The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

"But didn't you say she was likely to become the successor to the direct line of the Grand Duke family?"

"That was a mistake. I just omitted one word at the beginning."

The word 'former'.

"Ha."

Ariadne gave a dry laugh. Luina tried to compose herself.

"...Yes, that's precisely it. I don't think we need to fight each other when facing a demon."

"Senior Luina is more generous than I thought. I look forward to working with you."

Luina extended her hand first. Ariadne accepted the handshake with a bright smile.

After settling their relationship, the three headed straight to the forest where the World Tree branch was planted.

"...This is the World Tree branch?"

"More precisely, it's a contaminated branch."

"It's truly terrible to see the Mother Tree's incarnation in such a state. We should let her rest peacefully as soon as possible..."

The condition of the World Tree branch seemed even more serious than before. What had been dingy was now completely black, and now one could feel demonic energy when approaching.

But it didn't spread beyond a certain range.

"What are we going to do with this?"

"We're setting traps."

"Traps?"

"Simply contaminating the World Tree branch can't be the final goal of those demonic creatures."

"That's obvious, of course."

Anyone could guess that they planned to use the contaminated World Tree branch for something.

Though no one would guess it was demon summoning.

"So they will definitely return here. I'm setting traps in preparation for that."

"Not a bad idea, but I have one question."

"Speak."

"I understand the World Tree branch is quite valuable, so why wasn't it managed before it reached this state?"

"...Please don't bring up my dark history."

"It's a long story, but there were circumstances."

Luina didn't ask further.

"But if we're setting magical traps, is there any need for me to be here?"

"Protection."

"If demonic species tainted the World Tree, we don't know when they might return."

"It's not the Mother Tree but a branch of the Mother Tree. It's like the difference between a King Slime and an ordinary slime that broke off from it."

"That's quite a big difference. I'll correct myself."

She drew her sword and began surveying the surroundings.

"What should I do?"

"You help with guard duty too."

"Do you need me as well?"

"Want to dig instead?"

"Elven eyes are as good as slapping an eagle in the face."

Ariadne moved to the opposite side of Luina and stood guard.

'Well then...'

The traps weren't anything special.

'First, dig the ground...'

Rumble rumble, he dug the ground with magic and drew magic circles inside. The reason for digging was to hide them from the demonic species.

'This is no time to save money.'

He enhanced the performance of the magic circles with reagents and stuffed scrolls between them for linkage. Then he buried bottles of holy water with magic circles engraved on them.

Dozens of them like that. One or two might not be enough, but he thought that dozens of bottles of holy water and linked magic might make even a demon hesitate.

'And additionally...'

Gerhard took out the final scroll.

A luxurious scroll different from the others. It contained high-level magic and was accordingly expensive.

If everything went according to plan, it would be the final blow to Andromalius, who would be weakened by the other traps and holy water.

After completing all the trap installations over a considerable time, Gerhard cleaned up the surroundings once more.

Since secrecy was the essence of traps, there couldn't be any suspicious signs.

It was at that moment, as he was manifesting magic once more with this in mind.

—!

It began as a faint, very faint vibration.

So subtle that it would be difficult to notice if not for Gerhard, who was digging the ground as an earth mage.

"...What's this?"

Rumble rumble, the growth of the world's greatest tree. The blackened World Tree branch was taking deeper root, extending its stems, and growing larger.

"...The World Tree suddenly?"

"Ariadne!"

But no one saw it as a positive sign.

Because instead of the pure mana associated with the World Tree, it was spewing terrible demonic energy.

"The Mother Tree is screaming!"

Ariadne exclaimed. Her pupils shook violently as if an earthquake had occurred.

'...Wait, could it be?'

That can't be. It can't be.

Gerhard desperately denied the ominous feeling that suddenly intruded.

"Ariadne, what exactly is happening here!"

"That's what I want to know!"

"...What exactly did you touch wrongly?"

"No, I didn't touch anything!"

No one could understand why the half-dead World Tree branch was suddenly growing or why the demonic energy was intensifying.

But everyone knew it wasn't a good sign.

Luina drew her sword, and Ariadne summoned spirits.

"I should have let her rest in peace sooner!"

Ariadne extended her staff forward. Swirling wind became blades and attacked the World Tree.

Zwooong-

"What is this!"

"A shield?"

But somehow a protective barrier made of demonic energy had formed around the World Tree. Following that, Luina unleashed a sword strike.

—!

This time it had an effect. The trees bent roughly from the shockwave, and fragments of the barrier flew in all directions.

A small crack was visible through the gap.

"That's it, Luina! Stop it immediately!"

Gerhard cheered and prepared magic, but he couldn't fulfill his intention.

Crack crack crack-

The branch that had extended high into the sky pierced right through space.

"...What is this."

"What exactly is happening...?"

The split crack gradually widened its area. When it became about the size of a small hole.

Crack-

A pure white hand suddenly protruded and forcibly tore the crack.

The sky splitting.

A hand suddenly protruding.

Space being torn.

None of it seemed real. But it was reality.

The crack widened, and pop, a single being emerged.

"A person?"

"No, something like that couldn't be human..."

A form resembling a human, but with a completely inhuman, otherworldly feel.

"De-demonic energy...!"

"What on earth is that? What's happening...!"

Chilling pupils and pressure, explosive demonic energy. And even a huge snake wrapped around the left arm.

The appearance was exactly as described in books.

"Andromalius..."

He could no longer deny reality.

"Ah, no...!"

Why now, why now of all times!

When he had come to set traps just in case!

When Aint wasn't here!

Gerhard let out a silent scream.