Buy One, Get One Free
The dean let out a dry chuckle, as if he couldn’t believe his eyes, and gestured at my current state.
“You really can’t seem to die a clean death, can you?”
“Is that the sort of thing you say to a student?”
“Then is this the sort of scene you want to show the headmaster of the academy?”
The dean pointed out the obvious problem with my appearance. Isana had claimed one of my arms. Linea had taken the other. And Seris, unable to make contact, was practically hopping in place with frustration.
Well… yeah.
It was definitely not a sight you wanted to show the headmaster.
“...This isn’t exactly how I wanted things to look either.”
“Whatever, we’ll move past that. State your business. I doubt you came here to brag about your conquests.”
“Headmaster. I remember what you told me last time.”
The dean had said that a person must take responsibility for their own actions, then added that he would offer his help. From him, that meant he would assist with matters inside the academy.
“I’m surprised you even remembered that.”
The dean grumbled, but the corner of his mouth was curved upward. He looked genuinely pleased that I had caught onto his intentions.
“That’s right. If it’s an internal academy matter, I can help.”
“I’ve turned Isana into my slave.”
“I already know that, so there’s no need to mention it again.”
“Isana had nothing to do with this recent rebellion.”
“Correct.”
The dean grinned, having already read my true purpose.
“An academy trial, then.”
“Yes. Instead of an imperial trial, I intend to settle Isana’s fate through a Rosewood Academy tribunal.”
“You’ve already made her your slave. Isn’t that the end of it?”
The dean tossed the question out like he was testing me. There was no deep meaning behind the words, but I could roughly guess what he was thinking. Since Isana had become a slave before any trial, he was probably hoping I would agree there was no need to hold one.
But.
“No. The trial must be held. The imperial family would never accept it otherwise.”
I had to be careful with the dean’s wordplay. If the trial never happened and the imperial family took a stance of displeasure, the dean would not help. Why? Because the line he drew only extended to matters within the academy.
“A fair point. But do you think you can convince the faculty as well?”
“The princess and prince will be observing the trial. The professors will be watching their reactions closely.”
Even if it was a simplified imperial trial, it wouldn’t be easy to win. I needed the approval of more than half the faculty—essentially the imperial faction—for Isana to become my slave without any issues.
If that approval wasn’t granted, Isana would receive a severe punishment.
I can somehow manage it with Katrina and Professor Seah.
The dean would probably offer help during the trial, even if not openly.
“I will win this trial. No matter what.”
“I like that bold spirit. Your appearance, however, leaves much to be desired.”
Come on, girls.
When I shot them a look, Isana and Linea reluctantly stepped back a little.
“Well, it’s not my problem to deal with, so do as you like. You’re the one who has to bear the consequences.”
“I’ll bear them.”
“You don’t exactly look like someone prepared to bear anything. You need to show a bit more manly dominance. Tsk, tsk.”
The dean shook his head and waved me off, telling me to leave. I bowed politely and stepped outside.
“You heard the headmaster, Master.”
“My husband needs to be a little more assertive.”
Linea and Isana immediately started scolding me.
“That’s right, Ethan. How long are you going to keep collecting women?”
Seris chimed in as well.
“Haa…”
I pressed my throbbing forehead.
“All of you, shut up. My head hurts.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. I hadn’t meant to snap.
With so many things to worry about, the irritation had slipped out unintentionally.
“Th-that’s nice…”
“Husband…”
“Heh. I like that side of you, Ethan.”
Goddamn it.
These women were truly impossible to understand.
I flinched and hurried toward the lab.
“Of course we have to help! What did our Isana ever do wrong…!”
Seah clenched both fists and stared at me, nodding vigorously with a look of pure determination.
“I’m definitely on your side. And if it comes down to it…”
Seah trailed off.
“No, that’s too extreme.”
I wanted to ask what she was thinking, but her expression was unusually serious, so I held my tongue.
“...Still, I’ll reach out if needed.”
“Professor?”
“Y-yes!?”
“I’ll leave these three in the lab.”
The trio looked ready to throw a fit at my declaration, but—
“Behave yourselves.”
At those words, all three immediately shrank back into obedient mode.
“It won’t take long. Wait here.”
Leaving them with that, I went to find Katrina. Ray was standing guard outside her room.
“I’m here to see Katrina.”
“Yes. I will show you in.”
Ray bowed politely and led the way.
No need to act this time.
I couldn’t sense the devil’s suggestion. Since I had come of my own will to persuade her, pretending would only feel more awkward.
“You’re here.”
Katrina greeted me in her usual manner.
“Have a seat.”
I studied her carefully. She wasn’t in her devil form.
Can I turn her into a slave?
I sat on the sofa and began calculating my chances. I focused my magic power into my eyes as subtly as possible.
It’s ambiguous.
She didn’t seem as distant as before. It felt like I could reach her if I stretched out my arm.
Still, I had to be cautious. There would be no second chance.
The moment they realized I was trying to enslave them instead, Katrina and the devil would immediately come up with countermeasures.
They would mobilize every resource to kill me.
Katrina’s power alone could never harm me, but if the devil got involved, the situation would become quite troublesome.
“I heard the news. That you subjugated Valterion, Ethan.”
