Chapter: 348
I thought my plan had worked perfectly until I stepped on stage for the first time.
The half-dazed eyes of the audience were exactly what I hoped for, so I figured I could quickly finish what I had to say and step down from the stage.
But the moment I stood in the center of the stage and opened my mouth, I realized my plan was complete garbage.
Those eyes filled with confusion, embarrassment, and irritation were undoubtedly the ones caught in the provocation of my Mesugaki Skill.
Even the appearance that could awe everyone was meaningless in the face of the overwhelming performance of Mesugaki Skill.
The moment the foundation of my plan shattered, any further struggle would only worsen the situation.
What could I possibly do in a situation where anything I say gets translated in a way that makes people’s gazes burn?
That was entirely my fault.
The mistake of ignoring the overwhelming provocation ability even an Evil God wouldn’t dare resist.
And the mistake of not considering that the situation might go wrong.
If I had done a little better, Joy wouldn’t have looked at me with those eyes.
Just as I gave up in a situation where I couldn’t see any answers, the sound of laughter from Ducal Lord Partlan approached me as a glimmer of hope.
He burst out laughing amidst the discontent, dominating the venue with an aura befitting a high noble.
His skill was so incredible that even Grandpa, who couldn’t find a way out, was astonished, and all attention was soon directed towards Ducal Lord Partlan’s face.
Honestly, watching that made my gratitude swell!
I’m really sorry for calling you a sloppy duke until now!
From now on, I will call you the not-sloppy duke!
I’ll make sure everyone knows you possess the majesty of a high noble!
I don’t know how things will unfold due to the Mesugaki Skill, but whatever!
“Lady Allen.”
Right before the situation was wrapped up, Ducal Lord Partlan said something stern outwardly while conveying a different message through telepathy.
“I only helped you this time because I wanted to honor my daughter’s wishes. So, if you want to thank someone, thank my daughter.”
To his words of taking good care of his daughter, I simply smiled in response.
You don’t have to worry; I will treasure Joy.
Before talking about favorite characters and whatnot, Joy is my closest friend.
For her, I would willingly put my life on the line.
Having left the venue, I exhaled a sigh under a tree after escaping the now empty building due to the party.
“I’ll never step on a stage again.”
If something like this happens again, I might as well destroy the stage. I absolutely won’t stand in front of others again. One experience like this is more than enough.
[Yeah. I was a bit dizzy this time too. It was a situation you couldn’t handle.]
“Exactly.”
Had Ducal Lord Partlan not come up, I can’t imagine how much worse the situation would have gotten.
I really don’t want to imagine it.
[So what will you do now?]
“I’ll wait for my father.”
Since I made a mess, Benedict won’t be able to get out easily.
It’ll take time to clean things up.
So let’s just rest until then.
If it’s Benedict, he will surely find me with his senses.
[Are you not going back to the dorm?]
“Gramps, what would happen if the Sloppy Fox saw me like this?”
<...That’d be terrible.>
“Right?”
[Then where will you go?]
“To the most beautiful night view spot in Soul Academy.”
Instead of my dorm, I chose the clock tower in the middle of the academy.
It’s normally a forbidden area, but there’s definitely a way in.
There must be ways for repairs and maintenance, so there can’t be no passages.
In the game, this area opens after clearing quests far away, but this isn’t a game.
Let’s see. If my memory serves me right, pressing here and here should…
Thud! With the sound of a lock releasing, the stairs leading upwards appeared.
The place, untouched by people, was full of dust and not really a good spot to go in looking like this.
But I didn’t hesitate.
As long as the blessing of the Crow Goddess lasts, dust won’t stick, and nothing I set up will get messed up.
Thinking about escaping from a hellish place, I hopped up three steps at a time and soon arrived at the top of the clock tower.
The night in this world comes quickly.
Even if magic replaces the position of science, that’s only for the upper class to enjoy.
The ordinary people can’t indulge in it.
Because of that, when the sun sets, a long dream time reigns in this world.
Under a sky soaked in tranquility, the stars and the moon showcase their dance to each other.
Impertinent clouds, the unwanted audience, pass by, obscuring the scenery.
As I watched the restless birds chime praises to the stars and the moon, I sat on the railing, swinging my legs while recalling the scene from just before.
The people with other eyes who were filled with all sorts of negative emotions.
Joy, who approached me while shaking off the other Young Lady’s hand.
Frey, who glared at everyone while carelessly placing down her utensils.
Phoebe, who closed her eyes in prayer.
Benedict, desperately trying to hold his ground while still gripping his hand.
Karl, who didn’t even have a sword but rested his hand on the sword’s hilt.
Visi, who looked at me with disappointment as if I were pathetic.
Avery, who trembled with uncertainty in her gaze.
Various professors bickering in the back.
And many others who looked at me not with anger, but with concern.
