Messiah’s smile deepens at the corners of his lips.
“That’s right.”
“I apologize. O Savior.”
“It is entirely our fault…”
The 13 Apostles tremble in fear.
Messiah taps his fingers on the armrest of his chair.
Tap, tap.
“Once again, the plan slightly deviates due to minor issues…”
A gentle voice drips from Messiah’s mouth.
“I feel like I’m missing something… Is there no other information?”
At the cherry blossom festival, he thought that was just how it was.
Messiah, who meticulously crafted the perfect plan while considering every variable, occasionally had a hiccup or two.
But this was the first time that the plan had derailed two times in a row.
During the cherry blossom festival, at least the goal had been achieved, but this time, they had failed on that front too.
“The association and the academy are thoroughly controlling the information…”
“Unfortunately… It’s hard for us to obtain any further information…”
“There’s no way to know who intervened or how the operation failed.”
“I’m sorry, O Savior…”
The 13 Apostles confess with voices filled with dread.
Due to the association and academy’s tight control over information, all they had learned from the New World League was the mere four characters: ‘Operation Failed.’
They couldn’t figure out who intervened, how the operation failed, or any details about the cause or process.
Messiah’s smile deepens further.
“Yoshizaki Seira, Shinozaki Ichiro… It seems those two were involved. No worries.”
Messiah whispers sweetly.
“The coming of the New World is an unavoidable destiny! The flow of fate can only be briefly halted, but cannot be stopped! It has merely been delayed a little. A shame, though…”
Tap.
The finger that had been playing on the armrest of the chair comes to a halt.
“That doesn’t mean my salvation will stop.”
Messiah’s gaze narrows.
“A world with only humans, no gods or demons!”
“For the New World!”
The 13 Apostles shout loudly.
“The next schedule for Shuo Hero Academy is Imgan School, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Since our League has had two consecutive operation failures, it has become difficult for us to take the lead, so this time… we’ll have to reluctantly seek the Cult’s cooperation.”
Messiah smiles kindly.
“I will contact the Cult.”
As Messiah closes his eyes while listening to the response of the 13 Apostles, the smile on his lips subtly turns ominous.
*
The mock gate practice has ended.
The captured Mad Hatter was taken away by the heroes of the association, and the practice ended right there.
Given that an incident occurred, it was a completely reasonable measure.
The terrorist incident that broke out during the practice was decided to be kept under wraps with both the association and the academy’s agreement.
It was a matter of prestige for the academy and association, and above all, they calculated that they could not leak any information to the shadowy New World League.
Thanks to that, not a single line appeared in the media.
Not a single line has been reported by the media.
All there was is a brief article about a minor incident where the model gate’s illusion barrier device malfunctioned for a bit.
“If it’s a light novel, it’s being handled just like a light novel.”
Anyway, just typical for a light novel world, right?
Concealing incidents is just an everyday occurrence, everyday.
If this were a web novel, by now, it would be making headlines all over the world, giving the protagonist a chance to bask in the limelight.
I really don’t get why light novel folks love to hide things so much.
Is it their version of a power move?
Thanks to that, this time, even nationalism YouTubers have taken a break.
Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing, who knows.
And now that everything has wrapped up.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
I’ve been summoned to the Chairman’s Room and am drinking tea with a 15-year-old-looking lady.
The silver-haired, red-eyed beautiful girl, Yoshizaki Seira, smiles with a supposedly deadly charm.
No matter how you look at it, that damned deadly charm just doesn’t sit right.
What’s up with that, seriously?
“Behold. I have prepared sweet hot chocolate and wagashi especially for you, who have a child’s taste.”
I gaze at the hot chocolate and wagashi being offered before me.
To think she even has a taste for this kind of stuff, it’s despairing.
With a sigh, I take a sip of the hot chocolate.
The sweet chocolate flavor lingers in my mouth.
But hey, this isn’t half bad.
SWISH.
Yoshizaki Seira stands up from her seat and sits next to me.
“Are you unhappy that your exploits haven’t been made public?”
“Why are you suddenly sitting so close to me?”
People can be quite startling.
Yoshizaki Seira narrows her eyes.
“Oh? Are you saying you dislike having me by your side?”
“Yes, it’s uncomfortable.”
Her response makes Yoshizaki Seira cover her mouth with a fan as she bursts into laughter.
