Chapter 51. Ant Nest (11)

To think that someone with such a refined and noble appearance would speak such crude words inside.

Isn't that an overinterpretation?

Not at all.

'I've played that character so many times.'

I must have played it at least a hundred times.

A unique character whose inner thoughts are displayed in parentheses along with their lines.

It might be a bit different, but it won't be much different.

Let's try to interpret what Yuridia is saying now.

"I've been looking forward to this meeting. Are you hurt? If so, please tell me. I happen to have a potion. Hehehe."

I knew you were waiting for me until your neck ached. If you're hurt, tell me. By the way, do you know how expensive potions are?

The price will be paid with your body. Kyahahaha!

"I happen to be recruiting skilled individuals to ensure a happy academy life with my friends."

I will kneel the academy at my feet and have a happy academy life.

You're quite good, aren't you? If you come under me willingly, there won't be any bloodshed.

"I heard you're quite skilled... How about joining us?"

The top student in the first year at Andwood Academy is me, Yuridia.

You, become my ally!

'Straight to the point? Quick and decisive.'

It's partly because it's so hard to meet, but more because Teron is after me.

It's a bit of a difficult situation.

Yuridia is a member of the first party who needs to progress the story with Rodelin.

If we get too close, the plan might be twisted.

'If I refuse, the Yuridia faction will beat me up.'

Yuridia wouldn't do that, but her followers are the problem.

The interpretation of refusal can vary from person to person.

'I need to make her back off for now.'

Just like there's a way to approach Rodelin, there's a way to approach Yuridia.

Breaking the mask Yuridia is wearing.

That's the way to approach Yuridia.

"Hehe, it seems you need talented people."

"Yes, I do. I need someone like you, Zero."

"Running a faction... The leader's ability is important, but it's tough without help. You must be working hard."

Yuridia's ears perked up.

It means she's interested.

Yuridia let out a deep sigh.

"Hmm... Yes, it's not just my lack of ability, but there are so many people who don't listen..."

"You must have wanted to punch them."

"Yes, but I can't as a noble."

"Hehe, you have great patience. I wouldn't have been able to hold back."

"No, you could have done it too, Zero."

Yuridia clenched her fists tightly and trembled.

Then she let out another deep sigh.

"To be honest, I didn't want to do this. Creating factions and causing disputes as a noble, and even involving innocent children."

"Come to think of it, you're gathering people to counter Teron's influence, right?"

"...You knew?"

"Hehe, of course. Though most people don't seem to know."

Yuridia gritted her teeth.

"He came to me the day after the opening ceremony and said we should dominate the academy together and enter politics after graduation. How can a noble be so despicable!"

Teron's proposal to enter politics right after graduation isn't a pipe dream.

Andwood Academy is the empire's top academy.

It's hard to get in, but even harder to graduate.

Just graduating is enough to receive job offers from families of earl level or higher.

'If you were the student council president at such a place, entering politics would be a piece of cake.'

The student council president of Andwood Academy.

A position that only one person can hold each year.

Teron is aiming for that position.

Given the nature of Andwood Academy, where there are few transfer students, once you gain power, it's hard to be pushed out.

That's why Teron is seriously building his influence from the first year.

'In the second year, Rodelin seems to have taken control...'

In the first year, where I am now, there are Teron and Yuridia.

One of these two will become the student council president.

If the world flowed normally, that is.

'In the game, Teron makes a pact with a demon... loses to the protagonist's party, and dies.'

That's not all.

A great war with the demon breaks out, and Yuridia's position as student council president is dismantled.

But Teron and Yuridia, who don't know this, can't help but fight.

Well, it's not my problem.

"Forces that incite turmoil must be rooted out early."

"And that includes Teron, right?"

"Yes. I want to split that annoying Teron's head in two right now!"

"Split his head?"

"Yes, his head! I want to... @#$%!"

Yuridia, who was in the middle of cursing, stopped.

She must have realized that she said it out loud instead of just thinking it.

'Oh my... such harsh words.'

If this were a novel, it might not even be possible to write.

It was so harsh that it would be censored with special characters.

"Um... Zero? What did I just say?"

"Hehe, I didn't hear anything except one word, so don't worry."

"What, what did you hear?"

"@#$%."

"You heard the most important part!!"

Yuridia screamed.

I don't know why she's yelling at me. She was the one who cursed.

"Oh, I'll leave for today! But next time, I won't back down!"

Yuridia, who was running away, suddenly turned around and came back to me.

"Ah, please pretend you didn't hear that. It's our little secret. See you later."

Yuridia bowed and returned to her group.

Playing the drum and the gong by herself.

I've never seen someone play so well alone.

'Phew... It's a relief that it went as planned.'

I flatter her a bit and let her slip up.

That's the way to approach Yuridia.

It looks easy, but it's quite a difficult skill.

'Praise, empathy, and reaction are essential.'

It's a skill that only a perfect man like me can use.

Yuridia's group looked at me and whispered.

Are they jealous of my perfection? Being too perfect is a problem.

"I've never seen Yuridia so flustered..."

Alex, who was alone like a duck egg in the Nakdong River, muttered.

I forgot he was there.

"Hehe, hello. Alex."

