Tilea's Worries

TITLE -- Chapter 56: "Teacher Won't Be Mad, So Raise Your Hand Honestly" --

When I opened the cupboard door, I was taken aback to see Ortissio with a blank, traumatized look in his eyes, trembling. 

Well, it’s no wonder. He was accused and almost lynched by everyone. It must have been a huge shock.

“Ortissio…”

“Ugh, why… why me…”

No good. Ortissio is too panicked to even hear my voice.

“Gil-kun, has Ortissio been like this the whole time?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, Tilea-sama, the recent Vampire King incident was resolved without issue. But suddenly, rumors surfaced that Ortissio was defecting to the Demon King’s army. It’s been chaos ever since. He was accused by everyone as if he committed treason.”

“I see.”

“Yes, I tried my best to handle it, but our once brave commander has become a shadow of his former self. It’s heartbreaking.”

Oh, Gil-kun is crying. He insists that Ortissio would never leave the Evil God’s army. It really seems like the rumor about Ortissio quitting was false.

Ortissio is completely exhausted…

Even though I’m just a figurehead, I need to properly comfort him.

“Gil-kun, I understand. Ortissio loves the Evil God’s army. He wouldn’t quit halfway. I believe in him.”

“Your words are too kind… sniff… I think Commander Ortissio would be overjoyed to hear them, even from beyond the grave.”

Hey, beyond the grave… He’s not dead yet. Although, given how Ortissio looks like he’s about to die, I can see why Gil would say that.

So, what should I do?

I need to wake Ortissio up from this state.

I pulled Ortissio out of the cupboard and grabbed him by the collar.

Alright, time for shock therapy.

I decided to give him a series of slaps to the face.

“Ortissio, get a grip! Ortissio, Ortissio, Ortissio!”

“Gwaaah!”

No good. The loud slaps echoed, but Ortissio didn’t wake up.

His eyes were still lifeless and vacant.

In that case, I’ll give him an even bigger shock!

“Ortissio, wake up! Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio Ortissio, Ortivederci! (Goodbye!)”

“Gwaaah, bababababa. Bo-geeee!”

How about now?

Ortivederci… I slapped him continuously to say goodbye to his weak self.

Ortissio foamed at the mouth, sticking out his tongue.

Darn, he still didn’t wake up.

Then, I’ll have to give him an even bigger shock!

I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, raising my arm to hit him again.

“Ti-Tilea-sama, please wait! Any more and Commander Ortissio’s life might be in danger…”

Gil-kun, looking horrified, stopped me.

Hey, that’s an exaggeration. I just slapped him a bit.

Ortissio needs a shock to wake up—huh?

Ortissio’s face was swollen and red.

Oh, oops.

I guess I was a bit too rough on Ortissio’s baby-soft skin.

“Gil-kun, what should we do? I think I was a bit too rough.”

“Leave it to me.”

With that, Gil-kun pulled out a large quantity of high potions from who knows where and began pouring them into Ortissio’s mouth.

The potions went down rhythmically.

Hey, hey, hey!

Is it okay to give him that much? Won’t there be side effects?

Gil-kun gave him about five 1.5-liter bottles of high potion.

Ortissio gulped them down.

And then…

“Gah! Ha, ha, ha, ha.”

Oh, he’s back!

Ortissio coughed and then sat up.

“Ortissio, I’m glad you’re back.”

“Th-this is… Tilea-sama. I’m sorry for showing you such an unsightly side of myself…”

“No, considering your situation, it can’t be helped.”

“Tilea-sama.”

“Yes?”

Ortissio made a serious face and bowed deeply to the ground.

“I, Ortissio, would never betray the Evil God’s army or Tilea-sama. These recent rumors are just slander from those who hate me.”

“I understand.”

“I’m so grateful that you understand!”

“Alright, now that you’re feeling better, let’s go clear up the misunderstandings with everyone.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Hmm? Why is he still hesitant?

Is he still scared?

“Ortissio, I understand you’re scared. But hiding won’t resolve anything.”

