It’s Quite a Feat to Make Me Snap

“It’s been a while since the three of us ate together like this, hasn't it?” Jaga, that traitor, said.

“That’s because this guy was eating with the Princess every single day,” Hyoro added.

“It wasn’t like I had a choice,” I replied.

The three of us were back in the cafeteria for the first time in ages. Alexia was, for once, nowhere to be found.

“Cid-kun, please, just cheer up already.”

“Yeah, stop being the kind of guy who holds a grudge over every little thing.”

“I even treated you to the 980-Zeny daily special on the Poor Noble Course!” Jaga whined.

“Exactly. He treated you, so let’s just let bygones be bygones,” Hyoro backed him up.

I let out a heavy sigh. “Fine, I get it.”

“Alright! Now that’s what makes a man.”

“Thank you, Cid-kun.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

Hyoro lowered his voice. “So, how far did you actually get?”

“With what?”

“You know, that stuff with Princess Alexia. You were dating for two weeks, so you must’ve at least done a bit of that.”

It was a remarkably stupid conversation, mostly consisting of him repeating the word “that.”

“Nothing happened. There’s no way it would.”

“Man, you’re such a hopeless coward. If it were me, I would’ve gone all the way by now.”

“I agree,” Jaga said. “Even I would’ve at least gotten a kiss.”

“Like I said, it wasn’t that kind of relationship.”

I continued my meal, brushing them off with half-hearted answers. Then...

“Do you have a moment?”

Instructor Zenon, the handsome blond, made his grand appearance.

“Yes, please!”

“Please, take a seat!”

The two idiots immediately turned into stiff garden ornaments.

“Did you need something from me?” I asked, being a little cautious. I was on the lookout for him making some kind of move while Alexia was gone.

“Yes. You may have already heard, but Princess Alexia hasn't returned to the dorms since yesterday.”

It was news to me.

But she’s probably just out on a journey to ‘find herself’ or something. She’s at that age, after all.

“We started a search this morning and found this.”

Instructor Zenon pulled out a single loafer. It was Alexia’s.

“There were signs of a struggle nearby. The Knight Order is treating this as a kidnapping and has opened an investigation.”

“No way...!” I cried out in grief.

In my head, however, I was doing a full-power fist pump. Yes! Serves you right!

“While narrowing down the suspects, a person who was the last to be seen with Princess Alexia emerged.” Instructor Zenon said, his eyes boring into mine. “The Knight Order would like to hear your side of the story.”

At the cafeteria entrance, I saw the members of the Knight Order. They were fully armed and practically radiating bloodlust.

“You’ll cooperate, won't you?”

I realized it then.

Welp. This is bad.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

After that, I was tossed into a makeshift holding cell and interrogated. I wasn't released until the evening, five days later.

“Hey, move it!”

A rough shove to my back sent me stumbling out of the building, and my belongings were tossed out onto the ground after me.

Standing there in just my underwear, I started pulling my clothes and shoes out of the pile. Since the nails on all my fingers had been ripped out, it took an annoying amount of time to get dressed.

Once I finished getting ready, I took a deep breath and started walking.

The crowds passing by on the main street stared at me—a beaten, blood-soaked mess.

I exhaled again.

Calm down. Calm down, me. There’s no point in snapping at small fries like that.

I tried my hardest not to remember the faces of the knights who had interrogated me so I could maintain my composure.

They were just doing their jobs.

The wounds from the beating were superficial, and I could have healed my missing nails instantly if I felt like it. I didn't, purely for the sake of staying in character as a mob.

“Yeah, I’m always calm.”

Yes, perfectly calm.

I took a deep breath. My vision cleared.

I checked for presence and sensed two suspicious shadows trailing a short distance behind.

Two tails, huh?

The kidnapper still hadn't been caught, and Alexia’s status was naturally unknown. I wasn't so delusional as to think I’d been proven innocent. I’d just been let go due to insufficient evidence; I was still very much a suspect.

I walked toward the dorms, looking down and pretending to be exhausted.

Along the way...

