How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 200

The quiet study of Duke Romanoff.

In that place, I found myself alone with Vitell Romanoff.

“You said you had questions for me?”

Vitell Romanoff’s low voice carried an inherent dignity.

Even in defeat, facing the worst possible circumstances, he retained an unyielding pride that refused to let him be belittled.

[Why is this guy still acting high and mighty after losing?]

Airsya’s question mirrored my own thoughts. Frilla, beside him, shook her head.

[Haah, Airsya. This is what we call ‘noble bearing.’ That man is nobility, through and through.]

[Noble bearing, my ass… It’s just a shitty facade. If he’s defeated, he should act like it and grovel. Did he already forget how he was so quick to mark Kamon as an enemy?]

[Well, perspectives on that can vary. Although, I must admit, I do agree with you in part.]

[Part? So, you’re saying I’m wrong about some of it?!]

As the two spirits continued bickering loudly, I interrupted them with a calm gesture.

“Enough. Let’s focus.”

With that, I turned back to Vitell Romanoff and spoke.

“I have a number of questions I’d like to ask. But I’ll try to keep it brief.”

“That would be appreciated.”

After answering, Vitell Romanoff lifted the prepared teacup, took a sip, and then spoke again.

“But before that, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Didn’t we agree that I’d be the one asking questions?”

“…So, is that a no?”

Surprised by his unexpectedly gentle tone, I shook my head.

“No, go ahead.”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Vitell Romanoff looked at me with a serious expression.

“What are your intentions with my daughter?”

“Pardon?”

“Cecilia has acted with a resolve to sacrifice her life for you. As her father, I feel both gratitude and resentment toward you. But given how far things have progressed, it will be difficult for us to part ways with friendly faces… Therefore, I want to hear your thoughts. How do you intend to treat Cecilia?”

“…”

“If you wish, I am willing to immediately pass everything here over to Cecilia. Should I, the cause of all this trouble, quietly retire, won’t the grievances between us come to an end?”

It was a calculated offer, framing the feud between me and the Romanoff family as merely a personal conflict.

I couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and surprise at Vitell Romanoff’s adeptness in political maneuvering.

‘A true heavyweight, indeed.’

The Romanoff family had already sustained tremendous losses, and if these events were to leak, the family’s honor would be left in ruins.

As one of the five Elector Dukes of the Empire, their position was at risk of plummeting.

It seemed that Vitell Romanoff was prepared to sacrifice himself to secure the future of his family.

[That stubborn fool is still at it.]

[It’s more like he wants to protect his pride as both a father and a noble until the end.]

Ignoring the opposing responses of the two spirits, I quietly spoke.

“There’s no need to go that far.”

“…?”

“Lady Cecilia is simply the student council president of the academy I attend. To me, she is nothing more, nothing less.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And as for this incident, it was merely a minor disagreement between us. I bear no personal grudge against the Romanoff family.”

“Well, I appreciate that.”

Vitell Romanoff nodded with a satisfied smile, seemingly understanding the deeper meaning behind my words.

“Very well, then ask what you will. I’ll do my best to answer within my knowledge.”

Perhaps due to my assurance that I wouldn’t tarnish the family’s honor or future, Vitell Romanoff seemed more willing to engage in conversation.

Without hesitation, I proceeded to ask.

“Anne Carson, the previous Red Mage. What’s your connection to her?”

“…”

Vitell Romanoff paused, seemingly taken aback by the directness of my question. Then, he let out a slight chuckle, shaking his head.

“Well. That’s a question I could easily evade, you know.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, because she and I have little to do with one another. To put it accurately, it would be better to ask how Anne Carson is connected to the Romanoff family, rather than to Vitell Romanoff himself.”

“Understood. Let me rephrase, then. What is the relationship between Anne Carson and the Romanoff family?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s a bit of a reciprocal relationship with some unresolved debts from the previous generation. In any case, our connection has endured over the generations, with both sides offering help when needed.”

“I see.”

After nodding once, I continued with my questions.

“Anne Carson. Is she still alive?”

“Yes, she’s alive.”

“Then, is she contactable?”

“Hmm. She was originally reachable, but recently, no. Oddly enough, ever since you took the ‘Essence,’ all communication has ceased.”

“Communication ceased?”

“Perhaps she no longer sees us as useful.”

Duke Vitell Romanoff’s straightforward answer, paired with a bitter smile, earned a nod from me before I pressed on with another question.

“Then, are you affiliated with the Shadow Organization?”

