“You’ve all likely already heard, but the true culprit behind this incident has been revealed to be Nade. Or more accurately, I should say Baron Kelven in disguise.”
“That can’t be…”
“It’s a lie, right? There’s no way someone so wonderful and kind could be Baron Kelven!”
As soon as Caron finished his brief briefing, the students fell into confusion.
Their defense of Nade wasn’t solely because of his outstanding appearance.
‘Baron Kelven is someone exceptionally skilled at navigating social situations.’
Should I say he has high charm stats? Anyone who spoke with him even once would become his friend.
Back when he was closest to becoming the hegemon of the central-northern region—it wasn’t just the power of the Trash Knight Order. Baron Kelven’s abilities played a significant role too.
‘Well, the fact that he hasn’t been suspected until now is proof enough of that.’
In the distance, I could see Teron biting his lip.
He must be remembering everything that had happened.
The way Nade had sought his advice and relied on him. The promise he’d made to provide unconditional help as the heir of a major family. Even how he’d become arrogant and boastful after Nade subtly flattered him.
But what would infuriate him most was—
“Actually, I was suspicious of him. But I needed to be able to make contact first.”
“With Teron stuck to him every single day, how could we have a conversation…”
“If it weren’t for that guy, we could’ve noticed something odd and caught him earlier.”
The fact that he’d been protecting the very culprit of this incident.
That’s right. The one being shit on wasn’t Nade—it was Teron.
“Those insolent…”
Had he realized this fact? Teron ground his teeth audibly.
“No, it must be a lie. There’s no way Lord Nade would do such a thing!”
“It does seem a bit strange. Maybe they’re just looking for a scapegoat since the case has dragged on?”
“Right. There’s no better card to play than a fallen noble’s heir.”
Although Caron had revealed the truth, there were still quite a few students captivated by Nade’s charm.
Waves of doubt rose up here and there—waves that could turn into massive tides if mishandled.
“Fall in!”
Caron gave the command, but less than half responded.
As the confusion grew, Caron finally shouted in exasperation.
“Get a hold of yourselves!”
His voice carried no mana—it was pure vocal power alone.
The students flinched and turned to look at Caron.
“Go ahead and keep running your mouths. I’ll rip those tongues right out.”
No one dared to speak. They remembered who stood before them.
Perhaps it was because they’d been away from the academy for so long? Lately, the students had become lax in many ways—so much so that they’d forgotten what kind of person Caron was.
Just as everyone was thinking someone might actually have their tongue ripped out, Caron spoke.
“A child died.”
“…!”
That’s right. The reason Annwood Academy had accepted Trash Village’s request—it was because among the dead, there was a young child. A child even younger than the students.
“Several other villagers died as well. And yet you’re protecting someone because he’s handsome, because he’s charming? Aren’t you ashamed? You can’t even provide useful information, much less decent deductions.”
The students hung their heads low.
After Dolores was rescued, rather than working harder, quite a few students had recently given up on investigating altogether.
“We’ve completed the verification process with the knight who was disguised as Baron Kelven. Under the current circumstances, there’s a high probability that Nade is the real Baron Kelven.”
A few students raised their eyes.
Their gazes carried doubt—wondering if perhaps Baron Kelven had made a false confession under severe torture.
“If you doubt my claims, then bring me information yourselves. And the definitive evidence is right inside that mine.”
Whether Nade was Baron Kelven or had been falsely accused—either way, they had to enter the mine. That much was the same.
And in the current situation, time was gold.
“…Fall in.”
Snap!
Hundreds of students quickly formed ranks.
After surveying them once, Caron began the tactical briefing.
“The enemy has been confirmed to be in Mine 32. The skilled fighters, myself included, will launch a surprise attack on their main force.”
Although there were considerable numbers of knights, Lowell had already infiltrated their ranks.
If fighting broke out from both inside and outside, the enemy would fall into great confusion, and many would choose to flee.
“What you need to do is simple.”
Arrive at your assigned fork in the road by group and firmly block it off.
“If you encounter fleeing knights, recommend surrender and restrain them.”
Of course—
“Those who resist may be killed.”
