Chapter 189: Machiavellianism
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 189: Machiavellianism
"Walk straight!"
"Move! Clear the way! Anyone who interferes will be arrested for obstruction of justice!"
What on earth is happening?
People watched with stunned faces as I was dragged away by Barbat agents.
No matter how much I protested, the agents ignored me, hauling me across the floor like a captured beast.
"What is the meaning of this?! By whose authority are you arresting an Yggdrasil student?!"
As expected of Professor Casserot.
Being someone who truly cared for her students, she blocked the agents' path, her face flushed with fury.
I’m sorry for badmouthing your Mana Evolution Theory class behind your back, calling it a bunch of airy-fairy nonsense. I’ll listen diligently from now on.
"Step aside. We are on official business."
"No. This is my student. You won't take him anywhere unless you provide a reason. And if that reason isn't justifiable, I will consider this an attack on Yggdrasil itself."
Impressive. She was usually so mild-mannered, but seeing her throw out threats to take my side was genuinely touching.
As Casserot gripped her stick, the agents flinched and prepared for combat.
However, every guest in this hotel was from Yggdrasil.
When the surrounding students simultaneously drew their sticks from their sleeves, the dozen or so agents faltered, looking panicked.
This is why you need to graduate from a good school.
"…Are you trying to escalate this? This could turn into an international incident."
"No. This isn't an international incident; it's a matter between Yggdrasil and Barbat. And we don't consider dealing with Barbat to be a 'problem.' Shall we prove that to you right now?"
Wow… Yggdrasil really is powerful.
Barbat might be a tiny country, but the sheer pressure Casserot exerted while basically asking these low-level punks who they thought they were messing with—nation vs. institution be damned—was incredible.
Then again, there are five members of the 12 Zodiacs from Yggdrasil alone; how could Barbat hope to win? Even the strongest mage, though currently missing, is my senior, you bastards.
Casserot glared at the agents, her rage barely contained.
"I will ask again. What is the reason for taking Yeon-woo?"
"Seo Yeon-woo… has stolen the Taehwan Jewel, a holy relic and the most precious treasure of Barbat."
"…He… stole it?"
"No, I didn't."
I denied it, but when the agent pulled out the Taehwan Jewel they had seized from me, everyone stared at me with blank expressions.
"What… Yeon-woo, what have you done…"
I could understand Casserot’s shock. Even before arriving in Barbat, she had warned us until our ears bled never to mess with their religion.
But I really didn't steal it.
"No, I’m telling you, I didn't steal it."
"Don't lie! You were holding it in your hand when we arrested you! We even have footage of you breaking into the temple!"
"I’m saying I don't know why that thing was in my room!"
I knew how much this sounded like a pathetic criminal's excuse to an outsider.
I should have come up with something smarter, something more like what my Team Leader would say, but I was too flustered. Between the panic and the Gate aftereffects, my body felt like lead and my brain wouldn't function.
When had I ever been arrested as a criminal? This being my first time, my heart was racing so hard and my lips were so stiff that I barely knew what I was saying.
Now that the reason was clear, Casserot could no longer interfere. She stepped back with a devastated expression.
My memory of what happened after that is a blur.
All I remember are the shocked faces of the people watching me being dragged away, the deafening shouts in the interrogation room, and the cold floor…
When I finally came to, all I saw were iron bars and a filthy prison cell.
*
I’ve finally calmed down.
After lying there for a long time, I pushed myself up and leaned against the wall to review the situation.
An event like this never happened in the game.
Akito usually just enjoyed plenty of sex, boosted his stats significantly, and then left.
During his stay, Barbat was the picture of peace, and no problems ever arose.
What changed to cause this?
Even if Barbat wasn't chosen as the field trip destination, there was never any mention of such an incident occurring.
The mastermind’s handiwork? A butterfly effect? Or perhaps the power of the scenario trying to force my exit? Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with Akito.
Fine. First, acknowledge that this is a story unrelated to the game. Next, my situation.
I came back from exploring the ancient ruins, and the holy relic known as the Taehwan Jewel was in my room.
That means someone placed it there while I was out. There’s also CCTV footage of me near the temple.
It’s absurd, but they actually showed me the footage during the interrogation.
It was dark and the quality was poor, so it wasn't definitive, but even I had to admit, 'Wait, is that me?' The figure looked remarkably like me, and more importantly, they were wearing the exact clothes I wore yesterday.
