When Selling a Grave, Exclude My Own

Bailak Professor’s virtual dungeon class was abruptly terminated due to internal circumstances at the Academy.

Originally, students were supposed to spend a subjective 20 days inside, but they were returned to reality in less than 10, and they protested, feeling their secret amusements had been disturbed.

“Why did you suddenly stop the virtual dungeon!”

“Ugh, I was about to break the record for the monster wave…!”

“Do you know how much money it costs to run this once?!”

“I only met Young Master O’Brien after 10 days!”

The students outwardly protested that they had lost a valuable opportunity to gain combat experience, but in reality, the hidden and cruel tastes of high-ranking nobles were unfolding in various parts of the virtual dungeon, so they must have felt forcibly cut off from their entertainment.

What else would a young lady and young master, who would normally never meet… or, even if they did, would only exchange elegant cups of tea, do?

Well, since it’s a virtual world, there’s no chance of pregnancy anyway.

After clearing the monsters and the surroundings, they would spend their time in a very lewd and promiscuous manner, or even gather in groups for orgies. Some with malicious tendencies even satisfied their extreme tastes, including human hunting and torture.

Ten days out of twenty meant they had just finished clearing the monsters and were in the midst of their amusements, so it was only natural that the young ladies and young masters were angry.

They were somewhat calmed by Professor Bailak’s promise to equalize all scores to an equally high level and the explanation of internal Academy circumstances, but the students couldn’t help but grumble.

With the suspension of the liberal arts class, all the students who had been taking it were sent back to their dormitories and homes earlier than expected.

“My goodness. Where have you been, Alice?”

“That’s right. We even took over a camp that other students had made while waiting for you, but you didn’t show your face even after 10 days.”

“Sorry. I got tangled up with a bug.”

The bug referred to Gresus Reikingdon, who had acted alone to kill Alice.

For the record, Gresus had his limbs torn apart by Alice with the safety devices completely disabled, and as a result, Gresus’s body in reality suffered necrosis of the limbs and complete cessation of function in some parts of the body, including the internal organs.

Thanks to Gresus, Professor Bailak was able to explain the reason for the suspension of the virtual dungeon to the angry students, so wasn’t that a fortunate thing?

Thank you, Gresus!

Thanks to your solo act, Professor Bailak’s pension wasn’t cut!

But in fact, the reason the virtual dungeon was terminated was because Alice had secretly sent a message to Perdain Arbentaine.

With the Arbentaine Family’s hands and eyes all over the Academy’s board of directors and faculty, it was easy to suspend a liberal arts class by citing unavoidable and inescapable ‘internal circumstances.’

“Well, the inside of the virtual dungeon is also very large… It seems there was an error in the internal code.”

“In the end, I was only able to spend time intimately with Taylor in the virtual dungeon. That time was enjoyable, but it would have been even better if Alice was with us…”

Fira.

No, at Pyon’s words, Taylor’s face instantly flushed red.

“W-w-what!? I-intimately! What intimate time did I spend with a commoner like you?!”

“Oh, does that mean that all the deep and intimate time Miss Taylor spent with me was a lie?!”

“T-that’s… no, it’s not a lie… it’s…”

“What? What did you two do while I was gone?”

“Well? Why don’t you guess what we did, Alice?”

At Alice’s question, Fira gave a playful smile and stuck out her long tongue.

Seeing Fira’s tongue, as red as red wine, Taylor flinched and lowered her flushed face.

“What is it? What is it?”

“Hehehe, I gave a young noble lady an experience of a special world she didn’t know.”

“Hey! Hey! Pyon! Are you crazy?!”

Taylor, horrified, used mana and lunged to cover Fira’s mouth, but it was not enough to stop the mouth of a First-Class Overseer who had infiltrated as a noble brat.

“To Miss Taylor, who doesn’t know the clarity of blood, I showed the warmth and the sensation of killing intent inside, and an indescribable and dizzying experience… Even though it was her first time, Miss Taylor fell into a world of ecstasy so adorably~”

“What, you mean you hunted a monster raid.”

“…”

“…”

At Alice’s words, Fira and Taylor’s faces briefly turned blank.

