episode_0135

Now that the incident is over, let’s start figuring out the correct answers to this intrusion scenario.

-[Minimize Casualties]

Usually, the first condition is like this: vague and imprecise.

Even during my Acastus Player days, when tackling intrusion scenarios, it was common to skip the first one and focus on the other two.

This is because the clearing criteria are not specified, making the judgment quite flexible.

Perhaps this is because Acastus’s main theme is ‘growth,’ not something like ‘pushing players to their limits’.

Since it’s an extra scenario that suddenly appears in the main scenario like a deer leaping onto the road, it seems they’re giving some leeway.

For this reason, the condition [Minimize Casualties] is cleared as long as a massacre doesn’t occur.

In fact, the remnants of were attempting suicide with their “Hug Me” operation which could have easily become a literal massacre.

However, we had deployed knights to the academy beforehand, and they fulfilled their duty appropriately.

『[Condition: Minimize Casualties] Met.』

And from here, it gets real.

-[Identify the Attacker’s Identity]

It’s called identifying the identity, but even if we find out that the attacker’s identity is Persona, an executive of Moriarty, it doesn’t mean he’ll back down.

Most of the crazy bastards who reveal their faces beforehand aim to kill the player,so the risk of information leakage can be disregarded.

In cases where the identity is carefully concealed, you ultimately have to subdue or kill them to find out.

In short, ‘identifying the attacker’s identity’ means defeating them.

So… well, we had already grasped the outline of their identity, and confirmed it as soon as we saw them with our own eyes, and ultimately, they revealed their identity themselves.

‘I am… executive, Persona.’

And having survived that attack and eliminated both the leader and the remnants…

It can be said that the strategy was a success without room for argument.

『[Condition: Identify the Attacker’s Identity] Met.』

Finally, Persona’s words revealed not only their identity but also their objective.

‘To take your head will be my name—!!’

The elimination of the Fifth Princess, Narita Florine Naifrantz.

A simple and clear objective needing no flowery language.

So, the final condition is naturally a successful strategy.

『[Condition: Thwart the Attacker’s Objective] Met.』 『[Intrusion Scenario] Cleared.』 『Experience and rewards will be given.』 『[Condition: Intrusion Scenario Clear] Met.』

With this, one condition of the main story is also cleared.

All that remains is to devote myself to the final exams.

However…

“Another case solved—”

—It wasn’t something I could simply be happy about.

Because the ‘nameds’ who infiltrated the academy weren’t only .

. . .

The day after the decisive battle.

Due to an unfortunate incident, Naifrantz Academy’s final exams were temporarily suspended, and everyone was busy assessing the damage.

Aspi, who had been holding onto consciousness despite the pain, fell into a deep sleep once the dangerous situation ended.

Tier was busy checking on the injured, so Yuri and Nyx were taking care of her.

Yuri handled the physical aspects, and Nyx handled the mental and magical aspects.

They were both incredibly reliable.

Thanks to them, I could go to work with peace of mind.

The academy square, which was shattered in various places, was being restored with the help of the knights.

However, it was still far from its former peaceful atmosphere, and debris littered the usual school path.

I moved the piles of stones out of the way to lessen their workload and approached Carmor, who was overseeing the scene.

“How’s the situation?” “…You’ve come.”

His expression wasn’t bright.

I had received a report beforehand, but the feared reality arrived.

Did really go to all this trouble for just me?

Even revealing their existence so nakedly.

Even if it was done by assuming success in my assassination, wasn’t the risk too great in case of failure?

It was like showing all the hidden transparent blades.

The answer was, ‘it makes sense’.

“The intrusion route was indeed the rear. We did deploy soldiers there… but it seems they were professionals.” “Cut the preamble… so what did we lose?”

Carmor’s lips quivered.

“I haven’t precisely assessed it yet, but to cut to the chase… academic materials.” “Royal secrets?” “Not only secrets, but materials of significant monetary value were cleaned out.”

He flipped through the documents, listing the damaged material.

The academy’s academic materials were mostly valuable magical research materials related to the magic tower or academies, so this is a considerable loss.

Just to mention one… the research books on .

Moreover, this was a field my mother practically founded, thus it held a special meaning for me.

The materials weren’t just research papers.

“Among the items taken from the vault was something called ‘Mana Superconductor’—”

My eyes widened. The moment I heard the words ‘Mana Superconductor’, a name came to mind.

“Wait, I forgot to ask something important…” “If it’s important—” “…how are the casualties?”

No matter how valuable the materials are, could they be more important than people?

Carmor flipped through the documents and recited.

“…Minimal. A few of our knights who were on guard and an instructor patrolling inside the building were slightly—” “Severely injured—?!”

My voice unintentionally rose.

I couldn’t help it.

I had anticipated this incident, to some degree.

And the resulting damage was ultimately my responsibility, a thought I couldn’t erase.

“No, they only sustained minor injuries. It seems their mission was only the materials, no one was killed or seriously injured.” “That’s… truly fortunate…” “Yes, they seem to specialize in discreetly infiltrating and stealing goods… it looks like they avoided combat altogether.”

That no one died was a great relief, but once I relaxed slightly, I felt sorry for the stolen goods.

Moreover, that ‘Mana Superconductor’… was something I gifted to Professor Priest, making it even more meaningful.

It’s all in the past now.

Whether I give up or make a plan to get it back, it’s time to discuss something more productive.

“How’s the recovery going?” “Smoothly. The knights are, well, I chose the most diligent ones, so they’re highly motivated—”

Carmor paused, turning his gaze to the destroyed buildings in the distance.

I naturally looked in the same direction.

The workers moved in perfect unison.

“Not only citizens who were here for the Ferris wheel, but also numerous others volunteered. Apparently, the students’ actions during the incident were quite reassuring.”

The story goes something like this.

Naifrantz Academy is a training ground where numerous aspiring individuals gather regardless of their social standing, but it’s difficult for ordinary people to understand the reality.

The only chance to directly observe them is the final exam tournament finals, held only twice a year.

Moreover, that’s just a snapshot.

When showing magic and swinging swords in front of people who usually plow fields and work in commerce, it’s only natural to feel like ‘Wow- amazing’.

In short, no one knows exactly what they do or how strong they are.

At best, they were just perceived as delinquent-like aspiring adventurers.

But that changed completely because of this incident.

As soon as the emergency situation unfolded, the young students worked, following their own command system to evacuate civilians.

And risking injury, facing the ferocious thugs.

It was the most simple and accurate way to show what is being done at the academy.

“They looked like my sons… but so reliable.” “But it’s still unsettling… I wish my kids would grow up like that…” “We all received help during a dangerous moment, right? So… when it’s not dangerous, we need to help, isn’t that the right thing to do?”

I could hear the voice of a worker somewhere.

It was a gruff tone, but the sentiment was so warm that my heart melted.

“…After it’s all over, give everyone their wages without exception. Use that piled up national treasury, when are we going to use it if not now?” “Yes, sir.”

Early morning.

The sun hadn’t fully risen yet, but the academy was already filled with warm air.

After entrusting the remaining trivial matters to Carmor, I set off, feeling light.