Chapter 18: Racing Fates and Fandom Frenzy

No matter how jealous you are of her, is it really satisfying to ruin her genuine kindness like this?

“…It’s a misunderstanding. Lara hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s all me for being so inadequate…”

“What have you done to be so glum?”

Anyone observing might think that although he is usually icier than a bitter winter storm, in front of Lady Elina I he turns into a soft, caring man. Damn that bastard.

‘If I do this, it’ll look like I threw her under the bus! How can he treat a miserable bitch like that…!’

Diches, whether he cared for Lara or not, gently pressed Lady Elina I’s wrist and pulled her toward the door, just seconds before Lara’s neck was grabbed.

“Let’s go, Lady Elina I.”

“But…”

“You may forgive the one who hurt your feelings, but I surely won’t. I won’t stand by and watch.”

“My lord, I appreciate your concern, but Lara isn’t that kind of friend… We’ve only just become close, and yet it’s clear—Ah.”

Without offering a proper explanation, Lady Elina I could only stutter, “Ah…ah…”, as she was dragged away. Diches paused by the door handle and glanced back at Lara.

“Lara, I am disappointed in you. That said, I haven’t pushed you out of my heart. I’ll return around three o’clock to check on your condition.”

‘Maybe then you’ll realize just how worthless you really are…’

Once the two left, Elina II and Lady Elina III exchanged brief glances before immersing themselves in other matters.

God seemed pleased, rising to give what looked like a standing ovation, yet Lara couldn’t fully share in the joy.

Lara instinctively knew: although Lady Elina I was pure, kind, and gentle at heart, anyone who stayed close to her was doomed to play the villainess. Even without intending to, Lady Elina I’s very presence would turn circumstances in that direction.

The original heroine’s absolute authority remained unchanged.

* * *

Two weeks passed. It wasn’t until evening that Lara finally removed her full-body cast, relishing her newfound freedom. After a long time without a bath, she savored every moment. Once her damp hair was neatly braided and she had changed into pajamas, Lara pulled a suitcase out from under the bed.

It was a suitcase she hadn’t touched in nearly six months. She carefully dusted off the thin layer of grime and began sorting through the miscellaneous items inside.

‘What are you talking about? I’m not going to work tomorrow.’

‘I barely recovered; I deserve a full week of rest.’

‘Really! I need a break, and under no circumstances will I go to work tomorrow!’

Lara hammered her point home. When God started rattling off what was more important than world peace, Lara leaped up and shouted,

“Tomorrow is the day of the important Only-Event. I can’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

<...So what’s the big deal?>

Without answering, Lara flopped onto the bed, eagerly wishing for tomorrow to arrive as her lips curled into a cute smile.

The Only-Event was held at Suko—the capital’s Comic World. Given that it was the first Only-Event in half a year, Lara was charged with energy. With a determined resolve to grab every new fancomic, she stepped into the venue and soon spotted a familiar face.

It was 9 AM. Perhaps a bit late, Lara nervously bit her lip as her acquaintance quickly recognized her and approached.

“Hello there. You made it!”

“Hehe, of course! Did you get the new comic, Yuri?”

“Naturally. I arrived at dawn and stood in line waiting.”

Oh no… Lara apologized and dashed off toward Yuri’s new comic stand. She had long since lost any trace of noble grace as an aristocratic Youngae.

‘Don’t you know? It’s the Only-Event for Magical Girl Lilica. A gathering inspired by the manga that left an impression on its fans.’

Magical Girl Lilica debuted like a shooting star about ten years ago, a manga that shocked a society unacquainted with the medium. Although it remained a niche interest, its status as the world’s first comic was highly praised.

The creator, known only by the unique pen name Takeuri Hinako, never appeared in public yet continued to publish consistently, becoming a revered figure in all secondary realms.

While it was uncertain when the next volume would appear, the story of Lilica—chosen as a magical girl—transforming to fight the forces of darkness, brimming with hope and dreams, captivated fans of all ages. Each time the dark power was sealed, a white rose bloomed in its place, known in the story as the Erordis Flower and among readers affectionately as the Sealing Rose.

