Chapter 59: Hero Academy Amusements
"I'm glad it all worked out."
The saintess took a sip of her fragrant tea and set the cup down as she spoke.
"It's all thanks to you."
"What did I even do? It was all because of you, Siu."
Siu gave a small smile from across the table at her soft chuckle.
The basic plan to exploit naturalization had been his idea, but suggesting they use it to corner not the imperial family but the Iron-Blooded Princess had come from Elaine. Siu had taken that strategy to So-young, discussed it with her, and they'd refined it into the final version.
At some point, Saintess Elaine had become the perfect assistant for Han Siu's harem cartel, just as she'd hoped.
"You said you squeezed a ton out of the Glazers, right?"
"Yeah. They were totally flustered. I felt a bit bad for the handler, but it got me in front of other royals too."
It wasn't something that could be handled at the staff level, and the Glazer Empire's hero management department couldn't do much about it either. So, someone higher up—a high noble or royal—had to step in, and a royal had.
The Glazer imperial family's fight for the throne boiled down to four major factions.
The First Prince's faction was the largest, but not overwhelmingly so.
He's incompetent, after all.
They held the advantage only thanks to the empire's laws, traditions, and the overwhelming legitimacy of being the First Empress's firstborn son. But that had become a stroke of luck for the Fourth Princess—Helena, leader of the fourth faction.
The Second Prince and the First Princess gunning for the western front were capable, but neither could seize the momentum. Thanks to the careful balance among the other factions, Helena—who wanted to become empress on her own—had a shot at it too.
"The Fourth Princess... one of the real powers in the First Prince's faction."
"Right. She tried really hard to woo me. Even suggested breaking off my engagement with the Third Princess and getting hitched with her instead."
Siu chuckled, recalling how desperately she'd tried to seduce him with those subtle glances.
Just thinking about that face still sent a thrill through him.
This is the addictive rush of reverse cucking.
He had no intention of changing his plans, but he'd pretended to mull it over, leaving room for doubt. That let him extract everything he could while planting the idea that he might be swayed. Whether it'd actually work was anyone's guess.
"Hehe. So, Han So-young is staying in the empire, then?"
"Yeah. It'll take time to return anyway... but she said she'll back me up from the inside."
Han So-young's stated reason for naturalizing in Palania Kingdom was adopting Siu as her son.
She wanted to be with him—now her only family.
And with Siu engaged to the Third Princess, So-young would become family to the royals in a loose sense. That made it hard for the imperial family to complain if So-young helped Helena directly or indirectly from within.
"Perfect. To think we've already built this much foundation..."
Elaine placed a hand on her pounding chest and let out a soft laugh.
A-rank hero right after graduation.
And alliances with peers and upperclassmen that were on another level entirely.
Her master's achievements were overwhelmingly superior to any hero candidate in history.
With him, it could really happen...
Siu scratched his cheek, a bit embarrassed by Elaine's sparkling gaze. Somehow, her affection and respect seemed to grow every day.
Banmal still feels awkward, and here I am.
He turned his head, face slightly flushed.
His eyes caught the clock.
"Ah, it's about time."
Noticing his appointment was nearing, he stood from his chair.
"I'll head out first."
"You have a meeting with that woman, right?"
"Yeah. Got a bit of a grudge against her personally."
Elaine watched his back as he left, her face full of genuine confusion.
The woman Siu held a grudge against wasn't from the same world as him or Palania. He'd been busy non-stop since being summoned—how had he even crossed paths with her?
...Not my business, anyway.
She didn't really care.
She'd checked her out—nothing special.
Even if Siu just didn't like her and wanted to mess with her, Elaine would accept it.
As Saintess Elaine nurtured her blind devotion to Siu, he headed to his appointment, buzzing with anticipation.
Finally, time to meet that bitch.
Pre-regression Siu had lived a pretty ordinary life, much like his bottom-tier hero days.
He'd never done anyone huge favors or made enemies. No one he was deeply grateful to or hated. But a few had built up emotions close to grudges.
One of them was the woman he was going to see now.
"There she is."
Siu spotted the light brown-haired woman waiting alone at the cafe in the distance.
Over three months in, most Hero Academy facilities had opened to hero and member candidates. The cafe was no exception.
His feats weren't public yet, but Siu's presence alone drew eyes. As the atmosphere grew a bit rowdy, the woman waiting at the cafe knew he'd arrived.
He's here, he's here, he's here—!!
Rinoje felt her heart pounding at this stroke of luck.
Who'd have thought Han Siu the hero candidate would take an interest in her?
She had no idea how he'd noticed her without even seeing her face properly, but she couldn't let this chance slip.
I have to snag him!
"Nice to meet you, Miss Rinoje."
"Hoho, yes. Nice to meet you, Candidate Han Siu."
As Siu sat across from her and greeted her, she flashed an innocently sweet smile and returned the greeting.
