episode_0104

Violet drove the truck at a frantic pace. From the city center to an alley, then from the alley back to the main road, she twisted and turned her route continuously, and an hour quickly passed.

As she drove, the shock and fear she had felt earlier had significantly lessened. Still, she would never forget that sight.

Suspicious-looking riders on motorcycles hovered around the truck. These were the Rider Violets.

Three motorcycles, dispatched from their delivery duties, maintained a certain distance from the truck, checking for any tailing vehicles and performing escort duty.

“The explosives are ready, right?”

“I packed them, but we used most of our stock blowing up the facility in the dungeon this time.”

The escort team’s role was simple. If anyone pursued them, they were to repel them; if they couldn’t, their mission was to self-destruct to stop the pursuit.

“Excuse me, Violet? I don’t know where we’re going, but Lucian-ssi and the others don’t look so good.”

Daphne, who was in the passenger seat, asked. She glanced worriedly at Lucian’s party, who were riding in the cargo area.

“Shouldn’t we take a break?”

“We can’t stop now.”

The reflection of their faces in the rearview mirror showed they were psychologically unwell. Nevertheless, I shook my head decisively.

Although I had blown up that research facility with bombs, I hadn’t completely finished off that student council president. I hadn’t had the capacity to, either.

“They must have realized by now that we annihilated the pursuing guards, right?”

“Getting as far away from the school as possible is our top priority.”

The Violets exchanged information, discussing what to do next. While they pondered where to hide the three students, Irene, who was sitting between Daphne and me, pointed forward.

“I know what you’re worried about. But relax. From here on, you don’t have to worry as much.”

“Oh, it’s true.”

The road sign indicated that they had already entered the Central District. They were outside the Magna Vis Clan’s jurisdiction, but it was impossible to be certain.

Number 2 asked the motorcycle escort team hovering around the truck.

“No one has been pursuing us so far, right?”

“None at all!”

In that case, there was no need to worry for now.

I needed to relax and clear my head. Just then, my stomach rumbled.

There was a fast food restaurant nearby, so I parked and went inside.

“Alright, let’s eat!”

We ordered a pile of hamburger sets and chicken nuggets. Irene was going to pay. Having a rich friend felt good in times like this.

She handed her card to the cashier. A moment later, the cashier, looking troubled, returned the card and said,

“Customer, this card isn’t going through.”

“What? That can’t be right.”

Puzzled, Irene tried to pay with another card. The result was the same.

I stepped forward. I couldn’t bear to see my friend failing card payments repeatedly and getting flustered.

“Please use this to pay!”

I paid for the meal instead.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Why is this happening?”

“Why do you need to be sorry? I have plenty of money.”

I replied with a chuckle so she wouldn’t feel awkward.

In reality, we Violets were wealthy. We had stolen so much money from the gang in Stygian Lane last time.

The hamburger sets, chicken nuggets, and ice cream arrived. I carried them over to the table where the five students were seated.

My friends started eating, but Lucian’s group seemed to have no appetite, picking at their food.

“Do you perhaps dislike hamburgers? Should we go somewhere else?”

“…Not really. Don’t you have a wrapper? Don’t throw it away; I’ll eat it later.”

Lucian took a bite or two, then tossed aside the hamburger he was holding and only sipped his drink. The others were also just picking at their food, so it seemed they had no appetite.

“Eek!”

Levi suddenly shrieked. His dark eyes darted wildly at the red ketchup splattered on the wrapper.

“Oh, sorry!”

I quickly wiped away the ketchup. Granite’s expression wasn’t good either. The horrors they had witnessed in the lab seemed to have left a bad memory in their minds.

In the end, I was the only one who ate properly.

Since everyone looked unwell, I took them to a nearby hotel, booked rooms, and let them rest. In that state, further conversation today would be impossible.

After booking rooms for the escort Violets as well, I stepped out of the hotel.

Irene was on her phone, talking with a bewildered expression.

“Is there a problem?”

After the call ended, I asked. Irene’s voice trailed off.

“It’s nothing serious, just some issues with my cards and accounts. I’ll be able to fix it soon! But, what are we going to do next?”

“Tomorrow, I’ll have to talk with Lucian’s team. It’s impossible for them to go back to school like this.”

“That’s right. As you said, those three directly witnessed them committing those acts. Kroshel himself saw the faces of those three. He’ll try to silence them somehow.”

It’s unfortunate. To have caught the eye of a murderous student council president! They’re going to be eliminated.

