Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

126 – Denial. (8)

The streets were filled with a festive atmosphere. It was only natural. The land of ghosts had disappeared. The whispers of ghosts that tormented people through the Saint’s actions were now gone.

There were quite a few people calling for this day to be designated as a holiday.

“It’s bustling.”

Asti seemed quite happy.

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm? What?”

“Not tired? It must be quite challenging because of the Papacy…”

“Oh, that? It’s just unpleasant. But I’m feeling good now, so it’s okay. I’ve spent quite some time here, and that has helped.”

“Good to hear.”

She took my arm and even linked hers with mine, locking arms.

“Today, we’ll walk around like this.”

I sensed something changing within her, in her actions, as if a transformation had taken place within her.

◈

Since the last test of the sword, Asti realized that Prahr had become significantly stronger. However, this fact did not bring only joy.

Originally, to become stronger, such conditions needed to be met. No matter what kind of hardships it entailed.

There was no way to become stronger in this world without a price.

Each had their own cost, and Prahr must have endured unimaginable hardships.

Prahr spoke of ambition. He deliberately suffered because of the ambition to become stronger. From his words, Asti somehow felt a sense of guilt.

Prahr began to focus on his own abilities after Asti instilled confidence in him. Therefore, Prahr felt like he was suffering for Asti’s sake.

Of course, ultimately, it was good for Prahr, but who in the world would want to see someone they care about suffer.

Whenever he did something, he always chose to sacrifice himself. Despite seeming otherwise, whenever the lid was lifted, he was always the one sacrificing.

It was the same during the Esté incident, and during the Maw infestation. He always threw himself into danger. Even though, if Asti had used her own power, things would have been much easier.

As if driven by some compulsion, he always did so.

Asti watched him with a heavy heart. Especially this time, with the Binding Sword in the Phantom Land… he called it Salus, right? When he became a phantom to obtain that sword, Asti had to taste an anxiety she had never felt even in her angelic days.

The realm of the dead was a place even she couldn’t interfere with. If Prahr had not returned from there forever?

She trusted him, yet she was on the verge of madness worrying about him.

If he had been even a little late, Asti might have tearfully welcomed him.

Asti couldn’t deny it. Now, Prahr held the biggest part in her life.

Moreover, right after returning, what? A fake lover?

Unbelievable. It was thought up by the author herself, a saint, and she could even see that slowly, in the saint’s heart, feelings towards Prahr were growing.

After witnessing that scene, Asti thought she couldn’t hold back anymore.

Originally, she planned to respect Prahr’s will and keep her precious feelings tucked away in a corner of her heart until the important matter to him was resolved.

So, she had only intended to show signs of favor towards him… but now, that was no longer the case.

Asti firmly grabbed Prahr’s arm.

Yes. Well, that could happen. Prahr was so self-sacrificing and admirable that even Astariot would fall for him. He had the courage to leap into any situation without hesitation.

Still, it’s… a bit irritating. Other women aiming for him.

It can’t be helped. If even she, who was in love with him, had a hard time not falling for him, how could any other woman resist. Beyond just his appearance, he was flawless even in his inner self.

Perhaps such women would appear one after another. She couldn’t just watch someone floundering within the framework of a plan.

…But why are they all women?

She was a bit annoyed by that. If they were men, there would be no reason for them to fall for Prahr. But why are all the people trying to get entangled with Prahr, those who strangely find their way into his circle, women?

Anyway, she had decided to show that every time such women appeared. That she was by Prahr’s side.

“I’ll keep doing this today.”

As Asti casually said next to Prahr, his face turned slightly red. Yet, despite feeling embarrassed, he didn’t push Asti away.

“Do as you please. If it helps you vent your frustration.”

“hehehe.”

Asti wrapped her arms around Prahr’s strong arm.

“So, where shall we go from here?”

In response to Prahr’s question, Asti replied.

“Nowhere specific. Anywhere with something interesting.”

“Okay.”

“There’s a saying that no plan is a plan, right? When you want to enjoy something new, you just step in anywhere. Isn’t that nice?”

“I like that better.”

“Considering it’s a planned meeting.”

“That way we can be prepared for something. If we don’t make specific plans, it’s difficult to respond to sudden events. Of course, even if we make plans, things can go wrong in an instant, so we need to plan the details. If it’s not something important, I just want to live carelessly.”

“Okay. Then let’s just have a carefree day today.”

“Where should we go first?”

“Well? Wherever our feet take us. Look, doesn’t that look interesting?”

She pointed her finger to where a traveling theater troupe was performing.

“A traveling theater troupe?”

“Yes. It’s something I like.”

“You liked the traveling theater troupe?”

“I still like it. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? They don’t even use magic, only physical skills. Especially that.”

She pointed to a person putting a burning torch into their own mouth. Oh… that’s definitely impressive.

“It’s definitely impressive.”

I remember there was a similar sideshow in my original world.

After watching the sideshow, we ate various street foods. They were cheap, but maybe because of the lively atmosphere, they were quite tasty.

And even while doing that, Asti never let go of my arm.

…Even if I try not to be conscious of it, I can’t help but be conscious of it.

Maybe the saint suggesting a fake lover has amplified some sense of crisis in her.

So, let’s just stay quiet today. There’s no need to refuse for no reason.

“Here, try this. Ah~”

Watching her offering me various foods, I obediently opened my mouth.

“Good.”

Seeing me obediently eat, Asti had a satisfied expression as if something had been fulfilled.

* * *

“What do you plan to do?”

The successful purification of the ghost land by the saint meant that the exorcists had no choice but to accept this defeat.

“…”

However, they didn’t have a proper way to handle it. If they tried to pull a trick on the saint who now held great power, they would immediately come under suspicion.

It was widely known among the leadership of the Holy Empire that the exorcists openly held unfavorable views of the saint.

Their gathering in such a secretive place today was ultimately to find a solution to this frustrating situation.

At that moment, one of the exorcists spoke.

“How about spreading rumors? If we carefully craft false rumors to slightly tarnish the saint’s reputation…”

“Do you think that’s possible? What is the current state of the saint’s reputation, and would people be swayed by such false rumors?”

“I don’t know. But, if it’s a rumor, people tend to be ignorant and easily swayed by such things. They don’t bother to verify the truth of the rumor. Just someone’s provocative rumor alone can tarnish a reputation, so it doesn’t seem entirely bad.”

* * *

“Who do you want to investigate as the target of the inquiry? There is a man that the saint is hiding… It wouldn’t be a bad idea to use that.”

“Do you have a good target? I’m talking about the imperial envoy who came to the holy kingdom this time.”

“Ah, you mean Viscount Prach?”

“Yes, if we involve both of them, it will put Lancel, the empire, and the saint in a difficult situation. Especially, it is a well-known fact that the nobles of the empire are wary of Lancel’s rising power. If they see prey being poured onto them, there will surely be objections to the saint from the empire as well.”

“Alright. That’s not a bad idea.”

In the end, Prach and Adrian had not intended it, and it was a matter that had been discarded once.

The inquisitors decided to involve the two of them.