Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Why on earth did this person come out here personally?

As I observed Senar Soladin's fake smile, I couldn't hide my confusion. I hadn't expected Senar to contact me directly at this point.

You shouldn't have the luxury for this! It's only a year and a half until the king announces the heir to the throne, and you're supposed to be busy running around without a moment's rest!

Why is someone who barely shows up in the game making a personal appearance now?!

The situation was not good. Senar was the Second Queen of the current kingdom and the daughter of the Bedfur Duke family. She was the de facto ruler of the Second Prince faction.

In simple terms, this woman had power that could be counted among the elite in the Soladin Kingdom.

If you say something insulting to someone like her, it would definitely lead to troublesome situations.

I had already built a grudge against the Second Prince by calling him the “Idiot Prince,” but if a personal vendetta was added on top of that, I could only imagine the consequences.

I didn't want to think about it.

What worried me more was that I had no idea how Mesugaki skill would refer to this woman. Since Senar had not played a significant role in the game, there wasn't even a nickname for her.

If I were to guess based on her actions in later lore, it might be something like "disgraceful"? "Chaotic"? "Troublemaker"? Something like that would probably fit.

There was also the possibility of calling her the “Idiot Queen,” being the mother of the Idiot Prince.

Regardless, I figured it would be best to keep my mouth shut, fearing that speaking would lead to trouble, when Senar let out a laugh.

<You seem quite surprised. I understand. After all, I appeared without any warning.>

She interpreted my silence as surprise and continued to speak on her own.

<I have a lot to discuss. From trivial matters like how Lord Benedict is doing to why I wanted to speak with you. Or perhaps, about the recent events regarding the Second Prince.>

I could see her icy cold gaze peeking through her smile.

Those eyes contained a piercing reprimand.

Normally, that gaze would signify anger towards someone who insulted her child, but in Senar's case, it was different. She didn't care how much the Second Prince got wrecked.

So why was Senar showing her irritation?

It was obvious. My actions must have tarnished the Second Prince’s public reputation.

<Calling him the Idiot Prince is a direct and insulting phrase that perfectly encapsulates our prince. This is problematic. The more appropriate the nickname, the faster it spreads.>

See? This person isn't saying anything about the part where I called the Second Prince an idiot.

Rather, she's effectively acknowledging that the nickname suits her son. If that nickname hadn’t spread along with rumors, she probably wouldn’t have even brought it up.

<To smooth this over, we must officially protest to the Alrn family and present gifts of thread and needle to those who use such nicknames.>

Listening to her, I felt an instinctive sense of intimidation.

<However, I won’t do that.>

That was unexpected.

<The prince is also at fault this time. I cannot trouble someone destined to be the future of the kingdom over such trivial matters.>

She asserted that she wouldn’t press the issue any further.

<If we were to be precise, the prince has gained some insights from this incident. Because of that, the prince’s notoriety may have spread. It seems like there might be more to gain than to lose. That’s why I prepared a gift for you. Nabil?>

“Yes.”

That wasn’t all. As soon as Senar finished speaking, Nabil pulled out two potion bottles from his robe.

<These are elixirs. I’ve prepared them to aid in your growth.>

I was able to confirm through my emotional skill.

A strength elixir and a stamina elixir.

These were precious items, scarce even in the Alrn family’s warehouse, and undoubtedly useful for me at the moment.

She was presenting such valuable items to me as gifts.

Even though the incident with the Second Prince began with me provoking him and ended with me wrecking him...

‘...What on earth is going on? Grandpa?’

Since it was almost a year since I had taken elixirs, I needed to procure some for myself.

Receiving two out of the three I needed for free should make me happy, but I couldn't feel that way at all.

I was afraid of goodwill, wondering what might happen if I accepted such gifts positively.

What is this woman doing?!

This isn't like her at all!

Is there a variable?

What kind of variable could there be?!

<There are several possible reasons.>

Unlike me, who was confused and unsure, the old man continued to explain in a calm voice.

She might have assessed my value highly.

She might think I’m not someone who would bend under intimidation.

Or perhaps she thought the Second Prince faction wasn’t as bad as it seemed.

<But the biggest reason is that she’s likely trying to draw Benedict in through you.>

‘...What do you mean by that?’

<Think about it. If it’s something said by his daughter, he wouldn’t be able to ignore it. What do you think would happen if you told Benedict that you hope the Second Prince becomes king?>

No way. Grandpa, that sounds exaggerated. No matter how much Benedict is a daughter-loving father, he wouldn’t interfere in a succession battle like that.

...Would he? I can’t be certain.

If I called him “Papa” and acted cute, he might not be able to resist. He is an extraordinary daughter-loving person.

<Even if that weren't the case, just keeping a debt to Benedict would hold value. Since he is a born knight, he wouldn’t take such a favor lightly.>

I recalled Benedict's reputation.

