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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The Underworld, Pandemonium.
Before Marcosias, the 5th Army Corps Commander, the dark elf Darian was kneeling on one knee, showing respect.
“Great one, I have returned.”
“You returned sooner than expected.”
Darian was one of Marcosias’ cherished subordinates.
Although her birth as an elf distanced her from demons, she had been loyal to the demons since receiving the transfer of black magic.
Darian’s contribution was significant in Marcosias’ rise to the position of Army Corps Commander among numerous great demons.
“So, no need to beat around the bush. Whose doing was it that annihilated the 14th Unit?”
Darian’s main ability was information gathering, and Marcosias had never doubted her in this regard.
Moreover, the news of the 14th Unit’s annihilation was spreading even among the great demons who usually didn’t care much about matters outside their jurisdiction.
In other words, monopolizing the information about the annihilation’s background would be advantageous for solidifying his position.
“After investigating the Imperial City and major cities, I haven’t found any significant movements. However…”
“However?”
“I was able to identify an individual related to this incident from Clarice.”
“Oh?”
It was pure coincidence that Darian was able to track the related person.
Initially, she had a different purpose for going to Mount Fayps and casting black magic on Crimson Ash.
It was because the half-elf Selena Windforce, whom she had been keeping an eye on, was part of the Crimson Ash subjugation team.
And she thought that the overwhelming demonic power and despair displayed by this corrupted divine beast… would be a means to lure Selena, who couldn’t handle Wind Archery.
Actually, Darian was dying.
Perhaps because she accepted black magic into her body, something that shouldn’t have been allowed.
Her body, which had become that of a dark elf, was gradually approaching its end.
Just like humans consumed by power became demons and soon burned out and perished, Darian was the same.
However, because she was an elf, the process was slow.
That’s why she had Selena Windforce in mind as her successor.
She thought that Selena, who wasn’t a pureblood and had her abilities sealed by the greed of humans and elves, would understand Darian’s heart the best.
However, this plan couldn’t be realized.
A mysterious man appeared and succeeded in subjugating Crimson Ash.
A boy with unusual ash-gray hair and unsettling black eyes.
Of course, this was a great gain for Darian.
She was able to obtain information that she couldn’t find even after searching the entire empire.
She reported to Marcosias in an impassive tone.
“It was someone who uses archery similar to mine.”
“Hahaha!!”
At those words, Marcosias immediately burst into laughter, like a cough.
His voice was so deep and resonant that the surroundings seemed to vibrate.
“Haha! You speak interesting words.”
Marcosias also knew.
He was the 5th Army Corps Commander, among the highest-ranking great demons.
If he aimed to become the master of the Underworld, he could easily discern what annihilated the 14th Unit through the flow, arrangement, and waves of mana.
He judged that what annihilated the 14th Unit was…
Wind Archery.
Then, it became a simple matter.
The only one who could freely enter and exit Pandemonium and use Wind Archery strong enough to annihilate the 14th Unit was…
The elf kneeling before him.
But from the prime suspect, Darian, came unexpected words.
‘The culprit is someone who uses archery similar to mine.’
It felt too obvious, like she was offering herself up to prove her innocence.
“You’re testing my loyalty to the very end.”
“Lord Marcosias, I’m sorry, but it wasn’t my doing.”
“Haha! Alright, I’ll believe you. The time we’ve spent together isn’t short, at least by the standards of created beings.”
“I’m eternally grateful.”
“Then, tell me. Did you succeed in identifying the person?”
“Yes.”
“Another elf? If they can use Wind Archery, it must be one of those elf bastards.”
“…It’s a human. Moreover, it seems to be a first-year… male student at Clarice.”
“…”
Only after a long pause following Darian’s report did Marcosias remove his hand from his chin.
“Hahaha!!”
And he laughed even louder and more resoundingly than before.
A mere student, not even a hero? And a… first-year?
There was a limit to absurdity.
‘Interesting, interesting…!’
Marcosias’ ‘thirst’ was quickly being quenched.
He wouldn’t be bored for a while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
On the day of the second disciplinary committee meeting.
“Next, students Violet D’Crescent, Melissa de Prominence, Abelline Valantes, and Lev Denec, please come in.”
With the committee official’s words, our time had come.
Melissa, smiling at me despite what happened yesterday.
Abelline, looking lost and confused.
And Violet, who closed her eyes tightly and stared straight ahead with a complex expression as soon as I entered.
The four of us, who acted rashly during the Crimson Ash subjugation, were here to have our testimonies cross-examined.
.
.
.
-Clunk.
As we entered and sat down, academy officials and committee members, who seemed to have been bribed by Eternal Flame and Divine Valhalla, along with observers, were seated.
“Since this meeting has been going on since morning, we’ll skip the introduction. Is that alright?”
-Yes.
“From now on, we will conduct a statement investigation regarding the 16th Crimson Ash subjugation raid practice at Clarice Academy. First, do all four of you acknowledge your impulsive actions during the raid?”
We each nodded in agreement.
“Then, in chronological order, we’ll start with student Violet. Your intention behind your unauthorized attack immediately after Crimson Ash’s first descent…”
.
.
.
What followed was as expected.
Violet explained the situation in detail and then frankly expressed her intentions.
“…I see. We will decide on disciplinary action later, taking that into account.”
It seemed like her actions would be considered extenuating circumstances.
Violet was a top student, promoted as a representative archer at Clarice Academy,
And if it weren’t for her Sealing Arrow, party 3 and 4 would have suffered greater casualties, so it was understandable.
