Chapter 230
The reason the Pitiful Prince got such a rough nickname is largely due to his actions being the epitome of an incompetent boss.
He’s neurotic and sharp, but also foolish, passing on responsibility to his subordinates while hogging the credit. It’s the kind of situation that makes you wonder, How on earth did this guy end up in that position? He’s truly a prime example of a malicious boss.
The character of the Second Prince feels like a nightmare crafted from the experiences of workplace horror stories, giving countless people PTSD.
Thus, the nickname Pitiful Prince was born, embodying the resentment and grievances of many in the community.
But the Second Prince has his own backstory too.
Living his entire life in comparison to the First Prince, he developed deep-seated feelings of inferiority and victimization. Not even family or friends recognized him, viewing him merely as a tool to be used, which only amplified those negative feelings.
Consequently, he became self-centered and arrogant, avoiding responsibility.
Diving deeper reveals that, just like other lead characters in the Soul Academy, he has a sob story, but frankly, it doesn’t matter.
As long as I have no way to call him anything other than Second Prince, I can’t be his savior.
Honestly, who would confide their troubled feelings to someone who calls them Pitiful?
“Lucy?”
As I remained silent, Frey tilted her head in confusion, but I couldn’t explain the situation.
So, I just responded that there was nothing wrong with calling a Pitiful a Pitiful and ended up getting an earful from Joy and Arthur.
Well, whatever. In any case, realizing I think and act like a crazy person rather than a typical crazy person, those two didn’t really try to dissuade me, even offered to help depending on the situation.
I didn’t refuse. No matter how well-planned Grandpa’s scheme might be, you never know when it could go sideways.
Since that day, I’ve been constantly weighing the timing to call the Pitiful Prince the Second Prince.
Sure, I’ve decided to call him that, but I can’t just waltz into his classroom and shout Pitiful, right?
That’d be more than just picking a fight; it’d be a declaration of war. I wasn’t aiming for that level of confrontation.
The most important thing in Grandpa’s plan is to walk the fine line.
Right now, I’m not thinking of supporting him, but if he plays his cards right, I might change my mind. I couldn’t afford to start any trouble myself.
Just wait, and the right moment will come. The Second Prince seems very interested in me.
Having Grandpa’s words in mind, I went about my business, waiting for that moment.
I went to the administrative professor, who is always ready to hear anything I say, to re-register for classes.
I caught up with Luca to hear how he dealt with the idiot trio and took the documents he promised to make.
I visited Visi, passing along some books and mentioning Bell.
Then I found Alsatine, asking to gather various items needed for the second semester dungeon strategy.
I kept up with my usual training. I manipulated Joy and Arthur, sparred with Frey.
Wrestling with my clothes soaked in sweat, I forced a Sloppy Fox, who was relishing in my scent, to wash up.
This was how I passed the time until one day when the moment for the plan finally arrived.
That day, an announcement about the Academy’s second-semester dungeon was posted.
To prevent any mishaps that had happened before, a multitude of spells had been introduced, ensuring the safety of the students, and thus saying they would revert the dungeon strategy rules back to the way they were before. Seeing the wording that you could tackle the dungeon alone, I clenched my fist.
Right now, I didn’t need to worry about the number of participants since I had someone to party with, but there’s a huge difference between strategizing while paying attention to others and tackling it solo.
In a standard strategy, wouldn’t it be better to have more people? But my case is different.
If I’m gonna use the rotten water method, it’s better to be alone. I can eliminate the variable of others entirely.
Hmm. I already told Alsatine, so by the time the dungeon opens, I should have everything I need.
If I move a little vigorously, taking on the Academy Dungeon on the first day should be entirely feasible, right?
While I was pondering this, I heard a commotion in the distance and turned my head.
No way. There’s someone who can maneuver through a crowd so smoothly?! I thought it was a skill only for this Lucy Allen!
Admiring it, I shifted my gaze farther away and saw the Second Prince and his entourage, chuckling to myself.
Their gazes were all fixed on me, but the meanings behind those looks varied.
Those who long for me. Those who are displeased. Those who worry. Those who harbor hatred.
Even though Second Prince must’ve claimed to want me, it looked like no one was on the same page. Truly a ragtag group—perfectly fitting the term.
“Lucy Allen.”
Ignoring everything else, the Second Prince walked right up to me, looking down with a smile.
“I was planning to wait for you to make a decision, but even my patience has limits.”
From that smile, I could see it; that gleam of confidence in his eyes told me he didn’t think for a second that he would be rejected.
And looking at those glaring at me from behind him, it was easy to tell.
