FALSE ACCUSATION

Irish extended her hand towards Asta, her voice filled with sincerity and vulnerability. "I love you, Nova-san," she confessed, her words echoing amidst the stunned silence of their surroundings.

"Will you marry me?"

Scarlett's face remained completely impassive, their expression resembling that of a poker player holding a winning hand. "I absolutely agree," they replied calmly.

Tears welled up in Irish's eyes, threatening to spill over. "I–I knew it, you wouldn't accept me," she murmured, her voice heavy with doubt.

But suddenly, a realization hit her. "Wait–What? Did you just agree?"

"Yeah, Well I was about to propose you but it become kinda good thing that you confessed to me."

As Scarlett nodded in agreement with her poker face, whispers began to circulate among the surrounding crowd.

"Did she just propose to a demon, and a succubus at that?, What's more shocking is that they both are females!"

"That's not the main point, idiot. The main point is, Ms. Nova agreed to her proposal."

"If I knew beforehand, I should have confessed to her."

More discriminatory whispers spread through the audience, the idea of making a demon their concubine seemingly less shocking but marrying a high-ranking succubus, especially when both parties were female is like a breaking a taboo.

Irish, frustrated, questioned Scarlett, "Why is your face like that, Nova-san? Are you really saying yes to my proposal?"

Scarlett returned their face to normal from the poker expression. "Oh! It happens when I suddenly become very, very happy or very sad."

"You don't believe me, Irish?"

'Irish? This is the first time Nova-san said my name. Every fiber of my body is telling me to say that I believe her, but I instinctively know what she's going to do to make me believe her.'

With a hint of hesitation, her words just above a whisper, "Make me believe you, Nova-san."

A mischievous smile spread across Scarlett's face as she touched Irish's cheeks with both of her hands and made her stand up.

"Call me 'Scarlett' from now on," she declared, her voice filled with determination. As she spoke, Scarlett kissed Irish passionately, sealing their newfound connection with a promise of love and acceptance.

As the Scarlett and Irish shared a deep, passionate kiss in front of everyone, their tongues melting together in a heated exchange, a rush of sensations flooded the Irish's mind.

In that moment, her inner thoughts raced, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt an electric connection with the Scarlett, a primal desire igniting within her. Images of their shared moments flashed before her eyes, mingling with the intoxicating taste of his lips.

Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, she found herself surrendering to the kiss, losing herself in the intensity of their embrace. Her thoughts scattered like petals in the wind, consumed by the fiery passion enveloping them both.

As the kiss lingered, whispers rippled through the surrounding audience.

"Did you see that? That succubus wasn't kidding, She really kissed her!"

"Isn't she a from a noble family? Why's she doing such a shameless act, without worrying about her family?"

"Yeah I can't believe it, it must that succubus's doing!"

"Imagine being bold enough to kiss like that in front of everyone, Utterly shameless!."

The whispers buzzed with curiosity, judgment, and awe, as the unconventional couple's display of affection sparked a mixture of reactions among the onlookers.

The scene transformed into a bustling crowd of jubilant people, their joy interrupted by an unexpected intrusion. "Stop it, Nova-san! Don't be swayed by her smooth talk," the princess interjected with a tinge of aggression.

The kiss halted abruptly as Scarlett turned towards the princess, seeking an explanation. In response, the princess launched into a recount of the events at the Ruin collecting competition, shedding light on her psychopathic nature.

Irish, witnessing the princess tarnishing her image in front of her beloved, shot her a glare filled with murderous intent, her anger ablaze in her eyes.

Though trembling under the weight of the deathly stare, the princess managed to stammer, "Did you see that? She gave me a death glare. I'm telling you, stay away from her."

Scarlett's response was swift and resolute, "Yeah, I already had my suspicions.Frankly, I prefer women who exhibit strength and resilience over those who persistently Act dumb or cute to get complement.

When I learned about her training her body and magic to combat bullying, I was genuinely impressed. Who wouldn't like a badass girl, who only loves you?"

Frustrated, Ingrassia sighed and smacked her own forehead in exasperation. "Tch, you're completely missing the point".

She turned to Aoto, who stood quietly behind her, and began to speak, "Aoto, please make sure you understand—"

But as her gaze fell upon Aoto, a look of stunned disbelief washed over her features, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

With a voice tinged with astonishment, she managed to ask, "Why are you crying?"

Aoto stood there, tears streaming down his face in silence. "Sob... sob... I'm not crying, these are tears of joy," he choked out between sobs. "My friend not only found a girlfriend but is also about to marry her. This is the happiest moment of my life."

The princess and the others stood in shock, taken aback by Aoto's unexpected and deeply emotional response.

