Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy

Here's the translation for Chapter 278 of Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy:

In the early dawn, as the sun began to rise, the scene of morning prayer was solemn.

No one was dozing off, nodding their heads in sleep.

No one raised their voice.

Even breathing heavily felt like a sin, and silence reigned.

The only one who spoke was the one seated in the center: the current Pope, Paulo Liberio.

“Thus, the deity says...”

Though he appeared to fit the term "old man," the Pope made no small mistakes during the prayer.

He had been steady in his youth, steady in his middle age, and before becoming Pope, he conducted the service like a well-crafted golem made by a skilled alchemist.

“Thank you all for your hard work. We will conclude this morning's prayer here.”

As soon as Liberio stepped down from the platform, the priests of the church rose from their seats.

Everyone was bustling to prepare for the day at the holy site.

The same went for Keddle, the Pope’s attendant.

The moment he saw the Pope emerge from the door behind the platform, he bowed deeply and took the various burdens the Pope carried.

“You’ve chosen a good topic for prayer again today. Thanks to you, I could share good words, Priest Keddle.”

“Thank you, Your Holiness.”

On the surface, those words sounded like kind praise, but Keddle did not take them at face value.

Having served the Pope for several years, he knew well that many things lay beneath the words he spoke.

By mentioning the topic specifically, it suggested he was somewhat dissatisfied. He would need to review it once more.

As Keddle followed behind the Pope, desperately racking his brain, the usually expressionless Pope spoke.

“Today’s agenda was to visit the yacht or the kingdom, correct?”

It was a sudden question, but Keddle wasn’t taken aback.

Discussing work on the way back to the office was part of the Pope’s daily routine.

“Yes. That’s correct. We plan to visit around lunchtime for a march, prayer, meal, and then a meeting.”

“What preparations have been made for supporting the affected areas?”

“The advance team is already active, and further personnel replenishment is planned.”

“Good. Please double-check to ensure the staffing is properly arranged.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Is there anything else to report?”

“There are a few things. First...”

As they walked, the reports Keddle gave were mostly positive.

A talented individual had emerged from a certain order. A priest had received a blessing. A noble had promised significant support. These were all stories he could share with a smile.

However, the moment the door to the office closed and only the Pope and Keddle remained, different stories flowed from his lips.

“Bishop Korg has made another mistake.”

“Who did he kill this time?”

“Baron Atlam’s third daughter.”

“Send someone to deliver a stern warning to Bishop Korg and let him handle it.”

That was a discussion about someone’s death.

“Experiments in Bardrog have yielded results. They have succeeded in transferring the divine energy of the test subjects to another.”

“Oh, that’s interesting. May I see the report with my own eyes?”

“I thought you would, so I brought the report.”

The sourc𝗲 of this content is frёeωebɳovel.com.

This was news of achievements built upon the blood of children.

“There are ominous movements from the Poliuga family. It seems they are trying to get greedy.”

“Those who desire more than they have should be punished.”

“Understood. I will send someone.”

This was a story that determined the fate of people far away.

What was chilling was that the Pope’s expression showed no change even during such discussions.

Whether celebrating someone, speaking of good things, discussing something that would likely annoy him, or talking about needing to kill someone.

He was always expressionless.

As if he had lost the ability to express emotions from birth.

“That's all the reports for today.”

Having finished all his reports, Keddle prepared to leave the office. It was rare for the Pope to ask anything more once the reports were done.

“Priest Keddle. I have one thing to ask you.”

However, today seemed to be one of those rare exceptions.

“How is the child who acquired Ruel’s mace doing?”

“You mean Lady Alrn? She is making several achievements at the academy.”

“How is her relationship with the saintess?”

“It’s good. They consider each other close friends.”

“That’s wonderful news. She truly is our masterpiece. I hope that relationship continues...”

As the Pope spoke, he suddenly fell silent, rising from his seat to look out the window.

The gaze that had always been calm was now shaken.

As someone who had served the Pope for years, Keddle had never seen such a thing.

He held back the urge to ask what was wrong and waited for the Pope to speak.

How long did the silence last? When the sunlight pouring in from outside had changed position significantly, the Pope finally opened his mouth.

“Priest Keddle.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

“Today’s agenda... No, there’s a resident Inquisitor Nian staying at the holy site, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Immediately send him to the Burrow Duchy of the Soladin Kingdom to investigate the situation there. It’s urgent.”

It was an order with no foreboding, no basis, and no reason, but Keddle bowed as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In this holy place, the Pope's word was law.

The skill called "Weakness Identification" is fundamentally a skill that informs you of your opponent's weaknesses, but it has an additional function.

