Chapter 176 - 174 The Laughing Demon Rides a Bicycle
Since Jeff and Chris were talking in the Student Council Room, I used [Presence Concealment] and [Concealment] to listen in.
"Chris, you're so stiff-necked. You're just like my Brother in that regard."
"What do you mean, 'just like him'!"
By Brother, he means the First Imperial Prince, Vista.
"Is it called being self-conscious? Because you worry so strangely about what others think, you don't have any friends, let alone a lover, no matter how much time passes! I awakened during my life on the uninhabited island, and I even made lovers and friends. Until now, I just assumed I couldn't because I was royalty, but I was wrong."
Certainly, Jeff had changed.
Regardless of grade or gender, students were casually calling out, "Jeff!"
Perhaps it was even more so because he was like the realistic protagonist of a novel.
"Hey, Jeff? You were way too handsome in that picture book!"
"I thought so too! Right? Did he really say something that cool? Stealing Lea away from that trash fiancé was so wonderful!"
When he blushed and said, "That was Shivans-senpai's embellishment! It's embarrassing...", he only became more popular.
Even when women approached him, his resolute way of declining by saying, "Even if I am royalty, it is in name only. I can barely manage with just Lea," was received as cool by both men and women.
Chris knew that too.
"Jeff certainly has changed. You only went to that uninhabited island for just a few days, right?"
When he wagged his finger "tsk-tsk," Chris looked irritated, but Jeff didn't notice at all and continued talking in high spirits.
"Those who haven't gone won't understand. The sense of loneliness when you're alone, and the fear of death. The frustration and impatience caused by a lack of knowledge. The helplessness and despair of not being able to save the one woman in front of you and not knowing what to do. I tasted all of these at once, you know? At first, I kept resenting Shivans-senpai. But then I realized that he did such a thing to give me a goal in life. Now, I am grateful to Shivans-senpai!"
There's no way that's true.
There's no way I thought that far ahead.
"Heh! Can someone really change that much?"
"I don't know about others. But my life has changed 360 degrees!"
As Chris laughed loudly, Jeff got angry.
"What's so funny?"
"You're as stupid as ever! It's 180 degrees, right? You've gone in a full circle!"
Then, Jeff, who thought she would get angry, started saying, "Since we're at it, shall I tell you? Because no one else can tell you!"
"W-what is it...?"
"Chris, you look down on people in a way. Everyone might look stupid to you, but everyone feels like they're being looked down upon by you, so no one becomes your lover or friend! I know because I was like that before!"
Upon hearing that, Chris thought it might be true.
"I feel like I've always been on edge. Because I'm the daughter of the next Emperor. But when I think about it, if someone asked 'So what?', there's no clear answer, is there?"
"That's right. During this war, didn't Brother and Shivans-senpai say that you were a target too? Just like me, if the background of being royalty is gone, Chris, you're just an ordinary person. In the world of the uninhabited island where there was no background, both Ahim and I were powerless. If Lea hadn't used the knowledge she learned at the Summer Training Camp, I might have died..."
Chris laughed as if it were funny and said, "Jeff, you didn't even have knowledge?"
"It's annoying, but that's true. Even though we were supposed to have studied together. That's why, now, I understand how amazing Shivans-senpai is. I think if he went to an uninhabited island, he would survive."
"Then, are you going to the Summer Training Camp this year too?"
"Of course! I will gain knowledge to make Lea happy, and I will make an effort to utilize it! For that purpose, I will definitely participate this year!"
When she clapped her hands, Jeff got angry, thinking she was making fun of him.
"It's because of that attitude that you can't make friends, and isn't that why Muller ran away? I think your face is decent, but you have no sex appeal in your body."
She covered her chest with both hands, her face turning red, and complained, "How lewd! Even though you have a girlfriend!"
"I'm probably the only one who tells you your sore spots clearly, right? Would you prefer a child of a noble who says flattering things with a kind face while laughing behind your back?"
"Certainly, only my uncle does that. People who say such things. But isn't Muller just flighty? I heard recently that he even said something suggestive to Kate-sensei."