“You’re quite amusing. I never thought a student would dare to speak like that to me, Yoshizaki Seira…”
Her red eyes curve mischievously.
Judging by her pretending to be deadly, this is clearly a sign of affection.
“Well, it’s understandable that a young student like you would find me uncomfortable. I must admit, I lacked consideration for the younger generation.”
If she lacked consideration, I wish she’d just back off a bit.
I still don’t get why she’s sitting next to me.
As the chairman, I can’t exactly curse at her.
Has she really lost her marbles?
“Hmm, your curious expression… you wonder why I called for you.”
Still half-concealing her face with the fan, Seira speaks.
Silently, I munch on the wagashi.
The sweetness of the wagashi fills my mouth.
Yoshizaki Seira’s gaze becomes heavy.
“Your performance during the model gate terror was remarkable. Even Aris praised you. That girl, who hardly ever compliments anyone. I agree with Aris. To put yourself in the most dangerous position for the sake of the students’ safety, to save everyone…”
Her voice slightly trembles.
The student council president praised me?
Now that’s a surprise.
“Of course, you are… nothing. I momentarily stumbled on my words just now.”
Yoshizaki Seira fans herself with a lace-finished fan, her face flushing red.
“Information control during this incident was unavoidable. The masterminds behind the terror… I couldn’t allow precious information about our students to fall into the hands of those heinous villains.”
Yoshizaki Seira speaks in a low voice.
Her hand gripping the fan trembles slightly.
Well, that’s somewhat understandable.
Yoshizaki Seira is the only survivor of Five Crowns from the New World League’s schemes.
A revenge character plotting against the New World League for killing her love interest and lifelong companions.
I chew on another piece of wagashi.
“I don’t care about that stuff.”
After all, it’s spilled milk.
And when you think about it, information control isn’t entirely a loss for me.
If the ins and outs of this terror incident reached the ears of the New World League, that lunatic Messiah would be even more wary of me.
If the details reach the ears of the New World League, that madman Messiah would definitely ramp up his wariness towards me.
It’s still the early stages of the original story, yet if the caution level is already rising, it’s obvious that a ton of annoying events are about to unfold.
Following the clichés of common academy web novels, now isn’t the time for me to stand out.
“Oh? Is that so? Your indifference to frivolous fame is indeed… No, it’s exactly to my liking.”
Yoshizaki Seira flashes a knowing smile.
It’s a positive sign that she likes me.
After all, despite being a bit rotten, Yoshizaki Seira is the president of Shuo Hero Academy and the only survivor of the Five Crowns. Building connections with her, just like Shinozaki Ichiro, who represents Japan as a hero, can only be advantageous.
But dealing with the president is mentally exhausting.
I shake my head.
“Still, I can’t let you go without any reward for saving everyone. What do you want? Speak freely.”
Yoshizaki Seira places her hand over her chest, pretending to be alluring.
“Right now, if you wanted to date me, I would graciously accept.”
Oh, come on.
I almost choked on my hot chocolate.
Is this old lady really out of her mind?
Talking about dates is just ridiculous.
Seriously.
Just like Shinozaki Ichiro, we’re drifting off course again. Damn it.
“I don’t need a date.”
“How disappointing. Back in my youth, countless men queued up just to hold my hand right at my doorstep.”
I didn’t ask.
Whether they lined up or not, what’s it to me?
“Right. I’ve gathered intel that you like women with ample bust. Does my modest chest not appeal to you?”
Oh for crying out loud.
Not the chest talk again.
My head is pounding, and my blood pressure is skyrocketing.
Why does the conversation always stray off like this?
It’s all because this crazy world is designed that way.
What a crappy light novel world it is.
I can’t even curse in front of the president because of her title.
Shinozaki Rin, you are so dead.
“Back in my prime, I had a chest that rivaled Bonaparte’s and a slim waist. If I want to keep up with the youngsters, I must regain my strength quickly.”
This is getting absurd.
I have no idea how far she’s going to take this.
I feel nauseous. I need some antacids, stat.
“Uh… can we talk about something unrelated to wishes later?”
I speak with a trembling voice, holding back curses that are rising up my throat.
The president really is a gangster, a real thug.
“I understand. Hehe.”
Swish.
Seira spreads her lace fan again to cover her face.
