I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines-Chapter 103 – Back to Where It Belongs (3)

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 103 – Back to Where It Belongs (3)

Nearly three weeks.

Perhaps it was because I had been absent for so long.

The girl’s reaction was intense.

“Haah… Haa…”

Her ragged breaths hit my ears, loud and uneven.

With her face buried against my neck, the fox clung to me, her heated breaths searing the air beneath my chin.

“Miss Irene?”

Had she been worried?

I had disappeared without any warning, and she might have feared I wouldn’t return.

For her, I was likely the only person she trusted.

Having been apart for so long, her relief was palpable.

Moved by her earnest display, I wrapped my arms around her gently.

“Haa… Hah…”

The fox pressed closer, her body hot and clinging to mine.

Her soft chest pressed against me, transmitting a vivid and unmistakable sensation.

With our torsos flush against each other, I could feel the firmness of her lithe frame even through our clothes.

It was, in every sense, a precarious position.

“Well, this is…”

A faintly sweet scent filled my nose, as though I were prey cornered by a predator.

The two of us lay like that for a while, letting the moment linger.

Finally, the girl, who had been silently clinging to me, lifted her head.

Irene’s face was slightly disheveled, her black eyes trembling faintly.

“…You’re late.”

Her gaze betrayed a mix of emotions—joy, longing, relief, and a profound sense of reassurance.

“I was so afraid… I thought you might have abandoned me.”

So she really had been worried.

I let out a bitter smile, feeling a pang of guilt.

It was time to ease her concerns.

“I told you, didn’t I?”

“…”

“I would never abandon you. Even if the entire world turned its back on you, I wouldn’t.”

“I know… But I was still scared.”

“You’re such a coward.”

“Maybe.”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to soothe you so you won’t feel afraid anymore.”

I reached out and gently stroked her head.

She accepted the gesture quietly, her soft hair slipping through my fingers.

From there, my hand moved to her perky, orange ears, which twitched slightly at my touch.

The sensation was delightful, almost playful.

“…Ngh.”

Irene bit her lip as if to stifle a sound but couldn’t hold back entirely. She let out soft, heated whimpers, her breath mingling with the warm air around us.

“Haah… Ngh… Aah…”

“Good girls deserve rewards, don’t they? Thank you for waiting so patiently.”

One thing I had learned over time was that Irene particularly enjoyed having her ears stroked.

It felt similar to how dogs might roll onto their backs to show their bellies—a gesture of trust and loyalty, and perhaps a bit of indulgence.

Whenever I had time before leaving, I would play with her soft ears.

Now, I did the same, gently teasing the sensitive tips of her ears with my fingers.

“Aah… Ngh…”

Under my touch, the fox could only shudder and cling tighter to me, her body trembling as though overwhelmed by the tingling sensation.

Her breaths grew hotter, melting like ice against the crook of my neck.

We lay there on the floor, entwined in each other’s warmth, as time passed quietly.

***

After the intense reunion, we finally sat up from where we had been lying.

The girl’s cheeks were still flushed, her face glowing with residual heat.

Though I was a little concerned, she insisted I not worry, so I let it slide.

I informed the rest of the group of my return.

“You’ve returned, Master.”

Neria greeted me, her voice composed, as though she had been expecting me.

Perhaps the advance notice had prepared her for my arrival, preventing the surprise of last time.

“Haha! I heard the news of your return, Captain!”

Next came Kyle, the crimson swordsman, barreling toward me with his signature exuberance.

“I should have gone to fetch you myself… Forgive me.”

Rena bowed sharply, her form rigid with apology.

These three—Neria, Kyle, and Rena—were the core strength of Astro.

Gathered in my office, we exchanged updates and discussed various matters.

The vice-captain was the first to ask a question.

“Have you completed your tasks?”

“Ah… You could say they were successful. It’s not quite finished, but the process is steadily progressing.”

“I see.”

“Today, I came specifically to pick up Miss Irene. I’ve been staying at the academy again since yesterday.”

“Mm. I’m going.”

The fox nodded beside me, her expression calm but betrayed by the excited swishing of her tail behind her.

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I couldn’t help but smile as I patted her on the head.

Meanwhile, Kyle watched us with an approving grin before bursting into laughter and speaking.

“Haha! You’ll be shocked, Captain! Irene has grown absurdly strong over these three weeks!”

“Oh?”

“All I did was help her revisit the basics, but… Perhaps because she’s already reached a certain level, even that has allowed her to create massive waves with mere intuition.”

“The greatest star praises her so highly.”

“She reminds me of myself when I was young!”

“Is that so…”

“When I was twelve, of course!”

“…”

‘Of course.’

It would’ve been too much to expect her to show the makings of a star already. This wasn’t even the latter part of the original story.

Suppressing a wry laugh, I simply nodded.

“Haha! But the fact remains—she’s undeniably stronger now!”

“I believe it.”

It was obvious at a glance.

The air around her had changed.

Previously, it was as if her fiery energy was uncontrolled and spilling everywhere. Now, it felt contained, precise, and sharpened.