“Didn’t I tell you? That I was going to subjugate him.”
“I never expected you to actually succeed. I thought you’d fight a bit and then run away with your tail between your legs.”
I frowned at Katrina’s words. She was being far too blunt.
“Ah, I’m not criticizing you. Valterion isn’t on the level of a mere student. Even if you gathered decent professors, subjugating him would have been impossible.”
“Then why did you let me go, knowing that?”
“I thought you would handle it well. You’re that kind of person. And if you realized you couldn’t win, you’re the type who would run away to save your own life, aren’t you?”
Her words struck a nerve. When I first clashed with Valterion, I had inwardly sensed defeat.
The gap in power had been far greater than I imagined. Even so, I had never considered running away.
In the end, I had achieved rapid growth and stopped the rebellion, but if you judged the decision by right and wrong, it had been riddled with problems.
If I had lost, I wouldn’t have been able to protect Linea and Seris either.
“...That’s true.”
“Exactly.”
Katrina chuckled softly and called for Ray.
“Care for a drink?”
She asked for my opinion.
“Not today. I have business to discuss.”
“Understood. Just water, then.”
Ray gave a light bow and vanished like a shadow. She soon reappeared with water and cups.
She’s fast.
I understood the principle, but it was still impressive. Her mobility seemed second only to the dean’s.
“Thank you.”
I accepted the cup and got straight to the point.
“Do you know why I came?”
“Of course. It’s about that young lady, isn’t it? You caused quite the spectacle even in the underground prison.”
Katrina flicked the cup with her finger. The water inside swirled in circles.
“Well, that’s how it turned out.”
“How bold. Your actions, Ethan, could clearly be seen as raising a flag of rebellion. That young lady is the daughter of Valterion, the worst criminal in history. The empire cannot tolerate her existence. Especially after knowing how many casualties the rebellion caused.”
Katrina slammed her palm on the table. The swirling water jolted.
Staring intently at the movement of the water, Katrina slowly lifted the corners of her mouth.
“However, that is my stance as an imperial princess. As a human named Katrina, my position is different.”
“How so?”
“Honestly, why should I care?”
I thought I had misheard her. The imperial princess of the empire was saying she didn’t care?
Even though people had died in the rebellion?
“It is unfortunate that citizens of the empire died. But thanks to the rebellion, I’ve strengthened my position considerably. The massive losses are well within an acceptable range.”
“What about the empire’s image?”
“The image actually favors me. The current imperial family and the Kalian faction, who were expected to seize the next throne, have had their evaluations drop due to their clumsy response. Meanwhile, I demonstrated swift and decisive action.”
Katrina held back a giggle, as if she found the whole thing ridiculously pathetic.
“They acted so pitifully.”
As expected.
I must never forget my original purpose. Katrina was clearly a villain.
She wasn’t the kind of trash who would massacre civilians, but she was far from possessing the virtues of a proper ruler.
“Therefore, Ethan, I respect your opinion.”
In other words, she would support me during the trial.
“Not as a princess, of course.”
This meant she couldn’t openly take my side.
She would remain neutral, but if pressed, she was on my side. That was the implication.
“Ah, and this is a personal question. Ethan, do you have a preference for turning noble young ladies into slaves and training them?”
“...What?”
“First that young lady, and now this would be the second time, wouldn’t it?”
I checked Katrina’s intentions again. I wondered if she had noticed my plan to make her a slave.
But judging from her mischievous, impish expression, she was clearly just teasing me.
“It’s a misunderstanding. There were unavoidable circumstances.”
“At this rate, I’ll be too scared to sleep at night wondering if you’ll target me next.”
“Haa. Where would you find a commoner who turns the empire’s princess into a slave?”
“There has never been a commoner who turned the empire’s young lady and a marquis’s daughter into slaves either.”
“Stop teasing me.”
“I wasn’t mocking you. However—”
Katrina leaned forward. She grabbed my wrist and pressed my hand against her neck.
“Here.”
“What are you doing?”
“If you’re going to make me a slave too, it would be best to engrave the mark right here.”
“...?”
“The empire’s princess reduced to a commoner’s plaything. Shouldn’t there be clear evidence of her fall?”
Katrina stroked my chest and sat on my lap, straddling my thigh.
“Becoming your slave seems like it would be quite enjoyable.”
Katrina whispered stickily into my ear.
“I’m curious what it would feel like to be trained by the same master who trained those arrogant young ladies.”
“Why don’t you look for real professional trainers instead of me?”
“No. It has to be you, Ethan. Only then does it have meaning.”
Katrina gently stroked my Adam’s apple, letting out a heated breath.
“Ah… It would be so thrilling.”
Katrina’s body trembled.
I flinched at the presence behind me and turned my head. Ray was standing there with her feet together, fidgeting awkwardly.
“...I am an additional component.”
Good grief.
There really wasn’t a single sane woman around me. How lonely it was to be the only normal person.
A single tear rolled down my cheek from the overwhelming sense of isolation. Oh, heaven above.
Why have you only given me these crazy women?
Hmm, so even Ray is coming as a slave. Is this some buy-one-get-one-free promotional deal?
…Anyway, I resented the heavens.