The Villainess Who Was Dumped Got Married into My Family, a Mob Noble from the Frontier, and Turns Out, She's an Amazing Capable Wife? - Chapter 77: The Embarrassment Swells

Chapter 77: The Embarrassment Swells

After the female student was defeated in argument by Alicia and left, the now quiet student council room breaks its silence as Mariana, who had been quiet until now, mutters softly.

“Who was that person? Why did she leave without revealing who that is? It would have been simpler if she had come with that person from the start.”

Indeed, it would have settled the argument in one go if she had brought that person from the beginning. 

Nobles truly are troublesome creatures.

“They do that, coming over and over until the other party is fed up.”

“Some even send things unasked and insist it’s a gift, then expect all sorts of favors in return.”

Edward, seeming to have had similar unpleasant experiences, nodded in agreement as he joined the conversation.

“Well, we’ll figure out who it is eventually, so we should just confront them.”

“Who is it?”

I had a vague idea, but I asked Edward to confirm.

“Must be Castor’s former fiancée, Belda von Slash.”

Edward dramatically shifted his mask to expose one eye, giving me a piercing look.

Is he trying to look cool, I wonder?

Just then, Mariana, standing beside us, suddenly covered her mouth and dashed to the washroom set up inside the student council room, completely ruining the serious atmosphere.

“She’s a third-year student council member in charge of finances. She can assert herself strongly because she has the backing of a count’s family.”

“Being in charge of finances as a third-year means she oversees the whole budget.”

“There might be some tampering with the funds intended for freshmen, but with the ‘Empress’s’ skills, there shouldn’t be any problems.”

“Alright then, please continue your good work, Sir Shadow, or whatever your name is.”

“Yes!”

Edward knelt, but Alicia said nothing.

It seemed she had become used to it, or perhaps she found it meaningless to care anymore.

That’s her former fiancé, after all.

“Alicia, what is a ‘Shadow’?”

“Who knows?”

“Let me explain!”

Mariana returned looking worn out, her question making Alicia tilt her head. Edward, seeming proud, fluttered his cape as he began to explain.

“I am ‘The Mask,’ one who hides his identity and gathers information in the shadows. The documents that were slammed down earlier were gathered by me since this morning!”

It turns out, there was more to his role.

Lately, I’ve started to find this idiot’s role-playing kind of cool.

It’s true, nicknames really do make you more aware of yourself.

A nickname isn’t something you claim for yourself; it sticks when you leave a strong impression on others, and then it starts to spread.

Like the nickname ‘Wasteland Barbarian,’ it’s a sort of derogatory term.

Well, this is just a little excitement in our otherwise dull school life.

“During the day, the ‘Hound’ will keep an eye on the school from the rooftops, and I’ll handle intelligence at night. Even in my position, I get to hear quite a variety of stories, you know?”

Edward hasn’t been stripped of his right to the throne.

He’s less regarded than a newborn, but with the right opportunity, he could climb back to the top.

Amidst all this, Edward seems to enjoy the situation.

Those who treat Edward with respect are either aware that his drop in rank is just for show or are fools who see only his royal status.

Those who underestimate him or treat him indifferently have likely switched allegiance to another candidate, akin to making an enemy.

I think he’s foolish, but he’s also sharp.

Can a foolish, baldy, just any man, take on a hundred monster ants with his sword skills while chanting spells?

Such courage correlates with inner strength, cultivated through significant hardships or intense effort.

Weak people often choose to flee from difficult situations.

“Make sure to attend your classes. Once you manage your daytime school life properly, you can do whatever you like afterward.”

“Understood, highest in rank. Leave it to me, ‘The Masked Shadow.’ I’ll surely expose any misconduct by the Slash family.”

“I don’t actually think they’re doing anything wrong, but…”

“Well, as it’s about time for the world to be enveloped in darkness, I, who dwell in the shadows, will now merge with the darkness of the world.”

No one could keep up with the vibe anymore.

By the way, even though it’s after school in September, it’s still light outside.

Edward is wearing a white uniform, a special design for characters meant to be “conquered” in the game. Combined with his shiny bald head, he really stands out…

“That’s right, ‘Hound’.”

He suddenly addressed me.

“W-what…?”

“The dark minions tread over fresh blood, stealthily creeping closer—make sure to always protect the ‘Empress’.”

Uhh, what is he even saying?

I wonder how I should respond. 

Assuming that by “dark minions” he means dark magicians, and “treading over fresh blood” implies they’re plotting something bad against our student council… it’s all so complicated.

“Enemies— I’ll bite them to death.”

Sounds like something the ‘Hound’ would say, right?

After I said that, Edward just chuckled and left the student council room.

“May those who oppose us tread on blood—”

Leaving just those words behind.

The air suddenly went quiet, and the bell signaling the end of the day rang.

“Ragna, you…”

“Sir Ragna…”

Alicia and Mariana’s eyes were all on me.

“No, I get it, yeah, don’t say it all.”

This is so embarrassing!

Seriously, I’m just mortified!

I was so embarrassed, I wished I could just make the world disappear right then.

“Ragna, you like this kind of play, huh? I won’t stop you.”

“Eh?”

“He’s practically asking you to put a collar on him, isn’t he? It’s truly admirable how Alicia accepts even that. Well, I’m not wearing a hat, so let me tip my glasses to her depth of generosity.”

I was foolish to think I was being cool!