Education and Broken Engagement
“Ah… ugh…”
“Whew, it took a bit since there were so many.”
The reason Arian could rise to an executive position in the Demon King's army despite being human wasn't just her exceptional intellect, strategy, and grasp of human psychology—it was also the sheer quantity and quality of her mana force circuits. Later, she even earned that cringeworthy nickname 'Empress' through a contract with a demon, but in this life, I'd never let that happen.
“Arian Primal. I won't meddle much in what you do.”
I slipped on my white gloves and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Eek!!”
“But… if you tarnish the family name, I won't forgive you.”
“Ah… uwaaa…”
Arian was showing a fragility far beyond my expectations right now. Yeah, this is normal… She broke down a lot after accepting demonic energy, but her true nature doesn't suit battle. Arrogant, yes, but more cowardly than anyone. Look at entrance exam day—she cowered just from a light threat with my azure flame. How could someone like that laugh while killing people amid the Demon King's forces?
“I'll end it here this time, but if you scheme anything weird again, you might lose an arm or a leg…”
I drew the spare iron sword always at my side and stabbed it right next to her thigh.
“Got it.”
Trickle trickle…
As bright yellow liquid sprayed from under Arian's uniform skirt, I didn't hesitate to sneer right back at her.
“Is that all you've got as a daughter of the Primal family… such a disgrace.”
“Uwaaaang…”
Tears streamed down, but unlike with Lena, no pangs of conscience hit me. No, not even a flicker—conscience didn't stir at all.
Post-traumatic stress works even on villains. Arian wasn't an irredeemable monster worth killing outright, but she qualified as a reserve. As a duke's daughter with plenty of money, unlike me, she'd attended countless tea parties with other noble ladies, so she'd be well-informed. Otherwise, why approach Lena?
“To join the Demon King's army, you gotta endure pain like this without blinking. Right?”
“S-sorry… I'm sorry!!”
“Sorry for what? Trying to join the Demon King's army? Or toying with Lena?”
“Everything! I'm sorry for it all!! I won't scheme anymore, so please stop…”
“Liar.”
Stab!
“Gaaahhh!!!”
I might not read minds, but I could predict what Arian would think.
“You think if you just get through this, you can handle someone like me once you're in the Demon King's army?”
“I… would…”
“As if.”
I beat her to her words, and Arian flushed red with frustration, glaring at me.
“Be honest. What did you think when you saw Lena Press?”
“It's obvious. A creepy, disgusting woman.”
This was truth. She spat it without hesitation, her voice dripping with genuine disgust no acting could fake.
And it pissed me off immensely.
“So you knew she loved you and went along with it anyway?”
“Of course. You knew that alrea…dy.”
Aah, disgusting. Arian's words, using love to toy with her, were utterly revolting. I can't help rejecting affection like that. Lena must have some resolve about same-sex love, and while I ignore it, I'm not exactly positive about it either.
But… at least don't exploit those feelings.
“Arian Primal.”
“...Yes.”
“From now on, I'll personally educate you intensively.”
“Huh?”
Sorry, Rain… Lunch is running a bit long today.
*****
“Whew…”
“Uwaaa…”
The grueling 60-minute 'education' session etched the lesson deep into Arian's brain and body, effective even in short bursts. Normally it'd take 10 hours, but her fragile mind and unaccustomed body sped it up. No blood or bruises covered her, but repeated muscle tension and release left her limp and drained. Her crotch reeked of piss.
“Pissing yourself like this… Aren't you ashamed as a duke's daughter?”
“F-fu…ck…”
Well, some habits have limits in the short term. I wanted to fix her swearing too, but couldn't overhaul it instantly. Possible if I pushed, but that'd shatter her mind, not reform it. Convenient for me, but I couldn't link Lena to a puppet like that. Stretching my slightly sore body, I smiled at Arian.
“Don't even think about linking with the Press family. I might allow meeting Lena, but scheming for their house… You'll endure this not for an hour, but all day.”
“Eek!!”
I delivered the light warning, dusted my hands, and slipped out of the alley.
“This should hold her for… a while, right?”
I wanted to believe so. If not after this, I'd seriously hack off limbs and stash her somewhere. Pondering grimly, I rushed to Rain. She sat calmly sipping tea, as if only a minute had passed. I bowed my head.
“Sorry, I was a bit late.”
“No, it was a nice relaxed break. Shall we eat?”
“Yeah, let's chow down quick.”
Rain methodically laid out the prepared food, and I shoveled it in. 30 minutes left. Stuff it for calories or sword class would be wasted.
“Listen while you eat, young master.”
“Gulp. What's up.”
I savored rune-heated corn cheese wrapped in meat, ears on Rain. Usually nothing happened at lunch—maybe weirdos hitting on girls around me. But besides Rain, no girls I cared about. Prin or Spear might be interesting, but they'd ignore or beat down any advances. Rain could do both.
“A letter from the family.”
“The family?”
Family matters could be big. I slowed my eating, eyed Rain. She handed a letter and dropped a bombshell, short but shocking.
“The Primal family has accepted the Reinhardt family's broken engagement request.”
“...Pfft?”
What the hell.
“The Reinhardts requested the breakup?”
“Yes, the letter explains it well.”
I snatched the letter. Two sheets neatly folded: stiff formal script and sloppy cursive. Father's first, Mother's second. Speed-read Father's.
“Damn…”
The Reinhardts broke the betrothal for a reason even Father found absurd. Ink bled thick, like he'd pressed harder than usual.
“She snagged an engagement with the crown prince… so she doesn't need me.”
The crown prince is a good kid. Unlike the princesses with their scheming hearts, he's pure-hearted—played well with orphanage kids, smiled brightly unlike other nobles. Problem…
“He's only 4 this year.”
Way too young. Ceres, adult this year, has a 16-year gap. Men often take young concubines, so not unheard of—but usually the man is older.
“They know women get discarded when old… Why do this, Reinhardts.”
Even with Ceres's beauty, no normal man sees a 16-year gap romantically. A crown prince could collect young beauties—why eye an aging Ceres?
“Not a big deal for us… Actually good?”
Honestly, better than Prin regaining memories and clinging—let her live with the kid prince…
“Ah.”
Opportunity? No, worst thought. Hypothetical, but likely in this society.
Anxious, I opened Mother's letter. Curses flew.
Crown Prince Assassination. Reinhardt Family. Stop it. Absolutely.
“…Haaa.”
In this empire, factions split emperor vs. nobles. Primal stays emperor-aligned as the empire's pillar; Reinhardts prop nobles. Two dukes clashing politically? Direct or indirect, millions die.
“…Fuck.”
But I could solve it. Academy limits info leaks unless raids or assassinations. “Me stop Ceres?”
I want to refuse. But millions dying because of me? Too heavy. I want freedom, not ruin.
“Life's frustrating as hell.”
Still, save him. Fail, and second prince inherits—no way. That guy's revival of serfdom wouldn't shock me.