I Realized It Was An Academy Game After 10 Years – Chapter 170

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“…What’s wrong?”

[…Just observing…]

As everyone bowed their heads, listening to Karina’s prayer, I quietly informed Renny about the suspicious person I had spotted in the crowd.

Renny nodded grimly and scanned the crowd with a sharp gaze.

“…They got inside the academy?”

“…I don’t know.”

The individual’s attire screamed “suspicious,” so they would be easily spotted if they were still among the crowd.

Of course, they could have shed the disguise, but I doubted it.

Simply removing a hood wouldn’t be enough to conceal their identity.

Besides, their conspicuous presence could be a deliberate distraction.

I discreetly tapped Rue.

[The mana is too chaotic. I can’t distinguish anything unless they get closer.]

I see.

One of my detection methods was down. Disappointing. Normally, Rue would sense the suspicious individual, and we could react accordingly.

I would inform the guards after the speech. Interrupting the festival based on uncertain information was unwise.

Besides, Karina performing her duties might lure the assassin into the open.

Karina working in public was perfect bait. Sometimes, a visible target was the safest approach.

This wasn’t the 21st century with long-range snipers. They would likely use crossbows or arrows, which Renny could easily handle.

With Renny’s skills, she could deflect a cannonball. A crossbow bolt would be child’s play.

The real threat was an attack from below or above.

While we could prevent those in the crowd from approaching, attacks from underground or the sky were more difficult to anticipate.

They might also attempt a terror attack disguised as an assassination.

In that case, I would entrust Karina to Renny, and I would—

Oh.

“Johann, the speech is over. Time to move to the next location.”

Renny nudged me, bringing me back to reality.

“…Sorry. I was mentally running through possible attack scenarios.”

I turned to watch Karina waving to the crowd.

Or rather, my gaze was drawn to her…figure. Despite the loose-fitting ceremonial robe, it did little to conceal her ample posterior.

…Breasts are but imitations of buttocks…

“…Johann. You’re having inappropriate thoughts, aren’t you?”

Sharp as always.

“Do I look like that kind of person?”

“Yes.”

“…It was unavoidable.”

“I understand. Let’s move on. The next event is a brief appearance at the opening ceremonies, so we need to hurry.”

“Yes. Today is very…busy.”

“Karina?”

Karina was smiling brightly, but I could tell she was tired.

Performing the prayer while surrounded by people must have been draining, both physically and mentally, especially given her frail health.

“Karina, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Tell us if you’re tired. We can postpone some events. No one will object if the Saintess needs to rest.”

“Thank you for your concern. But I have to do my duty. I have many responsibilities.”

“Karina…”

At my call, Karina gave me a small, reassuring smile.

A smile that said, “Don’t worry.”

But how could I not worry?

“Let’s go. We still have work to do, don’t we?”

“…Yes. But please, tell us if you’re tired.”

I wished she would be honest with us. It was painful to watch her push herself through her duties under such pressure.

Karina simply gave an enigmatic smile and turned back to wave at the crowd.

“Let’s head to the carriage.”

“I’ll inform the guards to be on the lookout for assassins.”

“Okay. Hurry back.”

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“At least the concert is something we can attend quietly.”

“Indeed.”

As soothing melodies and gentle vocals washed over us, Renny and I scanned Karina’s surroundings in the VIP section.

Seated in the VIP section were influential nobles, Archbishop Pierre, and…

“Saintess, you look truly divine.”

“You flatter me.”

“Not even the stars in the night sky could compare to your radiance.”

Kalon, grant me permission to become a righteous assassin today.

“Johann? Control your gaze…”

“Sorry.”

“I understand, but he is a prince, repulsive as he is.”

Which prince was he again? The first?

Regardless, the sight of the oily prince relentlessly pursuing Karina was infuriating.

I forced myself to look away, focusing on the students diligently playing their instruments.

The concert featured a mix of familiar instruments from the 21st century and instruments I had never seen before, creating a unique and captivating performance.