“Next, we’ll ask student Abelline. After the 5th assault, when party 5 and 6 had to endure the 6th assault due to the change in circumstances, student Abelline, in charge of frontline protection, wielded a sword instead of a shield. Is this true?”
Abelline glanced at Melissa and then answered.
“Yes, it’s… true.”
‘She’s actually using polite speech.’
It was the first time I heard her speak normally, not in her usual condescending tone.
“It seems your intention was to defeat Crimson Ash, is that correct?”
“Th, that’s correct.”
The committee clerk began to meticulously record her statement.
The scratching sound of the pen passed, and the most crucial question appeared.
“The raid’s objective is to subjugate the target, but also to ensure the survival of all members. And this is carried out under the premise of following the raid leader’s instructions. Then why did student Abelline make a dangerous decision on her own? Please tell us the truth without any falsehoods.”
.
.
.
‘Phew.’
I took a calm breath.
‘Finally, time for the kill.’
To stop Kaelan, who would appear soon, I needed to be a little cruel.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Before the committee began, Melissa had given Abelline several pointers.
“First, say that you led this. It’s the truth anyway.”
“Th… Alright…”
“No need to be intimidated. Our intentions weren’t malicious.”
“Lady Melissa is quite calm…”
And so the disciplinary committee began.
Abelline answered in a slightly trembling voice.
“First, Lady Melissa, no, student Melissa, only followed my suggestion. It has nothing to do with my impulsive judgment.”
“We’ll give you time to make additional statements later. Please explain the situation first.”
“Ah, yes. That… after the 5th assault, the situation had rapidly deteriorated. Parties 3 and 4 seemed unable to resume combat, and I could feel the black magic from Crimson Ash. Therefore… I only thought that we had to defeat it while we could.”
“What was the basis for thinking you could defeat it?”
“…It’s embarrassing, but actually, I had awakened my holy power, so I drew my sword thinking I had a chance.”
Following what Taylon and Melissa had told her, it wasn’t difficult.
She subtly appealed that she had no malicious intentions.
What followed proceeded smoothly.
“Then, we’ll ask student Melissa, who was with you. Do you acknowledge that there are no falsehoods in student Abelline’s words?”
Melissa immediately replied.
“Yes. Everything is as she said. Our only intention was to defeat Crimson Ash. Of course… I believe that our impulsive actions must be punished.”
After answering, Melissa glanced at Lev Denec, sitting next to her.
‘Seriously… ugh.’
His sharp profile looked annoying.
Since he was a clear witness and didn’t cooperate, she had to accept the punishment.
‘It’s… alright. I just need to shape public opinion to make it seem like we acted to protect everyone…’
In the empire that was trying to absorb and integrate all the duchies… the Prominence Duchy’s position wasn’t clear-cut, but the combined influence of Eternal Flame and Divine Valhalla couldn’t be ignored.
Taylon had already taken all the blame and resigned, and Divine Valhalla had promised to exert their influence on the committee, so it was worth looking forward to.
‘Maybe we’ll get off with extenuating circumstances…?’
“Alright. We will decide on disciplinary action later, considering the fact that both students participated in the raid for the first time, and the points mentioned earlier. You can make additional statements now if you have anything to add.”
“Nothing in particular.”
“I, I also… have nothing to add.”
After Melissa answered, Abelline followed suit belatedly.
‘Phew, is it over?’
Actually, there was something else that bolstered Melissa’s spirits.
The mysterious letter she checked after showering yesterday…
“Huh?”
[Melissa, see you soon. Just the two of us.]
“Just the two of us…?”
Judging by the handwriting, it was a notice of Kaelan’s return.
It was good news.
‘As expected… I knew he’d look for me first… Right. Kaelan will need my help too…’
Of course, she acknowledged that Lev Denec was a more capable man than she initially thought.
But Kaelan Hiss, a genius beyond reach from the start.
And Edwin Gwynne, who defeated him in the ranking battle.
She had a connection with Edwin since the beginning of the semester, and knowing his personality, he wouldn’t abandon her.
Also, because Kaelan lost to Edwin, he wouldn’t be able to treat Melissa as carelessly as before.
In a way, their positions were reversed.
And if she could sway between these two men…
It would be greedy, but if she could have both…
A little disciplinary action was nothing.
A bright future awaited her.
‘Heh.’
Just as Melissa’s mind was filled with rosy fantasies,
“Hmm…”
The ash-haired man’s lips parted.
“Were your intentions truly pure?”
-!
It was a pleasant voice, but not to Melissa and Abelline.
“W, wait. What are you… trying to say…?”
“Sir Lev! Didn’t you see it too! We just wanted to defeat Crimson Ash…!”
“Right. That’s true. But I wonder what this is.”
What he pulled out of his pocket was a small, square magic tool.
-?!
A receiver magic tool that had recently gained popularity as a replacement for communication crystals.
It was expensive and usually only seen in the Imperial City.
Anyway, that wasn’t important.
What mattered was why it had appeared.
-Click.
As Lev pressed the button,
Taylon, you took care of it for sure, right?
A voice too familiar to Melissa.
“Ah…………?”
Her own voice began to play.
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No mercy for whores is a great policy
Tbh if anyone was in Mc’s position it’s understandable to do the same. The issue isn’t that they’re hoes after the best guy they can hook in but
that they’re explicitly going after the strongest hero candidates and ready to sabotage everyone else for their own benefit when their whole world is at stake.
Yeah. It wouldn’t matter if they are ‘swaying’ between several men, as Melissa put it, in the background, if they weren’t so focused on dragging down everyone else to use as stepping stones.