I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 27 - Execution (2)

Duels between students.

In Gallimard, where the competitive system is more meticulously structured than anywhere else, these events are quite common.

You could call it a kind of Spartan education.

It was the educational policy set by the Dea of the academy.

Conflict fosters growth in children and draws out their potential.

It’s like cultivating flowers by using suffering as fertilizer.

Due to this atmosphere in the academy, the procedures related to such events are well-organized.

So that they can always proceed smoothly.

—I challenge you to a duel.

Duels are conducted in sequence.

The faculty members who observe each perform their designated roles while overseeing the students.

These roles are broadly divided into [Judge, Overser, Executioner].

To briefly explain:

[Category: General Post]

[Title: Roles Played by Professors in Duels]

Hello, this is the strategy guide.

Today, I’ll address a question several of you have asked.

In the regularly occurring duel events, many of you have wondered what exactly the professors’ roles are.

I can answer that simply.

1. Judge

-> Just as it sounds, this role involves judging the duel.

(Usually performed by the Dean.)

2. Overser

-> Ensuring no safety incidents occur during the duel and taking care of injuries.

(Handled by medical professors or Professor Cadel.)

3. Executioner

-> Overseeing the enforcement of the agreed stakes after the duel ends.

(This role is assigned randomly, regardless of position.)

That’s all.

If this was helpful, please give it a like.

“Hm.”

A post I uploaded a while back.

It was information I wrote during my time as a game creator, before transmigrating.

I reflect on the contents.

Given my current situation, memories related to it come back one by one.

As I absentmindedly get lost in thought, my eyes suddenly meet with blue ones across from me.

The girl with blue hair sitting opposite.

“…”

Emilia quickly averts her gaze.

We’re alone in this room.

There’s been a heavy silence hanging over us for a while now.

Originally, Selena was supposed to be here too, but she left at my request.

I stay silent.

‘The initiative is on my side anyway.’

The final stage of the duel: Execution.

It’s the process of paying the agreed stakes, an unavoidable judgment.

The girl’s breath trembles.

—The penalty for losing… is being expelled from Gallimard Academy at the winner’s discretion.

It was a dropout match.

All that awaits Emilia now is expulsion.

Execution at Gallimard is absolute.

As soon as Selena signs off, the girl will be immediately expelled from the academy.

‘She must be burning with anxiety.’

The girl’s complexion grows stiffer.

Regardless, I leisurely let time pass.

I’m not the one in a hurry.

The key to negotiation:

You have to drive the other person mad.

Until they drop to their knees in desperation, until they cling to you in tears and beg, you don’t reveal their weakness.

You must completely subdue them.

‘There’s no way out for her.’

Emilia has nowhere to return to.

Due to internal issues, the Vanity family treats her like a severed string, and her position is precarious.

If she gets expelled over this…

‘It’s over.’

It would truly be the point of no return.

She would die.

Not just as a noble, but her very life would end.

The girl is walking on a knife’s edge.

—I have a proposal for Lady Vanity.

—It’s related to the execution. I’d like to discuss it with her privately.

I deliberately said it loudly enough for her to hear from across the room.

Her despairing blue eyes catch a faint glimmer of hope.

I was certain.

She couldn’t resist taking the bait.

“…”

And the moment her red lips part—

That certainty turns to conviction.

A sly smile creeps across my face.

“You said earlier you had a proposal.”

“I did.”

“Then why haven’t you said anything…?”

“Well…”

I reply nonchalantly.

My cunning tongue is like that of a venomous snake.

“What kind of proposal would you like to hear, Lady Vanity?”

It’s phrased as if I’m offering her a choice.

But the underlying meaning is entirely different.

“Tell me what you want.”

= You have no choice.

It was a moment meant to drive home our respective positions.

As long as her lifeline was in my hands, I could toy with her however I pleased.

In such a situation…

How would our lady react?

It’s almost too obvious.

“Are you not afraid of the Vanity family’s name?”

Of course, she’d invoke her family name.

She probably assumes I know nothing.

It’s a decent escape attempt.

But.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d drop such clumsy threats.”

= Are you sure you want to threaten me?

“Wh-What did you say…?”

“If you keep pushing, I might just proceed with the execution immediately.”

= Considering I’m holding all the cards.

Perhaps her opponent was simply unlucky.

I know better than anyone what’s happening in the Vanity family right now.

Even more than Emilia does.

“I happen to know quite a bit.”

= I’m fully aware of your situation.

Though my words were phrased indirectly, the meaning would be clear to her.

The blunt expressions.

The unmistakable attitude of someone in control.

The ominous smile that didn’t waver even when she mentioned Vanity.

It was suffocatingly deliberate.

“I just want to have an honest conversation.”

A look of panic spreads across her blue eyes.

She struggles to maintain a calm facade, but the tremor in her voice gives it away.

The girl falls silent for a moment.

“…”

Is she calculating her options?

In this respect, she’s quick-witted.

