MV – Chapter 156: The Laughing Minor Villain

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A large crowd was bustling in and out of the dojo. Researchers in lab coats, mages carrying staffs infused with mana, and soldiers wearing spirit armor and armed with swords were heavily guarding the area. Conversations filled the room, creating a clamor that made it clear something unusual was happening.

Everyone was on edge because Lanpeach Kouza, the popular minor villain of the moment, had been kidnapped by a teleportation trap. Few names were as ill-suited to the term ‘popular’ as him.

“It’s already been an hour. And we still have no clue?”

Even Chihiro began to worry about Lanpeach. She expected him to return or at least send word, but there had been no sign of him.

And so, she went to the nearby police and explained the situation, and the information quickly reached the Onodera family, who immediately dispatched their elite members to investigate.

Everyone in the dojo, aside from Chihiro and Toko’s group, was affiliated with the Onodera family, highlighting the police’s lack of action. The Onodera’s intentions were clear: they aimed to gain Lanpeach’s favor while pressuring the Yoroizuka family.

“…Exactly as you say. If Toko-sama were to confess…ahem, clarify where this teleportation trap leads, there would be no problem.”

The Onodera family’s loyal retainer, nominally a police officer, glanced sharply at Toko, who was undergoing interrogation.

Toko must have heard the comment -well, it was said loud enough on purpose. 

He barked angrily. 

“I had no idea! And who would set such an obvious trap in broad daylight? I’d be the first one blamed!” (Toko)

“Precisely. Which is why it’s likely a trap meant to deceive us by being so obvious, making it seem you wouldn’t set it up. Given Toko-sama’s claims, this trap is indeed a bit too obvious.”

The police officer questioning him smirked, writing notes as he did so. He wore a look of derision, clearly motivated by the chance for recognition in solving this incident within Onodera territory. The researchers and mages shared this ambition.

There’s no telling what events will unfold before the head of the Onodera family arrives, but they were doing a malicious interrogation in order to get a careless statement of culpability from Toko. Toko recognized this and the fact that he is at a disadvantage here, so he couldn’t come out strongly even if annoyed by this.

“In the first place~, this dojo was recently purchased by the Yoroizuka family, and built here, wasn’t it? And yet, only an elderly caretaker seems to be managing it. May I ask why this dojo was constructed on Onodera territory, not Yoroizuka’s?”

“—! I don’t know. Someone said a friend was offering it.” (Toko)

“So you challenged someone to a duel over something so trivial. You understand anyone would find that suspicious, right?”

“Well…yes, but I wanted to see what the successor of the Shukou family could do.” (Toko)

Toko wavered. He is in a losing position regardless of how he answered, so he would naturally be agitated here.

“A trap for Lan. Given his current value, perhaps even an obvious trap was worth setting.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro approached Toko with a stern gaze.

“T-That’s…Ah, right, ask my secretary!” (Toko)

Toko was flustered by this bad situation, but seeing a woman hurriedly enter the dojo, Toko brightened in relief.

The woman, in her early twenties, wore glasses and had her hair neatly tied back. She was dressed impeccably in a suit and stood tall with a polished air, exuding competence. 

She must have hurried there, her hair was slightly disheveled, sticking to her forehead with sweat.

“My name is Yoroizuka Mei. I’m here as a representative for the young master. Please allow me a moment to confirm the details.”

Toko’s face of relief spoke volumes about his trust in her. Though he wouldn’t say it outright, her negotiation skills were highly regarded in the Yoroizuka family. She did protect him from blame during the botanical garden incident.

Upon hearing her name, several individuals frowned. Her name was famous. She has monstrous negotiation skills said to even acquit a person that has murdered someone in public. 

Chihiro focused herself after sensing the shift in atmosphere. Her negotiation skills were still developing, but she refused to back down.

“Then, Toko-sama, if you would, could you explain your situation just for a moment?” (Mei)

“Of course! I’m not the only one… Wait, where’d they go?” (Toko)

Toko was about to explain with glee, but he looked around in confusion, realizing that the three people accompanying him were gone.

“They left, claiming they just happened to be here by coincidence. They were dressed for a date and unarmed, so they were likely uninvolved. I took statements about what happened and let them go.”

