#344
Just One Bite
The monorail was unnecessarily spacious.
Even with all of us, including me and the heroine, loaded with ski gear, there was still room to spare.
Once everyone boarded, the monorail began to move with a gentle hum.
It operated automatically without a conductor, quickly heading towards the slope.
The interior of the monorail was unnecessarily luxurious.
Plush carpets and walls adorned with gold leaf came into view.
Naturally, the inside of the monorail was warm due to heating, unlike the outside.
Is this some kind of royal train?
Why is it so over-the-top?
“Whoa!”
Eri was glued to the window, let out a gasp.
Through the window, the ski course, blanketed in white snow, and the surrounding coniferous forest were visible.
In the original work, and in Japanese light novels, getting stuck in the mountains while skiing or doing other things at night is a cliché, but with this level of vigilance, it seems harder to get lost.
That would be the case normally.
[Partner, are you nervous?]
The voice of the Black Prince echoed in my head.
Nervous, huh?
I’m not really nervous at all.
Three EX-rank villains.
They could probably wipe out a country in a day, but one of those three is on my side.
Plus, I have Seira, who, although a half rank, is also EX-rank, and considering the full strength of the Japan Hero Association available for emergencies, this is a game I can’t lose.
No need to be nervous.
I already know the enemy’s strategy.
They plan to isolate us with a barrier and simulate an avalanche situation.
Sure, Dokta Shinahel’s vision magic, the World Glass Barrier, is powerful, but if I know the barrier’s weaknesses in advance, breaking it won’t be impossible.
In fact, it’s more likely that Dokta Shinahel would get injured from the recoil of breaking the barrier.
So I just need to play dumb and get caught in their trap to hit them with a surprise.
[You can ski, right?]
The Black Prince’s voice echoed again.
Ski?
Wait, is “nervous” about skiing?
That’s ridiculous.
‘Who says I can’t ski?’
I’m not a pro, but I’m not a total beginner either.
Back in college, every winter, my department would go for a winter MT to the ski resort, and thanks to that, I can manage the advanced courses without much trouble.
[Really? I thought you were nervous because you couldn’t ski. Well, I’m glad that’s not the case. But if you ever think your skiing skills are lacking, just let me know. This Black Prince will synchronize my skiing techniques honed in the Alps with you! Hahahahahahaha!]
What on earth is Olivia doing in the Alps?
Just as I sighed internally, an announcement echoed through the monorail.
[Attention passengers, we will soon arrive at our destination, the Yi Sun-sin Course. Thank you.]
Why on earth is this course named after General Yi Sun-sin?
My face heated up.
Thud.
The monorail came to a stop, and the doors opened automatically.
The view of the ski resort from the Yi Sun-sin Course was quite nice.
As soon as everyone got off, the monorail set off again toward the ski house.
“Welcome to the course! Please enjoy skiing freely from now on!”
Before Han Seo-Jin could finish her sentence, Olivia jumped in.
“Ohohohoho! This course is a piece of cake for me, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! Everyone, get ready to be amazed by my graceful skiing! Got it?”
“Hmph. Who said anyone should get ready to be amazed? For me, this is easier than twisting a newborn’s wrist.”
Lin retorted, her gaze clashing with Olivia’s in midair.
Sparks flew.
It wasn’t just exaggerated animation; Olivia and Lin were really letting their magical powers spill over.
“Then it’s a competition! Who gets to the finish line first!”
“Bring it on!”
Were they still on about that dumb competition?
A sigh escaped me.
What is even happening?
“Since a competition without a prize is boring, let’s put something at stake. The winner will get to go on a date with Deok-Sung. What do you say, Bonaparte?”
Thud.
Lin placed her hand over her chest.
Even beneath her bulky ski jacket, her ample figure was evident.
How big could it possibly be?
“Are you sure you won’t regret that proposal? The outcome of this competition is already decided! It will be victory for Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte! Ohohohoho!”
