“I… want to share knowledge.”
The first thought that crossed Evan’s mind when he heard those words.
Normally, most people would think the same thing here.
How admirable, or, the future looks bright.
But Evan was a little different.
…What kind of accident is she trying to cause this time?
Her current name may be Frey, but what is her true nature?
Her real name, Superbia.
The Sin of Pride, destined to grind an entire nation to dust.
She was still young.
She hadn’t even had her coming-of-age ceremony yet.
A point in time when it was impossible to tell whether her sprouts were yellow or black.
Even so, Evan could not help but be on guard the moment he heard her words.
She’s not planning to make drugs or anything, right?
Just thinking about the meaning of pride made it clear.
By dictionary definition: showing off one’s superiority, being shameless, looking down on others, or trying to teach them.
It might seem similar to arrogance, but upon closer inspection, it was slightly different.
Deceiving and manipulating enemies, gaslighting—that was the foundation of pride.
Would such tendencies simply disappear?
There were certainly signs of it even now.
In fact, the very first time he met her, hadn’t she tried to gaslight a heretic?
…Normally people would try to interpret this in a good way…
Evan looked at Frey.
She wore an innocent smile that filled her lips.
Honestly, at first he hadn’t thought she was particularly pretty.
The original version was certainly beautiful.
That was the only flaw—nothing more.
At first she had felt like “a kid pretending to be a noble,” but now… how to put it.
The very definition of a noble?
Or perhaps a nun?
The one thing they had in common was that both gave off an extraordinary aura.
As if an untouchable domain had taken shape right before his eyes.
Hearing that a girl like her wanted to share knowledge felt like watching a clergywoman heading out to do charity—
“…What kind of knowledge?”
“Of course it’s nothing big! Just…”
Frey clasped her hands together and smiled beautifully with her eyes.
“While staying at the orphanage, I realized the children have very few opportunities to learn. Especially those without money or status. Seeing people of all ages lacking education, I couldn’t help but sigh.”
“…Is that really all?”
“Yes! Of course.”
“…Sounds like a lie.”
The last line came from Lapis.
As if she had never shed tears, she lay draped over Evan’s waist with her usual expression.
Practically using Evan’s lap as a pillow, she had been stealing everyone’s attention for a while.
“Could you get out of there already?”
“No way? No way? I’m the first person Evan ever picked up, you know? Isn’t this much lap pillow privilege allowed?”
“O…”
Frey’s eyebrows trembled.
Her lips twitched as if she wanted to spit out curses right that instant.
But she didn’t let it out.
She glanced around, took a deep breath, and stroked her chest.
…Is she holding back because of me?
While Evan felt slightly uncomfortable inside,
Frey asked again with the same pretty eye-smile as before, as if her anger had never existed.
“So, what do you think? Can I do a good deed?”
A good deed.
Sharing knowledge could not simply be classified as a “good deed.”
Since ancient times, those who imparted teachings were treated with high honor.
In Evan’s generation, teachers’ authority had fallen quite a bit, but in the past people used to bow and scrape before anyone called “Teacher.”
In an era like this, where learning itself was a luxury, it was even more so.
As Elric had said earlier, she might even be treated as a “sage.”
“I really wanted to do this. The idea that I could save many people by sharing my knowledge… isn’t it terribly romantic?”
Romantic.
It sounded like a very nice word.
In reality, it wasn’t particularly “problematic” either.
The only issue was the person saying it.
When Frey, the future Sin, said it, even good words were magically twisted into something sinister.
Ugh… I have a feeling I absolutely shouldn’t let her make books on her own.
He didn’t know exactly what she would make, but it definitely felt like a bad idea.
Evan tended to trust his instincts in matters like this.
What if she spread drug recipes under the name of “knowledge”?
The moment side effects appeared, credibility would plummet.
If it was further revealed that it was made under Evan’s permission, it would be straight to hell.
Victims might swarm in hordes and try to kill them.
“…I will permit it.”
“Really?”
Frey’s face lit up.
Evan added conditions.
“However, you must get my prior approval for every book you intend to teach. And the books must be officially designated as ‘popular books’ in the Magic University library and receive recognition from multiple professors.”
He piled on a bunch of nitpicky conditions after that.
He felt uneasy if he didn’t.
Frey obediently nodded.
“Yes, yes. Evan, don’t worry. There’s no way I would do anything that would harm you, right?”
“Accidents can still happen.”
“Don’t worry. If anything like that ever happens, I’ll take all the blame myself, heehee…”
Why does that make me even more anxious?
It’s practically the same as saying “I’m going to cause trouble.”
Evan looked at Frey with eyes half suspicion, half worry.
…At least that’s what Evan thought he was doing.
Frey did not feel that way at all.
Those emotionless golden eyes that contained nothing.
An inexplicable wave of fear and dread washed over her.
Was it because she was born fated to die as a Sin?
Her naturally strengthened instincts whispered to her.
Do not dare cross the line.
Even without saying it aloud, obey on your own.
Never do anything that would tarnish my reputation…
…Don’t worry, Evan.
Frey smiled inwardly.
We’ll simply be studying the hidden discipline of [Theology].
“…Do not proceed with anything in secret.”
“Yes. I’ll keep it in mind, Evan.”
I’m sorry, Evan.
But I have no choice.
Even if it’s just like this.
If I don’t spread word about you, this world becomes too hateful and loathsome.
