Most of the academy students were, as I expected, in a loose, careless state. They didn’t seem to think that they would be ambushed by other students, and as a result, they allowed it far too easily.
Of course, there were some who were wary of the risk of raids. These were the students who had upperclassman friends who had tipped them off ahead of time, or those who had failed to advance to the second year and remained as first years.
Unlike the others, they kept a sharp eye on me, aware of the possibility of a surprise attack.
In this process, Faybi was the most useful. As the saintess of the Church of the Lord, she had an impeccable reputation among the students. No one could stay tense in the face of her smile.
There was no way anyone thought the saintess herself would be raiding them. So, when we told them we were merely passing through, they believed us far too easily and let us approach.
If it weren’t for Faybi, we’d be in a lot of trouble. Even though my reputation has improved somewhat, it's still crawling in the gutter.
Without the saintess title offsetting it, it would’ve been impossible to carry out this easy massacre.
“These guys...”
“Wow. These weaklings sure have a lot of loot for being so pathetic.”
“No! You can’t take that!”
“Even up to your quota...”
“Wow. You really want to give me everything down to the last bit, huh?”
“Grr...”
Maybe because this party included some students who had only enrolled last year, they had amassed quite a bit of loot.
It was quite the feast, perhaps because they had some experience with field trips. Though, it still couldn’t compare to Arthur’s party.
Arthur really is quite capable. How did a first-year manage to gather almost a hundred pieces of loot in a single day?
Well, all the hard-earned spoils that Prince Ant worked so hard to collect are now in the hands of the Mesugaki faction.
That’s why you should have been more careful about who you invested in.
“I’m sorry. I had no choice.”
Faybi was clasping her hands together as she looked down at the ones lying on the ground, groaning.
I’d convinced her that this was all for the sake of the other students’ growth, but it still seemed to weigh on her.
But you know, Faybi, even though you’re genuinely sorry, the way you’re saying it probably sounds like teabagging to them.
If the person who set up the trap says something like that, wouldn’t it be infuriating?
“It’s okay, Saintess. We understand.”
“Yeah, it’s not your fault, Saintess.”
Judging by their reactions, it seems they don’t feel that way at all.
<It’s the difference in how you behave normally.>
‘Grandpa, stop hitting me with facts.’
I understand why they’re reacting like this. Faybi’s usual image is too good, and mine is too bad.
If Faybi had done this alone, they would have been wondering, Why would the saintess do this? But with me standing beside her, they’re probably thinking, That bad woman must have threatened the saintess into doing this!
It’s unfair.
Sure, I did ask her to do it, but I didn’t threaten her! I just persuaded her slowly!
And maybe I did say something like, I went through this humiliation because of you, and you won’t even do one thing for me?
Ahem. Well, anyway, it’s unfair! I didn’t do anything wrong!
<Oh, Armadis, why did you choose this child as your apostle?>
‘Please, if you ever get an answer, let me know.’
I’m curious too. Was there a reason, or was Armadis just playing around with the Mesugaki as a toy?
“Faybi...”
“Come on, weak Saintess. There’s no time to waste. There are still plenty of weaklings to rob.”
“Ah, yes. Let me just heal these people.”
Because of Faybi’s last remark, the stares directed at both of us became even more pronounced.
Even though I was the one who gave permission for her to heal them.
Yeah, I get it. You all think of me as the villain, don’t you?
Fine. Then let me show you what a real villain is.
It’s only been one day since this field trip started. You still have three more days to spend in this forest with me.
Look forward to it. I’ll make sure you learn just how hard and grueling things are going to get.
<Didn’t you once say you wanted to improve your reputation?>
‘I gave up on that a long time ago.’
She had been so enthusiastic while roaming around the forest today. Adrie, who was floating in midair, smiled as she watched Bish drool in her sleep, lost in pleasant dreams.
It’s nice to be able to wander around with Bish.
Not long ago, Adrie had been freed from her curse of being a dungeon boss by the apostle of the evil god.
Adrie, who had been bound to the dungeon as a spirit, could resist the restrictions of being trapped in one place due to her immense power.
However, since her essence was still that of a bound spirit, she still needed a place to stay, one that held a connection to her.
Fortunately, Adrie had a person who shared such a bond with her: Bish. The kind person who considered her a friend, even though she was a spirit.
Thanks to Bish, Adrie was able to escape the long, lonely isolation and see the world again.
After being confined to that old, dilapidated mansion for so long, the world she encountered was breathtakingly beautiful.
Buildings, forests, roads, skies, and people—all of it.
Though now she looks at Bish like an innocent younger sibling, Adrie herself had been just as overwhelmed when she first entered the forest.
She had been so excited that she forgot to maintain her usual bright, girlish facade and made a fuss.
Luckily, her behavior fit the role she was pretending to play. Otherwise, Bish might have been suspicious.
While gazing at the stars in the night sky, Adrie was savoring the beauty of the outside world when she sensed something approaching from afar and straightened up.
This energy... It’s that arrogant brat. Judging by the fact that she’s walking straight toward us, she must be coming to see Bish?