But Suddenly, misfortune descended upon them like a dark cloud, shattering the festive atmosphere. A barrage of Royal knights stormed into the banquet, sending shockwaves rippling through the crowd as fear gripped their hearts at the sight of the imposing figures.

To their astonishment, the knights converged around Scarlett, unsheathing their weapons and aiming them menacingly at her.

A middle-aged, muscular man clad in luxurious red armor stepped forward from the ranks of knights, commanding attention with his presence. With a solemn voice, he produced a letter from his pocket and began to read aloud.

"I, Rowan Ironheart, Captain of the Royal knights, bear a message from the king."

"The Slave of Hero, also known as Scarlett Nova, stands accused of affiliation with one of the six demon kings and betrayal of our kingdom by divulging state secrets."

"It is an egregious act of treason."

Whispers rippled through the crowd as accusations flew, condemning Scarlett without concrete evidence.

With a simmering aggression, Scarlett confronted Rowan, her voice laced with defiance. "Why would I do that? Do you have any proof?"

Rowan's response was swift and unwavering, his tone dripping with authority. "We possess information indicating that you murdered two adventurers just days ago, after they uncovered your secrets," he stated firmly.

He continued, his words laced with accusation. "Furthermore, we've observed your connections with low-class noblewomen, clearly attempting to expand your influence throughout the kingdom."

Irish moved to interject, but Scarlett halted her, recognizing the peril of further involvement. With a glare that could sear through steel, Scarlett turned her attention back to Rowan, her eyes ablaze with anger. "I demand to see the evidence," she declared, asserting her rights as a citizen.

Rowan's reply was brazen and dismissive, his tone dripping with arrogance. "This is a direct order from the king; proof is unnecessary. And as for your rights," he sneered, "a demon has no rights here."

"Now you only have two choices, First is to get executed as a punishment for treason Or Second is to prove your innocence by Obtaining Elixir of youth from demon realm."

As the weight of Rowan's ultimatum settled over the room, a heavy silence descended, punctuated only by the murmurs of disbelief at the mention of the Elixir of Youth from the demon realm.

Princess Ingrassia interjected with a hint of aggression, her voice cutting through the tension. "Elixir of Youth? What is that?" she demanded, her curiosity tinged with suspicion. "Even as a princess, I've never heard of such a thing. What are you planning?"

Rowan met her gaze with unwavering confidence, his reply laced with authority. "The Elixir of Youth is a closely guarded secret, known only to those who have reached a certain level of maturity and trust within the royal circles," he explained boldly. "It is a legendary substance said to grant eternal youth to those who partake, akin to the longevity enjoyed by high-ranking demons."

Turning his attention back to Scarlett, Rowan's tone hardened. "So, what's your decision, traitor Scarlett?"

Scarlett recognized the futility of her options; neither choice offered any hope of survival. Yet, with a calm and measured voice, she made her decision."It's quite obvious, isn't it? I choose to obtain the Elixir of Youth, of course."

"Very well," Rowan declared with a cold finality. "We will prepare a teleportation gate to transport you near the Demon realm, and tomorrow afternoon, you will depart. Make whatever preparations or indulgences you desire today."

His warning cut through the air like a blade. "Should you entertain any thoughts of escape, you will be marked as a traitor, and all six kingdoms will become your adversaries. In the end, they will hunt you down."

With those ominous words, Captain Rowan and his retinue of royal knights exited the banquet hall, leaving Scarlett with a sinking feeling of dread. Her suspicions crystallized into certainty: their intent was to ensure her demise.

The silence that followed was palpable, each individual grappling with the weight of the impending trial. Yet amidst the turmoil, Scarlett couldn't shake the pang of guilt that gnawed at her conscience. Prince Richard's birthday celebration lay in ruins, a casualty of her own tumultuous fate.

Scarlett released a heavy sigh, her voice tinged with guilt. "Sigh... Sorry, Prince Boy. Your birthday party was ruined because of me."

Prince Richard offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about it, Nova-san. You should go home and think about tomorrow. I'll speak with my father about your situation."

With a nod of agreement, they prepared to depart, but Irish halted their exit. "Um... What about this ring?"

In the midst of the sudden chaos, they had forgotten about the purple diamond ring that Irish had intended to present to Scarlett during her confession.

Scarlett smacked her forehead in realization. "Oh! I completely forgot about that."

"Why did you propose to me with a ring instead of roses, aren't you a girl?" Scarlett asked, scratching her head nervously.

"And aren't you a girl too? I thought a ring would be more appropriate," Irish retorted with a wry smile.

'Huff... Who would have thought I'd end up engaged to someone As a girl?' Scarlett mused, shaking her head in disbelief.

'But at least Aoto understood the situation and didn't say a word for my defense and also this Sticky pervert Prince didn't say anything about Irish's confession, in the end he was a good boy, it was a good idea when I didn't beat him in the academy.'