He nodded repeatedly.
"I feel like Muller is getting carried away. From what I know, he's involved with at least four female students. I warned him, thinking he might end up like Aristo-senpai, though. Chris, didn't you like Muller?"
"Well... after what Jeff said at the Summer Training Camp, I think I was conscious of him. His face is handsome too. But four people, huh? I wonder if he goes to brothels and such. It's nice being a man, being able to do things so casually."
He wagged his finger "tsk-tsk" again.
"Do you know the Wizard Hotel?"
When she nodded that she knew it, he asked, "Do you know about the Underworld Wizard Hotel?" When she said, "What's that? I don't know," he made a proud face.
"Apparently, women buy male prostitutes there and have sex. Surprisingly, my Mother might even use it. I feel like you might end up like that in the future, Chris. You're planning to marry some unimportant man anyway, right?"
Technically, Chris also has a fiancé. Though it's someone whose name, let alone face, she doesn't even know.
While feeling irritated, she said, "It's not because I want to! It's for my family," and he laughed.
"In the end, you're just using your family as an excuse to run away, aren't you? It's just an excuse for the fact that you aren't popular and couldn't get a lover! No matter what anyone says, I will be with Lea! I think a woman like you, Chris, will be buying male prostitutes in the near future."
She laughed "hahaha" and couldn't retort.
"You're really annoying! But, in reality, that's how it is. No one approaches me. That's it! When I was collapsed in front of the Student Council Room, there were people who didn't come to help me and instead peeked at my panties! Moreover, they apparently poked my breasts through my uniform! Seriously, so annoying!"
Chris became even more irritated by Jeff's burst of laughter.
"What's so funny?"
"I can understand a little bit of how those people who lifted your skirt or poked you felt when the usually arrogant Chris was sleeping in the hallway. I can imagine they probably did it out of spite. If you're going to show them, it's fine if it's underwear that surprises and delights men, but you must feel like a child, Chris. As for Lea... mufufu! She's incredibly mature!"
After throwing various things at Jeff and saying, "You're disgusting!", he said, "Good luck, niece!" with a smirk and walked away, waving his hand.
Left alone, Chris looked up at the ceiling, looking like she was about to cry.
Everyone is so lucky... falling in love or playing with friends. But my date with Shivans-senpai was fun! They wouldn't get excited... by my underwear. My future, buying male prostitutes...
She shook her head vigorously and muttered, "I'll try to be Real-life Fulfilled too! I'm 17, after all!" and looked around restlessly.
Alone in the Student Council Room where no one came, she was devising her Real-life Fulfilled plan.
A few days later
Within the Academy, rumors that Chris and I were having a friendly date in the Imperial Capital were spreading vividly, causing a stir.
The cause was that people in the city who didn't know me saw us at a Café and listened to stories about Chris for hours without getting bored.
"They must be a Prince and a Heroine!"
"Certainly! They felt noble!"
"The Prince looked exactly like the one in the picture book!"
"Eh? I wanted to see them!"
"And you know! They were eating at that expensive Wizard Hotel!"
It seemed novel fans had been tailing us.
The cause was that rumors called rumors, and the female fans of the novel were spreading rumors on their own. There were many fans of the novel within the Academy as well; while it was known that the Prince was Prince Jeff, the people in the city did not know.
Furthermore, rumors were also spreading that the money the Prince used for his date with the Heroine exceeded 3 million G in total, and Chris was feeling worn out.
The Academy was filled with those rumors, and female students came to ask Chris.
"Hey, hey, Chris? Are the rumors in the city true?"
"Is Shivans-senpai that rich? Introduce him to me too!"
"He's the only one in this Academy with a title and he's handsome! He seems to have lots of money."
"He must have bought you lots of expensive things, right?"
"Were you held by him at the Wizard Hotel? What was the room like?"
Chris was worn out.
She was bombarded with questions from women she didn't usually interact with much.
Everyone thinks I was held by Shivans-senpai. I didn't even realize I was letting him spend so much money normally. I'm so stupid... since we were visiting only the best shops in the Imperial Capital, of course it was expensive...
