How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 151

Late at night, the peaceful appearance of the village was striking.

However, a closer look revealed that it wasn’t as tranquil as it seemed.

Tap!

In the moonlight, a shadowy figure could be seen moving secretly.

[Yawn, I’m so sleepy.]

“If you’re going to keep saying useless things, just go back into the orb and sleep.”

[Geez, I just said I was sleepy. Why are you being so harsh?]

“You’ve been complaining about being tired for a while now.”

At my words, the blue dragon-shaped spirit circled around me, muttering.

[That’s because I’m annoyed by your actions, sneaking around in the middle of the night to take revenge.]

“Hah, this won’t do.”

I shook my head and was about to put my hand on the orb ring.

At this, Airsya quickly waved her hands in panic.

[Alright, alright! I won’t say another word. Just stop.]

“If you do that again, I won’t go easy on you.”

[Understood, understood.]

She responded with a pout, turning her head away, refusing to look at me.

‘Is it around here?’

While bickering with Airsya, I realized that I had already reached my destination.

At the center of the village, the largest mansion was where the village chief resided.

Even though it was very late, the mansion was still lit up brightly, indicating that someone inside was still awake. I muttered to myself.

‘He must have a lot to hide.’

Leaving the lights on this late wasn’t the only strange thing.

What stood out even more was the presence of…

Tap, tap!

A considerable number of guards patrolling the area, maintaining a strict watch.

‘It’s just a small, rural village, but they’ve got tight security?’

This solidified my suspicions, and I quietly recited a spell.

“Invisibility.”

Soon, my body gradually turned transparent, rendering me invisible to others.

Simultaneously,

“Silence, Feather Light.”

I cast spells to block sound and lighten my steps, minimizing the chances of being detected.

Then,

Tap!

I swiftly maneuvered past the guards, making my way into the mansion.

The mansion, surprisingly large for a rural village, had an interior that I carefully inspected as I moved forward.

‘He’s probably staying in the largest room.’

As I approached the largest room in the mansion,

“…Why are you…?”

I overheard someone speaking from inside.

I cautiously moved closer, straining my ears.

“Be quiet.”

“Father, please, tell me. Why do we suddenly have to leave the village?”

The familiar voice of the village chief was followed by a young man, likely his son.

But the village chief quickly responded in a frustrated tone.

“Just go pack your things. We’re leaving before daybreak!”

“But why?!”

“Oh, and make sure to take care of your wife and children. We’ll be apart for a while after leaving the mansion.”

“Father!”

The son, unable to hold back, protested, but the village chief was resolute.

“Get out, now!”

Thud!

After forcefully sending his son away, the village chief let out a deep sigh and muttered to himself in a low voice.

“Am I getting old? Or have I become too accustomed to this life?”

At that moment,

“You’ve definitely aged. And you’ve been on this mission for too long.”

A strange voice emerged from the unseen shadows.

However, the village chief responded as if it was familiar.

“Parkon, is that you?”

“It’s been a while, Gus.”

Finally, a figure emerged, clad in black cloth from head to toe.

And as I secretly observed them, I realized…

‘That’s a Shadow.’

The attire worn by Parkon resembled that of those who had orchestrated the assassination of the princess at the academy.

‘Could the village chief be connected to the Shadows?’

While I was momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected situation, the two inside continued their conversation.

“Has it really been twenty-three years? Time flies. I can’t believe it’s been that long.”

“Actually, it’s been twenty-four years and seventy-three days, Gus.”

“Hah, right. How’s the Branch Manager?”

“Hm? The Branch Manager? Oh, the former Branch Manager, Selton, was dealt with eight years ago. I’m the current Branch Manager.”

“…”

At Parkon’s words, the village chief, Gus, fell silent, seemingly at a loss for words.

Then, he spoke with a grave tone.

“Why have you come to see me? I’ve worked for the organization all these years, reporting and gathering information without fail. And yet…”

“Whoa, whoa, Gus. Calm down. It seems like there’s a misunderstanding. If I were here to eliminate you, would I, the Branch Manager, have come personally?”

“Ahem.”

Gus cleared his throat, and Parkon continued.

“I only came out of curiosity about an old comrade whose circumstances have changed. Don’t misunderstand.”

“What are you curious about?”

“Kamon Vade.”

The moment Parkon mentioned that name, I couldn’t help but tense up.

‘Why is my name suddenly being brought up here?’

“Why didn’t you eliminate him, Gus?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The day he was exiled from his family, Kamon Vade passed through this village. There’s even evidence that he met with you. So why did you let a traitor to the organization go free?”

“Hah, this is ridiculous. Hey, Parkon—or should I call you Branch Manager?”

“Just call me like you used to. No need for formalities.”

“Alright, Parkon. It seems like you’re mistaken about something. I never received any orders from the organization to eliminate him. The only command I received 24 years ago was to gather information on the Vade Marquisate.”

