How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 166

“What are you doing, Princess?”

“Why?”

“Rowan Vade wants me. If you had just suggested handing me over, he would’ve accepted.”

A way to complete the ‘Novice Challenge’ and save Kyle from danger.

I thought the only solution was to sacrifice myself.

But this foolish woman…

[Tch, I don’t like this at all.]

Airsya, too, tugged at her tail, making it clear she was displeased.

It was then.

“Kamon,” Princess Francia called my name in a calm tone, continuing with more conviction than ever.

“I am a princess of the Empire. As part of the royal family, it is my duty to care for and protect the people of this nation.”

“……”

“Even if my honor is important, and even if succeeding in the ‘Novice Challenge’ would bring glory, it will never be more important than my people.”

“Hah, Princess, I understand what you mean, but—”

“Enough.”

Princess Francia cut me off with a firm tone, making it clear she wouldn’t tolerate any further objections.

“Now, let’s wait for the other side’s response.”

We still hadn’t received a reply from Rowan Vade.

“……”

This is driving me crazy.

Sure, royal duties and all that—fine, I get it. I don’t hate that old-fashioned talk, and I understand the meaning behind it.

But that’s not the point right now.

‘If we don’t pass the Novice Challenge, everything will fall apart!’

I wouldn’t be able to figure out the cause of my body’s issues, and I’d still have my tuition problems for next year.

‘Please, Rowan Vade, reject it. Please.’

As ridiculous as it was, I found myself hoping that my uncle, Rowan Vade, who was practically my enemy, would turn down the deal.

But.

“Very well, Princess. I accept your proposal.”

Rowan Vade’s clear voice echoed through the air.

‘Goddammit.’

[Cackling. Nothing ever goes your way, does it?—Wait, stop, argh!]

Unable to contain my frustration, I furiously rubbed the ‘Orb’ ring, using Airsya to vent my anger.

[Ugh, okay! Stop it! Please!]

As I took out my frustration on Airsya, Princess Francia, having heard Rowan Vade’s response, looked slightly relieved and slowly opened her mouth to speak.

“Yes, good. Then let’s—”

Just then.

*Rustle.*

The nearby bushes moved, revealing a dark figure.

‘What?’

[Enemy!]

Airsya’s shout pulled me back to reality, and I quickly turned to look.

‘A shadow?’

It was heading straight for Princess Francia.

“Princess, watch out!”

“Huh, Kamon, wha—”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I threw myself into the shadow’s path.

*Thud!*

I felt a sharp blade pierce through my body.

“—No!”

Princess Francia’s sharp scream pierced the air, followed by the swift movements of Fabian and Chelsea, who quickly grasped the situation.

Everything happened in the span of a few seconds.

“Tch, another failure?”

“Kugh.”

The shadow that had driven the dagger into me muttered as it darted away as quickly as it had come.

*Whoosh!*

*Swoosh!*

Chelsea’s sword and Fabian’s spear sliced through the air where the figure had just been.

*Thud thud!*

But the shadow had already escaped, slipping away in the blink of an eye.

“Damn it! An assassin!” Fabian cursed as he tried to chase after it.

But before he could move—

*Rustle!*

Figures clad in dark green emerged out of nowhere, blocking his path.

“We’ll pursue the culprit.”

“Who are you?” Fabian and Chelsea raised their weapons, ready to confront these new figures, but the one who seemed to be their leader quickly spoke.

“We are the royal guard, assigned to protect the Princess. Although, once again, we were too late.”

‘Seriously? How many times is this now? These royal guards are so useless.’

The leader, as if reading my expression, scowled before shouting to his men.

“Let’s go!”

With that, most of the guards raced off in the direction the shadow had fled, leaving only a few behind.

Chelsea lowered her sword and rushed over to me.

“Kamon, are you okay?”

“…No.”

Thankfully, the dagger had missed my vital organs and pierced through my shoulder. If I hadn’t stepped in, it would have been Princess Francia’s throat that the blade had struck.

Well, whatever.

‘Damn, this hurts like hell.’

[Shit, are you alright?]

The intense pain contorted my face as I struggled to endure it.

*Clang!*

Suddenly, the sound of armor filled the air as countless knights surrounded our hiding spot.

And leading them, the most familiar face of all—Griffin Knight Captain, my uncle, Rowan Vade.

“Princess!”

He hurried toward Princess Francia, who was trembling on the ground.

At that moment, the dark green-clad guards stepped in front of him.

“And who are you?”

“We are the royal guard, protecting the Princess.”

“And you’ve done a great job, haven’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“If you’d really done your job, would my nephew and the Princess be in this state?”

“Th-that’s….”

“Stand down. This is Vade family territory.”

At Rowan Vade’s sharp command, the man in the dark green uniform took a step back. Despite Rowan being their opponent during the ‘Novice Challenge,’ he wasn’t the type of villain who would actually threaten or kill us. As a member of the Empire, he was still bound by the duty to protect the royal family’s bloodline.

Turning to Fabian, Rowan asked, “What happened?”

