Cherreads

Chapter 59 - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Sage, the Doll of Ruin

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I started waiting for Payz the moment I chased away the gang that was harassing Sage.

That's because it was none other than Payz who had ordered the gang to torment Sage.

It was abundantly clear that the gang, having failed to carry out their orders, would rush to Payz and report the situation.

Sure enough, Payz, just like in the game, came rushing over to me for interfering with his plans, and I asked him,

"What kind of proposal?"

"Well, a proposal that would be mutually beneficial, perhaps?"

"Let's hear it."

"First, let me ask you something before I make my proposal. Does our top-ranked friend here have any intention of getting involved in the Astrea family's succession struggle?"

Payz countered with a sly smile.

Seeing his excessively relaxed demeanor, I cursed the Creator inwardly, then politely nodded and replied,

"I didn't have much interest... but thanks to those doltish friends earlier, I've gained some."

"Oh? Because those friends acted a bit excessively?"

Not just a bit excessive, they acted so excessively I wanted to beat them up.

I thought that, but for the sake of my carefully laid plan, I began to seriously work my tongue.

"No. For something so trivial... The reason I chased those friends away earlier was because of you, Senior Payz."

"Because of me?"

"Yes. In fact, I saw you talking with those friends earlier, Senior Payz. So I anticipated it. I figured if I interfered with them, Senior Payz would take an interest in me."

"Why my interest?"

"Unlike some adopted individuals, Lord Payz, you carry the legitimate blood of the Ducal House of Astrea, don't you? No matter how top-ranked I am, I can't help but want to make a good impression on a scion of the Astrea family."

"Ha, ha-ha! Look at this fellow?"

Had my dazzling flattery pleased him?

Payz laughed heartily and asked me,

"Want to come along? There are some people I'd like to introduce you to."

"Of course, I must, if my esteemed senior asks me to."

Having received the proposal I had anticipated and desired, I smiled brightly and buttered Payz up.

"Ha-ha, now that I see it, this top-ranked fellow. He has a very pleasing side to him!"

"And I'm incredibly excited."

"Hmm? About what?"

"Your..."

"My?"

Oops. My true thoughts slipped out without me realizing.

"Who they might be. Since they are people introduced by Lord Payz, the second son of the Ducal House of Astrea, how could I not be excited?"

"Right? Wow, look at this top-ranked fellow. Contrary to my first impression, he's a very polite guy, isn't he?"

"I'm not like this with other people, but of course, I must be in front of you, Senior Payz, mustn't I?"

"Kuhh, my heart melts at my junior's praise. Alright. Let's go quickly. Oh, and by the way, from today onwards, you're my most cherished junior."

As I smiled slyly and flattered him, Payz, delighted as if he might faint, began to lead the way.

Idiot.

****

Just as I expected, the place Payz brought me to was the Prefect's Office.

On the other hand, there was something different from what I had expected: the number of people inside the Prefect's Office.

"Sister, where are the others?"

"I sent them out."

"Why?"

I had expected all seven prefects to be there.

But inside the Prefect's Office, there was only one female student with the same hair color as Payz.

"Because it's not a story I particularly want the other kids to hear."

The female student, who had answered Payz's question, slowly turned her cold gaze towards me.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jane. As you can see, I'm the head prefect."

"I am Camel. It is an honor to meet the Lady of the Astrea family."

"...You know me?"

"I heard from Senior Payz on the way here. Well, even if I hadn't, you two resemble each other quite a lot."

I answered without bothering to add, 'He just called you sister earlier,' and Payz nodded, while Jane frowned sharply and changed the subject.

"...Alright. Then let's get straight to the point. Camel, since Payz brought you here, I can assume you've accepted our proposal, correct?"

"I've only heard the proposal to 'come along,' but yes, that's essentially the case."

"...You have a snake-like side to you, for a freshman."

"Only, that's if you take proper care of me."

"..."

Had she not expected such a reaction? Or was she impressed by my excellent rhetoric?

Jane mumbled with her mouth and remained silent for quite some time.

After some quiet time passed.

"You."

Jane, who had been deep in thought, began to move her lips with an arrogant voice.

"Want to join the Prefect's Office?"

****

Seductively, and teasingly.

As I waved the feather wand, Tweetie darted forward with lightning speed.

"Chirp chirp!"

I was playing with Tweetie, the blue bird that was starting to confuse me as to whether it was a cat or a dog.