The situation today was so terrifying that my friends also decided to stay at the hotel instead of returning to school immediately. For now, let’s observe how things unfold.

***

The next day, six boys and girls, having finished breakfast, gathered around a hotel room table. It was time to discuss what they couldn’t yesterday.

Lucian’s group looked tidier than yesterday, but each of them hid worry in their own way, in a corner of their expressions.

Irene was the first to speak.

“As you might already realize, you can’t go back to the academy now.”

“I know that. I don’t know why, but that student council president committed a massacre with Magna Vis soldiers!”

Lucian replied with a frown. That guy was smart, so he understood quickly.

“We’ve seen some giant clan’s secrets that we shouldn’t have seen. The school is probably involved too.”

“Exactly.”

“Ugh, what do we do…”

Levi, who had been listening silently, looked on the verge of tears. Granite hesitated but then spoke.

“Can’t we report it to an outside source? If we tell a media outlet or the Inspection Bureau…”

Lucian stared at him as if dumbfounded.

“Idiot! Those are the Four Great Clans. The media won’t listen to us. They’d never believe us without evidence. And the Inspection Bureau are just lazy bureaucrats who waste tax money. Do you still not understand? We’re screwed!”

Hmm, that’s mostly true, but not everyone in the Inspection Bureau is a lazy bureaucrat. The inspector siblings might take it seriously. I confirmed Seijis was there when I went to Aegis Academy last time, so maybe I should submit an anonymous complaint later.

“As Lucian said, you saw what you shouldn’t have seen. It would be best to lay low for a while.”

Irene summarized the conclusion. The three fell silent. They seemed to have no choice but to accept the inevitable reality and came to terms with the situation.

“But, you guys. Why are you so calm?”

Lucian asked us, crossing his arms. His sharp gaze surveyed Violet and the two girls.

“You know something, don’t you?”

“I won’t answer that now.”

Irene closed her mouth after that. He seemed to sense something suspicious and kept asking questions, but I ignored him. There was too much that couldn’t be revealed here right now.

He got annoyed but eventually gave up asking. The focus of the conversation shifted to where they should hide.

“Where should we go? I don’t know.”

“You’re just big, what do you know? In times like these, hiding in a slum is the best option.”

“B-But. We don’t have any money.”

“If we go into a low-level dungeon and do a quick run, we could earn living expenses, right? Oh, right. We probably can’t use our student IDs or student accounts anymore, can we? This is crazy. What are we going to use to earn money then…”

Everyone was worried about the housing problem. But in times like these, there’s always a way.

“Why don’t you come to our place?”

“Your place? You mean the dorm?”

“No, I have a house in the Central District. I have a lot of buildings! There are empty rooms too. How about staying there for a while?”

“Buildings? What nonsense are you talking about? You’re just a student, how could you…”

Lucian made a bewildered expression. He couldn’t believe my words. We Violets are proper building owners, after all. Even if all the buildings we own are just old abandoned factories or warehouses.

Irene turned her head towards me and whispered urgently.

‘What are you talking about? I was planning to have them stay at my place.’

We turned away briefly and whispered.

‘That’s not a bad idea. Irene’s house is big and spacious. But, Irene is already being watched by the student council and the board, isn’t she? What if three first-year students suddenly disappeared without a trace? They’d suspect you first! And I also have a place.’

‘Wait, a house? In the Central District?’

‘Yeah! If you’re curious, why don’t you see it for yourself? You can come visit our place this time.’

Leaving her looking skeptical, I encouraged the three students.

“For now, come to our place and think about it! How about it? I’ll let you stay for free. There’s a refrigerator, a TV, and a computer. Even game consoles! I’ll give you breakfast, lunch, and dinner too. I’ll even give you your own room!”

“Hmm, if what you say is true, we wouldn’t have to worry about rent. But isn’t that too much?”

“I-Is that really true? We wouldn’t just be a burden, would we?”

“Nah, this much isn’t a burden at all!”

Lucian, who didn’t believe my promotion, argued against my words.

“Stop talking nonsense. Do you know how expensive houses are in the Central District?”

“You don’t believe me? Just come and see for yourself. If you don’t like it, find somewhere else!”

Honestly, it’s true, but they don’t believe me.

“Alright, you two! Calm down. Let’s just go and see, and if it’s not suitable, we can find another place. Okay?”

When Daphne sided with me, Lucian grumbled but stopped arguing further. Perhaps it was hard to argue with someone who had helped him.

Anyway, it was decided that the people here would visit our place this afternoon. Those three were just ordinary students, so they didn’t have many options.

