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Chapter 163. I Came to Save You (Puff!)(2)

Nobles each have an item that symbolizes their status.

Occasionally, as a return favor for kindness received, they carry several charms, such as the silver badge I received from Jenny.

If one contributes significantly to their family or becomes an indispensable ally, receiving such a badge is possible. This charm serves as protection from lowly scoundrels.

Moreover, the most crucial use of such items is to identify one’s family to others. When meeting members of that household, one must reveal their identity.

Being a family member and being wrongly suspected as suspicious would be quite infuriating. However, if one can prove their identity with a mark, the frustration is alleviated, and at least they gain minimal speaking rights before them.

In other words, having the badge allows one to earn their trust. Of course, the eradicated Travel can’t do anything for me, but what I desire is not an offering.

I simply want trust that I am not an enemy.

“Um, not that way, this way. Please trust me and follow.”

As a result, Travel began to guide us purely. Just yesterday he was mute, no matter how much we interrogated him.

I wonder what caused this sudden change in Travel’s attitude? However, it wasn’t an unfavorable outcome for them in the end.

From the start, there was the Aligieri student, Radon, who confidently predicted this outcome, and his efforts were successful.

“That fool. He was so cynical about the world, yet his face completely changed the moment he saw the badge.”

When I showed the badge to him just before going to sleep last night, he completely transformed his demeanor.

Of course, at first, he questioned whether it was fake, but he was able to confirm that the badge was genuine, just like Jenny’s silver badge.

Seeing the signature of none other than the head of the Viole Family, my father’s signature, Travel finally began to listen to me.

However, several questions needed addressing:

– There’s no way my father would carelessly give the badge to someone else.

– How could someone like Radon Crawler acquire a badge meant for a direct agent working behind the family?

– Above all, how did he side with my father after betraying me?

Naturally, Travel asked me such things, but I managed to deceive him with various theatrics.

– The Duke Harkel, head of the Viole Family, personally arranged our family’s affairs.

– At that time, my younger sister was suffering from malnutrition, and my mother had fallen ill, leaving us without a savior.

– When I asked him why, he said it was because I was the one closest to his son.

– However, in exchange for such benefits, I was tasked with a significant mission.

– That was to release Travel, the one and only son.

I expressed all of this while putting on a pitiful act. My acting skill level is now 11. No one in the Academy acts better than me.

With my natural expression management, he had no choice but to be swayed. I didn’t look like someone lying at all.

Moreover, the badge is concrete evidence. Travel, who fell for my sweet words, was currently accompanying us.

“Excuse me…”

“What is it?”

Travel, who was leading the way almost in front, asked Tariel, who was walking right beside him.

With Tariel being the highest authority in every field, he took the lead, and when he spoke in an appropriate voice for the position, Travel shrank back.

“I just… need to be taken to the entrance of that realm, right?”

Summoning courage, Travel spoke, stuttering somewhat, yet he managed to convey his intent confidently.

As Travel clung to hope, Tariel brushed his face and replied.

“Yes, once you get there, your part is over. From then on, you can return with the knights.”

“Th-thank you! Really, thank you.”

“Shut up.”

“….”

As if disgusted by the thanks of a criminal, Tariel cut him off. Still, the bell of happiness rang in Travel’s heart.

Currently, our party includes five Aligieri students, including Radon Crawler, the Saint Arrow mercenary group, and several knights dispatched from the Empire.

However, according to Radon Crawler, those knights are all on Travel’s side.

It’s not a lie, but… I turned to him and called.

“Why the sudden call?”

Radon Crawler, with an annoyed expression, hurriedly came to the front.

Travel asked him, who was now walking alongside me.

“Those knights… Are they really the ones to secretly help me escape?”

“How many times do I have to spell it out? Your father has learned of the train derailment incident. He was worried about whether you were hurt, so he sent me and bribed those knights.”

It’s been a whole year since Travel was imprisoned. With the power of a duke like my father, he could have him out quickly.

However, if he openly tried to do so, it could risk revealing his intentions and lead to another downfall. Thus, I made up a story that my father was waiting for the right moment.

