Chapter 72

If we can just hold on until then.

"Everyone, shut up and get ready for battle. Can't you see the villain over there?"

Durandal points to Kamia Ritsuko.

In the middle of the empty hall, she stands with a relaxed expression.

I never understood why villains in anime would wait for the protagonists to get ready, but now that it's real, I can't help but be grateful.

"I don't like this situation... but if you order me to, I have no choice. I am your personal maid, after all."

"Elling will protect the master."

"Leave it to me, your future wife. Kim Deok-sung, I'll take care of everything."

With their distinctive lines, the three women switch to battle mode.

They stand between me and Ritsuko.

Reliable slaves, like a hearty bowl of soup.

It might be tough to get through this, but at least it's better than holding out alone for ten minutes.

"Kim, I...!"

Makoto slumps to the ground.

Her face turns pale.

"No... No... I... I..."

Makoto's hands tremble like a madwoman.

It seems Ritsuko is whispering nonsense in her ear, like "The only place for you is within the Kamia family," or "Would they still consider you a friend if they saw your true self?"

Originally, I should have said something kind like "You're still my friend," but with three meat shields to replace Makoto, I can afford to leave her be.

"Are you all ready, brats?"

Ritsuko says in a seductive voice.

Huff.

She blows out a puff of cigarette smoke.

"Let me make this clear. Your ladies? My target is the stupid boy over there. Kim Deok-sung. If you step back now..."

Thud, roll.

She throws the pipe she's holding to the ground.

Ritsuko draws her dagger-shaped heirloom, Imanotsuru.

Click, clack.

A mint-green flash envelops her body, and full-body armor appears.

"I won't kill you. It's my last act of mercy."

Ritsuko smiles faintly.

I can't help but laugh at her theatrics.

Does she think the three of them will fall for such a shallow act?

This is a world of kindness.

Once a bond is formed through blind, or rather, infinite trust, it can never be betrayed.

"It's impossible for Elling to abandon the master. You really lack common sense for an adult."

"I agree with Nishizawa. Ugly woman. I have no idea what you're talking about. Is there a wife in this world who would abandon her husband? Oh, maybe you don't know because you're an old maid who's never been married? If so, I apologize."

"I have already sworn to be his personal maid, and the oath of Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte will not be swayed by the provocations of an ugly old maid like you! So give up!"

As expected, Olivia, Lin, and Nishizawa firmly reject her offer with their strong personalities.

This is it.

Today, I can let their annoying lines slide.

Ritsuko's face contorts grotesquely at their words.

"Old maid...? Adult...? M...? Ugly woman...?"

"You are an adult. Compared to the youthful, galaxy-rank beauty of Elling, you're definitely an old maid. Just look at your saggy skin. Ebebebebebe. Did I hit a nerve? Ah. Jum. Ma?"

Nishizawa sticks out her tongue and taunts Ritsuko.

Snap.

Ritsuko's forehead wrinkles.

If this were an anime, a vein mark would have appeared on her forehead.

"Calling me an adult is fine. It's true..."

Ritsuko clenches her fists.

Her eyes glow with a sinister light.

Her Kansai accent bursts out as she sheds her mask.

"But calling me an old maid is unforgivable!! You cute little brats!! Plan change!! I'll kill you all, kill you all, and kill you all again!! I'll make you regret calling me an old maid in hell!! Mirror Image!!"

Ritsuko's voice echoes through the empty hall, a desperate cry.

Her calm demeanor is gone.

A villain triggered by old maid hysteria.

The extremely light novel-like situation makes me laugh.

"Damn."

Isn't this a serious situation right now?

Zap!

A flash of light splits Ritsuko's body into four.

Mirror Image.

S-rank villain Ritsuko's gift.

The ability to create clones using magic. The maximum number of clones she can create is four.

The more clones she creates, the weaker her own power becomes, but inside the killing barrier, her clones' abilities are enhanced, making them almost as powerful as her.

The villain can copy herself.

[Sync]

I activate the ability.

Durandal's blade trembles as the Black Prince's talents and experiences are imprinted in my mind.

A sharp sensation runs through me.

An alarm bell rings in my head.

