I Became a Veteran Heroine in a Harem Story

‘Since there are penalties anyway, I’ll inevitably remain entangled with the protagonist’s party. I don’t care about rankings. Since I don’t know what kind of penalties remain, I need to keep them where I can control them.’

Though my basic mindset remained the same, there was one thing I had compromised on. It was about Erich, the protagonist, and the other heroines.

Until now, they had been beings who didn’t matter much to me whether they existed or not, but that had changed a bit now. If the work failed, the world would fail, and I would fail too, so even if I disliked them, I had to keep them by my side.

‘Being an impenetrable wall that no one can approach also has value. Someone who won’t fall no matter what methods are used to conquer them… Once viewers become accustomed to it, wouldn’t they keep watching, wondering when this person will finally give in?’

I knew how shameful it was to define my own concept, but now it was a force majeure. Having determined my policy based on what I could do best, I was clearly prepared to become a villain. If necessary, I would ignore, manipulate, and use the protagonist.

In fact, it wouldn’t be difficult since I just needed to continue doing what I had been doing all along.

The best approach would be for me to become the lowest-ranked heroine so that penalties would apply to me, but moving people’s hearts was even more difficult than fighting a high-level magical beast.

“The atmosphere at the academy itself is unsettled. Many students have been sacrificed or injured, and that hasn’t been resolved yet. Don’t be too surprised.”

At that moment, the instructor sitting in the front seat spoke first. We were almost at the academy.

Indeed, the statement about the unsettled atmosphere seemed to be true. That feeling was evident from the entrance.

Students passing by, regardless of their year, all appeared somewhat dazed, and even the staff, including instructors, were the same.

“I truly hope nothing serious happens.”

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of the administration building. The instructor, who had gotten out first and personally escorted me, said something strange with a hardened face.

‘To think I’d face a hearing after fighting like that.’

The place they took me to was a hearing room in the basement of the administration building. It’s usually where those who have committed offenses are interrogated before disciplinary measures are taken.

Given the situation, I couldn’t possibly feel good about having to go to such a place.

“Isn’t this too excessive? Nothing has been confirmed yet!”

“It’s a matter of such gravity. Black magic might be involved!”

Inside the hearing room, high-ranking academy officials such as year heads and department heads were arguing, raising their voices at each other.

‘The political scene here isn’t so clean either. After all, no matter how different the civilization, it’s a place where people live, so it can’t be that different.’

I didn’t know everything either. While the Adenberg family itself was a great family, it was ultimately just a minor supporting character in the story.

From the inherited memories, I only remembered that my parents hardly ever told me important or serious stories.

All I knew was what my father had told me before I left the hospital. That there were those targeting our family from before, so I should be careful.

And that their reach naturally extended to the academy as well.

It was the instinct of those who craved the power called authority to bite into competitors who showed even a slight gap and widen that wound. In short, giving them a justification was itself a problem.

“Well, it’s best to wait a moment. It seems the committee’s meeting isn’t over yet.”

“There’s no need to be so considerate. I have ears, so I know why those people are raising their voices like that.”

The instructor who had brought me stood in front of me with a flustered face. But I shook my head. The matter had already happened.

I was the one who had given them an opening, and they were just biting into it, so it was more advantageous to confront it head-on.

“Oh, wait, Kiina!”

I passed by the surprised instructor, went through the corridor, and entered the hearing room. Built underground, this place looked like a scaled-down version of a dueling arena.

In the center was a space for interrogating the subject, and in front of it, important executives of the committee, including the chancellor, were seated like judges. Moreover, around it were several seats of different heights, structured to look down on the person being interrogated.

‘Though it’s a space originally created for disciplinary action, it’s too much to use against a mere student.’

The psychological burden and pressure on the subject of concentrated attention would certainly not be small. Looking carefully, some aspects were subtly harsh and sadistic.

I couldn’t tell if it was due to the background of the work or the origin of the world.

“First-year class representative Kiina Er von Adenberg, reporting as ordered.”

“Uh, ahem!”

“Oh my, you came early.”

