Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Chapter 197

“...Are you sure about this?”

When I expressed my intention to participate in the Partlan family festival, Benedict looked noticeably taken aback.

It was quite curious. Normally, he would agree to anything his daughter asked, so seeing him react this way was unexpected.

I could guess the reason.

The countless misdeeds Lucy had committed in the social circles in the past.

From Benedict's perspective, how could he welcome this matter, especially since it involved visiting the great Partlan duke’s household—something he couldn't suppress with his status?

As soon as the mention of the festival came up, old memories would surely rush back like a parade, and it would be normal for him to scramble for a way to stop me.

It was truly unfortunate for Benedict, but I had no intention of giving up on this.

While there was the quest issued by that pathetic deity, there was an even more important reason.

My favorite character wanted to hang out with me!

You want me to give this up!?

Me, the wretched fan of Soul Academy?!

Don’t talk nonsense! I absolutely cannot give up!

Benedict couldn’t stop me. What kind of father would refuse when his daughter wanted to play with a friend?

Instead, he carefully took my hand with his large hand, which was big enough for my head to fit in, and earnestly pleaded.

“Lucy, once I finish my business at the territory, I’ll head to the Partlan territory as well. So please, I beg you, don’t cause any trouble before I arrive.”

His request, asking me to cause any incidents when he could handle them himself, showed traces of the hardships Benedict had endured over the years.

I couldn’t add anything to that, so I could only nod silently.

After that, it was preparation time.

The duke's side arranged someone to attend to me personally, assigned a guard, found someone to look after the foolish fox, packed my clothes for the event, and gathered my thoughts as I gazed at Lucy's extravagant outfits from the past.

Thanks to the swift progression of these procedures, I arrived at the Partlan territory the evening two days before the festival began.

“Long time no see, Alrn Young Lady.”

Despite almost two months passing, Joy hadn’t changed much.

If I had to say, she had slimmed down a bit due to regular training.

The already pretty person became even prettier through management.

At this point, isn’t she at the level where she could easily outshine the game illustrations?

“I’ve heard stories about you from here and there. Honestly, you seem to be unable to stay quiet wherever you go.”

As I was thinking about how lucky I was to be possessed by Lucy’s body, Joy spoke with a wry smile.

My story? Is there anything to spread?

I had been holed up in the territory since returning from Menestail.

...Could it be that the events from the auction house spread?!

Whenever Erin subtly mentioned it, I felt like it was a regretful mistake as that dark history wriggled in agony?!

Avery! I trusted your cowardice, and yet you betray me like this!

I will never forgive you.

I will show you just how terrifying the term mutual assured destruction is.

“You trampled on a foreign count's reputation.”

I was grinding my teeth, thinking of the worst-case scenario, but Joy brought up a different topic.

Before I went to the auction house, how I knocked down the Georg count.

“Honestly, I felt thrilled hearing the story, but you went a bit overboard.”

The humiliated Georg count had tried to control the rumors, but one couldn’t stop people’s mouths.

It seems the news of that guy being schooled by me spread even to foreign nobles.

Thank goodness. The circumstances were clearly stated.

Considering Lucy's reputation, it wouldn’t be surprising if it got twisted into a story where I just beat him up because I didn’t like him.

“In social circles, it seems that Alrn Young Lady started the altercation.”

Ah. So it’s already been twisted?

Is my reputation falling again?

Sigh. I risked my life to prevent the seal of that evil deity from breaking, and this is how I'm treated.

“Don’t worry. I’ve been correcting such stories whenever I hear them.”

Watching Joy puff her chest up as if to say, “Just trust me,” made my disappointment vanish.

Yeah. What do I care what people who don’t even know me say? As long as the people around me know the truth, that’s enough.

‘Thank you, Joy.’ “So that makes me even more worried. If you say something silly, it might create a strange distortion, right? Is the center of the rumor that foolish young lady?”

“What? Huh?! How did it become like that?!”

Naturally, I didn’t convey my gratitude for the Mesugaki skill.

This isn’t bad either. The foolish young lady acting foolish is cute.

Since I was visiting the territory of another noble, it would only be proper to greet the ones governing this place first, but I couldn’t do that.

Due to a sudden urgent schedule this morning, the duke and duchess had gone outside the territory.

For me, this was a fortunate situation. I wanted to delay meeting the duke and duchess as much as possible.

Consider the penalties of the Mesugaki skill.

That guy indiscriminately attaches strange nicknames to anyone, regardless of their status.

I couldn’t even guess how to address the duke and duchess!

Someday, I’ll have to confirm that nickname, but it doesn’t have to be today, does it?

I don’t want to add any more worries on top of the stress from that pathetic deity.

In place of the duke and duchess, I met Jeff Partlan, Joy’s brother, at a dinner with Joy.

“Nice to meet you, Alrn Young Lady. I’m Jeff Partlan. My sister often tells me about you.”

Looking closely, Jeff, unlike Joy, who showed some awkwardness, was the very embodiment of a fairy tale noble.

His movements and speech were so refined that even I, knowing his true nature, was astonished.