This stupid rumor was causing chaos. If I hadn’t stopped it, there would’ve been injuries.

“Commander Ortissio, with Tilea-sama here, what do you have to fear?”

Gil-kun also encouraged Ortissio.

Exactly. I’m here, so stay strong.

But Ortissio was still trembling.

Is he traumatized?

Sigh, can’t be helped.

“Ortissio, come on, I’ll hold your hand.”

I took Ortissio’s hand and led him to the others.

“There he is! Ortissio, prepare to—”

“Stop!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I stopped those who were about to pounce on Ortissio with a stern command.

“You all, stop this ruckus and come to the great hall!”

To clear things up, it’s best to gather everyone in the Evil God’s army. So, I instructed them to gather in the great hall.

I’ll tell the truth and end this chaos.

When we arrived at the great hall, Timu and the other leaders of the Evil God’s army were already gathered.

However, Dryas and the intelligence team weren’t there.

Out on a mission? Or maybe in the restroom?

Oh well. I’ll talk to Dryas and the others later.

I told everyone in the Evil God’s army to take a seat.

They complied promptly.

In moments like this, they really do act like soldiers.

Once Ortissio was seated next to me, the members of the Evil God’s army started speaking out.

“As expected of Big Sis. You’ve captured that rat, Ortissio!”

“Tilea-sama, let’s execute him right away!”

Following Timu’s words, Edim also rejoiced.

The other members also harshly criticized Ortissio, creating a loud uproar and bombarding him with accusations.

In the face of their hostility, Ortissio started trembling again.

Not good. At this rate, he’ll retreat back into his shell.

“If you don’t stop this nonsense, I’m really going to get mad!”

I shouted, silencing everyone.

“Um, Tilea-sama…?”

“First of all, let me say this. You all are so quick to blame Ortissio because you heard he was quitting the Evil God’s army. But isn’t it okay if he wants to leave? That’s his personal choice.”

“But that’s a betrayal of you, our Supreme Leader. We can’t forgive anyone who disrespects you like that!”

“I agree. Where would he go if he left the Evil God’s army? There’s no leader greater than Tilea-sama.”

“No, that’s not true. Even if someone leaves because they’re unhappy with me being the leader, that’s fine. It means I wasn’t attractive enough as a leader.”

“Grr! Anyone who would dare speak ill of you deserves to be torn apart!”

Timu’s face contorted with anger.

It’s just like Timu to be so devoted to me. Honestly, it makes me happy to be appreciated so much, but feelings can’t be forced. I need to teach Timu this reality.

“Listen. My belief is ‘Welcome those who come, don’t chase those who leave.’ If any of you want to leave, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“No one here is disloyal, Tilea-sama!”

The members responded in unison.

“I see. Got it. Well, that’s good. Now, regarding this commotion, after talking to Ortissio, it’s clear he doesn’t want to quit the Evil God’s army. You all were misled by false rumors.”

“Tilea-sama, it’s possible Ortissio is lying.”

“Indeed, if Ortissio is deceitful, he should be executed.”

“I swear, I serve Tilea-sama with all my heart!”

Despite everyone’s hostility, Ortissio desperately defended himself.

“Did you hear that? That’s Ortissio’s true feelings. You shouldn’t act on rumors alone.”

My scolding made everyone hang their heads.

Yes, reflect on your actions. Accusing someone based on rumors and almost causing a riot is unacceptable.

The members of the Evil God’s army hung their heads in shame. It seemed they took my words to heart. Now, I need to find out who started these rumors.

The one who spread the rumor that Ortissio was quitting probably thought it was a harmless prank, wanting to see him in trouble and laugh at him. They might have thought it was just a bit of harmless gossip.

But to me, that’s really despicable!

Ortissio was almost at his breaking point.

To those who bullied him, it might’ve been a game, but for the one being bullied, it’s serious. Normally, it might be wise to let it slide, but right now, I’m really angry.

I’m going to find the culprit and give them a piece of my mind.

I’ll handle this the usual way.

