Chapter 355 - The Incomprehensible Circumstances of a Marquis's Daughter
"You know my grades are exceptionally good, don't you? I'm at the top in both classroom learning and magic practice. Moreover, my father is a Marquis, and my mother's family is also a Marquis's house. Even as the second daughter, my marriage to the eldest son of a promising Earl's house is already decided, and I've never had trouble with anything."
Ho, ho. Quite the status. But to think her first words would be a boast.
Well, fine. Anyway, her own abilities are enough for her to be self-aware, her family is fine, and she has no complaints about her future marriage. A smooth life awaits her.
"Anything I want is within my reach, and everything goes as I wish. Even a bit of unreasonable behavior can be pushed through."
"Then what's your complaint?"
"You don't understand? It's boring, terribly so. Everything goes exactly as I thought, you know? A world without anything that could be called an obstacle is so boring. I'm sure a commoner wouldn't understand."
Ugh. Normally, she's the kind of person who'd make you angry. To have complaints because of her superior abilities and family... her sarcasm knows no bounds.
But that's just because she's living in a small world, being protected by someone without even knowing it. Even with my level of combat power, wealth, organizational power, and even beauty, I can't make everything go as I wish. The world isn't that kind.
Rather, as a daughter of a great power's nobility, there should be mountains of trouble due to ties unrelated to her. In the near future, she won't be able to say she's bored.
"...Fine. Then why does that make you a delinquent?"
"If I were a good girl, wouldn't it just be a repetition of boring days? If I want something that doesn't easily go as I wish, I have to create obstacles myself. Or step into a world that doesn't understand my status or abilities."
So she acted like a delinquent to make enemies and hung out with thugs?
To think a daughter who should be in a fulfilled environment would find dissatisfaction in it. The world doesn't work out as intended.
However, her personality is completely warped. She's quite a scoundrel.
"What about the Student Council? You guys kept your distance at the academy, but you're actually hanging out. Are they of the same kind as you?"
"I hang out with Ruth because of family circumstances. I don't know about the others."
It seems she's connected to the Student Council President, Ruth Cleados, for some reason. The drug theft incident might be related to that.
By the way, I told her about the Student Council secretary being kidnapped, but she's completely indifferent. Her saying she doesn't know about the others is probably her honest feeling, even if it's cold. I was thinking of shaking her with some sense of responsibility, but it looks like that'll fail.
"What are these family circumstances? I'm sure it's not a good story anyway, but I'll listen."
"It's exactly as you say; it's not a good story. The goal is to get a hold on the academy students' weaknesses, and create them if they don't have any. They're the worst families, both the Ribbonstrats and the Cleadoses."
She confessed easily. She probably thinks it's fine regardless of where or what I say.
More importantly, using drugs as a lead to make students commit more misdeeds and using that as leverage?
And to make their daughter do that... what an outrageous method. It's exactly what I'd expect... no, I suppose this is what nobility from a great power with a long history is like. Dragging each other down seems very much like them.
"Humph. So you hold the kids' misdeeds over them and use it as material to threaten their parents. It's boring, but I suppose it's a cheap method. But because of that, you almost died. You were sloppy. You don't actually think it's okay for you to die, do you?"
"That's the problem. Who is backing Jienko Nigi? I thought it might be you at first."
Oh, that's right. One of the Jienko Nigi guys was hinting at the existence of someone backing them.
"No way. It's surprising that you don't know, given you were hanging out with them."
"Hanging out? Don't make me laugh."
"Humph. I don't care about your sense of companionship. But the guys in the background are somewhat interesting."
It would be easy to tighten the screws on them and make them talk, but Jienko Nigi is finished anyway.
For me, there's nothing to gain by being involved further, but the thrill-seeking ringlet girl seems likely to pursue it. If that happens, I might have to go save her again when she gets into a pinch.
Ugh, does a temporary instructor really need to take care of her that much? I'll at least give her a warning.
"Just so you know, even if you end up in the same kind of trouble next time, I won't help you again. I don't think you could pay me back even if I let you owe me more."
"None of—"
Your business, was definitely what she was going to say. I approached in an instant and sent her flying.
"Honestly, you never learn."
The Blue Coats watching this place seem to have started moving, and it's about time I left. I healed her injuries, and since she was covered in blood, I purified her before tucking her under my arm and making my escape.
I'm curious about the existence backing Jienko Nigi, but as a mere robber, I can't conduct an interrogation. If there really is a background connection, Thompson will likely tell me later.
