Ch.80Academy Attack Incident – 2

“…What did you just say?”

Erestica’s hand trembled as she gripped her magical device. Her eyes were wide open, and her nails dug into her palm.

But there was no time to worry about such trivial matters. She simply quietly asked the person on the other end of the magical device if she had heard correctly.

“If this is a report about that beast, you’d better take responsibility for your words.”

“Of course. Why would you betray the demon race and fight alongside us humans? Deceiving you would be unthinkable.”

After a brief pause, the Sword Saint answered in a subdued voice.

“The Explosive Dragon Mahbat has appeared in the eastern contact zone with the demon realm.”

Erestica’s eyes filled with hatred and ecstasy upon hearing those words. The hatred was naturally directed at Mahbat, while the ecstasy came from the fact that she finally had the opportunity to tear that damned creature to pieces.

“The Imperial Palace seems to want me to step in—”

“Tell those fools that if any human other than me dares to touch the Explosive Dragon, the Empire will be engulfed in draconic fury. I swear this not as Erestica, but in the name of Meligor. Killing that beast is solely, from beginning to end, entirely my responsibility.”

“I know. Don’t worry. I’ve already informed them that the Dragon herself will be taking the field, so go ahead without concern.”

The fact that the Sword Saint had informed them that neither Erestica, nor Meligor, nor even the Chairman of Bellium Academy, but the Dragon herself would be taking the field meant that he anticipated what would happen next.

“I wish you good fortune.”

With those words, the light of the communication device faded. Erestica quietly set it down. Then she exhaled a heated breath—hooo—attempting to calm her anger.

“So you’ve finally dragged that heavy body of yours out into the open.”

But her anger didn’t subside at all. In a voice overflowing with hatred that had grown so intense it turned cold, Erestica murmured icily.

This was her chance for revenge after 130 years. She absolutely could not let it slip away.

After making a final inspection of the magical barrier surrounding the academy in case of any unforeseen circumstances, Erestica left only a brief note saying she would be out for a while, then soared into the sky.

By the time her body had risen higher than the clouds, a mountain-like enormous being had appeared.

“How have you been, Mira Crate?”

“…It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

I reluctantly returned the Crown Prince’s greeting. The Crown Prince, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, was still as imperious and arrogant as ever. Nothing had changed except that his feminine curves seemed slightly more pronounced.

It had been nice not getting entangled with him all this time, but apparently he didn’t feel the same way.

“May I ask why you summoned me?”

“First, take a seat. This isn’t the kind of story I should tell you while you’re standing.”

As I was about to sit in the chair that had been conspicuously left out, I noticed something on it and paused. It was something that seemed out of place.

“What’s wrong?”

“There’s something here.”

I picked up what was on the chair. It was a fairly long white compression bandage.

The Crown Prince visibly flinched when he saw the bandage in my hand. He frantically searched his pockets, then bit his lip with a slightly pale face.

This was the first time I’d seen the Crown Prince react like this. Was this something that shouldn’t be discovered? I decided to probe a little further.

“This is strange. Judging by the warmth still remaining, it hasn’t been here long. There’s no blood or pus, so it wasn’t used to wrap a wound, but it does show signs of use. Do you have any idea what this might have been used for?”

“…I wouldn’t know.”

I pointed out each observation I made while examining the bandage. With each comment, the Crown Prince flinched and showed a flustered expression.

I was surprised by my own success in probing. I wondered what this could possibly be to make him so flustered. This was the Crown Prince who normally wouldn’t bat an eye at most things.

“I can’t really guess what it might be. It could belong to someone from the student council, so it doesn’t seem like something I should be touching. I’ll leave it here, and I’ll leave its disposal to Your Highness’s judgment.”

After a moment’s consideration, I decided to pretend I didn’t know. I might be able to guess the answer if I thought about it a bit more, but there was nothing to gain by digging deeper into something that caused such a reaction from the Crown Prince.

I could detect a faint fragrance from the bandage, but I chose not to mention it and placed it on the adjacent chair. Then I sat down in my original seat and asked directly.

“What did you want to discuss?”

Despite my question, the Crown Prince continued to wear a deeply troubled expression, unable to compose himself. He spent a while looking back and forth between the bandage and me, biting his lip, and only after several minutes did he barely manage to regain his imperious attitude.

“I heard an interesting story from the Imperial Palace. My brother, who has long since been deposed as Crown Prince, is apparently gathering forces again recently.”

“…Pardon?”

I had known for some time that the Crown Prince had siblings. I couldn’t quite remember if it was one or two, but that was because the others had been expelled from the power structure long ago, so there was no need to remember.

Logically, who would pay attention to a former crown prince who had barely escaped with his life and was essentially exiled to the frontier? That would certainly invite trouble from Laura.

