The Villain is Too Good at Sniping - Chapter 106
Only Noblemtl
Episode 106. Match Fixing (2)
The semi-finals of the interpersonal training ended with a victory for team 1.
The two teams that seemed the strongest managed to eliminate Chloe Garnet early, but ultimately lost to Kyle and Zion.
That concludes today’s schedule. The cadets gathered in the arena have dispersed, and those preparing for the next match will return to their quarters to rest.
But my schedule isn’t over yet.
In the common area in one corner of the guest house, I sat down with Kyle and Serin Annette. The first thing Kyle asked Serin was,
“… Now, let me hear what you have to say. Serin.”
“…I can’t say.”
Serine Annette said she couldn’t say anything, but that in itself was an answer. Kyle also seemed to have a mountain of things he wanted to say.
“Um… So, you’re saying that it’s clear who ordered it?”
I raised my hand to interrupt Kyle’s words. Originally, it was the player’s job to solve this case, not Kyle’s.
I glanced at Serine Annette, who had been quiet until then, and asked in an indifferent tone.
“Did you get it from Dongbang Flower Garden?”
“Something that cannot be said… … .”
“I don’t know what conditions you were offered, but you were told to win no matter what, so you attacked Chloe Garnet first. All the circumstances say so, so how long are you going to keep your mouth shut?”
In fact, if I wanted to reveal the truth, I could have said it here.
Because I already guessed the culprit. The conditions may have changed slightly as the target changed from Kyle Evanstairs to Serin Annette, but the conclusion is the same.
“You were involved in match-fixing, weren’t you?”
“… … .”
Airi, who had been away, returned. Sensing something serious, she walked quickly, making no sound.
“I’m asking just in case, did the guy who went to Serin Annette come to you too, Airi?”
“I… only heard that they were going to change the strategy.”
“Then it wasn’t like you were offered money or anything. I understand.”
“What on earth does Mr. Zion think of me? No matter how much you give me, I won’t fall for that.”
Airi waved her hand and frowned.
If we had lost, Serine Annett’s 2nd team would almost certainly have won the final and been selected to represent Arsene.
And in the upcoming academy exchange competition, you will have a full-fledged clash with cadets from other academies.
It’s a flow that anyone would take for granted, but in reality it’s not.
The target has changed from Kyle Ivanstairs to Serine Annette, but the fundamental problem has not changed.
Originally, the Eastern Flower Garden approached Kyle Evanstairs. They approached the team with the highest chance of winning and demanded that he give up first place in this exchange match.
Of course, Kyle does not accept it. The Eastern Flower Garden also tried to threaten him by offering a large sum of money, but Kyle and the player’s stubborn attitude eventually caused them to turn back.
… The story should have ended there.
No matter what terms were presented, the player had no choice but to accept the offer.
That is why this incident becomes the starting point for a major clash with the Eastern Flower Garden later on.
To unravel this tangled web, I first had to get Serine Annette to confess her circumstances. That’s why I had to touch Serine Annette’s sensitive spot.
“I don’t know what offer you received, but Kyle and I are both trying to help out with good intentions. But you trust the Touhou Flower Garden more than Arsene’s fellow students.”
“…no.”
“No, that’s not true. You were planning to fix the match, right? You were planning to win here and then lose the next friendly match, right?”
Serene Annette didn’t answer. She just looked at me with eyes filled with indescribable emotion.
“What do you think would happen if I told this to the faculty?”
“… … .”
Arsene’s top priority is to evaluate cadets fairly. Therefore, he deals with cheating with a knife.
As was the case during the entrance exam, students who cheat are highly likely to be disciplined and, in severe cases, face expulsion proceedings.
Of course, that’s what I say, but in reality I have no intention of reporting it. It was just to get Celine Annette talking.
But the fact that she hasn’t opened her mouth even after coming this far means that Serine Annette’s beliefs are that firm.
For Serin, who grew up in an orphanage, there is something she cannot compromise on, something that is comparable to giving up on graduating from Arsene. In order to bring it out, she had to properly touch the sore spot.
“Did those guys take your family hostage?”
At that moment, something flashed in Celine Annette’s eyes.
“Or did you threaten the children at the orphanage you sponsor? Like taking over the whole place and dismantling it.”
“Don’t talk carelessly.”
“Since you don’t say anything, I’m just guessing.”
“I don’t know how you know that much, but I… … .”
Until then, Serin’s mouth, which had been dry, began to tremble.
“I don’t know what they said, but no matter what they threatened, they won’t actually do anything. At least while the exchange of fire is going on, they’ll have to be careful.”
Whatever the circumstances, the most important thing is to prepare for the exchange.
If you are caught doing something strange behind the scenes, you will be disqualified, whether you are a representative or not. This is because among the judges, there are not only professors from the Dongbang Flower Garden, but also professors from Joachim and Arsene.
The Academy’s reputation could be tarnished by a half-baked attempt to protect a student who has caused trouble. No one would take that risk.
… Come to think of it, there is one. On the Joachim Academy side.
It wasn’t an issue we had to deal with now, as it wasn’t going to come out right away.
“If there were any problems, it would be right after the exchange or during the festival… It’s pointless to argue about it now since we’ve already lost. The bottom line is, you were tricked.”
Even after saying this, Serene Annette does not back down.
He’s not a bad guy. He genuinely loves the orphanage where he was born and raised, and he knows that he’s secretly helping out.