Then something suddenly came to mind, so I stopped waving the feather wand and asked,

"Tweetie."

"Chirp?"

"Be honest with me. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Chirp!"

When I asked, Tweetie chirped as if to say, 'Stop messing around and just wave the feather wand, human,' and pecked at my arm.

This one, no matter how I look at it, seems to understand me.

"Tweetie. Listen carefully."

"Chirp?"

"If you understand what I'm saying, chirp once. If you don't understand, chirp twice. Got it?"

This was a considerably important matter for my future life, so I spoke to Tweetie seriously.

"Chirp chirp!"

Was this just my delusion, or did Tweetie just peck at my hand furiously and not respond to my question?

"Sigh, fine. What would you understand anyway?"

Thinking that, I decided to wave the feather wand and fall into thought.

"The Prefect's Office, huh..."

I accepted Jane's proposal and decided to join the Prefect's Office.

There was no reason to refuse. Becoming a prefect meant easy and quick access to various useful information compared to other students, plus a much more comfortable academy life than regular students.

Above all, the biggest reason I wanted to join the Prefect's Office was because Jane and Payz were both active there.

-"We want Sage, that girl, to be ruined."

-"We don't intend to make you do anything ugly. As you know, we've already had the right kids handle that kind of work."

-"We only ask one thing of you. Keep an eye on them. Make sure they don't mess up, and make sure they don't get any clumsy interference."

These were the conditions Jane and Payz demanded of me in exchange for letting me join the Prefect's Office.

To be honest, I don't want Sage to be ruined either.

Nevertheless, I decided to grant their request.

There are two reasons for this.

First, to prevent Fran from hitting on Sage.

Second, to precisely know the moment Jane and Payz plan to hand Sage over to the Cult of Chaos.

And the reason this is possible is.

"Because the current Sage has no emotions."

Even if the gang from earlier acts up, Sage will never be ruined.

So, all I need to do is restrict Fran from protecting Sage. My biggest goal, in the first place, was to prevent Fran's 'harem.'

"Fran will harbor hostility towards me, I suppose."

Being disliked by someone isn't a good thing, but.

For Fran, who has a burning competitive spirit befitting a protagonist, to dislike me was not a bad thing in many ways.

Fran will constantly strive to surpass me due to his competitive drive, and until then, he'll pay less attention to women.

And above all, from Sage's perspective, it was much better for me to save her than for Fran to.

"Because I can save her right away."

In the game, a lot of time was needed to bring salvation to Sage.

Finding clues, and then finding more clues through those clues.

Players had to repeat such tasks countless times to learn how to save Sage, but naturally, I already know that method.

"Shall I start preparing soon?"

Since there were things I needed to prepare in advance, I stood up.

Next, I looked for the hamster wheel. And I shoved it into the birdcage along with Tweetie.

"Chirp chirp!"

"Your big brother is very busy, so just roll around in that hamster wheel. You breastless, unintelligent bird."

"Chirp..."

Leaving Tweetie, who was dejected from not being able to peck the feather wand, behind, I opened the wardrobe and, for the first time in a while, opened the bundle of luggage I had brought from the log cabin.

"Where did I put it..."

How long did I rummage through the piled-up luggage?

"Found it!"

Before long, I was able to find a magic mask I had stolen from my master's subspace.

I can't express how surprised I was the first time my master wore this in front of me.

"It's been a while since I've worn this."

A mischievous impulse struck me. I put on the mask, crept silently, and approached the back of the birdcage.

"Chirp..."

From behind Tweetie, who was still dejected, I quietly called out to Tweetie.

"Tweetie."

Then, not my voice, but a deep voice echoed in the room. Hearing the unfamiliar voice, Tweetie's head turned.

"CHIRP-EEEEEEK!"

I hadn't expected it to be *that* surprised.

Tweetie fell backward with a vigorous shriek, then simply closed its eyes.

"T-Tweetie!"

I was just as surprised, so I immediately opened the cage, held Tweetie in my palm, and checked for signs of life.

"Thank goodness."

I almost lost my mount (true) right before my eyes, but thankfully, that wasn't the case.

I gently laid Tweetie on a soft blanket, then took off the magic mask and tucked it into the inner pocket of my uniform.

"This should be enough..."

To save Sage without her becoming obsessed with me.

Thinking that.

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