Toko was dumbfounded by the officer’s casual remark.

“T-They left?! T-Those damn…” (Toko)

“Young Master, we cannot detain unrelated individuals. More importantly, could you please share what happened?” (Mei)

Mei lightly patted Toko’s trembling shoulder. Her cold gaze made him stop from stomping and reluctantly began his explanation.

━ A few minutes later.

“From what I’ve heard, the young master is innocent.” (Mei)

Mei declared this with a confident stance after listening to the situation.

The others were stunned by how quick of a decision this was, but they soon regained their senses and began to object. 

Chihiro led the charge.

“Innocent? He was the one who initiated the duel. Yoroizuka-san was also the one who led us to this dojo!” (Chihiro)

“That was likely a response to Shukou-sama’s attempt to buy out all of the shop’s merchandise -a socially disruptive act. The duel was a last resort to stop him. If anything, Shukou-sama is the one in the wrong. Villainous even.” (Mei)

Chihiro grimaced, partially conceding this point, but she had more objections.

“This newly built dojo, and the magic traps; it was Yoroizuka-san who led us here! I think he is pitch dark though?” (Chihiro)

“It is hard to say this, but the Yoroizuka family needed a dojo here to raise their profile. That’s why they built it in the territory of another family. Since it was newly built and hasn’t gotten its footing yet, no disciples had been recruited yet.” (Mei)

“Then what about the magic circle? This teleportation trap was aimed at Lan, wasn’t it?” (Chihiro)

Chihiro presented the undeniable reality, thinking Mei couldn’t possibly justify it, but…

Mei nodded somberly.

“That is the unfortunate accident. The teleportation trap was likely meant to kidnap notable disciples initially. Most early disciples would be from distinguished families.” (Mei)

“An u-unfortunate accident?” (Chihiro)

Chihiro and the others were baffled by her unexpected explanation.

“That’s right. This incident was a tragic accident. This was likely the work of a large-scale kidnapping ring, with a trigger to activate upon detecting a strong mana presence. But due to the duel’s intense magic, it activated prematurely. That’s the real story here.” (Mei)

Chihiro and the others were slightly convinced, and began to accept it as Mei adjusted her glasses with a smile.

“Do you understand now? Toko-sama is innocent. The truth isn’t so complicated once known.” (Mei)

Those around began to nod despite feeling some unease…

“That won’t do. I can’t have my efforts wasted.”

A voice echoed in the dojo, followed by a shattering sound, as Lanpeach suddenly appeared, seemingly breaking through space.

◇◇

“Lan! I was worried about you. Are you alright? No injuries?” (Chihiro)

“Yes, I’m fine. It was a bit of a tricky trap, though.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach gently held Chihiro, who clung to him with joy, and stroked her head. The teleportation trap had only shifted his phase, leaving him in place. He undid his fusion right before escaping and landed on the floor.

He noticed the shocked expressions around him, so he gave them a menacing grin to intimidate them.

“Lanpeach Kouza here. Yoroizuka Toko-kun. I never expected you to be declared innocent after such a blatant trap. A mysterious kidnapping ring, huh? So, you’re saying this gives anyone the right to wreak havoc in any territo—ry?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach heard some pretty insulting stuff, so he glared fiercely at the woman…but as he did, he faltered and turned speechless.

“Shukou Arata-sama, my name is Yoroizuka Mei. It is a shame such an unfortunate accident happened.” (Mei)

“Uh… Nice to meet you. My name is Lanpeach Kouza. Um, Mei-san?” (Lanpeach)

He stared rudely at Mei without thinking, while Chihiro watched with mild dissatisfaction.

Lanpeach noticed this, but he didn’t have the leeway to mind that…because a person that went beyond his expectations was in front of him.

“Could you please not stare so much? I’m used to it, but it’s rather embarrassing when it is to this degree.” (Mei)

Mei put her hands coyly over her mouth and giggled.

“Ah, right, sure… Yeah.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach’s gaze had dropped. Rather than focusing on her face, he was looking downward. An angle of looking at one’s feet.

“Kufufu, you’ve been captivated by my beauty, haven’t you?” (Mei)

Mei, who was laughing so much here…was a little girl.

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