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Chapter 80: Academy Heroine’s Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 80


After finishing her investigation, Sylvia returned to the dining hall to treat the children who had collapsed.


I sat and watched as Yoon Si-woo and the teachers conducted their investigation to determine the truth of what people were saying.


The person currently being questioned was the academy’s cook, who was the most likely suspect due to having the easiest access to the food.


The middle-aged cook, who appeared to be in his 40s or 50s, sat down and the head teacher immediately asked a question with a stern expression.


“First, I need to ask. Did you commit the incident that occurred in the dining hall?”


“No, I did not! I would never do such a thing!”


When the cook answered with an indignant expression, the teacher quietly looked at Yoon Si-woo.


Yoon Si-woo nodded in response.


It seemed the cook was not the culprit.


The teacher’s face relaxed a little, and he spoke to reassure the cook.


“We do not believe that someone like you, James, who has worked at the academy for so long, would be the culprit. However, we need your cooperation to catch the real perpetrator. May I ask you a few questions?”


“Ask me anything. I’ll tell you whatever I can to catch that bastard.”


The cook, seemingly very angry at the culprit, was eager to help.


The teacher began asking questions calmly.


“Are the ingredients used in today’s meal the ones brought in yesterday?”


“Yes. They were brought in last night. We have refrigerators in the kitchen with preservation magic, so the ingredients stay fresh even if brought in early.”


“Hmm… And you didn’t notice anything unusual while cooking today?”


“There shouldn’t have been any problems with the ingredients. I tasted them while cooking to ensure they were fine. If something had been wrong, I would have collapsed as well. I suspect someone tampered with the completed dishes.”


Upon hearing this, the teacher’s eyes sharpened, and he asked the cook another question.


“Was there any time when the completed dishes could have been tampered with?”


“I went to the restroom for a moment after finishing the cooking and before moving the food to the dining hall. That’s the only time someone could have tampered with the food without me noticing. But even then, I locked the kitchen door. I always lock it to prevent any issues like today’s from happening... But how...”


“Indeed, the kitchen is sealed with a locked door and is protected against magic. But the culprit must have tampered with the completed dishes during the time you were in the restroom.”


Poisoning food in a sealed room?


Honestly, it seemed impossible.


I couldn’t even imagine how it was done.


If I had read more mystery novels, would it have helped…?


But in this world, where people have all sorts of abilities, it might have been done in some unimaginable way.


While I was wracking my brain trying to imagine how it was done, the investigation seemed to have ended as the cook stood up with a regretful expression.


“If I had been more thorough in my checks, this wouldn’t have happened...”


“It’s not your fault, James. The blame lies with the person who did this. We will catch them, I promise.”


“Please do…”


After the cook pleaded with the teacher and left, the teachers seemed quite confused.


“If this is the case, it seems all the original suspects are not the culprits. It looks like we’ll have to question everyone.”


“We have no other choice. Until we get help from outside, we should do everything we can. Yoon Si-woo, we desperately need your help. Please.”


Yoon Si-woo nodded at the teacher's words.


It seemed the only way to find the culprit was to ask everyone if they did it and have Yoon Si-woo use the power of the Holy Sword of Truth to judge their answers.


In the end, finding the culprit was up to Yoon Si-woo.


Since it seemed I had nothing to do here, I decided to head to the dining hall to assist with the treatment of the affected.


With that thought, I left the classroom where the investigation was ongoing and patted Yoon Si-woo on the back for encouragement.


“Find the culprit. It seems you’re the only one we can rely on right now.”


“Someone to rely on... Okay, leave it to me. I’ll definitely find them.”


Yoon Si-woo, filled with a sense of justice as expected of the protagonist, answered with a determined look in his eyes.


*


When I arrived at the dining hall, inside the protective barrier created by the Holy Sword of Protection, wizards and ability users capable of healing or purification were busily working among the children who had been poisoned by dark magic.


Seeing the busy atmosphere, I felt I might only get in the way if I tried to help, so I quietly pulled out a chair in a corner of the dining hall and watched the treatment process.