“Blood and flesh mean the joy of tearing monsters to death. If you hunt monsters frantically, you reach a state of ecstasy where the sword becomes me and I become the sword… What was it? One mind, one body? Unity of mind and matter? Divine sword combination?”

“…Ah, yes. Let’s go with that.”

“T-that’s right. That’s what it is. Alice!”

Fira’s face seemed to be sighing, ‘Ugh. It’s so annoying how desperately you’re trying to avoid it.’ Taylor, on the other hand, was calming her pounding heart, relieved that a secret that shouldn’t be revealed had been kept.

Unlike the two, Alice thought to herself, ‘As expected of Fira. I don’t know who contacted me, but with her intuition, she knew that I had contacted a person or group of interest and deliberately drew aggro to exclude Taylor from the topic!’ She didn’t spare her admiration and praise for Fira.

Well, only Fira herself knows what the truth is.

With that, Fira returned to her designated dormitory, and Alice and Fira returned to the Arbentaine Grand Duke’s residence, which was not far from the Academy.

“But, sister. Do you really know what happened?”

“No, I just hunted monster waves appropriately. I beat up the kids who attacked me, that’s it.”

It’s not a lie.

Did I hunt monster waves? YES

Did I beat up the kids who attacked me? YES

As the Grand Duke’s splendid entrance opened, someone suddenly popped out as if they had been waiting for me.

“Alice!”

“Ah, Mother!”

“Mother, I’m back.”

It was Jess, the Arbentaine Family’s nominal mistress and Taylor’s biological mother.

Originally, Alice, who killed Jess’s biological son, and she were by no means on friendly terms, but from the moment Alice became Arbentaine’s adopted daughter and shared a secret and dangerous secret with Jess on her first night, Jess had been treating Alice like her own daughter.

“You’re back early today.”

“Something called internal circumstances came up at the Academy.”

“I was having so much fun in the virtual dungeon…”

“Ah, the virtual dungeon… I had quite a bit of fun when I was at the Academy too.”

Jess’s eyes became a little wistful, as if she was reminded of her days at the Academy.

“Ah, look at my mind. Would you two like to have a simple meal together? When you’re done, a good work has been imported from the Video Literature hall, so together…”

“Ah, I’m sorry. Mother. The head of the family called for me.”

“…!”

At the word ‘head of the family,’ Jess’s eyes sharpened for a moment.

Alice had been behaving quietly for the past four weeks, but that didn’t mean she hadn’t done anything at all.

It was Jess who had given Alice all the information about the Arbentaine Family and the Ruincrest layer, the geography, the relationships between each family and the list of political and business figures who had influence, and the information on internal employees and private soldiers.

And the words ‘the head of the family called’ was a signal between Jess and Alice.

It was a signal to be quiet so as not to be suspected, as she had to work as an Overseer.

“Then there’s nothing I can do.”

“Sister, then will you come to the Flamingo hall when you’re done? You can watch a video with Mother.”

“Taylor, Alice is the successor, so you shouldn’t bother her.”

“Ah, yes…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to visit you when I’m done.”

“…Okay. Be careful.”

After sending Jess and Taylor away, Alice walked towards the head of the family’s office, which was in the opposite direction from them.

The head of the family’s office was in a separate building altogether. It took about 10 minutes to walk from the entrance of the Grand Duke’s residence.

The extravagant garden and fountain, where astronomical amounts of money had been spent, and the walls and artificial forest, which were managed 24 hours a day by employees, were indirect indicators of the Arbentaine Family’s power and wealth.

“Marlang!”

“Ugh…”

“Hhehe…”

“Nuoong…”

Next to the fountain, Marlang was walking gracefully and holding a secret meeting with someone.

The employees were bowing their heads as if worshiping Marlang in her maid outfit, and next to her was Gaia, who was gurgling down fresh water from the fountain.

Well, I didn’t even do a reverse summon for Gaia, so she must have been somewhere after killing Dehite.

Gaia waved her hand and greeted Alice when she found her.

Well, it’s a relief that both Marlang and Gaia seem to be doing well.