The hero of the kingdom. The protector of the realm. The strongest knight of the continent. An object of admiration, respect, and envy.

If I could keep a debt with someone like that, it would be reasonable for her to forgive me.

Ah. Could it be that the First Prince’s mention of debt referred to this?!

Was she taking a favor from Benedict?!

So that she could let me off the hook?!

...Wow. Having Benedict as a backer is incredibly significant.

<In simple terms, it’s a political calculation. She believes it would be more advantageous to show forgiveness and generosity rather than pursue this matter.>

Hearing the old man’s explanation, I let out a sigh of relief. I had been surprised to think this woman had undergone some kind of change, but she was just as I knew her.

Thank goodness. I was worried she might have become strangely different.

<We are quite...> <Queen, excuse me for a moment.>

A voice other than Senar’s came through the crystal barrier. Senar then asked for permission and got up to head somewhere.

<I apologize, my lady.>

Not long after, she returned, stating that an urgent matter had arisen and cut off contact.

I didn’t know what was happening, but it worked out well for me. Thanks to this, I wouldn’t have to find out how Mesugaki skill refers to Senar.

“This is unfortunate. As you know, our queen is a very busy person. I ask for your understanding.”

Nabil said this with an awkward smile as he placed the crystal back into his robe.

“For now, let’s conclude the discussion here. Since the lady also said she was busy.”

Really? Are you just going to end the conversation without any further discussion about the Second Prince? Shouldn’t you do more, like persuade or coax me?

As I pondered that, Nabil adjusted his bowler hat on his head.

“Oh, and if you get the chance to speak again, please extend polite greetings to the Queen. After all, she is the Queen.”

Well, I’d like to be polite, but...

My mouth tends to create problems instead.

Because of that...

Ugh.

‘Sorry.’

“Why should I have to be polite to the disgraceful old hag known as the Queen? I don’t like wrinkly faces like yours.”

Unconsciously muttering an apology, I froze at the words altered by Mesugaki skill.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēwebnovel.com.

The same went for the other party.

Nabil stared at me with a blank expression, forgetting to keep up appearances, before regaining his composure and smiling.

With a gaze that kept its sharpness.

“...Oh. That’s quite something.”

After a short exclamation, Nabil vanished, leaving me alone in the room, staring at the two potion bottles placed on the table, leaning back in my chair, letting all the strength leave my body.

...I’m glad I was quiet during the communication.

I almost got into serious trouble.

“Um. Master, does that disgraceful old hag refer to the Second Queen?”

‘Yes, it seems so.’

“And? Doesn’t that suit her well?”

“...I see. I will do my best to ensure that Master and the Second Queen never meet.”

The way Mesugaki skill refers to Senar is like this.

Disgraceful old hag.

This derogatory nickname insults both the actions and appearance of the Second Queen, a sufficient expression for Senar to want to deal with me.

After dodging the bomb that was the Idiot Prince, another new bomb appears.

At least it’s fortunate that Senar doesn’t encounter me often. She’ll be busy running around with succession issues.

“By the way, the Second Queen personally reached out to speak. It seems she really wants you for some reason.”

I think so too. Whether I’m important or if Benedict behind me is important, it’s clear she wants to draw me in.

Not only did she send Nabil, but she showed her face in person. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it have been better for her to come directly from the start instead of sending the Second Prince? Then there wouldn’t be any bad blood between us.

No, if that had been the case, the disgraceful old hag would have appeared instead of the Idiot Prince. That would have created even more serious bad blood.

“Even though the Second Queen is busy with matters related to the Barrow Duke family, she took the time to speak with you.”

‘Barrow Duke family?’

“Barrow?”

“Oh, I see you don’t know, Master. It’s still not widely known news. The Barrow Prince, who is in the same year as you, submitted a leave of absence from the academy. This is the reason he is on leave.”

The Barrow Prince? He’s been on leave from the academy?

No wonder I haven’t seen him even once!

I thought he was avoiding me like in the first semester, but he’s been absent from school. What could have happened that he would take leave...?

Oh?

That’s strange.

In the scenarios I know, it’s unheard of for an inferior prince to take leave from school.

He’s someone who, despite his intense inferiority complex, would desperately fight back.

The one who couldn't put down his pen even when his life was in danger due to serious illness is now on leave from the academy?

A chill ran down my spine.

This was a variable.

A type of variable I didn’t know about.

I had overcome countless variables until now.

Because of that, I know.

Most of these variables return as problems.

A sense of foreboding wouldn't leave my mind.

Even if I tried to soothe myself, thinking it was probably nothing, all that came to my mind were various worst-case scenarios.

I couldn’t think of anything positive.

I had encountered far too many dangers until now.