How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 67

“What? You lost them?”

Princess Francia glared at the Monster Trio with a hardened expression.

“They were incredibly fast…”

“It was like they used magic or something.”

Despite their fervent attempts to explain, their words only fueled Princess Francia’s anger.

“Of course they were fast. They can’t afford to get caught. What’s the point in stating the obvious…”

‘No, I can’t act like this.’ Realizing she was getting carried away, Francia took a deep breath and shook her head. “Alright, I understand.”

“…”

“I’ll call you when I need you again. Until then, don’t come back.”

“Yes, understood.”

Sol Crensh, trying to maintain a neutral expression, nodded respectfully as the others, less composed, followed him out.

Click!

Once the Monster Trio left the office, Francia clenched her fists tightly, her shoulders trembling with fury. “They lost him? That bastard?”

Most people suspected that Cecilia’s faction was behind the recent slander campaign, but Francia knew who the real culprit was.

“Kamon Vade.”

The figure the Monster Trio failed to catch was undoubtedly him.

“So, this is how you want to play it? This is getting interesting.”

Muttering to herself, Francia glanced at the parchment on her desk. “Alright then. Let’s start lightly.”

Scratch, scratch!

Sitting at her desk, she began writing swiftly.

* * *

I was sipping a drink at a café when I received a letter that left me somewhat moved.

“Wow. I didn’t expect our princess to be this fiery.”

“Pfft! Damn it, you made me spill. What? That letter’s from the princess?” Elliot, wiping juice from his lips, asked.

I nodded, chuckling. “Yeah.”

“Why? What does it say?”

“Want to see?”

“Uh, is that okay?”

Seeing Elliot’s hesitant look, I handed him the letter from Princess Francia.

“Here, take a look.”

“…”

After a moment, Elliot exclaimed, “This letter is to you?”

“Yeah, see the seal? The Flance royal seal, boom! Right there!”

Pointing to the two seals at the bottom of the parchment, I grinned as Elliot nervously sipped his drink through a straw.

Just then, Bren appeared with a familiar voice.

“Hey, what are you guys talking about?”

I immediately handed Bren the letter. “Bren, check this out.”

“Huh? What’s this? ‘It’s you, right?’…?”

Bren read the letter, then looked back and forth between Elliot and me. “What’s this about? Who sent this? And it’s just one sentence?”

“Princess Francia sent it to this idiot.”

Elliot, still sipping his drink, shook his head in disbelief.

“What? Eek!” Bren yelped, throwing the letter back at me. “Did she catch us?”

“We don’t know yet. The letter only says, ‘It’s you, right?’ But it seems likely.”

Bren and Elliot, both pale, exchanged worried glances, and I chuckled.

“Why are you two so scared? There’s no proof. Sending a letter like this means she can’t do anything.”

“Still, it’s scary.”

“Maybe not for you, Kamon, but for us, it’s different. We’re dealing with a princess.”

As they spoke, another familiar voice joined in.

“Everyone’s here. I…”

“Lois! You haven’t forgotten, right?” Elliot immediately questioned Lois, who looked confused.

“What? Forgotten what?”

“We’re in this together, no matter what.”

“Uh, what?”

As Lois stared back in confusion, Bren showed him the letter.

“What’s this?”

“A letter. Princess Francia sent it to Kamon.”

“Aaah!”

How could their reactions be so identical?

Maybe that’s why they got along so well?

Well, not that it’s a bad thing.

“So Kamon, what are you going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you going to keep…?”

Lois trailed off, his face full of fear. I nodded briefly and answered.

“I’m going to take a break.”

My shocking declaration elicited simultaneous reactions from all three of them.

“What?”

“The posters are done?”

“Kamon, that’s a good decision. There’s no need to provoke her any further.”

Elliot, who spoke with determination, reached into his pocket.

“In that case…”

Clink.

“What’s this?”

“Gold coins?”

“What’s that for, Elliot?”

“If my friend is risking his life, I can’t just sit back.”

With a determined expression, Elliot continued proudly, “I asked my family. I told them I would use my right as an heir to ensure Cecilia becomes the student council president. In return, I requested some funds.”

“What?”

“Kamon, this means we’re in this together now. Let’s go all the way.”

“…”

Is this guy for real?

“Really? You’re staking your heir rights on an academy student council election? Do you know how valuable being the heir to the Fren Merchant Guild is?”