However, his inner self was different.

He was endlessly generous to those he acknowledged, but cold enough to make your bones chill to those outside that circle.

As I was leveling up my affection toward him, I wondered how such a guy could be Joy’s brother.

A miserable siscon who mentioned his sister’s name until the very end of the route.

Since I’m someone Joy cherishes as a friend, he would treat me well, but he’s not someone I want to get close to.

I wonder how the Mesugaki skill will refer to him.

In the community, he was usually called a crazy siscon bastard.

That’s probably not the case, right? Please?

Just don’t reach a level where I would hate him. Please.

“Hello, Young Master Partlan.” “Hello, Devious Young Master.”

Jeff’s expression slightly stiffened, but considering my standards, it wasn’t bad.

I’ve seen worse!

“Is that my nickname?” “Sorry. It seems so.” “I think it’s the nickname that suits you best.”

“...So, you heard it from Joy?”

Maybe it was because Joy was standing next to me, or maybe Joy had warned him beforehand.

Jeff only nodded without saying anything more.

“Alrn Young Lady, why is our brother called Devious Young Master?”

The question came from somewhere else.

From Joy’s perspective, having only seen Jeff's good side, it would be hard for her to understand why that term was included in his nickname.

As I was unconsciously about to answer Joy’s question, I changed my words upon feeling the piercing gaze from the side.

“It’s similar to the foolish young lady being a foolish young lady?” “...Huh? What does that mean?”

I think I explained enough. Joy. I can’t say more than that.

Joy tilted her head, but I pretended not to notice and picked up my utensils.

If I said anything unnecessary, I might end up with a new enemy.

The meal provided by the duke’s household was delicious. Although I couldn’t enjoy it properly due to Jeff giving me side glances every time I spoke.

After the meal, Joy said she would guide me through the duke’s estate.

Seeing the excitement on her face, it seemed she had been looking forward to this moment.

Jeff tried to join us, pretending not to notice, but Joy blocked him.

“Brother, I’m sorry, but I want to go alone with her.” “But Joy...” “If you keep that up, I think I’ll start disliking you, Brother.”

With the declaration of “I hate you, Brother!” Jeff’s deviousness crumbled.

His retreating figure, walking away dejectedly, felt strangely familiar.

Ah. I remembered. Benedict often did that.

Imagining Benedict, who was probably struggling to handle the piled-up work right now, I felt an inexplicable sympathy and approached Jeff.

“Do you have something to discuss? Alrn Young Lady?” ‘Don’t worry. I won’t say a word.’ “To the devious young master who’s worried about his deviousness being exposed, here’s some good news. Do you think my mouth is heavy? Probably.”

With a giggle that slipped out against my will, Jeff’s gaze turned complex.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. Am I devious?” ‘Let’s go with that.’ “Cough. Heh. Yes, then that’s it. Devious Young Master.”

Seeing Jeff clench his fist, I hurriedly made my escape after finishing my sentence.

If I’m like this with him, what will happen when I meet the duke and duchess?

...Maybe I should have come with Benedict.

The next morning, after spending a delightful time touring the duke’s mansion with Joy.

Even though it was still early, Joy was full of enthusiasm.

“I’ll show you the wonderful things of our territory that I couldn’t show you yesterday!”

The excitement she had for this day was evident as she had even written a plan in her notebook, and as soon as breakfast ended, she took me outside the mansion.

Even when I took a quick look around last night, I felt that the Partlan territory was quite a lively place.

With the festival starting soon, people were in high spirits, but even before that, the faces of the people were bright.

The duke and duchess, whose personalities and abilities were good, governed the territory well, leading to the happy expressions of the residents.

“This place is…”

Growing up loved by such a duke and duchess, Joy was a child who knew how to love her territory.

As she introduced her territory, affection for it naturally seeped into her tone.

Perhaps because they knew Joy’s feelings, the territory’s residents welcomed her with open arms, approaching her to greet her.

For me, it was something to be envious of. The people living in the Alrn territory would bow their heads upon seeing my face.

As I wandered the streets with Joy, I stopped in front of a shop set up for the Partlan festival.

It was a place where one could shoot arrows at a target to score points.

As I looked at it, Joy suggested first.

“Would you like to try it?” “Yes.” “It looks shabby, but it seems fun.”

When Joy asked if it would be okay for her to try, the shop owner nodded enthusiastically.

Since the festival hadn’t started yet, whatever results came out wouldn’t count toward the quest.

Still, let’s practice and see how well the bow works.

I also needed to check if the effect of the Bracelet of Revelry activated properly.

Receiving an arrow from the owner, I took a deep breath and pulled back the bowstring.

<Oh. Your posture is quite good. Did you learn how to shoot a bow somewhere?> ‘No, I haven’t.’ <Hmm?>

As I released the bowstring, the arrow flew straight into the target marked with the number 10.

Good. The effect of the Bracelet of Revelry is activated properly.

Pathetic deity!

You must have thought about how to raise my reputation, right?!

Just you wait! I’ll be heading to collect my rewards!