The sweet words of those standing behind him had instilled that confidence.
“I want to hear the answer to a question I asked a long time ago.”
The Second Prince extended his hand as I took a deep breath.
I’m sorry. Second Prince*.
“I’m sorry. Pitiful Prince.”
As the words Pitiful Prince slipped from my mouth, the surrounding air thickened with silence.
The crowd froze. Even those who stood behind the Second Prince, and he himself, struggled to accept this as reality.
But I, who had anticipated this situation long ago, remained calm even in the heavy silence.
This wasn’t the type of situation I conjured up in just a day or two.
The first to recover from the shock were the Second Prince‘s followers.
“Are you insulting the Second Prince?!”
“Have you lost your mind?”
“Now that you’ve gained some talent, you don’t know the sky’s height!”
“How dare you bring shame on the Allen Family!”
As the tide of rebuke rolled in, the crowd’s murmuring grew louder.
Among them, the Second Prince widened his eyes, veins popping in his neck, and raised his arm.
Immediately, the crowd’s noise quieted down.
No matter how inferior he was compared to the First Prince, a prince is still a prince. He knows how to exude a certain solemnity.
“… Pitiful Prince, did someone call me that? Me?”
Yes!
“Is there anyone here besides the Pitiful Prince? Doesn’t look like it~”
As the sound of grinding teeth escaped the Second Prince, he didn’t immediately raise his voice.
Instead, he exhaled slowly, calming himself before lowering his voice again.
“Considering your abilities, I could overlook such insults.”
Huh?! Really?! He could overlook being called Pitiful Prince?!
Does that mean my value is higher than I assumed?!
If that’s the case, I can settle this without going through with the plan easily…
“If you come under me.”
Ah. I thought he might let it go, but no, that wasn’t happening.
After all, if I hear Pitiful right in front of me and let it slide, I’d be a fool.
I’m sorry, but…
“I don’t know what you were expecting, but I have no intention of serving someone inferior to me.”
Reciting the words I had prepared in advance, I saw the Second Prince frown.
His face reddened, clearly struggling to contain his rage.
“Are you saying I’m worse than you?”
Do you think you’re better than me?
“Did you think I’m worse than you? Well, I guess opinions vary from person to person, so I’ll respect the Pitiful Prince‘s opinion.”
“Quit the nonsense and answer properly. Am I worse than you?”
The Second Prince’s eyes, bloodshot with exertion, were certainly intimidating, yet I felt no fear.
I had encountered far worse things before.
You really think you’re better than me?
“Wait, so you really think you’re superior to me?”
“Is it possible that I, who just emerged into the light less than a year ago, am any less competent than this Cecil?”
Really?
“Oh, really? Doesn’t seem that way to me.”
My chuckling laughter only made the atmosphere around us turn even more hostile.
The piercing glares felt like needles digging into my skin, but I couldn’t back down now.
Once I set this in motion, my only option was to keep charging ahead.
The First Prince has already lost to me, so there’s no way the Second Prince can be better!
“Isn’t it strange? As far as I know, the Pitiful Prince had been defeated by the gloomy stalker prince every time. I won. I did what you could only dream of achieving your entire life. Shouldn’t that make me better than you?”
As he reached out, the Second Prince grabbed my wrist.
Nice move.
Judging by the pressure on my wrist, he seemed to have a considerable amount of strength.
This character was supposedly at the top for Force stats.
But even so…
This level was manageable.
I braced myself against his pull, making it clear I wasn’t going down easily.
The look of shock spread across the Second Prince’s face.
So you’re trying to solve this with brute force…
“Ha-ha! You must be so barbaric to resort to force simply because words aren’t enough! Is your lack of character such a grave problem? Oh, wait, you know the term character, right?”
“Don’t test my patience. Your father’s authority won’t last forever to protect you.”
A declaration that if I keep going, he’d mess with Benedict too.
Feigned fear wouldn’t cut it here; I remembered his seriousness and held my tongue.
Did I anger you by ignoring you?
“Does it annoy you that a girl faintly in your vicinity is disregarding you?”
“…What do you want to say?”
Well, here’s the deal…
“Then prove it, Pitiful Prince. Show that you’re superior to me, that you can defeat me in areas where even the gloomy stalker prince lost.”
Ding!
Just as I finished speaking, a notification buzzed in my ears.
It was the sound of the Shoddy God giving me a quest.
Reacting without thinking, I turned my head as a habit.
[Educate the Second Prince!]
“Pfft! Cough! Cough!”
I fell into an unexpected trap.
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