That World of Otome Games is Tough for Us - Volume 4 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

Maneuvering

WHILE MARIE AND LEON were off on their dungeon expedition, Brita and her two friends enjoyed lunch together in the academy cafeteria, which bustled with students. Naturally, their conversation turned to Marie.

“Looks like Marie will be absent from classes while she’s in the dungeon,” Brita noted. “I guess she must be panicking, since we’re now in our third term already.” There was a disparaging undercurrent in her tone, but to those who knew her, it was obvious that Brita was concerned.

“I assume she’s anxious to get it done because she was busy during winter break and couldn’t find time to do it then,” suggested one of Brita’s friends.

“Yeah,” agreed the other. “She was over the moon that Bartfort finally proposed to her. It probably completely skipped her mind until now.”

Brita gave a reluctant nod.

She and her friends had first encountered Marie because of Stephanie Fou Offrey, who’d ordered them to bully Marie. At the time, they’d agreed that Marie was detestable for trying to cozy up to men who were already engaged. But then, when they were all captured by a pirate gang on Stephanie’s orders, it was Marie who’d stepped in to save them. Since then, they’d formed a friendship with her.

“I’m surprised that she bothers looking after Cynthia and those other two,” said Brita. “Even the professors have written those girls off. She’s sure a bleeding heart.”

Her two friends smiled wanly, shooting looks at one another.

“It’s weird, when you think about it,” said one of the girls. “Cynthia, Ellie, and Betty ignore anyone else who tries to talk to them.”

“It’s like Marie’s special somehow. Even the professors were surprised.”

The three girls in question were closed off with everyone else, but they opened their hearts to Marie and—to some degree—obeyed her, according to the rumors going around the girls’ dormitory.

While Brita and her friends chatted and enjoyed their meal, a new wave of fervor swept through the cafeteria. The murmuring was much louder than before, which tipped the trio off that something was amiss.

Brita quieted and tried to eavesdrop on what was going on. “I wonder what all the fuss is?” she murmured. She was worried that there’d been an accident of some sort. 

However, what she overheard was beyond what she could’ve predicted. One male student was particularly loud: “I’m telling you, it’s the truth! They were suddenly expelled and driven out of the school!” Assuming his information was accurate, several people had been severely punished.

Brita and her friends gawked at one another as the news sank in.

“Have we heard rumors about anyone being on the brink of expulsion?” asked one girl.

They studied each other’s faces, all looking confused.

“No, there wasn’t any such rumors, were there?”

“Aside from Marie potentially being held back for not completing the dungeon requirements, I haven’t heard anything,” Brita threw in.

Before anyone was expelled from the academy, a careful investigation was normally conducted to ensure the punishment was just. After all, expulsion essentially meant being permanently cast out of high society. The academy couldn’t afford to make mistakes, so they went through an arduous process to ensure a person’s guilt before acting. Even if a student was being considered for expulsion, they’d still be allowed to attend the academy until the school administration reached a final decision. Rumors would spread, but those were never quite as explosive as what was happening in the cafeteria right now.

“I have to think someone did something truly heinous,” Brita posited, considering the possibilities. “For the administrators to settle on expulsion this suddenly, it’d have to be something on the level of Stephanie’s actions.”

The other two shook their heads; they weren’t convinced even that would be enough.

“Even with Stephanie, they still followed customary procedure,” one pointed out. “And things didn’t move this fast.”

“So this has to be worse than what Stephanie did, right? Who was expelled, anyway? It…it couldn’t be Marie and her friends, could it?” asked the other nervously.

“Impossible,” Brita said immediately. “Third term isn’t even over yet.”

“If not them, I don’t know who else it could be.”

As they continued to discuss the matter, another student dashed into the cafeteria to share the latest update about the expulsions.

***

A young woman, Angelica Rapha Redgrave, strode quickly down one of the academy corridors. The hard lines of her face were pressed into an even more severe expression than normal. Her hair was tucked into a careful chignon, but her bangs were disarrayed.

“I haven’t heard a thing about expulsions,” she spat out.

Her followers, who’d been ordered by their families to support Angelica while they were at the academy, kept close on her heel.

“W-we haven’t heard anything, either,” one said.

Another nervously put in, “I-I can’t believe the students being expelled are girls from our faction.”

“There weren’t even rumors about this!” a third protested. “Isn’t this the first time the academy has ever acted so suddenly?”

Angelica and her followers might not have been so agitated by this development if the students in question hadn’t been from the same political faction as them. The school’s social order mirrored that of high society, with the same cliques and groups. Having followers from the same faction necessarily meant that factional lines were drawn even within the academy’s halls. 

That wasn’t all bad, though. The system was a good way to prevent people from befriending members of opposing factions who, once they eventually graduated, would become enemies. Moreover, at least in Angelica’s case, having people from the same faction around ensured that no political opponents with ill intent had an opportunity to get close.