I also know that Arsene wanted to repay the orphanage that raised her by achieving excellent results. But this time, it became a turning point, and it became the cause of Celine Annette’s broken faith.
Whatever it is, it wasn’t Serene Annette who did anything wrong.
The problem is the Dongbang Flower Garden guys who brought up my weaknesses and made unreasonable suggestions. These guys, who were supposed to just poke at me and then back off, have actually taken a shot at me this time.
The fact that she accepted their offer will serve as a weakness for Serin Annette for the time being.
Of course, the Dongbang Flower Garden guys might have their own flaws, so they won’t make it public, but Serin Annette, who cherishes the orphanage, won’t be able to take it lightly.
I looked at the ticking clock. It was late, around 11pm, and it was about time for them to show up.
Looking out the window, as expected.
A few students from the Dongbang Flower Garden were waiting behind the guest house.
“Since the parties involved are here, we can go and talk to them in person.”
“Are those guys I see out there the ones who bribed Serene Annette?”
“…wait for a sec.”
I stopped Kyle Ivanstair from rolling up his sleeves.
“You don’t come this time, Kyle.”
“Why? It might be dangerous to go alone.”
“I told you. You may talk big, but you won’t actually do anything.”
Those preparing for an exchange battle cannot help but be cautious.
Especially since you are staying at the guest house in Arsen, you should be even more careful. If there is any friction with the Arsen students, rumors will spread uncontrollably.
“So Kyle, you stay here and take care of Serin Annette. I’ll be back later.”
I put my hand on Kyle’s shoulder and asked him to comfort me, but what I really meant was to hold Serin Annette here so she wouldn’t do anything stupid.
If Serin Annette or Kyle steps forward and messes up things, their names could be removed. If that happens, it will be advantageous for the Dongbang Flower Garden.
Even if I have to be removed from the Arsene leadership, I have to send Kyle and Serene Annette up. So, this time, I will take on the task alone.
No, it would be okay to bring one person. The Dongbang Flower Garden guys might roll their eyes and attack you.
“Come with me, Airi.”
“Yes? Me?”
“You said if you lost this time, you would grant me one favor.”
“I said that, but… uh, um… … .”
After thinking about it for a moment, Iri eventually nodded.
***
The guest house is a place where not only Arsen’s cadets but also professors and instructors who do not have a proper place to stay stay.
Professor Björn did it, and Rebecca did it.
Additionally, outside visitors and a small number of cadets from other academies also stay in the guest house.
Whether you are going on a preliminary survey before an exchange, coming as an exchange student, or coming for research purposes… the circumstances are all different.
Among them, the ones who contacted Serin Annette this time were pretty bad guys. I thought they wouldn’t be a problem right away so I left them alone, but they tried to make things worse.
I approached the Touhou Flower Garden guys who were waiting outside the guest house with Airi.
Ttukbuk-
“… … !”
The men in oriental-style martial arts uniforms were whispering among themselves, but when I intentionally made a noise with my footsteps, they all turned around.
Airi flinched for a moment at the creepy gaze.
“I, Mr. Zion… … .”
“Don’t be afraid.”
I came face to face with a man who seemed to be the leader of the group. He was wearing a hat. At first glance, he looked like a warrior, not a cadet.
“… Are you Zion Illionheart?”
The guy spoke to me first.
“I heard you were the one who won the semifinals, beating Serene Annette.”
The man took a step toward me.
“If you know me, please take off your hat.”
“…What?”
“It may be customary and polite over there, but over here, wearing something on your face when meeting someone is considered rude.”
Because Esperland exists in this world.
Because Esperland wore masks and hats that covered his face, the perception of him in that direction changed to a bad one. That’s why there are no masquerade balls like those in this world.
The leader smiled briefly and then willingly took off his hat. Beneath his black hair, a long scar ran down his eye.
Black hair and red eyes are rare even in the East. I know who this man is. He is a second-year student at the Touhou Flower Garden, and is the equivalent of Arsene’s student council president.
“Don’t you have something to say to me, Master Nam Ki-hyeok, the best swordsman in Yoo Seong?”
When I confidently announced my name, the Dongbang Flower Garden guys started to stir. However, perhaps because of Nam Gi-hyeok’s gaze, they quickly became quiet.
“Even if you don’t say anything, I was planning on coming to you when the time came.”
“What were you trying to offer me?”
I went one step further in reverse.
The Dongbang Flower Garden guys flinched and grabbed the handles of their swords. However, the hostility they felt was faint. It was more like they were wary and afraid of me, who had defeated Serin Annette.
“Did you try to offer money or honor?”
There is plenty of money, and you can earn it whenever you need it.
I don’t need any honor. The main characters of this world are separate, and I am someone who has stepped back from the stage.
Even if I build a reputation as Zion Illionheart, I will have to let it all go someday. That is not my real name, it is just an alias I use while living in Arsen.
Neither of them made sense to me. I just felt bad that I had threatened Serene Annette and not Nana Kyle.
“Whatever you want, we can give it to you.”
“Whatever you propose, I will not accept it. It is meaningless to me.”
“I expected it, but you’re an overly confident guy.”
“If you expected it, I believe you understood what I was trying to convey.”
Before I knew it, I was standing in front of Nam Ki-hyeok. He looked 5cm taller than me.
The other cadets were in a situation where they couldn’t do anything while holding the sword hilt. I gave a short message to the guy who came as the representative of the Dongbang Flower Garden.
“So, please stop this nonsense and leave Arsene for now.”