Both Mei and the children had not yet regained consciousness, but they looked much better than before.


Thinking that was at least a relief, I noticed James, the cook who had just been questioned, sitting nearby with a heavy sigh.


He was watching the children being treated with a complex expression.


Noticing I was watching him, he slowly opened his mouth.


“...You’re the kid who was sitting there during the investigation. I heard you also ate the food earlier... Are you okay?”


“Yes, I’m fine.”


“That’s a relief... Sigh, the kids collapsed after eating my food. And I was even suspected of being the culprit... Today has been a nightmare...”


He seemed very stressed, probably due to today’s events.


I couldn’t imagine how he felt seeing people collapse after eating his food, so I was pondering what to say when a voice suddenly came from behind.


“Someone who loves cooking wouldn’t mess with food. Right, sir?”


Turning around, I saw Leonor waving and smiling at me.


Seeing Leonor, James’s previously gloomy expression lightened a bit.


“...Yes, Leonor. You’re right. Someone who loves cooking wouldn’t mess with food.”


“I also felt very offended when they asked if I had done it. As the head of the cooking club, there’s no way I would do such a thing!”


James seemed quite relieved by Leonor’s cheerful response.


A sweet, golden-haired delinquent being so polite to an adult…


What an amazing contrast…


While I was watching this scene in a daze, Leonor came over and patted my head.


“She’s in the cooking club too, sir. One of the two new first-year members who joined this time.”


“Ah, I heard two first-year kids joined. So you’re one of them. Cooking is a great hobby. If you can cook delicious food, you can make others happy.”


James said, looking at me after Leonor’s introduction.


I’m mainly in the cooking club to eat, but…


Well, I didn’t dislike cooking, so I nodded, and James continued.


“Right, right. By the way, you said there were two new members. I’d like to know the other one’s face too…”


Leonor visibly flinched at his words.


She had just managed to cheer him up, but if he found out one of the kids who collapsed was a new member, it would all be for nothing.


At that moment, Leonor’s eyes twitched as she shouted.


“Scarlet!!! You haven’t been introduced yet, right? This is Mr. James! He doesn’t have an official advisor role in the club, but he’s kind of like that for us. He’s been the academy’s cook for 20 years now and is an excellent chef!”


Leonor blinked rapidly at me as she spoke, signaling me to go along with it.


Catching on, I shouted.


“Wow... Wow!! 20 years, that’s amazing! Ho... How did you come to work here, if I may ask?”


“...If you’re that curious, I’ll tell you. How I started this job…”


Thankfully, it seemed we had successfully changed the subject.


Leonor nodded at me in approval, and I nodded back before listening to James’s story.


“When I was younger, I worked at a famous restaurant and dreamed of opening my own place someday. I was known for having some talent in cooking, so it might have happened if things had gone smoothly.”


James spoke, his eyes looking somewhere far away as if reminiscing.


“It’s been 23 years since that incident. One night, while researching new recipes, I accidentally caused a fire in my house. I thought I was done for when a hero suddenly appeared and saved me. I was so grateful. After that experience, I started thinking that if I could repay such people by doing something meaningful, my life would be more valuable. So, the next day, I quit my job at the restaurant and begged the previous academy cook to let me work here. I learned the trade under him, and three years later, he retired due to age, and I took over. It doesn’t sound like much now that I’m telling it.”


It was a much more impressive story than he made it sound.


James continued.


“Still, I think it was a great decision. Someday, you’ll all become great heroes like the one who saved me. Making food for such people is very rewarding. Ah, talking about it makes me want to cook. Hmm, come to think of it, everyone must be hungry since they haven’t eaten because of that bastard. I should make something simple for them.”


Feeling better, he stood up with a faint smile on his face.


He was a truly admirable adult who took pride in his work.


I regretted even briefly thinking he might be the culprit.


Just then, Leonor spoke to James as he headed to the kitchen.