“What?”

“I’m asking if you’re involved with the rebel group that attempted to assassinate Princess Francia, deceived the current imperial family, and intends to overthrow the Empire.”

“…”

The Duke paused, staring at me intensely, then replied with a question of his own.

“And if I were?”

“Is Anne Carson among them?”

Vitell Romanoff let out a short sigh before responding with a faint smile.

“No, I’m not part of the Shadow Organization, nor is my family. But I will tell you this: Anne Carson is the founder of the Shadow Organization.”

“What?”

“Didn’t you suspect as much?”

“…I hadn’t realized.”

Anne Carson—the former Red Mage, mentor to the current dean, Beatrice—was the founder of the Shadow Organization? But why would she want to overturn the Empire?

Was it a bid for the throne?

My mind buzzed with the questions, but I quickly shook off the confusion to focus.

‘I need to gather as much information as I can first.’

“What’s her reason for creating such an organization?”

“I don’t know that.”

“Then, do you and Anne Carson intend to take over the Empire?”

“Well, that would be nice, but even a five-year-old knows it’s impossible. We only intended to make a move before the imperial family could eliminate the Elector Lords.”

“A preemptive strike?”

“The current emperor is highly wary of the power held by the noble factions. As a result, your original family, as well as those in the east, south, north, and our family here in the central region, have been under considerable pressure.”

“…”

Without saying a word, I took a moment to process everything. The scale of this situation was far greater than I’d anticipated.

“As the head of the family, I have a duty to find a solution.”

“And what about Anne Carson?”

“To be honest, I don’t know her true motives either. I only know that she’s been searching for something over a very long time, and that’s why the organization exists.”

“What is she searching for?”

“Well, that, I believe, only she knows.”

Duke Vitell Romanoff seemed relieved as he explained further.

‘Anne Carson, the Red Mage, is searching for something?’

For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might be related to the necklace of Princess Francia, the one Kamon Vade had in the vision I’d seen in my dreams.

“So, have you gotten the answers you needed?”

“Yes, I think I’ve asked everything I wanted to know.”

“Then, what’s next? Should I turn myself in to the imperial family? Or should I pledge myself to your service?”

Though Duke Romanoff was in a situation where I could easily have him executed, along with everyone connected to him, I’d never intended to crush or eliminate him entirely.

I’d considered making him pay a steep price out of irritation, and in a way, he had lost almost everything.

Keeping a tight leash on him was certainly an attractive option, but…

‘There’s no need for that.’

Instead—

“In return, if I ever come to you with a request or a favor, I would ask that you consider it with an open mind.”

“Hah, I see.”

Vitell Romanoff’s smirk returned as he looked at me and muttered softly.

“I don’t know what Baron Vade found lacking in such a son as you.”

With a laugh tinged with resignation, he continued.

“And I suppose now I understand why my daughter fell for you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, nothing. Just thinking aloud. So, is there anything else you want to ask?”

“No, I’m done.”

“It’s been a pleasure. Not something a defeated man should say, I know.”

Duke Romanoff’s expression softened as he spoke with an easy smile.

***

Afterward, we returned to the academy without any further incidents or issues, joined by Beatrice and Jamie.

Well, there was one unexpected twist…

“I shall retire. From this point forward, all matters of the family will be left to my daughter.”

Vitell Romanoff abruptly declared his retirement, handing over the authority of the Romanoff family to Cecilia.

“W-What do you mean, suddenly? I’m still just a student!”

Of course, Cecilia protested fervently.

“Just accept it, Cecilia.”

With Rosen’s persuasion, the arrangement was finalized: Cecilia would formally inherit the title of Duchess upon completing her academy education.

Naturally, there was some chaos among the knights and servants, but they soon pledged to respect Vitell Romanoff’s wishes and serve Cecilia as their new head.

Consequently, Cecilia and Rosen decided to stay a little longer at the Romanoff estate.

Then, on the day we were set to depart…

“I’ve erased all traces of the Shadow Organization.”

As we prepared to leave, Vitell Romanoff whispered to me.

He informed me that he had severed his connections to the Shadow Organization and eliminated all affiliated individuals.

“There’s no longer any link between our family and Anne Carson.”

“Thank you.”

I bowed my head slightly, and Vitell Romanoff waved it off, resting a hand on my shoulder.

“I’ll be here, ready to answer any call or request you might have.”

With his words suggesting a willingness to serve as my ally, I gave him a silent nod in acknowledgment.