I need to dodge.

I roll to the side.

"Take this! Brat! Kamia Ryu assassination technique, First Form: One Strike, I say!!"

Flash.

Ritsuko, who suddenly appears in front of me, swings her dagger.

Assassins in this world even announce their skill names.

It's terrifying.

Whoosh.

Her dagger narrowly grazes my ear.

If I had been a split second slower, I might have lost my head.

"Damn."

I grip Durandal.

[Sync]

I activate the ability again, stacking it.

More talents and experiences flow into my mind.

"Ugh."

I bite my lip.

A headache forms in my head.

Hum.

Durandal shakes violently.

Black magic flames the blade.

I immediately counterattack with my sword.

[Black Light Sword Technique]

[First Form]

[Black Light Slash]

Clang!

Ritsuko's dagger and Durandal clash, sending a magical shockwave through the area.

A terrifying recoil shoots up my wrist.

I grit my teeth.

Just ten more minutes...

"Hmm? You're quite good? Stronger than the data suggests..."

Ritsuko licks her lips.

She laughs as she swings her dagger.

"Can I use a bit of 'sincerity'? Hahaha!"

Is this woman crazy?

*

The completely dark shopping mall.

Bang! Boom!

Explosions echo throughout.

Store signs shatter, and tables and chairs are scattered.

"Brat, calling me an old maid? Die!"

Whoosh.

Ritsuko lunges at Olivia, swinging her dagger.

Thud.

Olivia steps back at the last second, dodging Ritsuko's attack, and swings her Flamberge.

"Are you not an old maid, or should I call you a hag?"

Flame.

Platinum flames light up the air.

"Kamia Ryu assassination technique! Second Form! Sound Blade!"

"White Flame Sword Technique! First Form! White Flame Thrust!"

The two women clash, shouting their skill names.

Clang!

Mint-green magic and platinum flames intertwine, sending sparks flying.

On the opposite side of the battlefield.

Bang!

An explosion shatters a glass display case.

A bone-chilling cold spreads through the area.

The blue ponytailed girl, Shinazaki Lin, holding the long katana Totsuganotsuru, sneers.

"Is it because you're an unmarried, ugly woman that your sword skills are so tasteless?"

"Shut up!!! Don't call me an unmarried woman!!"

Another Ritsuko, triggered by the word "unmarried," swings her blade at Shinazaki Lin.

Flash.

A mint-green flash appears.

"Shinazaki's sword is invincible. If you didn't know, remember it now."

Shinazaki Lin swings Totsuganotsuru with a serious expression.

Boom!

An explosion sends ice shards flying through the air.

In the center of the battlefield.

"Ugh..."

Makoto sits on the ground.

Ritsuko's voice echoes in her head.

[What are you waiting for?]

[Ready to betray the Kamia family?]

[Now, aim for the target's back.]

Makoto's hands tremble.

She sees her lord.

Her lord, Kim Deok-sung, is in battle mode, struggling to block Ritsuko's attacks with Durandal.

Clang! Clang!

The sound of metal and the magical shockwaves reach her.

"No... I can't... I can't betray Kim... Kim is... Kim is..."

Makoto shakes her head.

Her hands tremble.

She can't betray him.

But.

Facing Ritsuko is terrifying.

The head of the Kamia family, who has oppressed her all her life, makes her hands tremble just from her shadow.

Even without nanomachine bombs, she can't move.

Thanks to the trauma ingrained in her bones.

[You can't? I've heard enough ridiculous things.]

[Do you really think you're a student at Shuou Academy just because you enrolled?]

[Do you really think you're friends with them?]

[If your true identity as an assassin and a cross-dresser is exposed, what do you think will happen?]

[Will they still consider you a friend?]

Ritsuko's voice echoes in her ear.

"Ah..."

Makoto's eyes widen.

Her head drops.

From childhood to now.

The past two weeks at the academy were like a dream for Makoto, who grew up in abuse and neglect.

The ordinary life she always longed for.

Laughing and chatting with friends, eating and studying together.

Even the envious looks from Olivia, Lin, and Eri made Makoto happy.

'Everything was so happy.'

At