Chapter 352 - Half-Spun Spider Webs
I returned to the academy on the stolen... no, borrowed bike and went through a check with Anastasia Union's guards at the gate. If I don't slip in secretly, this becomes a hassle.
By the way, it's also eerie how there's been no movement from Anastasia Union at all.
We came to Belliza as guards because we heard that the former supreme commander's idiot son had become the little sister's stalker.
The idiot son, who even killed his own father to seize the seat of the strongest, was someone I imagined to be a typical hot-headed fool based on what I'd heard. Yet, somehow, I haven't seen a single move from him.
Did he change his ways after being beaten once by the current supreme commander? Or is he acting with uncharacteristic caution? Or perhaps he's found another girl and forgotten about the little sister?
It's fine if nothing happens, but it still feels eerie.
"Sensei, weren't you on the bus when you left? The bus the students were on has already arrived."
Even in the militant Anastasia Union, those assigned to guard a prestigious girls' academy are reasonably polite. This guy seems to have been properly educated as well.
"I just acted separately for some business. Can I go?"
"Go ahead. However, I'd like to talk to you sometime—"
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry. Next time."
It's probably not a pass, but a desire to talk about the little sister's situation. He seems like a nice guy, but that doesn't mean he's an ally.
Since there's been no movement from the enemy, I also wanted to probe the Anastasia Union members directly. If I weren't busy, I might have accepted the offer. The timing is just bad right now.
I passed through the gate, parked the bike in the parking lot, and walked to the Student Council building.
"This is Shinonome. Layla, any change in the situation?"
"This is Layla. The Student Council is just talking in circles and the atmosphere is getting worse. There's still no further demand from Jienko Nigi."
"What about the Student Council President? I thought she'd be a bit more composed."
"Ruth Cleados has been silent the whole time. Whether she's deep in thought or in shock..."
"I don't think she's the type to be shocked by what happens to a subordinate. Well, if the kidnapped one is a friend, it's normal to worry. Anyway, they're arguing while their companion might be going through hell... they're really just hopeless brats."
If Jienko Nigi wants to convey their demands via a letter, they'd have to use someone connected to the academy as a messenger. If thugs showed up at the academy, Anastasia Union's guards wouldn't stay silent. In that sense, I think it's difficult for them as well.
I wanted to extend a helping hand at the right moment, right when an intense demand arrived, but if I wait too long, I don't know what those desperate kids might do. Expecting more would be greedy.
Listening to the short exchange between Valeria, who had already secured the hostage, and Violante, who went to pick her up, I arrived at the Student Council building again. Two sentries were dutifully standing there today as well.
Now, how should I break through them today? I'd rather be invited in than force my way through. Yeah, I'll just try talking to them normally.
I approached at a leisurely pace, trying not to provoke them.
"You! Again?!"
"Begone! The Student Council doesn't have time to deal with someone like you!"
My, what spirited kids.
However, even though I'm trying to start a conversation, a belligerent attitude from the start is unacceptable. In the first place, for young ladies of noble birth, they speak quite rudely.
Maybe I'm also at fault for my unladylike appearance and behavior, but it's a problem for sentries to defy a visitor of unknown status. What if my true identity were some eccentric high-ranking noble... no, that's probably not it. Regardless, these girls need some guidance.
I ignored their nonsense and put on my special gloves as I walked. Perhaps sensing a hostile stance or pressure, the knight-like students placed their hands on their swords, just like before.
I thought this before too, but these kids easily use weapons to threaten people despite just being students.
Moreover, this is inside the academy. It's unacceptable for a student to use a sword to threaten a faculty member, and the Headmaster even said he didn't recall giving them such a privilege. If it's not a special culture of Berlliza or Saint Emeralda, what they're doing is outrageous.
Besides, I don't have time for children's games. I can tell just by looking at them that they have no experience cutting anyone. Beyond their anger toward me or their duty as sentries, I can see the fear of swinging a weapon at a person.
The fear of physically hurting or killing someone is a natural emotion unless one is an absolute lunatic or has undergone intense training and experience.
There's no way I'd feel fear at the threats of such sheltered brats who haven't even steeled their resolve.
The current Student Council is cornered due to the kidnapping incident. As sentries, they're likely not calm, filled with both the will to eliminate obstacles and feelings of irritation and anxiety.
Anyway, we're not in the same league. If they're noble ladies, they should be good at reading the atmosphere. I lowered my sunglasses slightly and threatened them with my eyes, showing that if they wanted to do this for real, I was game. I also changed my leisurely pace and added a serious atmosphere and a release of mana.
Threatening is a specialty of scoundrels. I'll show them a bit of professional intensity.
