Chapter 52: Two-Timing (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 52: Two-Timing (1)
This morning was peaceful.
I started by pouring human food into a dog bowl at the same time as the whining bitch’s—I mean, Bell’s—alarm went off.
I skipped the training grounds because of the festival, but instead, I spent some time watching the poor head of our household sleeping curled up in a corner of the club room while I looked over the interrogation results of the Dark Mage we caught yesterday.
There were technically classes scheduled, but I let myself be carried away by the wave of students praising the professor who had naturally canceled his lectures. I strolled through the streets lined with stalls.
Unlike in my past life, my pockets were heavy enough that I could view being overcharged as part of the "festival spirit." I even bought a tornado potato, though I had no idea why they were selling them at an academy where the majority of students were nobles.
In the distance, a crowd was gathering as if for a parade. I looked over to see what was happening, only to spot Daisy at the very front. I immediately turned and bolted at full speed, enjoying the festival in my own way.
"Maybe I'll go watch the swordsmanship tournament this afternoon."
I’d already filled my quota of Dark Mages yesterday, so I decided to take it easy today and rest up for the hellish date scheduled for tomorrow.
"Oh?"
I noticed a crowd gathered at a cafe a fair distance away.
There were people, sure, but it wasn't a parade-level mob like the one following Daisy, so I could tell who they were even from afar.
"It's Senior Loreliya and the Fire Spammer."
The two of them were surrounded by a group that looked like the senior's followers.
I slipped into the crowd to see what they were talking about.
"I think it’s a good idea to try. You still have a chance."
"D-do you really think so?"
"Of course. You have to go for it in an atmosphere like this. When else would you get the chance?"
It was an unexpected conversation.
Since the two of them were together, I expected the topic to be about romance. But I didn't think they’d be discussing it so openly with a crowd gathered around.
"Don't you all agree?"
Senior Loreliya even turned to ask the surrounding crowd. It made me realize that the RoFan world was a much more open-minded place than I’d thought.
"That's right! The Founding Day Festival has a long history of producing academy couples. If you don't try now, when will you?"
"I agree. Especially for the Magic Department, since various events like the Magic Tournament start today. Why not ask to watch them together?"
Senior Loreliya’s followers were showering the Fire Spammer with words of encouragement.
The Fire Spammer’s eyes began to sparkle as if she were gaining confidence. Then—
"Huh?"
Our eyes met, and his widened in surprise.
"Oh my."
Senior Loreliya also looked my way for a moment.
"I was just about to go looking for you."
She curved her eyes into a graceful, mischievous smile.
…I should have run away right then.
*
"Seriously, Senior, why are you doing this too?"
After dismissing her followers, the senior—who said she had something to tell me—demanded a date as if I owed it to her.
"Between us, can't I ask for a little favor like this?"
For some reason, it felt like the women around me had been getting bolder lately.
"…I don't think so."
At my words, Senior Loreliya averted her gaze and muttered softly.
"I guess not, right?"
She’d just been acting bold; fortunately, it seemed she still had a conscience.
"The Senior is asking you!"
The Fire Spammer, who had basically become one of her followers at this point, growled at me with her eyebrows furrowed. She really did look like the stereotypical lackey of a RoFan villainess.
"Shut it. You go prepare for your own date. You want to get dumped again?"
"Urgh!"
A guy who couldn't even land his own date had no business meddling in someone else's.
"And Senior, please tell me why exactly we have to go on a date."
"Hmm. Well."
Senior Loreliya scratched her cheek, thinking for a moment, before giving a concise explanation.
"First, the family's direction has been decided. Following the majority opinion, we’ve decided to maintain the stance of breaking the engagement with Prince Esid. However…"
There was one thing that had changed: the Imperial Family had also found out.
"Since the fault lies with Prince Esid, the Imperial Family seems to understand the annulment."
But there were people who didn't understand the annulment, even if the Imperial Family did.
"The faction opposing the annulment is causing all sorts of annoying trouble for various reasons."
It was absurd that there were people opposing it when the Imperial Family and the Duchy had already reached an agreement. But what was even more absurd was what came next.
"Senior. What does that have to do with us dating?"
No matter how much I thought about it, there was no reason for us to date based on that story.
"Well, the reason is..."
How should she explain it?
Senior Loreliya hesitated for a moment, pouting slightly.
"So, what some of those opponents are claiming is… that the problem is my lack of charm."
"…Excuse me?"
What kind of bullshit was this?
"They're beating around the bush, but to summarize: they're saying the Prince fell for a woman who was already dating another man because I’m not charming enough."
Was it just my imagination?
Senior Loreliya was smiling, but she looked… well, she looked extremely pissed off.
"A-are you angry?"
I guess it wasn't my imagination.
The Fire Spammer, who seemed to be thinking the same thing, asked with wide eyes. Senior Loreliya tilted her head for a long moment before nodding.
"A little?"
It definitely looked like more than "a little."
"Anyway. So I thought about it. What would be the best way to shut those people up?"
