Chapter: 344
The word “crazy” can mean different things depending on its usage.
Praise. Amazement. Disappointment. Anger. Insult, and so on.
No matter how it’s used, it doesn’t feel out of place, and the original meaning refers to a disturbance in one’s mind.
And the one who fits this original meaning of “crazy” perfectly is none other than the First Queen, Kabadi Soladin.
Her unwavering integrity, willing to lay down her life for her country.
A belief that her actions are absolutely right, without a flicker of doubt.
On top of that, the ability to execute her thoughts.
All these combined, she was truly someone who wouldn’t abandon her beliefs until her final moments.
In that moment of breathlessness, her regret wasn’t about the evils she had committed, but rather, it was the regret of not finding a better way.
And at the same time, she smiled as she thought of someone better than herself leading the nation.
Rather than a perverted apostle or a sloppy fox, even if they’re insane, I could somewhat understand their craziness.
But this medieval trump had a thought process so different that I simply couldn’t empathize.
Someone in the community said she was a villain with conviction, and sure, but not me!
How could I like someone who might not even have blood flowing through their veins?
Despite this like-dislike dynamic, everyone could agree that Kabadi Soladin would do anything to make Soladin great, hence her nickname: Medieval Trump. Make Soladin Great Again, Your Majesty.
As long as Arthur is my friend, and I’m a noble of Soladin, I knew I’d have to meet this crazy woman someday, but it’s too early now!
I still lack the power to deal with that crazy woman!
Uugh.
If I meet that medieval trump, what would the Mesugaki Skill scream out?
From past experience, I’d say “crazy” would definitely be included.
But throwing insults at the First Queen…
…Wait a second.
Wouldn’t it be fine if that crazy lady completely lost her mind?
If she were a lunatic who only thought about Soladin, she might not care about the insults!
Of course, if the target of those insults is someone who doesn’t even matter, she’d destroy them. But what about someone who would be of great help to Soladin in the future?
Right. She’s definitely a madwoman I’d rather not deal with, but a complete lunatic is better than a half-hearted one.
Like the Second Queen, she might repay kindness or not, but she’s definitely the type who’d destroy her enemies, right?
‘Siner Soladin.’
Huh?
Why is this lunatic’s name written right under the First Queen’s name?
Did I just see an illusion because I thought of that lunatic’s name?
If that’s the case, let me wash my face and check again.
‘Siner Soladin.’
Gyaaaah?!
What the heck?!
Why is this person here?!
“…Karia. If my eyes aren’t deceiving me, I think I see both queens’ names at the top.”
“Yep. Both expressed their willingness to participate.”
“Why?”
Exactly! Benedict was right!
This guy, who has zero affection for his son, why is he here at the end-of-term party?!
I’ve never seen him step foot in the academy while I was playing this game!
“The First Queen is attending.”
Karia remained unfazed even while facing our bewildered expressions.
“I don’t know the details, but it’s definitely because of that. The Second Queen might seem trivial to meet for the First Queen, but she’s actually very concerned about it.”
Listening to Karia, who hasn’t changed a bit, reminded me of how she used to operate in the shadows of the kingdom.
Karia was the one leading the Information Department when the two just became queens, so she must know a lot about them.
She probably knows more about most people in the royal palace than I do.
After all, I know practically nothing about the secondary characters in the game.
“Anyway, thanks to these two confirming their participation, this end-of-term party has totally gone off course from its original purpose. Nobles from both factions lined up to showcase their power.”
Feeling dizzy as I read the participant list while listening to Karia, I realized…
I already knew Duke Partlan and Duke Kurten would be here, because their kids are here!
But why are the heads of other ducal families also attending?!
Excluding the Duke Burrow, who’s recuperating, everyone is coming!
And why are there so many big shots below that?!
Nobles who had significant roles in the Soul Academy story are overflowing!
While I felt happy about seeing so many familiar names, despair hit me when realizing I have to give a speech and party with these people.
…As long as it’s similar to the Partlan Festival, I could endure.
Back then, only a few exceptional people and my friends cared about me.
But now, that’s not the case! The Second Queen, who was trying to pull me in, definitely wouldn’t neglect to talk to me!
Then the nobles from the Second Queen’s faction would inevitably approach.
Followed by the people from the First Queen’s side.
Soon, my surroundings would turn into a hotspot, a graveyard of rumors just exploding.
And right beside me, I’d have to hide Benedict’s renowned cover.
Is Benedict feeling the same way? Because his previously cheerful face was growing more serious with each page turn.
“…Karia. Can you maybe make me faint? That way, Lucy and I can escape naturally.”
“What nonsense are you talking about? There’s no poison that works on you. If you want that, ask the Employer.”
“That won’t do! I can’t allow such a thing to happen to our Lucy!”
“Then what should we do?”
