Chapter 20 - Loyal Retainer

"...Then, see you at the next meeting."

"...Yes!"

After petting the Saintess for a good long while and confirming that the black energy gathered in my hand had vanished without a trace, I bid her farewell. She flashed a bright, innocent smile, bowed her head politely to me, and started heading toward the classroom.

'As expected, Perloché's danger level is low. Aside from the risk of her bolting off unpredictably, she's someone I can let my guard down around.'

Perloché was so pure—even her mind was untainted—that even without me pulling any tricks, she'd trip ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠over her own feet and veer off course on her own. The Church of the Sun God must have drilled the dangers of black mages into her head to the point of brainwashing, yet here she was, acting all friendly with me... If anything, it felt like I needed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to step in to keep her from getting into serious trouble.

'And the other women... yeah, I definitely need to stay on my toes with them.'

Take Clana, the imperial princess, for starters. Her destructive solar mana was bad enough, but the real issue was her overwhelming authority. She'd already begun secretly gathering her own faction, expanding her influence with even bolder and more varied tactics than in the previous timeline... Soon enough, the power structure in the imperial palace would undergo a massive shake-up.

Once Clana seized that power, she'd launch a full assault on Young Master. When that happened, not even the Church of the Sun God, House Moonlight the ducal house, or House Starlight—which had held out against imperial influence to some degree—would last much longer.

'Irina's not a threat right now since she's suffering from mana exhaustion... but the future's the problem.'

Irina Philliard, the future Grand Mage, was inexplicably in a state of mana exhaustion at the moment. It seemed like she'd botched some complex curse on Young Master and suffered backlash... She wasn't dangerous now, but she'd become a grave threat down the line.

'And finally, Lady Serena. I have no idea how to handle her...'

According to what I'd learned in the subconscious space, Lady Serena had been the one who gave Young Master the most headaches when it came to deception in the previous timeline. It made sense—she was the continent's greatest genius, the one who'd kept the crumbling empire afloat for years and personally led weary, diseased soldiers in a desperate last stand against the Demon King's army. If she returned from her trip, I might have to consider hitting her with black magic for mental manipulation. Otherwise, Young Master would be in real danger.

"...Sigh."

Finishing my thoughts, I approached the window at the end of the hallway and gazed outside. Just then, Young Master emerged into the rear garden, followers in tow. I quietly watched him deal with their nonstop chatter, his face a bit pale as he handled them. Soon, I sank into thought.

'There are just too many irritating people around Young Master.'

From my experience in the previous timeline, everyone around Young Master harbored hidden agendas. Half of those clinging to him were opportunists desperate to latch onto House Starlight, which wielded unchecked power in the empire. The other half were young noble ladies smitten or lusting after his handsome looks.

Young Master seemed oblivious, crippled by severe self-loathing, but in truth, his status among the academy's noble ladies was immense. There was a reason women kept flocking to him despite his reputation as the empire's top scoundrel and trash. But he misinterpreted every approach as greed for his power. That's why he'd reacted that way earlier.

It made sense for someone obsessively committing villainy—hated by all to save all—to struggle imagining anyone approaching out of genuine affection. Still, people were unpredictable. As his butler and servant, I'd need to stay sharp from here on out.

"...?"

As I turned from the window, familiar faces appeared at the rear garden entrance in the distance.

"...Irina?"

Irina was supporting her sobbing friend while glaring daggers at Young Master. He'd probably pulled another villainous stunt.

'Young Master, you've always lived like this, drowning in hatred.'

This morning, when I'd supported his weakened body to the classroom, I couldn't keep my expression neutral. Every cough, stumble, or complaint of pain in his heart or back... the guilt was unbearable.

'The one who deserves hatred is me.'

Young Master had forgiven me once for the cursed mana born from his mother's sacrifice. Now he'd forgiven me again for devouring his life force and lifespan. He even lied to paint himself as the villain, sparing me guilt... And every time he looked at me, his eyes brimmed with remorse and regret. It was so hard to keep a straight face.

I wanted to follow the path he'd chosen as his loyal retainer... but the urge to confess everything surged—I know all about you. The one who deserves hate is me. But saying it would mean I could no longer ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stand beside him. Cowardly as it was, I'd remain his shadow supporter.

'But in the final moments, I'll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you.'