She leaned forward slightly to show cleavage, tucked her falling hair behind her ear to expose her neck—all deliberate moves to catch his eye.
Still pulling the same tricks.
Of course, Siu wasn't falling for it.
He hadn't back when he was clueless about her true nature, let alone now.
Besides, he was the man who'd bedded a queen and an SS-grade hero. The natural allure and sexiness radiating from those mature MILFs wasn't something this girl could mimic.
"So, um, what brings you here today...?"
"I'm interested in you, Miss Rinoje."
"I-interest?"
"Yeah. I've heard a lot about you from others."
"Ah..."
Rinoje covered her mouth in feigned delight, but inside, anxiety churned.
What? Heard a lot from others?
Who would say nice things about her?
Looking back coldly on her actions, she knew it was unlikely.
She'd used her minor mana talent to form a clique and bullied easy targets relentlessly. She hadn't gone too far, but no one would see it positively.
Plus, Hildear—the famous knight in Han Siu's party—had warned her off. Rinoje had gone to great lengths to avoid her notice.
Maybe from the male candidates? That could work...
Rinoje nodded to herself.
He must've heard from the male candidates she'd flirted with.
Rumors said Siu didn't get along with other males, but apparently not. Or maybe he did, which was why he'd approached her—their mutual friend.
Heh, guess he's not all goody-two-shoes after all?
A sly smile crept across her lips.
Maybe they'd make a perfect pair.
"I'm on good terms with everyone... hoho, whoever it was, thanks to them, I get to meet you, Siu."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Now I get to greet you like this?"
Siu barely held back a laugh at her attempt at a killer smile.
"True. Thanks to them... I get to meet the beautiful Miss Rinoje."
"Oh my."
Oh my, my ass.
Their conversation continued, both hiding their true thoughts.
To onlookers, they looked chummy.
But the sharp-eyed noticed the odd vibe. Rinoje would've too if she'd paid attention, but she was all-in on seducing Siu.
It's working! This is totally working!
Damn, how long do I have to keep up this pointless chit-chat...?
While Rinoje beamed inwardly, Siu seethed.
He did hold a grudge against her.
In the first timeline, she'd been in another hero's party—not his.
Seemed unrelated, but unluckily, one of the girls she'd tormented at the academy was in his party. They'd met during a joint mission.
Even after graduation, Rinoje hounded her just for that. And when a mission went south and everyone was in danger, Rinoje shoved her bullying victim forward as bait and fled first.
Was gonna toy with her a few more times, but might as well end it today.
Luckily, Rinoje's behavior today seemed more than enough justification.
"It's getting late—want to grab dinner?"
"Sure, sounds good."
As they left the cafe after hours and headed to a restaurant, Siu feigned realization.
"Forgot something in my room. Mind waiting a sec? Be right back."
"Your room? Hmm, can I come along?"
"Of course."
Siu smiled. Rinoje smiled.
The pair pretending mutual attraction had only one obvious thing to do once inside.
"Ah... haum, mm... "
"Your lips. Delicious."
"Haa, really?"
After a brief eye contact, they kissed again.
Siu's hand gripped her plump ass, their tongues entwining deep in her mouth.
"Mm, hng...! W-wait a sec... "
She tried to push back too, but the faster-than-expected pace made her pout. She'd researched male heroes thoroughly to exploit them. She knew not to give in too easily.
"Why."
"Th-this should come after we get to know each other more... "
Bullshit.
"I'll add you to my party."
"...R-really?"
"One condition, though."
"Huh? Condition?"
"Don't worry. Simple bet."
"...What kind?"
Forgetting her facade, Rinoje looked intrigued.
Siu grinned.
"If my cock goes in your slutty hole, you're in the party. If not, no deal. Sound good?"
"Ha-ut, yes...♡"
Rinoje answered in a sultry voice, inwardly laughing. To her, it just meant he wanted her to seduce him directly. At this point, how could they not fuck?
But she was wrong.
Squelch-squelch-squelch-squelch!
"Mm, hng, hng-ut...! Haaang...! Ahng, now, hii-t...! So much...! "
"What's not to work?"
"This is real, hek, amazing...♥ My head, totally, kyaa-huk—♥"
Holy water from the Church of the Goddess, courtesy of Elaine.
Plus his fingering skills honed on Elaine and Hildear without full sex.
No way a girl like Rinoje could endure.
"I-I'm! Cumming—!! ...Ah, hu-hek...♥"
She squirted spectacularly and passed out.
"Haa, somehow this feels gross."
Siu knocked on the door, face full of dissatisfaction.
"You called, Master Siu?"
Hildear entered as if waiting.
"Take this to her room."
"Understood. ...And her?"
"She won't be joining our party, so no worries."
"Yes!"
Siu smiled softly at the knight's beaming face.
One more academy task down.