“Alright,

 everyone, close your eyes.”

“Close our eyes?”

“Yes. Keep them closed until I say it’s okay.”

“Tilea-sama, what are you going to do?”

“You’ll see. Just no talking and put your heads on your desks.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Alright, everyone has their eyes closed.

Now, what I’m about to do… It’s a classic teacher trick when something is stolen in class.

“Now, listen up. Whoever spread the false rumor about Ortissio quitting, raise your hand honestly!”

Alright, who’s going to own up?

The teacher won’t be mad, so raise your hand honestly!

Well?

Even though these guys are usually troublesome, they have a straightforward nature. If I show them I’m serious, they should confess.

I looked around, but no one raised their hand.

“Hey, I won’t be mad if you confess now.”

I tried to sound as gentle as possible.

No change.

Could it be that the prankster is too scared to come forward?

Okay, then I’ll tell them that famous story.

“Once upon a time, there was a great man named Washington. He admitted to cutting down a cherry tree and became president, the equivalent of a king. It takes courage to confess your sins, but I believe in you all, just like Washington.”

I spoke with as much emotion as I could, but no one raised their hand.

You guys are making Washington cry.

“If no one confesses, we’ll stay here forever.”

I tried to sound a bit threatening, but still, no one confessed.

Hmm, maybe the culprit isn’t here?

Who could have a grudge against Ortissio and play such a prank…

Timu might dislike Ortissio, but he wouldn’t do something sneaky like this.

The perverts and former guards would probably take action directly rather than spread rumors. They don’t seem like the culprits.

Who else could it be… Edim?

Edim and Ortissio are known to not get along. Edim tried to undermine Ortissio during the Vampire King incident.

Edim’s negative traits might be amplified since becoming a vampire.

“Hey, whoever did this is probably feeling really guilty right now. Their heart might be aching, or they’re probably being tormented by their conscience. Come on, have some courage and confess.”

I said this while standing near Edim.

But Edim remained silent.

“I believe in not hating the sinner, but hating the sin. Do you understand? And by the way, vampires are included in that.”

I patted Edim on the shoulder a few times.

But Edim still didn’t confess.

And of course, no one else did either.

Hmm, I guess the culprit isn’t here.

Edim twitched every time I spoke, which was suspicious, but since he didn’t raise his hand, I’ll believe him.

“Alright, you can open your eyes.”

The members raised their heads and looked around at each other. They seemed curious about who the prankster was.

“I’ll just say this. No one here tried to undermine Ortissio.”

So, the culprit isn’t here. Could it be another member of the Evil God’s army? Or someone from the scouting units? Maybe even Dryas and his intelligence team?

But I have a feeling the culprit isn’t one of them. These guys, though immature and quick-tempered, aren’t sneaky enough to spread nasty rumors like this.

That leaves the identity of the prankster shrouded in mystery.

“Hey, who did you hear the rumor about Ortissio from?”

“W-well…”

The group looked uneasy. They finally realized they had been dancing to the tune of false rumors.

“Tim?”

“I heard it from Nielsen.”

“Nielsen?”

“Yes. I heard it from Ouhon in the First Division.”

“Okay, and Ouhon?”

“Yes. I heard it from…”

Tracing it back like a game of telephone, eventually, a name emerged.

“Kouan?”

The name Kouan came up.

Who’s that?

“Hey, who’s Kouan? I don’t know anyone by that name…”

I know the faces and names of all the leaders and former guards of the Evil God’s army. I sometimes mix up names, but there shouldn’t be anyone named Kouan.

“Kouan is a subordinate of the Six Demon Generals’ Garm. He was a former prisoner who defected from the Demon King’s army last month and was assigned to the Second Division’s food supply unit in the Zarugi area.”

Ortissio explained apologetically.

The Six Demon Generals’ Garm?

A former prisoner?

“Ortissio, does that mean…”

“I’ll take it from here.”

At this point, Dryas made his entrance.

Dryas approached me, saluted, and kneeled respectfully.