‘The Sealing Rose is said to hold the precious power to revive the magic stars, which is why Magical Girl Lilica gathers them. In the early chapters, Lord Robes and Lilica are presented as rivals over the Sealing Rose, but as they start helping each other, their chemistry becomes irresistibly charming!’

Lara was completely absorbed by their chemistry, having attended fan meetings since the age of thirteen to gather tidbits of information and expand her network. Even the acquaintance she saw earlier was someone she met at one of these gatherings.

‘Usually, they sell fan works. R-rated and even 19+ fanzines can be bought, making it a sacred place for collectors like me.’

Among her fancomic collection, Lara’s top favorite genre was undoubtedly the Lord Robes X Lilica pairing. The very first fanzine that introduced her to this world had been a birthday gift from Yuri.

‘The renowned Yuri in the doujin scene is famous for edgy 17+ and 19+ works.’

Though several copies were available, new fancomic editions could only be bought at the event. That’s why Lara was in such a hurry—if she missed this chance, she might never get another one. With items selling out as soon as the event began, she couldn’t afford to relax today.

Every passing Lord Robes poster seemed to wave at her. Finding the cumbersome suitcase a burden, Lara hoisted it firmly and dashed off.

She must have sprinted like crazy, for not far away she spotted a white table that seemed to be Yuri’s booth. Inside sat Yuri, a sophisticated figure in her mid-twenties, quietly waiting for the last customer to buy the final copy.

“Hello, Yuri! Could I have this one…?”

At the precise moment Lara leaped lightly to grab the new fancomic, a huge hand silently swooped in from the opposite side—swift as a baseball player diving into base while shouting ‘safe!’.

“I got it first.”

Lara looked up at the deep, resonant voice. A faded checked shirt and jeans caught her eye first. With a backpack bearing a rolled-up poster and a dakimakura cradled in one arm, the man’s round glasses barely concealed his sharp jaw, nose, and lips.

‘Who is that…? I feel like I’ve seen him before.’

Judging by the dark auburn hair peeking from under a slouched baseball cap and his solid build, he was undoubtedly a man.

“Hand it over, pal, Yuri.”

“Hey! What are you saying? I’m still holding it, and I grabbed it first!”

“Not so fast. It was a close call, but I was quicker.”

“How ridiculous! I said I got it first.”

Lara gritted her teeth, channeling all her strength into her grip on the sleek cover of the fancomic.

“…Let go of it.”

The cover, visible between his fingers, looked far more provocative and high-quality than any fancomic Lara had ever collected—set against a deep burgundy background with a bold image of Lilica bound by thorny vines and Lord Robes straddling her. The content was instantly piquing her curiosity.

“I’ll throw in triple the money.”

“Is that really the best you can do? Trying to bribe Yuri with cash?”

“You know nothing—money is king in this materialistic society.”

“Then I’ll give you four times as much, Yuri!”

Even if it meant forgoing four other fancomics, Lara wasn’t about to let go of her chance at Yuri’s new edition.

“I’ll offer you sixteen times the amount.”

‘Unbelievable…!’

Usually, you’d expect a fivefold bid. Four times over? Who does he think he is? Yuri, smiling awkwardly, interjected, “No, I’ll just take the original price.”

“Here you go!”

Lara swiftly pulled a wad of cash from her handbag, placed it on the table, then darted off with the fancomic clutched tightly in her hands.

“Hey, wait up!”

The man, clutching his chest, sprang after her. He was so fast that in a few strides he was only about five steps behind.

‘Damn…!’

As she ran, Lara abandoned the cumbersome suitcase. A loud clatter made her glance back, and she saw the man tripping over the suitcase.

His glasses had fallen off, and he was bent over, fumbling desperately to put them on. It was almost pitiful, but in the ruthless world of competition, there was no room for mercy.

‘Sorry, but the Erordis Flower—and more importantly, the new fancomic—is mine!’

Murmuring one of Lord Robes’ famous lines under her breath, Lara nonchalantly exited the event.