Episode 52: The Vile Betrayal

Having won the first match, Randolph changed from his armor into his uniform and headed toward the VIP seats where his father sat.

“That was a splendid victory, Randolph.”

“Yes, sir.”

Neither Randolph nor Ludendorf were the type to get carried away over a mere first-round win. The conversation quickly shifted to the next match.

The next event was the second match of the first round… Karadis Dorm versus Slade Dorm.

At the far end of their gazes, in the grand training field, the athletes from both dorms had already entered and begun forming their ranks.

“What’s your take on this year’s Karadis Dorm, Randolph?”

Ludendorf posed the question. Karadis Dorm was home to many students from lesser noble families.

“The leader of this year’s Karadis Dorm team is Yompaldo von Moratino, the second son of a viscount.”

Though they were from different dorms, Randolph and Yompaldo had been in the same class for three years. They knew each other well. Or rather, Yompaldo was one of Randolph’s followers.

“He’s a calculating man, skilled at weighing profits and losses… someone adept at determining who it’s most advantageous to follow.”

“In other words, a cunning man.”

“Heh, that’s harsh, Father. It’s true, but… such qualities are vital for surviving as a lesser noble, aren’t they?”

“Indeed.”

Ludendorf nodded, clearly pleased with his son’s insight.

In this country, the most critical skill for a lesser noble to survive was discerning who to align themselves with.

Even at the level of a baron or viscount, joining a major noble faction could grant access to significant benefits.

In that sense, Yompaldo, who had become one of Randolph’s followers early upon enrollment, could be considered exceptionally capable as a lesser noble.

“That said, he’s not just a sycophant. His cunning is proof of his cool-headed judgment. He’ll likely perform admirably in the dorm battle. …Who knows, he might even defeat Siegfried.”

Of course, Randolph didn’t believe Yompaldo could beat Siegfried one-on-one. But the dorm battle was a 100-versus-100 team fight.

“After all, Siegfried is leading the ‘Peasant Shack.’ Dragging along 99 commoner students as dead weight must make it hard for him to fight freely.”

“If he loses here, then Siegfried von Kreving was only ever a man of that caliber…”

Their gazes remained fixed on the training field.

Meanwhile, the opposing general, Yompaldo, was muttering something under his breath.

“Unforgivable… That bastard Siegfried, how dare he make a fool of me… I’ll crush him…”

Yompaldo’s gaze, burning with hatred, was locked on Siegfried.

The reason for his animosity toward Siegfried stemmed from an incident the previous day.

 

◇

 

That evening, Siegfried, Leon, and Dominik had finished their final practice at the outdoor training ground and were heading back to Slade Dorm. They planned to rest for the remainder of the time to prepare for tomorrow’s main event.

“Yo.”

The one who called out was a noble student accompanied by two attendants. His wavy orange hair and somewhat frivolous demeanor gave off a certain impression.

“This might be the first time we’ve talked like this, Siegfried-kun. I’m Yompaldo von Moratino, a third-year. I’ll be leading Karadis Dorm as general in tomorrow’s dorm battle.”

“No need to tell me. I already know that… senpai.”

That was Leon.

The matchups for the dorm battle, along with the generals leading each dorm, had already been announced. Naturally, Leon was well aware.

But Yompaldo shot Leon a disdainful glance.

“Oh, I wasn’t talking to you, filthy commoner. Could you keep quiet for a bit?”

“Wha…!?”

Leon instinctively stepped forward but stopped himself just in time. Causing trouble now could jeopardize his participation in tomorrow’s match.

“So, Siegfried-kun.”

Ignoring Leon, Yompaldo continued.

“I came to give you some advice. Lately, you seem to be… pushing yourself a bit too hard.”

“Oh? And what do you mean by that, senpai?”

“You’re trying to compete with Lord Randolph, aren’t you? Picking fights with noble students, leading the ‘Peasant Shack’ to aim for the championship… It’s a touching effort. But it’s reckless.”

Yompaldo directed a pitying look at Siegfried.

“Defying Student Representative Lord Randolph and his father, Headmaster Ludendorf, is sheer folly. …So, I have a proposal.”