Footage that practically screams my name…
Whoever did this was dead set on framing me.
The corners of my mouth curled into a bitter smirk.
Despite being in a desperate, unfair situation, all I wanted was to crush the bastard who framed me.
Rather than fear or worry, a sense of exhilaration at the thought of destroying that prick and a growing thirst for revenge began to swell within me.
…Wait.
Was I always this kind of person?
I’ve changed a lot since coming here, but that was a natural result of gaining money, looks, and magic skills. At my core, I was still a timid, ordinary citizen.
I was the kind of guy who would wag his tail at the powerful and, if necessary, become a human bidet and kiss ass until it was raw.
A typical petty man with a heart the size of a thimble—someone who would get terrified when things went south and use any underhanded trick or flattery just to survive.
I wasn't the type to enjoy a situation like this or start planning a cathartic revenge like a movie protagonist…
Ah, my body hurts. These damn Gate aftereffects.
…I see. It’s irritation.
My nerves were frayed because of the physical pain.
When your nerves are shot, even a kind person will snap over the smallest things.
That’s exactly my situation right now.
It was hard enough just existing, but I’d been exploring ancient ruins to boost the kids' stats, fighting battles, keeping up with the schedule while pretending to be fine, and I hadn't slept…
On top of all that, I found out someone was trying to backstab me. There was no way I wouldn't be pissed off.
Good. I’ve assessed myself objectively.
Of course, that doesn't mean I’m going to say, 'Let’s solve this situation rationally and morally~'
I’m going to carry this irritation all the way through.
I’m not some saint who acts noble regardless of his mood or condition.
Whether Barbat collapses or not, I am definitely going to ruin the person who stabbed me in the back.
Now, let’s look at the cards in my hand.
Let’s find the benefits I can offer Barbat, the cards I can use to threaten them, and the materials for negotiation.
In any case, with my brain, proving my innocence is near impossible.
I’ve always hated mystery stories. What I’m good at—what I learned at the company—is social maneuvering and office politics.
I’ll leave the detective work and the 'Ace Attorney' theatrics to the smart friends outside… like Park Yu-jeong. I need to do what I can do.
Just as I had spent a full day running every possible simulation, someone came to visit.
"Oh?"
"……Haa… It’s been a while."
"Ah, it’s the first time since that charity party, right? It’s been a long time, Mother Angelica."
"Don't call me Mother."
"Uh… then, Ms. Monica? Is that okay? Oh, Professor August is here too?"
"I told you not to call me 'Prof' either. You’re as stubborn as ever."
I get scolded if I’m polite, and I get scolded if I’m friendly.
Still, the fact that Monica Graham and August were here meant I had an opportunity.
August, who was at least friendly and trusted me—though calling him an 'ally' might be a stretch—had been sent, and Monica was brought along with him.
It showed just how much Yggdrasil cared about me.
The Graham family was one of immense power and influence.
I don't know how they managed it, but what does it mean that they sent the head of a family who has nothing to do with a school field trip? It was a silent threat to Barbat not to mistreat me.
Because she had no official connection, her mere presence exerted influence. By her being here, Barbat was forced to walk on eggshells around Yggdrasil.
"So, what happened?"
Monica sat on a chair she’d brought, dropping the formalities immediately.
As I explained the whole story, Monica frowned as if she had a headache.
"The hotel hallway CCTV just happened to be broken."
"Isn't that proof enough that someone is trying to frame me?"
It wasn't.
I was the one who broke the hallway CCTV so I could raid the bathhouse and the ancient ruins.
I’d tried to be meticulous for my looting, but I never imagined it would bite me like this.
At my answer, Monica crossed her arms and stared at me for a moment. Then, she leaned forward, bringing her face close to the iron bars.
She beckoned me closer with a flick of her finger. When I approached, her hand suddenly shot through the bars, grabbed me by the collar, and pulled me in as she whispered.
"But why did you learn magic to disable electronic devices from Frey? And just a few days ago, at that?"
"……"
Ah~ so you’re close with Frey~ I didn't know that~
It wasn't like Frey would suddenly tell her I was the culprit; they must just be close.
"I’ve learned about forty spells from my master this month. One of them just happened to be that."
August flinched at the mention of forty spells in a month.
