Surviving as a Villain at the Academy chapter 136

136 – So, we’re not that kind of relationship. (10)

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Adrian, usually with his dazzling platinum hair, now stood beside me with modestly dyed brown hair, looking like an ordinary village girl. Platinum hair was practically a symbol of the saint, so without dyeing it, his identity couldn’t be concealed.

And the same went for me.

My usual sun-kissed, slightly crimson-tinted blonde hair was now dull, colorless, dyed blonde.

It wasn’t just the hair dye; even my facial features had subtly changed.

Instead of the luxurious attire I usually wore, I was dressed in typical Imperial clothing, making us look like a couple who had come to enjoy the festival.

Adjusting my facial features slightly wasn’t a big deal.

Now, shall we go fish for some subordinates?

***

The festival street was bustling as always from morning. Adrian looked at the hustle and bustle with some fascination.

“It’s fascinating.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. Whenever there’s a festival in the Empire, I usually couldn’t enjoy most of them.”

It was understandable. She was none other than the saint herself. She had to participate in events held in the Empire, and once she finished conducting the event, it was usually close to the end of the festival…

This time, she was able to participate in the festival due to missing some major events because of fatigue.

Of course, since this was an unofficial visit, others would think Adrian was recuperating.

Anyway, this scenery must be new to her now. Especially since it’s morning, not the evening when the festival is in full swing.

The sight of preparing for the festival must be new even to her, who had always lived in the Empire.

Anyway, there was plenty of time today.

Merchants preparing stalls, people processing ingredients to make food, festival items on display, and people showcasing clothes.

People of all kinds showing their unique appearances. It was the typical scene of a festival.

Adrian was looking around with sparkling eyes, finding everything fascinating.

“It’s fascinating.”

“Is it?”

“Yes. It’s quite different from the scenes I’m used to seeing.”

“That’s inevitable. When the Saintess appears on the street, just that alone would make people cheer and flock, so you’ve never seen such a mundane scene, right?”

“Exactly. That’s why… it feels nice.”

Adrian smiled gently.

Walking a bit ahead, Adrian looked around. He shed his usual solemn and dignified demeanor, displaying a more girlish appearance befitting his age.

At times, he hummed a tune, and sometimes burst into joyous laughter.

Not as the ‘Saintess,’ but as ‘Adrian,’ he walked the streets of Sacrum as himself.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

Honestly, it wasn’t a situation that would naturally bring a smile. It’s just that seeing a young girl who would have to live her whole life burdened by the heavy title of ‘Saintess’ showing such a side.

“I am. It’s an experience I could never have in my daily life. Looking at myself, unadorned, the usual Sacrum was like this. This much, sometimes collapsing from exhaustion seems rather nice.”

Whether it was a sense of liberation, Adrian’s expression was brighter than I had ever seen.

“It’s not like this every day, right? It’s a festival.”

She smiled at my words.

“After all, can’t we see a festival as a part of the returning daily life? So… it’s good to charm the priests, but it seems like we could do that when the festival officially begins.”

“So, you’re saying you want to have fun?”

“That’s correct. Such days are rare.”

“Well… then do as you please. After all, the Saintess has plenty of time.”

At that moment, Adrian covered my lips with his index finger.

“Shh. I’ve been trying to say this since earlier, but don’t call me the Saintess today. Don’t you want to get caught before the plan even starts? There’s no point in disguising then.”

“Oh, right. In that case…”

“Call me Arin.”

Why was that? Adrian’s expression as he said that somehow looked pleased.

***

Adrian wondered when was the last time he felt so happy. Just by strolling around a festival that could be called a slightly special daily life to someone, she felt a sense of fulfillment filling her heart.

Something she had always longed for, that kind of feeling.

Moreover, with the person she had taken a liking to by her side, she couldn’t help but feel happy.

Yet, a strangely sad feeling crept in. Prax had someone he loved beside him already.

The person beside her now was there simply because she had asked. But even so, the fact that she was next to the person she had a liking for made her happy.

A complex surge of emotions.

Initially, looking at the scenery of the street was simply delightful, but now, being by his side was both sad and enjoyable.

“Why are you like this?”

At that moment, whether her complex emotions subtly showed on her face or not, Prax asked Adrian.

“It’s nothing.”

Adrian replied calmly. Inside, he scolded himself like a fool.

‘Fool. Are you really going to waste such rare time?’

She suddenly thought. If she was swept away by such complex emotions and couldn’t enjoy the moment she should, wouldn’t that be a loss?

Thinking about it, it was true. Now was the time to enjoy. The fact that the person she had a liking for loved someone else wasn’t so important right now.

If she was here at this moment, and if the person she had a liking for was by her side, wouldn’t that be enough to be happy? It might only remain as a fleeting joy of the past… but still, couldn’t she leave behind a precious memory?

Adrian thought like that and wrapped his arm around Prax’s arm.

“S- Saint… I-I mean, Arin? What’s going on all of a sudden?”

“If you’re too affectionate, you’ll get hurt. Just let it go. After all, to others, we should appear as former lovers who came out to enjoy the festival amicably, right?”

“…We didn’t particularly call each other lovers.”

“Speaking informally.”

“How could I do that?”

“Speak informally. Right now, immediately. Unless you want to get caught.”

“Ah, got it.”

Unable to resist Adrian’s bright smile, Prax reluctantly gave in. It seemed to be what Adrian wanted. Wasn’t formal speech just too distant?

Right now, he didn’t want to bother about being a saint or whatever. Perhaps today might be the last day he would walk the streets normally with someone.

“Well then, shall we have some fun, Prax senior?”

She asked Prax with a bright smile.

“…Sure.”

Deep down, Prax wondered if this was okay. Asti hadn’t said anything, but still, didn’t it prick his conscience? Prax already thought of himself as someone with a certain level of authority.

But this… it didn’t feel quite right. It was like a fake date.

Leaving the girl he liked and going on a date with another girl. It felt like doing something that shouldn’t be done, not just a matter of conscience.

Yes. This wasn’t a date. It was just one aspect of what needed to be done.

Looking away for a moment, Adrian grabbed Prax’s arm and started leading him around the street vendors who were almost ready.

There, she bought various skewers and offered them to Prax.

“Are you okay… I mean, will you be okay? It might not suit your taste.”

Contrary to Prax’s words, Adrian had always grown up eating only good things. Most of the food sold by these street vendors was cheap and of low quality, meant for the general public.

“It’s okay. You think I can’t eat this?”

Saying that, Adrian took a bite of the skewer and…

“Spicy!”

Sticking out her tongue, she started fanning it. It was understandable. To mask the taste and aroma of low-quality ingredients, cheap food often had to be heavily spiced.

It wouldn’t be easy for Adrian’s refined palate to accept that unique and pungent taste.

“Um… it’s not that spicy.”

“What? Really? How can that not be spicy?”

“Arlin. Your taste is too refined. You’ve been used to eating only good things, that’s why.”

“Is that so… Still, it’s much more edible than I thought.”

“Sometimes, low-quality food from street vendors can be more delicious. How about touring all sorts of vendors before getting down to business?”

“That sounds good! Oh, and I saw something that looked like fun. I’d like to try that too.”

“Well… feel free. We have plenty of time anyway. If I knew it would be like this, I should have come out a bit later.”

“No. It was good to come out early.”

Saying that, Adrian smiled.