Scarlett wore the Irish's ring in her ring finger and With that, they bid farewell to the party and made their way back to the Academy dormitory, leaving behind the remnants of the evening's tumultuous events.

IN THE DORM ROOM

Since the banquet was held close to the academy, their return journey was swift, and they soon found themselves back in their respective dorm rooms. Scarlett and Aoto, both wearing expressions of exhaustion, entered their room together.

As Scarlett flopped onto the bed with a frustrated groan, she lamented, "Ackk... Damn it, I had everything under control with that Duke, and I kissed Irish too. It was all going so well."

She continued to vent her frustrations, but Aoto interjected with a serious tone. "This is a serious situation. It's clear that their main objective is to eliminate you."

Scarlett nodded in agreement. "I know. The kingdom is keeping many secrets from us. This could be our chance to uncover the truth."

Concern creased Aoto's brow as he asked, "Are you sure, that you will survive from their plan?"

A menacing glint flashed in Scarlett's eyes as she replied, her voice laced with determination. "Hell Yeah!, But there's one thing you'll need to do while I'm away."

Aoto turned to her, puzzled. "What's that?"

"Kill the king, and become the king yourself by marrying Ingrassia." Scarlett declared, a mischievous and sinister grin spreading across her face. "They've been discriminating against me since I arrived, and I've had enough."

Scarlett's request hung heavy in the air, but to her surprise, Aoto's expression shifted, and a psychopathic grin spread across his face. "Easy-peasy," he replied, his tone chillingly casual.

'Normally if A person asks his friend to kill his girlfriend's father, then there's no way he gonna do that but For me to do something like this for Asta's sake, It's a piece of cake.'

In the midst of their moment of relaxation and strategizing for the next day, their tranquility was shattered by an unexpected intrusion.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

The loud knocking at the door jolted them from their thoughts. Scarlett, curious, went to answer it, only to find Princess standing on the other side, visibly out of breath.

"What's wrong?" Scarlett inquired, her concern evident in her voice.

"Huff... Huff... I warned you about Irish is dangerous," the Princess panted, her urgency palpable. "Come with me. I'll show you the proof."

Grabbing Scarlett's hand, the Princess wasted no time and began leading her away. Aoto, sensing the gravity of the situation, followed closely behind.

Following the Princess's lead, they arrived at Irish's dorm room, where the Princess wasted no time in knocking loudly on the door. Irish's appearance at the doorway elicited a mix of surprise and hesitation from the trio gathered outside.

"W-What are you all doing here?" Irish stammered nervously, her eyes darting between them.

Ignoring Irish's question, the Princess attempted to enter the room, but Irish swiftly closed the door, her actions betraying her unease.

"S-Stop, Princess! It's not right to enter someone's room without permission," Irish protested, her voice trembling with apprehension.

Undeterred, the Princess forcefully pushed the door open, with Scarlett and Aoto following closely behind. Upon entering, they were met with a startling sight: the room was adorned with numerous paintings of Scarlett in various poses and outfits, all created by magic. Even the bed and pillows were adorned with Scarlett's design.

But the most shocking discovery awaited them at the front wall, where Irish's study desk was situated. There, a painting of the King of Darwitz adorned the wall, marked with a glaring red cross. Papers scattered across the desk hinted at sinister intentions, suggesting that Irish had been plotting to assassinate the king.

Princess turned to Irish, a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes as she exposed Irish's true intentions. "You were planning to kill my father, weren't you?" she accused.

"Did you see that, Nova-san?" she continued, turning to Scarlett. "She's a girl with a twisted mind. She belongs in a mental healer's clinic."

Irish's anger surged, her features contorting with rage as she clenched her fists, ready to strike out at the Princess. But before she could act, Aoto intervened, using some magic to immobilize her.

Fueled by her fury, Irish's voice dripped with aggression as she unleashed her pent-up resentment. "You bitch! You and Your father has been ruining my life since childhood," she spat.

"First, you bullied me when we were kids, and now, just as I'm finally engaged to the love of my life, your father orders her execution or sends her to the demon realm."

"I was going to tell Scarlett about this, but now you've interfered again and exposed my secrets in the worst possible way," Irish seethed, her eyes blazing with madness. "I'll fucking kill both of you."

Princess Ingrassia's mind raced, a memory resurfacing from their childhood days of tormenting a girl. The words slipped her mouth as she remembered.

"Outcast girl?"

As the nickname from their childhood bullying days echoed in the room, Irish's fury erupted like a volcanic eruption. With a surge of power, she shattered Aoto's magic and summoned a dark aura around her fist, poised to strike the Princess. But before she could unleash her rage, Scarlett intervened, effortlessly blocking Irish's fist with just one hand.

