Chapter: 140
When I first started the raid, I expected to stir up hostility from the other students.
My usual image is not great, and raiding isn’t exactly a clean act.
Even if the Academy allowed it, I was the one who actually did it. Naturally, people would think of me as that bad girl.
But you know, as I kept raiding, I began to feel that the anger from people was more severe than I thought.
Some of them really glared at me with murderous intent when I raided them!
I used to joke about having long since ditched my reputation, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be the target of everyone’s hatred.
After working hard to become a talented girl, I can’t evolve into someone competent but annoying, with a nasty personality who everyone wants to get revenge on!
I’m not that strong mentally! I don’t want to experience students in the Academy clicking their tongues and cursing at me every time I walk by!
Sure that I was on my way to becoming the Academy’s public enemy, I pondered how to resolve this situation and came up with one plan.
This world doesn’t recite a predetermined story, so this plan was possible.
To be exact, it wasn’t my plan.
When I asked Grandpa if it would be okay to try something like this, he laid out the whole script from start to finish for me.
The mind of someone who worked as a commander in a massive war, a high-ranking noble, and a holy knight was no joke.
When I listened to Grandpa casually mention it, my head really went blank. I wonder if I could do something like that someday.
Anyway, the structure of this plan was simple. Redirect the various emotions directed at me to others.
Since the moment I started raiding, it was inevitable that someone would harbor bad feelings towards me.
If they had their possessions taken away after working hard for them, how could they not be angry? But I didn’t have to bear the negative feelings that arose from that.
The direction of emotions changes all the time depending on the situation.
I chose the Academy’s professors to be my scapegoat.
There were two reasons.
One was that sending the emotion of anger towards the strong was more convenient than sending it toward the weak.
The other was that if I shifted the responsibility to the professors, it might lead to a good conclusion.
After all, the professors are the ones responsible for this field trip, right?
If they were to be blamed for the students’ troubles, wouldn’t they have to give compensation?
As I reflected on my thoughts, Grandpa said it was not a bad idea and added some advice on top.
[Create a massive chaos that the professors can’t help but intervene. Make them mess up over there.]
[In the end, yes. You can conclude by using your blessing to shake the emotions of the one who looks responsible.]
Honestly, I didn’t think it would go this well.
If it weren’t for Arthur desperately gathering people to get back at me for what I did, this level of chaos wouldn’t have happened.
Thinking about how Arthur actually perfected the plan, I should really get him a gift later. What would be good?
I glanced at Jessel’s face, who had realized her slip of the tongue.
Even though she’s only in her late twenties, she’s already a professor at Soul Academy. Naturally, she’s talented and quick-witted.
Just a moment ago, she was blabbering because her reason had flown out the window due to my provocation, but now that she seemed to regain her composure after hearing Arthur’s words, she must have realized the mistake she made.
But even if she did, it wouldn’t change anything.
Once she said it, she couldn’t take it back, could she?
“Right now, you’re in a position to lead them, so I think I need to ask you again. If what you just said is true, then it means many students will end up failing the field trip because of the professor’s judgment.”
“Uhh… well…”
With that, am I done with my part now? The rest is up to Arthur.
He’s good at talking, smart, and holds a high position.
I’ve set the stage perfectly—can’t he handle that?
I’m going to go take a break. I’m tired after moving without a wink of sleep for days.
Running a command, preparing for battle, and keeping watch all by myself is kind of hard, huh?
*
“You’ve admitted that we suffered losses. What kind of compensation will you provide?”
“Right. Even if we understand that, what about the feelings of the students who can’t avoid failing because of this incident?”
The students who had collapsed due to Anton’s extraordinary conduct started to rise one by one, voicing their protests toward Jessel more aggressively.
Jessel explained to them that it was unavoidable for their safety, but it didn’t work. The justification was with the students now.
There was one problem. Just a moment ago, Jessel had mentioned the possibility of students being impacted with her own mouth.
If she hadn’t acknowledged that, there wouldn’t have been any issue. If she had just said she was focused on the students’ safety, what could they possibly say?
But Jessel couldn’t withstand Lucy Allen’s nagging and ended up creating justification with her own words.
I wonder why she did that just now?
It’s not the first time that children from high-ranking noble families say whatever they want.
But why?
“Professor Jessel? Can you answer me?”
At Arthur’s question, Jessel tightened her fingers. What should I do? How do I resolve this situation?
“I will answer in her stead.”
While Jessel hesitated about what answer to give, Anton, who was standing next to her, pressed her head down and stepped forward.
“This incident was indeed our professors’ mistake. We apologize, Your Highness.”
“That’s fine. So how do you plan to deal with it?”