"...Hey. If you're going to draw, make sure you're ready to die first. If you draw that and point it at me—"
"Y-You mock me?! Hyaaaaaah!"
"Rosalina! W-Wait a minute!"
My, what a quick-tempered girl. She shook off the other sentry's restraint and lunged at me as if she'd lost her mind. Perhaps I threatened her too much with my intensity and mana. Still, she has more guts than someone who just stands there trembling.
This isn't the development I wanted, and while defeating her would be effortless, I'm looking for a conversation. I'll stay calm and have them listen to what I say.
After a brief moment—fastest for the sentry girl, but slow enough for me to yawn—I entered the sword's range.
The double-edged sword, swung by bloodshot eyes, approached on a trajectory to cleave my left shoulder.
I could punch her before she cut me, I could parry the sword and deflect its trajectory, I could simply dodge, or I could even block it with a shield. There were countless ways to handle such an easy attack.
No, there was no need to even handle it.
Even if I did nothing, it would be fine. She's a student of the academy, even if she's an idiot, so I'll treat this as part of her guidance.
She must have been training somewhat seriously, as the sword followed a surprisingly clean trajectory and sank into my defenseless left shoulder. But that was it.
Just before the sword struck, the fear and regret of hurting someone must have rushed in. There were faint tears in the sentry's eyes. Then, her eyes widened in shock.
See? You learned a lot from a single attack, didn't you?
"Had enough? You tomboy."
Under my tracksuit, I'm wearing a plain black T-shirt. That black T-shirt, which looks ordinary, is a masterpiece made of metallic thread from carbonim ore, and the lining is enchanted with several types of engraved magic. Just by absorbing the tiny amount of mana that unconsciously leaks from the body, it exerts a fair amount of defensive power. This T-shirt is a first-class piece of armor that is far sturdier than ordinary metal armor and even has flexibility when I'm conscious of it.
A slash from a student who can only use physical enhancement magic at a level slightly above the minimum... it felt like nothing more than a bug landing on me.
"Before you swing something so dangerous, a decent person should try to resolve things through dialogue. Do you realize your careless actions could become a stain on your master? If I weren't an instructor at the academy, I would never forgive you or your master for trying to take my life. Do you understand what this means? In the first place, such a thing is unnecessary inside the academy."
With my hand wearing the special glove, I grabbed the sword still resting on my shoulder and crushed it.
I pushed aside the first sentry, who let out a small scream and backed away, and approached the other sentry. She stood there, frozen with her hand on the hilt of her sword, with a tense expression. I'm technically an instructor here, so there's no need to be so guarded. Honestly.
"I didn't intend to force my way through from the start. Give a message to the Student Council President... Are you listening?"
"Hah! What?"
"Tell the Student Council President what I'm about to say. Got it?"
"A-Ah, yes."
"Do you really got it?"
She nodded repeatedly; she's kind of cute when she does that.
I told her what to say.
"If you're in trouble, Yukalied Evil Banshee will lend a hand. I have a duty to protect my students, and the power to do so. And I also have a duty to keep secrets. You're free to reject the hand I've extended, but know that this is your only chance."
After saying my piece, I jerked my chin and sent her off to deliver the message.
If I'm rejected here, I'll have to figure out what to do. I crossed my arms and waited quietly.
"This is Layla. Your message has been delivered to the people inside. They're arguing again."
Thanks to Layla, who's giving me a play-by-play, I know exactly what's going on.
"Ruth Cleados, who has been silent until now, spoke. She silenced everyone with a single word and decided to invite you in."
As expected of the Student Council President. There's no point in being stubborn when cornered, and she might have decided to take a gamble on my strength given my track record of single-handedly repelling thugs.
Since I said I'd help, she probably thinks I already have a grasp of the situation and a plan for victory. With that in mind, she seems to have made a decision with a single word, as a leader should.
After waiting a while, the sentry who went inside returned and escorted me in. I followed quietly.
We took the elevator to the top floor, and at the end of the hall was a grand double door. The sentry knocked and spoke before opening the door.
What an absurdly grand interior. It didn't feel like a place where students do paperwork, but rather a room where a banquet could be held.
Seven people were seated at a large rectangular table. These were the members of the Student Council who ruled the academy. Ruth Cleados, the Student Council President, sat at the head of the table. Unlike the idiots around her who were panicking, she was the only one with a cool expression.
It's stupid for me to just stand here. Taking advantage of the students' silence, I sat down in an empty chair, crossed my legs, and leaned back.
I looked at everyone through my sunglasses. Even though I was the one who visited, I acted as if I were saying, If you have something to discuss, let's hear it.
However, Ruth Cleados's attitude didn't change. She actually seemed to be enjoying the reactions around her. I can't really read her. Well, it's a waste of time for her to stay silent.
