Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 162

Chapter 162. Premature Assumptions (1)

In truth, it was an incomprehensible situation.

Aiden de Donatien.

As the head of the Donatien family, he must have lived a life without lacking anything, so why did he commit such an immoral act?

"...... Aiden."

Missing.

No, since Aiden's death, the once tumultuous atmosphere began to settle as if it had all been a lie.

The high-ranking officials of the family were busy erasing Aiden's traces, who had carried out "illegal" actions, and were diligently searching for the next head to lead the house.

Watching the servants moving 'Aiden's' belongings from the Donatien mansion, Aileen muttered to herself.

"You should have stuck to the path..."

For all his efforts for the family, what he received in return was...

Reflecting on it, he seemed to just focus on his work and didn't seem like a bad person.

In that position, anyone would have no choice but to act that way...

"Not..."

― Hold your breath within the mansion. Doesn't the air mix with trash?

"a bad..."

― The reason you're trusted by the Magic Tower despite being a half-blood is because the blood of the renowned Donatien family flows through you. Always keep that in mind.

"person..."

― Your father was foolish within the family. That's probably why he was swayed by that garbage-like blood."

Oh right, he wasn't a bad person.

He was a trashy jerk!

Even so, Aileen, who hadn't been particularly wounded by the head's death, began to think it was good that he had died as she chewed over her thoughts.

"Kuheum!"

A person had died, and here she was having such harsh thoughts.

Aileen tried to clear her mind with a cough when suddenly...

"Aileen."

Hearing someone call her name, she turned to see who it was and greeted the person politely.

"Lord Gadra, you've arrived?"

"Hmm... The family head has died, so I had no choice but to stop by the mansion."

Gadra de Donatien.

The wrinkled old man stroked his beard as he replied to Aileen's greeting.

"There seems to always be a common end to the heads of the Donatien family."

"...... Is that so?"

"An untimely death, you see. The former head, Toshuan, left for the Federation for research and never returned alive, did he not?"

As Aileen listened to his words, she thought inwardly.

Does the position of 'head' in the Donatien family perhaps carry a curse?

"Thanks to that, I've had to come back. I wanted to spend my later years as a technical advisor at the academy."

"Come to think of it, Lord Gadra, you served as interim head when the former head, Toshuan, passed away, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Then, you'll be serving as the interim head until a new head is chosen this time as well, I'm sure."

Gadra stroked his beard with a doubtful expression at Aileen's words.

"Well, I don't know about that. I'm no spring chicken myself, you know."

Stretching his back, Gadra hinted that he was now far from active duty.

Watching him, Aileen gave a wry smile.

In fact, it was largely due to Gadra that Aileen could continue her research within the Donatien family.

Although pureblood was highly valued, ultimately results were what mattered, and he was the only one within the family who defended her.

"Is that so..."

"Yes, what do you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aileen, how about you become the head?"

The moment she heard Gadra's words, Aileen felt her mind go blank.

"Me, me!?"

"Yes."

Aileen fully understood the implications of that statement.

Even if it was coming from Gadra, if such a thing reached the others in the family, extreme opposition would ensue, without a doubt.

The reason being...

"I-I'm from a collateral line, after all, and a half..."

"From outside blood?"

When Aileen nodded, Gadra chuckled heartily.

"But half of the illustrious Donatien blood flows through you."

That, indeed, was true; if you put it that way...

"Take a look at what kind of end those 'pureblood' individuals met when they took the position of head. It might be better for this damned family if it were led by someone with less 'Donatien' blood."

Nodding to Gadra's words filled with conviction, Aileen agreed.

Well, those words made sense.

Even then, she didn't particularly think that the position of "head" would suit her.

"It's not like you have to decide right now anyway. You'll need to hear what the other family members have to say."

"That's true."

Nodding along, Aileen's mind raced with numerous thoughts.

Having endured the family's disdain for so long, Aileen had become somewhat indifferent.

To her, the position of "head" seemed distant and unreachable, she never imagined it could come so close.

'Head...'

Becoming the head of the Donatien family would indeed bring many benefits.

However, what truly caught Aileen's attention was something else.

'If I become the head... could I gain access to the 5th-level archives of the Magic Tower?'

Something she had longed for but could never access.

It was an enticing thought.

Though she didn't show it outwardly.

***

"These days, so much has happened. Still, it's such a relief to see you back."

Having returned to teaching, Aileen responded politely to the vice-principal of Bayer Academy, Allom Chorni, who was warmly inquiring about her well-being.

"Yes, it's thanks to you, vice-principal."

Despite Aileen's expression of gratitude, a look of concern began to cloud Allom's face.

"Ugh... Even if it could be said that Sir Aiden went missing, it was quite the shock that someone as esteemed as the head of the Donatien family was conducting such experiments..."

After a brief pause, Allom glanced at Aileen to gauge her reaction.

"Did I say something out of line? I apologize."

"No, it's alright. I was thinking the same thing."

Inside, Aileen thought disparagingly, 'Serves them right,' but she agreed calmly with Allom.

"So, when can you resume your lectures on mana management? If things are still too chaotic, we can postpone it until the next semester."

Indeed, although Aiden's death had only caused small ripples in Aileen's heart, it hadn't led to any significant emotional change.

