Chapter 174

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Karma couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile at Eugene’s determined reaction.

He had managed to pull Eugene in, but Eugene was still a student.

No matter the circumstances, throwing a student into the field wasn’t right. While academy students could be drafted as emergency troops, the current situation wasn’t so dire that they needed to send students to the front lines.

Moreover, for Karma, who had lived through the Great Calamity, the sacrifice of students was a taboo.

He never wanted to see countless school uniforms stained with blood again.

Thinking about it now, he had acted too impulsively.

Shouldn’t he have explained the situation to Eugene’s guardian and gotten their permission first?

Karma immediately took action. According to his findings, Eugene was an orphan, and his legal guardian was an orphanage run by the church. And once Eugene enrolled in the academy, the responsibility for his well-being fell to the academy.

So, Karma tried to contact Eugene’s homeroom teacher. The homeroom teacher of Class A, Angelica. Karma was familiar with her too. A candidate for the next Captain. The successor that the Captain of the 3rd Division cherished dearly.

When Karma tried to contact Angelica, he learned that she had returned to the 3rd Division.

‘Ah, then I’ll just go to the 3rd Division myself.’

He had been planning to inform the other Captains about Eugene’s situation anyway.

A promising talent.

A child who would essentially become the next generation’s Captain was being targeted by Astaroth.

This was a serious crisis, but also an opportunity to hunt a Devil.

To prevent this valuable information from leaking, Karma decided to act personally.

He went to the 3rd Division and met with Angelica and Isabella.

Karma greeted them with a friendly smile and delivered the news that he had appointed Eugene as his temporary aide.

“You bastard, what’s your game?”

Angelica grabbed him by the collar.

Huh, why is she mad? Karma was baffled. Did I say something strange? 

Ah, of course, involving a student in a mission was deserving of criticism, but there were unavoidable circumstances. If they had heard the explanation, they would have understood…?

At that thought, Karma realized his mistake. If his collar hadn’t been grabbed, he would have smacked his forehead. 

Right. I didn’t explain the circumstances. I got the order mixed up. I should have explained the reason first, then the plan. By jumping straight to the plan, I caused unnecessary misunderstanding.

Karma sighed deeply in his heart.

Azazel’s warning came to mind.

“Sometimes it feels like you enjoy being misunderstood.”

“If something goes wrong, apologize first.”

“If someone’s mad at you, it’s probably your fault.”

“Got it? Don’t just smile cryptically, apologize.”

This was clearly his mistake.

Karma decided to follow Azazel’s advice and apologize first.

With a bitter smile, Karma spoke to Angelica, who was still gripping his collar.

“Ahaha, my game? Someone might misunderstand.”

※This is a real misunderstanding.

“I’m just acting out of pure concern for my junior, Eugene.”

※I really do want to help.

“I won’t claim there’s absolutely no ulterior motive.”

※I do have some thoughts of using Eugene as bait. Sorry.

“But I’ll do my best to ensure no harm comes to him.”

※I really will try.

“By the way, could you let go of my collar? It’s getting a bit hard to breathe.”

※I’m suffocating. Save me.

“Isabella, I heard this is your student, but you didn’t teach her an important lesson.”

※Why are you just standing there?

“That actions speak louder than words.”

※This is genuine advice out of concern.

“Otherwise, there might come a day when she gets seriously hurt.”

※Mostly the other party.

Perhaps Karma’s sincere apology got through.

Isabella sighed and grabbed Angelica’s shoulder.

She pulled her back, releasing Karma’s collar, and stepped forward.

“You’ve always been hard to read.”

Isabella’s cold gaze pierced through Karma.

“But you’re not the type to act without thinking.”

※I acted without thinking.

“Tell me, what’s your plan?”

“I already told you. There’s no ulterior motive.”

“Ha, if you’re just going to spout nonsense, go back quietly. Before I freeze that annoying face of yours.”

“Hoho, that’s too harsh. You’re hurting my feelings.”

※I’m genuinely hurt.

“Stop with the empty words. Should I really freeze you?”

“That would be troublesome. I can’t melt your ice with my charm.”

Karma’s eyes stung from the emotional pain, but he forced a smile. It was a smile he had practiced often, so it wasn’t hard. Anyway, after going in circles, they had finally returned to the starting point. Karma brought up the incident from a few hours ago.

“I met Astaroth.”

“…What?”

“The Devil. The girl with the red fox mask. Astaroth. The one known by many names.”

