Chapter 210
Chapter 210
Darkness descended upon the academy.At an hour when most people would be asleep, shaking off the fatigue of the day—for us, it was the perfect time to strike.
“Seems we owe Lady Roberc a word of thanks. Things went much smoother thanks to her.”“Indeed. If not for her daytime assault, we might have had a hard time holding the line.”
Camilla’s unique magic—Sand Legion.For our short-handed forces, it had proven invaluable.For instance, it neatly filled the gaps left in our defenses while others were resting.
“Ugh… so that’s why you forced us to sleep during the day.”“I told you, the vice president’s antics are beyond comprehension.”
Complaints rose here and there among the students—and for good reason, since I had forced them to rest during daylight hours.
To keep morale at its peak during the night, you have to start by shifting their biological clocks.
And the results spoke for themselves.Everyone stationed in the Student Council building obeyed without resistance—no one dared defy the president or vice president.
And if anyone had tried?Well, what could be done.As with all packs of beasts, those who fall out of line are simply left behind.
Good thing I made an example of one early on.
That extra who had mouthed off at the Student Council in a fit of bravado?He was swiftly thrown into solitary confinement and had his food rations cut.After that, no one else so much as muttered in dissent.Even my strange order to “get plenty of sleep during the day” was followed to the letter.
“…Then, I suppose I can rest now?”“Of course. Well done. The House of Speda will see that you’re rewarded properly.”“No need. I only did what had to be done.”
Still, Camilla—dark circles deep under her eyes—muttered her discontent.
“Even so… I can’t help thinking you’re working the future duchess a bit too hard.”“Ha ha, when else will I get the chance to command Lady Roberc, if not now?”
At my jest, she let out a long sigh.
“You don’t have to be so impatient. A request like that, I’d gladly—”“Pardon?”“…Nothing. Forget it.”
Shaking her head, strands of green hair swaying, Camilla brushed past me.
“I’m going to rest. Controlling the sand soldiers that replaced the lone defenders is exhausting.”“Your mana reserves must be low. I’d recommend drinking a potion before bed.”“…Thanks for the thought.”
No sooner had I seen her off than Luciana turned to me, eyes sharp.
“Still, it was quite a bold plan.”
Unlike the novices in the political department, Luciana possessed keen insight when it came to battle.And she had seen through every weak point in my rescue operation.
“If the enemy had even slightly sensed something amiss, the defense line could’ve collapsed in an instant. All that we’ve protected here would’ve been for nothing.”
Her words carried clear reproach—and for a moment, her flat tone almost fooled me into thinking she meant it.
…Of course, I know better.
This was Luciana, after all.Between the two of us, such mild teasing was nothing new.The faint upward curve of her lips said it all.
“If that risk had truly existed, I wouldn’t have attempted the rescue at all.”
Though it was a shame to lose Liura, my priority was always Luciana.It would be senseless to gamble with her life.
“If Lady Kaspera heard you, she’d be quite offended.”“Please remember, I am the servant of House Speda—and above all, of Lady Luciana.”“Heh, yes, of course. I was merely testing you. Don’t take it to heart.”
Her gentle smile—something unimaginable in the original story—left me momentarily dazed by her hidden charm.
“…Hans.”
The pink-haired noblewoman who had joined the rescue scowled at me, eyes wide in irritation.
Her act was that of a fiancée jealous of Luciana’s closeness with me.
…Tch. Interrupting at the worst time, as always.
But both she and I knew better.The jealousy wasn’t toward Luciana—it was toward me.
—You’ve had your fun. Now back off. While you were flirting, I was guarding Luciana. Why are you getting the credit?
So, the girl had grown stronger after our battle with the Calamity, huh?Even using Telepathy to throw barbs at me now.
I raised both hands in surrender.“Ahem. Anyway, judging by the enemy’s current state, they seem to be ignoring us entirely.”
Lately, the enemy’s attacks had dwindled.Professor Marks had vanished from the battlefield.And through scouting with my elemental, I’d confirmed the enemies’ movements.
“I see. So it wasn’t a baseless plan.”“No, ma’am. Their main force is likely targeting the main academy building—where the principal’s office is. I decided moving was safer than sitting still.”
Risk?With their forces so reduced, it was virtually nonexistent.At most, a few thugs and dropouts—the lowest of the low.
And the return?
Do I even need to say it? Liura’s worth speaks for itself.
And that wasn’t the only benefit.
“Everyone, listen. This mission isn’t only about rescuing a Student Council member.”“Hm? It’s not a rescue mission?”“It’s both. If we act now, we can also link up with Batory.”
Another resistance faction—those holed up in the dormitories.If we could unite with Archmage Batory and the other nobles resisting there,it might just be enough to turn the tide.
“…Huh. You even foresaw that?”
A small breath of admiration slipped from Luciana’s lips.
“I was only focused on the immediate battle, yet you already think several steps ahead. Your insight never ceases to impress me.”
