Chapter 233.1

The cla.s.sroom was eerily silent.

Normally, by this time, students would’ve started chatting, but today, they were frozen stiff and keeping quiet.

“What’s the matter? You’re being awfully quiet today. I thought this cla.s.sroom was usually full of noises.” (Anos)

As soon as I spoke these words, the students began to speak all at once.

“…I-I think we’ve offended him…!” (Student in black A)

“F-For now, let’s make some noise! Everyone, let’s talk so low that no one will hear us…!” (Student in black B)

The cla.s.sroom started to buzz as usual.

“…But let’s be real, this is bad… Really bad…” (Student in black A)

The students in black at the back of the cla.s.sroom muttered.

“I… I have no idea how many times I’ve addressed Anos-sama without any honorifics…!” (Student in black A)

“You idiot! Just dropping the honorifics is nothing serious. But me, I’ve been mocking him for being a misfit…” (Student in black B)

“And me, I got carried away and told him that his blood was worthless… Basically, I’ve been belittling him…!” (Student in black C)

“Hey… Don’t tell me that he came here to get rid of us under the pretense of teaching cla.s.s, right…?” (Student in black D)

“…If he just wanted to kill us, he could’ve left it to Shin-sensei… Are you saying he came all the way here because he wants to see us suffer in person…?” (Student in black E)

“No, but still, he’s the Demon King of Tyranny. The one and only. Surely we’re not even on his radar, right?” (Student in black F)

“Y-Yeah! You must be right. He must’ve forgotten. Or rather… Please tell me he forgot…!” (Student in black G)

Hmm. They seemed quite nervous.

“Raise your heads. Just act as you normally would.” (Anos)

Shin and Eldmed raised their heads and stood up.

Following their lead, the students sat in their chairs, still looking anxious.

“Don’t be so stiff. Just because you know I’m the Demon King of Tyranny doesn’t mean I’ve changed. I still vividly remember the days I spent with you all in this cla.s.s.” (Anos)

To remind them that I was just another fellow cla.s.smate who attended cla.s.s with them, I showed them a refreshing smile.

“Regardless of who said what, when, where, and what you did, I haven’t forgotten a single thing about you all, not even a fragment. We had some real fun at the academy. Don’t you think so?” (Anos)

The students in black clothes shuddered.

“…Oh c.r.a.p…! Anos-sama hasn’t forgotten a single thing…!” (Student in black A)

“That face… He’s smiling so refreshingly just thinking about how he’s gonna make us suffer!” (Student in black B)

“He’s the one and only Demon King of Tyranny, after all… A perfect being with a dual nature of mercy deeper than that of the G.o.ds and cruelty greater than that of demons… And if I’m not wrong, the legend said that he was at his scariest when he’s smiling…” (Student in black C)

“Y-Yeah…! What kind of dreadful things could he be thinking with such a friendly smile?!” (Student in black D)

Hmm. There seemed to be a serious misunderstanding between us.

Left with no other choice, I saw fit to deny it straightforwardly.

“Let me tell you one thing.” (Anos)

Looking each student in the eye, I spoke quietly.

“Some of you have been rude to me because I was considered a misfit, but I think nothing of it. We were cla.s.smates. Therefore, we stand as equals, and you’re free to say whatever you want. I’m not so petty as to take offense from something so trivial.” (Anos)

I clearly indicated to the royal students that there was no lingering resentment between us.

“…When he says that he thinks nothing of it, does it mean…” (Student in black A)

“Oh my G.o.d…! He’s definitely holding one h.e.l.l of a grudge… It’s too late for us…” (Student in black B)

“Yeah, if he really thought nothing of it, he wouldn’t even mention it in the first place…” (Student in black C)

“And saying we stand as equals means he won’t go easy on us…” (Student in black D)

“I can already imagine him doing whatever he wants with us… We’re finished…” (Student in black E)

“…I hope he’ll spare our lives, at least…” (Student in black F)

Hmm. I see.

“Sasha, do something about this.” (Anos)

“You can’t just show up out of nowhere and make such a senseless request! Do it yourself!” (Sasha)

At Sasha’s words, the students in black clothes shrank back even further.

They gulped nervously.

“…For Sasha-sama to be so hesitant to execute…?” (Student in black A)

“What on earth is he planning to do…?” (Student in black B)

“…There’s just one thing… I can predict for sure… It’s that this is where h.e.l.l begins…” (Student in black C)

Sasha stared at them with a stunned expression.

“Kuhaha! Sasha, you’re just making it worse.” (Anos)

“What’s so funny? You’re the one causing the misunderstanding! You, not me!” Sasha retorted, baring her fangs.

“Then, Misha, can you handle this in place of your disappointing older sister?” (Anos)

Sasha looked displeased at being called disappointing.

Misha stood up quietly.

“Please listen.” (Misha)

The students were captivated by Misha’s rare a.s.sertiveness.

“Despite how he looks, Anos likes mushroom gratin.” (Misha)

I see. By highlighting my fondness for a common food, she intends to make me seem more relatable and reduce the fear a.s.sociated with the Demon King of Tyranny.

“I often made mushroom gratin for Anos. I practiced very hard. I made mistakes, but Anos always complimented it, saying it was delicious. That’s the kind of person Anos is. Kind.” (Misha) ??eewe???ve?.c??

By sharing everyday stories about me, the fear of the Demon King of Tyranny would naturally lessen.

With this――

“…M-Mushroom gratin…?!” (Student in black A)

“…What even is that…? What kind of terrifying torture is it…?!” (Student in black B)

“Hey… Could it be… that he’s going to turn us into mushroom gratin while we’re still alive…?!” (Student in black C)

“Wha?! That means he’ll turn us into paste… and no one will even recognize us…?!” (Student in black D)

“Wait, wait. She said she made it often… Does that mean he made Misha-chan do such things… for practice…?! Oh the atrocity…!” (Student in black E)

“And then he eats it?! And calls it delicious?! So he’s going to turn us into mushroom gratin while we’re still alive and then eat us…?!” (Student in black F)

“No, that’s not the main issue. Listen, the biggest problem is…” (Student in black G)

The students gulped in fear.

“The fact that even after all that, she still called him kind…” (Student in black G)

“Then… What kind of things would he do if he were angry…?” (Student in black H)

“…I should’ve never defied him… Even if I couldn’t have known, what have I brought upon myself…?” (Student in black I)

The students turned pale, trembling and pressing their foreheads against their desks.

Misha blinked and stared at me.

“It got worse.” (Misha)

“It’s fine. Things like that happen.” (Anos)

Misha quietly took her seat.

“You did your best, Misha.” (Eleonore)

Eleonore encouraged Misha, who was slightly disheartened.

Zeshia patted her head from behind.

“There, there…” (Zeshia)

Oh well, never mind. The name of the Demon King of Tyranny often took on a life of its own and caused unnecessary fear even two thousand years ago. In fact, this level of misunderstanding was quite minor.

With enough patience, the truth would eventually be revealed.

“Let me explain the outline of the Greater Demon King’s training.” (Anos)