Angelica didn’t have so many followers merely because of her house’s influence. As future queen, she needed people she could trust to guard her from any unwanted attention. Were she to form a romantic relationship with an unrespectable male student, it would cause untold scandal. Other factions would capitalize on the opportunity and claim that she was unfit to be queen. Thus, her followers were as much a shield as they were her guards. Sticking with those with the same political interests was much safer for her. It was also her duty to keep everyone from her faction in line; expulsions reflected badly on her.

“Investigate what this is all about, and don’t let a single detail slip through your fingers,” Angelica barked at her followers. “I’ll go speak with the school officials myself.”

“Y-yes, my lady!”

Her followers dispersed to carry out her orders. Left on her own, Angelica made her way to the faculty office. She took a fortifying breath, then called out, “I am first-year Angelica Rapha Redgrave. May I have permission to enter?”

Muffled sounds came from behind the door. A few seconds later, a meek-looking professor slipped out. “Can I help you?” they asked with an awkward smile. Given the way they kept their back to the door, Angelica guessed that they had no intention of inviting her inside.

“The recent expulsions,” Angelica said, by way of explanation. “I have a couple of questions about those. Could I speak to someone higher up?” 

Since she was still a student, professors probably considered her little more than a child, but she was the famous Duke Redgrave’s daughter. Thus, they couldn’t ignore the power of her name. If they acted too condescendingly toward her, they’d risk offending her and being fired.

The professor sweated profusely, gaze wandering as if they were too nervous to meet her eyes. “There’s, um…someone higher up inside, but they’re busy, so I can’t let you meet with them.”

“Why not?” Angelica demanded. “Expelling students without due process is unheard of. Even Stephanie was granted that much, wasn’t she?”

Her hard line of questioning flustered the professor. Unable to withstand more interrogation, they caved. Their voice dropped low, gaze flitting back to the door behind them as if they worried that they might be overheard. “We’re in a bad spot because of this, too,” they confided. “But all the proper proof was provided, and the crown prince himself demanded we expel the students in question.”

“The crown prince?” Angelica could hardly believe her ears.

The entire Redgrave faction backed the crown prince. They were ardent supporters of his. Him expelling several members’ children was akin to betrayal.

“Th-that can’t be,” Angelica stammered in response. “The students in question were—”

“I know,” the professor interrupted. “That’s why we tried to dissuade him numerous times. We insisted that any expulsion needed to be handled most carefully. But the crown prince wouldn’t hear of it.” Apparently, the staff couldn’t ignore his input.

Angelica saw red. How useless could these professors be to cave so easily? She glowered, her brow wrinkling. “I don’t care whether it was His Highness’s demand—how could the school carry out such a one-sided punishment? You’re all spineless.” Her stomach churned in disgust. Adults should have known better than to let one person’s opinion sway them, even if that one person was the future king.

“But he had proof,” the professor countered. “Those girls attempted murder inside the dungeon.”

Angelica was so gobsmacked by that accusation, she was lost for words. She’d intended to defend the students in question, but she never imagined they’d done something that heinous. “Y-you’re sure about that?”

“Yes. As I said, His Highness collected sufficient proof. The accused students, of course, denied it.”

“My goodness.” Angelica couldn’t quibble with the professor further. If that was reason for the expulsion, she completely understood. Still, she couldn’t give up without adding, “Regardless, the decision was too sudden.”

“We’re perfectly aware of that,” the professor assured her. “But His Highness refused to wait for an investigation. Keep in mind that this was a crime inside the dungeon.”

Holfort’s nobles were proud to have descended from adventurers. Attempted murder inside a dungeon was an unspeakable crime and a perfectly justifiable reason to expel a student. Assuming that claim was the truth, even Angelica couldn’t defend the perpetrators. 

“Am I at least allowed to speak with the expelled students?” she asked.

“They’ve already been advised of their punishment. I assume they’re staying at hotels or at estates in the city, if their families have one.”

“Thank you for your time,” Angelica said. “I’ll take my leave now.” She spun around and marched off. Rage and shame threatened to swallow her up. How could they be so impossibly stupid? Do they even realize the wide-ranging repercussions of their foolishness?

The girls in question were supposed to be her allies, yet they’d perpetrated the worst kind of crime an adventurer could commit. That scandal would irreversibly damage Angelica’s reputation. Her position conferred certain responsibilities, such as making sure other students behaved. Her role and influence were why everyone respected—and sometimes admired—her. But those factors also meant that when she failed to prevent a scandal like this, she was blamed. Now people would question whether she was capable.

***

The students who’d attempted to claim Olivia’s life were all expelled. 

Olivia had already heard that news. She was in her room, reading, having seated herself on her mattress. The book in question was a history of Holfort Kingdom. Tired of scanning the pages, Olivia flipped it shut and weighed it in her hands. “They sure embellished what happened. Some of this was entertaining, but in terms of accuracy, it’s garbage.” Since the book had no value—to her or to anyone, in her opinion—she tossed it to the floor.