Oh, wait. In some cases, is there a possibility that Jienko Nigi can't be crushed because of the person in the background?
If that's the case, then the story changes... oh well. If there's trouble left, it'll come knocking anyway. I'll crush it all then.
On the way back to the academy in the armored vehicle, I felt tired even though it wasn't even evening.
Today started with the Magic Doll Club matches, and then the kidnapping scandals with the Student Council secretary and the girl with the ringlets. I'm fine physically, but the day feels long.
"Big Sister, I bought this."
"Oh, I haven't eaten anything, so that helps."
It seems she secured some kebab-like food while on standby. She's a well-taught little sister.
While eating, I told Layla and the others about what happened at Jienko Nigi's base, keeping the communication on.
When I asked Layla what the Student Council was doing, it seemed they were also behaving themselves. They probably don't want to make things more complicated by doing something unnecessary.
After arriving at the academy, I was able to return inside without being called out for anything suspicious by the sentries. Once I parked the vehicle, I was a bit troubled about what to do with the ringlet girl.
It was fine that I punched her and knocked her out, but just like the Student Council secretary, she was sleeping deeply and wouldn't wake up.
"What should we do?"
"...Let's just dump her somewhere around here."
Inside the academy, there's no danger. She'll wake up sooner or later if left alone.
Valeria and Violante took the girl out of the car, and I headed to the Student Council building while holding the Student Council secretary.
The two sentries in front of the Student Council building didn't challenge me this time and let me through. They looked worriedly at the student being held under my arm. I ignored their inquisitive gazes.
And then, I returned to the grand Student Council meeting room. I laid the secretary on the carpet.
The Student Council members, looking like fools, seemed to feel relief and anxiety at the sight of their returned companion.
Even if she's unconscious, she probably doesn't look dead to them. But being alive doesn't mean she's unharmed. The problem is what kind of terrible things were done to her. The blank hours after a female student was kidnapped by thugs... naturally, only unpleasant things come to mind.
Come to think of it, I believe I said I'd settle it by sunset. It's quite a quick resolution, given it's not even sunset yet. They should be grateful.
"Don't just stand there, say something."
I accidentally said it to the guys who were just staring blankly.
Normally there would be a lot to ask; they're quite out of it.
"Was she... safe?"
"She's sleeping soundly. Ask her what happened once she wakes up."
The Student Council President, who didn't seem particularly worried, was just told that she was the one who led all the students into misdeeds together with the ringlet girl. The girl who had given up was blabbing, but the President likely wouldn't say it so easily, and even if pointed out, she'd probably play dumb.
For me, I don't care about their roles or family circumstances, and I don't intend to be loud about it. As long as they live a student life that doesn't cause trouble for me, the lifestyle guidance instructor, that's enough. Even if you commit some misdeeds, do it so you don't get caught.
"W-What happened to the kidnappers?"
"That's right, those thugs?"
Retaliation follows conflict. The idiots are likely wary of that, but it's a useless worry.
"There's no need for you to know. Listen. Forget everything, not just what happened today, but everything that's happened until now."
I intentionally wore my sunglasses to make the atmosphere heavy and told them while intimidating them. It's best to pretend it never happened.
Not just the kidnapping, but the theft of drugs from Jienko Nigi and the selling of them in the academy... it's all inconvenient for everyone. Not just for these guys, but for the academy and the other involved parties as well.
I'll even pretend the fight you picked with me specifically never happened. If it were a fight against someone carrying the Kikyomon crest, I wouldn't have forgiven you, but right now I'm a lifestyle guidance instructor without my badge, and you're just students, however big fools you may be.
"President Cleados. You take responsibility and dispose of everything, including the stuff hidden underground. If you can't, bring it to me later. I'll clean it all up for you. Tell the dealers, the couriers, and the dorm mothers to forget everything. With some threats included."
I have no intention of listening to excuses or nonsense. They should have realized I know everything once I brought up the stuff underground.
"T-That's quite high-handed..."
"Keep quiet, everyone except the President. Got it? Don't make me deal with any more trouble."
The manifestation of powerful physical enhancement magic that they could see made even the slow-witted feel fear, and the threat of pure violence was something anyone could understand by instinct. That it would be bad to defy me.
It's an exceptionally generous offer, as I'm letting them off with just this level of threat for misdeeds that weren't just a simple prank.