The students flinched at Caron’s sharp gaze. It was natural, since Caron had just authorized killing.
“If you encounter a strong opponent or Baron Kelven himself, fall back.”
Mine 32 was located quite deep within the entire mine system.
If they retreated to the previous fork and regrouped with other teams, their forces would multiply—and with superior numbers, they could easily force a surrender.
It was a strategy designed with the students’ safety as the top priority.
Caron’s final words followed.
“Real combat is no joke. Remember this clearly right now. The price of showing mercy to the enemy is…”
Your life and the lives of your comrades.
“Gather by groups!”
“Follow your instructors and move swiftly to your assigned locations!”
Students began leaving the village one after another with their instructors.
However, we had no choice but to remain still. Our instructor, Ron, had ordered us to stand by for the moment.
Luna, who had been lost in thought with her arms crossed, suddenly spoke.
“Come to think of it, that’s strange.”
“Keke, what’s strange?”
“Well… It’s a fact that Baron Kelven had a son, right? So where did he go?”
Why is our Luna only sharp in the weirdest places when it doesn’t matter?
If she used even half… no, even half of half of half of that ability normally, she’d be an incredible character.
For now, I decided to resolve Luna’s question. With some luck, maybe my stats would increase.
“He probably killed him.”
“Oh come on~ No way. Isn’t that going too far?”
No, it’s real. One of the fragments of truth revealed during the investigation process after the Trash Village episode ends.
From a player’s perspective, you’d just brush it off thinking ‘he really was insane,’ but here, it’s not something you can laugh away.
Because in this world, Nade was a person who actually existed.
“…Really?”
“Yes, if he’d kept him alive, people around would’ve grown suspicious. To have not one but two grown sons—that would’ve definitely raised suspicions.”
“Even so… to kill his own family?”
“Since he’d become young again, he probably thought he could make children anytime and as many as he wanted. Well, I suppose it means his ambition was that great—enough to kill even his own child with his own hands…”
“Your intuition really is exceptional.”
Someone supported my claim.
It was Caron.
“Does that mean what Zero said is true?”
“That’s right. It’s one of the pieces of information provided by the knight who was disguised as Baron Kelven. He said the baron killed him without a moment’s hesitation.”
“Baron Kelven… I’ll definitely catch him. I’ll catch him and teach him what family means!”
Luna clenched her fists, burning with determination.
For Luna, who cherished family, this was something she couldn’t help but be enraged about.
Caron stared at me intently. I clapped my hands toward him.
“Keke, that was a magnificent speech.”
Clap clap clap.
Caron said nothing. Obviously, he was going to give me a knuckle sandwich again.
I braced myself for the incoming impact.
“…Your deduction was also magnificent.”
The deduction that Nade’s true identity was Baron Kelven—a report had already been sent to Caron through the rats.
‘Even so, to actually compliment me.’
It felt awkward. So awkward that goosebumps rose all over my body.
When I rolled up my sleeve to show the goosebumps, Caron did the same thing. He was covered in goosebumps just like me.
“…Should I be grateful?”
“…Let’s use a different method next time.”
Right, it’s better for us to just exchange money or artifacts.
Doing something as utterly unhelpful as complimenting each other makes my whole body scream in protest!
“Keke, let’s move to the main point. Where should our group go?”
“…Your group is free.”
“Free?”
“Yes, act freely. However, you must not separate from Ron.”
Luna and Rezé’s eyes widened.
To grant students freedom in real combat—it was an incredible privilege.
I was quite surprised as well.
Granting us freedom? Of course, there was a reason for that.
But this was an event that triggered in the game only once you reached a certain level of specs. There was no reason for me to be surprised.
So why was I surprised?
‘To think he’d make such a bold choice even with Luna here.’
It was because of Caron and Luna’s relationship.
Since Caron protected Luna obsessively, I’d thought he would assign us to the safest location in this mission.
‘I was originally planning to ignore orders and act on my own, but…’
There was no need for that now.
Just as I was wearing a satisfied smile, someone draped their arm around my shoulder.
It was Caron.
The typical thug’s stance when extorting someone. He tilted his head slightly and stared directly into my eyes.
