I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 157

Listening to the conversation between Milia and Robentus, Luca felt a strange impression.

'It's different than I thought... how should I put it... yeah.'

Luca pondered over the feeling he had toward Robentus, and soon realized what it was.

'He's emotional.'

In the original story, Robentus never actually appeared in person, but as far as Luca knew, the children of Duke Partigel were all like chess pieces used by the current family head, Obrola Partigel.

They had no thoughts of their own and simply obeyed orders.

But the Robentus in front of him was literally someone whose emotions could be felt.

'I heard he's the genius who inherited the Partigel trading company. Would someone like that really show so much emotion in negotiations?'

Moreover, those emotions were displayed quite openly. Anxiety, hesitation, fear.

It was strange.

'Two hours...'

Suddenly, Luca recalled what Robentus had said about "two hours".

On top of that, Milia had confirmed that there really was no one lying in ambush nearby.

'So... does that mean, from Robentus's perspective, he also came here in secret?'

Obrola Partigel used her children like chess pieces.

But if that didn't just mean using them wisely, but literally controlling their every move?

'He must be pretty frustrated, too.'

A life completely controlled by Obrola Partigel would be truly horrible.

'So, if he came here for that reason...?'

Listening to the conversation, it seemed Robentus already knew most of Milia's cards.

However, it also seemed that Obrola Partigel had already prepared countermeasures for that.

Yet, the fact that Robentus came here meant there could only be one reason.

'He must want to break free.'

As he thought that far, Luca licked his lips.

Despite all this, Robentus's attitude was still defensive.

Luca thought he needed to instill a bit more hostility toward Obrola in him.

Clatter!

"?"

Luca deliberately made a noise with the tableware to draw attention.

As expected, everyone looked at him, and Luca spoke flatly.

"Do what you need to do. Pretend I'm not here."

"... Why did you bring Luca Traverse here?"

At Robentus's puzzled look, Luca shrugged.

"There could be various reasons, but the main thing is that I was one of the people at the place your younger brother died."

"Lu-Luca!"

Milia was flustered. She couldn't understand why he was bringing that up now. But Robentus seemed quite shaken.

"You mean... at the place where Theodore died...?"

Luca replied nonchalantly.

"I didn't see it myself, but I was there."

"..."

Even at those words, Robentus's expression was subtle.

It didn't seem as though he was surprised that Luca had been there.

"Theodore is... actually dead...?"

What shocked him seemed to be the fact itself that Theodore was dead.

Theodore was only known to have gone missing. Surprisingly, it seemed Robentus also believed that.

'Well, of course. With even the traces of his death erased, how could it get revealed?'

For that to be revealed, the devil's power would have to be exposed, and the third prince's side would never allow that.

From Obrola's perspective, there was no need to tell her children about Theodore's death either.

In fact, it would be disadvantageous to do so.

"... Ha. How ridiculous. I trusted and followed you so much."

A new emotion appeared on Robentus's face. Disappointment, emptiness, and anger.

He seemed truly angry at Obrola's actions.

"You didn't know about Theodore's end...?"

Milia looked a bit taken aback, as she had assumed Robentus, too, knew Theodore was dead.

'Wait, what? Why doesn't he know?'

Robentus was considered one of the Partigel family's best talents.

The fact that he was the leader of the Partigel trading company showed it.

But not knowing about Theodore's death?

'Was there some kind of mistake...?'

While she was confused, Luca spoke up.

"From that look on your face, it seems Obrola Partigel really does treat his children as nothing more than chess pieces."

"Lu-Luca..."

Milia was a little flustered by Luca's bluntness, but Robentus didn't seem offended.

"It's fine, Milia Fille. It's the truth."

"But..."

"But still, your information network is impressive. There are few who know that the Partigel family is actually Obrola Partigel's chessboard."

Robentus sounded impressed. Milia glanced at Luca anxiously. But Luca was still nonchalant.

"There's only one reason you'd come here. You, too, are dissatisfied with Obrola Partigel's ways, aren't you?"

"... Yes."

Robentus nodded, exhaled, and spoke.

"I'm fed up with my father's methods as well. The way he treats me and my siblings like chess pieces disgusts me. Those children deserve lives of their own, yet Father suppressed us as if his words were law."

Robentus's gaze grew increasingly fierce.

"Minar married a man she didn't want. Crave is forced into trade work he isn't suited for. Geia, though tremendously talented, can't become a mage and only puts on a fake smile at social gatherings. And Theodore... Theodore also..."

His words faltered, and Robentus bit his lip and lowered his head.

"I thought at least that child would be able to do what he wanted..."

As the eldest son, Robentus seemed to have a deep affection for his younger siblings.

His bowed body trembled slightly.

"Was there never a single child among so many that you could let live the life they wanted? Father."

"..."

Seeing Robentus with his head bowed, Milia's eyes sparkled.

'This is it!'

Right now, when Robentus's hostility toward Obrola was at its peak, was the perfect opportunity.

"Sir Robentus. I know your feelings are complicated, but you need to make a decision."

"A decision..."

