A Third-Rate Villain’s Sweet Life Exploiting Academy Bugs – Chapter 75

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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That space connecting the Netherworld and Pandemonium.

The one who ruled this place was Bune, the 26th ranked Greater Demon who excelled in necromancy magic.

He had succeeded in constructing an undead beast for the upcoming raid,

and while he had planned to entrust the training of this toy to Andras, the demon of destruction and hatred…

“Andras…?”

He had disappeared.

Except for a few Greater Demons, demons typically didn’t interfere with each other’s jurisdictions due to their characteristic of not interacting with each other.

Moreover, for demons who lived through eons, a period of two or three months was considered merely a moment.

Therefore, Bune had only noticed this relatively recently.

Clearly, nothing was happening in Pandemonium, to the point of boredom.

And Andras hadn’t passed through the Netherworld’s gate to go to the mortal world either,

‘Just where did he disappear to…?’

Of course, His Majesty the Demon King would know, but it was truly frustrating.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just enjoy the fun all by myself…!’

He would no longer wait.

As Bune revealed his ambitions and desires without restraint…

-Shudder…!

He trembled.

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Chapter 3’s main event during the vacation festival, [Beast Descent – Gate of the Netherworld], could be seen as an extension of [Dungeon Investigation Practice – Flame Demon].

The background for its appearance was simple.

Since it was pointed out that it made no sense for a B-rank boss monster to appear in a low-level dungeon meant for freshmen practice,

this Gate of the Netherworld was the setting that the author added to supplement this.

This was an arbitrary passage connecting Hell, Pandemonium, and this Empire at will,

if demons succeeded in opening just the Netherworld gate,

it could be seen as the starting point of a contrived story development where they ‘could appear anywhere and devour the protagonists’.

Coincidentally, to disrupt the celebration for Professor McClone, a former war hero who was about to retire,

Bune, one of the 72 demons, sent a hell beast, a collective mass of rags, through the Netherworld gate to cause disruption – that was the overall outline.

‘I wonder if Professor McClone using Bune’s rags as teaching material was what sucked…’

Even the rags that appeared in the selection exam were actually recreated as illusions after Professor McClone had seized one of Bune’s toys and researched it.

Then the question that could arise here is…

Oh! Since they’re targeting Professor McClone, wouldn’t it be sweet since the Academy will step in to stop it? One might think.

However… looking at the fan fiction’s content, that wasn’t the case.

First, the Greater Demon’s aggro was drawn to Yeriel, who had the qualities of a Fallen Angel.

More importantly, it was Selena who got caught up in the subsequent events.

According to the original work, since Selena couldn’t use wind archery until this time due to the Shaftian clan’s curse,

there was a narrative where an elf who sided with the demons lifted her curse and taught her wind archery.

But now Selena had already learned wind archery.

Since I didn’t know what kind of butterfly effect this might cause, I would need to watch this carefully.

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“It’s… delicious…”

A clearly high-end Kirsch cake covered in chocolate with distilled water whipped cream icing.

The deep sweetness coming from the cherry placed as the finishing touch seemed to satisfy the taste of the girl in front of me.

Indeed, the Imperial Capital was truly the Imperial Capital.

With cityscape that looked as if the streets of Paris had been transplanted, and streets laid out wide and clear like New York’s cross streets.

Aria and I were at an outdoor table of Écoles Reno-something, a shop run by a chocolatier called a master in the Imperial Capital.

It was mentioned repeatedly in the novel so I came to see it, and

‘It wasn’t wrong.’

Seeing how crowded it was.

Aria savored it slowly, munching away, then neatly put down her fork.

“What? Already tired of it?”

“No, that’s. I was wondering why I’m the only one eating…”

“…Ah, I’ll eat too.”

While I didn’t particularly like sweet things, since I had a lot on my mind, I felt like I could eat some today.

Only after I picked up my utensils did Aria continue the conversation.

“Um, I didn’t know it would be such an elegant place.”

She showed a regretful expression at the open and classical atmosphere around us.

“It would have been nice if the others had come too…”

“It’s fine. We can get it to go. They welcome takeout.”

If there was one area where this world was more advanced than Korea in terms of takeout,

it was said that in such high-end restaurants, even the packaging boxes had short-term magic imbued in them, allowing chocolates to be carried without melting for about 3 days.

“Order whatever you want to eat, I’ll pay.”

“What?”

“I have lots of money.”

I had saved up money in various ways, and I also had the amount I won thanks to Edwin.

Anyway, I couldn’t use gold coins once I returned to the Academy.

Maybe it was also because I believed that when I graduated from the Academy, I would be able to return to my original world.

At my words, Aria instead slightly furrowed her fine brows.

“If you’re talking about the scholarship for the dungeon investigation practice… we all received the same amount, didn’t we?”

“Never mind. I suggested coming, so it’s right that I pay.”

“…How could that be. I ate a lot…”

“It’s because I’m grateful.”

“……”

Aria showed an expression of not understanding what I meant.

But thinking about how Aria would devote… be dedicated in the future, this was really nothing.

At the very least, I who roughly knew the future couldn’t help but think that way.

-Clatter!

At that moment, along with a clattering sound, the surroundings began to buzz with conversation.

-Aren’t those people from the Holy Knights Guild?

-What, did a monster appear or something?

-Hey! What monster would appear in the Imperial Capital. You’re showing you’re new here!

It was Aveline Valantes of [Divine Valhalla], accompanied by two attendants in pure white armor.

Her footsteps led to our table.

“Lord Lev Denec.”

“…?”

“To meet you here.”

I thought they said even dogs don’t disturb people eating,

I didn’t know which noble’s etiquette this was.