“Hey, you don’t need to be so moved, Kamon. We’re friends, right?”

“But, senior, isn’t that a bit too much money for an heir right…?”

“Huh? Oh, well, my family does have a lot of money. Haha.”

Watching Elliot laugh without understanding the gravity of the situation, I momentarily lost my words.

“…”

However, I thought, ‘Well, I do need the money, right?’

Given the situation, instead of questioning or criticizing him, I decided to make the most of it.

“Alright, Elliot, how much funding can you secure?”

“Huh? Uh, well…”

“You did stake your heir rights, so this can’t be all, right?”

“Haha, of course not. As much as you need. Just tell me, and I’ll get it.”

‘So, this is all he’s got?’

It didn’t matter. This money would come back multiplied in the end.

“Okay, then let’s get started on something else.”

“Something else? What do you mean?”

Bren asked worriedly, and I grinned widely.

Since the effectiveness of the posters was waning, I had already been planning to switch strategies. Now that I had a reason, there was no reason not to proceed.

“Elliot, do you know anyone who’s good at voice manipulation?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, someone who can manipulate voices so well that it’s untraceable.”

I asked, my smile growing even wider.

* * *

“All the rumors currently circulating around the academy are false and have nothing to do with Princess Francia.”

As Arian Marquis, the current second-year top student, declared confidently, Rosen muttered.

“This should have some effect, right, Obern?”

“Honestly, I don’t see the need to respond so directly, but the reaction doesn’t seem bad.”

“This election is more exciting than previous ones, don’t you think? It feels more intense, and fights are supposed to be dirty and ugly to be fun.”

“Quiet, Lucas. We’re not playing around here.”

Obern, the vice president, scolded Lucas, the top third-year student, with a stern tone.

“Alright, alright. Whatever you say, Mr. Vice President. Our rigid Obern is always right.”

“Lucas, Obern is right this time. This is serious.”

“I know, I know. Geez, even lovely Rosen is nagging me now. Sniff sniff.”

“Senior!”

“It’s a joke. Don’t get mad.”

“Enough, everyone. Keep monitoring public opinion and report any changes.”

“Got it.”

“Understood, Vice President.”

Thanks to Princess Francia’s official statement, the fake news and provocative rumors spread through the posters began to dwindle.

A few days later…

“I think we’re in the clear now.”

“Yeah, no more new stories are coming up, and the posters aren’t being updated. People are losing interest.”

“Good job, everyone.”

Princess Francia praised her team with a bright smile.

“And, I have an announcement for you all.”

As the election team focused their attention on her, she spoke with a gentle smile.

“I recently had a private meeting with President Alex and secured his support for this election.”

“Really?”

“No way!”

“President Alex is going to support you?”

“Yes. He plans to make a formal endorsement and give a supporting speech tomorrow.”

“That’s amazing!”

“This is over then.”

Alex Axelion, the current student council president, was the most influential person at the academy. His support meant the election was practically won, and the team couldn’t hide their joy.

“…”

Watching the scene with satisfaction, Princess Francia recalled the conversation.

* * *

“You’ll help me resolve this matter?”

“Yes, with the imperial endorsement, breaking off your engagement won’t be a problem.”

With a gentle smile, Francia responded to Alex’s desperate tone.

What could be more unfortunate than an engagement without love?

Alex, the heir to the Grand Duke of Axelion, and Giselle, the heiress of Count Kysel, were facing an arranged marriage decided by their families. However, both wanted to pursue their own love interests, leading to ongoing stress.

But dissolving such an agreement for personal reasons wasn’t feasible.

‘But if there’s a good reason, it’s not hard.’

Francia had moved directly to solve the issue, recommending Alex to the ‘Silver Eagle’ knight order, a royal order for unmarried knights.

And.

– If that’s your wish, so be it.

With her father, the emperor’s approval, Francia met Alex to finalize the matter.

“After serving for at least five years, you can leave the order without any issues. You can reconsider marriage then.”

“Thank you. Truly, thank you, Princess Francia!”

“It’s nothing…”

With a detailed plan in place, Francia also met Giselle and convinced her.

In return for her help, Alex agreed to support Francia in the election.

* * *

‘It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.’

No matter how difficult the task, Francia could always accomplish it if she set her mind to it.

“And it looks like I’ll win this bet, Kamon Vade.”

She muttered with a satisfied smile.

______________

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