364 Protagonist Guy

There were less than seven days left until the School Festival.

Preparations for our Cosplay Cafe were reaching their climax, and we had successfully settled on Cynthia’s outfit: she was going to be the Ice Princess. We planned for her to put on an "ice performance" during specific time slots throughout the event.

When I had excitedly suggested the idea to her, she’d snapped at me. "Is this really the time or the place for that mood?!" she’d yelled. I still didn't quite get why she was so mad.

"Lord Weiss, I’m so looking forward to it! Let's make sure you don't end up getting groped as much as the customers want!" Lilith chirped.

"Right..."

No matter how many times I corrected her, for some reason, Lilith refused to stop using that specific phrasing. I’m starting to suspect this is some kind of inescapable destiny forced upon us by Noblesse Oblige.

Still, as long as we won the festival competition, it wouldn't be a problem. Wait... if we win, does that mean it actually becomes 'all-you-can-grope'? Dammit, those intrusive thoughts are even starting to bubble up in my own brain...

"Goblin King, ATTACK!"

I happened to glance out into the hallway just in time to see Belk swinging a club at Meryl. He was immediately rebuffed by a single, crushing blow to the head from Meryl, who was currently dressed in her Priest cosplay.

"Weiss, do you have a moment?"

The person who called out to me was Allen. For the record, he was slated to play the Hero, complete with a golden crown on his head. I was the one who had made that casting call, and surprisingly, no one had complained.

Despite his commoner roots, Allen had already earned the respect of the masses. It irritates me more than a little, but if we want to win the cafe competition, I have to play my best cards. Still, what the hell does he want?

"Changed your mind about being the Hero?" I asked.

"No, that's not it. It’s... about the Demon Race."

With that one sentence, the atmosphere shifted. We moved from the window and headed up to the rooftop. It was rare for him to bring that topic up himself.

Did he catch wind of something?

"What’s up? Did you get some new intel?" I prompted.

Naturally, I already knew the "future." However, because of my constant interference with the timeline, their actions had become almost entirely unpredictable. Events like the Great Full Moon were rare outliers; for the most part, we were stuck playing catch-up.

This was likely because "Noblesse Oblige" wasn't just about the Demon Race—it was a global-scale system that threw "events" at Allen constantly. Our current life at the Academy was just one of those events. While fighting the Demon King was the main plot, it wasn't always the immediate focus.

Though, I definitely need to kill the guy if I want a complete Clear of this world.

"Sorry, I don't actually have anything concrete," Allen admitted. "I’ve been looking into things with Shari and Duke whenever we have a spare moment, but..."

"Hah! Then what are you even trying to say?"

"I’m thinking of setting a trap."

"...A trap?"

"Yes. Remember that thing they were after before? Of course, I’ll probably need to ask a lot of people for help. Even so, I want to stop them."

In the West, it seemed the Pseudo-Demon types had already been resurrected multiple times. I’d heard that even some famous figures were among their ranks. Their lifespans were incredibly short, likely because we had successfully thwarted their original plans, but new criminals were being born one after another like a horde of Zombies.

The number of victims wasn't small. Right now, most people still viewed it as "a fire on the opposite shore"—someone else’s problem—but that wouldn't last forever. Allen understood that better than anyone.

So he's setting a snare, huh?

It wasn't that I hadn't considered the idea myself. But this was a massive "alteration" to the plot. Allen wasn't supposed to be making proactive moves against the Demon Race at this stage. Normally, he’d be barely keeping his head above water, struggling desperately just to survive at Noblesse Magic Academy.

Is he actually starting to have some leeway? Or has his entire mindset changed?

"Do you even realize what you’re suggesting?" I asked. "If you’re setting a trap, you’re going to need bait. Which means putting people in danger."

If he put out the call, Duke and Shari would move. And since he was talking to me, he was clearly counting on Cynthia, Lilith, and a whole lot of others. Up until now, we’d miraculously avoided any deaths or major injuries. But the Demon Race we were facing now weren't the ones I remembered from the game. I had no idea what they were planning.

Setting a trap in this state of uncertainty... that’s not like him at all.

"I know," Allen said, his voice steady. "But I can't just stand by and watch things get worse."

"That’s a pretty grand speech for a mere student. Even if you don't do anything, plenty of powerful people are already working on it. Are you trying to say you’re better than them?"

"I’m not being that arrogant. It’s just... Weiss, I trust you."

"...Excuse me?"

"I don't mind being a pawn. I don't mind being your hands and feet. But I have a goal. I want to save people."

God, he can spout that crap without a shred of shame.

Personally, I didn't care if people I didn't know screamed or died. I wouldn't care if the whole country collapsed. However, the Pseudo-Demons were a loose thread that bothered me. I didn't know what the Demon Race was up to, but I suspected they were priming the world for something big.

Even if I did nothing, there was a high probability Allen would eventually defeat the Demon King. But the body count along the way would be astronomical.

"...Hmph. And if someone dies because of this?"

"I won't let them die. But I'm not here to talk about pretty ideals. This is my resolve."

Hah. You absolute Protagonist Guy—you damn idealist.

"Fine. I’ll bite. I’ll go along with your plan once the School Festival is over. But I’m not deciding the strategy, and neither are you. I’m running this by Cecil. If she says it's a no-go, we don't move."

He was under the mistaken impression that I had some kind of charisma or genius intellect. In reality, I just happened to know the future.

"Of course. I’ll ask Cecil-san myself as well. Let’s give it our best... though I know you hate hearing that. But Weiss? Thank you."

God, I hate protagonists. It's irritating how he acts like he can see right through me.

Still, I suppose a protagonist who takes the initiative to change the world isn't half bad. And I’m actually looking forward to seeing how the demons react. I’m going to smoke out every single one of their movements and goals.

Then, for some reason, Allen started vigorously scrubbing his hand with a handkerchief. I was wondering what the hell he was doing until he suddenly held that hand out to me.

"What?" I asked.

"I figured we should probably shake on it. For now."

"............"

I turned and walked away.

"Where are you going, Weiss?! Hey, Weiss! Wait up!"

Yeah, I definitely made the wrong choice.

Still... that crown on your head? It's frustrating, but it actually looked like the real thing to me.

Protagonist Guy.

Afterword

Sorry to keep you waiting for the update! Currently, my posting schedule is irregular, but my work and mental state are very stable. I’m hoping to build up a backlog of chapters.

I’d be happy if you could stick with me a little longer! (/・ω・)/

[Important Announcement]

I’ve started a new series! The title is: The Case Where a Mysterious Master Swordsman is Peerless in a Corner of the Stream

It’s turning into a really fun project, so please check it out if you have the time!