I’m the Slit-Eyed Character at the Academy, but I’m not the Mastermind

Chapter 155

After Zero's group left, Scarlet, who was restoring the tavern to its original state.

As he was putting up the curtain, he suddenly realized. Someone was staring at him.

Two eyes glowing in the darkness. It was obvious who it was without looking.

The head of the rats, the Emperor's shadow, and the one who gave him this mission.

It was Caron.

"You've come."

At Scarlet's greeting, Caron revealed himself.

He looked no different from usual, but Scarlet realized something was different.

'He came before it's even night?'

This was a very unusual occurrence.

Because usually rats are active after darkness falls on the village, when they can avoid people's attention.

Caron is no different. No, he has to be even more careful.

Not only because his face full of scars draws attention, but also because he's so huge.

'Moreover, he's a person who's so busy he can't even blink. Like last time, he could have sent someone else and it would have been enough...'

But he deliberately came in person before it even got dark?

This means one of two things.

Either Caron had nothing particular to do, or...

'This mission was that important.'

Important enough that he needs to receive the report quickly.

Scarlet inwardly heightened his tension.

Scarlet, who not only has the mission Caron gave him, but also agreed to work with Zero.

If this fact is discovered, not only will the Eternal Snow Flower disappear into the distance, but his own life will also be in jeopardy.

'Of course, I haven't completely changed my mind yet.'

Whether Caron has information about the Eternal Snow Flower or not.

This will clearly tell him which side he should choose.

The problem is he didn't know Caron would come looking for him so quickly?

When Scarlet gulped, Caron's mouth opened.

"So, you must have completed the mission well?"

"Hehe, who do you think I am? Of course I completed it perfectly."

"Ooh..."

Caron's eyes shone with interest.

Not only did he treat Luna to delicious food, but he also found out information about Zero?

'Treating Luna to food must have been easy, but... He obtained information about that sinister guy?'

If so, it can be said he achieved tremendous results.

He doesn't think it's because Scarlet's skills are outstanding.

'Rather, it's the opposite.'

Scarlet was so incompetent that he let his guard down and made a slip of the tongue.

There was a high probability of that. Well, it doesn't matter as long as he can get the information.

"So, what information is it?"

"Not only did he know I'm a rat, he even knew my name. He must have ties with manager-level rats."

"...What?"

The rats' identities and names are top-level information known only to manager-level personnel.

If what Scarlet is saying is true, it's a big deal.

Because it means someone is colluding with Zero.

Caron's mind quickly turned.

'Currently, there are only five people who can access the rats' personal information.'

Among them, there were no rats who were capable of betraying.

Because, except for himself, they're all out of the Empire.

'It's been about 2 weeks since I gave Scarlet the mission. So it's too tight on time for those far away to give information to Zero.'

Moreover, this one person is an early member who has been through thick and thin with him and has no family, so Zero has no means to threaten him.

'If I didn't have Luna, I wouldn't have made a deal with a guy like that either.'

In the first place, he doesn't go out much, so there's no chance of him getting involved with Zero.

He made various assumptions for a moment, but there was only one conclusion.

Caron glanced at Scarlet.

He had a satisfied expression, saying he completed the mission perfectly.

Caron inwardly frowned.

'He made a mistake himself and doesn't realize it.'

When rookie rats are active, sometimes this happens.

Revealing their name with their own mouth and going, 'What, how did you know!?'

One or two appear in every class, but of all things, it turned out to be Scarlet, the one he gave the mission to.

Caron felt a headache coming on.

'I'll check with those manager-level guys, but...'

It's impossible for those five to betray him.

It's like making a mistake himself and then pushing it onto him, saying it's tremendous information.

'I was stupid for expecting it in the first place. It's so hard to extract information from that guy.'

It was a mission too challenging for a low-level to accomplish.

After lightly glancing at Scarlet, he asked about the next mission.

"...I'll inspect the inside myself. You must have successfully completed the other mission, right?"

"You mean treating that child named Luna to a delicious meal? Of course I completed it perfectly."

Caron nodded. In the first place, this wasn't a difficult mission.

Of course, it wasn't a mission to entrust to a rat either.

'I should give him a good mission next time as a reward.'

Luna, who lives only on the meals provided by the academy due to lack of money.

The quality isn't bad, but it's a clear fact that she can't eat expensive food.

To think he provided high-class food to such a Luna.

Caron was inwardly showing a satisfied smile when.

"Ah, please tell her to cut her bangs a bit."

"Hmm?"

"It was suffocating just looking at it. Not only does it dim her cute appearance, but you need to see the eyes to have a conversation, don't you."

"...?"

Caron suddenly realized something was strange.

This guy, could it be...

"...What does this child named Luna look like?"

"Pardon? Isn't she the child hiding behind her bangs?"

"...!"

"Cute, popular, I'm not sure about charming but people around her take good care of her. It was hard trying to block that sinister guy's hands."

...Yeah, it seems it will be hard to block my hands reaching for you too.

There was a 'snap' sound from Caron's hand.

"...It's a different child."

"Pardon?"

"That child is Rezé, and the child with pink hair in twin tails is Luna."

"T-That chatterbox is Luna?"

She's not a chatterbox. She's a cute child!

Unable to hold back anymore, Caron grabbed Scarlet's head.

"What mission did you even complete! You didn't accomplish a single thing!"

"Ack, aaaargh!!"

Veins bulged on Caron's forehead.

Far from completing the mission perfectly, he failed both missions. And it was a huge failure at that.

'I didn't know he was this incompetent. Of course, the opponent wasn't easy, but...'

Caron clicked his tongue.