"Whether you continue to live under the control of Duke Obrola Partigel, or you and your siblings all live lives of your own choosing, it depends on your choice, sir Robentus."

At Milia's words, Robentus stayed silent for a moment, then lifted his head.

"Just by taking your hand, miss Milia Fille, can I break free from Father's control?"

"Not immediately. But the possibility is real."

"... I didn't want to, but I'm the head of the trading company. I have to make calculations. Given the situation as I understand it, your strength alone can't defeat my father."

Even when overcome with emotion, Robentus stayed cool when it came time to do the math. To him, Milia confidently replied:

"Maybe it's not enough right now, but with your help, it's possible."

"I won't change my mind on vague promises. Show me a card that gives certainty."

At Robentus's firm words, Milia smiled brightly and pointed to her side.

"For starters, I have Luca Traverse with me."

"...?"

Robentus glanced at Luca. Luca clicked his tongue in clear annoyance.

"You're making it sound like I'm your subordinate."

"At the very least, you're not going to be my enemy."

"As long as Ottbo's feelings don't change."

At those words, Milia puffed out her cheeks. Watching the two, Robentus gave a dry little laugh.

"So you're saying Luca Traverse's involvement is your trump card?"

"He's close to rising stars like Archiond Robette and Pasmo Thier, he's the official disciple of new transcendent-level powerhouse Kryphi Mosto, and he's friends with Herote Marcato, the current principal of Hernan Academy and one of only three tier-10 mages on the continent. Isn't that a pretty impressive card to have on your side?"

"... Hmmm."

Robentus already knew Luca was Kryphi Mosto's official disciple. But the rest he hadn't heard before.

Especially the last part—it was extremely intriguing.

"Is it true? That you're friends with Herote Marcato?"

"You can ask her directly if you want."

Herote Marcato, a mysterious individual hidden away in Hernan Academy, a tier-10 mage who didn't contribute much to the empire and was a strange superhuman.

The fact that Luca was friends with her was a very interesting revelation.

"Tsk. Telling other people's stories so freely, aren't you."

Luca clicked his tongue in displeasure, but didn't go so far as to deny it or seem to be lying.

Robentus quickly ran the calculations in his head.

"Certainly, if what Miss Milia says is true, his presence could have significant influence. But it's still somewhat lacking."

"In what way is it lacking?"

At Milia's question, Robentus clasped his hands and answered.

"The problem is that it's only personal connections. If there were some official group they belonged to, that would be a solid and powerful force. But just being acquaintances isn't good enough. Of what Miss Milia listed, only being Kryphi Mosto's official disciple really holds up."

In short, he meant that there needed to be something officially recognized. Milia, too, hesitated, as if that point was holding her back.

At that, Luca spoke nonchalantly.

"Does it have to be an official group? What about an unofficial one?"

"... Are you in an unofficial group, then?"

At Luca's words, Robentus's eyes narrowed slightly.

Of course, there were many unofficial groups. Even within the imperial castle, some such groups existed.

"Are you, by chance, talking about Starry?"

Milia looked at Luca with an exasperated expression.

It was funny to her that Luca would call Starry—a group he had made as a joke with Ottbo—a proper organization.

"If we invite Pasmo, she'll come. If we make Archiond Robette enter with a final exam bet..."

"Did you just say Starry?"

"?"

Luca, who had been speaking flatly, glanced over at Robentus, who suddenly reacted to the name 'Starry'.

His eyes were wide open.

"What's wrong?"

"Is the Starry you're talking about the same one that recently became famous in the southern region? The one that eradicated criminal organizations including Albino and liberated the slaves?"

At that, Luca made a reluctant face.

"Is that guy really freeing slaves now?"

Etebum the slave hunter, who had tried to abduct him in the mining city of Bizen.

Luca had tricked him into liberating the slaves.

'What are they doing over there?'

He had sent them some money when they asked for support and revealed their organization name was Starry, but it seemed something big had happened.

"Starry is currently the most famous underground group in the south! They're a righteous secret organization, taking down evil slavers and freeing countless slaves!"

"Can something be both famous and secret...?"

Robentus seemed a bit excited, and Luca didn't seem to quite get it.

At that moment, Milia jumped in.

"That famous Starry was created by none other than Luca Traverse and his friend Ottbo Gress!"

"Ah! Come to think of it, didn't the boss of that organization have dark green hair and blue, lake-like eyes and a doll-like appearance? Why didn't I realize it until now? There's only one person with those traits—Luca Traverse!"

"Right. If it's someone like that, it has to be Luca."

Robentus was so excited he stood up from his seat.

Watching him as he sprayed words, Milia smiled sweetly.

"And I'm Luca Traverse's precious friend, you know!"

"Huh. Precious friend."

Luca replied sarcastically, and Milia elbowed him in the side.

Watching the two, Robentus swallowed hard, his eyes sparkling like a child's.

"If this is fate, then so be it."

"?"

The two showed question marks at words they couldn't understand.

Robentus sat down and clasped his hands.

"Miss Milia Fille, I will trust in your potential. So..."

His eyes became more earnest than ever.

"Tell me your plan."