“There was an assassination attempt. Someone suddenly attacked the princess, and Kamon stepped in to protect her…”

Fabian relayed exactly what he had seen without hesitation.

Rowan Vade’s expression darkened, and his voice turned menacing as he issued an order. “To think someone would dare try this in Vade territory… Knights, lock down the area and conduct a thorough search. Find the culprit, no matter what.”

*Thud!*

“Yes, sir!”

At his commanding presence, the Griffin Knights raised their weapons in unison and scattered in all directions, ready to hunt down the attacker.

‘With the royal guard and the Griffin Knights both searching, they’ll catch the culprit soon enough,’ I thought, watching them disperse.

As I turned my head, I caught sight of Princess Francia. She was trembling uncontrollably, her face drained of color, as if a deep trauma had taken hold of her.

I quickly spoke to Chelsea, who was beside me. “Don’t worry about me. Take care of the princess first.”

“…Alright.”

Chelsea shot me a reluctant glance, clearly not happy with my condition, but she hurried over to comfort the princess.

And then, out of nowhere—

*Step.*

A large figure appeared in front of me.

“Kamon Vade.”

At the familiar voice, I looked up. Rowan Vade was standing over me, his expression unreadable.

“…….”

He observed me silently for a moment before shaking his head slightly and asking, “Are you alright?”

“No, not really. As you can see.”

“I see.”

After the brief exchange, Rowan waved his right hand, and flowers seemed to bloom in the air, floating down onto my injured shoulder.

“You’ll need a priest for full healing, but this should at least stop the bleeding.”

“Uh… thanks, I guess?”

“No need.”

Rowan’s voice was cold as ever, cutting the conversation short.

*Step.*

“Captain, we’ve found traces near the western area,” a knight reported as he approached.

Rowan’s face darkened with fury, and the air around him seemed to freeze as he responded. “I’ll go myself.”

He turned to the remaining knights, issuing another order. “Protect the students until further instructions.”

“Yes, sir!”

With that, Rowan Vade disappeared, moving at an incredible speed toward the western side, leaving behind the aftermath of the chaotic situation.

‘What the hell just happened? Did a ninja seriously pop out of nowhere?’

[Whatever’s going on, the ‘Novice Challenge’ has lost all meaning now, hasn’t it?] Airsya’s voice echoed in my mind, pointing out the obvious.

But.

‘No, not yet. It’s not over for me.’

I glanced over at Fabian, who was trembling in frustration. I called out to him quietly.

“Hey, Fabian.”

“……?”

Clenching his teeth, he turned to face me, and I whispered, “Take the golden banner from the princess and hide it. We can’t let this end here. If we manage to grab it in the confusion, we’ll pass the ‘Novice Challenge.’”

“What…?”

Fabian looked at me in disbelief, but after a moment of thought, he sighed deeply and nodded.

“Fine, I’ll do it, Kamon Vade.”

“Good. I’m counting on you… Ugh!”

Even though Rowan had temporarily stopped the bleeding, the pain in my shoulder was still intense, and I collapsed onto the ground.

‘Ugh, this is really tough.’

As the events spiraled out of control, it was hard to believe everything had led to this.

“Kamon! Fabian!”

I heard a voice calling out to us, and when I looked up, I saw Kyle approaching, still tied up in ropes.

“Kyle!”

Fabian, having just secured the golden banner, rushed over to greet him with a relieved expression. The remaining Griffin Knights didn’t stop them.

“What’s going on? What happened?” Kyle asked, still trying to grasp the situation.

Fabian’s expression quickly hardened as he explained. “There was another assassination attempt on the princess. Kamon stopped it again.”

“What? Is anyone hurt?”

“Kamon took a serious hit. And I… I couldn’t do anything. I’m so useless…”

Seeing Fabian blame himself, Kyle shook his head and patted him on the shoulder.

Then he started heading toward me.

‘Oh no. Please, just don’t. Leave me alone. I just want to rest.’

But.

“Kamon, are you alright?”

“…No.”

“I’m sorry. This is all because of—”

Before Kyle could continue with his typical protagonist-like apology, I cut him off, already exhausted from his sense of responsibility.

“If you have time to apologize to me, take care of the princess. She’s not in her right mind right now.”

“Oh, right. I’ll do that.”

Kyle turned and headed toward Princess Francia, finally giving me the moment of peace I had been hoping for.

Or so I thought.

“Another failure, huh? This is starting to get boring.”

Suddenly, a strange voice echoed from somewhere.

And I wasn’t the only one who heard it.

*Schwing.*

*Snap!*

Both the Griffin Knights and the royal guard raised their weapons, their senses heightened.

“Who goes there?”

*Step. Step.*

From the bushes emerged the source of the voice—a man with a long, white beard. He glanced at the royal guard and the Griffin Knights before letting out a small chuckle.

“There’s no need for you to know that.”

Then, with a flick of his fingers—

*Snap!*

*Swish!*

*Slash!*

“Urgh!”

“Gahh!”

In an instant, over a dozen knights and guards collapsed, blood spraying into the air as they fell lifelessly to the ground.

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