I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

“That’s not all you need to explain. Tell me properly how you managed to capture a high-level magical beast like a minotaur. The high knight Reagan, who rescued you just before you collapsed, said that before he shot his arrow, the minotaur was already in a seriously injured state after an intense battle.”

‘This might be the biggest problem.’

When the talk about future plans somehow settled down, my father changed the subject.

Hearing this, I inwardly sighed. In truth, the change in my attitude was something I could somehow bluff my way through.

Literally because it was my own mind. Only I could know my own mind.

But this was a different story. It was clear that any insufficient excuse would be immediately seen through by him, an accomplished master.

“It seems you don’t understand how serious this matter is. Everything has been turned upside down. Of course, partly because of the gate that appeared despite the interference stones working, but also because of you.”

“I was lucky…”

“This isn’t an opponent you can face with mere luck. No matter how lucky you are, what’s impossible is impossible! So tell me honestly. If rumors start, you won’t be the only one who suffers.”

My father’s expression suddenly became serious. I had been about to make a joke to lighten the mood, but seeing this, I closed my mouth.

His eyes were no longer those of a doting father. They were the eyes of an excellent warrior and, at the same time, a power player who had been through the political arena.

“…Our family isn’t without enemies. I don’t know if you understand, but it doesn’t do any good to give them an opening.”

It’s natural that blood follows where power comes with wealth and authority.

My father, sitting a bit closer to my bed, persuaded me in a low voice.

* * *

“Tell me honestly, Reagan. Wasn’t it you who dealt with it?”

“Why on earth would I tell such a lie? And the scene investigation is already over. Haven’t you seen the photos? It’s true that my arrow shattered the monster’s head, but it’s clear that everything else, including severing the minotaur’s arm, was done by that child.”

High Knight Reagan, who had made a great contribution to resolving the incident, frowned.

Unfortunately, since Kiina had been unconscious for nearly two days, all attention had turned to him.

For Reagan, who had been dragged into work during his vacation, it was an extremely annoying matter.

“Please understand. With such impossible events happening one after another, it can’t be helped. Ahem, with an incident of this magnitude, it’s hard to rule out the involvement of black magic.”

“Would you be asking so persistently if that child were not from the Adenberg family but an ordinary commoner?”

“Oh my! How could this person say such things.”

Reagan was disgusted, seeing through the intentions of several people who had come to see him. The intentions of those who could be called minions of the powerful were too obvious.

It was a scheme to somehow politically entangle and strike a blow to the Adenberg family, to which Kiina belonged.

Black magic has long been considered a forbidden, evil art. Since those involved are severely punished, framing a political opponent as a black magician has been one of the common tactics in the political arena for a very long time, along with framing someone for treason.

This was especially true since accidents caused by actual black magicians were not unheard of.

“Since I arrived late, I don’t know how that child was able to face the minotaur as an equal. However, one thing is certain: the child’s achievements are clear and remarkable.”

Reagan drew a line. It was true that he was interested in Kiina, but she was a noble lady from a great family, far different from himself, a commoner who had only met her for the first time the other day.

He had no intention of belittling her achievements, nor did he intend to defend her more than necessary.

“It can’t be helped. Let’s go for now.”

“A proper explanation will need to be heard. That will happen at the academy, I suppose.”

Eventually, those who had come to see Reagan left, clicking their tongues. Reagan sighed softly as he watched them walk away.

‘Living as a member of a great family must be quite difficult too.’

Just as Reagan sighed as if feeling sorry, there were still matters that Kiina would have to endure.

Since an event outside common sense had occurred, it was natural, but it was clear that she would be scrutinized more harshly because of her background.

‘More importantly, are they still unable to figure out how the gate appeared?’

He turned his gaze. Kiina’s confrontation with the minotaur and near victory was incredibly surprising, but in itself, it was a simple incident.

However, there was still one problem they couldn’t grasp. The center of this problem was in a corner of the garden of a large mansion to the northwest, visible from the window he was looking at, where numerous people were gathered conducting investigations.

The gate had disappeared, but they had to uncover the secret of how it had appeared in a place where it shouldn’t have.

“Sophia and Isabel’s lives were saved?”

“Yes. The student named Sophia merely lost consciousness from shock but has no serious injuries. Isabel… after being injured in various places and recovering, she ultimately lost sight in one eye, but her life was saved.”

And right next to that place, in a temporary memorial altar, she was now visiting with her butler Daniel.

‘As a result, 86 citizens died and 12 students were sacrificed. Including the injured, the number increases several times.’

With a fully recovered body, dressed in her academy uniform again, Kiina looked with sunken eyes at the rows of coffins before her as she left the hospital. These were the coffins waiting for funerals.

Even at this moment, families of the victims were finding the coffins of their loved ones with sorrow and fear, preparing for funerals.

‘The confirmed penalty so far is one gate opening. It’s an ambiguous penalty in many ways. If I could prepare in advance, perhaps it could end without any incident.’

She clenched her fist, biting her lip. Right beside her, an investigation team including a high-level magician who had been urgently dispatched was investigating why the Demon Realm gate had appeared.

However, they would never know the reason. That reason was known only to Kiina in this world.

‘The reason for the existence of the heroine score and penalty system is ultimately one thing. For the pursuit of entertainment. It’s a drastic measure this world, which had already faced extinction once, chose to survive on its own.’

Kiina had confirmed many things through her meeting with ‘it.’ Among them were some secrets about the penalty system and why she had possessed someone in this world.

The work she had possessed was being remade and serialized. In other words, it was a world that had already seen an unfavorable end once.

That’s why Kiina was convinced that this world had created these penalties itself to avoid repeating that failure.

Those who don’t know might laugh at how the world couldn’t be alive and how such a thing would be possible, but having met numerous beings originating from the will of the world, she believed nothing was impossible.

“Um, still, please don’t worry too much. Thanks to you, my lady, many people survived. You saved the people who were with you, didn’t you? They are spreading word of your achievements throughout the academy.”

“You really do know everything about the academy.”

“That’s nothing. Just…”

As she lost her words with a serious expression, Daniel, who had been watching cautiously, spoke up. Hearing this, Kiina raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

‘They said the handle of the knife is ultimately in my hands. But once you grasp the handle, you must cut something, regardless of what you choose to cut.’

Daniel flinched at her smile and scratched his head while averting his gaze, but in fact, she wasn’t looking at Daniel now.

She was in the midst of contemplating a very significant subject that could potentially determine the fate of this world.

‘Isn’t a harem series focused mainly on awkward romance and catfights a bit lacking? It might still be entertaining if the scale were increased a bit.’

In truth, since she had already determined her course of action before knowing the truth, not much changed for her. She judged that even if she acted as she wished, she could provide sufficient stimulation and pleasure to those watching this world.

“Kiina, we heard you were here and came to get you.”

“My, my lady.”

At that moment, several people came looking for her. They were academy instructors and third-year student council members wearing armbands.

“As we’ve also told the Viscount, your affiliation is clearly with the academy now, so you need to be investigated by the academy. Though saying ‘investigation’ might sound a bit harsh, we just want to hear your explanation.”

“I understand. By the way, it seems my father yelled at you.”

The instructor pointed to the carriage he had brought. Kiina, following them without resistance, smiled bitterly when she saw the instructor’s disheveled uniform front that hadn’t been properly tidied.

Far from just yelling, the instructor had been grabbed by the collar by the Adenberg Viscount just before coming here.

“Oh, my.”

As the instructor hurriedly tidied his appearance, she boarded the carriage and leaned back on the soft sofa.

Daniel, who gave a final bow, stared blankly at the back of the carriage heading toward the academy.