Erina and questioned while entwining my fingers.
"...."
"...Once Zerix is out of the race, we can compete against each other and the winner will be the representative, isn't that impartial?" Erina elaborated.
"Be honest with me, Erina, did you really think I couldn't figure out what you were up to?" I asked, staring at her blankly.
"W-what are you on about—" Erina attempted to clarify her intentions, but I interrupted her and began speaking.
"Let me explain your predicament to you: confronting Zerix's faction members and having lost to them after being badly beaten up, most of your faction members have already left, and some have even abandoned you and joined Zerix.
And, if my analysis is correct, it will only be a matter of time before Zerix's side completely destroys your faction.
Furthermore, half of your faction members are elves, and they may have already stated that they will not oppose Diana.
Therefore, if I were to pursue you right now, you wouldn't have enough manpower to fight Zerix, and on the other hand, you have no means of countermeasures to defend against me.
So, having reached the end of your rope, you made one last desperate attempt... Which was to seek my cooperation rather than going against me," I explained and paused for a moment.
After I finished speaking, there was complete silence in the room.
"Oh, do you also want me to tell you about your other plans once Zerix is defeated, Princess Erina?" I inquired, intrigued.
"...."
Erina finally spoke after a brief pause, but before I could speak again.
"...No, you don't have to; everything you said is accurate! You can decide whether to believe me or not, but I couldn't give a damn if I wasn't chosen as a representative for the tournament or even if I lost to Zerix.
...And I'm only going to such lengths because I just don't want to betray the effort and faith my faction members have placed in me over the years during my conflicts with Zerix," Erina admitted with a melancholy smile.
!?
"P-Princess!" When Erina's faction members heard her, they were taken aback and became sentimental.
"So you and Zerix have been at odds since your freshman year?" Ziona abruptly inquired.
"...Yes, and this battle for representative is equal to us settling our previous years' disputes to see who will eventually come out on top," Erina explained.
"I still don't understand why you want to defeat him so badly. It's okay to lose sometimes.
There are times when you just can't win against someone no matter how hard you try, so you just have to accept your loss and keep working harder until you can defeat that person," Ziona remarked.
"I truly understand where you're coming from, but I can't appreciate how Zerix treats people, and if I lose to him, it'll be like— well, you won't understand anyway," Erina paused in her statement and said awkwardly before turning her attention toward me.
"...."
Ziona was left speechless when she heard her.
"...I'm even willing to work under you for this tournament if you can help me defeat Zerix," Erina announced.
!?
"B-But Princess!"
Other students in the room attempted to object to Erina's decision, but she stopped them.
"Please stop! I've already made up my mind. Except for that scumbag Zerix, I can work with anyone," Erina stated.
When I heard Erina, a huge grin appeared on my face.
"All right then, if you're willing to work with me voluntarily, I see no reason to decline your request," I said as I rose from my seat.
"Just let me know when you plan to make your move on Zerix," I said, disappearing from my seat and instantly materializing right beside Erina.
!?
The other students in the room were taken aback by my quick movements and were shocked to see me standing beside Erina in an instant.
"...I'll contact you when the time comes," Erina said smiling, and extended her hand for a handshake as she got up from her seat.
I simply returned her smile and shook hands with her.
"...."
"Wow! She joined hands with a devil to deal with some dumbass dog," Irethiel remarked sarcastically.
***