『Later...』

A tiny voice, nothing more than a whisper, reached my ears. Then came the faint scent of a familiar perfume.

“Alpha, huh...”

The main street was packed with people in the evening rush, and she was nowhere to be seen.

◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇

I returned to my dorm room and flipped on the light. A girl stepped out from the shadows.

“You’re going to eat, right?”

She wore a black bodysuit that fit her perfectly, emphasizing her womanly curves. In her hand was a sandwich stuffed with thick cuts of tuna. It was from Magronald's, a famous shop in the Royal Capital.

“Thanks. It’s been a while, Alpha. Where’s Beta?”

I hadn't eaten anything decent in five days, so I tore into the sandwich. Beta was supposed to have been the one acting as my assistant lately.

“I heard from Beta. You’ve gotten yourself into quite a mess, haven't you?”

Alpha sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her legs. Her silky blond hair and those sharp, beautiful blue eyes felt nostalgic. She seemed to have matured quite a bit since I last saw her.

“Tell me about it,” I said, stuffing the last bite of the sandwich into my mouth.

“There’s water there.”

“Thanks.”

I drained the large cup of water in one go.

“Phew, I’m back among the living.”

I kicked off my shoes, ditched my jacket, and dove onto the bed.

“Hey, at least change your clothes first.”

“No way. I’m sleeping.”

“Honestly... do you even understand the position you’re in?”

“I’ll leave the arrangements to you.”

Alpha was top-tier. If I left it to her, she’d set up the perfect stage for me. Until then, I just needed to sleep... I mean, accumulate my power.

Alpha let out a long sigh. “I think you know this, but as things stand, you’re going to be the fall guy.”

“True.”

Unless the real culprit was caught, the most suspicious person—me—would almost certainly be executed. Especially since this was a royal kidnapping. The public wouldn't be satisfied unless someone died.

The Middle Ages are the best.

“Get up. I have another sandwich.”

“I’m up.”

I took the second sandwich from her.

“There’s a movement within the capital trying to frame you.”

“Heh. Well, if they just leave it alone, I am the culprit anyway.”

“They want a quick resolution. A dull student from a Poor Baron Family is the perfect scapegoat.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’d do.”

“The Knight Order can’t be trusted.”

“Has The Cult infiltrated them?”

“Yes, without a doubt. The one who kidnapped the princess is a member of The Cult. Their goal is her high-concentration ‘Hero's Blood’.”

Alpha and the others are still keeping up The Cult roleplay. I really appreciate the dedication.

“Is she still alive?”

“If she dies, they can’t drain any more blood, can they?”

“Fair point.”

“I don't know why you were busy having a romance with the princess, but...” Alpha glared at me with half-lidded eyes.

“I don't think I’d call it a romance.”

“You have your reasons, don't you? Something you can't tell us.”

I looked away, avoiding Alpha’s gaze as she tried to peer into my eyes. I stayed silent. Obviously, I didn't have any grand reason at all.

“I understand. I know you’re carrying a heavy burden.”

What am I supposed to do if I’m not carrying anything at all?

“But trust us a little more. If you’d told us about this beforehand, it wouldn't have turned into such a disaster. Right?”

“I-I get it.”

“It’s fine. Following up for you is our job, after all.” Alpha smiled. “Once this incident is over, you’re treating me to Magronald's. That sandwich you just ate was actually my dinner.”

“Sure. Sorry for eating your share, Alpha.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Alpha stood up, opened the window, and perched one leg on the sill. Her small hips swayed slightly.

“I’m heading out. Stay quiet for a while.”

“Got it. What’s the plan?”

“I’m gathering our forces. We don't have enough people in the Royal Capital right now. I’ll have to call Delta, too.”

“You’re calling Delta?”

“She’s been dying to see you.”

Vanguard Delta, also known as Assault Weapon Delta. To put it simply, she was a battle-crazed idiot.

It’ll be nice to have a reunion with everyone, but man... I really hope they’re all living normal, decent lives.

“I’ll send word once the preparations are complete. See you later.”

Alpha gave me one last smile, pulled her bodysuit hood over her face, and vanished out the window.