“If Luna gets hurt, you die.”
“Pardon?”
“If Luna dies, you die too.”
“…?”
I’d die if she got hurt, and die if she died.
It was essentially telling me to protect her with my life on the line.
Well, considering Caron up until now, this was considerable progress.
“Keke, are you sure about this? Now is your only chance to change the order.”
“…Unconditional protection isn’t the answer. You understand this much, don’t you?”
That’s right. Unconditional protection doesn’t help people grow.
No, it can actually hinder them.
From combat and practical sense to conversations with people and difficult situations like conflicts—when someone else solves everything for you, there’s no time to develop your own thinking.
Unconditional protection was tantamount to robbing someone of opportunities to grow.
‘Did he realize something from Lowell and Rodelin’s relationship?’
Well, it wasn’t a bad change.
As Luna’s range of activity expanded, so would mine.
“…Be careful.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll live up to your trust. I’ll definitely catch Nade!”
“Ah, no… you don’t necessarily have to do that. Safety, safety is the top priority!”
“Hehe! Yes! I’ll catch him safely!”
With Caron’s silent scream of anguish, we left the plaza.
Meanwhile, at Mine 32.
Lowell, bound in shackles and sprawled on the ground, spat out curses.
“Goddamn shit…”
The cursing continued without pause after that.
She cursed so much that the knight standing guard nearby moved far away.
But Lowell couldn’t stop cursing. If she didn’t curse, she felt like she’d explode.
“Kidnapping me? Ha…! Do I really look like a child to you?”
That’s right. The reason Lowell was angry—she hadn’t thought for even a moment that she’d be kidnapped.
Unable to endure Lowell’s continued cursing any longer, the knight finally shouted.
“Ugh! Stop cursing already! What kind of kid has such a foul mouth?”
“Where do I look like a kid!”
The knight’s gaze swept over Lowell’s body here and there.
Lowell stretched out her legs and struck the most alluring pose possible.
Soon the knight nodded and said,
“Well… everywhere?”
“What are you saying! Are you blind? There’s a limit to jokes! I’m an instructor! You’ve fallen into a trap!”
“Instructor my ass… if you’re an instructor, then I’m a hero.”
Lowell tried to regain her composure.
‘It must be a strategy. A plan to make me angry and figure out our operation.’
That’s right. This was clearly their scheme.
And yet she’d revealed that she was an instructor. She’d completely fallen for it.
‘Stay calm. I can’t fall for their strategy anymore.’
Lowell was regaining her composure when—
“Hanson! What are you doing over there?”
“Hm? Nothing. She must be hungry. The kid keeps whining.”
“Kids are like that. Wait a sec. I’ll bring some food.”
“You hear that? Just wait a bit. I’ll bring you food right away.”
Snap—
In that moment, something snapped in Lowell’s head.
That’s right. Their actions weren’t a strategy, and they certainly weren’t trying to make her angry.
They genuinely thought she was a ‘child.’
Grind grind—crack—
Lowell’s teeth ground ceaselessly. She couldn’t hold back anymore.
Originally, she was supposed to wait until Caron arrived with the main force, but—
“Y-you bastards! How dare you wound a lady’s heart?”
Crash!
The shackles binding Lowell’s wrists and ankles shattered.
Simultaneously, Lowell raised her mana. Then—
“Th-the kid’s going berserk!”
“Damn it! That’s why we should’ve fed her on time! A female student who hasn’t eaten has the combat power of three wyverns!”
No, I mean—
“I’m not a kid! You sons of bitches!”
Lowell’s rampage began.
–TL Notes–
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Damn the wait is absolutely worth it! That Lowel part is gold!
I have a feeling that real Nade will play a part somehow,Otherwise they woundn’t bring him up. Perhaps Baron Kelvan would remember him during his final repentance or perhaps he will appear as a ghost to give hint
Caron is working hard to keep Zero too!
Luna is the bane of Caron as alway.
And Teron failure here will edged him closer to the Darkside. Daike better learn from Pjol and stop his lord when the time come!
And Lowel magnificently continue the tradition of Lucid family dinosaur rampage as well