Caron isn't narrow-minded enough to judge a person based on a single mission.

Not only because rat missions are very difficult, but also because many of them need time to grow.

'Three chances.'

That was the number Caron could endure, and the chances given to Scarlet.

The first chance had been completely wasted.

If he fails two more missions in the future, Scarlet won't be able to live as a rat.

'I should give him a suitable tavern.'

It's courtesy to someone who has lived as a rat even for a short time, but it's more for information gathering.

A rat who is forcibly retired can't even read information, let alone get promoted.

They become an existence that only provides information to rats.

"Phew... Anyway, good work. Wait here until the next mission."

Scarlet, who was recovering with his face in his hands, shone his eyes.

'Just as that Zero guy said.'

He succeeded in acting clumsy. Now Caron's interest in him will have diminished a bit.

Although he just found out that the child he thought was Rezé is Luna, and the child he thought was Luna is Rezé.

Now there's only one thing left for him to do.

He said to Caron, who looked like he was about to leave at any moment.

"By any chance... Do you have information about the Eternal Snow Flower?"

"Eternal Snow Flower? As far as I know, no."

Caron gave the answer too easily.

It was also because the disappointment was too great, but the Eternal Snow Flower...

"Moreover, I've never heard that it actually exists. Isn't it a flower that only exists in legends?"

"As expected. I also thought so, but..."

Scarlet's mumbling mouth.

Seeing that, Caron's eyes shone.

"Could it be that Zero, that guy is looking for it?"

"Yes, he said it's something he absolutely needs."

Scarlet nodded and responded.

By the way, this is something Zero and he agreed on.

Zero's scheme to simultaneously confirm Caron has no information about the Eternal Snow Flower and to increase his credibility.

But Caron and Scarlet, who didn't know this fact, had no choice but to fall for Zero's scheme.

"Eternal Snow Flower... So it actually existed? It's worth looking into."

Scarlet couldn't help but be surprised.

Not only does Zero have information Caron doesn't know, but he not only deduced Caron wouldn't know...

'When I said it, he laughed it off as a legend, but as soon as he heard Zero is looking for it, he immediately accepts it as fact...'

Only then could Scarlet decide his direction.

Work under Caron and cooperate with Zero.

'If he wants me to betray Caron...'

He can do that as much as he wants. If only he can cure his sister who has the petrification disease.

Scarlet clenched his fist and made a resolution.

Caron was quick-witted, but he didn't notice this thought of Scarlet's.

Not only because he's a rookie rat who just started, but also because Caron's mind was spinning like crazy.

'He asked Scarlet for information instead of me?'

It's a behavior that's hard to understand. This means only one thing.

'He didn't want to let me know he's looking for the Eternal Snow Flower.'

It must be because the Eternal Snow Flower is that valuable.

Then.

'If I get my hands on it first... I can hand it over for a good price.'

Of course, it could be Zero's trap.

But it's well worth looking into.

"Yeah, Scarlet. This is it."

"Pardon?"

"This is the information I wanted. I'll count the mission as a success."

Even though he messed up the most important mission, if he can plant a spy on Zero, it's a profitable business.

"Don't let him know you told me."

"Yes, of course. In the first place, it seems we won't have a chance to meet from now on anyway."

"They look down on you because you're low-level. I'll create opportunities from time to time. Obtain information from Zero."

With those words, Caron left.

The man left alone in the tavern muttered.

"...What a mess."

Like that, Scarlet.

Unintentionally became a double agent.

*

"We'll go first."

"Keke, go ahead."

Rezé, who was still maintaining a tadpole belly and having a hard time digesting.

Luna carried her on her back like luggage and headed to the dormitory.

'It's late.'

Late at night when the sky is full of stars.

The return home was delayed because of Luna, who was chattering about a long-awaited break.

It was when I was heading to the dormitory like that. The corner of the dormitory building, a secluded back alley.

I could feel someone targeting me there.

Because [Hyper Sense] was activated.

And of course the person there was.

Kugugugu-.

...Caron.

I don't know why he's emitting such an intense aura.

"Keke, my body isn't feeling well today. I should rest in the dorm quickly..."

But my wish was not granted.

Because Caron grabbed the back of my neck.

Thud!

I was slammed against the wall in the dark back alley.

I could feel Rodelin's feeling for a moment.

"Keke, no matter how much of a pretty boy I am, this kind of confession is troubling."

"My confession is shoving a dagger into your head, do you want that?"

Wow, amazing.

As far as I know, society agreed to call that murder.

Seems like Caron's society is quite different.

"You did something very amusing."

Scarlet's misunderstanding of mistaking Rezé for Luna.

He's probably asking why I didn't clear that up. But.

"Keke, is that my business? It's because that guy is stupid."

"That's true."

Caron quickly agreed.

To mistake Luna and Rezé. Even Caron must have found it absurd.

"Why didn't you report it all this time?"

"Because there was nothing to report."

"What about Lucia?"

I could vaguely guess.

Caron came today not only because of Scarlet.

"Didn't you already know we're training? There's no value in reporting that."

"I know that well. But don't you know the reason Lucia is teaching you guys. Lucia teaching children. That's an impossible story."

"Keke, could it be because I'm cute?"

Boing boing.

I puffed out my cheeks to show off my cuteness. Then.

Snap-.

There was a sound of something snapping in Caron's head.

Oh my. Was I too cute?

"...Seems like you're trying to see the limit of my patience, but I'd like to inform you that you just crossed the threshold."

"Actually..."

I slowly began to explain what happened so far.

Because I'm a very good student who follows the teacher's words well.

--TL Notes--

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