It tells you what makes the opponent feel uncomfortable or terrified.

When I tested it against Frey, I had thought it was just a skill that enhanced the provocation function, but there were other applications as well.

When I decided to torment Nakrad, I originally planned to hit him as much as I had been hit, right?

But the more I thought about it, I felt that merely hitting him wouldn’t relieve my pent-up frustration.

At first, it might be enjoyable, but midway through, it would undoubtedly become laborious.

So, while I was contemplating, the "Weakness Identification" skill showed me something fun.

It made me think about how I could make Nakrad feel shame.

“Hmm♡ Hehe♡”

At that moment, I thought.

Wouldn’t it be a proper revenge to create a dark history that remains for a lifetime instead of a fleeting moment of pain?

Recalling the time I almost died at Nakrad's hands felt less painful than remembering the moment I was caught by Joy and Frey as a bunny girl. This gave me confidence that I was right; I decided to create an unforgettable memory for Nakrad.

“Here♡ How about this?♡ Isn’t it super cute?♡ It’ll fit you perfectly!♡”

“...Just kill me! Take my life!”

“Isn’t it strange~♡ Why is the disgusting perverted doll talking so confidently?♡ What should I hit this time to fix it?♡”

“No, I get it. I’ll cooperate. Gaaaah!”

Of course, that process wasn’t smooth, but thanks to our negotiator’s efforts, I was able to get Nakrad’s cooperation.

The process of dressing up Nakrad was quite enjoyable.

First, the base was the dress Lucy used to wear!

I had stored it in my inventory just in case, but I didn’t expect it to be this helpful!

It was a bit small, so it made a crinkling sound, but so what? It’s not like I’ll ever wear it again.

And for the hairstyle... it was either bald or twin braids.

Hmm. Right. I just need to shave the middle part!

And while I was passionately creating, memories of the past began to resurface.

There was a time when I wondered how to make an even more rotten character.

I had once asked someone who was doing something similar for advice and gave up upon seeing the depths of humanity.

The completed form of Nakrad was a tall figure who wanted to be a cute girl.

As I stared at the horrific sight that would scare off any armed robber if seen late at night, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Puhahaha♡ You’re so cute!♡ If I sold you at a doll shop in the back alley, I think a strange story would come with it!♡”

At that, Nakrad’s shoulders trembled, but he had no way out of this hell.

Bound by the ropes that Feiby had blessed multiple times, he couldn’t use the powers of an apostle and was significantly weakened.

“Grandfather, what do you think of my sense of aesthetics?”

<...It’s horrific.>

“Puhaha. Oh, Grandfather. You really don’t get it. You’re so outdated.”

<If this is the new age, I’ll live my life as an old man.>

Satisfied with my grandfather’s weary response, I nodded and approached Nakrad.

“What’s wrong?”

“Is the training still not done?♡ Why is a disgusting perverted doll talking so confidently?♡”

“...W-What is it, Lady Alrn?”

“Puhup♡ Puhahaha♡ Ah~♡ I feel like I’m going to throw up because it’s so disgusting!♡”

If looks could kill, Nakrad’s glare would have killed me over a hundred times, but that glare only made me happier.

It felt like I was gradually becoming more like a mesugaki.

Whatever! I don’t care! As long as it’s fun, that’s all that matters!

Today, I’ll just enjoy myself to the fullest!

“Get down!♡ Perverted doll♡ I’ll give you the chance to be my adorably cute chair!♡ How does that sound?♡ Aren’t you happy?♡ Huh?♡”

“Yes, I am... happy, Lady Alrn.”

“Ugh♡ A perverted little wretch like you finds this fun?♡ Is this thing really a human like me?♡ Is there something strange mixed in your blood?♡”

Seeing Nakrad face down on the floor, blushing furiously, I burst into laughter and began humming as I opened the quest window.

I wanted to check why I wasn’t receiving the reward despite having perfectly subdued the apostle of the Evil God.

[Quest in progress!...]

[Agra...]

[Armaadi...]

[Agra...]

[Tariki...]

[Quest... $%...]

[Armaadi!#...]

Lightheartedly opening the window, what unfolded before me was a clash of powers among the gods that had occurred without my knowledge.

A struggle between Armaadi, who was trying to help me in some way, and the two Evil Gods trying to kill me at all costs.

Seeing that made me involuntarily chuckle.

Seeing Armaadi so desperate made me realize that I had truly been in danger this time.

And I was dumbfounded by the persistence of the two Evil Gods trying to kill me.

I had planned to belittle them, but it seemed I couldn’t do that anymore.

As I scrolled down one by one, I watched their fierce battle.