In the [Dark Kingdom], there were various companions.
The academy part had several elements like leveling up the protagonist, repelling enemies, and farming items.
But the most important thing was recruiting companions.
‘There weren’t many, but they each had their own uniqueness.’
Among those candidates was a character from the Delphia Kingdom, a genius who placed second in the field of magic.
However, she appeared as a mid-boss, and only after clearing that could you recruit her, which was a bit annoying… but she also had poor performance, leading to her being discarded as a companion.
Still, her beautiful looks and large chest made her a popular subject for fan art in the community.
After going into the community to find a walkthrough, I ended up with a strong memory of Beatrice’s fan art.
And now, that Beatrice was alive and breathing right in front of me.
Seeing the game heroine in the flesh made me think.
‘What a hassle.’
I didn’t have any particular thoughts.
Sure, she was pretty, but with the headmistress around every day, my standards had risen quite a bit. It’s not like I empathized with her character’s story.
A princess from a neighboring kingdom? A hostage? An incompetent fool who can’t control magic?
She looked much happier than the finance director of an academy set to go bankrupt in three years, doesn’t she? She seemed a lot more relaxed than me, who was often frantically pulling all-nighters to handle paperwork, right? Isn’t being a Rank 1 Incompetent better than that?
People usually sympathize and support characters with unfortunate stories. But since my own reality was more unfortunate, I felt no sympathy at all.
This hostage princess was comfortably resting in the dormitory while I was struggling both physically and mentally? Thinking about it, it really angers me, doesn’t it?
‘Calm down, calm down.’
Maybe it’s because of that five-day ordeal last week with the headmistress’s gift trading. Even though I rested well after that, I sometimes find myself suddenly losing it.
At least I kept those thoughts to myself. I’ll only vent like that in front of the headmistress.
Taking a deep breath to calm myself, Beatrice sitting across from me smiled and offered me some tea.
“You look tired. Have a cup, Finance Director.”
“Thank you.”
I lifted the teacup brought to me by the maid behind the princess and took a sip.
The warm tea felt somewhat soothing inside me.
Strangely, it seemed like the maid was looking this way, but since her purpose was to protect the princess, it made sense.
“This tea is delicious. Thank you for your consideration.”
“…It’s only natural. Adam Keynes, Finance Director, I wanted to meet you very much.”
“I don’t know why, but Princess, you are overestimating me. If you had just called for me, I would have rushed over without the need for disguises.”
“I’m grateful even if it’s just words.”
If she actually called for me? I wouldn’t have gone. That was just lip service, and Beatrice knew that, so she just smiled it off.
Meeting the Demolisher, who could deal a significant blow to the academy’s finances, was necessary, but her status was a problem.
Amatrius Delphia Beatrice.
She was a princess of a whole kingdom. Even though the Delphia Kingdom was a smaller kingdom, she still held the rank of a princess, which meant the headmistress must treat her with respect.
Studying abroad at Grandis Academy wasn’t an issue since various nobles often came from different kingdoms or empires, but it was exceedingly rare, if not nonexistent, for a royal family member to study abroad.
Of course, that was because she hadn’t come to study abroad; she had come as a “hostage.”
However, since the ostensible reason for her presence was studying abroad, it was naturally no problem for regular students or professors to talk to Beatrice.
But meeting Beatrice presented complications. It wasn’t a political issue.
I was the finance director of Grandis Academy, and more importantly…
I was the headmistress’s closest aide.
“How is the headmistress doing?”
“Of course. She’s always immersed in academy work to the point I’m worried about her.”
“…I see.”
The reason Beatrice came as a hostage? I believe it was due to border disputes. The Delphia Kingdom, feeling at a disadvantage due to its smaller size, concluded by sending Beatrice as a hostage.
Given the reputation of the Delphia Kingdom, it was publicly announced as a study abroad for appearances.
So what must Beatrice, who had become an unwilling hostage, think about it?
She couldn’t step outside of Grandis Academy. I don’t know when her study-abroad hostage situation ends, but she could risk being held even after graduating in three years.
In the [Dark Kingdom], Beatrice considers one option.
That is to negotiate with the headmistress.
‘It’s still before the surveillance on Beatrice kicks in.’
She can’t go out of the academy anyway, and honestly, Beatrice isn’t important enough to require constant surveillance. She was the fourth princess, far down the line for succession even in the Delphia Kingdom.
Moreover, sending surveillance personnel into the academy might provoke the headmistress’s ire. Therefore, the kingdom simply left Beatrice inside the academy.
Only once every three days did a supervisor come to check in on her, but that would change soon.
“Although I haven’t been here at Grandis Academy for even a day, I can see how much the headmistress loves this place. It’s surprising that the academy is only comparable to a small town.”
“I can deeply relate to that.”
“What kind of person is the headmistress? Finance Director, can you share a bit?”
“I’m sorry, but I’ve only been her aide for a mere two years…”
“But I’m still curious. Please tell me.”
“As a subordinate, I don’t feel inclined to relay stories about my superior behind her back. Please forgive my rudeness.”
During the first year of the academy part, Beatrice was supposed to meet the headmistress amidst year-end awards, where she would win first place in the field of magic. Despite being a princess, a student could only meet the headmistress then.
There, she secretly proposed to the headmistress.
‘If I could be sent back to the Delphia Kingdom…’
──In exchange for permission to establish a branch of Grandis Academy in the Delphia Kingdom.
It was a gamble, understanding the headmistress’s attachment to the academy and her altruistic desire to spread educational opportunities to more people.
Whether the fourth princess could realize that was a secondary issue; it was undeniably an attractive proposal for the headmistress.
However, for some unknown reason, the headmistress turned it down, and once word got out, the kingdom sought her understanding and set up surveillance on Beatrice.
