Episode 41
The school, which had been bustling just moments ago, fell into complete silence at the Saintess’s bombshell announcement.
Anais Cesar, the person whose name was called, looked as if she had no idea what was going on, and even I couldn’t understand the Saintess’s statement.
…Wait, what’s happening?
I quietly whispered to the Saintess.
“Saintess, what are you talking about? We’re not the police, we don’t have the authority to arrest anyone.”
“We do.”
“Right, as if…huh?”
What? We do?
“Pfft♡ Hero, do you not even know what you’re capable of~? You dummy♡ You idiot♡ You fool who can’t even keep track of your own rights♡”
…B*tch, you never explained it to me.
“In matters related to monsters, the Hero can exercise special privileges. Essentially, the Hero exists to deal with monsters. In any country, if it’s related to monsters, the Hero can intervene, and depending on the situation, can carry out immediate judgment, arrest, and interrogation.”
“…That’s a thing?”
There’s such a privilege?
Well, it makes sense. A Hero who travels across nations, defeating monsters and protecting people from related incidents, would find it inconvenient to be bound by every rule.
“So legally, there’s ab-so-lute-ly no problem. Make sure to remember that, goldfish Hero♡”
“…Yeah.”
So, according to the Saintess, I have the authority to arrest Anais and throw her in jail right now?
…Hoho.
“Ah, Abel. What’s this about? Did the Saintess say something wrong?”
…How should I handle this? It’s true that she’s the childhood friend of the body I’ve possessed, but I have no memories of her. To me, she’s just a guy whose name I know.
“…Abel? Why aren’t you saying anything? Something’s wrong. Suddenly arresting me…that’s weird, isn’t it!?”
…I’ve decided. Forget childhood friends or whatever, she’s already messed up just by talking.
In this situation, anyone with a conscience would stay quiet. Or at least be mindful of Chloe, the victim.
But there’s no sign of that from her.
“…Anais Cesar.”
The voice that came out of my mouth was colder than ever. Anais seemed startled by my cold reaction, considering me her childhood friend.
“I know that you purchased the Transformational Stone, which is banned from distribution and purchase, and that you and a few others forced it on fellow students.”
Anais still acted like she didn’t understand, but she couldn’t hide the confusion in her voice.
“…Wh-what are you talking about, Abel?”
“I’ve already secured the evidence.”
I pointed at Chloe.
“Are you going to deny it even with Chloe standing right here? Because of the Transformational Stone you fed her, she turned from a normal human into a monster and barely survived.”
Anais finally seemed to notice Chloe. Her expression hardened instantly.
“…Looking at that stupid face, I guess you didn’t expect me to come back.”
“…H-how…?”
Chloe chuckled and greeted her.
“Long time no see, Anais Cesar.”
As Anais’s expression stiffened, some students also reacted.
…Two guys, three girls.
“Chloe, are those the people who used to hang out with Anais?”
As I pointed at each of them, Chloe nodded.
“Yes, they’re the group that bullied me along with Anais.”
…I’ll remember their faces. I can’t arrest them immediately like Anais, but once I get a confession from her, I can take them in.
“Ah, Abel! I really don’t know anything!”
Still saying that? There’s really no hope for her.
“There’s a record of you purchasing the Transformational Stone in the ledger. Why do you keep denying it? You weren’t like this before.”
I don’t know what she was like before, but she must have been a normal girl. That’s why the original owner of this body and Oz were close to her.
“The ledger…ah, no! I didn’t!!”
“You can lie so boldly even in front of the victim. Impressive.”
“Ah, Abel…”
As I was cornering Anais, someone shouted loudly.
“W-wait a minute! What’s going on here!?”
…Who are you?
A well-dressed, dignified man pushed through the crowd of students and stood before us. At first glance, he seemed like a high-ranking official at the school.
When the man appeared, Anais’s stiff expression softened a bit. Must be someone she knows.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Allen Gospel, the chairman of this school. Is something going on with our student?”
So he is a high-ranking official.
The Saintess spoke to the chairman in a gentle voice.
“Ah, Chairman. Perfect timing. We need to ask Anais Cesar a few questions. Could we borrow an empty classroom?”
“…Excuse me?”
When the chairman asked what she meant, the Saintess smiled warmly and replied.
“We need to interrogate her.”
“What? Has our student done something wrong?”
“There are allegations of illegal purchase and use of the Transformational Stone~. If you need evidence, I can show you the ledger.”
“…The Transformational Stone?”
The Saintess handed the chairman the ledger I had secured. As he flipped through it, his face hardened.
“The evidence is solid, right?”
“…It seems so.”
The chairman looked deeply troubled. It must have been shocking to learn that a student from his school was involved in such illegal activities, especially related to monsters.
…Kind of feel bad for him.
The Saintess spoke to the chairman.
“Chairman.”
“Yes, Saintess….”
“Clearly, the matter concerning Anais Cesar is something the Hero should judge. Do you agree?”
“…That’s correct.”
“But we don’t want to tarnish the school’s reputation. If word gets out that a student was judged by the Hero, it would certainly harm the school.”
“…Huh?”
