I was Reincarnated as the Youngest Child of a Villainous Noble Family Who Controls the Kingdom from Behind the Scenes

"Could it be an accident?!"

"Could something be attacking us?!"

"I heard the security was foolproof!"

The nobles, unaccustomed to such chaos, were in a state of panic.

This was where the skills of the guards would be put to the test.

The ones we're protecting don't always stay calm.

"Don't run around recklessly."

"Why not? If something's coming, we should escape as quickly as possible!"

"Calm down and head to the evacuation route. Everyone, stay together and walk."

As I gave instructions, the nobles, trembling, gathered together.

There were several evacuation routes, but the closest one was the underground passage beneath the stairs.

The academy had several such routes prepared for emergencies.

We had familiarized ourselves with them beforehand and were ready to guide others when needed.

When I pushed hard against the wall beneath the stairs, it opened like a revolving door.

"Wow! There's something like this here?!"

"Come on, we should be able to get outside the academy grounds from here. Hurry up."

I led the relieved nobles into the underground passage.

As they walked in a single file, Branmud looked at me with a bored expression.

"There's no need for this rat-like behavior. I had some expectations when I heard about student guards, but it seems I was mistaken."

"You've only ever focused on annihilating the enemy during emergencies, haven't you? You probably know nothing about the principles of escorting. Ensuring safety comes first."

"You...!"

Branmud was left speechless, unable to retort.

I ignored him and walked at the front of the group.

Then, I saw something unbelievable.

There was a person standing ahead.

This underground passage was known only to a few academy staff.

Moreover, the exit wasn't in an easily discoverable location.

In other words, that person had entered the underground passage before us and was waiting.

"Whoa, whoa... impressive. Just like he said, if we wait here, they'll come."

"I didn't expect them to go this far."

The man was shirtless, with red patterns painted on his face, resembling a native from some tribe.

With his thick lips, if my guess was correct—

"Enemies after all. It seems all our efforts were in vain."

"Wait, Branmud. You can't fight here."

"Don't tell me what to do!"

Branmud gathered magic in both hands without hesitation.

The moment he generated flames, an explosion engulfed him.

To protect the nobles from the blast and heat, I fully activated a black hole, and any residual energy was dissipated by my dark magic sword.

With Lillisha's flames helping, we finally managed to neutralize the explosion.

The nobles were bewildered by what had just happened, but it was all because of that thick-lipped guy.

"Whoa! I thought that would be the end of it! Seriously?!"

"A trap magic user, huh? It activates immediately in response to specific elemental magic. You knew there were two fire users on our side."

"Whoa, not bad..."

"I've had enough of your cocky attitude, idiot."

That's right, he had already set up trap magic that reacted to fire.

Even though he knew there were two fire users among us—Lillisha and Branmud.

"You've gone to great lengths, haven't you? Hey, Grimritter."

"Whoa, you knew? Then there's no point hiding it... That's right! I'm Bonshan, the Magic Trapper from the Grimritter Sixth Division! I'll have you die for my livelihood!"

"That job's not worth it."

I released a Dark Needle, and as expected, light enveloped me.

A light-attribute trap magic designed to counter darkness.

"Whoa! You fell for it! You fell for it! Whoa! Whoa!"

"You're the one who fell."

"Whoa?!"

I greeted the thick-lipped guy from the shadows using Shadow Entry.

Then, I placed my magic sword against his neck, immobilizing him.

"Whoa, I lose."

"Now, let's start by getting the name of the person who gave you the information."

"I can't say that."

"Where should I start carving you up?"

As I threatened Bonshan, Branmud, growing impatient, began to gather magic again.

The immense magical energy filled the underground passage, and even I felt a sense of danger.

"Stop messing around... We can get the information later! First, let's eliminate him!"

"Hey! Stop!"

"If you don't move, I'll take you out too!"

"Idiot! Don't you get it? If you kill him, the entire underground passage will collapse!"

As I shouted, Bonshan clicked his tongue.

"What...?"

"You were so proud of sensing magic from within the body, but you didn't notice, did you? Some magic doesn't follow those principles."

"An explosion is nothing to me."

"Even if it means taking the nobles behind you with it?"

Branmud was startled and finally withdrew his magic.

Instead, Lillisha stepped forward and placed her hand on Bonshan's forehead.

"Whoa! A girl's hand..."

"Did you think this would work?"

Lillisha's body began to heat up, and Bonshan's body started to change.

His skin swelled and burst, as if he were melting from the inside, decaying rapidly.

"Ah, ah, aghhh..."

Bonshan, heated from within, quietly crumbled to the ground.

The sight of him dying, emitting small puffs of smoke, left the nobles trembling.

Some were so shaken they couldn't stand, sitting on the floor and breathing heavily. It must have been quite a shock.

"Alfis, it's done."

"As expected of Lillisha. You gradually increased the heat to kill the caster and avoid triggering the trap magic."

"Yeah."

Lillisha glanced at her father as she spoke.

If he had acted recklessly, the nobles would have undoubtedly died. Thanks to her, no one was harmed.

This fact must have been a significant blow to Branmud's pride.

"Damn it...! Don't get... cocky...!"

He was so angry he could barely speak.

My father is the same, but if you guys could control your anger a bit better, things might turn out differently than in the original story.

Nothing is more foolish than letting emotions lead to your downfall.