How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 72

“Elliot used his rights as collateral to get money from the family?”

At Diana’s question, asked while she groomed her fine silver hair, her secretary bowed politely.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Hmm, he’s been working quite hard. I’m enjoying a break for the first time in a while…”

Sighing delicately, Diana checked her face in the mirror and asked again.

“So, how much did he manage to get?”

“It’s not confirmed yet, but it’s said to be about two months’ worth of his usual allowance.”

“Two months’ allowance? Did he take about five hundred gold coins?”

Muttering to herself, Diana started applying cosmetics, reputed to be good for the skin, to her face.

“Um, Lady.”

“Hmm?”

“Shouldn’t we also take some action? Since Young Master Elliot has sided with Lady Cecilia, we should…”

“No.”

Diana shook her head firmly without a moment’s hesitation at her secretary’s suggestion.

“We’re in a period of self-restraint right now. If we act hastily, we might only complicate the situation.”

Turning to look at her secretary, Diana continued.

“The self-restraint period isn’t that long anyway, so there’s no need to rush.”

Rising from her seat, Diana continued mumbling as she donned an elegant dress.

“The very fact that he used his rights as collateral shows that he’s not fit to be the head of the Fren family. So, we just need to stay put, quietly doing nothing…”

“Understood, my lady.”

“Still, keep an eye on his movements. Especially on Kamon Vade, be very thorough.”

Diana’s expression hardened, her eyes narrowing sharply, revealing the cold anger she felt.

Her secretary, noticing this, bowed again and responded.

“Yes.”

“Oh, by the way.”

“…Yes?”

“Weren’t there quite a few who suffered because of him?”

“Pardon?”

“Check if there are any around who harbor ill feelings towards Kamon Vade. Not a single one should be missed.”

“I will execute your orders.”

***

Lady Cecilia, reading a new report, was startled and exclaimed.

“Is this really true?”

“What’s wrong, my lady?”

“No, this is on a completely different level. This could turn the entire royal family against us!”

“So, are you not going to do it?”

“It’s not about not doing it; we can’t do it. Does he not realize because he’s a commoner?
No, Kamon is a noble too, so he should know. This is truly dangerous.”

“We won’t be able to identify the original author anyway.”

“Are you sure? Can you take responsibility?”

“No, why should I? The responsibility lies with you, my lady.”

“Hey, that’s not fair.”

“Then you’ll lose the presidential election.”

“……”

“Even your blood relative, President Alex, was threatened. What more is there to lose?”

“But…”

Seeing Lady Cecilia falter, I shrugged my shoulders and spoke.

“If you’re that hesitant, let’s not do it. Just watch Princess Francia become the student council president.”

“No, that’s not what I mean. And honestly, Kamon shouldn’t be doing this to me.”

“Pardon?”

“What did Kamon say to me? He said to trust him! That he’d take care of everything if I just trusted him!”

Listening to her words, which could be easily misunderstood by others, I hurried to stop her.

“My lady, it’s just…”

“No, he told me to trust him. But now he’s asking me to do something like this? What if our family is accused of treason and gets wiped out? Will Kamon take responsibility?”

“Come on, that’s unlikely. This is just an academy election.”

“The problem is that I’m running against the princess in this academy election. Damn it!”

Damn it?

She’s using harsh words again?

It’s true that Lady Cecilia’s demeanor had slightly changed since Rosen Ravenia’s visit.

It felt like her once pure and kind soul was gradually being corrupted.

“Haa, alright. This is really not okay. It’s too risky.”

Seeing her shake her head and adamantly oppose, I too retaliated strongly.

“Then what will you do, my lady? You’ve been enjoying the benefits all this time thanks to me, but now you keep opposing everything. What do you expect me to do?”

“Pardon? Are you saying I’ve just been taking advantage of you?”

“I’m sorry if that upset you, but it’s the truth. And is there a more certain way to turn the tide against Princess Francia?”

“Of course, with better policies…”

“What policies?”

“Well, we’ll have to think about it.”

“What is there to think about? No matter what policy you propose in this situation, you won’t be able to steal Princess Francia’s support.”

“But still!”

“Fine, do as you wish. I can’t do this anymore. I hope you manage the election on your own.”

“Wait, no! Ugh! Aaah!”

Lady Cecilia grabbed her head and started making strange noises again.

“Damn it! Damn it all!”