There were those who had thought of me before even their own mistakes.
Those faces felt like proof that the time I spent after coming to this world wasn’t wasted.
So, despite knowing my reputation as a capable loser would solidify, I could afford to smile comfortably.
No matter how strangers think of me, it’s none of my business. As long as people around me have a good impression, that’s enough.
– Ding!
Wow, you’re quick, Shoddy God.
It’s only been a while since the speech ended, and you send me a notification?
[Quest Clear!]
…Quest clear? Why?
I caused a disaster, so how is it a quest clear?
Ah. So you’re satisfied just showing off that your apostle is pretty?
Hah. Should I be happy about this? Or should I feel extreme disgust?
Whatever. I can’t be bothered to think, so let’s just check the rewards.
[Soul of the Hero]
[1. Those who possess the Soul of the Hero allow others to move forward.]
[2. ???]
…
Nooo. Hey, Shoddy God.
I’ve told you so many times to give me a detailed description like a game tooltip instead of this vague nonsense!
When apostles talk, you should listen! Okay?!
You’ve always done your own thing, but can’t you give me some leeway with what I’ve done so far?!
[Girl.]
“What?! Right now I’m…”
[Somebody is coming here.]
Huh?
Upon hearing Grandpa’s words, I sharpened my senses and began to hear someone climbing the stairs.
What? Did I forget to close the door when I came here?
…Oh yeah. In my excitement climbing up the stairs, I forgot about it.
What should I do? Might be turning into a fluffy friend too much, I’m seriously starting to resemble an idiot.
Hmm.
I guess it’s fine.
It’s still too early for the party to be over.
Whoever comes, it shouldn’t be too great of a crisis.
“…Lady Allen?”
Not long after, when I locked eyes with the woman who climbed the stairs, I immediately regretted not jumping down when I sensed her.
The woman exposing her surprise was the Second Queen of the Soladin Kingdom.
It was Senar Soladin.
*
Damn that bastard Partlan. He had to bring up the academy matters and flip my insides.
Using the excuse of drunkenness to slip out of the party, Senar strolled through the empty plaza cursing under her breath.
Senar viewed her time at the academy as an embarrassing memory.
Back when she was younger.
When she wasn’t accustomed to hiding her emotions and noble behavior like now.
Living as a Ducal Young Lady felt like bile rising in her throat; she couldn’t like it even if she tried.
“Senar. Did you lose again? Sigh. How did such a child end up like this.”
“Damn it.”
“Oh my. Lady Bedfer. What a shame. If you had just done a little better, you could have won.”
“Damn it.”
“This way merely harms your body. You should…”
“Damn it.”
“Senar. While causing trouble is fine, could you avoid being a nuisance to me? Because of you…”
“Damn!!”
Bam! Senar slammed her fist against the wall of the building, bowing her head while catching her breath.
I know. This is all in the past, after all.
I understand that Partlan probably thought that and playfully teased.
But what can I do? Even knowing everything, the nightmare doesn’t end!
No one can ignore me now like before.
Even the old woman of Bedfer glances nervously whenever she speaks to me.
Those annoying brats from before break into a cold sweat when they stand before me now.
My damn sister even calls me Your Majesty in front of everyone.
So, the nightmares of the academy should have ended long ago.
The nightmares shouldn’t be able to cling to my shadow anymore.
So why can’t I escape it yet!
As Senar walked aimlessly, consumed by anger, she arrived at the clock tower in the middle of the academy.
Not returning home like a dog, but coming back here again.
She thought she was shocked by her own stupidity when she blinked at the wide-open entrance of the clock tower.
…Why is the door open?
All the professors at the academy should be at the party, right?
No way.
Unconsciously, Senar stepped inside.
She thought nothing of getting dirty from the dust-filled stairs.
Under some spell, she just wanted to meet the person at the end of these stairs.
The slowly echoing clack clack sound morphed into a rapidly paced clack clack,
And before long, it turned into an irritated clack clack clack as Senar reached the end of the stairs, brushing her disheveled hair while spotting the child sitting on the railing.
“Ha.”
That wasn’t the person she was looking for.
The person Senar searched for wasn’t beautiful like that.
Nor was she fragile enough that she feared being touched.
She didn’t even give that cheeky smile.
No idea why Lucy Allen was here, but let’s see it as good luck.
Because it presented an opportunity for her to converse with that arrogant little brat alone.
“Greetings. Lady Allen.”
Just like any other time, the Queen’s mask was swiftly donned, and Senar bit her lip as she watched Lucy simply stare, not even bowing her head.
Hold on.
Hold on.
This brat is an important piece for our faction now.
If the foolish son is to compete with Rene Soladin, I need to have this little brat.
“…Hello, filthy Noire Queen. The dust-covered look suits you very well.”
…This little brat is really something.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.