The Saintess suddenly brought up concerns about the school’s reputation. It was a bit of an unexpected statement.
…Is there some ulterior motive? I decided to observe the Saintess’s actions.
“So, how about…the school handles this matter cleanly on its own?”
As she said this, the Saintess gave a sly smile. The chairman looked surprised, and I couldn’t help but be impressed.
…You’re a genius?
Honestly, even with my authority to carry out immediate judgment, I was at a loss on how to handle this. But the Saintess’s suggestion was a win-win for both the school and us.
The school won’t publicly lose its reputation, and we can punish the group that bullied Chloe without much trouble.
“Of course… the punishment should be appropriate. If you go too soft, we might have to step in…”
“We understand the Saint’s words well. We will handle it accordingly. The involved students will be dealt with by us.”
The chairman seemed to quickly realize that the Saint’s proposal was beneficial for them. Seeing the chairman accept the Saint’s proposal, Anais couldn’t hide her shock.
“Ah, Abel. Please, don’t do this, okay? I, I was wrong. I’ll apologize and reflect on it for the rest of my life. So, please, stop the chairman and the Saint. You can do it, right?”
“…Why should I?”
“We, we’re childhood friends. I worked so hard to get here… I can’t end it like this. Please. Just forgive me once!!”
“Anais.”
“Yes? You’re forgiving me, right?”
“Did you stop when Chloe told you to?”
Anais’s eyes widened. Why are you looking at me like that? Honestly, if it weren’t for the fact that you’re my childhood friend, I wouldn’t even want to answer.
You’re really a bad person, you know.
“I trust you understood, Anais Cesar.”
#
The school has arrested five more students involved in this incident, including Anais Cesar.
We, who were staying at the temple, headed to the chairman’s office upon hearing the news. According to the chairman, Anais confessed, leading to the arrests.
“I expected that.”
Chloe seemed to have anticipated it.
“Was she always a bit selfish?”
“Very much so. She was always busy figuring out how to save herself. Seeing you ask like that, I guess she wasn’t like that when she was in the Mars Empire.”
“…Yes.”
Actually, I don’t know much. But considering how well she got along with Oz and my body’s owner, she probably wasn’t.
“What happened to the arrested students?”
When asked about the punishment, the chairman said they were all expelled and barred from re-enrollment. Hearing the result, the Saint nodded.
And suddenly, Chloe, who had disappeared and was expelled, was allowed to return to school.
The group that bullied Chloe is gone, and she can return to school. The chairman thanked the Saint and me.
“Thank you for protecting our school’s honor and helping resolve this unfortunate incident.”
“We didn’t do it for thanks. We just hope the school will be more careful to prevent such incidents in the future.”
“We will keep that in mind.”
Leaving the chairman’s office, I faced the Saint.
“It’s settled now.”
“Yes, it is. You worked hard, Hero♥”
“You too, Saint.”
Chloe also worked hard. I didn’t forget to encourage her.
“Chloe, you worked hard.”
“…Hero, Saint.”
“Yes?”
Chloe bowed deeply.
“Thank you so much for helping me!!! Thanks to you both, I can return like this!”
…Haha.
“Your back must hurt, Chloe. Stand up. And this incident was my childhood friend’s fault, so I feel responsible for not managing my friend well.”
She’s not my friend, but my body’s friend… but I do feel responsible. After all, a close acquaintance of my body caused great harm to an innocent person.
“…You’re really kind, Hero.”
“Me? I guess so….”
I’m not sure….
Chloe smiled faintly.
#
Now, it’s time to part with him. We were only close for about a month, but thinking of days without him by my side feels awkward.
In that sense, I envied the Saint. I’m too weak to be of help to the Hero now, but she isn’t.
But it’s okay. I decided to go back. When we meet again, I’ll be strong enough to help the Hero.
I’ll always live gratefully towards them. No matter where they are or what they do, I want to support and be on their side.
…And after graduation, I’ll be by the Hero’s side, directly helping him.
“Chloe, we’ll be going now.”
The Hero bid farewell.
Ah, you’re leaving….
…I still have something to say, Hero.
I can’t stay by your side right now, but I want to tell you this.
“Hero, I have something to say. Please bow your head a little.”
“Okay.”
The Hero, though suspicious, obediently bowed his head. So kind.
The Saint probably guessed what I was about to do. It’s too late, Saint.
I also leaned close to him and whispered in his ear.
“Hero, I like you.”
I confessed my honest feelings. And seeing his cheek in view, I acted a bit impulsively. Peck, I briefly kissed his cheek.
The Hero was stunned until I stepped back. He was confused, not understanding the situation, then startled and looked at me.
Ahaha, so cute♥
The Hero opened his eyes wide and stared at me blankly.
My face must be really red now, right? Ah, I’m so embarrassed… my ears are burning.
…But I’m happy and joyful.
Now it’s really time to part. I have regrets, but I have to let you go.
Finally, with a bright smile, I’ll send you off.
I smiled brightly and conveyed my determination to the Hero.
“I’ll really come back to your side after graduation. By then, I’ll be a wonderful woman worthy of you, Hero!”
