Time flies — already two weeks had passed since the Lamdarb incident.
I’d wanted to heal my tired body, but time doesn’t wait.
The biggest shift was in world affairs.
Floné Milfonti had been put on the wanted list as a vicious criminal.
King Ambald, staking the prestige of Rondism Kingdom, declared he would swiftly capture and execute her.
Floné is evil beyond what I’d imagined. No — vomit-inducing wickedness probably refers to people like her.
Apparently Father had been smelling something off about Floné for a while.
Timing it for when she was occupied with the Inter-Academy Magic Tournament, he discovered the [Body-Strengthening Extract] / [Mana-Boosting Extract] compounding factory and the room where illegal human experimentation was being carried out.
After that, receiving my letter, Father — along with Karen’s father, who’d come with him — moved to the rescue.
That he’d been in Lamdarb was a guessable possibility, given his family-doting nature. Considering the impossibly fast reply, you can see it.
Honestly, I’m full of gratitude.
I don’t think Karen’s father’s prior offenses get erased by this, but I’ll go thank him properly. That’s a separate matter.
Thanks to this, I’ve been getting by without losing anything.
…… No, I did lose. My freedom.
“Sigh…… why am I the Council President……”
After Floné’s deeds became public, suspicion fell on Reina too, but considering her circumstances she was deemed innocent.
She was originally a victim and had done what she had to in order to live — that was the consideration.
She’s now under House Veret’s protection.
A measure I devised to keep Reina from being taken by anyone else.
Naturally. After putting in that much work, I couldn’t let her get snatched.
She said “For now, that works” — a good settlement.
Back to the topic: Reina intended to leave the Council.
But many petition letters came from the students; after discussion with the academy, she stepped down to Vice President. The Council President’s seat went to the former Vice President — me.
The effort she’d put in for Floné didn’t go to waste; it came back to her this way.
But that finished business is fine now.
A big problem, one.
”…… Why is it like this……”
I glanced at the document title sitting on the table.
“Concerning the Award and Title to be Bestowed by His Majesty King Ambald.”
Why is this happening!!
I didn’t do anything special this incident.
At best, I worked hard to get Reina.
So why am I getting an award from the King.
“This is going to wreck my life plan……!”
The plan to live freely as a villain…… aah, can’t help thinking about it now.
It’s lunch break — let me sleep.
Today everyone is out on errands; the Council room is empty.
A bit shouldn’t get noticed.
I picked up a book from the table, draped it over my face as a sleep mask, and took off into the world of escape.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
“Reina Veret. Just returning…… oh, fufu. Ouga-kun, you must be tired.”
Coming back from finishing my errand, I found Ouga-kun slumped in the President’s chair, asleep.
I don’t usually get to see him without his guard up, so I felt a little lucky. At the same time, the fact that he can sleep peacefully in this Council room makes me happy.
It’s proof that he trusts us that much.
”…… What kind of sleeping face is he making? I’m curious.”
Because he’d covered his face with a book, I was now extra curious.
Cool-looking even in sleep, or some funny expression — either way, my feelings don’t change. I’m grateful to him beyond measure.
“Ouga-kun, are you awake……?”
”…………”
“Deep sleep. Then — excuse me.”
So as not to wake him, gently, gently, I shifted the book.
“Fufu, a cute sleeping face. You look a bit boyish when you sleep, Ouga-kun.”
Maybe because his sharp eyes are closed, his features look more age-appropriate than usual.
Watching like this, I realize he’s actually younger than me.
That such a younger boy risked his life and saved me — what a pathetic senior I am.
…… Kind Ouga-kun probably wouldn’t want it, but for your sake, I want to do anything.
For you, who gave me a new life as Reina Veret.
”…… I’m allowed to do this much, aren’t I.”
Between his face and the displaced book, I leaned in.
In the room of just-the-two-of-us, with no one else, a small secret bell rang.
◇ [The Misunderstood Holy Life of a Villainous Young Master] Volume 2 releases today.
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