Broken Possessors of Infinite Regression Academy

A commotion spread through the crowd, far greater than before.

Everyone present had just experienced the turmoil caused by the demon invasion, so they were naturally sensitive to the mention of an invasion of the empire.

“Continue! Don’t hold back!”

At Igor’s outburst, the succubus pretended to tremble and began to spill out what was probably a pre-planned story.

She claimed that she was a succubus who had infiltrated the Imperial Palace with the help of William, the traitor, and that they had gradually expanded their influence within the empire, starting with William.

She even went as far as to directly mention the names of the noble families she had influenced.

‘He’s blatantly pushing them to kill.’

It was obvious what he was trying to do. He intended to use the bewitched nobles as bait.

Regardless of the process, the fact that they were bewitched by the succubus was true. They would be framed as having pledged allegiance to William, and Igor intended to kill them along with him.

Igor shouted triumphantly.

“You heard that, William! You were the root cause of the empire’s corruption! Selling out the empire for your own gain, aren’t you ashamed of the Bellium blood running through your veins!”

“I heard it very well. However, I’m not ashamed. It’s because it’s all lies that aren’t even worth refuting.”

But William remained calm. He seemed to have recovered from the initial shock.

“You’ve even gotten a confession, and you still call it a lie?”

“Lies are called lies. If I were to see it your way, considering how meticulously you’ve fabricated this story and how thoroughly you’ve coordinated your lies, I’d say the real traitor is you.”

William sharply pointed out the obvious. In this situation, it was only natural to suspect the truth.

If a succubus suddenly appeared and confessed to a plan that she had never made, anyone would suspect the other party of being the traitor.

The only thing missing was evidence that the suspicion was true.

“Have you forgotten that the Sword Saint himself has proven my innocence!”

“I am not certain about their abilities, but there is one thing I am skeptical about. If, as you say, they have been secretly expanding my influence over the past few years, then why hasn’t a single human been caught during that time?”

“You were able to do so because you thoroughly concealed it! With the Crown Prince’s power and position, what couldn’t you achieve?”

Hearing that, William lifted the corners of his mouth and sneered.

“First, let me inform you that I have spent most of the past two years here at Bellium Academy. As you know, this place is constantly protected under the dragon’s guardianship. While staying in such a place, how could I manage to keep hundreds of nobles hidden from the Empire’s investigative network for years? I wonder what you think of Chairman Erestika.”

“Who knows! They might have used the abilities of a succubus that we are unaware of!”

“That’s exactly what I mean. If there is a succubus ability that can hide nobles who come and go from the Imperial Palace without being caught, then you too could be benefiting from that ability, don’t you think?”

Igor hesitated for a moment, being counterattacked by his own words.

If he denied there was any way to hide them, it would raise the question of how the nobles, who had been enthralled, remained undetected. If he affirmed it, that method could also be applied to him.

“You plan to lie to the end. Fine. Then I’ll have to ask someone else. Mira Crate!”

Igor turned his gaze to me, seemingly unable to find a proper rebuttal. A chilling smile briefly crossed William’s face. He had realized that he had avoided the question.

“You had Professor Ingrid disable the barrier, didn’t you! If not for the sacrifices of the paladins, the entire Bellium Academy would have been engulfed in demonic energy! No one would have survived! How do you explain that!”

Presenting the barrier, which originally had no offensive functions, as if the academy was saved thanks to the paladins’ efforts is quite an ingenious improvisation, whoever came up with it.

It seems they paid a considerable price to show that ‘sacrifice.’ Before the invasion, there were at least five hundred paladins, but now there were barely ten left. Whether they died fighting monsters or killed each other intentionally, it was clear it was a deliberate sacrifice.

“However! I know you were ordered to do so because you were enthralled by a succubus! It must be because of that traitor! If you confess the truth now, I swear in the name of Igor, your crimes will be pardoned!”

It seemed like he was trying to force me to choose sides, either with William or with him. But after being rejected earlier, I wondered what confidence he had to act like this.

The answer had been decided long ago.

