Chapter 187: Ill Resist, even as Villainess

Now thenHmm? Did I mishear? I felt like you said you had a witness? Let me ask one more: You did say that youve got a witness, didnt you?

Hearing my questions, the underling admitted with a distressed look, This was my failure. But! Its a fact that Primrose came to harm!

I told him with a broad grin, Yeah, Im sure. Back when I was still at the earls mansion, Primrose apparently met the same harm. And according to Earl Springcoat who doted on her, it was all my fault. You heard about that as well, didnt you?

gh! What ifwhat are you going to do if Primrose really came to harm?

Whats this guy saying?

I asked him in return, What did she do when I actually came to harm?

The underling suddenly fell silent. I see. So he does know how commoner students are being treated over here.

The harm you say befell Primrose isnt, to be frank, anything noteworthy in my eyes. Did you know? When commoners enter this academy, theyre forced to undress, get branded with a hot iron, and are treated like slaves; all in the name of a Welcome Party. Did Primrose experience anything like that?

Hearing that, his expression immediately changed, and he thundered, I would never allow anyone to do something like that to her!

Shut your trap. I wasnt asking about what youd allow or not, but whether Primrose had it done to her, idiot. Learn to listen and understand what youre told.

After the underling knitted his eyebrows, he cast his eyes downwards while answering, She didnt.

I shrugged my shoulders, Then she didnt experience anything of note. No need to get angry over small things, is there? By the way, I almost had a hot iron pressed on my body on my very first day here, but I dont view it as a problem whatsoever, you know?

You paid them right back, didnt you!?

Given the underlings retort, I asked him, Then, what about the other folks who couldnt fight back? Did you people do anything for them? Did you accuse the perpetrators of their crimes like youre doing now? Come on, tell me, Prince of Overflowing Justice and His Highnesss Little Goonies. What did you do about folk who experienced a lot worse than Primrose? Did you call out on the criminals? And why did you allow them to carefreely repeat their crimes with smug faces until I gave them their due revenge?

Rather than that, why did you treat only Primrose, who hasnt even suffered all that much, like some tragic heroine while framing Damsel Scarlet to be a criminal like those noble brats who branded others and abused them as slaves? Now, dont hold back and tell me so that someone like me also gets it, my dear Heroes of Justice.

Genius hung his head in silent shame, looking very awkward, while the prince averted his eyes with a snort in apparent annoyance.

Seeing their reaction, I laughed scornfully.

What incredible sense of justice you guys have. It makes me feel like puking. Primrose failed in everything and anything all by herself. But, that girls father laid the blame for everything on me, and because of that she grew up to be a pampered little princess. Since she always needs someone to take responsibility for her own failures, shes just trying to find a new victim to blame, I spat out, So? I guess the lot of you chose Damsel Scarlet as that new victim. Humph! Wouldnt you just need to blame me for all her blunders instead of Damsel Scarlet? I mean, Im already used to it anyway!

The instant I said so, the prince and his underling stared at me flabbergasted.

So, isnt it fine to just continue with the well-established practice? Theres no need to expressly choose Damsel Scarlet for that task. Im right here, you see? I wont run or hide either.

Hurry up, you who brandish that fake justice of yours! Unload all of Primroses blunders on me! Ill take it all on, fair n square! All of you, come at me! Ill turn the tables on you so easily that itll be laughable!

What are you talking about!? The prince and his underling retorted simultaneously.

I wonder why. Even though I seem to have been on the brink of becoming the villainess here, isnt it just fine for me to become one for real?

Oh right! Ill become a villainess and use the ensuing calamity to toy around with these guys in all kinds of ways!

Yahoo! Finally its become interesting!

Villainess Indra, here I come!

When I made that declaration, not only the two, but everyone else as well, became dumbfounded.

Lady Indra, I feel terribly sorry to march on your parade when you are enjoying yourself so much, but please allow me to state my own rebuttal before that.

Lord Genius, did you not disputeno, talk with me about a matter of the student council during the time span mentioned in the testimony? Damsel Scarlet interjected calmly.

Eh?

Mr. Underling looked dumbstruck when he heard Damsel Scarlets remark.

I have been keeping a diary. Since people are targeting me in various ways, I have made it a habit to note down every event in detail with time stamps so as to avoid being accused or tricked like this. It is all based on my knowledge as one called a ducal daughter. Lord Genius, should I ask you to become my alibi witness for that time span? Damsel Scarlet grinned at the underling.

In response, he was first taken aback, before starting to look very awkward. Apparently he did remember it.

And at that point, the birdbrain stepped forward.

Dont blame Lord Genius and the prince! Its something the two did for my sake! Lord Direck also acted on my behalf! Please, dont blame the others, or some such she blathered.

Whats with that heroine-styled Please stop fighting?

The prince, his underling, and the muscled buffoon all seemed very grateful, though.

In short, youre saying you instigated all of them, Primrose?

Primrose froze upon my words.

But youre right. Men would find it hard to refuse doing things they usually wouldnt do, if asked by their crush. In other words, you made everyone pull this stunt, didnt you? You instigated the prince and his little noble lackeys to entrap Damsel Scarlet in an attempt to turn her into a criminal. In short, youre the true culprit here!

Tadah!!!

I nailed it perfectly. Just like its done in detective manga.

Theres always but one truth!

Please stop this phony parody, Damsel Scarlet retorted coldly.

Everyone else appeared to be unable to keep up, staring at us with confused gazes.