The answer was already clear.
"And why is the answer a date with me…?"
"First, it proves that I can seduce a man whenever I want."
This senior was bolder than I thought.
"And second, that man is officially the Saintess’s man—the one who made Prince Esid fall for her."
Seeing her openly declare her intent to commit a public NTR, it seemed she was finally stepping into her original role.
That is, acting as a true RoFan villainess.
"Lastly, aren't you an expert?"
Since I already had a fake girlfriend, surely I could handle a fake date.
I narrowed my eyes at Senior Loreliya, who seemed to be saying exactly that.
"You're making me out to be a total piece of trash."
"…Is it a no, then?"
"Of course it's a no."
"Really?"
"Obviously."
Senior Loreliya slumped as if dejected and let out a deep sigh.
"There's no one else I can ask for a favor like this."
"There were plenty of people earlier."
Most were women, but there were a few men mixed in. If she asked them, they certainly wouldn't refuse.
"Most of them have loose lips. And standing by my side requires more courage than you’d think."
For now, she was still the fiancé of a member of the Imperial Family.
Muttering that, she looked at me with a resigned expression.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up and making you worry."
She told me not to think too much of it, saying she’d just been testing the waters.
And so, the incident ended as a minor hiccup.
Or so I thought.
"This is the person I've been seeing lately."
Wait, didn't we just settle this?
When I looked down at her with that expression, the senior gave me a smile that was full of apology—but also brazenly asked me to just play along.
"……"
As Senior Loreliya suddenly linked her arm with mine, I realized something.
I thought she wasn't, but this senior was also the type who absolutely hated losing.
After parting ways with Senior Loreliya and the Fire Spammer, I went back to my original plan.
By which I mean:
"I shall prove the fame of the Minor Sword Emperor to the entire continent, right here and now!"
"Asran! 18 consecutive wins! Incredible! Even in back-to-back matches, he is showing everyone why he is called the Minor Sword Emperor with his overwhelming skill!"
I was currently watching Asran’s match.
"He's doing alright."
I munched on popcorn, watching Asran’s 18-win streak.
Back when Violet was rambling about the original work, I’d said I would train him myself. In fact, Asran was the person I’d sparred with more than anyone else at the academy, even more than Prince Ellen.
I’d felt a bit guilty lately for being so busy that I just let him "auto-hunt" using the magic sword, but seeing him practically flying compared to when we first met made me feel a strange sense of pride.
"Is this how the seniors feel?"
The other training officers must have felt this way while teaching.
I was in charge of Prince Ellen, who was basically doing a solo level-up quest, so even when he grew, my natural thought was always, 'When the hell am I going to catch up to that...?'
Thanks to Asran, I felt like I was getting a bit of vicarious satisfaction.
Because of that...
"Should I give him a trial?"
I hadn't intended to, but I suddenly felt a slight urge to enter the match.
The Captain always said that the best way to make someone want to get stronger is to knock them down from the highest point.
"Well, I'll let him enjoy himself for now."
But the thought passed quickly.
It was only right to let him rack up some titles like a proper RoFan male lead.
"I'm out of popcorn."
I’d bought the largest size, but it was already gone.
What should I eat next?
Just as I stood up to head toward the stalls—
"So. You want to challenge the Minor Sword Emperor?"
"That's right. If he's only at that level, don't you think I have a chance, Sister?"
I heard a familiar voice and one that was very much not.
I glanced over to see Senior Loreliya looking exasperated, standing next to a guy who looked like a total prick.
"Indeed, Young Lord."
"He's an opponent you'll be facing starting next year anyway. It would be good experience to fight him now."
Judging by the words of the guys who looked like his escort knights, he seemed to be someone enrolling in the academy next year.
"Is that guy the villain?"
He certainly had the face for it.
…Of course, considering the Flower Arrangement Club President has the face of a mastermind among masterminds, judging by appearances is usually meaningless!
Still, based on Boradori’s spoilers for next year’s story and Senior Loreliya’s mention of the branch family, that guy had to be the villain!
"I can see where this is going."
He’ll probably challenge the Minor Sword Emperor here, get his ass handed to him, and then enroll next year. He’ll hold a grudge against Asran, pick fights with the RoFan crew, and eventually get "educated."
Senior Loreliya said his family had considerable influence even within the branch, making them troublesome, but compared to the members of the Flower Arrangement Club, he was just a greenhorn.
"This should be fun."
In anticipation of him getting wrecked by Asran, more popcorn was a necessity.
I decided to abandon Senior Loreliya, who was clutching her forehead as if she had a migraine, and turned back toward the stalls.
"By the way, Sister."
"I am not your sister."
"When can I meet that lover you mentioned the other day?"
"……"
At that moment, I cursed my near-superhuman physical abilities.
Because I reacted to those words and reflexively turned my head.
"Ah."
My eyes met Senior Loreliya’s, who was biting her lip.
"There he is."
And because Senior Loreliya was bolder than I’d anticipated, I ended up getting caught right then and there.
