Chapter: 508
Seeing Luca’s face filled with despair, I was certain of my victory.
He realized that the star that made him ugly was created by himself and crumbled down without even achieving a mental victory.
In the process, I did rack up some debt to Yuden, but whatever. If I just talk to Benedict, it’ll be sorted out.
“Can I hear the story too?”
As I was thinking about taking a break and letting others handle the mess, a voice from behind sent a chill down my spine.
The kingdom’s First Queen, Kabati Soladin.
She was someone I absolutely didn’t want to meet, and also a dangerous figure whom I shouldn’t let catch my weaknesses.
She was giving a feigned smile atop the clock tower stairs.
…How on earth did that person get here!?
There was a sloppy fox near the clock tower who set up barriers, so no one should have been able to enter without permission?!
Even if she broke through by sheer force, it’s hard to believe the sloppy fox or Grandpa wouldn’t notice!
<...Sorry. I didn't notice.>
‘Grandpa did?’
[This is my first time experiencing something like this, so I'm just as bewildered.]
Grandpa’s voice, tinged with confusion, indicated he wasn’t joking.
Well… is there some variable even the First Queen has? Something I’m not aware of?
“Since it’s an issue that happened at the Academy, I believe I have the right to hear about it too?”
[But let's leave the details for later. For now, it seems like getting rid of the First Queen is the priority.]
‘…Yeah.’
Grandpa is right. It’s okay to think about how the First Queen came here later. The important thing is to overcome that watching gaze in order to assess the situation.
“Why don’t you just threaten me instead? Delusional Queen?”
…Hey! Mesugaki skiiiiiil!
How on earth can the greeting “Hello, First Queen!” turn into something like that!?
That’s not translation; it’s distortion!
The content has completely changed!!
Cold sweat trickles down my back in the silence of the dark atmosphere around me.
This is why I didn’t want to meet the First Queen. It was too obvious this would end up like this, and I didn’t want to see her face.
Why do you have to show up at such a horrible timing? Damn Trump Queen! Stay locked up in the palace and come up with ways to make the kingdom greater!
“Is it delusional?”
Amidst the suffocating atmosphere, the person in question, the First Queen, spoke up.
She continued in a tone filled with nothing but curiosity, neither blushing nor angry.
“I’m curious. Why? I wouldn’t say I’m particularly delusional.”
Oh. Right? Why is that? I don’t really know either?
If I were to defend the Mesugaki skill, maybe it’s because she’s a lunatic who thinks the country can’t function without her, but if I say this out loud, it feels like the sword at her waist will target my neck, so I’ll just let it slide.
“Why don’t you think it over on your own? Given that you’re a Queen, you should have that much critical thinking, right?”
“But, you see. Allen Young Lady. You used to call me the crazy Queen before. I’m really curious why the title has changed and why the new title is delusional.”
Lucy, huh? You already had a past with her. I mean, you even called the king a livestock; there’s no way you didn’t say anything to the First Queen standing next to him.
Um. …Remarkably survived. Lucy too. Benedict’s roots as well.
As I was once again shocked by the extraordinary conduct of the old Lucy, the First Queen smirked and continued.
“It seems you don’t want to answer, so let’s return to the main topic. So you say that everything that happened at the Academy was your plan. What does that mean?”
I barely got through one trial, but another one was waiting for me next.
Where the heck should I even start explaining this?
No, is it even possible to explain something like this in a way that makes sense considering the translation of the Mesugaki skill?
It seems more persuasive to hypnotize the First Queen into believing my words than convincing her.
[It seems the story is heading in a good direction.]
‘…Huh? A good direction? Did the base change?’
[Yes. The justification belongs to us.]
What Grandpa pointed out was that the true culprit behind this whole affair was the First Queen standing right in front of me.
The main reason the followers of the Evil God could invade the Academy was that the First Queen aggressively tried to plant her people in the Academy.
If it weren’t for this uproar, such a huge commotion couldn’t have happened inside the Academy.
And one of the perpetrators leading this incident was Luca, who was part of the First Queen’s faction.
So the one responsible for this incident at the Academy was the First Queen before me.
I’m merely in a position where I dealt with what happened due to her mistakes.
[The most bothersome situation would have been if the opponent tried to suppress you with power while ignoring your position. Luckily, it doesn't seem the First Queen has plans for that. Considering the people around you, it’d be tough anyway.]
‘So what should I do?’
[Just act like you normally did and be stubborn. That should be sufficient.]
I roughly understood what Grandpa was trying to say.