The foolish ones who do not know Evan.
Those who gradually pile up the sin of ignorance.
The blind who cannot witness the true “truth” even when it stands before them…
It is different from Lapis’s anger.
Lapis hates everything in this world.
That is why she kills, kills again, and devours.
Everything in front of her kept offending her mood.
And because she was hungry.
If not for Evan, she would have already committed murder and torn him apart to eat the rest.
Evan probably knows that.
That might be why he embraces her even more.
…Honestly, I am a little jealous.
How could she not be?
To Frey, Evan is her savior.
The only one in this world.
And that savior is touching another with affectionate hands—no, even if no emotion is involved, their very bodies are in contact.
She did not voice any of it.
Because to Evan, the plan might seem full of holes.
Frey was content with simply creating a very small number of “fellow believers.”
She stood up from her seat.
She paid no mind even when the carriage rattled slightly.
“Heehee!”
Softly, very softly.
So that only Evan could hear.
Frey whispered like that.
“All of this… is for Evan.”
***
The journey to Karen Academy was not particularly arduous.
The location of the academy itself made it so.
The center of the continent.
The capital of the empire that, since its founding, had never once broken despite many shakes.
A prestigious institution that proudly stood in the capital and succeeded in nurturing all sorts of talent.
The road was long, but not harsh.
They did not even encounter bandits.
Oh, now that I think about it, I left Felix behind.
He had been out of sight for a moment and slipped my mind.
He said he would stay at the knights’ quarters.
Well, giving him a little time to adjust isn’t bad.
Just in case, I should send a letter too.
As a gesture to get along well.
“How far have we come?”
“Ah! Just a moment!”
The one driving the carriage was Dolph.
He had learned to drive a carriage with the sole determination never to be separated again.
In that short vacation!
So I felt a bit bad and gave him a higher salary.
A sort of bonus.
Giving more is possible because it’s the master’s prerogative.
Of course, with family money.
I’m not sure if he’ll be satisfied with just this much.
Well… if he’s not, he’ll say so.
I can ask again later.
“We’ll arrive in about… three more days!”
“That long?”
“There are a lot of inspection procedures. Even after revealing we’re from the Alkart family, it took longer…”
“So the rumor was true. The rumor that His Majesty the Emperor is keeping the Alkart family in check.”
Aegis said while scratching her thigh.
“Well, it’s understandable. Your family is too strong, after all.”
“Heehee, it’s all thanks to Evan!”
“Evan hasn’t actually done anything for the family’s reputation yet.”
“Kyaaaa! Evan raises the family’s status just by existing! Raising? The family should be the one lifting Evan higher!”
“That’s called bootlicking.”
“Hmph. What business is it of yours whether I bootlick Evan or not?”
Lapis and Aegis bickered as usual.
Frey quietly read a book.
Reading and studying without a word felt a little more awkward.
Sloth… had apparently grown close to Frey; he was sleeping with his head on her lap.
His clothes had changed too.
Similar style to Frey’s.
“Nom nom nom…”
“If you drool, I’m wiping it off right there.”
“Too troublesome…”
…Though it felt more like Frey was just too lazy to push him away.
Maybe we’ll go to the orphanage together later.
Hmm, is “orphanage” the weird word?
It should be “children’s home,” right?
Well… it’ll be good if we become friends before going.
Evan was thinking it wasn’t a big deal when—
CLUNK!
The carriage suddenly stopped.
After a small scuffle outside, Dolph opened the window with a troubled expression.
“Young Master, I’m sorry, but…”
“Is the salary not enough?”
“Huh? I haven’t even checked that yet… Anyway! Someone wants to ride with us for a while—what should we do?”
“Ride with us?”
Evan tilted his head, puzzled.
“We confirmed her identity, but…”
“Identity confirmed? Who is it?”
“W-well… a princess…”
“A princess?”
For some reason, it felt familiar.
Evan nodded slightly, signaling to open the door.
When the door opened, a woman stood outside.
She took off the hat pressed low over her face, and Aegis gasped in shock at the revealed face.
“What the— you.”
“Hello!”
The woman greeted cheerfully.
“It’s been a while, big sis! You remember me, right?”
“Charlotte?”
“Yes!”
The woman named Charlotte sparkled with eyes that resembled Aegis’s.
“It’s been so long, big sis! We escaped together last time and haven’t seen each other since…!”
“Where the hell have you been all this time?”
“Me? Heeheehee. You know, right? I was a huge fan of detective novels. Right now, I’m digging up an incredible secret!”
“…A secret?”
“Yes!”
Charlotte looked at Evan.
Still wearing that beaming smile, she asked Evan,
“If it’s not too rude, may I ask one thing?”
“?”
“Have you ever heard of the Drug Manufacturer King?”
Evan’s hand froze.
“I heard rumors that he’s active outside now… They say he’s another mastermind who will succeed the Drug King… So I’m looking for him this time!”
“Outside activity?”
“Yes! There’s been a lot of talk about drug distribution lately, so just in case! I thought a young master like you would definitely know!”
…?
Me?
“Lately, the rumors about Young Master Evan are famous! The rumors that you’re chasing after evil drugs…!”
Huh?
No.
Really me?
“…Who did you hear that from?”
“The Saintess!”
Charlotte said with a smile.
Beaming.
Grinning so wide the words “bright” and “cheery” suited her perfectly.
“The Saintess of the Sun Church told me!”