Chapter 98

But the new cage that the Elder and Messia had cooperated to create was sturdy, and Beatrice didn’t dare to even attempt an escape.

All she could do was resist passively by using her position as a saint.

Until now.

“I’ve heard that among human proverbs, there’s one that says, ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend...’”

Kim Deok-sung.

While usually she would consider a name of an inferior human not worth remembering, Beatrice stroked the report labeled “Black Horned Beast, Kim Deok-sung” as she pondered.

Messia’s plan, which had never failed even once.

The unprecedented man who had disrupted that plan three times in a row. Kim Deok-sung.

Perhaps he could be the joker card to free her from the cage?

“Black Horned Beast, do you truly have the qualifications to be my comrade?”

Beatrice’s red eyes grew heavy.

*

As soon as she opened her eyes, a kaleidoscope of thumbnails filled her vision.

[K-Hero Kim Deok-sung! Saving the world beyond Japan! The reason why three S-rank villains in Kyoto knelt before Kim Deok-sung, crying for mercy! How far does Kim Deok-sung’s class go? The world applauds Kim Deok-sung’s heroics, moving America, courting France, and making Japan jealous! Focused spotlight on the world’s beloved K-Hero Kim Deok-sung!]

[(Anger Warning) Japan’s shocking current state! The pride of Japan, now completely erased! Japanese netizens explode in rage at the sight of Kim Deok-sung’s heroics! Even America and France turn their backs on the pitiful Japanese reactions! Japan faces the risk of becoming a global outcast! “I cannot understand the mistreatment of Kim Deok-sung. This ugly behavior lowers Japan’s national dignity.”]

[Why are Japanese heroes trembling like aspen leaves, sweating cold sweat, and feeling tense at the sight of K-Hero Kim Deok-sung? Because Kim Deok-sung’s hero rank has surpassed S-rank! K-Hero Kim Deok-sung has already surpassed the level of a student! K-Hero’s opponents are no longer students but active heroes?! “Japan must be on high alert with the appearance of Kim Deok-sung.” K-Hero Kim Deok-sung, who has dismantled the hegemony of the hero powerhouse Japan!]

[The pride of South Korea, Kim Deok-sung, excels in the Kyoto incident, making significant contributions to the defeat of three S-rank villains...]

[President Kang. “Through his heroics in the Kyoto incident, Kim Deok-sung has become a talent loved by the entire world, not just South Korea... His heroics have advanced Korea-Japan relations and significantly elevated South Korea’s national dignity... As a citizen, I feel like kneeling before him...”]

[(Breaking Video) President Kang faints during a Blue House address, sobbing uncontrollably.]

[The Kim Deok-sung Special Support Act passes unanimously in the National Assembly with bipartisan agreement.]

[The National Assembly unanimously agrees to include Kim Deok-sung’s support budget in the supplementary budget with bipartisan agreement.]

[How far has the Kim Deok-sung craze spread in South Korea? Kim Deok-sung merchandise outsells even K-pop idols and top stars.]

[Kei Research public opinion poll: Most respected figures in South Korea: 1st - King Sejong, 2nd - Admiral Yi Sun-sin, 3rd - Kim Deok-sung.]

[K-pop idol Yuse-ra publicly confesses on TV. “I want to date Kim Deok-sung. I hope he accepts my heart...”]

[Hey Jesus, why aren’t you starting the meeting?]

[(4 Great Saints meme)]

[He hasn’t arrived yet.]

[- If it’s Kim Deok-sung, he should be the 5th Great Saint, lol.]

[- I’m Christian, but I agree.]

[- Kim Deok-sung... He’s a god!]

[- Light Deok-sung, Yellow Deok-sung, King Deok-sung]

[If everyone likes Kim Deok-sung, should I recommend him?]

[Recommendations: 23,423,524] [Dislikes: 0]

[- Jo Yong-pil’s orgasmic recommendation]

[- This is a recommendation, lol.]

[- Cheating with a cheat key, lol.]

[- Look at the clean dislikes, lol.]

[- I’m not faking it, I recommend him.]