Even now, the memory sent a chill down his spine. Who would have thought there was another monster like that besides the commander? If the two fought, who would win? 

Well, of course, the Commander would. He’s an existence beyond measure, one that even six Captains couldn’t confidently defeat. Karma shook off his thoughts and continued.

“She was with Eugene.”

“Wait, what did you just say?”

“I said they were together. They were having a friendly conversation. Anyone watching would think they were friends.”

If it weren’t for Astaroth’s overwhelming presence, he might have mistaken it for that.

From a distance, it could have looked like that.

“Do you understand what I’m saying now?”

“You, don’t tell me…”

Angelica’s eyes widened as she shouted. Karma nodded. Yes, that’s right. That boy is in danger. That’s why I’ll keep him close and protect him. Do you understand now?

“Are you suspecting Eugene?”

“…Ahaha.”

※Huh?

Ah, I accidentally laughed.

Well, I’m always smiling, but.

That was a bit of a ridiculous laugh just now.

“Do you think Eugene is colluding with Astaroth or something?”

“Your imagination is running wild.”

“Then what did you mean by that earlier? Are you saying you’ll keep him close to monitor him?”

“No, what I’m trying to do is protect him. Of course, depending on the situation, he might also become bait on a fishing line… but the main goal is protection, okay?”

“You…!”

Angelica reached out fiercely again.

Karma took a step back to avoid her.

Despite her delicate appearance, her grip strength was no joke.

It felt like being crushed by a giant boulder.

He really didn’t want to be grabbed again.

It’s genuinely painful, no joke.

“Calm down, Angelica.”

Fortunately, this time Isabella stopped Angelica. Just as Karma was inwardly relieved, Isabella narrowed her eyes and spoke.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

“That’s a relief. You’re not letting your imagination run wild.”

“You stay out of it. We’ll handle Eugene.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“Because I don’t trust someone like you, who doesn’t care about the means as long as the goal is achieved.”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

“Then can you honestly say there’s no ulterior motive?”

At Isabella’s question, Karma gave a bitter smile. The truth was, while he had brought Eugene in for protection, there was also a bit of personal ambition involved. He couldn’t deny that. 

Ambition for talent. Eugene was clearly a promising figure with a bright future. He was someone who deserved the title of a future Captain candidate. 

Karma couldn’t lead the 4th Division forever. He couldn’t hold the position for a century like the Commander.

He wanted to prepare for the day he would step down from his position as Captain by nurturing the next generation.

Just as Isabella had done with Angelica.

That’s why he wanted to keep Eugene close…

“Hoho.”

Karma let out a laugh to hide his disappointment. Well, maybe the 3rd Division would be better for him. 

For Eugene’s sake. With his homeroom teacher here, it would be a more comfortable place for him. The 3rd Division, where he had a guardian, would be a safer place than the 4th Division, where he knew no one.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”

Isabella’s strength was trustworthy, and it seemed Angelica had also broken through the wall.

There were two god-tier supernaturals here.

This place was clearly safer than being by his side.

It’s a shame, but what can he do?

Karma accepted it.

◈

“No, I won’t go to the 3rd Division.”

Eugene spoke firmly.

“Since you’ve appointed me as your temporary aide, I don’t plan to leave until the Family suppression operation is over.”

“…I didn’t expect this.”

He truly hadn’t expected it.

He thought Eugene would gladly leave if told to go to the 3rd Division.

Had he grown attached to him in such a short time?

Karma felt a strange sense of emotion.

‘If it was teacher Angelica, she’d definitely pull me out of the operation.’

Of course, Eugene’s thoughts were completely different.

If it were his homeroom teacher, she would undoubtedly prioritize his safety above all else. That would mean he couldn’t do anything. The chances of him being of even the slightest help in saving Lucia would be slim. 

Even though being under this suspicious man’s wing was uncomfortable, it was still better than sitting around doing nothing. To catch a tiger, you had to be willing to enter the tiger’s den.

Unaware of Eugene’s thoughts, Karma returned to the 3rd Division with a buoyant heart, thinking he had gained some influence.

And he relayed Eugene’s opinion honestly.

“What the hell did you say to Eugene to make him like this?!”

Once again, Angelica grabbed him by the collar.

Karma felt his breath tightening and shrugged.

“Who knows? I didn’t do anything.”

※I really didn’t do anything.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Karma may be narrow-eyed, but he is still an idiot.

He’s almost as clueless as Lucia.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
The type of misunderstanding to get him voted out in a certain space game, heh.