Despite the occasional slightly off-key note, the overall performance was quite impressive.

If I were just an attendee, I would be enjoying the music and the festive atmosphere, but duty called.

Working while everyone else was having fun…it was the nature of the job, but still a bit depressing.

“Perhaps we could share tea sometime? To foster camaraderie…”

Camaraderie my ass.

Don’t even think about touching her.

“My schedule is rather full… I doubt I’ll have time anytime soon.”

“Haha, then I shall visit you.”

Should I just brainwash him?

I was seriously considering the possibility when—

“Johann. Look over there.”

I followed Renny’s abrupt instruction and turned my gaze.

The hooded man.

“…We should alert the guards. Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Do you see that hooded man?”

“Yes, yes. I see him.”

“He’s been following us since the main gate. Have someone investigate him.”

“Yes, sir!”

The young, flustered guard hurried off to inform his superior. I watched him go, then turned my gaze to the ceiling.

The most efficient assassination route would be from above. Or from below.

We had reinforced the floor as a precaution, but what if they used explosives?

We had considered that possibility and made preparations, but I wasn’t sure about the power of explosives in this world.

Well, they wouldn’t be able to easily access the secret passages anyway. They probably weren’t even aware of their existence. And even if they did manage to find them, they wouldn’t get out unscathed.

Entering my territory was like stepping into a trap.

“With suspicious individuals already appearing, I doubt this festival will end peacefully.”

Renny voiced her concerns, nervously scanning the surroundings.

Was it almost over?

They had been playing for about an hour.

After the concert, the preliminary rounds of the martial arts tournament would begin. I was curious to see the outcome.

Would Lewis win, as in the original story, or would there be unexpected variables?

Either way, it promised to be an entertaining spectacle.

“Blessings upon the Saintess!”

“Blessings!”

Ah, it was over.

I stretched, the music having finally ceased. It was time to escort Karina to the martial arts tournament.

“I have another engagement, so I must excuse myself.”

“A pity. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know you better…”

Look at that bastard trying to pick her up. He would be seeing her again at the tournament anyway.

Should I just chop off his head and feed it to the zombies…?

“Johann, control your expression.”

I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression, glancing at the First Prince’s knight escorts, who seemed to be debating whether to draw their swords.

Had I inadvertently leaked my killing intent?

“…Time to prepare for the martial arts tournament.”

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“Haha! What a coincidence! Perhaps this is fate!”

What a cheesy pick-up line.

I observed the First Prince, whose attempts at flirting were outdated even by this world’s standards, and pondered the intellectual capacity of the Imperial family.

It was truly baffling.

I glanced at the back of Karina’s head to cleanse my eyes, then turned my attention to the martial arts tournament arena.

The coliseum, a collaborative creation of the builders’ guild and the mages, was packed with people.

It was to be expected. The martial arts tournament was one of the main attractions of Saint Sabrina’s Day.

The sheer density of the crowd made it difficult to visually identify any hidden threats.

[No suspicious mana fluctuations in the immediate vicinity.]

“Understood.”

“What was that?”

“Just talking to myself.”

I could tell she was tired.

Delivering a prayer while surrounded by so many people must have been draining, both physically and mentally, especially given her delicate health.

“Saintess, the martial arts tournament is about to begin.”

“Really? I understand. I should prepare. Your Highness, please excuse me. I must attend to my duties.”

Karina seized the opportunity presented by the announcer’s timely arrival to gracefully dismiss the First Prince and gestured to Renny.

Renny immediately took hold of the wheelchair’s handles and carefully pushed it forward.

They needed to move closer to the railing for the crowd to see Karina.

Yes, to the railing…

I looked down at the floor where Karina’s wheelchair rested. There was no particular reason, just a vague sense of unease. I had a feeling something was amiss with the floor.

And then I saw it. A hairline crack, slowly spreading across the floor.

A premonition of disaster.

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