A Different Path? (2)

The more I thought about it, the more I started to lean towards the idea that it might be better to create a faction. I mean, think about it. There were no demerits to creating a faction, and it was all beneficial. So wouldn’t it be better to do it?

“But how do you create a faction?”

This isn’t a game where you can just go to an NPC and say, ‘I’m going to be the faction leader from today.’ So then, where and how can you create a faction?

It’s truly an important matter. In fantasy novels, whenever factions appear, there’s never any description of how to create them, so there’s no way to know. They always only show the factions after they’ve already been formed.

“Oh, I think I’m in trouble.”

I can’t just pass this task off to someone else since I’m not just a simple member, but need to become the leader of the faction. This is something the leader has to do personally. But I don’t know how. Huh? Oh no.

“What should I do?”

Who should I ask? But who? It’s obvious Mari wouldn’t know if I asked her. How would she, a commoner, know about factions among nobles? Then… Reinhardt?

Certainly, Reinhardt would know well. After all, Reinhardt is the Crown Prince and has lived in the Imperial Palace, seeing all sorts of people. He might know more about factions than anyone else here.

But how do I ask Reinhardt? Should I say, “I’m trying to create a faction to bully Mari, do you know how to make one?”

I might be called crazy immediately. Even I think this sounds ridiculous. It’s better to ask someone else. But there might not be anyone suitable to ask here.

“Ah.”

Elizabeth Scrania. She was there. I was planning to visit her anyway, so I could think of it as having one more thing to ask?

“Alright. That solves one problem.”

The Scrania Marchioness family isn’t exactly an ancient noble house, but it’s still one of the well-known families. The young lady of that family would surely know about factions. If I ask, she’ll probably tell me everything.

“Asking will be the problem though…”

As I said before, I can’t just outright ask, “How do you create a faction?” Here, I should ask indirectly, as if I’m just casually inquiring. For example, I could ask what she thinks about creating a faction, if there’s anything she could help with. That kind of question should be enough.

“Good, good. Really solved.”

Unfortunately, Elizabeth is in the swordsmanship department, not the magic department. It would be best to visit her at an appropriate time after classes end. It’s already too late today, so it can’t be helped.

Anyway, Mari is late. Even though she said she had an errand, it’s almost dinner time. She should be coming soon so we can go eat together.

“Should I just leave without her?”

As Reinhardt said, there wouldn’t be any problem if I ate with him, but I’d feel bad if she came back later and started looking for me. Should I leave a note? No, wouldn’t that make her think I’m being too considerate?

It’s a dilemma. What should I do? Just go? Objectively, this seems like the most reasonable choice. We’re roommates, but we’re not best friends or anything, so is there a need to report every move to each other?

Ah, I don’t know. I’ll just wait until it’s time and if she doesn’t come, I’ll go ahead. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think I’ll find a proper answer. This seems to be the best option for now.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, I heard the sound of the door opening, and my head automatically turned towards it. It seems Mari has returned. She’s not a nobleman, huh. Then, should we naturally go eat together? I should at least greet her…

“…What happened?”

“Ah, ahaha…”

Uniform covered in dirt, disheveled hair, a somewhat tired face. Just a glance was enough to easily tell what had happened. I should have anticipated this. I underestimated this world too much.

That’s right. This is the world of a romance fantasy. It’s a world that portrays the growth and struggles of the female protagonist. But here, just because I, the main villain, stay quiet for a moment, could Mari have peace?

The answer is right here. Absolutely not. If I don’t move, others will step up to bully her in my place.

Mari is a commoner. And she’s the top student of her year. Being just the top student would be fine. Especially if you’re from a high-ranking family, you could live peacefully like me. You might even be revered. Being just a commoner is also fine. Some nobles steeped in authoritarianism might look down on you, but that’s not a big deal.

However, when these two factors combine, the impact is beyond imagination. A commoner surpasses numerous nobles to take the top spot. The commoner stands out. Starts to act up…

The moment such labels start to appear, Mari’s reputation begins to plummet instantly. Nobles will look at her with disdain, and commoners won’t dare approach her because of the nobles’ gaze. It’s the beginning of a vicious cycle.

Mari has innate mental strength. In the original story, Mari didn’t flinch at most things and never showed a broken appearance while attending the academy. She only broke down much later, after the demon invasion began.

It’s okay. She won’t be affected by this level of harassment. Because Mari is the protagonist. She was fine even when she suffered such bullying from me. But how long can that last?

I am not the ‘Ariel’ from the original story. I have enough brains to understand that. And for some reason, Reinhardt doesn’t seem to avoid me that much. The original story has already been distorted to some extent.

I thought I was at least following the minimal flow by doing some villainess acts towards Mari, but if such sudden variables continue… the original story might really be distorted.

The full-scale bullying of Mari is supposed to appear a bit later in the story. When ‘Ariel’ starts to check Mari in earnest and spreads rumors around. Mari should still be having a relatively peaceful academy life now, even if she’s getting some dirty looks. But she’s already being checked like this.

“I’ll wash up quickly.”

While I was lost in thought, Mari passed by me with an awkward smile. Fortunately, she doesn’t seem to be bleeding, but the sight of her having suffered quite a bit was deeply etched in my mind.

I was about to open my mouth, but I closed it again. What should I say here? Wait a moment? What happened? Are you okay?

No, that’s not it. I’m just a villainess. An evil role prepared to torment the protagonist. What meaning would my words have to the protagonist?

Moreover, to survive, I’ve already spoken harshly and done terrible things to Mari, unlike those who try to look good. If I speak now, wouldn’t it just look hypocritical? Wouldn’t it feel fake?

“Ah.”

Suddenly, Mari stopped in her tracks. Of course, I didn’t stop her. I have enough decency not to bother Mari in a situation like this…

“I’m sorry. I was going to make them for you today…”

“What do you mean?”

I was wondering what she was suddenly talking about, but Mari showed me what she was holding in her hand. An envelope that had burst open, its contents a mess. What’s inside is…

“Cookies, I’ll definitely make them for you tomorrow.”

So that’s why she was so late. To bake cookies for me as she said last time. To get the ingredients right after classes ended. Because of that one-sided promise that I didn’t even set a deadline for and didn’t need to care about.

Seeing her weak smile, I stood up quickly, making all my previous worries seem meaningless.

“Uh, um… My Lady?”

Mari, whose arm was suddenly grabbed, looked up at me with wide eyes. The height difference between Mari and me isn’t that big, but when she’s standing there awkwardly like that, of course I end up looking down at her. No, that’s not important.

I don’t know why I moved just now. Just seeing that envelope and Mari’s face, I couldn’t stay still. Even though I’m supposed to make Mari make that kind of face. Even though I’m supposed to make her make that expression because of me. I don’t know why I’m acting like this.

“Stand still.”

“Y-yes?!”

“I said stand still and don’t talk.”

“B-but…”

As Mari kept trying to say something, I shot her a serious look, and she flinched before slowly lowering her head.

Yes. This is just because I was surprised by this unexpected situation. If she’s going to be bullied like that, it’s right that she should be bullied by me, that’s why I’m doing this.

That must be the reason.