Even the stillness around her seemed poised to cut through silence itself.

While I’d expected progress, her growth had far exceeded my expectations.

Feeling proud, I offered her praise.

“You’ve worked hard. You’re amazing, Miss Irene.”

“…I wouldn’t say that. My teacher was just good, that’s all. It’s nothing.”

She grew shy at the compliment, her ears twitching faintly.

I didn’t press her further, simply poking her flushed cheeks lightly in response.

Turning my attention away from the flustered fox, I looked toward the silver-haired vice-captain, who had been standing quietly nearby.

“Neria.”

I brought up a new topic.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“If it is your order, Master, I will gladly fulfill it.”

Her answer came without hesitation, her loyalty unwavering.

As the first member of Astro and my longest companion, she had always been steadfast.

I smiled faintly before continuing.

“I need you to gather some information.”

“Information?”

“I need materials on mana stone sickness.”

“Understood.”

“Most publicly available information will be of no use. I’d suggest focusing on forbidden texts or cult-related sources.”

“I’ll have it prepared within a week.”

There was no questioning or hesitation—only a concise response filled with determination.

I lightly patted her shoulder.

“I’ll count on you, then.”

Mana stone sickness.

Something about it didn’t sit right with me.

The Emperor’s vague reaction and the incomplete details surrounding it in the original story both hinted at deeper layers.

If I wanted to uncover the truth, I’d need to act myself.

When I touched her shoulder, Neria stiffened slightly but maintained her composure, replying in a rigid tone.

“Yes, Master.”

Of course, no matter how hard she tried to appear stoic, the slight trembling of her eyes betrayed her.

Finding her reaction amusing, I kneaded her shoulder a few times, teasingly.

“Ack… Ngh… Wh-What…?”

Her composure crumbled instantly.

Though I wanted to enjoy her flustered state a little longer, I stopped before she burst into tears.

Her glassy eyes suggested I had already pushed her to the edge.

Pretending not to notice, I moved on.

“Well… I suppose it’s time to head back.”

Having caught up with the team, issued instructions, and checked on their progress, there was no reason to linger any longer.

I gestured toward Rena, who nodded and raised her hand.

The black-haired woman tore a glowing rift into the air—a portal leading back to the academy.

Extending my hand toward Irene, I said,

“Shall we? Back to the home we shared before.”

Irene looked at me, her decision needing no thought.

With a warmth that spread through her touch, she took my hand.

“I’ve been waiting.”

And together, we stepped through the portal.

***

A week passed like that.

The previous month had been filled with activity, bringing many changes.

Elise had been slowly adjusting to the outside world with the help of her sister and the “snake.”

Her strained relationship with Charlotte seemed to be improving.

According to Tanya, who always shared the latest updates, the two were awkward but trying.

They still had a long way to go, but progress was visible.

— They’ve even started smiling at each other now!

— Whenever that happens, I can’t help but cry a little… It’s all thanks to you, Lord Judas!

Excited as ever, Tanya jumped up and down as she spoke.

I patted her head, feeling a quiet sense of accomplishment.

Though it had been a busy time, the results were rewarding.

After that, the days flowed peacefully.

With the Rose’s issue settled, the troublesome cult quieted, and no new developments on the horizon, it seemed life had finally returned to normal.

Until I heard the news.

“Exams? Are you serious?”

“You didn’t know? Final exams start tomorrow!”

“Oh… I completely forgot.”

“I figured as much. You promised to study with me, but then you disappeared for three weeks, so it’s no wonder you forgot.”

“I have no excuse. My apologies.”

“Hmph. It’s fine.”

Final exams were tomorrow.

And not just any exams—the notoriously brutal written exams of Galimard Academy.

For most students, this realization would be the moment they knew they were doomed.

“L-Lord Judas… Are you going to be okay?”

“Of course not! He hasn’t had any time to study! His grades are going to plummet this time!”

The reactions varied.

Regia looked genuinely worried.

Emilia, meanwhile, was all smug confidence.

“I guess this is my chance to finally take the top spot on the written exams!”

Her blue eyes sparkled with determination, as if victory were already hers.

“This is a crisis…”

I murmured under my breath, covering my mouth to hide my grin.

‘Sorry, but…’

I was already smirking behind my hand.

Emilia, with her chest puffed out and full of confidence, would soon see her expression twist into something far more amusing.

The rush of dopamine was exhilarating.

‘She’ll never expect this.’

For the past three weeks, while serving as a physician, I had also been studying.

Like a lunatic, I had spent my late nights preparing for the exams, refusing to give up the top spot.

I wasn’t usually one to care about grades, but the thought of Emilia claiming the title fueled my petty side.

I had sacrificed my sleep, grinding endlessly, for the sole purpose of crushing her expectations.

‘For the thrill of it.’

“To think my name will finally be above yours!”

Inwardly, I laughed.

‘Not a chance.’

Your fate, Emilia, will be to fall short once again.

Your fate is to be a runner-up.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]