Chapter 22
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 22: Desu-wa
The only individual heroine route implemented in the dating sim Spring of Gran Ark Academy.
There was the greatest villainess appearing there, and that was Clara Vence, the daughter of the Count Vence family.
Clara Vence, who was truly the villainess herself, with impressive red hair reminiscent of a rose.
She was called by the nickname Desu-wa among game fans.
To be exact, not ‘Desu-wa’ but ‘Death’-wa.
This is important.
There were two reasons why such a nickname was attached. First, if it’s a villainess, isn't it Desu-wa?
It wasn't exactly a catchphrase like ending sentences with “~desu-wa,” but her character nature made such a nickname inevitable.
And the other reason was the real reason why a nickname like Death-wa was attached: Clara Vence physically meets ‘Death’ as she gets executed at the end of the route.
After pulling all sorts of tricks against the childhood friend heroine, she falls out of favor with the Princess who sponsored the childhood friend and ends up leaving this world.
So the nickname ‘Desu-wa’ was attached with a pun-like feeling.
Such a Clara Vence,
‘Ah, it’s Desu-wa.’
Appeared in front of Noel’s eyes right now.
Since there is a difference between game illustrations and reality, actually Princess Lydia and she too have slight differences in appearance.
But her appearance was characteristic enough to recognize before the opponent even introduced herself.
Red hair like melted roses.
A hairstyle with rolled ends and an atmosphere so full of dignity that it was even arrogant and venomous.
A fan in her hand.
With this much, even if one didn't want to recognize her, they had no choice but to recognize her, just like with the Golden Retriever Princess Lydia.
‘I expected it to some extent but… to think I’d really meet her.’
Clara Vence, who engages in active social activities and stands out in the arts.
It would be strange for her not to attend the theatrical premiere of a work that could be called the talk of the town.
Considering that many VIPs including the Princess were visiting the Ashley Theater today, it would be normal to come even as part of socializing, even if she wasn't interested in the play.
Without that much diligence, it’s hard to hear the sound of being the Rose of High Society.
“Oh my, isn't this Lady Vence. It’s been a while. It’s the first time since the previous birthday celebration of Royal Father, right?”
“Yes, it is.”
Saying it was hard to just pass by without greeting out of gladness, Clara Vence greeted elegantly while lifting the hem of her skirt.
After expressing courtesy to the Princess, she naturally turned her gaze to Noel as well.
“Are you Lady Grace who is the recent topic of conversation? As rumored….”
Clara scanned Noel quickly as if evaluating her. It was a gaze that could be unpleasant, but Noel, who was ignorant of and uninterested in women’s battles of nerves or such things, had an attitude that whatever was fine.
Rather, Princess Lydia, who knew well about this side, felt uncomfortable more than Noel, the party involved.
『Are you estimating my favorite author right now?』
Princess Lydia showing a chilly gaze looking ready to snap like that right away.
One might wonder why she was acting so sensitively, but actually, right now Clara was gauging Noel like a pelican testing if it could swallow something or not.
However, Noel was lost in her own world at the fact that she met another main character of the original work at an early time following Princess Lydia, regardless of that.
‘To think I’d meet my second-favorite bias like this here.’
What’s the use of hiding it.
Actually, Noel quite liked the character called Clara Vence when playing the original work.
Although she wasn't her favorite or second favorite, if she were to rank up to the third favorite, she would surely be included there.
『What’s good about a villainess with a shitty personality?』
『Do you have a villainess fetish or something?』
There were fans saying they couldn't understand kids who liked Desu-wa, but public opinion changed after the setting book came out.
The backstory not appearing in-game, revealed through the setting book, had quite a big repercussion, enough for Noel to make Clara Vence her third favorite bias at once.
Clara Vence’s childhood revealed through the setting book was quite pitiable.
The Count Vence family strongly wished for a son to carry on the line.
But what was born was Clara.
Naturally, the Count mistreated not only the wife who gave birth to a daughter but also the daughter.
Then, as a concubine gave birth to a son, the situation of Clara and her mother became even more harsh.
Unable to endure it, the Countess committed suicide leaving words like “If only you were born a man…!” to Clara.
Of course, outwardly it was announced she died of illness, but the truth doesn't change just by burying it.
Like that, Clara, left in the Count family amidst her mother’s resentment and suicide, became a punching bag.
Such an environment naturally made Clara an incarnation of desire for recognition.
She, who grew up without knowing parental love or warm affection, came to fill the deficiency with recognition from others.
The trigger was when she produced results in music class and received praise from other nobles for it.
『Well done. That is fitting for the eldest daughter of the Vence family.』
Her father’s praise received for the first time.
Her younger brother received all sorts of praise just for getting a hundred points on a trivial dictation test, but she had never heard the Count’s praise until now.
Count Vence, who wasn't interested in whatever his daughter did and ignored whatever results she produced.