Vowing that and pushing down my guilt toward Young Master, a new worry bubbled up.

Last night, after receiving life force from him and falling asleep, I'd slipped into the cat doll again. Not on purpose—I'd forgotten to remove the anchoring spell. Anyway, while quietly watching him from the doll, Young Master suddenly woke groaning in pain late at night. He groggily checked the alarm clock, sighed, and picked me up.

I considered dodging his hand, but his expression was so desperate... I couldn't. He grumbled while holding me, then started pressing my belly. I'd vowed not to meow tonight, but as he pressed harder while talking, I had no choice. He was on the verge of tears.

But then he started pressing repeatedly... and that caused a big problem.

"...Hah."

Now, even a breeze or slight touch made my belly hypersensitive. Probably because the star mana mixed in when he infused life force directly into my doll belly got stirred up again by his pressing... No matter what I did, it wouldn't improve. This morning, when he gently stroked or supported me, the fabric brushing against it felt... intensely weird.

'If I don't possess the cat, he'll be disappointed...'

As his butler and retainer, relieving Young Master's stress was a key duty. If meowing as a cat cheered him up, I'd do it a hundred, a thousand times. But with my belly like this, it was trouble. And the sensitivity was worsening. Earlier, I could grit my teeth through brushes, but now a mere breeze weakened my legs.

'Looks like I'll need to consult Young Master tonight.'

Resolving that, I dragged my heavy steps toward the training grounds. Time to cultivate power for the impending incident.

"...Frey Raon Starlight, and Irina Philliard. You two really mutually agreed to be sparring partners?"

"Yeah."

"...Yes."

I'd been dragged to the faculty office again by Isolet. The reason? I'd just told her Irina and I were now sparring partners.

"You're absolutely sure there was no blackmail or trickery?"

Ah, yes, really? What does she think I am?

"...Yes, that's correct."

I answered calmly to her grilling, while Irina quietly clenched her fist under the desk and replied. Glancing at her, I thought to myself:

'Good thing I made her swear the Death Oath.'

Irina's prideful nature made it unlikely she'd snitch, but "what ifs" existed. That's why I used the Death Oath. Parties to it couldn't disclose facts to anyone except witnesses. So Irina, sitting beside me, couldn't tell Isolet even if she wanted to.

"Hmmm..."

Isolet eyed us suspiciously for a while, then sighed and spoke.

"...If anything seems off, I'll stop the match. Got it?"

"You worry too much. Can I go now?"

"...No, you stay. Frey."

"...What?"

Caught off guard by her sudden request for a private word, I tilted my head. Suddenly, Irina shot up from her seat and said coldly to me,

"Then... see you on sparring day, Young Master Frey."

"...Yeah."

She stormed out. If she were at full strength, everything within fifty meters would've melted.

Lost in silly thoughts, a Villainy Points notification popped up. Stunned by the generous amount, another window appeared.

'Oh.'

Seems like acquiring a bunch of Villainy Points unlocked the new skill shop. Curious, I started to open it but noticed Isolet still glaring, slowly opening her mouth. I decided to check later and listened.

"...Frey, are you okay?"

"With what?"

"That auction house incident the other day..."

As expected, once Irina left, Isolet wore a worried look and started questioning me. She'd promised not to treat me personally after the market, yet here she was slipping into casual speech. I stared quietly, then replied.

"Oh, the back alley?"

"...Frey!"

She flinched and scolded me. Nearby teachers startled and glanced over.

"It's fine. Our date then stays secret from everyone..."

"...Don't make me draw my sword in the faculty office, Frey."

"...Sorry."

Triggering her chronic condition to stiffen her up again, I continued nonchalantly.

"Something weird spread through the auction house suddenly, so I blasted star mana and bailed."

"...I see."

"Yeah. Wait, are you mad I didn't take you? You know I'm an idiot—my star mana was ant-level, no spare to protect you, Professor."

"...Right."

"And you're a swordswoman who transcends basic alerts... You could've endured that aura on your own, right? So don't make a fuss."

To earn her hatred, I spoke as rudely and coldly as possible. Hoping ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠her emotions shifted, I used Mind Reading... but sighed inwardly.

'No anger left... worry's still there. This is bad...'

At this rate, Isolet would get herself in danger. Pondering how to make her despise me, I spotted one word amid the emotions and widened my eyes.

'Suspicion?'