Since coming here, I’ve been busy and haven’t been able to take care of them, except for assigning them a room and asking another employee to take good care of Marlang, but somehow those two seem to have adapted to the Grand Duke’s residence and are doing well.

But have those two become idols of the Grand Duke’s employees?

No, rather than becoming idols, the expressions on people’s faces are a little strange…?

But those people who are possessed look suspicious too.

‘The Arbentaine’s employees wouldn’t be just anyone…? Did Gaia or Marlang suck their life force?’

It is presumed that Marlang has also achieved her own achievements while Alice has been secretly collecting information and exploring the Arbentaine Family for four weeks.

I should go see Perdain for now.

Alice was walking with her hands behind her back when she saw dozens of security drones floating in the air descending towards her.

They are security drones deployed near the office to kill intruders or assassins.

[Alice Arbentaine, confirmed.]

Only after the security drones, which had confirmed Alice’s face, retreated was Alice able to enter the head of the family’s office.

-Knock knock knock.

When entering the head of the family’s office, knock three times at regular intervals.

Wait for a while until an answer comes.

If there is still no answer, knock three times again.

“Come in.”

“I shall enter.”

Alice entered the office with graceful steps.

“We’re alone now.”

“Oh, really?”

At those words, Alice stopped her graceful steps and leaned back on the office sofa with her legs spread anyhow.

-Rustle rustle

In the meantime, Perdain seemed to be busy dealing with the incoming documents.

The family’s affairs are one thing, but… preparing for treason cannot be solved with mere diligence.

“Tell me in detail about the opposition to the cause.”

“Don’t you know better, Father?”

“Tell me what you know. I’d like to hear other people’s opinions.”

“Shall I express it in three words?”

“Go ahead.”

“Cowards.”

“Accurate. Rarely do I agree with you.”

Opposition to treason.

Coffee Tree.

It is a natural fact and like the order of nature that there are things that must be sacrificed for the sake of the cause, but they are losers who are afraid to let go of what they have.

“It seems Father knew about those guys from the beginning?”

“Of course. There is no place in the entire layer that my eyes and hands do not reach.”

“Then why did you leave them alone? If they are people who hinder the cause, isn’t it right to remove the root and eliminate the source of trouble?”

Pertain despises such opposition to treason and naturally does not look kindly on them, but even so, the method he chose was to leave them alone.

“They are cowards, but they are also nobles.”

“Is that a reason? Ah, I see.”

“For a commoner, you certainly have a good head on your shoulders. Nobles are valuable beings simply because they are nobles. Regardless of how rotten and cowardly they are inside.”

One way or another, they are nobles from the same layer.

Coffee Tree are cowards, but they are nobles. The wealth and property, the influence of companies and streets that nobles have can never be ignored.

Of course, if he had used that method, Perdain would have completely eliminated the opposition to treason.

“But now the situation has changed. They contacted you? What did they say?”

“They told me to join them?”

“What was your answer?”

“Ah, me? Even if I were an Overseer or Executor who infiltrated the layer, I’d refuse them.”

“I see. That’s understandable. Cowards have no vision or cause. However…”

Of course, even the opposition to treason, including Coffee Tree, is not actively trying to terrorize the meritorious families or embark on a full-scale path to hinder the cause.

It’s really just close to the feeling of ‘Let’s poke at something we can’t have.’

If possible, great.

If not, oh well.

Duel Trials are held like everyday life at the Academy, so it’s not strange even if Alice is killed.

If Perdain is angry, they can get away with it by sacrificing a tail or one of the duel participants.

One way or another, from the perspective of the opposition to treason, Perdain is the terrifying owner of the layer and a meritorious family.

They are afraid of the Ark Central Administration and afraid of the Arbentaine nearby. They are just cowards and petty people themselves.

“Normally, I wouldn’t pay any attention to them, but if they contacted you, it’s a different story.”

“It’s also evidence that they have decided to actively interfere with Father’s cause.”

“It’s only circumstantial, but it’s possible enough. And I’m not a nice guy who would leave alone forces in the same layer that want to hinder our cause.”

At the same time, all sorts of holograms were arranged around Perdain.