"Did you know me? This is an honor."

He's as polite as Yuridia.

I recalled the information about Alex.

Commoner, the main character of this game. And.

'The first character that must be played.'

Perhaps because he's the protagonist set in the game.

It's impossible to expel Alex from the party.

'While it's nice to meet, I can't get too close.'

Alex, Raymond, Yuridia, and Rodelin.

These four are the main members of the first party. A super-luxury squad with outrageous stats.

It's impossible to tackle the final boss without these four.

'I need to be careful.'

Just looking at how Raymond is throwing me flirtatious glances, you can see the problem.

The brief time we were in a party during the demon fragment event is still affecting us.

It seemed best to just exchange pleasantries with Alex, as with Yuridia.

"Hehe, let's speak more casually. We are classmates, after all."

"Is that okay?"

"Yes, I would appreciate it. My tone is usually like this, so don't mind it."

"Okay... No, sure. I'll do that."

A short silence followed. Come to think of it, there's nothing to talk about.

'Until now, people who approached me had a purpose.'

Because of the synergy between the half-closed eyes and the [Sinister Aura] skill, ordinary students didn't even approach.

Only Yuridia's and Teron's factions occasionally came to recruit me.

There was no reason to initiate a conversation with Alex, who was different from them.

Besides.

'...We're alone with someone I only knew by face in class.'

It's quite an awkward situation.

The only thing we could talk about in such a situation would be small talk.

I would have been the same. If it weren't for Raymond.

"Hehe, Alex. I have a favor to ask."

"A favor?"

"Can you be friends with Raymond?"

"With Raymond?"

"Yes. Raymond is a kind and diligent boy. He can be a good friend, don't you think?"

Well, he does say some nonsense sometimes, but I didn't mention that.

Alex's gaze turned to Raymond.

He was being bent over by Luna.

"Well, we already decided to be friends, and I don't mind hanging out... But..."

Alex turned his gaze to me.

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Go ahead."

"Why are you pushing Raymond away? He doesn't seem like a bad kid... If you're worried, you can take him with you."

Hmm, that's a fair point. I don't really have a good excuse.

In situations like this, it's best to.

"Hehe, that's a secret."

"..."

"Don't worry. I'm not saying I won't be friends with Raymond. It's just that my situation isn't good right now."

"Is it because of your unusual appearance? Are you worried that Raymond will get in trouble if he's with you?"

"That's part of it, but not the only reason."

Alex was silent for a moment.

Just as he was about to say something.

Luna ran over from a distance and barged in between us.

"He's mine! Don't even think about getting close!"

"...?"

Typical Luna. Saying something that could be misunderstood so casually.

Luna clung to me and shouted.

"Get lost before I bite you to death!"

Is this the infamous stalker queen? Or something like that?

It seems more like a stalker dog.

"Aha, I see."

At that moment, a refreshing voice burst from Alex's mouth.

A voice that seemed to indicate he had finally realized something.

What did he realize?

"I'm sorry. I was slow to understand."

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

"Have a good time. I was too insensitive."

Wait, what's going on here?

The situation was easy to understand.

Luna, who was clinging to me as if she wouldn't let me go.

At that moment, Alex realized he had misunderstood something.

"Hehe, Alex? You seem to be misunderstanding something..."

"Retreat! Everyone gather!"

But my voice didn't reach Alex.

Because Karon's order to gather echoed throughout the area.

Alex put his arm around Raymond.

"Raymond, let's go."

"Huh?"

"Hurry. We'll get in trouble with Mr. Karon if we don't."

"Um... But..."

Raymond looked back and forth between me and Alex.

He still seemed to have some lingering feelings.

Of course.

"What are you looking at? Get lost!"

"Kyaa! Zero! See you next time!"

The stalker dog Luna was too much.

Alex winked at me and started walking away with Raymond.

Hmm, this confirms it.

Alex is misunderstanding something ridiculous.

That I and Luna have a certain kind of relationship.

That he wanted to spend time alone with me, so he can't hang out with Raymond.

That's what he must have understood.

Unfortunately, it's a misunderstanding.

Not only because of Luna's strong personality, but because I have no interest in a kid like her.

"Wait! You seem to be misunderstanding something. I like the type that's..."

But my voice didn't reach him.

Because Luna had covered my mouth.

"Zero."

"...Yes?"

"Did you want to get hit with a frying pan? If so, you should have said so earlier."

Luna's eyes glinted coldly.

"I would have given you a good beating."

Luna, a frying pan and a bread roll are different concepts.

But I couldn't say that.

Because Luna was clenching her fist tightly.

"Hehe, what did I say? Let's go. Mr. Karon is waiting."

"...Walk with me. From now on, don't take a single step away from me."

Yes, yes. Do I have a choice?

"We're leaving the ant nest now! Stay alert until the end!"

We started to leave the ant nest under the protection of the instructors.

What? Yuridia has a split personality.

Then what kind of person is the protagonist, Alex?

The most normal person in this game.

In other words, in a certain sense.

'The most abnormal person.'

You'll understand the meaning of that word soon.

We soon arrived at the entrance.

The moment our adventurous exploration of the ant nest came to an end.