If you're noble daughters, think about the future. This is the absolute best time to pull back from your misdeeds. In fact, it's the only time. The Student Council President seems to understand or have resigned herself, as she doesn't seem to have any intention of defying me at this stage.
If you change your ways and live a decent student life, at least I'll let everything go and forget it.
Even if others try to cause a fuss, the damage will be lighter if you treat it as something from the past rather than an ongoing misdeed. Just cut it out already.
"You understand, don't you? Now, about the talk of my reward. President Cleados, you said you would definitely reward my results, didn't you?"
"Yes, I have no intention of breaking that promise."
"Then pass the full budget for the Magic Doll Club. The application should have been submitted."
"Ruth-sama! That's something the previous Student Councils have..."
"This is no time to be saying such things. In the first place, it's none of our business."
"That's true, but..."
I'm the one who's going to crush the inconvenient facts for you. If you have a decent sense of judgment, you can't defy me. Even if there's some resentment, they have some discretion. I'm proceeding with just words because they're that kind of people.
Besides, even though the budget the Magic Doll Club wants is high, it should be well within the range that a super-rich school can easily afford.
"The budget will be approved immediately. What would you like for your own reward, Evil Banshee-sensei?"
"Do you think there's anything I'd want from kids like you? I'll say one last thing. Know that this is the last time I'll play along with your stupid games."
I took off the ring with the transmitter and returned it. This was also a source of slight stress, so I feel like I'm finally free.
I tossed the ring toward the President and quickly left the room, turning my back on them.
It took some effort, but the mission for disciplinary action and a comeback has definitely moved a step forward. I can consider my past hard work somewhat rewarded.
After walking a bit out of the Student Council building, I received a call from Platoon Leader Thompson.
I started the conversation through the flat communicator.
"...It seems 'Badoo Lot' is behind Jienko Nigi. No one will know you're the one who attacked them, but be careful just in case."
"So there was someone in the background. And who is this Badoo Lot?"
"An affiliate of the Anastasia Union and a favorite of the Gilded Brat. It's a relatively new organization and we don't know many details."
"Gilded Brat? You don't mean the idiot son of the former Anastasia Union supreme commander, do you?"
"That's the one. Though you'll be killed if you call him that to his face."
So he's finally shown himself!
I didn't think I'd be connected to the Anastasia Union in a place like this.
Whether the idiot son's instructions had trickled down to Jienko Nigi was unknown, but it wasn't a bad result to have eliminated some of the lowest rungs that could become his limbs.
"An organization like the Anastasia Union probably isn't directly involved with Jienko Nigi, but Badoo Lot is an organization whose true nature even the Blue Coats can't grasp. If the kidnapping case is settled, don't pursue them. We don't want any more trouble either."
"As long as they don't mess with me, I have no intention of getting involved either. If you grasp any suspicious movements, let me know. I'll hold onto the communicator for a while."
"Then you pass me some scoop if you get it. Later."
Good, good. He's becoming quite a good source of information. I'll expect more from Thompson in the future.
"This is Shinonome. Layla, how's the Student Council?"
"This is Layla. They were arguing a bit, but the flow is to follow the President's demands. I think it's fine to leave them alone now."
"Then we can stop the boring work with the kids for now. You can also pull back from other detailed investigations."
"Does that mean another matter has come up?"
"Exactly. Ever heard of an organization called Badoo Lot?"
"...I believe there are rumors it's a branch of the Anastasia Union, but it was an organization remembered as not actually having that much of a relationship. Is there some connection?"
As expected of a former high-ranking intelligence officer. Even though the Blue Coats don't really know about the organization, she seems to know, perhaps through the Phantom Thief Guild.
"They're the ones behind Jienko Nigi. Find out if they were involved in this kidnapping case, or if the Anastasia Union is involved. Don't let them catch wind of our movements, got it?"
"They seem like they'll have some backbone, but it looks like I can finally show my true worth. I'll try it."
Her voice is full of motivation. That's likely how much of an opponent she feels they'll be.
The Student Council building, which felt tough, was just a case of a specialized contractor being great at magic tool performance and installation.
If the opponent is an actual underworld organization, there's no shortage and no need for restraint. Given her state, it seems Layla will be able to produce results beyond expectations on her own. I'll just leave it to her and wait for the reports.
It was a long detour, but the enemy's tail is finally in sight.
There are still some episodes left regarding the Student Council, so I want to settle things with them more clearly in the near future.
It seems the Magic Doll Club is also finally getting away from antiques.