I’m the Main Villain but the Heroines Are Obsessed With Me

22 – 11. Time to Prove (2)

Due to the observation class, Ark was gathering an unusual number of people.

Looking at that scene from a distance, Viscount Bernogia opened his mouth with admiration.

“So many have gathered.”

It is an understatement to say that it has almost gathered all the nobles of the Empire.

Occasionally, there were also those who were reluctant to show themselves in public, including the head of Wignolun.

Of course, Viscount Bernogia did not approach them first.

After all, he himself is now an old body. It had become tiresome to exchange greetings and talk with the nobles from time to time.

It was appropriate for a person like him to sit calmly in his seat and wait instead of stepping forward and shaking nervously.

Thinking like that, it was at that moment when he was looking down at the bottom.

“Long time no see, Your Lordship.”

“Oh? Are you Lady Volkhanov? It’s been a while.”

When he turned his head, he saw a familiar face, and the Viscount smiled kindly. Leticia Volkhanov also bowed her head, following proper etiquette.

Her expression, visiting Ark with the head of the Volkhanov Butler, did not look very good.

“I should have visited earlier… but I’ve been so busy lately. I couldn’t make time.”

“Huh… it’s okay. I heard the news anyway. How is the Marquis? Is he not in good condition?”

Even though they were not particularly close, being one of the few masters of the empire, it was painful for her to hear the news of Kyrain Volkanov.

“Although there has been a significant improvement, consciousness has not returned. However, since the Duke wishes you a speedy recovery, there may be good news soon…”

“I hope so… Ah! It must be quite tiring to come all this way.”

Seeing Leticia take a seat, Duke Bernogia confirmed and spoke with a gentle comfort.

“Even in a difficult time, you still made time to come.”

“Because there are things that parents must do… Isn’t it strange for a parent not to come to a visitation class with so little time left in the education?”

“hahahaha, indeed, even I would want to see my child every day if they had grown up so excellently. My wife would feel the same.”

“Thank you for your compliments. My child will be touched to know that Your Majesty has praised them.”

It was then, when Leticia showed a faint smile, thinking about how much Ariël had grown that the Duke recognized.

“To be touched… Ian, even if I do recognize him, it seems like he wouldn’t particularly like it… If that’s the case, I’d like to ask if I can’t receive more potatoes.”

“P-potatoes?”

The moment she realized that she and the Duke had different thoughts.

When Leticia looked at him with doubt, King Gwon also felt something strange and asked.

“Don’t you know? It’s the organic potatoes Ian started. Do you know how popular they are these days? Even I had a hard time getting them. I ended up buying them with a high price… Still, they are so delicious that it’s worth buying something. I didn’t know Volkanov’s potatoes were that tasty. hahahahaha.”

“Ahahahaha… Thank you.”

Leticia couldn’t understand the current conversation at all.

What on earth is the Duke talking about? Potatoes? And Ian has received the Duke’s recognition?

King Gwon. Duke Bernogia. Leticia knew very well that receiving their recognition was more difficult than grabbing a star from the sky.

That was also the case when Ariël was appointed as a warrior. The Duke didn’t recognize Ariël.

Leticia wanted to ask what Ian did to receive recognition, but she couldn’t directly ask without being tactless.

In the end, Leticia pretended to smile and act like she knew.

“I will convey Your Grace’s words to Ian. If there is an opportunity for him to present a gift to Your Majesty, he would be pleased.”

“He has grown wonderfully, surpassing rumors… He is a rare young man in the empire these days. You have done a great job in his education.”

“N-nothing.”

Without her knowing, what exactly did Ian do… That thought filled Leticia’s mind.

She had come to see Ariël in the first place, but in the end, all she did was talk about Ian.

Without even knowing her heart, time passed quickly and soon, the war game was about to begin.

“Then, let’s proceed with the war game.”

As the Vice Dean finished speaking, a giant screen appeared in the air.

The tactics of 2nd Year, 3rd Company were simple.

First, under the leadership of Alan Keegan, the 1st Platoon was assigned to form a separate unit and target 2nd Platoon.

The 2nd Platoon and the remaining members of the 1st Platoon would defend against attacks from other companies while establishing a stronghold nearby. When orders were given, they would immediately switch to the offensive.

The 3rd Platoon, where Ian belonged, had the freedom to move as they pleased.

They would maintain vigilance in the area, offering support if needed, or even directly engage in attacks if necessary.

In fact, this type of deployment was not common. The 3rd Platoon usually held a support or defense role.

Looking at other platoons, the 3rd Platoon primarily focused on maintaining vigilance or providing support. Offensive actions were rare.

In a way, it meant that Kaien highly regarded Ian.

“Phew…”

So, the situation was ripe for the 2nd Platoon leader, Leah Hestro, to feel a sense of inferiority and jealousy, but Leah did not feel that way.

“Can I do well?”

In the first place, it would be absurd to feel disappointed about not being given a heavy task in a situation where she couldn’t even handle her own responsibilities.

Leah, who had been a sub-leader and had recently become a platoon leader, knew her place well. If Cheryl, who was originally the 2nd Platoon leader, hadn’t stepped down from the position, Leah wouldn’t have become the platoon leader. She still relied heavily on Cheryl due to her lack of experience.

Leah, who was waiting in the command post, looked at Cheryl, who was standing next to her. Cheryl’s hands were trembling due to tension.

“Cheryl… Do you think I can do well?”

“Why are you worrying so much? You’ve always done well.”

“Well, yeah, but you know… I make a lot of mistakes when I’m nervous. I almost made a mistake in the last training, and I’m worried I’ll do the same this time.”

“Ugh… You did well in the last training, and we went through everything together until the end. You haven’t made any mistakes so far, so you don’t have to worry.”