Most kids her age would fail to grasp the situation and stubbornly keep up their act.

But Emilia was different.

The moment she sensed danger, she reevaluated her stance.

She kept her mouth shut to avoid making a mistake.

She pieced together the clues and reasoned out the possibilities.

‘She’s quite sharp.’

Well.

She wouldn’t have survived otherwise.

Not in a place like that.

“Are you done thinking?”

“…Yes.”

Screech—

Emilia quietly pushes back her chair and stands up.

Her steps are unsteady.

After a brief hesitation, she slowly approaches where I’m seated.

Her shoulders were trembling like a leaf.

“Please, my lord,”

The girl stops just before me.

Her gaze is fixed on the floor.

The villainess begins to lower herself until she’s kneeling on the ground.

Her vacant eyes show no signs of life.

“Please, show me mercy and spare me from expulsion.”

“Hmm.”

I didn’t expect her to actually kneel.

The once-proud lady, now groveling—it shows just how desperate she is.

The venom in her voice had long since faded.

“I… I want to live.”

It was just pitiful.

So, she knows.

She knows that if she goes back to her family like this, only death awaits her.

‘So this is her way of struggling.’

In that case.

It’s time to test her sincerity.

I lean in closer to the girl, bringing our breaths near each other.

I whisper in her ear.

“How does it feel to beg for your life in such a degrading way?”

“…”

Emilia doesn’t answer.

She simply pales even more.

I continue prodding at her sore spots.

“You tormented me so much… and now you’re kneeling?”

“…”

“You lost the duel in such a disgraceful manner, too.”

“…”

“For what it’s worth, that was the most pitiful match I’ve ever had. Truly pathetic.”

“…”

“How did someone as inept as you make it to the top three? I can’t help but wonder.”

“…”

Despite having her insecurities, pride, and need for recognition relentlessly poked at, Emilia doesn’t utter a single groan.

She obediently nods her head.

But it’s not like she’s unaffected.

Her lips are tightly clenched, her breath is shallow, and her eyes are wet with unshed tears.

She’s holding her emotions back.

She’s swallowing it all—for the sake of survival.

‘That should be enough.’

It seems she won’t bare her fangs recklessly.

I smile in satisfaction.

Finally, I decide to speak.

“Lady Vanity.”

“…Yes.”

“I must say, I’m thoroughly enjoying this dignified display of yours. It keeps bringing a certain scene to mind.”

My eyes narrow maliciously.

“How are those wet pants of yours doing?”

“Ah.”

“Wetting yourself in front of everyone, then crying like a baby—how utterly pathetic.”

“…”

Oh dear.

Perhaps I went too far this time.

My words stab deep into her heart.

Her pale complexion flushes red.

Drip, drip—

Tears well up in her eyes, and they begin to spill over.

A faint sob escapes her.

“Sniff… sob, ah…”

“Oh dear.”

I’ve made her cry again.

I meant to stop here, but it seems I miscalculated my damage output.

To crumble just from mentioning the lemonade incident…

‘Not that I blame her.’

She was branded a bedwetter in front of the entire school.

If the one responsible kept rubbing it in, even I’d feel miserable enough to cry.

Especially since she can’t even complain due to her current position.

“Well, well… It seems I pushed you too hard.”

I calmly extend a hand.

Warmth meets my fingertips as I cup her soft cheek and wipe away the moisture.

My fingers sweep away her tears.

The girl doesn’t resist.

“You look like you really hate this.”

“N-No… sniff, sob…”

Emilia hastily tries to correct her expression.

The awkward smile she forces onto her tear-streaked face carries a sadness that’s hard to describe.

She’s crying and still trying to read the room.

“I-I’m sorry… I just, I was startled, that’s all.”

She really doesn’t have to try so hard.

For some reason, it made me feel a bit guilty.

I never intended to actually expel her.

I only wanted to get back at her for bullying our protagonist.

I quietly open my mouth.

“You seem more desperate than I expected.”

“Sniff… Yes, I really want to live.”

“Hmm, very well.”

“V-Very well…?”

“You’re so desperate, I can at least grant a small favor.”

“…!”

Her eyes widen.

As if she’s glimpsing hope.

Of course, I don’t plan to give it away for free.

“But there’s a condition.”

“What… what is it?”

“I’d like a little something in return.”

“Wh-What…?”

The blue-haired girl looks up at me, hesitating.

I twisted my lips into a grin.

Emilia Vanity.

In the original story, she was just a secondary character in the villainess role, but I see potential in her.

She’s someone who could be highly useful.

If I can bring her to my side, she’ll be an asset one day.

And now that I have her weakness…

I plan to keep her tightly bound.

“For the next three years, until graduation…”

I lift her chin.

Our gazes lock at close range.

Looking into her anxious, trembling blue eyes, I smile wickedly.

“I’ll make your body mine.”

= I’ll make you my pawn.

The girl’s face froze.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]