"...I thought I'd help if you were in trouble. I won't know if you don't speak up."
The idiots all turned to the President. Seeing that, she let out a small sigh of disappointment that only I could see.
"Evil Banshee-sensei, it seems you already know of our circumstances."
"Who knows? I don't know much. I just happened to hear from a Blue Coat I know that I should consult with you if you'd like."
The Student Council President seems calm. I think she knew my movements because of the location information from the ring. My pretense of not knowing the details and the timing of my arrival shouldn't feel unnatural.
"We have a complicated situation, and it's so urgent that we don't have time to explain... Even so, would you lend us your strength?"
"Ruth-sama! Do you think this person can do something about it?"
"That's right! Besides, if it gets out..."
I sighed at the idiots who were complaining to the President. Their companion is in a pinch, and all they can think about is their own self-preservation. What a hopeless bunch.
"Stop talking nonsense and speak up if you want help. President Cleados, weren't you in a hurry?"
"Then I shall skip the pleasantries and tell you the main point. Actually, a member of the Student Council has been kidnapped."
A heavy silence filled the large room. Everyone except me and the President probably wanted to escape from reality.
"I see. You don't want this to become a major issue, but you have no pieces you can move. Or if you do, they're all useless. That's the situation, right?"
"It is largely as you imagine."
"Who kidnapped her?"
It was a necessary process, even if I was playing dumb.
"It's a group of thugs called Jienko Nigi. We received a letter informing us of the crime, but we cannot show it to you."
"You can't show it? That means there's something inconvenient for you written there."
They probably wrote for them to prepare the stolen drugs and a ransom in exchange for the hostage. Ransom aside, it's natural they don't want me to know about the drugs. Even though I already know.
"You may think whatever you wish, but can you rescue her from Jienko Nigi? We don't know where she is, and we hear their organization has over a hundred members."
"I'm telling you I'll help. Just leave it to me. Let's see... I'll settle it by sunset."
The rescue was already complete, but telling them now would diminish their gratitude.
"That's...! Sunset is still several hours away! They're thugs, and for her to be captured by such people for several hours..."
"I can't imagine she'll be safe... Ah, why did it come to this?"
The idiots besides the President began to whine one after another.
They brought this on themselves. But they deserve it.
This isn't an incident that can be dismissed as a child's prank. This is a punishment. They should regret and suffer a bit. Actually, it's too light for it to end with just that.
I'm completely different from a hot-blooded teacher. I don't think I'll reform delinquents at all, and conversely, I think it's just a nuisance for those who are reformed. It's none of my business.
I'm not mocking hot-bloodedness, and I think those people are basically good, but these kids need a strict education.
However, unfortunately, I'm a scoundrel. It's easier to deal with idiots if they stay idiots, and I can have expectations that I can use them someday. They're still high-born daughters; they're almost certainly going to marry some rich boy in the future. If I know the partner is socially inexperienced then, I can think of plenty of uses for them.
Thinking of a bright future, I took a sip from the teacup of the girl sitting next to me. Phew, the tea is delicious.
"Hey! Why are you relaxing there? Go help her already!"
"Y-Yes! If anything happens, it's your responsibility!"
They're so hopeless I almost punched them. I'll ignore everyone except the President.
Ah, it was also bad that I didn't state my demands. I might have mistakenly let them believe I'm helping out of goodwill.
"President Cleados, you should know that even though I'm an instructor, I'm not that soft, right?"
"Yes, let us hear your demands."
"I appreciate your quick understanding. First, solving this secretly is the same as becoming an accomplice. To the dark deeds you're involved in. Moreover, solving a kidnapping against a gang of thugs is an impossible task. Can you compensate for this?"
Solving a kidnapping isn't the job of an academy instructor. And if I move for free, the idiots who've grown arrogant might get the wrong idea.
"...Evil Banshee-sensei, we don't have time right now. Can we discuss such negotiations after the rescue? Besides, I can't promise anything in a situation with no results."
Well, that's true. Even if she's staying cool, the situation is what it is. If she didn't know the rescue was already complete, she'd be panicking too, and wouldn't be in a position to negotiate rewards.
"I won't forgive you if you back out."
"I promise to reward your results."
I wonder. If they break their promise, I can just give them a deathly terrifying experience once. If they're such bastards that they won't keep a promise, there's nothing else to do.
These kids are technically students I should guide. It's also strange to have strict negotiations like I'm dealing with street thugs while in the position of a lifestyle guidance instructor. Even if it's soft, I'll let it slide at this level.
Now, I'll just pretend to go and negotiate again after the rescue.
I'm curious about what Jienko Nigi, whose hostage was taken, is doing and if the ringlet girl is safe.
Ah, and I should return the borrowed bike soon.