[- My family has been Kim Deok-sung fans for three generations, so I recommend him, lol.]

[Is this recommendation count fake? It’s rising so fast, it’s suspicious... And honestly, Kim Deok-sung didn’t do much. The Shuohua student council president and the Japanese Hunter Association did most of the work, right? He’s on par with S-rank, according to Japanese media articles, guys.]

[Recommendations: 1] [Dislikes: 2,342,345,324]

[- The fakers are the Japanese, lol.]

[- Are you a cool, fake-tough Japanophile with a delusion of grandeur? How disgusting, lol.]

[- Real-name recommendation system, lol. How disgusting, lol.]

[- Look at the VPN, lol. Is this the level of Japanophiles? Lol.]

[- Get lost to Japan.]

The chaotic internet reactions and YouTube videos made her head spin.

Her face grew hot, and her hands trembled.

This damn national pride is something I can never get used to, no matter how many times I see it.

What? Third most respected figure in South Korea? Only King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin are above me?

National pride has become a disease. A disease.

‘Damn it.’

If I keep watching, I might go insane.

She turned off her phone.

It wasn’t entirely fruitless.

While it was heavily exaggerated and embellished, the fact that three S-rank villains were defeated was known.

The fact that the League was behind it and that the Meijin Hero Academy was under the League’s control was concealed, and the credit for the incident went to Aris and the Association.

It was a smooth conclusion, but...

‘It’s too early to relax.’

Crunch.

Olivia put a slice of rabbit apple in her mouth and chewed while thinking.

Two of the 13 Apostles were dead, and one was captured.

On top of that, the Meijin Hero Academy, Kasumi-senpai, and Rena were taken.

The League’s losses must have been significant, far more than when minor members like Virtue and Mad Hatter were captured.

‘Moreover, I’ve disrupted their plans three times in a row, four if you count Makoto’s case.’

Messia was a perfectionist to begin with.

This was enough to catch the eye of the final boss, that madman.

Still, it was fortunate that my strength remained unknown.

I was already starting to draw the final boss’s suspicion, and if it had been revealed that I was the one who solved this case, I might have been completely exposed.

It feels like I’m playing the cliché of an academy story, but I have to keep a low profile for a while.

‘I need to be more cautious and careful from now on.’

The original story is changing.

The uncertain future is slightly worrying, but...

There’s no other choice.

I have to adapt using my knowledge of the original story.

Crunch.

She ate the last piece of apple.

This is delicious.

“Do you have more apples?”

“D-Do you see me as a maid who peels apples for you? I am a noble princess of France, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte!”

Olivia puffed her cheeks at the question.

Click.

She placed her hand on her chest and declared.

“Apple.”

What does being a French princess have to do with apples?

“...Hmph. A fool who only knows how to eat. Just wait a bit. I’ll peel more for you.”

Olivia took another apple from the box and started peeling it.

Squish, squish.

As she listened to the sound of the apple being peeled and leaned against the wall, the door to the hospital room creaked open, and someone appeared.

“Junior. I came to see you again today. This time, with Rena...!”

An unexpected visitor.

Kasumi-senpai and Rena had arrived.

This time, I really need to play it cool.

“Junior...!”

Near the open hospital room door, a purple-haired girl, Kasumi-senpai, and a green-haired, frail-looking girl in a hospital gown sitting in a wheelchair she was pushing, were visible.

The one in the wheelchair must be Sato Rena.

She looked exactly like she did in the anime, so I recognized her immediately.

Kasumi-senpai’s purple eyes widened as she let go of the wheelchair and ran towards me.

“You’re awake, Junior!”

Thump.

Kasumi-senpai hugged me to her chest.

Hey, you said you were friends with Rena, so why did you leave her behind?

I could feel her soft chest.

“Junior. I’m so relieved. I... I was really worried. You’re a bad guy, but... if you fell, the pure hearts of the girls you’ve taken would have nowhere to go...”

Kasumi-senpai, as usual, muttered nonsense while petting my head.

I wanted to say something, but this time I decided to hold back.

The image of her collapsing while protecting me in