Quietly Hiding that I am a Man chapter 80- Fake Goods

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In the early days of Etrance Academy, there were three guilds.

The Flare Guild, which upheld ‘Order,’ the Venus Guild, which championed ‘Beauty,’ and the Luna Guild, which embraced ‘Chaos.’

These three guilds had produced outstanding talents for centuries, intertwined like the gears of a clock.

The original novel centered around the Flare and Venus guilds, but as the author, I knew that Luna Guild was once a massive guild with immense power, even rivaling Flare, before Jerome sealed Mephisto within himself.

During Jerome’s time as guild leader, Luna possessed explosive strength and fame, sometimes even crushing Flare.

However, after Jerome was imprisoned in the underground prison, Luna, without a leader, quickly spiraled into ruin.

Seizing the opportunity, Flare rapidly expanded and became the top guild in the academy.

‘It’s not an exaggeration to say that what Flare enjoys now originally belonged to Luna. Had Luna not declined, Flare wouldn’t have been able to grow.’

The news of Jerome’s return left even the most seasoned guild executives visibly shaken.

Luke, who had been glaring at Jerome with clenched fists, abruptly turned and stormed out of the hall.

Mia, glancing between me and Jerome, hurried after him.

“Impossible! Has Jerome really returned?”

“Wasn’t Jerome locked up in the asylum? How is he here?”

The gazes toward Jerome were divided into two types: joy from those who were excited to see the hero of an old era in person, and open hostility from those wary of his return.

Yet, even amid the intense stares, Jerome remained unfazed.

As I watched him closely, I narrowed my eyes.

‘Why does he look so drained?’

I had no idea what had happened to him, but the guy who used to stay perfectly fine even without sleep or food for days looked oddly drained.

I forced myself to shake off the uneasy feeling creeping up inside me.

With Jerome here, I was sure the Luna Guild would regain its former glory.

Dylan, who had been watching Jerome with an excited expression, leaned forward.

“Jerome. Does your return mean you’ll resume your activities…?”

“No, quite the opposite. Shut the guild down.”

What?

At Jerome’s unexpected words, a chill ran down my spine. Jerome, who had been humming to himself, finally spoke.

His voice, filled with a quiet anger, resonated through the hall.

“I’m sick of it now—the whole ‘hero’ thing.”

Jerome finished speaking and turned without hesitation.

As he made his way to leave the hall, I quickly caught up and grabbed his wrist.

Jerome turned around willingly, his voice flat and emotionless.

“Jeanne.”

“…”

“This kind of thing means nothing to me anymore.”

My eyes widened at the familiar words.

The conversation between Ber and Jerome from long ago flashed through my mind.

“If it were the old me, I would have taken my own life by now. Because if I die, Mephisto will disappear too.”

“In that case…!”

“But now, none of that matters to me anymore.”

The reason I chose the Luna Guild was solely because of Jerome.

I had been certain that if Jerome, who once led Luna to the top, returned, the guild would regain its fame in no time.

But Jerome no longer wanted to be called the ‘Empire’s Hero.’

‘Why didn’t I think of this? No matter how much I try to protect the guild, if Jerome doesn’t want it, the guild won’t survive.’

I tightened my grip on Jerome’s wrist.

He looked down at me biting my lower lip, then playfully pulled his wrist free.

Grabbing both of my shoulders, he leaned in.

“Don’t make that face. I appreciate you trying to keep the guild for me. But I can’t do the hero thing anymore. You know, right? You know the state I’m in.”

“…”

“And being a hero isn’t such a grand thing. We’re just pawns in the game of those in power. I don’t want to throw my life away for nothing anymore.”

His tone, like he was soothing a child, stirred up complicated emotions in me.

I lifted my gaze from the ground. Jerome, who had locked eyes with me, froze for a moment.

I pushed his hands off my shoulders and asked,

“Then what does matter to you?”

“Hmm?”

“What do you live for now? What holds meaning for you?”

The ever-calm Jerome’s smile faded.

After a brief silence, he spoke gently.

“Do you really have to have meaning?”

“…”

“Isn’t a life without meaning still a life?”

Our gazes clashed sharply.

Thinking back, this might have been the first time Jerome had expressed his thoughts so seriously.

He always brushed off conversations that might reveal his beliefs with a laugh.

But this time, he seemed determined not to back down.

I stared at him quietly.