I continued to watch her different appearance as she kept spewing harsh words.

Of course, Lady Cecilia’s words weren’t wrong.

This was quite over the line, and honestly, it was a dangerous thing to do.

‘That’s why I checked it two or three more times. I also received assurances that the author couldn’t be found out.’

After confirming through various methods, no one could properly figure out the truth behind the manipulated items.

They surely realized it was manipulated, but they couldn’t find out who or how it was done.
Besides.

‘Since I had such a conversation with her, she won’t just stay still. I have to prepare properly.’
Regardless of what actions Princess Francia’s side takes, it was essential to have a card ready that could turn the tables instantly.

“Do I really have to do this?”

Seeing Lady Cecilia still mumbling with a bewildered look, I couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
Of course, saying I couldn’t do it anymore was a complete bluff.

‘If I give up here, there’s nothing but a bad ending with death, so how could I quit?’

Then.

“Ha, I really don’t know anymore. Are you sure they can’t find the author?”

“Yes, my lady. I’ve checked multiple times, and no one could find out.”

“Ah, shit… Fine.”

After confirming with me once more, Lady Cecilia nodded with a resigned expression and spoke.

“Let’s do it. What can we do? It’s not like a civil war will break out over a single academy presidential election, right?”

Seeing Lady Cecilia shout like that, I momentarily recalled an episode from the original story but quickly shook my head to dismiss the memory.

***

The next day, a large crowd began to gather again at the wide fountain park in the center of the academy, where the previous declaration of candidacy had taken place.

“It was the same when President Alex made his announcement. Do you think there’s going to be another shocking announcement?”

“But wasn’t that just President Alex backstabbing everyone? That’s what Princess Francia’s election camp says.”

“He must have lost in the behind-the-scenes fight to Lady Cecilia. So, how will they retaliate this time?”

Due to the incident with President Alex, the students’ interest was more focused than ever, and it drew high anticipation.

And the person who drew that anticipation was.

“Whew.”

Taking a short breath in the waiting room, she looked at the mirror in front of her.

“Get a grip, Francia. It’s almost time.”

Repeating her smile practice, Princess Francia murmured to herself as she checked her appearance one last time.

Then.

Clatter, creak!

The door suddenly opened, and a member of the election camp hurried in.

“Uh, Princess!”

“What’s the matter? No, be careful. Rushing like that could lead to an accident.”

“Th-thank you, Princess. But, um…”

“What is it? Is there something urgent?”

“Information just came in. Right after your campaign announcement, Lady Cecilia’s camp has booked a slot for their own announcement.”

“Lady Cecilia?”

“Yes. Upon checking, it’s a reservation for this central garden.”

“I see, thank you for the news.”

After the election camp member left, having delivered the news, Princess Francia looked back at the mirror and muttered to herself.

“What are they planning this time?”

The face that came to her mind was Kamon Vade.

Thinking of that bastard who was doing everything he could to bring her down made her blood boil.

But soon.

Smack!

“Enough! It doesn’t matter what he’s planning. No matter what, they won’t be able to surpass our pledge. Once the announcement is over, it’s all done.”

The pledge she had prepared for the announcement was so shocking and powerful that it was a game-changer.

But just in case…

“Is anyone out there?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Please deliver this note to Senior Obern and Lady Rosen.”

“Understood.”

The person who received the note from the princess hurried outside.

And a moment later.

Knock, knock!

“Princess, it’s time.”

Hearing the words from outside, Princess Francia stood up gracefully and nodded.

“Just stay calm as usual.”

Click, clack.

“Wow! It’s Princess Francia!”

“Princess Francia!”

As she stepped onto the podium in the central garden filled with many students, Princess Francia waved at them with a bright smile on her face.

[Hello, everyone. Greetings. I am Francia Khan Flance, running for student council president in this election.]

After easily finishing her self-introduction, she began to deliver the prepared speech.

[Today, I want to talk to you about the implicit but widespread ‘darkness’ within our academy. Until now, we have…]

Speaking in a low and serious tone, her appearance drew intense attention from the students.

[…Therefore, I promise to completely abolish the status discrimination between nobles and commoners within Flance Imperial Academy.]

Princess Francia declared firmly as she looked down at the students.

Whoosh.

A cool breeze brushed past her, making her hair flutter, giving her the appearance of a noble goddess who had triumphed on the battlefield.