Olivia covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed.
“Ugh… I hope you don’t end up regretting it.”
Zing.
Lin glared at Olivia as she spoke.
What the heck.
Just compete already, no need to wager something.
This feels oddly unsettling…
Just as I was thinking that.
“It’s not just a competition; if it’s a date with Kim Deok-Sung… I’m in!”
Out of nowhere, Aris snowboarded into the standoff between Olivia and Lin.
Her silver eyes quietly burned with passion.
I knew it.
What I thought would just be a ski trip suddenly took a sharp turn into chaos.
My head hurt.
“Participants are always welcome! The more challengers Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte has, the more my overwhelming superiority will shine through!”
Thud.
Olivia laughed as she placed her hand over her chest again.
Recruiting more challengers, huh?
‘What kind of baseless confidence does Olivia have?’
[Partner. Calling my lovely sister Olivia’s confidence baseless is outrageous! Since she was a child, she has been honing her ski skills every winter at the Alps. She’s a skiing genius admired by professional athletes!]
The Black Prince countered in my head with a serious voice.
Ah, right…
But that doesn’t mean they praised her just because she’s a princess, does it?
According to the setup, Olivia holds a status akin to a national idol in France.
It was the same when I actually visited France.
Of course, I may not be the embodiment of that damned nationalistic fervor, but I do have my share of national popularity.
Who on earth would have the guts to tell Olivia she can’t ski…?
I decided to stop thinking right there.
After all, everyone is just an amateur, and unless we use magic, skiing well won’t make much difference.
“Hmm. If that’s Lady Bonaparte’s intention, then I shall participate too!”
As soon as Olivia finished speaking, Seira shot her hand up.
Her red eyes were burning with excitement.
[Sis… you’re not even hiding it anymore…]
Seeing her, the Black Prince let out a sigh.
To be participating in another child’s game after the sports festival.
From the Black Prince’s perspective, it’s enough to make him want to collapse.
“Hawawawawa! Then I, too, shall participate! I want to showcase my skiing skills, honed in the Scottish Highlands, to Mr. Kim Deok-Sung…!”
Boom.
Next up with her hand raised was Evangelin.
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
From the Alps to Scotland.
We’re going unnecessarily global here.
In this sudden ski race, the contestants became Olivia, Rin, Aris, Evangelin, and Seira—a total of five.
“I will entrust the judging to Ms. Han Seo-Jin and Mr. Kurosawa, ensuring fairness to all!”
And so we had the judges, Han Seo-Jin and Kurosawa Yuji.
A total of seven people were now involved in the ski race.
Before I could even say anything, the preparation for the race was completed in an instant.
The rules were naturally a ban on using magic, with the winner getting to go on a date.
A damn date, really.
“Now, get ready.”
On the slope, Olivia, Aris, Rin, Evangelin, and Seira all lined up at the starting line.
Han Seo-Jin and Yuji watched them from either side.
“Start!”
With Han Seo-Jin’s calm voice, the five shot down the course simultaneously.
And aside from the five heroines who vanished in an instant, the ones left on the slope were Eri, Makoto, Senior Kasumi, Haru, and Beatrice.
At the café and rest area at the top of the slope.
I turned to the five sipping coffee at the outdoor table.
For your information, everything in the cafes, restaurants, and convenience stores inside the ski resort was free.
Only Beatrice seemed awkward, sipping cocoa without mingling.
“Why aren’t you guys going skiing? Even you, Senior Kasumi?”
I asked the four of them crowded together, and aside from Haru, their faces turned a bit red.
“Uh, um, Junior…”
Kasumi was stammering when—
“Nishishishi. That’s because the sisters and I can’t ski!”
Haru grinned, showing her teeth.
Can’t ski, huh?
Well, in the original work, the four members, except for Beatrice, couldn’t ski either, so Yuji had to teach them.
Beatrice’s character never even went outside, so it makes sense for her not to ski.