So, Chris decided to consult Aria.
"So, Chris, were you held by Shivans?"
"We haven't even kissed! The trigger was..."
Because the shopkeeper told her her panties lacked sex appeal and she was afraid to go out into the city, she had him accompany her. When she told her about going to buy clothes and underwear, eating at the Wizard Hotel's Restaurant, and drinking alcohol at the Club, she was laughed at.
"Chris, you really are an ignorant young lady. Well, I don't think Shivans cares since he earns his own money. According to the rumors, just sitting in a Club at the Wizard Hotel costs 100,000 G, you know? I'll say thanks to Shivans for you."
"That's fine. I will say it properly myself! Aria-senpai, when you receive a Gift from Shivans-senpai, what kind of thanks do you give? I don't understand that part at all..."
She couldn't say that she had become a total pervert who rejoiced in being tied up and obeyed everything he said.
"Th-that, why don't you ask Shivans himself? Well, I don't think Shivans was kind to you just because he wanted thanks? If you haven't even said thanks, you're the lowest kind of person."
"Ah! That's certainly true! Thank you, Aria-senpai!"
"You haven't even said thanks? You're such a handful of a junior..."
Being told that in an exasperated tone made her feel ashamed.
However, even if she wanted to say thanks, I wasn't at the Academy.
So, Chris headed to the one place that was her only hobby and where she could enjoy herself alone.
She arrived at a place where she could feel excited and thrilled.
That was masturbating while watching Aristo and the others' debauched situation from the second floor of the physical education warehouse. The excitement of doing this naughty thing, this peeping life, was the stress relief for Chris, who had neither lovers nor friends.
"She even does things like that... I want to do it too..."
Drooling, she took off her panties and made squelching sounds.
Around that time, I had returned to the Butler territory for the first time in a while and was inspecting the Cannons and the ship's Power Source with Gale.
"Cannons, huh... They haven't taken Shape yet, but do you intend to use them, Young Master?"
"I'd like to finish the war without using them. They are tools that destroy and kill people."
He nodded in agreement at my words.
"That's true. Speaking of which, something interesting has been made regarding the Power Source."
What he brought out was something much better than the bicycle I had made long ago. Moreover, there were two-wheeled and four-wheeled versions.
Both were equipped with something that used Wind Magic to gain propulsion.
"Pretty good, right? It's only at this stage, though. If it's a slope like that, it'll climb easily if you use this propulsion device!"
It was like what is called an assisted bicycle today.
The four-wheeled one was an excellent piece that two people could pedal while carrying some luggage.
"This is also quite fun! I feel like it might sell well, but what do you think, Young Master? However, the load capacity is still not enough... It's No Good if you load luggage."
Since he said the four-wheeled one needed more body strength, I tried to reinforce the frame by using Alchemy to process precious metals I had obtained from mines, dungeons, and treasure vaults.
"Young Master! Isn't that Mithril!"
"It is. It's good for increasing strength, isn't it?"
"Do you even realize its value..."
He spoke as if exasperated, but to me, it was a substance similar to Chrome. That's why I thought it would be suitable even for making swords.
Since what I'm using now is something I refined with Alchemy, and it was originally free...
Thus, I spent several days with the artisans. I was able to make several ordinary bicycles. The chain part, which had been an issue, and the handlebars had also been slightly improved.
I made several different types and painted them.
"With this, we can finally start Mass Production, right? It seems it will be more expensive than a carriage, but I think it will sell! I'll take two each, for women and men!"
When I distributed 10 large silver coins to the artisans, they said, "Here you go!" with smiles and I received them.
I went to the Cielo Trading Company and met Cielo.
"I intend to sell this soon. Since I'm using Mithril, I'm thinking of selling it for at least 1,000,000 G."
"Fufufu. Of course, I will let you sell it! Won't you leave the price to me? You can't do Mass Production yet, can you?"
As expected, he hit the sore spot perfectly.
"That is correct."
"Then I shall make a profit! Knowing Shivans-sama, you'll probably advertise it properly in the Newspaper as well."