No, she doesn’t care that much for Bish. She probably just sees her as a convenient tool. There’s no way she’d come all the way here at this late hour to visit her.
There must be another motive.
Adrie recalled the events of earlier in the day, when Bish’s party had encountered another group.
As soon as they met Bish’s party, instead of greeting them, the other group had launched an attack.
When Bish’s party asked why, all they got in response was, This is a field trip.
The only reason Bish’s party had won that battle was because Adrie had subtly helped her. If not for that, they would have been easily overpowered.
Afterward, they learned what had happened.
“We were raided last night.”
That was the explanation they received.
Apparently, Lucy Alrn’s party had raided several groups the previous night.
Since then, parties that realized the true nature of this field trip had begun ambushing others, spreading chaos throughout the forest.
“There are only two kinds of people in this forest now: those who get raided and those who raid.”
The group that had attacked Bish’s party begged them to leave behind just enough to meet their quota after telling them everything.
The purpose of the chaos engulfing the forest was clear: looting.
Should I wake Bish? Adrie pondered for a moment before shaking her head as she looked at Bish, who was now fast asleep against a log.
That arrogant brat is someone I can talk to. I’ll send her away with words. There’s no need to wake up someone sleeping so soundly.
Floating into the air, Adrie moved in the direction of Lucy.
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
Sensing Adrie approaching, Lucy stood alone in the middle of the forest, separated from her party members.
“Lonely old hag? What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be rotting away in some musty corner like the spirit you are?”
— “I’m neither old nor lonely, how many times do I have to tell you that, you brat!”
The moment Lucy saw her, she immediately started provoking her. Oh, for goodness’ sake. If it weren’t for the favors I owe her, I would’ve crushed her by now!
“Just answer me, hag. Even if you’re senile, you can still talk, right? Or do you need me to fetch your dentures?”
— “Ugh...”
Adrie, taking another verbal hit with each word, quickly decided to get to the point and tell her to leave.
— “The group up ahead is Bish’s party. Don’t touch them.”
“Why?”
— “Aren’t you acquainted with Bish?”
“Yeah, I know the little side character. So what? This is a field trip. If they didn’t want to get attacked, they should’ve been stronger. Have you been holed up for so long that you’ve lost your sense of reason, you lonely old hag?”
This girl’s got no mercy. She doesn’t care if it’s someone she knows or not, huh? She’ll do whatever needs to be done?
Adrie, watching Lucy’s unshaken attitude, let out a sigh of frustration.
— “If you keep this up, I’ll get involved.”
Adrie’s words carried a warning, though she wasn’t sure if it would work.
After all, the person she was dealing with was Lucy Alrn.
She was a monster who had toyed with Adrie, even when she was at the peak of her power as a dungeon boss. Even if Adrie were to go all out, defeating her would be a near-impossible task.
While she could hurt Lucy’s party members, taking down Lucy Alrn herself would be a grueling challenge.
Despite her inner tension, Adrie was surprised when Lucy stepped back more easily than expected.
“I’ll let it slide this time since the lonely old hag is trembling so pitifully.”
— “I’m not trembling, dammit!”
Even as she left, Lucy threw a mocking laugh over her shoulder. After she was gone, Adrie returned to where Bish was.
There, she saw Bish sprawled on the ground, snoring away.
Adrie, watching this scene, couldn’t help but laugh, feeling as if all her earlier frustrations had vanished.
Bish, you should be grateful you have a friend like me, you know that?
On the night of the second day of the field trip, Anton, the professor of combat studies, lamented openly in a meeting with the other academy professors.
“Isn’t it going according to plan?”
“Yes, but the pace is too fast. At this rate, there’ll be nothing left but distrust between the students by the end of the trip.”
It was true that the professors had intentionally sown discord. The purpose of this field trip was for the students to gain experience through constant real combat situations.
However, things had escalated far beyond what the professors had intended.
Now, students were acting like beasts, attacking each other for loot whenever their parties met. This was not what the academy had envisioned.
“It all started with Lady Alrn’s impressive performance.”
The origin of this chaos was Lucy Alrn’s raid.
She had struck the students when they were at their most careless on the first night, ambushing countless parties. On top of that, she had even taught the victims how to raid weaker parties in retaliation.
Those who had been raided by Lucy had attacked other parties, who in turn attacked even more, leading to a vicious cycle.
“That young lady is certainly competent.”
“Professor Karl, now is not the time... No, never mind.”
Many of the professors sighed at Karl’s casual praise of Lucy.
Those who had worked with Karl long enough knew just how highly he regarded his young mistress, Lucy, and that no matter what they said, he would just let it go in one ear and out the other.
“We need to discuss how to handle this situation. Things have gotten out of control.”
There were still two days left of the field trip. If this pattern continued, it wouldn’t end well.
As Anton’s words found agreement among the professors, Professor Luca raised his hand.
“Professor Luca, what is it?”
“Is it really necessary for us to intervene? From what I’ve seen, the students seem to be uniting on their own.”
“What do you mean?”
Anton blinked in confusion as Luca smiled.
“There is a common enemy, after all.”