The Academy’s Doomed Young Lord Dies Ten Thousand Times

Chapter 167 : Chapter 167

Chapter 167 - How to Walk Side by Side (1)

Actually, come to think of it, one might say something like that.

If I was determined to finish off the enemy for certain, shouldn't I somehow persuade the powerful ‘main characters’ around me, find Grændal's hideout, and then chase him together for a joint attack?

Certainly, that might be a somewhat correct argument. That would be the most ideal and convenient way.

But this method had two major problems.

First, as it was the most powerful and certain method, it was easy to be noticed by the enemy.

The 『Ad Astra』 side were no fools. In the world of the story, the ‘main characters’ were beings who drew a certain amount of attention, so dragging them around would make it easy for my tail to be stepped on.

By Claudio, whose influence was so great it could shoot down a flying bird, and who was comparatively superior to this side in terms of information control.

And by The One, who looked down on the world as if observing it. In this case, I couldn't know how much and to what extent he could obtain information, but anyway, that was how it was.

Therefore, I had to move as an individual as much as possible, and in a small unit. To minimize the attention I drew. That was the first reason.

The second reason was… well, there were many ways to express it, but to put it concisely, I would say it was because of the difference in disposition between the main characters and me.

It was an obvious story, but fundamentally, the protagonists of were good.

This goodness included not only the goodness of their intentions, which was the origin of their actions, but also the goodness of their means.

They always sought to achieve a righteous purpose through just means.

That was why they were the main characters of the story, and that was why I could confidently call them good people.

‘Looking at it from this point, one of them might not fit that story… but anyway.’

But that was just their story. I was not like that.

It was an embarrassing story, but looking back, I didn't place much value on the goodness of means.

To give a simple example, for me, killing people to achieve my goal was already a common occurrence.

And that was not a good means to achieve a goal.

Even if I say it was limited to those who showed murderous intent towards me first, or that I had never killed an innocent person, and so on. In the end, I wouldn't be able to deny that the act itself was not good.

No matter how precarious and painful a situation I was in.

No matter how I only pointed my sword at enemies who deserved retribution.

Even if I were to be given consideration for that, it would only be proof that I was not evil, not that I was good.

‘The other main characters probably would have always chosen the good path even in that situation.’

I could declare it with certainty because they were the main characters of the story I loved most in my life.

There was already a considerable distance between the path they walked and the one I walked, and so it was clear that if I borrowed their hands, a conflict would surely arise in the process of carrying out the plan.

For instance, the problem of whether to kill Grændal or spare him.

Actually, this was the biggest issue.

Assuming they joined the plan, most of the main characters would surely say that we should subdue Grændal without killing him and let him face the judgment of the law.

But I knew. That even if we brought him before the judgment seat, the political and legal circles would already be dominated by the Crown Prince's faction, and so Grændal would be released again to continue his evil deeds.

Therefore, I had no choice but to conclude that I had to kill Grændal.

A fight is fundamentally a process of showing each other's hands. If the next time is guaranteed, the odds of winning would decrease overwhelmingly, given the basic difference in skill.

‘But the other main characters probably wouldn't kill him even if they knew that.’

It might seem frustrating, but that's why they were good main characters.

Yeah.

I've been rambling on and on, but that was the story. It wasn't just for those reasons, but it was hard to lay everything out right now.

For now, a difference of opinion. Let’s leave it at that.

Of course, this wasn't true for everyone I knew.

***

I said I would solve it alone without borrowing the hands of the main characters around me as much as possible, but that didn't necessarily mean I would solve everything with my own strength alone.

I had only excluded collaborators who seemed likely to draw excessive attention, or individuals whose direction did not align with mine.

Anyway, with such criteria, I searched for collaborators to help me, and in total, two collaborators were selected.

And the first of them was… the Princess, Regina Eliade Abellon.

“Hmm….”

In the back garden of Aurora Hall, where Regina and I always met, Regina was lost in thought for a moment after hearing the outline of the plan I had mentioned earlier.

With that mysterious smile that was hard to read, as if I knew what she was thinking but didn't, on her lips.

‘Personally, she's the most comfortable partner to work with.’

Even if our ultimate goals were different, since we were in a position where we had to face a huge common enemy, we could transparently know each other's intentions.

Above all, the fact that both she and I would stop at nothing to achieve our goals was the most comforting.