At this point, the headmistress’s rejection became quite significant, leaving speculation swirling.
‘The main school is facing bankruptcy; why would we establish a branch?’
Beatrice’s failure to grasp the Academy’s dire financial state was a grave misstep. And it was natural not to know.
I’m being long-winded, but the purpose of Beatrice seeking me out for a conversation now is clear.
To meet the headmistress.
“I’ve heard that the headmistress wishes to provide learning opportunities to as many students as possible. Truly a remarkable person.”
“I think so too. She always harbors grand ideals.”
“As a student who has come to study abroad, I want to extend my gratitude to the headmistress.”
“Don’t worry. The headmistress only wishes for you to diligently study here, Princess.”
“…Hmm.”
Originally, I could have hidden my true intentions during the first year, focused on my studies, and then meet the headmistress by ranking first in magic.
But unlike in the game, I was here now. I was a character who didn’t originally exist but was favored by the headmistress.
From Beatrice’s perspective, it makes sense to meet the headmistress as quickly as possible, prompting her to connect with me immediately after the entrance exam.
“………….”
“……….”
An awkward silence follows.
I kept trying to steer the conversation towards the headmistress, but I’d cut off any talk regarding her with razor-sharp precision.
Just as I had picked up on Beatrice’s purpose, she must have sensed my thoughts as well.
I had no intention of introducing Beatrice to the headmistress.
To be precise, I opposed meeting her right now.
‘Let’s leave things as they are for now.’
But that doesn’t mean I’ll just let this Demolisher be. Like in the game, I need to find a way to treat her chronic condition that prevents her from controlling her magic.
Normally, the protagonist would ‘save’ Beatrice and accept her as a companion, but who cares about that? Until then, the repair costs for whatever buildings end up collapsing aren’t just free.
The treatment methods shown in the game were a bit extreme, so for now, I’ll deliberately hold off, making her anxious. Until she’s the first to warm up and follow my words.
When that time comes, I’ll treat her chronic condition…
“Adam Keynes, Finance Director.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I’ve understood your intention. Truly, you are a loyal servant of the headmistress.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“I don’t think I can persuade you with mere words. So… I’ll use another method.”
“Excuse me?”
Huh?
Another method?
“Suzanne, bring it here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The maid, called Suzanne, standing behind Beatrice took something small out of the side table.
Why the sudden box───
Clack.
“………What’s this?”
“Since ancient times, persuading loyal subjects has never been about reason or logic… but about profit.”
Inside the small box were all sorts of jewels and gold.
Different from the imperial coins common across the continent, they were smaller in size but worth much more.
They were often used as bribes in different places.
While I was left speechless, a relaxed-looking Beatrice continued.
“Of course, Finance Director, you must have received many of these before. This is merely an advance, a token of my goodwill.”
“………….”
That’s right. She’s ultimately not from this country, right?
Our kingdom’s headmistress is extremely averse to bribery, but how much does a princess from a completely different Delphia Kingdom know about the headmistress and the academy?
In the game, she attempted to trade by gauging the headmistress’s character, but she had acquired that information through a year of studying at the academy.
Suddenly designated as a hostage, she was brought to the neighboring kingdom’s academy under the guise of study abroad. Moreover, she hadn’t even been here a day.
Yet if she knows so much about the headmistress, that’d be odd.
‘She must have some basic information and asked the headmistress for a favor.’
But all she’d likely know is that the kingdom had to be careful of an 8-level character who’ve spent all their wealth establishing the academy.
That’s literally the extent of what’s widely known. Since establishing the academy, she has stayed there and engaged in hardly any external activities.
So, it’s no surprise that the now ignorant Beatrice is using bribery here.
“Calling it an advance implies…”
“You likely know my purpose. I’d like to meet with the headmistress directly.”
“Is that as a student? Or as a princess?”
“Even at my age, it’s clear you’re fit for the position of Finance Director. How many more of these boxes would it take to seal your mouth and make you nod along?”
In truth, for Beatrice the princess, this must be a common method. After all, bribery is a regular thing in both our kingdoms, as far as she’s concerned.
Her actions are completely reasonable from her standpoint.
But it just happens that Beatrice ended up at Grandis Academy, and the one receiving her bribe is me, and therein lies the issue.
“Hmm, well….”
“By coincidence, I couldn’t bring much as I came for my studies. But I believe this is enough to persuade the Finance Director. Is that arrogant of me?”
“Not at all.”
Bribery, huh?
That’s not bad at all. Very nice.
While lost in thought, I changed my expression to a bright smile and looked directly at Beatrice.
“However, you can’t meet the headmistress right away.”
“I understand that. How long will it take?”
“I think a month should be enough.”
“Is that so.”
A month. That’s quite a long time just to meet one person.
But Beatrice seemed to think it was fine as long as she could meet the headmistress.
Well, originally her plan would have had her focused solely on studies for an entire year.
Taking the box Beatrice handed me, she stood up with a bright smile.
“It’s truly been a beneficial time, Your Highness.”
“I’m glad to have met a capable Finance Director.”
Like an advance, I’d probably continue to meet Beatrice secretly and receive bribes. In exchange, I’d report back to her about ongoing matters.
Of course, there wouldn’t be any problems. Whatever struggles the headmistress faced, I could just make it up as I went along.
Though I could have set up a meeting for today if I wanted to, I deliberately said a month.
‘First, I’ll take all the bribes Beatrice gives.’
Collect as much as possible, covering finances with the bribes, and simultaneously…
‘In a month, when that incident occurs, amidst the chaos, I’ll send her packing back home.’
Mid-boss? Cure her chronic condition? Salvation? The protagonist’s companion?
Tell them all to shove it.
Before she ever becomes a heroine, I’ll send her home.
That was the best choice for me.
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