“Sir, what’s with the bandage on your neck


“Sir, what's with the bandage on your neck? Did you get hurt?”


As he stood up, I noticed that his neck was wrapped in bandages beneath the collar of his chef’s coat.


“Oh, it just started itching lately, and I scratched it a bit too much. It's nothing serious.”


James brushed it off casually and headed to the kitchen.


Once he was inside, Leonor turned to me with a smile.


“Haha, I was hoping to see you during cooking club activities, but here we are. You were sick last week, right? Mei was really worried about you. I was too.”


“...Really?”


“Yes, so this week, Mei and I promised to make up for what you missed last week...”


As she spoke, her gaze drifted to Mei, who was being treated.


I sighed as I watched her.


She was a foolish person.


There was no need for her to put on a brave face in front of me...


Feeling frustrated, I whispered to Leonor.


“If you’re angry, it’s okay to show it.”


“...Is it that obvious?”


“...A little.”


Leonor’s cheerful expression immediately darkened, her eyes filled with rage.


I told her to let it out, but seeing her like this was quite intimidating...


Grinding her teeth, Leonor growled softly.


“I don’t know who it is, but when I find them, I’ll kill them...”


I patted her on the back and said,


“Just don’t go overboard. I need my turn too.”


Leonor looked at me curiously before speaking.


“...You’re surprising. I didn’t think you’d get angry. You do get mad?”


I chuckled.


It was amusing that she thought I never got angry.


“You might not know this, but I’m always angry. Today, especially so.”


Leonor laughed, her spirits lifting a little.


“Really? I hope we catch the culprit soon.”


“Don’t worry. Someone very capable is looking for them, so it won’t take long.”


I spent time with Leonor while waiting for Yoon Si-woo to find the culprit.


Honestly, it was just a matter of time before the culprit was caught.


There was no way to fool the Holy Sword of Truth, and the perpetrator was bound to be found.


That’s what I thought.


That’s why I was so shocked by what Yoon Si-woo said when he came to the dining hall with a grim expression.


*


“We didn’t find them?”


“...Yes, we questioned everyone in the school. The only ones left are the ones who collapsed. That’s why I’m here. The other teachers are checking for any signs of an outsider sneaking in.”


Yoon Si-woo, looking somewhat dejected, said.


A headache began to set in.


Could the culprit have intentionally poisoned themselves to avoid suspicion?


It wasn’t impossible.


A terrorist willing to die from dark magic poisoning... It was possible.


But I didn’t want to think that.


Most of the collapsed students were the ones who would have died in the gymnasium.


If this incident was a consequence of saving those kids, an incident that wouldn’t have happened in the original story...


If someone I saved was willing to sacrifice their own life to harm others...


That would be too sad.


So, I decided to consider other possibilities.


First possibility: Someone who knew about the Holy Sword of Truth’s weakness exploited it.


I didn’t think this was likely.


Even if there was someone else who knew the original story like me, they wouldn’t have a reason to commit terrorism.


So I put this idea aside for now.


Second possibility: Someone unknowingly exploited the weakness of the Holy Sword of Truth.


This was a slim possibility.


In the original story, there was a similar case when they discovered the Holy Sword of Truth had a flaw.


Someone had committed murder, and everyone claimed they didn’t do it.


However, it was later revealed to be the act of someone with a split personality who had no memory of their other persona’s actions.


Yoon Si-woo discovered that the Holy Sword of Truth judged based on the person’s thoughts and feelings, not absolute truth.


Such a split personality is rare...


But I wanted to test this unlikely possibility because I didn’t want to believe the alternative.


I didn’t want the culprit to be among the collapsed students.


So I grabbed Yoon Si-woo’s arm.


“...Can you come with me for a moment? We have time until the kids wake up, right?”


Yoon Si-woo, looking dazed, nodded vigorously and followed me.


To be honest, it wasn’t much of a walk since our destination was right in front of us.


I took Yoon Si-woo to the kitchen attached to the dining hall.


I intended to question James, the cook, who was an important witness.


