How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 132

Princess Francia’s expression momentarily stiffened at Shane’s sudden request. However, she quickly regained her composure and shook her head, her tone indicating slight embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, but we are currently on a mission ourselves…”

But Shane persisted, speaking in a desperate tone.

“Just until we get out of this forest. I want to travel with you only until then.”

Looking around at the others, he continued,

“If we part ways here, I and my people will likely perish.”

Speaking in a desperate tone about the dire future, Shane continued,

“It wouldn’t matter much if I died, but these soldiers… They have done nothing wrong. They don’t deserve to die just because they have an unfortunate master.”

“Young master!”

The knights and soldiers looked at Shane with expressions of gratitude, causing Princess Francia’s eyes to waver slightly.

At that moment,

“……?”

Chelsea, who had approached me unnoticed, whispered softly in my ear.

“Something seems off.”

“Huh?”

Given that Chelsea had previously either answered curtly or ignored me, never initiating a conversation, her sudden behavior made me think,

‘What’s going on? You’re the one acting strangely now.’

Of course, I didn’t show my thoughts and asked,

“What’s wrong?”

“That scream earlier, wasn’t it a woman’s voice?”

“What?”

Hold on. Now that I think about it, the scream we heard was indeed a high-pitched tone. But…

Then, Chelsea’s voice whispered again.

“There’s not a single woman among those people.”

Just as she said, the knights and soldiers there were all rugged men. The idea that these burly knights would scream like young girls was unimaginable.

“Hmm.”

Nodding, I looked at them and pointed to the sly-looking man named Shane.

“Could it be that Shane made that scream?”

“……”

Chelsea fell silent, seemingly lost in thought.

‘Wait, seriously?’

I was just joking.

Knowing that with strong people like Kyle, Chelsea, Fabian, and Princess Francia, any situation would not pose much of a threat, I had responded offhandedly.

Seeing Chelsea take it so seriously was quite surprising.

Then, she shook her head and spoke decisively.

“No, there are too many suspicious parts.”

“……Oh, okay.”

At that moment, Fabian, who had been quiet, shrugged nonchalantly.

“Let’s just go with them. What could go wrong?”

“Yes, what Fabian said. Their situation seems dire.”

Even Kyle, with his characteristic empathy, made a remark that would raise the group’s favor, to which Chelsea coldly responded.

“And if something happens? Are we going to fight Ted Barton himself? We’ve already lost a lot of time; we need to move faster.”

Chelsea firmly presented her opinion to Princess Francia. Fabian, who had initially suggested moving together, reacted sharply.

“Why are you so serious? We’re just accompanying them until we get out of the forest. What’s the big deal?”

“And if something goes wrong, will you take responsibility, Fabian?”

“Responsibility? I don’t want to, but if it happens, I guess I’ll have to?”

Fabian’s casual answer, accompanied by a smirk, made Chelsea frown.

At that moment, Princess Francia, the only one with decision-making authority, stepped in.

“Chelsea, Fabian. Enough.”

She then turned to Shane Barton and spoke.

“Alright, we’ll accompany you just until we leave the forest. Nothing more.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much!”

Shane and his men quickly bowed, expressing their gratitude.

“Let’s move quickly then.”

“……”

Chelsea still looked displeased with the situation but did not oppose the princess’s decision. Fabian, still grinning, muttered to Kyle.

“Don’t worry, Kyle. If anything happens, I’ll handle it with my spear.”

“Huh? I’m not worried.”

“Just in case.”

Seeing Fabian provoke Chelsea, seemingly unhappy with our conversation, I realized he didn’t like me talking to her.

Thus, we ended up traveling with Baron Barton’s group.

“I noticed earlier that your swordsmanship is quite disciplined. Where did you learn it?”

“Oh, I have a master.”

“What did you do to make the knight so interested in you?”

“Just the usual.”

“He’s a real training addict. Once he goes into the training room, he never comes out.”

“Ah, I thought his swordsmanship was exceptional!”

The knights showed interest in Kyle and Fabian, who were friendly towards them, and they quickly started getting along.

“……”

And Chelsea, watching them silently.

‘Nothing will happen, right?’

At least, as long as Chelsea was vigilantly keeping an eye on them, even if they had ill intentions, there was a high possibility things would be resolved without any major problems.