“So, if it’s not a date, is there another wish you want? Speak up.”
I swallow another sweet cake.
As the sugar calms my stomach a bit, I finally manage to hold on.
As expected, Seira brings up a wish.
It’s time to present my prepared answer.
Looking at Seira, I say, “The mastermind behind this recent terror… I’d like to continuously receive information about them and collaborate with you on any related incidents that arise.”
Currently, I’m directly sharing information through Hoshino Kasumi, who is an insider in the League.
However, I can’t rely on Senior Kasumi as a double agent indefinitely.
Plus, the New World League and Messiah have already started to act differently from the original plot.
The appearance of Mad Hatter and Yatagarasu during the model gate practice is proof of that.
‘So even more accurate information is needed.’
Therefore, before the shelf life of Kasumi as a double agent runs out, I need to find another source.
Yoshizaki Seira, the president, is a perfect candidate for that.
The perfect piece for the role of chairman is none other than Yoshizaki Seira.
Her potential as a key power figure in Japan extends far beyond mere information.
It’s truly limitless.
“She’ll suck me dry as an information shuttle.”
So I must take this opportunity to make her my long-term pawn.
Though Yoshizaki Seira views the academy as a tool for her revenge, she has no idea I’m considering making her my pawn.
“Sharing information about the backers… This is far too dangerous for a student. Is there any reason you’d venture into this?”
Yoshizaki Seira’s red gaze fixes on me.
I anticipated she’d hit back with a retort.
Here, I just need to give ‘kind’ responses that fit her preferences.
Taking a deep breath.
I have to spit out that damned light novel dialogue.
With trembling hands, I say to her,
“…This time I was able to protect everyone, but there’s no guarantee I can do it again next time. In order to protect the academy, no, everyone… I just thought it was necessary to uproot the mastermind.”
Damn it.
Who would have thought I’d speak such words again?
Damn author. Just wait until I get back.
I’ll buy a cheap flight ticket to Japan and come after you directly.
Even I can tell this sounds a bit awkward.
But in this kind and gentle light novel world, Yoshizaki Seira doesn’t doubt the sincerity of my words at all.
With a serious expression, she murmurs,
“To protect everyone…”
The corners of her eyes twitch slightly.
In truth, I’ve thrown out a nonsensical excuse.
Considering my status as a student, this is nothing short of childish.
To claim I’d catch the main culprit while barely able to deal with the current students is absurd.
But this is the world of an academy battle story, where the academy is the central stage.
“…In that case, fine. I grant you this.”
In a world where claiming to protect everyone is the cheat and kindness is the highest virtue, this line surely lands.
“Thank you very much.”
Operation success.
Yes, this is how it should go.
That’s what makes enduring the cringeworthy dialogue worth it.
Now the chairman is my shuttle as well.
I pop the last sweet into my mouth and stand up.
With my business concluded, it’s time to slowly make my exit.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. Chairman.”
“Are you leaving already? It’s a bit disappointing, but an old man like me shouldn’t block the path of a young one. It can’t be helped. Safe travels, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
With a final light novel-style send-off, I step out of the Chairman’s Room.
As I descend the stairs, I take a deep breath.
Clear air fills my lungs.
Damn old geezer.
Just as I’m cursing the chairman in my mind…
Bzzz.
My smartphone buzzes.
I pull it out and unlock the screen.
There it is.
[This is my personal contact number. Student Kim Deok-Sung (✧∀✧)/]
[Remember it well. Hehe. б（＞ε＜）∂]
[I’ll be in touch from time to time 三っ•̀.̫•́)っ]
A message sent by the chairman.
What’s with her?
I need to craft a response.
Shuo Hero Academy. Chairman’s Room.
Inside an impressive spacious office with a large glass window overlooking the campus.
A beautiful girl dressed in a black gothic dress with white hair and striking red eyes spins on her swivel chair while looking at her phone.
[Thank you in advance, Chairman.]
On her phone screen appears the reply sent by Kim Deok-Sung.
A pleased smile appears on the lips of the silver-haired beauty, Yoshizaki Seira.
She cups her flushed cheeks with both hands.
“Hehe. I knew sending emojis that young people use was a good idea.”
Spin, spin.
Yoshizaki Seira continues to whirl in her swivel chair.
“To protect everyone…”
Tap.
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