Honestly, I didn’t think he was the culprit.


It was just something to do while I tried to figure things out.


The kitchen door was closed, but we could communicate through the thin wall separating it from the dining hall.


“Mr. James, can you hear me? It’s the first-year cooking club member from earlier.”


I knocked on the wall and called out to James.


A response came from the kitchen.


“Yes, what is it?”


“It’s nothing serious. I just have a few questions.”


“Ah, sure. Ask away.”


Yoon Si-woo watched me with a puzzled expression, but he stayed quiet when I asked him to.


At least he wasn’t interfering.


My question was simple.


“Mr. James, have you noticed anything strange lately?”


A question to check if James had any memory lapses indicative of a split personality.


“For example, time passing without you realizing it, or having blurry memories. Think carefully.”


“Haha, do you think I have dementia already? But I’ll think about it. Let’s see...”


James fell silent, thinking.


Five seconds.


Ten seconds.


Fifteen seconds.


And then,


“Hmm, I can’t think of anything. I guess I’m still healthy. It seems I’m not at the age where my memory fails me.”


That was his answer.


...So, it wasn’t him after all.


I turned to leave but changed my mind and shouted back over the wall.


“Sorry for asking weird questions!”


“Haha, it’s okay. Feel free to ask anything.”


“Really? Then I have one more question.”


“Did you do it?”


There was no answer.


“Did you do it?”


Still, no answer.


I rushed to the kitchen door, but it was locked tight.


That son of a bitch…


I pounded on the door, yelling.


“Answer me right now! No, open the door! Open the door, you bastard!”


The sudden commotion drew the attention of everyone in the dining hall.


Yoon Si-woo grabbed my arm, trying to calm me down.


“Scarlet! What are you doing?”


“He might be the culprit! We need to open this door now!”


The mention of a culprit caused a stir among the onlookers.


“...Mr. James being the culprit, what do you mean?”


Leonor, who had followed me when I dragged Yoon Si-woo here, asked in a low voice.


I shouted at her.


“Where’s the kitchen door key?!”


“...Mr. James took it with him. But I think there’s a master key in the staff room.”


Upon hearing that, I was about to dash to the staff room, but Leonor grabbed me.


“Don’t panic. The kitchen is a closed space. I’ll get the key. Once I have it, explain why you think Mr. James might be the culprit.”


“...Okay. Please bring the key as fast as you can.”


Leonor bit her lip and then ran out of the dining hall.


My heart was pounding so fast that I felt nauseous.


Damn it, stay calm.


The kitchen is a sealed room.


If he really is the culprit, we can catch him as soon as we open the door.


He can’t escape.


And if he’s not, it’s better that way.


My hands were shaking so badly that I couldn’t even bite my nails.


While I was trembling with nervousness, Yoon Si-woo muttered.


“...What’s that noise?”


“...Noise?”


“...I mean, it sounds like a machine running.”


At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.


My mind raced with grim possibilities.


No, it can’t be.


Even as I tried to calm myself, my breathing became erratic.


Stay calm.


Leonor will be back with the key soon.


But in that time, the worst could happen.


So I made a decision.


“Yoon Si-woo, do you trust me?”


Yoon Si-woo nodded.


“Break down that door.”


The door was silently sliced open.


*


As I rushed into the kitchen, I saw steam rising from the dishes that had just been cooking.


But there was no one in sight.


We were too late.


Mocking us, the only sound was the loud whirring of a large grinder in the corner of the kitchen.


Weeeeee...



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Comments

  1. The Sword of 'Truth' is such a scam, it doesn't judge Truth vs Falsehood, but Honestly vs Lies. I bet Yoonie could ask me if I had a dream after waking up and it'd say "Truth" when I said "No" because I forgor 😂

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  2. Really loving the novel.. fresh characters with distinct personalities.. the plot are humorous at times with the misunderstanding with some dark plot twist… thank you mr translator-san for translating this gem 😭

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    Replies
    1. make sure to write your true feelings in Novel Updates review :)

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