That moment was, of course, the train derailment. Sneaking him out amidst the chaos would be most prudent.

“You might not have seen the outside much since you’ve been rotting in bread, but after you pulled that stunt at the Academy, the Viole Family suffered immensely. They couldn’t focus on you because they were busy dealing with that mess. It’s no wonder you’re taken late.”

“Is… is that so? After all… my father didn’t abandon me!

“Shut it! Everyone can hear.”

“Hmph…”

I warned him to be as discreet as possible. I had been speaking in a quiet tone to maintain the pretense of secrecy.

“Anyway, once we part ways, stick closely behind those knights. From there, it will be up to you.”

“Hahaha! This time you seem trustworthy, Radon Crawler.”

“Then do a good job. The password.”

“You little rascal!”

I reminded him one last time before returning to my spot. I decided to leave him feeling slightly irritated at the end.

Everything I said regarding his supposed release was, of course, a lie. By layering lies upon lies, I significantly reduced the erosion rate.

Did I bribe the knights watching behind? If he believes that and follows them, I’m looking forward to what will happen next…

“Hey, you piece of trash. How about trying your hand at playwriting? How can you whip up such an entertaining scenario on the spot?”

“Shut your trap.”

I’m good enough as a journalist; I don’t need to freeze to death as a playwright. Doesn’t this snake realize that words can become reality?

Just then, Trisha pressed close to me and asked.

“You’re really amazing. How can you manipulate someone like that?”

Trisha displayed outward admiration while glancing at my pocket.

“Is it because of that badge?”

“You saw it, huh.”

“Honestly, it makes perfect sense that someone would change their demeanor so dramatically with something like that. How did you get it?”

It’s unbelievable for a mere student to possess a duke’s family symbol. I don’t have the personality to contribute anything to such a place.

Knowing this, Trisha could only look at me in amazement. It could hardly be thought to be obtained through normal means.

“This? A friend gave it to me.”

“What kind of friend?”

Looking at the moon in the sky, which was gradually darkening the forest, I replied.

“Well, he’s a really strong one.”

Before starting my mission in Aligieri, I had heard about him from someone. I saw Travel’s name on a prisoner list and wondered if I could use him for something.

When I thought of Travel, the Lycanthrope incident came to mind, and that wolf monster reminded me of the agent he had once used.

And that agent was knocked out by the protagonist, who surely must’ve dropped his spoils as well.

I approached that protagonist and requested the item obtained back then. That item was this badge.

“Thanks to being a direct agent of the head of the family, I was able to get the highest badge.”

It’s an item you can actually see in the game, but it’s not really used for anything. However, it’s refreshing to see it applied like this.

Recently, I no longer felt the need to be bashful around Lyman. Since he caught on to my cheat status, he has become much friendlier.

Moreover, I could even say to take good care of them while I was gone, which shows how much his attitude towards me had softened, making it easier to obtain the badge.

And I had a conversation with him.

– Are you going to enter the Shaikar realm?

– I’m not sure about that. If the prisoners fled into that forest, I’d have no choice but to follow.

– If that’s the case, be careful. That guy has become very violent regarding humans.

Lyman treated a spirit of legend as casually as a neighbor. With a bitter expression, he felt the wind with his whole body.

– Still, if you avoid doing what he hates, you should be fine even in that forest.

– Specifically?

– Stick close to Mary as much as possible. If that child’s spirit is nearby, the forest spirits won’t mess with you. However, I haven’t been there for a while, so I’m not sure how things are structured now. And…

Hearing Lyman’s grave tone was a rare occurrence, and it served as an important piece of advice he shared.

While reminiscing about that time, I overheard Mary conversing nearby.

“But why does the Spirit King hate humans so much? Isn’t it scary to be alone?”

“Thirty years ago, a friend of that great spirit was killed by a human. The death was so miserable that just hearing about it brings tears to the eyes.”

“Whaaa…”

As Riplain explained, Mary let out a sorrowful hum. Furthermore, Tariel, who had been at the front, interjected.

