How to Survive as the Academy’s Villain

Chapter 37

Boom!

With the sound of something exploding, a bustling construction site was underway in the heart of a mountain range. This place was presumed to be the entrance to the hidden vault of Dranthe Fren, the first Golden King and creator of the Fren Merchant Guild.

“Hey, be careful! If you die here, it’ll be a dog’s death!”

“……Slowly! Safety first!”

Workers wearing thick gray safety helmets shouted as they diligently continued the excavation work.

“We’re blasting again. Three, two, one!”

Boom!

A powerful roar echoed as a large amount of magical explosives detonated, shattering giant rocks into pieces.

Watching this scene from a hill a little distance away were a few people observing the construction.

“As you can see, we’re sparing no expense with explosives and materials. We’re working at maximum speed, so you don’t need to worry, Miss.”

The girl in the black safety helmet directed her gaze to the young man beside her at the words of the current site manager responsible for the entire project.

“About 50% of the construction is completed. If we maintain this speed, all work will be completed within six days at the latest.”

Butler Clark bowed politely as he reported the detailed current status.

Diana nodded briefly in response.

“What about Elliot’s side?”

“Compared to us, they are at least half behind.”

Upon hearing Butler Clark’s quick report on the opposition’s situation, Diana spoke decisively.

“Really? Hmm, but six days is too long. Everything must be finished before the academy break ends. So, three days. Finish the construction in three days.”

“Th-three days? No matter what, that’s a bit…”

The site manager, visibly flustered, trailed off at her words.

At that moment, Diana spoke again.

“If you finish all the work within three days, I’ll pay double the agreed amount. What do you say, can you finish it?”

“Do-double? Ah, understood. I’ll do my best to ensure it’s finished within three days!”

The site manager nodded vigorously in response to Diana’s offer to pay double the construction fee.

“No, there’s no need to do your best.”

“Pardon? What do you mean…”

“Just make sure it’s done by that date.”

Diana continued speaking as she looked around.

“The weather is good today, so you can work late, right?”

“Yes, it seems we’ll have clear weather for the next few days.”

“Good, then you can work through the night.”

Diana, staring at the blue sky, murmured to herself in a way reminiscent of the ethereal image depicted in the portrait that once hung in the office. Her striking presence naturally drew the attention of everyone around her.

“Alright, regarding the construction progress and speed, what about the list I mentioned?”

“Yes, Miss. I have already placed the organized documents in the office.”

“Hmm, bring it here. I’ll stay here until the construction is complete. As soon as we find the entrance, we must enter immediately.”

Diana declared she would not stay in the office doing paperwork but would remain on-site.

The butler Clark and the site manager’s gazes wavered slightly.

“So bring the prepared personnel and the mercenary group here as well…”

Just as Diana was about to continue speaking.

Boom!

A powerful explosion that shook the entire mountain range erupted from the opposite side of the construction site, quite far away.

“It’s dangerous! Miss!”

Butler Clark quickly reached out to the slightly swaying Diana, but she lightly regained her balance and tilted her head.

“Hmm? What’s this all of a sudden? Sabotage?”

“I-I’ll find out immediately.”

The site manager shouted urgently, his face pale.

But then.

“Mi-Miss!”

From the opposite side, a servant was seen running towards them in a hurry.

Sensing that something had happened, Diana quickly shouted.

“What is it? Just give me the main points!”

“We-we just received news that Young Master Elliot’s side has found the entrance to the vault.”

“What?”

For a moment, Diana could hardly believe her ears.

“It appears that a hidden entrance was revealed by a recent explosion.”

Despite feeling a sudden headache at the servant’s report, Diana maintained a calm exterior. Simultaneously, Butler Clark called out to her.

“Miss?”

“Move to where Elliot is right now. Prepare yourselves!”

Her resolute shout quelled the confusion on the others’ faces, and they promptly nodded in acknowledgment.

“Understood, Miss!”

Tat-tat-tat!

As they ran towards Elliot’s construction site, Diana continued her thoughts.

‘…Something’s been bothering me all along.’

Despite the experts she had commissioned and the team she had put together, all claiming that the entrance was most likely where they were currently working, and despite their construction speed being significantly faster, Elliot had somehow found the entrance first.

‘No, the reason doesn’t matter right now.’