“There will be no one who fails among those who participated in this field trip. Of course, the rewards will be separate based on the number of items collected.”
“Pardon?!”
The one who was most shocked by Anton’s outrageous statement was none other than Jessel. No one would fail the field trip!
“Professor! That’s…”
“Don’t worry. There won’t be any problems.”
Anton smiled at Jessel, who anxiously turned her head, throwing her a questioning look.
With that, Jessel couldn’t say anything.
Anton, who ruffled Jessel’s hair as she bowed in embarrassment, turned to Arthur.
“Is this enough to satisfy you, Your Highness?”
“Quite so. I appreciate your generous decision.”
After politely bowing to Anton, Arthur turned and exhaled deeply.
Lucy Allen. Did you expect all of this?
From the very first night, when I ambushed several students, did you aim for this moment?
Arthur didn’t ask Lucy Allen this question, but somehow he felt he knew the answer.
She surely had predicted everything.
That the students would harbor malice toward her.
That Arthur would rally people using that.
The chaos that would arise from it.
And even that the professors would intervene to stop it.
“Your Highness. Young Lady Allen led this situation.”
“Quickly, go to where the Young Lady is discussing with the professors. There will be words there that will help Your Highness.”
Otherwise, Joy wouldn’t have come running to Anton with those words right after Anton quelled the chaos.
Hahaha. I’ve been played. I’ve been played.
I was planning to use the mistakes Lucy Allen made to threaten her, but it turns out I had been dancing on Lucy Allen’s palm without realizing it.
Damn it. Lucy Allen. What am I supposed to do if you show that you’re capable of such things?
“I guess I’ll have to thank her later.”
Originally, I would have to face criticism from the students for failing to hunt Lucy Allen, but now that everyone has passed the field trip, there’s no reason for that.
“And it should be revealed that this whole thing was thanks to Lucy Allen, too.”
I don’t know how those who suffered because of Lucy Allen feel, but I have to do my best to wipe away their hostility as much as possible.
After all, Lucy cleaned up the mess of Arthur’s mistake, so I have to do at least this much.
*
The next day, after returning to the Academy from the field trip.
While checking one by one the stuff in my inventory, I set my lips tight as I found a living creature that should never have been inside.
Among the many belongings I had taken out and put back into the inventory during the field trip, there was a sloppy fox.
That pervert tried to jump onto my face the moment the bag opened, but I grabbed the scruff of that sloppy fox with superhuman reflexes and stopped him.
‘What are you doing here?’
“Hey, perverted fox. What the hell is this?!”
“I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing your beautiful face once the field trip was over, so I hid in here secretly!”
So, you were stalking because you were sad someone you liked was leaving?
The “master of the forest,” huh?
What the heck is wrong with you!
‘Grandpa! Why didn’t you sense him?!’
Grandpa! Why didn’t you do your job properly!?
Isn’t it your job to notice and prevent this kind of thing?!
[I have nothing to say. I don’t know what kind of trick the master of the forest has pulled, but I failed to notice it myself.]
‘What are you going to do?! This pervert followed me all the way here!’
Gyaaaah!
I was so happy thinking that I wouldn’t have to see that sloppy fox’s face ever again as I came out of the forest!
I swore I would never go back into Cythil Forest no matter what!
Why! Why on earth!
[That... girl. Regardless, she’s not someone who’ll harm you. Just endure the slight disgust.]
‘Slight? Grandpa, how can you say that when you saw everything that I saw?!’
Grandpa, have you been comfortable lately? Huh?!
Isn’t it insufficient just to dunk you in toilet water?!
Fine! I’ll accept Grandpa’s intentions! There are lots of shops around Soul Academy! Shall we take a little shopping tour?!
“Don’t worry! I don’t intend to torment you! I’ll be satisfied just by admiring you!”
What kind of crazy nonsense is this, you perverted fox?
Your mere existence is stressing me out, you dumb fox!
“Can you just get lost?♡ Disgusting furrymon?♡”
Get lost! Go back to the forest! Please!
“Are you trying to drive me away?”
“Of course! Why should I endure a gross pervert like you?♡”
“Think carefully. Even if you chase me away, won’t I wander around you forever?”
…No. There’s no way that would happen.
That crazy girl who begs for more even after my Mesugaki Skill provocation would never give up even if I chased her out of the room.
“If you chase me away, I’ll always be hovering around you.”
Sorry, but Ms. Stalker, stalking is a crime, you know?
Why are you explaining so confidently that you’re going to commit a crime?
“It’s better to keep an eye on you, right?”
Sigh. I really hate this.
Every single word that comes out of that sloppy fox makes me want to lose my mind.
But you know what’s even more infuriating?
That there’s some truth to what that jerk is saying.
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