“Damn! At this rate, I’ll just have to destroy the building where the party takes place!”
“Hey, just calm down for a sec!”
“If I just destroy about half of it!…”
“Employer. Can you make this idiot quiet? It seems like he can’t hear my words.”
“Papa?♡ Could you please close your mouth?♡ Every time you speak, it smells so bad that♡ I honestly find it quite unpleasant♡”
“D-do I smell? Is that true? Sorry…”
Though his shoulders drooped, he still ignored the giant Benedict and turned his gaze to Karia, who sighed.
“Back to the point. For the Employer, just attending that party is a disaster. So, hide somewhere until the opening speech is over, and once it finishes, vanish with Benedict. No one can say a thing to this giant in the kingdom. If you just say you wanted to spend some fun time with your daughter, they’ll totally understand.”
Even though it felt somehow wrong to go so casually since both queens and their factions are participating, but since it was Karia’s suggestion, there shouldn’t be any problems.
Then all I have to do is think about how to smoothly pass the speech.
Knock knock. Following the sound of knocking, I turned my head and heard Alsatine’s voice.
“Your Ladyship. The Apostle of the Arts Church has arrived.”
Well, they’re late than I thought. I thought that pervert would be here bright and early, spilling nonsense to make my expression twist.
“Go ahead without me, Employer. I have things to discuss with this giant, so I’ll send you over later.”
Before I could even say a word, Karia answered the question I was about to ask.
Hmm. I’m not getting used to this feeling of having my thoughts read.
Sometimes, when it suddenly hits me, it feels rather eerie.
Shrugging off the feeling, I stood up, but I felt uneasy seeing Benedict looking so gloomy beside me.
“Papa♡”
I was originally going to tap his shoulder, but I couldn’t reach that high, so I poked him in the back.
At that, Benedict turned his head.
Geez. This guy, look at him keeping his mouth shut.
Is he bothered by what I said about the smell earlier?
“Hehe♡ Are you sulking?♡ What made you go all gloomy?♡”
“W-well….”
“Ehe! You’re sulking over a joke?♡ I don’t like this shy Papa~♡”
“…Was it really a joke?!”
I looked at the cheerful face of Benedict, who regained his color with just a single word, and silently stepped outside, peeking my head back in.
“Se~cret♡”
After delivering my last words, I closed the door.
I hope that perverted apostle shows off their perversion without holding back.
That way, I can smoothly get through the speech.
*
“…Our daughter is so cute. The best.”
As Karia watched Benedict trembling with a hand over his mouth, she showed no hint of hiding her disdain.
How did this person, who once ruled through fear on the battlefield, end up like this?
With how Benedict is now, he wouldn’t look out of place next to Mira.
This guy used to be stoic, a complete contrast to the straightforward Mira, so something must’ve changed during my absence.
…But Mira, didn’t you put in a bit too much effort?
To change someone called the kingdom’s fang into this state.
If you’re still alive, I’d love to ask you how you did this.
Karia, recalling Benedict’s wife who died while he was entranced by the Evil God, sighed and then closed her eyes, opening them again.
“Benedict.”
A cold voice slipped from her lips.
Different from her playful tone when teasing Lucy or her students, this was the voice of someone who had made many shiver as the shadow of the kingdom.
Facing her, Benedict took a deep breath and shook off his previous fussiness, straightening up.
“Speak.”
“Under no circumstances should you let that crazy First Queen meet your daughter.”
As the leader of the Information Department and the kingdom’s shadow, Karia was well aware of the First Queen.
She had gathered intel for the selection before the Queen was chosen and had worked directly under the First Queen until she mysteriously vanished from the palace.
“There’s a high chance that crazy woman will take a liking to Lucy, who has a promising future.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Sure, for now it seems fine. But if her abilities are seen as a hindrance in the future, that’s a different story. That crazy woman will readily eliminate any obstacles.”
“What’s your basis for that?”
“Because I almost got eliminated myself.”
“…What?”
“Did I not tell you? The reason I vanished without a trace from the Information Department?”
“Yeah.”
“Let me explain. I had no way at that time. If I hadn’t done what I did, I would’ve ended up buried without a sound.”
Benedict’s gaze turned increasingly grim as he absorbed Karia’s matter-of-fact words.
“That woman is too dangerous to be close to.”
*
In the Soul Academy’s headmaster’s office.
The headmaster, who had been smiling and happy lately due to the academy dungeon receiving rave reviews, now bore cold sweat and a forced awkward smile on his face.
“…Um, so you want to experience the dungeon?”
“That’s correct, Headmaster. Don’t worry about the commotion. As you can see, I’ve come disguised with my son, just in case.”
The headmaster, the most powerful figure in Soul Academy, had no choice but to act subserviently in front of the First Queen, who was smiling brightly.
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