Clearing her mind of the perplexing thoughts, Diana focused on the present situation.

‘The event has already occurred. What I need to do now is assess the situation accurately and make a decision.’

Soon after, they arrived at Elliot’s construction site, filled with the buzz of numerous people. As the crowd parted, a familiar face came into view.

“Elliot Fren…”

In the moment when the focus was on her brother Elliot, who could never meet her eyes under normal circumstances, another figure emerged from the shadows behind him.

“…?”

A shadow waved at her.

“Even if it’s just for appearances, I can’t say it’s… good to see you.”

“Kamon Vade?!”

The figure waving at her was none other than Kamon Vade. For the first time, Diana showed a hint of surprise and confusion in her expression.

‘Why is that bastard here…?’

Before she could process her thoughts, her eyes caught sight of Elliot standing in front of Kamon Vade.

‘That idiot…’

The voice of Elliot, who always looked timid in front of her, reached her ears.

“Diana, what brings you here?”

“I just heard that you found the entrance. Is it true?”

Holding back the urge to spew a stream of curses, Diana forced a smile.

Elliot, with a satisfied expression, shouted confidently.

“Yes, we found the entrance first. I, Elliot Fren, the rightful heir of the Fren family, have found the entrance to the vault of our ancestors’ legacy!”

“……”

Ignoring Elliot’s triumphant shout, Diana silently analyzed the situation at high speed.

“So, you joined hands with that lunatic?”

“Do not insult my friend, Diana!”

Elliot, placing his hand on Kamon Vade’s shoulder, shouted at her sharp words.

“What, friend? Ha…”

‘Is he out of his mind? Why is he calling Kamon Vade a friend? Doesn’t he know what kind of bastard he is?’

It was clear that Kamon Vade had approached both herself and Elliot with a specific purpose. Otherwise, he had no reason to interfere in the succession competition of the Fren Merchant Guild.

In the worst-case scenario…

‘We might lose all of Dranthe’s legacy to that lunatic.’

Gritting her teeth, Diana glared at her brother Elliot.

‘That idiot must have accepted his hand without a second thought. Damn it! He doesn’t even know Kamon Vade’s purpose for being here, why?!’

Despite sharing the same blood, Diana could not bring herself to care for Elliot, who always engaged in such foolish behavior.

‘…It’s a disgrace to share the Fren name with him.’

“Hey, Diana. Why aren’t you answering? Are you in shock or something?”

With a sneer, Kamon Vade’s mocking voice reached her, and Diana steadied herself and spoke slowly.

“Shock? Ha, yeah. It’s surprising. I didn’t expect an idiot and a moron to join forces.”

“What? An idiot and a moron?”

“Yes.”

Diana, revealing her true feelings, twisted her lips into a sneer and continued.

“The entrance to the vault? I’ll let you have it first. It doesn’t change anything anyway.”

“Tch! You still don’t understand, do you, Diana? Finding the entrance first means our ancestors recognize me as the true heir. So now…”

“When did you become so talkative, my wretched brother?”

“Kuh, khem. S-so, what I mean is…”

Elliot, who had been speaking in a trance, suddenly stammered at Diana’s cold response.

Kamon Vade, standing beside him, waved his hand dismissively.

“Oh dear, this sibling rivalry is fiercer than I thought. No matter what, he’s still your brother. Don’t glare at him like that.”

“……”

“Y-yeah, that’s right, Diana Fren! I’m your brother! Watch your mouth!”

Elliot, seemingly reinvigorated by Kamon Vade’s support, shouted in a stern tone.

Unintentionally, Diana let out a genuine snort of laughter.

“Ha, you really are something.”

Then, glaring at them with eyes darker than ever, she spoke coldly.

“Interesting. Both of you are really interesting. Fine, let’s see how this plays out.”

At Diana’s chilling words, Elliot flinched slightly, but Kamon Vade shrugged and waved his hand dismissively.

“Yes, yes, understood. I get what you’re saying, so why don’t you leave now? Elliot, let’s head into the vault.”

“O-okay. Let’s go in right away.”

As Kamon Vade continued to mock and taunt her, Diana’s eyebrows twitched with anger.

Then she turned around.

“Let’s go back!”

“Yes, Miss.”

Following Diana’s command, the butler Clark and all the others bowed respectfully and began to move.