Peering into Siegfried’s face, Yompaldo pressed on.

“Lord Randolph has taken a liking to me. I could put in a good word to have you forgiven. …But there’s a condition.”

Siegfried fixed Yompaldo with a cold stare, but the latter seemed oblivious and continued piling on words.

“In tomorrow’s match, could you sit out, citing poor health? If you do, I’ll make sure Lord Randolph forgives you.”

As far as Yompaldo was concerned, he didn’t believe Karadis Dorm could lose to the ‘Peasant Shack’ that was Slade Dorm. While not on par with Grantzile Dorm, Karadis Dorm was equipped with fine horses and quality gear.

But—his one concern was, of course, Siegfried. He wanted to eliminate this man from the match to secure victory.

“All you have to do is sit out, and Lord Randolph will forgive you. Not a bad deal, right? …You wouldn’t say something like betraying your comrades pains your heart, would you? Betraying filthy commoners shouldn’t hurt one bit, should it?”

“You… spouting whatever you want…!”

Finally, Leon’s voice rose in anger. Dominik added his own words.

“Siegfried’s been defying high nobles all this time. To think he’d betray us now and beg for forgiveness—”

At that moment, Siegfried spoke up.

“Hmm, betrayal, huh—? Indeed, that’s a path befitting a villain. Very well, Yompaldo-senpai. I’ll—betray Slade Dorm.”

“Wha…!?”

Leon and Dominik were left speechless.

“Haha! As expected of Siegfried-kun. You get it! So, you’re sitting out tomorrow’s match, right?”

“Yes. I’ll be too feverish to get out of bed and won’t participate in the dorm battle… Let’s go with that.”

Siegfried flashed a bright smile. Yompaldo had no idea what lay behind that grin.

“Man… you’re rumored to be a wild card, but you’re pretty reasonable, aren’t you? Alright, I’m counting on you.”

Yompaldo and Siegfried parted with smiles on their faces.

 

◇

 

And now—the second match of the first round of the dorm battle. With only moments until it began.

Yompaldo’s Karadis Dorm was nearly done forming their ranks. And—at the far end of their general Yompaldo’s gaze…

Slade Dorm, positioned at the opposite end of the grand training field, was also finalizing their formation. At its center stood a silver-haired youth… Siegfried.

“He’s just…”

Yompaldo’s voice trembled with rage. Unable to hold it in any longer, he shouted.

“He’s just out there like it’s nothing, Siegfried!!”

His scream startled the Karadis Dorm students forming ranks, their shoulders jumping in surprise.

Yes… Siegfried was preparing for the match as if yesterday’s promise had never existed.

“Damn it! Damn it! That guy… he made a fool of me…!”

Yompaldo glared at Siegfried with eyes full of hatred.

At the other end of that gaze—

“…He’s glaring at us like crazy.”

Leon, positioned near Siegfried, whispered. He couldn’t make out what Yompaldo was shouting, but the sharpness of his glare was unmistakable even from this distance.

“It seems so. Yompaldo-senpai appears to be quite furious.”

Siegfried’s response was calm and composed.

“…Wait, didn’t you say you were betraying us? Why are you just casually out here for the match?”

“Hm? Need an explanation? I simply ‘betrayed the promise with Yompaldo to betray Slade Dorm.’”

“…”

“Betraying a promise of betrayal—it’s just wordplay, but it’s even more villainous than a simple betrayal, don’t you think?”

“…You’re not gonna pull some triple-cross and abandon us after saying that, are you?”

“If I chose that path, it’d bring me no benefit. Aligning with Yompaldo offers me nothing.”

Siegfried glanced between the distant Yompaldo and Leon beside him.

“You’re a nutcase who thinks he’s some kind of princess—but even so, you’ve got some potential as my subordinate.”

Ignoring Leon’s protests of “I don’t think that!” or “The real nutcase is you!”, Siegfried continued.

“As for that guy… Yompaldo’s perfect for the role of a minor villain in a warm-up act before the final battle. Let him fulfill that role by falling here.”