“I have something urgent to discuss, could you spare some time?”

I spoke while keeping my gaze only on Aria’s surprised eyes.

“No.”

-…

Despite my firmness, Aveline showed an awkward smile as if she was still at ease.

“Haha. I haven’t come for personal business. As you can see, I’m here representing [Divine Valhalla]…”

“Sorry, but I don’t have time.”

Why was she suddenly acting friendly?

I needed to quickly park Aria at the lodgings and sneak out to get the ring appraised.

“My, you’re putting me in a difficult position…”

Aveline and Melissa were just stepping stones for Edwin’s awakening.

There was absolutely, zero reason for me to get involved with them.

-Clank.

I put down the utensils I was holding.

“Aria, sorry, but let’s eat when we get back.”

“Huh? Yes.”

“Ah, wait a moment, Lord Lev!”

And so we left, leaving Aveline behind.

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“This has become annoying.”

I could roughly guess why Aveline was suddenly showing interest in me.

Since she acted solely based on ‘power’, it seemed she was trying to get close to me just like she clung to Edwin and Kaeran in the novel.

Anyway, after entering and sneaking back out of the lodgings, I was now heading alone deep into the Imperial Capital.

The Imperial Capital had various streets,

while where I was with Aria earlier was a street thick with food and commerce,

where I was going now was the final commercial line in front of the Saint Workshop District, where craftsmen were said to line up.

Being the capital, the most skilled blacksmiths would naturally be gathered here.

And among them, the best would be the Ankerfall Dwarf Workshop.

He was an S-rank blacksmith and also an appraiser.

Quite unusual for a dwarf race.

This was also where Edwin’s holy sword would be forged later.

-Knock knock.

I knocked on the workshop’s door.

It had taken more time than expected since I had to avoid many people’s eyes.

“Are you in?”

-What is it.

As if responding to my call, a gruff and gravelly answer came from inside.

“Excuse me. I came to request a ring appraisal.”

-Clank!

The door opened at my polite request.

“What… a greenhorn?”

A beard braided to show the craftsman’s years, a branch-shaped nose.

Literally exactly like the dwarf in my head.

His face was tinged with subtle disappointment.

It felt like he could predict what level of items people would bring just by looking at their faces when they came here.

Something that comes from… experience, probably.

Well, a kid whose blood hasn’t dried yet coming near closing time wouldn’t look good.

“Kid, go away. Nothing to do here.”

-Creak.

When he was about to just close the door,

I quickly stuck my foot in and showed a business smile.

“It’s a high-quality item I just received.”

It was special bomb black beer that dwarves in this world setting couldn’t resist.

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Fortunately, he didn’t ask how I got the alcohol.

From a dwarf’s perspective, everyone except elderly humans would probably look like children anyway.

“You’re an interesting one. Show me the item quickly. It’s closing time.”

It was said that dwarves considered creating masterpieces as their life’s work.

-Click.

Seeing that he was already wearing a monocle magnifier, professional habits indeed couldn’t be hidden.

-Swoosh.

Instead of answering, I held out the Ring of Inscription that I had carefully stored in my pocket.

“…!”

He put on a serious expression, then

-Thunk.

Put down the drink he was about to take.

-Creak. Creak.

And began adjusting the magnifier to observe the ring.

“……”

“…”

“Where did you get something like this?”

He looked at me over the magnifier with a serious expression.

It definitely wouldn’t be something a mere student should have.

“It’s an heirloom passed down in my family.”

“An heirloom…”

The lies came out smoothly at this.

He wouldn’t pry further if it was about family matters.

“Hmmmm…!”

Ankerfall’s interest was now solely focused on the Ring of Inscription.

“This is the kind that’s hard to see even at Imperial auctions… If it were in an unappraised state, it would probably come out in the mid-to-late lots.”

“Is that so?”

I inwardly rejoiced.

I had been uncertain, but it seemed it really was a legendary item as expected.

“But it’s risky to appraise it as is. It’s too worn, and the magical formulas on it are complex.”

Appraisal consumed appraisal scrolls.

Naturally, higher grade scrolls became more expensive.

The problem wasn’t the price of the scrolls.

The skill of the practitioner using them, that is, the appraiser’s ability, was also important.

“Even… I can’t guarantee success. I’m not a magician. For an item of this level, it would be safer to use a professional appraiser connected to a large guild.”

Of course it would be good to follow his advice,

but I didn’t want to reveal the existence of this ring itself.

After all, I had intercepted it from Regilus.

If that causal relationship was discovered, it seemed I would incur quite a grudge.

‘Hmm…’

There were two stats that contributed to appraisal success.

‘Resonance’ and ‘Appraisal-Proficiency’ would be it.

Regilus would have excitedly mobilized all his connections to get it appraised after discovering it.

Ankerfall looked at me and spoke quite seriously.

“If it’s urgent, I can do it. But I can’t take responsibility if it fails.”

Gone was the treatment of me as a kid, he drew a clear line.

Well, this was also somewhat expected.

“Hmm…!”

I stretched and got up, then carefully looked around this workshop.
The equipment hanging on one wall.

The craftsman’s breath could definitely be felt through the years,

it seemed like you could smell the sweat thoroughly soaked into the wooden materials.

‘This should be… doable.’

First of all, didn’t I have the cheat characteristic ‘Gamer’?

Above all, I had 4.0 luck with me.

“In that case…”

Ankerfall was watching me intently, curious about how I would respond.

“…?”

And in front of this S-rank blacksmith renowned throughout the Empire, I declared:

“I’ll do it.”

This was what it meant to be a real man.

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