Chapter 11: The Villain Who Raises a Flag Without Realizing It
…I underestimated this.
After leaving the staff room, I tried looking for people… but when they saw me, they obviously avoided making eye contact.
And when I walked down the hallway, they pressed themselves against the wall to make way.
At this rate, there’s no way to invite anyone.
“Or rather, if I were to invite someone, it would seem like a threat.”
Because I have memories from my past life, I don’t want to force anyone.
There aren’t many students at the academy so bad rumors would spread quickly.
That would give Ark an excuse to attack me, wouldn’t it?
“Well, then, how about putting up a notice? It would be best if they came voluntarily… Hm?”
As I walked down the hallway, the courtyard came into view.
There was Karen and some nobles in red uniforms.
It seems they’re having some kind of dispute.
“Is she being harassed again? Honestly, this girl is hopeless.”
Even I thought it’d be weird if I kept saving her every time, but ignoring it didn’t sit right with me.
After all, we’ve become friends, even if only tentatively.
At the same time, a devious idea crossed my mind.
“Hmm, that might be a good idea. She would also feel uncomfortable being helped for free.”
Having decided, I climbed through the window into the courtyard.
Then I approached Karen, who was near the fountain.
It seems she noticed me too.
“Ah…”
“Karen, what are you doing in a place like this?”
“N-No, um…”
She seems to be hesitating whether to ask for help.
Her attitude of not completely relying on others is admirable.
Okay, she might be good to have as a member.
“Hey, you!”
“The problem is, will she listen to my request?”
“Are you listening?!”
“…Hm? Are you talking to me? If so, why don’t you introduce yourself first?”
When I turned around, there was an indignant noble student.
However, he doesn’t seem to realize who I am.
“I’m Eren Real! Even if you’re also a noble, I won’t forgive you for interfering! I’m in the middle of disciplining this one for cheating!”
“Cheating?”
“It’s strange that a mere commoner is in S-Class! While I, from the Real Count Family, am only in A-Class!”
I see, so that’s the situation.
Then there’s no need to hold back.
Especially since it’s the House Real… this is rather convenient.
“I don’t see anything strange about it. A commoner in S-Class—that’s what the academy decided after she took the exam. If anything, a commoner wouldn’t even have the means to cheat, would they?”
“S-Shut up!”
“Or did you think others are cheating because you cheated yourself?”
“Wha—”
Seems like I hit the mark.
House Real is a family that tried to curry favor with me.
After having Anna investigate, I found nothing but shady rumors about them.
If they were going to interfere with my peaceful life, should I eliminate them?
“I see, so House Real is cheating. I must have this investigated later.”
“W-What are you saying?! And who are you anyway?!”
“For someone connected to a count’s house, not knowing my face…”
That just shows how little respect they have for the royal family.
To begin with, even if he’s just a kid, not recognizing the face of someone you’re trying to suck up to is downright insulting.
Then, Karen fearfully raises her hand.
“Um… this person is His Highness Leon.”
“…What? That lazy, arrogant Prince Leon?! Why would you help a commoner…”
“Does one need a reason to help a friend? Now, I’ll let the disrespect slide… but as for the cheating, I’ll be talking with your family.”
When I said that, the guy obviously began to panic.
“W-Wait, please! Don’t contact my family!”
“If you’ve done nothing wrong, there shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
“Damn—this is all your fault!”
“Kyaa!?”
As the man tried to hit Karen, I deflected his fist.
Karen, who had squeezed her eyes shut, cautiously opened them and looked at me.
“…Huh? Th-Thank you.”
“Are you okay? Hey, you… No matter the reason, you shouldn’t hit a woman!”
“Eek…!?”
The man backed away at my rebuke.
Since my previous life, my sister has always told me:
“Don’t ever become a man who hits women.”
And that whoever throws the first punch is always in the wrong, regardless of the reason.
“Behave yourself. If you stop now, I’ll let you off.”
“I-I can’t let this go! O spear of fire, burn through my enemy—Flame Lance!”
For some crazy reason, he cast a lethal spell.
If I dodge, it will hit Karen instead.
“P-Please dodge!”
“There’s no need for that… Freezing Spear—Ice Lance.”
“What?!”
I countered the approaching flame spear with an ice spear, and my magic engulfed his before it hit him directly, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious.
“Ugh…”
“I held back. Now then… you’re here, aren’t you?”
“Yes, right here.”
“…Why are you here?”
“Didn’t you call for me, Master?”
Anna was standing beside me with a composed face.
I thought she might be around, but to think she really was.
…I’ll keep it a secret that I was startled and almost cried out.
“Ahem… that’s right. Now, can I leave the cleanup to you?”
“I’ll make sure no corpse remains.”
“Ehhh?!”
“Don’t kill him! Karen’s getting the wrong idea!”
I instinctively gave Anna an iron claw to the face.
Violence against women is wrong, I say? I take that back! It depends on the situation!
When I let go, she meekly sits in a ladylike position.
“Owowow… now I’ll never be able to marry.”
“…Somehow, you’ve changed too.”
“I’m just trying to match your current personality, Master… is that not good?”
“No, do as you please.”
After all, Leon is grateful to Anna.
And I myself know from the game that she never betrays him until the end.
I want to show enough tolerance to let her do as she pleases… within reason.
“Fufu, I will.”
“Jokes aside, make sure both he and his family get the message. If they disturb my peace, I won’t show mercy.”
“As you command..”
This time, she nodded obediently and left the scene carrying the unconscious man.
I wonder where those thin arms get such strength.
Looking around, I noticed a crowd had gathered.
“Hmm, maybe I overdid it.”
“U-Um, what just…?”
“Karen, let’s change location for now.”
“Y-Yes—Hyaa!?”
I took Karen’s hand and left the place.
It’s trivial, but I wonder when was the last time I held a girl’s hand.
…I’ll stop thinking about it because it makes me sad.
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