“Now, how shall I enjoy myself?” Olivia crossed her legs, and her lips pulled into a bewitching smile as she plotted the kingdom’s destruction. She was lost in her own world when she sensed someone approaching and quickly muted her expression. “Long-ears, hm?” She sat up straight.

Kyle, Olivia’s personal servant, thrust the door open violently and strode in. He had long elf ears that jutted out, and he still looked young and immature; he wore the sort of arrogant expression only a child could, which reflected his personality.

Kyle glanced at the book Olivia had discarded on the floor and pulled a face. “You’re leaving your books lying around again,” he complained. He scooped the volume up and placed it on her desk, shooting her an annoyed look. “Please be tidier. I know you’re recovering from your wounds, but you’ve been too lax with yourself.”

His haughty attitude annoyed Anne, but she kept Olivia’s face from betraying her emotions. “Kyle,” she said sweetly, “don’t you think your behavior is a little unbecoming? I’m your mistress—your employer. Simply put, you work for me. You should be a bit more mindful of how you present yourself.” She smiled at him as she finished.

Kyle was visibly taken aback, but not so startled that he couldn’t find the wherewithal to retort imperiously, “Why’re you acting all high and mighty out of nowhere? In case you’ve forgotten, even employees have rights. I’m attending to all my duties. I’ve given you no reason to scold me.” He turned away from her, intent on cleaning her room.

Olivia dropped her smile. “Is it also your duty to barge into your mistress’s room without first receiving her permission? If so, I must say, that’s still awfully impudent.”

“Huh? Um…er…but you always let me come in before,” he stammered.

“I don’t recall ever giving you explicit permission to do so. You should be more careful in the future,” Olivia advised.

Kyle fell silent.

“Can’t you answer properly?” Olivia added, voice hard.

Kyle jolted. “Y-yes, mistress!” 

He hurried through his cleaning and rushed out the door. Olivia sighed in his wake, irritated by the whole thing. 

“What’d he even come here for? Olivia’s been too lenient with the boy, and he’s grown cocky and entitled. What shall I do about him?” She wasn’t confident he could fulfill his duties to her standards. “Getting rid of him would be more trouble than it’s worth.” As she contemplated her options, she noticed her hand trembling. Studying it for a moment, she mumbled, “What a stubborn girl you are. You’re still trying to steal back your consciousness.”

As soon as she clenched her fist, the trembling ceased.

She blew out a breath. “Heh heh. It really isn’t worth getting rid of him if you’ll fight me over it. Very well, I won’t dispose of the boy. But…he’ll need to be duly disciplined.”

***

While Leon and Marie embarked on their expedition, and uproar ensued at the academy in the wake of the expulsions, Luxion was busy investigating the Saint’s vengeful spirit.

He kept her securely sealed away deep inside his spaceship, contained within a large glass dome, in which she appeared like a dancing black flame. Her form blurred and wavered, but she visibly took the form of a woman hugging her knees to her chest.

Luxion was most interested in her memories. “I will ask you again,” he said. “Since you are the Saint’s vengeful spirit, you must know a great deal about this nation’s history. Will you tell me what Holfort was like during your time?”

The spirit’s eyes—two almond-shaped orbs with a golden glow—watched him. “We have been over this. What point is there in a Lost Item like yourself learning our history? You were created long before my time, were you not?” She couldn’t comprehend his interest.

Luxion flipped a switch, causing an electric current to spark through the dome. The spirit writhed with pain.

“Gaaah!” she screamed.

“There is no need for you to comprehend my intentions. I am the one who will decide whether the information you give is of value. You need only answer my questions,” Luxion told her. 

He showed the spirit no mercy. From the moment he’d found an effective way to torture her, he had used it without hesitation whenever she resisted. Despite this, she had refused to answer him, making her own demands instead.

“My response is the same as always,” she hissed through her anguish. “Lier. Bring Lier to—aaaah!”

Luxion had activated the switch again without giving her any warning. “You are not in a position to make demands of me,” he reminded her. “Now I will ask you again: Tell me everything you know about this nation’s history. And I do mean everything.”

Momentarily released from the electric current, the spirit clung to the glass, bringing her face as close to Luxion as she physically could. “Until you agree to my terms, you will not get a bit of information from me. Don’t think for a second that I’m so weak I would cave to your torture.” She howled with laughter.

Exasperated, he responded, “It’s a shame that, even being a spirit, you have still inherited new humanity’s inability to see sense.” There was a short pause before he added, “In that case, we will have to keep this cycle up until you change your mind.” He flipped the switch again, electricity snapping and crackling within the dome. He let it continue until the spirit inside collapsed, motionless.

This would take some time yet.