“Alright, it seems this is settled, and there’s another important matter we need to discuss.”

“What is it?”

Once the conversation had somewhat concluded, Irene cleared her throat briefly and then, with a serious face, asked Lucian’s team a question.

“This is urgent, so answer immediately. Do any of you have family in Rustrum?”

Upon hearing her words, the three thought, as if not understanding what she meant. A moment later, the color drained from the faces of the two boys and girls, excluding Lucian. They had belatedly realized the possibility that the academy or clan might harm their families.

“Ugh… you don’t mean it in *that* way, do you?”

“Oh, m-my. That’s right. What do we do? What do we do…”

Irene urged them.

“You’re Granite, right? You’re thinking exactly what I mean. Tell me right now. Do you have any family or relatives residing in the Academy City?”

“No. Not really. My grandma and grandpa are outside the Rustrum Archipelago.”

“M-Me too. My relatives aren’t here. I came here to study abroad.”

“That’s a relief then. Nothing will happen for now. Outside Rustrum, the Federation’s influence is strong, so even the Four Great Clans won’t be able to openly do anything like they do inside Rustrum. I’ll also talk to my clan to ensure measures are taken.”

The two sighed in relief, hearing the security assurance from the Helios Clan’s successor.

“Lucian, what about you?”

“Me? You don’t need to worry about me. I don’t have any family.”

“Oh…”

Perhaps the sudden declaration of being an orphan was shocking, as Irene’s golden eyes wavered, unable to find a place to rest.

More than that, it was my first time knowing Lucian also had no family. So that guy and I had something in common.

I felt a strange sense of welcome.

“So you don’t have a mother either!”

“What? You, you idiot, what are you saying right now…”

“Ah! My bad if you misunderstood. I had no other intention.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t have parents either!”

The eyes of the five people sitting around the table widened like lanterns.

“V-Violet. What do you mean by that?”

“Literally. I don’t have a mom and dad!”

I answered cheerfully. Everyone’s faces stiffened. Even Daphne, who already knew the truth, looked at me with pity.

Lucian’s face crumpled.

“Ah, uh, um…”

“It’s fine! That was a long time ago.”

Did I say too much?

***

After all the minor discussions were over, Violet’s truck moved to the outskirts of the Central District. There was a lot to do today.

As I was driving, a text message came.

“It’s Number 15. Receive the message for me.”

“Okay. It’s Director Leslie, right?”

Number 15 read the message. Finally, the broker was starting their work.

The instructions I had given were mainly two-fold: investigating people and securing a weapon trade route. I’d have to wait and see if this person had done their job properly.

“The timing isn’t bad. You remember the level of the director and his subordinates, right? We need to secure heavy weapons quickly!”

“That guy, is he even human? He launched an orbital bombardment! A company-sized force can absolutely not stand against him right now.”

“It wasn’t an orbital bombardment. Let’s just call it a bombardment.”

“It’s the same thing!”

The Violets who had witnessed yesterday’s events felt a sense of crisis.

The director is a monster beyond imagination. If we charge in thoughtlessly, we’ll end up as roasted Violets from the laser beams raining down from the sky. Those mage subordinates wearing fishbowl helmets are also scary.

I might be able to destroy their buildings and kill people through terrorism, but that alone isn’t enough.

To bring down the academy, we might have to face the entire Magna Vis Clan.

If so, a time for direct confrontation will come someday.

According to the knowledge I saw and learned before my transmigration, throughout history, there have been few instances where the weak overturned the strong and achieved their desired goals.

Would examples like America defeating Britain or Vietnam expelling France be exceptions to that?

These cases share a commonality: they used strategy and tactics, mobilizing armies to crush their opponents.

Terrorism wasn’t enough. If they dragged it out for years, repeatedly launching surprise terror attacks, it might be possible to bring down a clan or a corporation. However, the victory I wanted was not something that could be achieved through such methods alone.

I needed an army.

And those three, who would be living in our building, could fill the lacking elements of our Violets.

Exceptional magic skills, long-range bombardment, powerful close-quarters combat ability. It’s not that we couldn’t make up for them with effort, but these are things we currently lack. They could introduce variables to our monotonous Violet unit!

“That depends on what those guys choose.”

“Who in their right mind would fight a clan?”

Of course, it was impossible for now. Even among the Violets, there were many who thought this was nothing more than a pipe dream.

For now, there’s one thing to do. I need to introduce Kalia to my friends.

This will be Kalia’s first time meeting my other friends.