Even a Scoundrel Gets Tired – Chapter 32

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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What followed was predictable.

Even Low-Rank monsters were a challenge for average students. And now they were facing a horde of them, led by a Mid-Rank monster.

This evaluation seemed excessive, even dangerous.

My thoughts were echoed by the groans of the injured students around me.

“This… this isn’t right! A Mid-Rank monster?!”

“My arm! Heal me…!”

“No… if I fail this evaluation… I’ll…”

A noble student, desperately trying to deny reality.

A talented student, clutching his arm, tears of pain streaming down his face.

A commoner student, overwhelmed by the weight of his family’s expectations.

Their faces were etched with fear and despair.

But who was to blame? They’d been driven by greed, eager to earn extra points, convinced they were the predators, not the prey.

Those who recognized their folly remained silent, but not everyone was capable of such self-reflection.

Some, unable to accept responsibility for their mistakes, lashed out, their anger and resentment directed at the one who’d led them into this disaster.

‘If he hadn’t charged in…’

‘I didn’t even want to come… sob…’

The student who’d initiated the attack glared at his friend, while others tended to their injured companions, their faces etched with worry.

The negativity coalesced, focusing on a single target.

‘He was the first to charge…’

‘He’s the leader… he’s responsible…’

‘He made the decision…’

The whispers spread, their gazes turning accusatory.

I noticed their hostility and turned back to Albert, who was still sitting on the ground, dejected.

His usually confident head was bowed, his broad shoulders slumped. His lips, pressed tightly together, trembled with what looked like a mixture of anger and guilt.

I considered creating a calming potion for him, when a sudden appearance froze me in my tracks.

An unlikely trio had emerged from the forest.

“W… What happened here?”

“…! Bring the injured over here, quickly!”

“What… what happened…?”

Princess Kiana, her face a mask of confusion. Hildegarde, the Saint, her eyes filled with concern as she began healing the injured. And Isabella, her expression sharp as she assessed the situation.

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“…Is that… true?”

“Believe what you will, Your Highness.”

“You… you’re mocking me, aren’t you?!”

“Not particularly.”

I ignored the princess’s indignant sputtering and approached Isabella, who still seemed to be deep in thought.

“Lady Isabella.”

“Ah… y… yes!”

“What’s on your mind?”

She hesitated, then spoke, her voice barely above a whisper.

“…Isn’t this… strange…?”

“What is?”

“If a Mid-Rank monster appeared… what were the professors doing…?”

“Ah.”

The professors knew we were no match for a Mid-Rank monster. But they hadn’t intervened. That meant two things.

“First, this is part of the evaluation.”

“That’s… unlikely… The professors wouldn’t want so many students to fail…”

“Or… they didn’t anticipate the appearance of a Mid-Rank monster.”

“…That’s even more unlikely…”

She was right. Even the lowest-ranking professors were highly skilled or knowledgeable. They wouldn’t be caught off guard by something like this. The chances were astronomically low.

So, this was part of the evaluation…

“This… this is all your fault!”

“Yeah!”

“Take responsibility, Albert!”

“…”

The sudden outburst startled me, and I turned sharply.

Several students were confronting Albert, who was still sitting dejectedly on the ground. The other students watched, their silence a form of unspoken agreement.

They blamed Albert without a shred of self-reflection, and he accepted their accusations silently.

He’d made a mistake, a misjudgment that had led them into danger. He’d been their leader, the one who’d charged in first. He was responsible.

Seeing his silence, they continued their tirade, their voices growing louder, their accusations more pointed.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

The princess wouldn’t tolerate this. She believed in fairness, in protecting the vulnerable.

The students confronting Albert fell silent, intimidated by her presence. Who would dare challenge the princess?

“Y… Your Highness… it’s not like that…”

“Do you realize how cowardly you’re being?”

“But… he led us…!”

“And you followed.”

One of them tried to argue, but the princess’s sharp retort silenced him. They had agreed to attack the monsters. They’d known the risks and had chosen to ignore them. They hadn’t realized the princess knew that, too.

“You were all so eager earlier. And now you’re shifting the blame?”

“W… Well…”

“Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?”

“…”

“I question your honor as members of the empire.”

Her words, questioning their very integrity, made them flinch.

She turned and walked away, her disappointment palpable.

The students she’d rebuked looked ashamed, while others, relieved that they hadn’t been targeted, breathed a sigh of relief.

I watched them, searching for something to snack on, when the princess approached me. I instinctively took a step back.

“…Why are you avoiding me?”

“…Do you need something, Your Highness?”

“Yes. From you.”

She stopped in front of me, and her next action stunned me.

“…I’m… sorry…”

She bowed her head, apologizing. The princess of the empire, apologizing to a commoner.

“W… What?!?!”

“D… Did the princess just bow her head?”

“Huh…?”

Gasps of surprise echoed around us. Even Isabella and Hildegarde looked shocked.

“…Did she just apologize…?”

“I didn’t expect her to go this far…”

Isabella’s eyes were wide with disbelief, and Hildegarde sighed, rubbing her forehead, as if she knew something we didn’t.

I was speechless. I didn’t deserve an apology. I should be the one apologizing, for injuring her during our spar.

And she was doing this publicly, in front of all these students, and possibly the professors who were observing us.

Why?

“…What… are you apologizing for…?”

“…You really don’t know?”

“No.”

“…My words and actions that day.”

“…Did you do something to offend me?”

She gave me a look that clearly said, ‘Are you serious?’, but I wasn’t used to such expressions from girls like her.

“I… I had a negative opinion of you… And I treated you poorly… I judged you based on rumors… I’m sorry… I truly am.”

She must have agonized over this apology. But I was just confused. Why this sudden change of heart?

“…Um… so…?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“S… So…!”

“May I ask a question?”

“Uh… sure…?”

“Why are you suddenly apologizing?”

“Well…”

She fidgeted, twisting a strand of hair, making me even more curious.

Footsteps approached, and Hildegarde, the Saint, appeared beside us, offering an explanation.

“It’s nothing, really. I just told her about your condition.”

“H… Hildegarde!”

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Your Highness.”

“What… exactly did you tell her…?”

What could Hildegarde have possibly said to make her apologize so humbly? The only thing she knew about my “condition” was…

“You haven’t forgotten about your scorched shoulder, have you?”

“Ah.”

“I told her you got it during your spar with her. I just mentioned that it must have been incredibly painful.”

I looked at the princess. She avoided my gaze, her face flushed, a mixture of embarrassment and lingering resentment.

But she had apologized.

I decided to respond, stepping closer and offering her a small smile.

“Can’t I just accept a monetary compensation or something?”

Hildegarde’s face, beside me, twisted into a grimace.

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