“Overall, there don't seem to be any problems. I think it's neat, as always. However, in the process of approaching the informant…”

The merit of being with Regina was precisely this.

Since she was an expert in using stratagems and foul play to an extent that I couldn't even compare, she was good at filling in the gaps in the plans I made.

“Don’t spend time acquiring the information; I recommend extracting it on the spot using methods like torture. You never know what changes might occur in that short time, so take advantage of the target’s confusion.”

“I see….”

Her eyes, which smiled brightly even while saying such bloodthirsty things, were somewhat strange…

Well. Considering the differences in our upbringings, it would be hard to say it was that out of line.

Moreover, the person she was being compared to was that human scum, Claudio, so it was even more so.

And the advantages of being with Regina weren't limited to just this.

“Ah, speaking of which… the item you requested has been completed. Would you like to see it?”

“Please.”

When I replied with a concise but polite answer, Regina smiled and gestured to a retainer standing nearby.

The retainer then opened a bag they had prepared and brought it before me.

The item in that bag was… none other than a pistol.

A pistol with a sleek but not gaudy, simple design.

Compared to a real-world pistol, the muzzle was much larger, though.

Anyway.

『Desperado』

- Grade: Unique

- Durability: 90/90 (Cannot be repaired)

- Attack Power: 880

: It is held in the hands of those who have lost everything and are swallowing only despair.

It was the weapon I had requested from Regina, a replacement for the 『Outlaw』 I had been using until now.

Its durability had been completely depleted during the second semester, including the previous battle.

Since it was a weapon intended for temporary use in the first place, it wasn't a big blow.

『Outlaw++』

- Grade: Epic

- Durability: 0/72 (Cannot be repaired)

- Attack Power: 450

: A masterpiece firearm that can bring overwhelming superiority in close to mid-range engagements with top-class single-shot firepower at the cost of durability.

As mentioned before, this weapon had the characteristic of being irreparable in exchange for firepower, so I couldn't use it anymore… and since it had come to this, I decided to upgrade my weapon.

“……It’s excellent.”

I picked up the pistol the retainer showed me, the 『Desperado』, and looked it over. I also checked its status while I was at it.

What could I say? As it was a weapon prepared by the Princess, it was flawless.

The part I had requested—that other additional functions were unnecessary and to focus on firepower—was also excellently reflected.

However, the example I gave was the Outlaw, and it seemed even the advanced technology of the Empire couldn't overcome the penalty, as the demerit of being irreparable couldn't be removed… but honestly, this was great.

It was undeniable that it was a weapon I would have had a hard time obtaining without the Princess.

To obtain an excellent weapon, you needed not just money, but also a suitable supply route.

“Oh….”

I was lost in thought for a long time, looking at the 『Desperado』.

How should I use it?

What would its effective firepower feel like?

Is the recoil well-managed? Now that my physical strength is on track, there shouldn't be a problem with handling the recoil.

And I want to try it right now.

Those were probably my thoughts.

Seeing me like that, Regina added a word.

“Huhu, do you like it that much?”

Hmm.

Did I look that excited? Regina's face bloomed into the smile she always wore when she teased me as she spoke.

“…….”

To be honest, I was a little excited.

After all, isn't it a man's romance?

Why. It can happen.

Ugh.

“……I had a few things to think about.”

“Oh my- really?”

“Of course.”

“I’m sure you did~.”

“Ahem, more importantly, about the plan we discussed earlier…”

I tried to change the subject and escape.

“Hmm? Not even a word of thanks to me, who procured this precious weapon for you?”

Oops.

“Ah.”

“I feel like I’m about to cry… To think that no matter how well I treat someone, all I get back is such a cold, taken-for-granted reaction… sob sob.”

The tempo had completely shifted to her side.

‘Is it that usual thing?’

The pattern where she flusters me, induces an unintentional rudeness, and then teases me for falling for it.

“……I apologize. Please forgive me…”

“Huhu, with just words?”

And then, using that incident as an excuse, she drags me around everywhere.

Well.

The meeting, which had been so serious, turned into a rather embarrassing sight for a while after that.

Looking back, I couldn't help but wonder if it was Regina's consideration to lighten the heavy atmosphere…

“Hehe, what should I make him do this time…”

After savoring her tea, seeing her face as she muttered with a sinister smile, hmm.

Honestly, that thought vanished.