“……”

“How was I supposed to know that Kamon Vade was part of the organization or that he betrayed it by refusing to carry out a mission?”

“Are you trying to make excuses now?”

“Excuses? Does it sound like that? No, I’d swear the same on my children and grandchildren. I didn’t know Kamon Vade was with the organization or that he was a traitor! Besides, I’ve always been involved in the administration of the organization. I’m not a combat monster like you, Parkon!”

“Alright, I get it, Gus. Don’t get so worked up.”

Parkon, who had been speaking calmly, continued in a low voice.

“But there’s one more thing I’m curious about.”

“……”

“Can you honestly say that the reason you’re leaving this place today has nothing to do with Kamon Vade?”

“And if I tell you that’s a misunderstanding, will you believe me?”

“Yes, of course. I expected nothing less from you, Gus.”

Nodding, Parkon’s casual response prompted a question from the village chief, Gus.

“So, are you planning to eliminate me now?”

“No.”

“……?”

“Like I said before, I’m just here out of curiosity about an old comrade. I believe you, and I won’t stop you from leaving this place. Considering all the work you’ve done for the organization, such a minor issue can be overlooked.”

“But why…”

Gus trailed off, then asked in a grave tone.

“Why do you exude such killing intent, as if you’re about to kill me? It makes no sense otherwise.”

“Oh, that’s another misunderstanding, Gus.”

Parkon answered with a light chuckle.

“The killing intent isn’t directed at you; it’s aimed at the rat hiding here.”

“What?”

‘…Have I been discovered?’

Parkon’s words made me tense up.

But then.

Crash!

A loud shattering sound echoed as something broke and collapsed.

“Who’s there?!”

It wasn’t from where I was hiding below, but from above, where the ceiling gave way.

And then.

Tap, tap, tap!

Someone who had been hiding in the ceiling jumped down into the yard and began fleeing.

What caught my eye as they disappeared was their blue hair.

‘Chelsea?’

“I’ll take care of the rat, so you can rest easy tonight, Gus.”

With that, Parkon quickly pursued the fleeing Chelsea.

Tap, whoosh!

‘Will she be alright?’

I had no idea why Chelsea was hiding there at this time, but since she had made her escape, she probably wouldn’t be caught by the Shadow Branch Manager.

[At that speed, it looks like she’ll get caught.]

“……”

Ignoring the snide remark from the jealous spirit, Airsya, I shook my head and stood up.

Then.

“Mega Silence!”

I cast a stronger spell to completely block out any sound.

Thud, bang!

I forcefully pushed open the closed door and shouted at the village chief, Gus.

“Hey, what’s your connection to the Shadow Organization?”

* * *

Woosh!

A blazing fireball hovered in the air, threatening to burn everything around it to ashes.

“Speak clearly if you don’t want to die.”

“…Just kill me already!”

Despite his claim that he handled administrative tasks for the Shadow Organization, it was clear that Gus’s combat abilities were pathetic.

He resisted briefly at first, but after quickly being subdued by my magic, I started exacting my revenge on him.

Even as he lay in a battered state, he continued to grit his teeth and resist, making me cover my face with one hand.

‘If I waste any more time here, Chelsea could really be in danger.’

According to Gus, Parkon was known as a combat monster.

I didn’t know exactly how skilled he was, but as the Branch Manager of the Shadow Organization, he was certainly not someone a mere student like Chelsea could handle.

‘I don’t have time.’

Feeling the urgency, I nodded and spoke coldly.

“Fine. If you won’t talk, I have no choice. I’ll just have to go after your son and grandchildren…”

[Haha, you’re just like me, Kamon Vade!]

‘Shut up, Airsya.’

“What did you just say, you demon?”

Gus shouted, and I responded with a sly grin.

“That’s right. I’m Kamon Vade.”

I had cursed the world for the unfair reputation it had given me, but at times like this, the infamy Kamon Vade had built up in the original story could be quite useful.

“Even if you die peacefully, your son and grandchildren will probably die in agony.”

“Damn you, you piece of trash…”

“What’s it going to be? Are you going to stay silent and watch your entire family be slaughtered, or are you going to talk and save your son and grandchildren?”

“Damn it!”

Under pressure, Gus finally closed his eyes and began to speak.

“I’ll be dead the moment I reveal this anyway. Fine, I’ll tell you everything.”

“What?”

“The Shadow Organization is a group of those who oppose the Empire. They target the royal family and are a vast organization spread throughout the entire Empire. They’re full of monsters and powerful figures, and even within your Vade family…”

But before Gus could finish, he suddenly let out a pained scream and began vomiting black blood.

“What the… Hey! What’s happening?!”

“Please… spare my family…”

Thud, splat!

As Gus continued to spew black blood, his body rapidly melted away, and he died in an instant.