All of them are weapons and private soldier command rights.

If Perdain says just one word now, the powerful private soldiers who have been preparing for the cause will wipe out those belonging to Coffee Tree and their families all at once.

“Wait a minute, Father.”

“What is it?”

“I’m going to join Coffee Tree.”

“…?”

Instantly, Perdain’s face was severely distorted.

Did I hear wrong?

But soon he realized that there was nothing wrong with his hearing, and he began to send a massive killing intent towards Alice.

“You’ll have to explain so that I can understand. Otherwise, you won’t be able to leave this place alive.”

“Oh my, Father’s force is making me want to pee my pants~”

“Shut up and answer. Coffee Tree. What does it mean to join that cowardly group?”

“Father just said it. Even if they’re rotten, they’re still nobles.”

At those words, Perdain’s face fell into thought.

“Are you going to win them over?”

“What’s the reason why those who oppose Father’s tremendous cause haven’t been able to take active action so far? Basically, it’s because the Arbentaine Family itself is too powerful, apart from the forces that support Father, right?”

“That’s right.”

The Arbentaine nearby is much more terrifying than the Ark Central Administration far away.

The opposition did not have the courage or ability to investigate clear evidence of treason and report it to the center. Conversely, they were also afraid of the treason war itself, so they could not actively participate in the Arbentaine.

So, their actual actions are more accurately called middle-of-the-road abandonmentists or abstainers, even though they are the opposition to treason.

“Honestly, think about it. Even if I actively seek cooperation from them, how much of a big deal would it be for Father’s cause?”

“Hmm…”

“As I said before, the opposition is also a rotten noble of the Ruincrest layer. Wouldn’t it be right to have them participate in the cause if possible, rather than causing losses due to internal division?”

Pertain nodded at Alice’s words.

It’s not wrong.

“If I pretend to cooperate with Coffee Tree appropriately, Coffee Tree will try to obtain evidence of Father’s cause… treason from the perspective of the Central Administration. If they have material evidence, the Central Administration can move under the pretext of treason.”

“But those cowards didn’t. They have no courage, no skill, not even the resolve.”

“So they’ll tell me to get it for them. There are two options here.”

“Two options?”

“One is that I keep delaying, saying I’m having trouble finding evidence of the rebellion. That way, until the Day of the Cause arrives, the opposition will only trust me and won’t be able to commit any acts of treason.”

“What’s the other?”

Alice grinned and looked at Perdain.

“Secretly spread hints or rumors that your father is going to purge the opposition.”

“What? Then they’ll all…”

Purdain’s eyes widened as he was about to say they would hide.

Suppose he spread rumors that he was going to eliminate the anti-rebellion opposition.

Then the opposition, including the Coffee Tree, would naturally start to act rashly.

Whether they secretly report to the central administration, or actively express their opposition to him.

“Sooner or later, your father will have the justification to wipe out the opposition, right?”

Certainly, justification is important in this world.

Especially in this world of nobles.

Didn’t the Arbentaine Family also package their rebellion itself as a ‘Cause’ and claim justification, instead of calling it treason?

If he tried to eliminate the opposition without justification, other families or companies that had formed cooperative alliances with Perdain might try to back out or harbor impure intentions.

“Here, your father can either wipe them out with justification, or show mercy.”

“Mercy? Mercy to them? Why would I show them that?”

“You know the influence of the nobles best, Father.”

“It doesn’t matter if I wipe them out and take control of it.”

“It matters. Do you want to see those paper documents pile up five times as high? Oh, it doesn’t matter since it’s not my job anyway, right? Do whatever you want, Father.”

“……”

Certainly, an increase in work is not welcome for Perdain either.

Even now, he’s honestly on the verge of his head exploding from preparing for the Cause, and if he were to enter the absorption process caused by the destruction and construction of other forces here, it would only get worse.

“It was definitely a good choice.”

“What?”

“Instead of a son called a madman. Choosing you as an alternative.”

“Ah, I’m a bit good.”

Alice crossed her legs arrogantly and raised her chin.

Actually, Theresa did everything, not what I thought.

Theresa is the best after all.