They say even whales dance at praise—so how could I not react when my favorite character said that? My shoulders practically lifted on their own.
“The talents of a servant only shine when used by their master. My cunning is yours, Lady Luciana.”
After all, it was thanks to her that my worth was recognized.
“Ugh…”
Elizabeth, the seasoned noblewoman nearby, gagged dramatically.
—Brother, don’t call me crazy again. You’re the one creeping me out now.
Rene’s telepathic jab followed right after.
Whatever.
Say what they will.My loyalty stands firm.
Ignoring them, I knelt before Luciana.
“That said, this operation carries danger. If you have any objections, I’ll withdraw immediately.”
Of course, I already knew the answer.
“When the table is set and the meal prepared, would I retreat without even picking up my fork? Never.”
Luciana was not the kind to shrink from a challenge.
“Hear me, everyone!”
Though small in stature, her voice carried clear and strong.
“The academy faces an unprecedented crisis. And not just the academy—this very empire’s safety hangs in the balance!”“……”
Even now, I couldn’t help but be impressed.I may have the knack for manipulating individuals through persuasion and threats,but to sway a crowd like this—that was Luciana’s gift alone.
Her noble birth, her overwhelming strength, and her natural charisma—the perfect trinity that made her who she was.
“I ask you—will you be the honorable ones who act for the academy and the empire?Or the cowards who tremble before the moment? The choice is yours!”
Nobles who lived for honor—their answer, of course, was already decided.
It was hot. Suffocatingly so.And Liura Kaspera knew all too well that the heat came from her own breath and sweat.
“…When are they coming…”
In the pitch-black darkness, her whisper escaped without thought.
Worried about being overheard?Hardly.The hood over her head muffled her voice so thoroughly that even her captors could likely barely hear her.
“Running out of air, are we? Liura Kaspera, babbling nonsense now?”“Guess she’s terrified of her execution. Don’t bother—she’ll be dead soon.”
…Apparently, the hood wasn’t soundproof after all.But it served its true purpose perfectly: cutting off her vision, preventing any chance of escape.
And that wasn’t all.
Clink.
The mana-restraining shackles of the western region still bound her wrists.She was, quite literally, awaiting death.
…He promised he’d come. Said he’d save me.
Disappointment, anger, despair—each negative feeling boiled together, making the hood feel even heavier, even hotter.
“How are we doing this again?”“How else? Like this.”
Something coarse brushed against her neck.Her skin prickled, the hairs standing on end.
“…Kh! You wouldn’t dare—such humiliation—!”
There were many ways to execute a hostile noble.But this one—this slow, strangling death—was the most degrading of all.
“Oh? The lady who faced her fate so calmly finally resists.”“Typical nobles. Death’s the same for everyone, yet they cling to that useless pride.”“You fools know nothing!”
She thrashed violently, but—
“Stop struggling! Get up there already!”“Kaahk—!”
The rope shifted higher on her neck.The pressure tightened.
“N-no…!”
She’d thought she was ready for death.She had an older sister—so the Kaspera family’s line would endure.
But when death stood before her,her heart pounded with a desperate rhythm.
The instinct of the living—the will to survive—rose above pride.
“Well then, any last words from our precious count’s daughter?”
The rope pulled taut, the air thinned, and consciousness began to blur.Their mocking voices echoed clearly through the haze.
Under any other circumstances, she would have spat defiance in their faces,declaring her noble honor even in death.
“P-please…! Spare me…!”
But instead came a pitiful, un-noble plea for life.
Her face flushed—was it shame, or lack of air?Even Liura herself couldn’t tell.
“Spare you? As if. The professor wants your corpse confirmed, said he’ll need it later.”
Futile.To these executioners, her dying words were nothing more than entertainment.
“Someone… anyone…”
She didn’t care who it was.A slave, a commoner, a petty noble.Even an imperial loyalist, or one of those damned demons—if they would just cut this rope—
“I’d owe them anything—!”
And then—
“Well. Good thing I wasn’t a moment later.”
A familiar voice spoke through the darkness beyond the hood.
“W-what?!”“V-Vice President—?! Gaaah!”
Screams followed from the nearby executioners.
“Seriously… execution by hanging, and for a noble at that. How distasteful.”
The rough, brutal hands vanished—replaced by a gentle, careful touch.
The coarse rope slipped from her neck.
“Ah…”
Then the hood came off, and his face appeared before her eyes.
A furrowed brow.Brows knitted in concern.The worry etched on his face was unmistakable.
“Cough—! Koff, koff!”“Breathe slowly. In… that’s it. Now out.”
She obeyed his calm instructions, and her breathing soon steadied.But her heartbeat—
Thump. Thump.
—only quickened.
Was it because she’d been suffocating moments before,her body desperate to take in oxygen?Or was it something else—a new, unbidden feeling toward the man who’d turned from enemy to savior?
Even Liura herself couldn’t tell.