Executing the Plan
“…Ugh.”
Was it the weight of her heavy mission? Ios Savin let out a pained groan.
“Don’t wanna do it?”
“No. It’s something only I can handle, isn’t it?”
“Right. That’s why you got another chance. Please, don’t screw up this time.”
The scrape of a chair being pushed back. The patron rose from his seat, sneering.
“The moment you fail, even your daddy won’t have the pull to protect you anymore.”
“Get your filthy hand off my shoulder…”
“Heh heh. That Elias Quinnel—she’s a bit small, but she’d still taste good, right?”
“I said, take your hand off.”
A sharp smack as she shoved him away, followed by the patron’s cackling laughter.
“Do it right, for fuck’s sake. If you win, the Quinnel women go to the slave markets. If you lose, the Savin women do.”
“…My family won’t end up sold.”
“Can’t wait to see it soon. Wonder if you’ll taste better, or Elias.”
His footsteps thudded away amid the sexual harassment. Then they stopped abruptly.
“Oh, right—one more thing.”
“What now?”
“What about the Ice Witch?”
Her eyelid twitched. She hadn’t expected Sena Michele to come up out of nowhere.
“…”
“Why the silence? Rumors say the academy director’s weakening these days, but what about the Ice Witch? Even you couldn’t beat her, right?”
“Sena Michele has no interest in the war.”
“You sure about that?”
“…I’ll handle it.”
“…”
A heavy silence fell. The patron finally muttered after a moment.
“Just looking out for you. Don’t let the Ice Witch join in and create the worst scenario—where both Quinnel and Savin houses fail. You, Elias, and probably even me—we’d all be done for.”
“…Even you?”
“If both fail, I’ve got no escape hatch. I could abandon everything and run, sure, but I don’t want that.”
A click. Footsteps resumed. The creak of the tavern door opening followed.
“So please, Ios. Don’t fail. I’ve gone all-in on you.”
Ios stayed seated, silent for a long while, not leaving. Nagisa and I exchanged glances, wondering if we should slip away, when—
“Fuck… fuck… fuck…”
She spat curses uncontrollably. A sign she was emotionally cornered.
“I’m trying my ass off… fuck… if that damn punishment instructor doesn’t get in the way, everything’s perfect…”
My name popping up out of nowhere? I flashed an awkward grin.
“Fuck… what if Sena joins in? If that bitch just stays put… hell, if she’d even leave the academy for a bit, things would be so much easier…”
That was when it happened. The tavern door cracked open, and Ios’s subordinate spoke cautiously.
“Ios.”
“What?”
“Did you summon ‘that person’ to the village by any chance?”
“‘That person’? You mean Aurelenos?”
Au… what? At the mention of ‘that person’s’ name, Ios lit up unusually bright. Nagisa gagged at the sight, mimicking vomit.
I whispered to her, “Who’s this Aurelenos guy?”
“Aurelenos. From what I know, he’s royalty. Too low in the succession line for a throne fight, but I’ve heard he’s got high support.”
“How’s he got high support if he’s low in line?”
As I glanced toward the window inside, a robed figure entered the tavern.
“Aurelenos!”
In a rare shy display, Ios welcomed him warmly. They hugged and kissed, prompting Nagisa to mutter curses under her breath.
“What brings you here? You didn’t even say you were coming.”
“I was planning to visit the academy tomorrow to see you, but I heard you were in the village.”
Someone must’ve tipped him off—he came secretly. The patron, maybe?
“Ios. My love. Having a tough time lately?”
“…No. I’m doing great.”
Aurelenos shed his robe. Crisp white uniform of fine quality, golden hair slicked back elegantly. And a sculpted face. His kind aura made it clear why he had high support despite his rank.
Damn lookism! He was obnoxiously handsome.
“Tell me anytime if it’s tough. I’ll help.”
“No. I’ve got this. Even if it’s hard, I’ll endure. For my family… and for you.”
Ugh! What was with that 80s manga dialogue? Infuriating.
It was a total one-eighty from her cursing earlier.
“Such a good girl. I wish others learned from your kind heart.”
“Everyone’s good at heart. Don’t hate them.”
“I don’t. I’m learning from your kindness too.”
Then they kissed. Nagisa looked ready to hurl for real, like she’d seen filthy trash.
“Just graduate the academy.”
“Once I graduate, I can marry you.”
“It was a political marriage, but meeting a woman like you is pure luck. Seeing your heart embrace even commoners made me realize I’m blessed.”
I grabbed a furious Nagisa, who looked ready to charge in, and hurriedly held her back.
“Anyway, it’s late. Time to head back, right?”
“Yeah. I snuck out on outing permission—if I don’t hurry, the professors will worry.”
“Even at the academy, your kind heart wins you love. Mind if I visit tomorrow?”
“Um… sorry. With the other students, it’ll be hectic. Really sorry, but tomorrow…”
“Disappointing, but can’t be helped. Let’s be content with this brief meeting.”
Another kiss, and they parted.
“Let’s calm down and go too.”
“That woman… putting on such airs in front of her fiancé. ‘Kind heart’? Bet she hides her true self from him.”
“Yeah. But hey.”
As we tailed the departing Ios, a brilliant idea struck me.
“You know where this Aurelenos lives?”
“In the kingdom.”
“Hmm. Think he’d come to the academy if you sent a letter? Trick him somehow.”
“Might work. But why?”
A sly grin spread across my face.
“Thought of something fun.”
The worst punishment for a wicked woman who feigns innocence to others’ misery while chasing her own happiness.
I gazed down at the academy. From the high tower, it was a spectacular sight. Perched precariously on the railing, peering below, I heard footsteps approaching from behind—Ignil, Nagisa, and a few trusted student council members.
I turned from the swarming students below.
“Ready?”
“We’re always prepared to fight.”
“We’ll keep our distance from fights as much as possible. Only when there’s no choice. Remember that.”
One council member raised a hand. “Instructor, but how do we win a war without fighting?”
“We sow discord.”
“Discord?”
“No helping it. Even with plans and training—”
I leaned against the railing with a sigh.
“In the end, they outmatch us in skill and numbers. Willpower alone can’t overcome reality.”
“But discord with who?”
“Who else? Eternal rivals. Elias Quinnel.”
“Eri?”
The council stirred. Of course, everyone knew Ios and Eri were key war figures, bitter enemies. But right now, they were holding back, watching each other warily. They knew rash moves would backfire.
Pitting them against each other with discord? The council had to be curious. How?
“To sow discord with Elias, we’d have to reveal ourselves.”
“I’ll do it.”
Nagisa stepped up.
“It’s my info sparking this fight, so I should take responsibility…”
“Responsibility? Nah, I got it.”
“…”
“My instructor status makes contact smoother than with students.”
I glanced below again. No sign. Not arrived yet?
“Heard that guy values high rank and connections.”
“Yeah. He sees nobodies as bugs. Especially commoners.”
True for most nobles. That’s why commoners suffered.
“Anyway, let’s clear this up, you perv.”
Ignil stepped forward.
“He’ll suspect you on contact. Especially handing over key info.”
Her eyes gleamed fiercely.
“Not risk-free for you. Can’t escape suspicion.”
“Worried I’ll get offed?”
“He’s high-ranking in the kingdom, struts with guards even here.”
My gaze drifted to one side. Figures approaching the main building entrance: three knight-like guards, attendants, and an old man at the center.
“Know him as clever and cunning, favored by the king. If he catches we’re not just after Ios, we’re done.”
“Got it. That’s why we befriend him aggressively.”
“Befriend?”
I glanced at the academy’s top floor.
“Borrow the academy director’s name.”