“So, Mr. Deok-Sung. Will you teach the super cute JK gal Haru how to ski? Haru really wants a heart-thumping♥ ski private lesson from you! Nishishishi. If you want, I’m totally down for a lesson that’s even more heart-thumping and stickier.”
Getting up from her seat, Haru whispered in my ear.
A ski lesson?
Was that the point from the start?
“Nishishishi. The sisters are such fools. Getting a private lesson with Mr. Deok-Sung during a ski race is a million times more beneficial.”
Haru giggled behind her hand.
“Hey, Kurosawa. What kind of schemes are you brewing, sneaking around my Master behind Eri’s back? Hmph. A personal lesson! Eri! You can’t let this slide! Master, are you going to teach Eri how to ski too? Right?!”
“Are you kidding me? Hmph. Private lessons, huh! Eri! I can never forgive this! Master, Eri is going to teach me how to ski, right?”
As she said this, Eri suddenly jumped up from her seat.
She came over and squeezed between Haru and me, exclaiming, “Master! I want to learn skiing from you too!”
Then Makoto followed closely behind Eri.
“Junior… I mean, while I enjoy this neglect play, I also want to learn skiing from you now. You’re not planning to use me and then toss me aside, right, bad boy Junior?”
Finally, senior Kasumi looked over and said, “Ski lessons, you say? I don’t mind skiing, but teaching someone else is a whole different ball game.”
But I couldn’t just leave them like that either.
What should I do about this?
Just then, Han Seo-Jin suddenly appeared behind me and whispered, “Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. I can help with the ski lessons.”
With Han Seo-Jin’s help, I felt reassured.
“Hey, what about the ski race judging?”
“I’ve delegated it to Kurosawa Yuji and the ski resort staff, so it’s all good.”
If that’s the case, then it’s no problem.
“Alright. Then follow me. I’ll teach you how to ski. Beatrice, you too.”
“W-Why should I partake in the trivial winter games of humans…?”
“If you don’t want to, I’ll leave you here all by yourself.”
“…I suppose I am lenient. So, I’ve had a decent interest in the foolish games of humans from the start.”
Beatrice flared up at first but then backed down at my words.
She should have done that sooner.
Thus, I ended up holding an impromptu ski class with the remaining heroines.
*
At the same time.
Outside Kim Deok-Sung Resort.
In a place guarded firmly by military and police joint forces, three foreigners were secretly monitoring through observation magic from the rooftop of a dilapidated motel.
They were Undertaker, Dokta Shinahel, and Diego Morales.
As Dokta Shinahel took a bite from a piece of spicy chicken from Sokcho on a disposable paper cup using a toothpick, he commented, “The security seems tight, but there are more openings than expected. It’s the perfect condition for infiltration.”
“Considering our combat strength, stopping us would be nearly impossible,” Diego Morales said quietly.
He picked up a large piece of Sokcho spicy chicken and stuffed it into his mouth.
Three EX-rank villains.
With a strength comparable to a nuclear bomb gathered here, there’s no such thing as an impenetrable defense line.
“Still, quietly infiltrating is more advantageous for mission success than making a scene. If we make noise breaking through the defenses, the enemy might flee upon realizing our presence.”
Diego Morales grabbed another piece of Sokcho spicy chicken and shoved it into his mouth, his cheeks puffing out.
“Well then… Huh?”
Dokta Shinahel’s eyes turned toward the paper cup filled with Sokcho spicy chicken.
There was nothing left in the cup.
Just crumbs.
Seeing this, Dokta Shinahel’s gaze shifted to Diego Morales’s stuffed cheeks.
“Did you eat it all?”
“I only had one bite.”
“What do you mean one bite?! Stop joking! I was saving it!”
Dokta Shinahel grabbed Diego Morales by the collar, and they started to tussle.
Underneath, Undertaker sighed as she watched the two from the back.
It was just half a day until the operation execution.
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