“I did it of my own free will. Besides, it was a barrier meant for illusions, not attacks, so what sacrifice are you talking about? I’m perfectly fine. If you don’t believe me, you can ask the Sword Saint to confirm.”

A smile of satisfaction spread across William’s face, in stark contrast to Igor’s distorted expression.

“So, you’re still under her spell. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you receive divine treatment as a top priority later on.”

‘Unbelievable. Are you still not giving up?’

At this point, a sense of awe filled the air. After being rejected three times to his face, one would expect him to give up. Was Astaroth having a fit, demanding that I be brought to her alive, no matter what?

“A question remains. According to you, the barrier surrounding the Academy is merely a boundary, not a magic barrier. How did you come to that conclusion? Even the professors didn’t know about it.”

I had anticipated this question. It was only a matter of time before Ingrid, the professors, and everyone else present at that time became curious. Although I hadn’t expected to have to answer it in this situation.

I gave the reply I had prepared beforehand.

“It must mean that I am exceptionally skilled.”

However, it wasn’t exactly the same as what I had planned.

[…]

Even Igor was momentarily taken aback by that arrogantly blunt response. The other students and teachers reacted similarly. Only Priscilla and Rosalia seemed to accept it as a matter of fact.

William, on the other hand, seemed particularly pleased with my answer.

“So confident, claiming to be more capable than the professors of Bellium Academy… Your arrogance knows no bounds.”

It had the desired effect. Igor seemed to have run out of things to say and ended his interrogation there. There wasn’t much else he could ask, aside from making empty threats.

Neither William nor I were the type to be intimidated by such tactics.

“Lastly, I ask you, William Ercarenchiana. Will you continue to deny your guilt?”

“How can I admit to something I haven’t done? I cannot deny a false accusation. If you’re suggesting that my entire claim is wrong, then that’s another matter.”

As Igor’s expression turned grim once more, I leaned towards William and whispered the plan I had devised into his ear. William gave me a peculiar look after hearing it.

“According to your plan, there’s no reason for us to remain locked up, is there?”

“That’s because we plan to take care of the entire group. They must be desperate to find any evidence they can, so if we stay put, they’ll feel confident enough to involve the Church as well.”

“That makes sense, but…”

William seemed to ponder something, then nodded with his signature smile. He continued with an air of doing them a favor:

“Although I’ve never done such a thing, if there are suspicions, I am willing to undergo an investigation. Go ahead and do as you please.”

“What’s his game all of a sudden?”

It was a sudden change of attitude. Not only Igor, who had been interrogating William, but also the students and professors watching were taken aback. The Sword Saint seemed perplexed as well.

“Go ahead and investigate as much as you like. Even if you search for a hundred million years, you won’t find a single fault.”

[…]

Igor gave a reluctant nod, seemingly satisfied that he had achieved his goal. He ordered the female knights beside him to take William to the Imperial Palace, and the order included me as well.

“Where do you think you’re going!”

“I won’t run, so let go.”

I walked towards Priscilla, who was glaring at Igor as if she wanted to kill him, ignoring the female knight trying to hold me back. Rosalia was arguing with the Church people, their voices rising.

“Mira…”

“It’s decided, then. I’m sorry, Priscilla.”

“Should I kill him? If you give me the go-ahead, I can do it right now.”

“No. I appreciate the offer, though.”

I stroked her head, then pulled her into an embrace. I whispered into her ear, pretending to comfort her.

“Wait for me for two nights. I’ll definitely be back within that time.”

“Two nights… Okay, I understand.”

“Also, tell Rosalia that she may be needed for her role as a candidate for sainthood soon. I’ll need your help too, Priscilla.”

Priscilla nodded vigorously, then nodded again more forcefully. I gave her head one last stroke before returning to William’s side. The crimson eyes, half-open, were staring at me intently.

“You two have been close since the entrance ceremony. It seems your relationship is still going strong.”

“It’s complicated.”

“I’ll take your word for it.”

We casually boarded the carriage. The message must have been delivered by now, and they were probably working hard to fabricate new evidence. It didn’t matter; this was a battle I was determined to win.

It was time for slander and manipulation.