The only real inconvenience was that her research on the 'Soul Stone' temporarily halted until the Donatien family's affairs were sorted.

"It doesn't matter when."

She expressed this sentiment.

"Really? Then..."

Allom's face lightened at her words.

Bang──!

But only for a moment.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a professor, presumably from the academy, hurried inside.

"Kuheum, who dares open the door to the vice-principal's office so insolently?"

Clearly expressing his displeasure, Allom spoke up, but the professor who had rushed in appeared pale and anxious.

"Ah, vice-principal Allom! The students who went on an excursion to the wall have returned!"

Are they making such a commotion over something like that?

"Along with Sir Yulian!"

Hearing those words, Allom snapped to attention, his face growing even more grave.

"Sir Yulian...!?"

Aileen, who was listening as well, was equally surprised.

Because when the 'Smiling Executioner' moved, it never boded well for those involved.

'... Why Yulian?'

Aileen subtly observed Allom's reaction.

Before, she would have thought that the showy 'Smiling Executioner' was just trying to make a name for himself with unnecessary actions.

However, his recent actions had changed Aileen's perspective.

There had to be a reason.

That's why she watched Allom's face closely.

'Maybe Yulian sniffed out something inside the academy.'

It made sense, she thought.

Because they had attended the academy together.

And for someone like him, who occasionally took actions out of character, there had to be a reason.

'... Ugh.'

Ah, it brought back memories of things from their school days she'd rather not recall.

"Let's go out! We must greet Sir Yulian!"

Isn't that putting the cart before the horse? Greeting Yulian instead of the students.

Thinking thus, Aileen stood from her seat.

Curious as to why Yulian had acted in such a manner.

***

As soon as I arrived in the capital, what I did was quickly make my "accomplishments" known to everyone.

"Thank you for your hard work, Sir Yulian!"

"You even went on an expedition to capture a criminal; indeed, you are Sir Yulian."

After handing over Zahard to the Royal Guard, they were busy heaping praise on me.

Smiling, I made sure to instruct them carefully.

"Sir Zahard is yet to undergo a formal trial. Please afford him the treatment befitting his status."

Saying this, the guards, with awkward expressions, nodded in agreement.

Who would dare defy my words?

I looked over at Zahard.

Noticing my gaze, he gave a sheepish smile.

Nothing too troubling would happen.

Furthermore, as Kaldrach mentioned, he'd push things along by intimidating the secretariat head, 'Sedin', to make things flow smoothly.

"In the meantime, it seems you'll have to remain inside, Sir Zahard."

After watching Zahard nod, I headed directly to the academy.

'Damn, I'm busy to death.'

The reason for heading to the academy was to make my presence known after escorting the students.

I didn't want to spend my precious time on such matters, but to conceal my contact with 'Kaldrach', I had little choice.

"Sir Yulian, did you really escort our students here?"

Upon arriving at Bayer Academy, a familiar face greeted me, showing visible signs of surprise—Vice-Principal Allom Chorni.

Sweating profusely, he warmly greeted me.

"Yes, I happened to run into them on my way back from an 'expedition' out of town for other matters."

"Haha... Thank you. Our students must have had quite the experience—receiving protection from Sir Yulian as well as Sir Schvalt!"

Indeed, that was the case.

Even receiving an escort from a Knight Commander is tremendous, and now they were escorted by the 'Smiling Executioner'.

They experienced barbarian attacks in North Pole and a demon attack on their way back,

And a visit from the Smiling Executioner, me.

They must've been sweating bullets by then.

"Sir Schvalt, thank you for your hard work as well."

Allom also thanked Schvalt, who was standing next to me, glaring with a stoic expression.

Schvalt acknowledged the thanks with a slight nod, dismissing it as no big deal.

"Sir Schvalt, you've returned?"

At that moment, a voice called out from behind Allom.

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Allom turned around and greeted the approaching man.

"Ah, principal Eitel, you have arrived?"

Oh, this is the fabled Principal of the academy?

Even in the game, he was only ever referenced in dialogue, so I'd never encountered him before.

Lowering his body respectfully, Allom bowed to a man called Eitel—despite holding the position of 'Principal', he appeared relatively young.

And not particularly like a 'scholar' or intellectual type.

If I had to describe it.

'... Hoodlum?'

Yes, that fits the image perfectly.

"Yes, vice-principal Allom, you've done well."

Principal Eitel waved a hand in greeting to Allom, who seemed older than him.

At that display, the lingering 'Confucian teachings' within me stirred slightly but quickly settled.

After all, the vice-principal wasn't someone I needed to concern myself with too much.

"Hm?"

Afterwards, Eitel's gaze met mine.

He sighed, and an expression of unease settled in his eyes.

"The Smiling... No, Sir Yulian, why are you here?"

Simultaneously, the 'color of fear' appeared above his head.

Though Allom had displayed 'color' to a certain degree, he hadn't shown such a distinct hue.

Realizing that the current picture was likely unfavorable from their perspective, I suddenly became aware.

The Smiling Executioner had come to their jurisdiction. And without any prior notice.

Generally, fearing such a visit might be natural, but for those engaging in 'nefarious deeds', it would prick them even more.

"Is there any reason I shouldn't be here?"

Could it be that you're one of those kinds of folks too?

Clacky's Corner:

New character, a new prey?