Mind Reading said she suspected me now. No idea why.

"...Professor."

"What?"

"Got something you wanna ask me?"

After hesitating, I probed her.

"...There is one thing."

She hesitated, then glared and asked,

"What's your relationship with Kania?"

"...Huh?"

Tensing slightly, I gaped at her absurd follow-up.

"...Relationship? What're you talking about?"

"Exactly that. Unhealthy relationships are forbidden at the academy."

"...News to me. You'd be shocked at what goes down in the academy's shadows."

I smirked brazenly. She stared coldly.

"Not a joke, Frey. This morning, I passed the dorm hallway on business and saw Kania leaving your room, clutching her stomach."

"...Yeah?"

"While you were looking away, of course."

Pausing, she blushed and continued.

"If a man and woman leave the same room and the woman's holding her lower belly... the only possibility is... that, right?"

"........"

"...Am I wrong?"

I stared in disbelief. She averted her eyes timidly.

"...Didn't consider a stomachache?"

"Well... but her cafe reaction too... still..."

"...Horny frustrations, Professor?"

Unable to stomach her naive delusions, I snapped irritably. She shut up briefly, then mumbled timidly.

"Anyway, unhealthy relations are banned. If I catch it again..."

"...I'm out."

"...Fine, go."

Seeing no point, I rose with a slight headache.

"...Frey."

"What now?"

As I headed out, she called softly. Bracing for nonsense, I glanced back. She looked serious.

"...Not to cut down the black ones, but to protect."

She gently stroked her sheathed sword beside her, uttering words familiar to me—my swordsmanship motto. I paused, savoring them, then asked curtly,

"So?"

"...In the upcoming match, don't go too hard on her."

"Pfft, what? It's just idiot vs. idiot anyway."

Chuckling dismissively, I left the office, muttering inwardly.

'Sis still remembers those words, huh.'

Feeling oddly uplifted, I whistled down the hall until Irina crossed my mind, souring my mood. I trudged to class dejectedly. Looked like I'd need a drink tonight.

"Hm..."

Meanwhile, Isolet sat in the faculty office, chin in hand, murmuring after observing Frey closely.

"...Was that just an illusion after all?"

Frey was in more life-threatening spots than she'd thought.

"Ugh... my head..."

Feeling down after class, I'd drunk with some noble students and flopped onto my empty dorm bed.

"...Overdid it."

In the last timeline, I'd drowned stress in booze while playing scoundrel. Same habit kicked in today. With my life force and lifespan already drained, plus injuries, my body rebelled. But my high mental stats meant I needed this much to feel even a bit better. (Publicly, I was the lightweight who got tipsy on half a bottle.)

"...Might as well check the new skills."

Clutching my throbbing head, I opened the new skill menu. A big window appeared.

"...Gotta buy the first one."

Just one penalty had me this wrecked; priority on recovery speed. It wouldn't restore lost life force, but after giving Kania some last night and ruining my condition all day, faster regen would help hugely.

'The others would be nice too.'

Glancing at the rest—decent—I closed my eyes for rest before Kania arrived... but

"...Huh?"

Flustered, I waved at the alert.

"...Oh, this."

Reading the window, I lost interest, dismissed it without checking rewards. My ancestor—the game vet—had noted it in the Prophecy Book. Don't accept. Great reward, but it skyrocketed the chance I'd be exposed as the villain to Irina. Better mana shuttle than that. Another penalty might break me for real.

- Creeeak...

Finally closing my eyes, the dorm door opened obnoxiously. Kania, probably.

'...Sigh, no helping it.'

With recovery speed incoming, I'd tough it out til then. Rising to share life force... but

"Y-Young... Master..."

"...Kania?"

Kania clutched her stomach, breathing ragged. I rushed to her.

"...What's wrong suddenly? Kania?"

"My... stomach... star mana... side effect..."

"...What?"

"Hah...! D-Don't... touch...!"

She spasmed and shoved my hand away from her pained belly.

"S-Sorry... but... can't endure anymore... even still... my stomach... hng...!"

"...Kania? Kania!!"

Struggling through tremors, she grabbed me and shook violently.

"Can't... anymore... I know it's shameless, but... before it's too late, please help..."

"...Haa."

She gazed up tearfully. I sighed softly, leading her to bed.

Looks like tonight would be a long one.