“That friend was none other than the Saintess. The former Saintess had grown up in Shaikar’s embrace since birth. She was exemplary in sensitivity and wielded a striking red sword.”

Shaikar was almost like the mother of the former Saintess. Having raised a child abandoned in the forest herself, she must’ve felt a deep bond.

Years later, when her daughter borrowed her strength to slay the Demon King and earned the people’s respect… Shaikar surely never anticipated that the humans who exalted her daughter would be the ones to kill her terribly.

“On the day the Saintess died, I felt so powerless. I could only feel shame as a member of the Sect’s Paladins.”

“Excuse me, but were you a Cleric before being a mercenary?”

Trisha cautiously asked. Tariel, momentarily closing his eyes, lost in thought, ultimately spoke with a wry smile.

“Haha… It’s just an old story, so don’t worry too much about it. Speaking of which, how much further do we have to go?”

“We’re almost there. Let’s see… right over there!”

Suddenly, Travel dashed ahead, stopping midway to point to the other side.

It seemed like nothing more than a thicket at first glance. However, with Mary, who had exceptional sensitivity, she could feel that another dimension lay beyond.

“This is it! This is it!”

Mary excitedly dashed forward and swung her hand containing the Spirit Ceremony.

Suddenly, a rift in the dimension opened, revealing a hidden space.

“This is…?”

“The Spirit King’s Realm we’ve only heard about in rumors.”

“Hey, prisoner number 123. This is definitely it, right?”

As Tariel solemnly asked again, Travel swallowed hard and replied.

“Absolutely…! I’ve seen other prisoners enter this space with my own eyes.”

“Then your part is over.”

“Huh?”

“What are you doing? Don’t just stand there.”

Though his tone lacked any sign of warmth or tears, Travel accepted it gloriously.

“Thank you so much!”

Then Travel moved to join the knights waiting behind.

There were a total of five knights… three entered the space following them, while the remaining two prepared to escort Travel.

“If anything happens, I hope you’ll activate the mana sensor attached to your shoulder. Good luck.”

“Understood!”

The knights, whose paths began to diverge, shared their own salutes. As I watched them disappear into the space, I felt a mix of relief and concern.

I hoped for their safe return as they retraced their steps. They didn’t get lost since I’d marked the way.

Travel walked that path while silently screaming in joy.

“Finally… Finally, I’m free! This relentless imprisonment is coming to an end!”

Like a family thought to be dead returning, he wore an expression of disbelief.

The highest emotion that a human can feel.

However, Travel was ungrateful.

“That Radon fellow, will he die in the Spirit King’s Realm? I guess it doesn’t matter. After all, he’s the one who abandoned me once.”

When the Lycanthrope incident ended, I once visited Radon in the hospital. Even shouting for help, he acted as if he didn’t know.

“Do you have evidence?”, “Huh~ Who are you?”, “Ouch! I’m in pain!~”

…He even went as far as to tease me outright.

At that time, Travel had made a resolution. He vowed to choose him as a companion.

“Yet it seems you’re the one who will die. Hahaha! What a fool.”

I couldn’t help but manage my expression as I internally burst into laughter. The knights looked at me strangely.

“Why are you suddenly smiling? Are you feeling ill?”

“Of course, it’s good! I’m about to be released.”

“What…? ”

What bizarre nonsense is this?

The knights cocked their heads, looking incredulous.

“Why do you two look like that? Didn’t I ask your father for a favor?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

They looked completely lost.

Even mentioning my father got no reaction from them.

Instead, they coldly replied.

“Stop rambling and follow along!”

“Huh…? Why…?”

Something felt off.

In this unbelievable situation, Travel began to feel a growing sense of dread. The more he felt it, the more he felt himself being dragged into the darkness of the forest.

That uneasiness drew closer to the truth, and the closer it got to the truth… Travel was swallowed by the darkness.

“Stop messing with me! I’m getting released, right?”

But all that could be heard was Travel’s denial of reality.

Surviving as an Academy Scammer.

 

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