I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

Chapter 39

Dwener's bombshell statement came out of nowhere.

A brief silence fell in the office.

Rodelin tilted her head, wondering if she had heard correctly.

Awyn immediately objected.

"How can we officially acknowledge that someone died at the academy! It would tarnish the academy's reputation! Not to mention the Principal's honor!"

Normally, he would have immediately averted his gaze and fled.

But today's Dwener was different.

"Awyn, I think a bit differently. Embracing dishonor... no, bearing it, could that not be true honor?"

"...!!"

And what about the deep meaning it contained?

'Is that really the parachuted-in Dwener?'

Awyn couldn't believe it, but soon nodded in agreement.

'It must be advice from my father or grandfather. Then I should follow it. It means the calculations are done above.'

A task to elevate the honor of the Lucid family.

There must be a good reason to push for this.

-That's what Awyn concluded.

"There's no helping it. We'll proceed that way."

Awyn reached this conclusion after much thought, but to Dwener, it seemed like an acknowledgment of his competence.

"Why not, let's also erect a statue. The location will be the Tomb of the Holy Sword... and the title, 'The Spirit of Two Heroes'. What do you think, Miss Rodelin?"

"Ah... A, a statue too? Th, that sounds good."

"Hmm, Miss Rodelin, you said you met the bereaved family. Please convey my sincere feelings in my stead. Tell them about the compensation and the grave, and that we'll erect a statue of the two heroes."

"O, of course. I will surely convey the principal's sincerity!"

Rodelin answered loudly, and Dwener smiled contentedly.

But Rodelin was thinking something else.

-Embracing dishonor... no, bearing it, could that not be true honor?

'Is it a coincidence that it's similar to what Zero said?'

Could it be that this profound statement existed before, and both Zero and Dwener quoted it?

That must be it. Zero is not manipulating Principal Dwener.

Rodelin thought it was time to read some books after a long while.

* * *

"This is Luterus' belongings."

Rodelin presented a small box.

Inside were Luterus' worn clothes, a parrot's feather, a trophy, a certificate of appreciation, and a broken sword hilt.

The clown carefully touched the clothes.

Sorrow, anger, regret, mixed feelings, wistfulness.

What were the emotions on his face?

Unlike usual, he was neatly dressed and without his clown makeup.

For Rodelin, quick to notice, reading others' emotions was easier than eating.

But she couldn't guess his feelings.

Partly because the clown wore an inscrutable expression...

'Who am I to even dare...'

Who can understand and comfort the grief of a parent who lost their child?

But one thing was certain.

No mere words could ever express what he was feeling now.

"Parrot's feather has been enchanted for preservation. It will remain intact for a hundred years unless seriously damaged."

"I see."

"There are also the trophy and certificate of appreciation..."

Rodelin trailed off.

What meaning does an award have after death?

But she was doing her best to honor Luterus as a hero.

That was a clear fact and Rodelin's sincerity.

"..."

The clown said nothing.

Was he feeling a bit better, or preparing to reproach?

It was unclear. But even in such a situation, work must be done.

That was her assigned duty and role.

"The ashes will be interred in the national cemetery of the empire. A gravestone and statue are planned for the academy."

"A hero's treatment, thank you."

The clown bowed his head. Rodelin followed suit, bowing deeply.

With that, the official briefing was complete.

Rodelin, not knowing what to do, spoke up.

"I apologize once again. Not knowing for 20 years, I can only say I'm sorry..."

"It's alright. It's not your fault, Miss Rodelin."

"You might not know, but back then, my older sister..."

"I'm aware of that too. And that it wasn't her fault."

"Really?"

"What could fellow students have done? Yet, the Lucid family showing such consideration means... there must be something I don't know about."

Rodelin was speechless.

To be receiving consideration from the bereaved family.

Both as the vice-student council president and a military family member, she felt disqualified.

"By the way... I've felt this since I first saw you, but you rarely smile, Miss Rodelin."

"...Is now really the time to smile?"

"Kihihi, is that so? Still, please smile. For me."

Rodelin forced an awkward smile on her lips.

Seeing this, the clown smiled brightly.

"Children should smile to look beautiful."

"I'm not a child..."

"To my eyes, you are a child. Maybe it's because you carry too many burdens. Children should be allowed to be children..."

Rodelin had no choice but to hesitate.

A child of a noble family. And a military family at that.

Having to mature quickly since childhood, she was not used to being treated like a child.

"Miss Rodelin, do you have something you want to do?"

"Excuse me?"

"Do you have a dream?"

A dream?

Did she ever have one? She wasn't sure.

Her only wish was for the peace and well-being of the empire.

Realizing something, the clown nodded his head.

"As I thought. I hope you find your dream soon. Otherwise, you might break without even realizing it."

"Ah..."

"Thank you. If fate allows, we'll meet again someday."

With that, the clown put on his bowler hat.

As he picked up the box of belongings, Rodelin hurriedly spoke.

"If there's anything you wish, please tell me. My family has ordered to provide maximum support."

"What I wish for... I'd like Miss Rodelin to have a dream, but that seems difficult for now. So..."

Putting down the box, the clown raised both of his index fingers.

Then, he pushed up the corners of his mouth with them.