Be stubborn? In front of this crazy woman?!
I’m worried I’ll suffer some kind of retribution later!
[If she were the type to retaliate over something like this, would you have given her what you did in the past? ]
…Oh. Is that so? That seems to be the case?
Unintentionally accepting Grandpa’s words, I stood tall in front of the First Queen.
“What plan? It’s the plan to clean up the foolishness caused by the delusional Queen’s power struggle.”
The Mesugaki skill isn’t suitable for conveying situations accurately. How can I make the other side understand the situation when I don’t know how this skill might distort my words in the middle?
However, there is no better skill for pinpointing the other’s faults one by one than this.
This skill, which selects words that naturally infuriate them without me having to think, is incredibly suitable for fact-bombing.
“The chaos you created with your brain turned off allowed delusional people to enter. And this perverted professor included in your forces didn’t just fail to stop them, but even helped them carry out their plans. If I hadn’t noticed their sloppy plans, things would have gotten much worse!”
I shot back, filled with dissatisfaction over why I should be the one getting grilled, and before I knew it, Yuden arrived next to me to add on.
“I don’t know the exact details, but there’s nothing wrong with the Young Lady’s words. It’s clear that because of her, we could get through today without any sacrifices.”
“I think the same. First Queen. If it weren’t for the Young Lady, we would have still been fighting with the Followers of the Void while suffering numerous sacrifices.”
As Yuden defended me, even Prete joined in, and the First Queen slightly raised an eyebrow and then gave a gentle smile.
“Both of you seem to be misunderstanding something. Just to clarify, I have no intention of questioning Allen Young Lady.”
…Huh? No intention of questioning? But.
“I just really wanted to understand the circumstances. That way, I can organize the situation.”
“Then shall we take our leave? It seems you’ve heard all that the delusional Queen wishes to hear?”
Surprisingly, I was taken aback by what the First Queen said, and I sarcastically poked her, but she nodded without changing her expression.
“I apologize. Since you fought with the Followers of the Void until just now, you must be quite tired. I’ve delayed your time.”
This is really strange. Even after openly rebelling, she says nothing?
“Lastly, I will sort out matters regarding Professor Luca’s custody.”
“Why him? Are you planning to take him, delusional Queen?”
“If the Young Lady permits me.”
Seeing the First Queen’s smiling eyes, I pushed all the thoughts regarding this change aside.
Let’s think about that another time. For now, I need to concentrate on the current conversation.
“In case you misunderstand, I’ll explain in advance that I have no intention of stealing your credit. Young Lady.”
“I don’t care about credit. Fighting against this shoddy trash is not something to brag about! Anyone who proudly boasts about it would be more pitiful than this trash!”
I don’t want credit. Not out of humility, but because I don’t want any spotlight.
If I end up stealing the spotlight, it just complicates things!
If the Jushin Church genuinely took an interest in me, it would be truly troublesome!
Why did I work to gather attention on Yuden?!
If the First Queen outright states I’m the one with the credit, all my hardships would go to waste!
“So?”
“What do you think? Delusional Queen?”
I wonder how she interpreted my retort. The First Queen approached me with a light laugh, bending her waist to meet my gaze.
“Young Lady. I don’t know what you think of me, but I’m someone who can throw everything away for the kingdom.”
I know that better than anyone else.
I’ve witnessed how insane you can be in the name of the kingdom.
Perhaps I might know your insanity better than you do.
“And Professor Luca betrayed my expectations in the worst way.”
Between the First Queen’s smirk, her icy gaze becomes visible.
Those eyes looked so frozen, as if they would never thaw in a lifetime.
“I have an obligation to punish him.”
In this situation, the most mundane choice would be to just hand Luca over.
What happens to Luca in the First Queen’s hands is none of my concern.
I’m not interested in this sloppy little worm who failed even at mental victory.
If I can avoid the vigilance of a powerful figure by disposing of this trash, then I’m all for it.
If I hadn’t known about the First Queen, I would have happily given Luca away, cheering as I got rid of a troublesome burden!
If I hadn’t known about her, that is.
“Hmm. Is that so?”
But I know exactly what kind of person the First Queen is.
I know what she would do once she secures the life of the guilty Luca.
I also know very well that you’re not the kind of person who adheres to common sense.
“So what does that have to do with me?”
That’s why I can’t hand him over.
I gave a guileless grin in response to the First Queen’s smile, watching as colors began to wash over that artificial smile.
…
Wow. This is really getting dangerously intense.
Maybe I should have just handed him over without any bravado.
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