When I nodded and informed him that the artisans in the Butler territory were making them and that a two-person four-wheeler was also under development, he called the Head Clerk and ordered, "Go see it immediately!"
If I rode through the Imperial Capital, it would be good advertising. I went straight to the newspaper company in the Imperial Capital and said, "I'll let the Cielo Trading Company sell it," and it immediately became an article.
The next morning.
When I appeared gallantly at the Academy riding a bicycle with a backpack, I became the center of attention among the students moving from the dormitory to the school building.
Due to the influence of the novel, the female students longed for love. The lower-class female students who didn't know me were making a fuss, screaming and cheering. Naturally, the backlash from the male students was great.
"That guy has a good face, but his personality is a devil!"
"Yeah, yeah. Just because he has a noble title, he acts all high and mighty!"
It was my third year at the Academy.
I was finally being envied by the male students.<
In the Student Council as well, someone who found my popularity unpleasant was waiting.
"Shivans! I can ride a bicycle too!"
"I know, Aristo-sama. This is a demonstration for selling purposes. This is a precious item using Mithril, and it is the crystallization of the artisans' efforts. I cannot give it to you easily."
"Then, what should I do?"
"Please place a reservation at the Cielo Trading Company."
"Understood! If it's something made with precious metal and excellent craftsmanship, I want to buy it. I have money right now."
It seems he had earned quite a bit in the dungeon.
Thanks to being featured extensively in the newspaper, it became a topic of conversation even in the Imperial Capital. Thinking of it as advertising, I rode my bicycle around the Imperial Capital all day and showed my face to the Military Police to meet the Captain.
"It's finally time for the Baron. I must correct my way of speaking..."
"You can continue as you are. Today, I have a request for the Captain..."
As bicycles began to spread, people with bad manners appeared. People who tried to speed, or those who used them for crimes like theft.
"I see. I'll talk to the Legal Affairs Bureau."
"Please do!"
The roads in the Imperial Capital are getting wider now, but many people get irritated by slow carriages. We must also anticipate incidents like people attempting to overtake and hitting someone.
When I also stopped by the Adventurer Guild, Jessica was there.
"I wanted to see you!"
As she hugged me without regard for public eyes, the Guild Master also appeared.
"Now, now, Jessica. Calm down. You look well, Shivans-kun. No, was adding -kun to a Baron-Excellency rude?"
"Ahaha! Please don't say things like that, Mario-san. Shivans is fine. Please perform Blood Drain and Butchering today as well!"
I was immediately shown to the reception room.
"I have a request for you."
The Guild Master's request was an escort request. The former Margrave Eckhart territory to the northwest is still in chaos, and although the Fourth Imperial Prince has been appointed, there are many refugees and immigrants from the Hazard Country.
"Because of that, it can also become a business. The itinerant merchants of the Imperial Capital are currently forming caravans toward the northwest, but there are many escort requests..."
The country is also currently in a situation where it is pouring money in for recovery. Since various things, including food, are in short supply, merchants see it as a chance. I can understand why, especially for up-and-coming merchants, it is a place they want to go.
"But there is also risk."
Currently, we have closed the border with the Duchy of Walujava. It is full of mountains so we cannot go to Walujava, but we cannot go there either. Both sides can enter and exit via the Hazard Country.
There must be spies disguised as bandits or outlaws, and real bandits too. Not just the goods, but if we lose our lives, it's all for nothing.
In fact, there seem to have been cases of being attacked.
"If you participate, it will be advertising for our guild, and I think it will be encouraging for the itinerant merchants and young adventurers. What do you think?"
"I understand. When is the departure?"
"You'll accept? It's in four days! Ah, that's a lifesaver!"
The Guild Master immediately gathered local members, but the ones who gathered were nothing but Old Men or female and child adventurers.
What is this?
Jessica, who sensed my thoughts, quietly told me.
"Since last year, nobles from various regions have been gathering veteran adventurers, saying they will make them knights for their own territories. That's why the escort requests end up like this."
In the previous war with Rhodesia, many nobles lost their lives because they did not have their own soldiers. This time, they seem to be preparing for war with the Duchy of Walujava.