An artificially made smile. With that expression, he spoke.

"Your smile will be my reward."

"Excuse me?"

"Smile. Luterus would surely want that."

Haha.

Again, Rodelin forced an awkward smile.

Seeing this, the clown completed his preparations to leave.

"That's enough. Thank you for preserving my son's honor."

"Ah..."

"There's no need to follow me. I've received enough in return. Stay healthy, Miss Rodelin."

Click.

The door closed quietly behind the clown.

Rodelin, about to follow, changed her mind.

'Maybe he needs some time alone.'

Everyone copes with grief differently.

Then Rodelin's eyes caught the mirror hanging next to the door.

A fairly large mirror.

Unknowingly, she stood in front of it.

'Dreams, and smiles...'

Words that don't seem to suit her.

Her reflection in the mirror looked odd at first glance.

'Expressionless.'

Expressionless.

Having grown up in a noble family, managing expressions had become a part of Rodelin's life.

'Have I always been so expressionless?'

Scratching her head, Rodelin raised both her index fingers.

She put them to the corners of her mouth and lifted slightly.

"Haha."

A strange smile. So awkward it was hard to look at.

When was the last time she had seen herself smile?

"..."

She couldn't remember.

But it's good that she realized it now.

Starting today, she should practice smiling. She needs to work on a natural smile.

'I'll be able to greet the family's guests.'

The clown said it's good for children to smile, but she's an adult.

She must not bring shame to the family's honor.

That's her duty and role.

"First, I need to find a natural smile."

She moved the fingers on her lips this way and that.

Hmm, all the smiles seem awkward and strange.

"Kihihi."

It was time to laugh out loud, like the clown.

As the door burst open, someone about to enter stopped abruptly.

It was Zero.

"..."

"..."

"...I apologize."

Click.

The door closed gently again.

Rodelin looked back at the mirror.

There she stood, her fingers to her lips, laughing ridiculously.

Flush-.

Heat rose to her face, turning it bright red.

Her face in the mirror turned as red as a beet.

"Not even knocking..."

Lack of manners.

Rodelin resolved to give a penalty point tomorrow.

* * *

'Why was she doing that?'

I left the principal's office as if fleeing.

I came to meet the clown, but was greeted by Rodelin laughing bizarrely.

I had never seen such an expression in the game before, and was genuinely confused.

'As an experienced player, there's a high chance that the hidden reward will come from the clown...'

Yes. I was searching for the clown.

Whether it's a hidden story or reward, I need to meet him to find out.

'Could Rodelin's strange smile be a hidden piece reward?'

The vice-student council president's secret hobby(?).

I felt like I saw something I shouldn't have.

Just then, I shivered.

"Oh, Zero. I was just looking for you."

I turned towards the voice. It was the clown.

Today, his face was clean, without any makeup.

He was dressed in a neat suit.

"Keke, did your business go well?"

"Yes, it did. Hero's treatment for Luterus, he must be pleased."

The clown didn't look sad. Rather, he seemed relieved.

Perhaps because he knew Luterus spent happy days with his friend, or because his dream was fulfilled.

"Did you need me for something?"

"Ah, yes. Would you accept this?"

The clown took something out of the box he was carrying.

It was a sword hilt. Specifically,

[Powerless Sacred Sword Hilt : A]

Attack Power - ???

One of the nine sacred swords made by the Sacred Kingdom. It lost its power after its owner died.

Caution - It's in a severely damaged state. Handle with care.

'A sacred sword?'

Sacred Sword.

A sword made by the Sacred Kingdom to punish evil beings.

After Luterus disappeared with the sacred sword 20 years ago, the Sacred Kingdom took five years to create the tenth sacred sword.

It seems easy in words, but the astronomical cost incurred over five years is still affecting the kingdom's finances.

'The tenth sacred sword is currently in the Sacred Kingdom.'

So, the sword in my hand is the ninth sacred sword that Luterus pulled out, made a hundred years ago.

Well, only the hilt remains after the battle with the Demon's Shard.

'Still, it can't hurt to have it.'

I don't know where it might be used, but since it's given as an item, there must be a purpose for it.

It won't hurt to keep it. I put the sacred sword hilt into my spatial storage.

"Is it okay for me to have this?"

"Already keeping it and then asking, what's the point?"

"Keke, did I do that?"

"Kihihi. I like you, Zero. You have many childlike qualities."

The clown's tone changed, back to how it was when we first met in the square.

I knew then. He was planning to leave this place.

"Are you leaving?"

"I must go. Now that I know my son was happy and will continue to be happy."

"What will you do now?"

"What will I do? Well, obviously..."

The clown's hands fluttered like a gentle breeze.

His face was quickly filled with the clown's distinctive makeup.

"Kihihi. I'll create wonderful memories for the children."

"Keke, I wish you all the best on your journey."

The clown placed a parrot feather in his bowler hat.

As he brushed past me, he murmured.

"Thank you for preserving my son's honor."

He was turned away, so I couldn't see his expression.

Nor could I feel his emotions.

Then, from the clown's mouth, a sound emerged.

"Kihihi."

A sound that revealed his mood.

A very pleasant, happy laughter.

--TL Notes--

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