‘I don’t want to be a pawn in their game either, but the temple is looking for a guild to investigate the Corruption of the Sacred Beast. The Luna Guild must not be disbanded, especially if we are to find Maya’s Stone.’

I didn’t misunderstand Jerome’s desire to stop being a pawn.

But right now, I was as desperate for Mephisto’s disappearance as he was.

For both Jerome and me, the Luna Guild had to stay intact.

The moment I made my decision, I turned toward Dylan.

“Give me a little more time.”

“Fine. I’ll give you until tomorrow. Make your decision by then.”

As soon as Dylan granted permission, I walked past Jerome.

I could feel unfriendly gazes on me, likely from those familiar with Jerome.

Without asking, Jerome quickly followed by my side.

Glancing at me from the corner of his eye, Jerome murmured in an amused tone,

“Looks like we’re having our first lover’s quarrel.”

✽ ✽ ✽

Walking through the academy grounds with Jerome, my mind was in turmoil.

For most people, I could persuade them with the logic that ‘the guild must not disband because we need Maya’s Stone.’

But the guy humming a tune behind me was far from ordinary.

I glanced back at Jerome repeatedly, then asked hesitantly,

“Jerome, while you were stuck in that Asylum, wasn’t there anywhere you wanted to go?”

That’s why I decided to use the carrot instead of the stick.

If logic wouldn’t work, I’d have to melt his heart and coax out the answer I wanted.

Jerome narrowed his eyes at my sudden kind demeanor, then rolled his eyes as if thinking.

“There is.”

Jerome smiled meaningfully and grabbed my hand.

After about an hour’s carriage ride, we arrived somewhere.

Contrary to my expectations of being taken to a pub or a theater, Jerome brought me to a large white mansion on a hill.

I was taken aback by the unfamiliar mansion and glanced at the sign on the wall.

[Rolobury Asylum]

‘What kind of crazy person, after being locked up in a Asylum, would want to visit another Asylum?’

Seeing my face darken rapidly, Jerome explained defensively.

“But this one might have better facilities. The doctor could be nicer, and maybe the hospital food is tastier…”

“The more you explain, the weirder it sounds.”

A staff member, who had apparently been called out to meet us, led us inside.

Judging by how comfortably Jerome chatted with the staff, it seemed like they were well acquainted.

The staff led us to an outdoor terrace before leaving.

The terrace had the atmosphere of a grand glass garden.

It wasn’t as big as the one at the Efilia Duchy, but it was still spacious.

‘At least this place feels cozier than the Waverly Asylum. That place felt more like a prison.’

I spotted patients basking in the sun with their guardians.

There were both young and elderly patients, some of whom seemed to be suffering from delirium.

As I idly observed, a thought crossed my mind.

‘Does Jerome have a friend or acquaintance staying here?’

Considering the hour-long carriage ride, it must be someone important.

Who could it be?

A former lover?

A friend?

But then why did he bring me here if he was going to meet someone alone?

The more I speculated, the more uneasy I felt.

It wouldn’t be strange for someone like Jerome, with his striking appearance, to have a close companion.

But if that were the case…

‘If that’s the case… there was no need to bring me along.’

I was the kind of person who didn’t get upset even if my father forgot my birthday.

So why was I feeling so frequently let down by Jerome?

After about twenty minutes of waiting on the bench, I heard footsteps approaching and turned my head.

A large shadow loomed over my face.

“Jeanne, look. It’s a goose.”

Woof!

Just as I was lost in thought, the sound of barking snapped me back to reality.

Seeing a goose that barked like a dog, my mind went completely blank.

Jerome, who was hugging the goose and rubbing his face against its soft feathers, squealed in delight.

“A goose that barks like a dog—so cute. I guess even the geese raised at mental hospitals have a special cry.”

“It’s just a rabid goose. Put it down right now.”

“Can’t we take it with us? Would it be bad for Chloe’s emotional development?”

“Forget Chloe. I think it’s worst for my emotional development.”

Woof!

The goose, now looking more aggressive, pecked sharply at Jerome’s head.

“Ow,” he said, laughing awkwardly as he set the crazy goose down.

I stared at the snarling goose for a moment, then spoke.

“Jerome.”

“Yeah?”

Jerome smiled as he turned to me.

I looked at him for a while before clenching my fist tightly.

“Is someone you know staying here?”

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