“So, I…”

“Oh, I see.”

In the carriage at the back, Shane Barton, the heir of the barony, was riding, and Princess Francia was conversing with him.

‘She wouldn’t have accepted him blindly.’

To others, Princess Francia’s demeanor towards Shane Barton might have seemed ordinary, but having clashed with her numerous times, I could sense the vigilance in her eyes and expression.

‘Guess I’ll just enjoy the ride.’

As night fell, it was time to camp in the forest.

“We’ll camp here for the night.”

Shane naturally led the group, and the others quickly set up camp as if they were trained for it.

Then, they began preparing a meal.

“Alright, everyone, please eat. It may not be much, but it should taste quite good.”

“Oh, thank you. This is just what we need for camping.”

“Let me have a bite too.”

“A bite? Kyle, get your own… Whoa, this is really good!”

“Wow, it really is tasty.”

Kyle and Fabian, seemingly without any suspicion, devoured the food they were given.

And,

“Please, help yourself. I hope it suits your taste.”

Shane Barton offered a bowl to Princess Francia, who had been riding with him.

“No, thank you. I’m not really hungry right now.”

“But the leader should eat first so everyone else can eat comfortably. Just one bite…”

Unable to refuse Shane’s persistent offer, Princess Francia finally accepted the bowl.

“Oh, it’s not bad.”

They continued to exchange polite conversation.

“……”

Chelsea, sitting alone, was staring at her bowl with sharp eyes.

‘What’s she doing?’

She looked like she was facing a powerful enemy, frowning at the bowl.

‘Is she trying to resist eating?’

A moment later, Chelsea, looking as if she had lost a kingdom, gently placed her bowl on the ground.

“Sigh.”

Her deep sigh confirmed my suspicion.

“……”

Well, she really is something.

“Fabian, eat moderately. Others need to eat too.”

“Oh, stop nagging about food. You just want to eat more, Kyle.”

“No, we’re fine. Please, eat as much as you want.”

“See, they said it’s okay.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Those who enjoyed the meal without any doubts or worries,

“Hmm.”

“Not eating anymore?”

“No, I’m fine.”

Princess Francia, smiling faintly, declined further offers.

“Sigh.”

And Chelsea, still eyeing the bowl on the ground regretfully.

Everyone showed their unique traits during the meal.

“Here you go. Quiet gentleman, please eat.”

Shane Barton handed me a bowl with a smile, and I thanked him, placing the bowl next to me without touching it.

As the cheerful dinner continued,

“Tomorrow, we’ll finally leave this wretched forest… huh? Why am I feeling dizzy…”

Thud!

“Fabian, are you okay…?”

Thud!

Kyle and Fabian, who had been eating the most, were the first to lose consciousness and collapse.

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

Princess Francia, who had only taken a few bites, began to clutch her head in pain.

Moments later,

Thud!

She too lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

“Hahaha, fools. You practically begged me to capture you. Enjoy your meal.”

Shane Barton, who had seemed weak, now sported a sinister smile as he caressed Princess Francia’s unconscious face.

Seeing him, I felt a shiver run down my spine.

‘If he knew her true identity, he’d regret this for the rest of his life.’

Shane’s men laughed wickedly.

“What’s this? Are you going to enjoy her first, boss?”

“Her face is pretty, and there are others too… huh? Why haven’t those two passed out?”

Shane pointed at me and Chelsea.

Chelsea was still staring at the bowl on the ground.

“Does it matter? Most of them are in good condition. They’ll fetch a high price. Deal with those two without injuring them.”

“As you command.”

With Shane’s order, the knights drew their weapons.

‘So they’re human traffickers.’

They approached us slowly, but I remained seated.

One of the knights taunted me.

“Why are you just sitting there? Are you scared?”

“Haha, he looks like he’s from a noble family. This must be his first time in such a situation, so he can’t move.”

Well, normally, I might have responded to such provocations.

But I felt no anger this time.

“Your face is pretty, too. Must be tasty.”

What? Hold on.

That was crossing the line.

“Maybe you should check behind you first?”

I spoke indifferently, and as they turned their heads,

Shing!

Chelsea, who had been sitting silently, drew her sword and murmured coldly.

“I hate people who mess with food the most in the world.”

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