Even a member of the 12 Zodiacs would usually learn one simple spell a day; my acquisition speed was nonsensical.
"Wasn't it a spell you specifically requested?"
"I did. But if I were the culprit, why would I need to use something like that? It would be much easier to just jump out the window."
Time to be shameless. Even if I did it, what I just said made more sense.
If I were going to sneak out, why would I go through the hallway where I might run into people? I could just leap from the window. Unless I intended to wander around the hotel secretly, there was no reason to mess with the cameras.
Monica scrutinized me from inches away.
By the way, you really are beautiful.
"So. You’re claiming innocence?"
Monica released me with an annoyed look and straightened her posture.
"It’s not a claim; I am innocent. Yggdrasil believes me too, which is why you’re here, Ms. Monica."
"……I heard you were sharp, but you’re better than I expected."
"No, I’m not that smart. I’m not a 'genius' character, so don't expect that from me. I just have a lot of experience with similar situations."
I’d watched my Team Leader take down and counter so many people through office politics.
In the end, political battles change in difficulty depending on who is stronger and who holds more cards.
I could read Yggdrasil’s intentions just by the fact that they sent the influential Monica.
Monica looked me up and down one last time, then stood up with a bored expression.
"Just stay quiet for now. If they try to torture you, use my name."
"Thank you. I owe you one."
"Don't mention it."
Oh, I definitely owe her.
Because from now on, I’m going to use Monica and the Graham family to the fullest.
*
A crime that could not be tolerated in Barbat—the theft of a holy relic—had occurred.
However, Hera smiled as she looked at the report.
The fact that Seo Yeon-woo had been framed was Hera’s own doing. Now, she was going to crush the rivals who had dared to provoke Yggdrasil.
"Everything has fallen into place. To think that woman would send Monica Graham. Is she trying to help us?"
"There is one problem."
"A problem?"
Hera looked at Duran in surprise.
Currently, everything was working out better than expected.
Barbat was currently split into two factions, leaving the country unstable.
Actually, it wasn't just 'currently'; the two factions had been fighting with hatred beyond mere rivalry for a long time, and the government was gradually losing its ability to function.
Stability would only return if one side took power to push through stalled legislation and policies, but because they only opposed each other for the sake of opposition, Barbat was growing weaker.
So, Hera decided to borrow external power.
Alfheim, and Yggdrasil.
By framing Yggdrasil, she would provoke them into an attack.
In Barbat, where most of the population followed a single religion, if their most important treasure was stolen, the people would fly into a rage even if the opponent was Yggdrasil.
As she planned, the opposing faction was being cautious yet continued to protest against Yggdrasil.
Once things heated up a bit more, it would be Hera’s turn to step in.
She would save the framed Seo Yeon-woo, gaining public popularity, and silence the opposing faction that had been protesting against Yggdrasil.
Since it was Barbat’s mistake, compensation would have to be paid, but the opposing faction would bear all the responsibility.
Alfheim and Yggdrasil would express their gratitude to her faction for helping them and would strike down the opposing faction that had accused them without clear evidence.
The nation's power might weaken slightly, but if she could seize control of the government with that, Barbat could find stability again.
"The CCTV from the hotel hallways to the lobby was completely dead."
"…Wasn't that the plan? Did you fail to obtain the original footage?"
"No, it was already broken when we went to do the job. Ah, we did successfully recover all the cameras we secretly installed outside the hotel as planned."
"……"
This was bad.
One piece of evidence that could prove Seo Yeon-woo’s innocence had vanished.
The original plan was to secure the original footage in advance and release it later.
"W-Why? Did someone catch wind of our plan…?"
"Perhaps the other side noticed."
"…You mean they beat us to the punch. Then why are they so focused on attacking Yggdrasil?"
"……I don't know that much."
Clearly, someone had secured the CCTV footage and broken the cameras first.
Not knowing that Yeon-woo was the one who did it, they mistakenly assumed the opposing faction was responsible and fell into deep thought.
It was just one of many pieces of evidence that could prove his innocence.
However, the fact that someone—likely the opposing faction—knew about the plan was a major problem for the two of them.
"If the plan was leaked… they should be trying to pin it on us, but I don't understand their intention."
"I will look into it further."
"Yes, please do."
Her joy at everything going according to plan was short-lived. Hera now had to worry about how to overcome this situation with a grave expression.