“Surprisingly, the number of nobles supporting that man is quite substantial. At the current rate of increase, calculations show that within a month at most, his forces will surpass mine. Perhaps even sooner, assuming more fools betray me and join his side.”

Yet here was the Crown Prince himself contradicting that logic. My surprise must have shown on my face, as the Crown Prince curled up the corners of his mouth.

“You think it makes no sense, I see.”

“I do.”

“So do I. I cannot comprehend it at all. Both the unprecedented speed of this coalition in the Empire’s thousand-year history and this parade of betrayers that defies rational understanding. I simply cannot fathom why so many nobles are flocking to that scoundrel at such a rapid pace. It’s not even the result of brainwashing, so I feel as though all the common sense I’ve built up is being denied.”

The Crown Prince gritted his teeth with rage-filled eyes. He seemed unable to accept the current situation.

‘…Could it be them?’

While it might be incomprehensible to him, I had some idea of what might be happening. Among the information desperately shared by Priscilla’s sister was the story of nobles entangled with succubi.

“So I ask you, Mira Crate.”

The Crown Prince interlaced his fingers, rested his elbows on the desk, and propped his chin on his hands as he looked at me.

“Are you on my side?”

“…”

“Are you someone who can pledge eternal, undying loyalty to me alone, rather than a fool who switches sides as easily as turning over your palm, like those damnable traitors?”

“…”

“Before hearing your answer, let me add that I desperately hope you are on my side. If even you were to cease being mine, I would be very, very sad. As my allies decrease, the things you could gain would increase, and I would have to recalculate the distribution plan.”

It would definitely be right to side with the Crown Prince here, but I hesitated because of how he had treated me in the past. Seeing my hesitation, the Crown Prince seemed to realize something and smiled, leaning forward.

“I see. I understand why you’re hesitating to answer. I should take the direct approach, as that old woman advised. I’ve dragged this out too long for reasons that aren’t even reasons.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you promise to pledge eternal loyalty to me, I will reveal to you my greatest secret and weakness. Surely the greatest secret and weakness of the future Emperor would not be a bad deal for you.”

His greatest secret. It was a tempting offer, but there was something I needed to know first. I took out a piece of paper and jotted down the names of several noble houses to show him.

“I have a question. Are these included in the list of nobles supporting the deposed Crown Prince?”

The Crown Prince took the paper and read it, then showed genuine surprise.

“How did you know? That’s exactly right. I didn’t realize you had talent in intelligence gathering as well.”

‘As I thought.’

The list I had written contained all the nobles that Gloria had mentioned were definitely enthralled by succubi. And I had also included House Astrierre, just in case.

That confirmed it. The Succubus Queen was involved in the current situation. The fact that they were using even House Astrierre meant they were staking everything on this.

“I like you more and more. I sincerely want to keep you by my side. Now I’d like to hear your answer directly.”

The Crown Prince’s scarlet eyes gleamed. His gaze dripped with greed as he looked at me. It made me feel uncomfortable, but I had no choice.

Now that it was confirmed that the deposed Crown Prince’s supporters were involved with demons, the option of supporting that side was essentially gone.

“Of course, I am on Your Highness’s side.”

“Forever?”

“As long as Your Highness doesn’t walk a misguided path.”

A satisfied smile appeared on the Crown Prince’s face upon hearing my answer.

“Put such worries aside. Now, having gained an ally worth a thousand armies, I must keep my promise. As promised, I will reveal my greatest secret and weakness.”

I focused intently. This was probably information that even Priscilla or Rosaria didn’t know. If they had known, they would have revealed it long ago.

An expression of embarrassment appeared on the Crown Prince’s face. His already increasingly feminine rather than androgynous features looked even more alluring.

“The truth is, I—”

At that moment, the sunlight streaming through the window disappeared. The room was plunged into darkness. Sensing something amiss, we both simultaneously looked out the window.

“…It seems I must postpone fulfilling our contract. I apologize, my friend.”

The Crown Prince murmured in a subdued voice. His eyes turned toward the sky.

The protective barrier surrounding the academy was undulating ceaselessly, like a seashore battered by a massive typhoon. Beyond the barrier, a curtain of darkness that had enveloped the entire academy was visible.

Within that curtain, a dimensional gate of ominous color was attempting to open. Whatever it was, it was clearly a very bad sign.

‘Right. I had a feeling something was about to happen.’

I had suspected something would occur ever since the Pope’s honor guard came here and the Pope, albeit a fake one, made an appearance.

I just hadn’t expected it to unfold so dramatically.

‘I need to hurry to minimize the damage.’

I knew what the situation outside meant.

The Academy Raid Incident.

The event that marked the final chapter of the first part of the original novel.