When I walked in steadily and saluted them, those who had been raising their voices flinched and showed various reactions.

And looking at those reactions, I could roughly see the outline.

‘Is the first-year head on my side? Can’t tell about the chancellor… The second-year head and personnel department head are openly showing hostility.’

While they were examining me, I was also examining them. When the chancellor raised his hand, I lowered my saluting hand and, sensing the strange atmosphere, spoke first.

“I know you’re discussing the process of my investigation. I don’t mind, so I’ll follow the established procedures.”

“Is that true? This First Academy is a place that nurtures the kingdom’s proud Magic Knights. Those who enter here are no longer mere scions of their families… Although they are trainees, they are servants of the kingdom and must follow its laws. This session is not just about discussing ordinary disciplinary measures according to school rules. It’s only because your affiliation is with this academy that I, the chancellor and chief justice with full authority delegated by His Majesty the King according to the kingdom’s laws, am investigating the subject.”

The chancellor, who heard my words, looked down at me with interesting eyes. I understood what he meant. In the current state, following the law would be disadvantageous to me.

“If I undergo investigation according to procedures, no one will be able to dispute the results when they come out.”

“Hmph.”

He gave a short laugh when I answered as if I were confident.

In fact, I could be so bold because I knew what charges and suspicions were against me and had confidence in explaining them.

This incident would pass as a mere happening anyway, and it was enough for me to get hints about who was an enemy and who was an ally.

“If that’s your will, I’ll respect it. Investigator, the discussion is over, so now proceed according to procedure.”

“Ch-Chancellor!”

“Stop the chatter now. Didn’t the person herself just speak?”

The chancellor, with gleaming eyes, made a decision, issued a directive, and silenced those who opposed. Then, those who had been waiting for cues moved.

‘Not student council-like quasi-military police, but real military police.’

They followed the orders of the chancellor who also served as the chief justice, but they weren’t affiliated with the academy. They were investigators belonging to the Ministry of Justice.

“It’s just procedure… don’t resent us.”

They approached me and unhesitatingly put their hands on my body. They grabbed both my arms, pulled me backward, then held my shoulders and made me kneel in the center, and pulled out chains from both sides of the floor.

These chains seemed to be in quite good condition, perhaps because they were rarely used.

With handcuffs fastened to both wrists and the chains pulled again, my body with arms naturally spread was pressed toward the ground, and my movements were sealed.

The presumption of innocence—I didn’t even expect such a thing in this world.

‘The handcuffs are absorbing mana to seal it.’

With my shoulders stiffened, I looked at the inscription on those handcuffs made of special metal. It was a spell to seal the power of superhuman Magic Knights. It didn’t seem impossible to break, but it would require more power than I currently had.

“Enough, further restraint doesn’t seem necessary.”

“But Chancellor, with charges related to black magic, making an exception is…”

“Since she’s voluntarily cooperating with the investigation, we can take that into consideration according to the law. Drakerus, you’re not the designated investigator. Now, please don’t interfere.”

When the investigators then tried to put chains around my neck, the chancellor stopped them. He reprimanded those who objected with stern eyes.

‘Interesting.’

The situation is turning quite intriguing. The true power struggle among adults indeed surpasses the level and cruelty of jealousy and envy among students by far.

“Kiina, there are two charges against you now. If you cooperate sincerely with the investigation, nothing will happen.”

“I will answer everything.”

If chains had been put around my neck, I would have had to painfully look up with my head bowed, but thanks to that not happening, I could talk to the chancellor more comfortably.

It was obvious what the conversation would be about, and I already had all my answers prepared.

“The first is that after the gate appeared in the dormitory garden and the attack occurred, you left your post without permission, went to the city, and confronted the minotaur. The second is… how exactly did you, a mere student, confront a high-level magical beast like a minotaur? A detailed explanation for these two points is necessary. Otherwise, things will get very troublesome.”

“I can answer.”

After hearing the chancellor’s words, I responded immediately. It was something I had already discussed with my father. It was merely a question of whether they could accept it normally or not.

Because even if I told them the truth, the probability of them fully understanding it was low.