Leah’s 2nd Platoon had achieved a decent performance in the previous training. They earned a lot of points, and most importantly, all platoon members completed the training without any injuries.

However, compared to Ian and Alan’s platoon, they had earned slightly fewer points, which weighed heavily on Leah’s mind. She had been worrying about whether she was doing well even after the training, and in her position, there was no choice but to be concerned.

Understanding her feelings, Cheryl gently patted her on the shoulder.

“Leah, are you comparing yourself to others right now? Those guys were platoon leaders from the start. How can you compare yourself to those who already had experience?”

“However… I wonder if you, Cheryl, would have achieved better results if you had led instead of me…”

“Well, if it were me, I probably would’ve done worse than you, actually.”

Cheryl spoke as she looked into the air. Ria looked at her in surprise.

“Really?”

“Are you serious? If it were me, when the clock hit 3 minutes, I would have made a reckless plan to narrow the score gap. In the process, our team members might have gotten hurt.”

“Hmm…”

“But at least you didn’t do that. You stayed calm and finished well. I wouldn’t have been able to do that.”

“Thank you, Cheryl.”

“So don’t worry about it. From the beginning, who’s really good at anything? Even the platoon leader always says that everyone makes mistakes.”

Cheryl held onto Ria’s shoulder. Was it because she gave Ria courage? Suddenly, Ria’s eyes became filled with energy.

“So don’t stress too much. Just do what you want to do. Including me, all the members of the 2nd platoon will help you. It’s okay to make mistakes. Ian will come to help too.”

“Ah, I see. I’ll do my best!”

“Yes… This time, it seems like 2nd platoon is also trying to do something strange to take first place from us. So let’s be firm and do well.”

It was the moment when Ria gained courage.

Flutter!

“Ugh… Ugh… Ria!”

Someone rushed into the barracks hurriedly.

Ria also knew well who this person was.

“Ah, Amphils?”

Amphils of the 2nd platoon that Ria led. Ria’s eyes widened at seeing him.

“What, what’s happening… Amphils… and why do you have injuries again…”

“It, it’s a big problem!”

“First, you should calm down. Do you want some water or…”

Cheryl also tried to help Ria check Amphils’ condition.

“Now is not the time for that!”

Amphils pushed away Cheryl’s arm and shouted with frustration.

“T, the enemy is attacking us!”

“T, the enemy?”

“The 1st platoon’s warrior party! Those damn bastards charged at us as soon as they started! They even turned towards our platoon right after assessing the situation. They intend to take us down together!”

“…What.”

As soon as they started, the 1st platoon attacked the 3rd platoon… and even if the 2nd platoon joined, the odds of success were almost non-existent.

“The 2nd platoon is being held back by Alan’s special unit, which is regrouping… The problem is the 1st platoon. They’re getting overwhelmed!”

Amphils’ words were simple.

Due to the unexpected all-out attack by the 1st platoon, the 3rd-year 3rd platoon, who were defending the territory, were almost wiped out.

Now, even those who were on guard duty had come down to buy some time.

“Cheryl… If it’s the ones on guard duty… it’s probably Amangdin and Mary, right?”

“Damn it…”

Lia’s expression, thinking about the personnel assigned to that area, twisted.

Amangdin, specialized in assassination, and Mary, a former hunter.

Dealing with a small number of enemies could be done quickly, but it wasn’t very favorable against a large number of foes.

Especially if they were an elite party handpicked from the 1st platoon…

“No.”

This wasn’t the time for that. She had to get reinforcements somehow, and quickly.

With her sword in hand, Lia looked at Amphils. He, too, raised his spear as if to indicate he would go, but… Lia shook her head.

She couldn’t possibly take him, barely holding on with the spear as a makeshift cane.

“Ugh…”

“…Amphils.”

His leg was already bleeding profusely. He had crossed treacherous mountain paths to get here in the shortest distance.

Taking him back to the battlefield again would be nothing short of madness.

“Amphils… for now, rest here. Cheryl! I’m going to where Amangdin and Mary are, so stay here and take command in my place.”

Lia made her decision. Amphils tried to protest, saying it was absurd, but…

“What? No! I’m going too! We’ll need one more person for sure.”

“No… Rest for now. You’ve done everything you could… now…”

Lia’s determination was unyielding.

With those words, Lia led the personnel straight towards the enemy lines. Cheryl also left the barracks to further strengthen the defensive posture of the personnel.

Alone in the barracks, Amphils lowered his head as he watched them go.

The fact that he couldn’t be of help was shameful, but… after watching over his injured leg, he could only resign himself to it.

“With a leg like this…”

He would only be a burden if he went… It was then, sighing like that, that he was guarding the barracks.

“Huh?”

What entered Amphil’s eyes was Lía’s device, with a leather keyring attached to it. According to his memory, the leather used in that keyring was the premium type used in the Hurst estate, Lía’s ancestral home, mainly for crafting.

So, could it be that Lía left with a device that allows communication among the platoon leaders?

“Is… Is it okay if I touch this?”

The best course of action would be to entrust it to the platoon leader, Cheryl, but Cheryl was currently stationed in the barracks to reinforce defenses a bit more.

Amphil recalled the battlefield he had witnessed – a party led by Ariel, along with the best forces of the 1st platoon, overwhelming and defeating the 3rd platoon.

“I don’t doubt Lía’s skills, but…”

As far as Amphil thought, Lía going wouldn’t change the situation. To stand against Ariel, they would need someone at least on par with her, if not stronger, and as far as he knew, there was only one person who fit that description.

“Ian Volkanoft.”

In the end, Amphil took hold of the device. He knew that as a mere platoon member, he shouldn’t be the one operating it, but… there was no other option.

With tightly closed eyes, Amphil sent the location on the battlefield to Ian.