I see. Similar things happened in the East Empire, but is this still better? I guess the shortage of young people is the same for every country if a war breaks out.
Then, one of the Old Men was getting somewhat enraged.
"Are you telling us to serve under such a brat? What do you mean, A-rank! That rich brat probably bought his title and rank with money, didn't he?"
It seemed he was complaining to the Guild Master because he didn't like the idea of me, an A-rank, being the leader.
The surrounding adventurers also frowned, complaining in whispers.<
"Is it that Terror's Old Man again? Even though he fled from Kieff!"
"Those guys are always bickering, aren't they?"
"My precious breasts were squeezed! You Old Men who love both bickering and squeezing!"
"He smells of alcohol, and he even stroked my butt many times..."
"They just do whatever they want, thinking no one can oppose them. Even though it was over my clothes, my breasts and butt were touched! I wish he would die!"
As I tried to walk out, Jessica made a worried face.
"It's okay! Don't worry!"
When I approached, he said, "What is it, brat? Do you have business with Me? Guhehehe," smelling of alcohol.
"If you don't want to come with me, there is no need. Please, leave."
Then, he grabbed me by the collar.
"You gonna do it, kid? Against Me?"
"You can, but? If you fight me alone, you'll get injured."
The three behind him also stood up and got angry.
"You! Don't get cocky!"
"You're gonna deal with us too? Are you stupid?"
"Is this kid on drugs or something?"
They can laugh and mock me while they still can.
I borrowed the training ground used for exams. When I said I would fight four of them, the adventurers came in droves with their full curiosity to watch.
"Now is the time to apologize! Well, even if you apologize, I won't forgive you!"
Terror wore a vulgar laugh and immediately attacked. For his massive size, his movements were good, but slow. He swung down a club-like weapon, and everyone thought I had been defeated. However, I had my hands in my pockets, smiling, standing next to the club that had been swung down.
"Has your presbyopia progressed?"
"Shut up! You brat!"
This time, when he swung horizontally, everyone screamed. However, I remained standing in my original position. This time he swung it wildly, but I laughed, "Ahahaha!", and the three behind him joined in, saying, "Don't just watch, help him!" trying to catch me.
However, Terror's swinging club ended up attacking the three, causing them to fall out.
"What are you doing, Terror!"
"Are you stupid? Where are you swinging that!"
"You're senile! Can't you even tell who your opponent is?"
When the three complained, he said, "You bastards should just catch the kid!", but they couldn't. It turned into a game of tag, and the surrounding adventurers began to laugh.
"Are the Old Men already out of breath? Ahaha!"
"Are the grandpas playing tag? Kyahaha!"
This time I tried to direct my anger toward the spectators, but they couldn't take their eyes off me.
"Now then... are you ready to be beaten by a brat?"
When I applied [Intimidation], everyone began to tremble so much that it felt like the surrounding temperature had dropped.
"I said you bought your title and rank with money, didn't I? Will you apologize for that insult with a Dogeza? Or do you want to have a painful experience here? Choose whichever you like."
"Arrogant kid! Who would ever do a Dogeza to someone like you!"
Terror mustered his courage and charged, but the sound of bones cracking, "crack, crack, snap," echoed. He was left in tatters, to a point where it was a mystery he was even alive.
""Terror!!""
The three men approached Terror, crying.
"What will you do? Continue? Apologize?"
When I strengthened [Intimidation], the three were in a state where they couldn't even breathe.
In the end, they fainted without being able to answer.
When I approached Terror, he cowered.
"From now on, never act arrogant again! To other adventurers as well. If even one of you does something bad, I will make you taste more suffering and pain than this, over and over again. Do you understand?"
When I said it in a low voice, he nodded repeatedly while shedding tears. I healed him just enough to be able to move and then left him.
Terror and the others were hospitalized. Knowing that I was called the 'Devil' in this country, they were shouting, "That guy is truly a devil. We never want to meet that devil who beats people while laughing again!"
'The Laughing Demon'
Another dishonorable title was added to my collection.