It was too natural for her, who grew up in her mother’s resentment and father’s mistreatment, to become obsessively attached to that praise she heard for the first time.
As a result, Clara Vence came to live for the joy of achieving artistic accomplishments and being recognized by others.
But the ‘Childhood Friend’ heroine appeared, and falling behind a mere commoner wasn't enough; all public attention was taken away, blocking her only breathing hole.
At the end of it, Clara Vence, completed as a villainess who gave all sorts of trials to the childhood friend heroine and solidified the love between the protagonist and heroine, eventually crossed the line, her past misdeeds were revealed, and she was ruined.
Disowned by the Count family and disappearing as dew on the execution ground.
「If there was even a single person who let Clara Vence know what goodwill is, she wouldn't have become a villainess.」
「Saving such character nature, we initially placed Clara Vence as a heroine candidate too, but eventually, due to various circumstances, she ended up meeting her end as a villainess.」
「If we make all individual heroine routes and even make a fan disc, we want to include an IF story where Clara Vence becomes a heroine.」
As Noel knew such backstory of Clara Vence written in the setting book and the developer’s comment,
“Let’s greet first. I am Clara Vence, the eldest daughter of the Count Vence fami──.”
“Miss Clara, if it’s alright… would you like to watch the play together?”
It was hard to stop her heart from feeling pity toward her third favorite bias.
And at this sudden remark from Noel, Clara, who was introducing herself, and the Princess, who was looking unpleasantly, were both surprised and speechless.
Since they came to watch the same play, there is no problem sitting and watching together, but….
‘Wasn't it… not that kind of atmosphere?’
Even Rosalyn, who was insensitive to young ladies' etiquette or sorting out ranks of ladies, thought the TPO (Time, Place, Occasion) was strange.
Regardless of that, Noel strode toward Clara and closed the distance.
It was a pitiable character and a family history worthy of sympathy.
Didn't it appear in the setting book too?
That if there was just one person who let Clara Vence feel what goodwill is, she would have been different.
That very role, Noel wondered if she should try doing it herself.
Why?
Because she is her third favorite bias.
And unlike other heroines who live well on their own even if left alone, Clara Vence might be ruined after villainess moves if left like this, so she wanted to take care of her out of pity.
That’s not all.
‘Although pushed aside by the heroine, Clara Vence’s artistic sense is real.’
Whether innate or acquired through effort, she certainly has ability.
She thought if she could borrow that, it would be a great help.
‘I will make Clara Vence── the Second Homer! And I will find freedom!’
You’ve been caught, Clara Vence! This is my escape route! You lost in the battle of wits with this Noel!
With that feeling, Noel extended her hand to Clara Vence first, mixing sympathy, ulterior motives, and self-interest.
At such an action from Noel, Clara Vence,
“E-Excuse me!”
Startled like an ape encountering the warmth of fire for the first time in its life and making a fuss, she avoided the spot in a fluster.
It really felt like that.
Gratuitous goodwill she had never received even from her parents.
Since something she had never experienced radiated from Noel, she didn't know what to do.
If she felt uncomfortable or showed hostility like Princess Lydia, she would know….
Clara left the spot avoiding Noel hurriedly as if she encountered an unidentified monster.
“Ah….”
Noel groaned with regret watching Clara Vence’s retreating figure.
But she hasn't given up.
She can’t give up.
As if saying I will definitely put you in a can instead of me, she hardens her resolve, “I won’t miss you, only you…!”
‘Preventing her from becoming a villainess and being ruined, and making her a popular author too, it’s totally good, right?’
Noel burning with fighting spirit as if this was also all for Clara Vence.
Seeing such a Noel, the Princess by her side showed a greatly flustered appearance.
“L-Lady Noel? Were you acquainted with Lady Clara Vence?”
“Pardon? No.”
“Then why…?”
Asking why out of the blue as if asking if it was the atmosphere to make a proposal one would make to a close friend like watching a play together.
Perhaps Clara Vence herself, who disappeared as if fleeing, would want to ask too.
“So I thought I’d become friends at this opportunity.”
Noel answered nonchalantly to such a Princess, and at those words, the Princess felt bad for some unknown reason.
It’s a good thing if everyone gets along well.
It is a good thing but… for Noel, not anyone else, to step forward actively to become friends in this way.
And it happens to be Clara Vence who doesn't have such good rumors.
Strangely she felt jealous and worried she might get tainted badly for no reason.
She can’t understand why Noel is suddenly showing such activeness and interest in Clara Vence.
‘That interest and activeness, she should rather show it to me.’
Tch, clicking her tongue inwardly, Princess Lydia pulls Noel’s arm.
“The play will start soon. Let’s go quickly before we’re late.”
But Noel conversely.
“Yes, right. But since we’re at it, let’s go watch over here.”
“Eh?”
Took Princess Lydia and headed to where Clara disappeared.