In a calm and soothing tone, Scarlett addressed Irish, urging her to quell her anger. "Calm yourself, Irish. Princess has something to say."

Irish's rage subsided upon hearing Scarlett's voice, and she turned her attention towards Princess, her expression now one of curiosity and readiness to listen.

Princess Ingrassia, sensing the gravity of the moment, bowed her head in humility and offered a heartfelt apology. She began to explain how she had changed since their childhood days, expressing remorse for her past actions and the pain she had caused.

She revealed the guilt she had carried for years, acknowledging her desire to apologize but admitting that her previous arrogance had prevented her from even remembering Irish's name and face.

Irish turned to Scarlett, her gaze filled with anticipation, silently seeking her opinion. With a nod from Scarlett, indicating forgiveness, Irish's heart lightened slightly, though a hint of anger still lingered in her voice as she spoke.

"Hmph..Since Scarlett wants it, I forgive you," she said tersely, her words carrying the weight of her internal struggle.

But again the point of her Obsessive behaviour erupted, causing her heart to race and beads of sweat to form on her forehead as fear took hold. But to her astonishment, Scarlett's response was far from what she expected.

"Damn, Irish," Scarlett remarked with a mischievous tone, her voice laced with amusement. "You said you love me, but I didn't expected you to love me this much."

Leaning in close, Scarlett blew a heavy breath into Irish's ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "It's making me so horny," she whispered provocatively.

Irish's cheeks flushed crimson at Scarlett's words, her embarrassment palpable as she felt Scarlett's breath tickle her sensitive ear.

With a graceful movement, Scarlett lifted both Aoto and the Princess from behind and gently escorted them out of the room. Her charming smile belied the firmness of her actions as she addressed Aoto, "You go sleep alone tonight. I'll be staying here with Irish."

"Don't worry," she reassured them, "Irish isn't going to harm anyone. I'll take care of her."

Understanding the situation, Aoto waved his hands in acknowledgment, and with a flush spreading across Princess's cheeks, As she understood the meaning of Scarlett's words.

As they departed, Scarlett locked the door behind them and removed her blindfold, revealing her unique eyes with cat-like monstrous pupils, their glow illuminating the dimly lit room.

With deliberate movements, Scarlett shed her clothes, her gaze locked with Irish's, their desire palpable in the air.

Gathering Irish in her arms like a princess, Scarlett tenderly placed her in bed. As the night progressed, the sound of Irish's moans echoed through the closed door, a testament to the passion that ignited between them.

As morning light filtered into the room, Scarlett stirred from her slumber, stretching languidly beneath the sheets. Irish lay atop her, her tongue tracing lazy patterns across Scarlett's chest.

"Yawn... Did I overslept?" Scarlett mumbled groggily, her confusion evident as she glanced down at Irish.

"Huh? Why are you licking me?" she questioned, her brow furrowing in bemusement.

Irish halted her ministrations, realizing Scarlett had awakened. "Oh, you're up? It was just a morning kiss," she chuckled mischievously.

Realizing the lateness of the hour, Scarlett sat up, prompting Irish to sit on her thighs and wrap her arms around Scarlett's neck.

Taking Irish's hand in hers, Scarlett muttered incantations under her breath, causing the hand to glow with magic as a summoning circle materialized.

Irish looked on, seeking clarification, and Scarlett explained, "It's a summoning circle that summons me. Use it if you're ever in grave danger or dire need and one more thing don't do anything reckless unless Aoto comes to you personally and tells you to do something."

Irish hugged Scarlett gratefully, murmuring her thanks.

Their moment was interrupted by Aoto's sudden entrance, who announced, "If your lovey-dovey romance is over, it's time to get ready."

"Ingrassia went to the Royal Palace last night to discuss your situation with her father. She'll be here soon," he added.

Scarlett returned to her dorm room, shedding her attire from the previous night in favor of a new ensemble designed for her journey to the demon realm.

However, her choice of clothing was unconventional, to say the least. Instead of traditional garments, she adorned herself with bandages, wrapping them tightly around her breasts, arms, legs, and remaining, various parts of her body like a boxer preparing for a match wearing a blindfold.

The purpose behind this unusual attire was clear: to maximize her comfort and mobility, enabling her to fully utilize her speed and strength in the face of the imminent ambush she anticipated.

As Scarlett finished dressing, Aoto entered the room to check on her, his eyes widening in astonishment at her appearance. "Damn... you look like a boxer mummy," he exclaimed with a chuckle.

Scarlett explained her choice of attire, stating, "It allows me to move freely in my female body. Normal clothes just hinder me."

Princess Ingrassia also entered the room, her expression a mix of surprise and concern upon seeing Scarlett's attire. She shared her disappointing experience at the royal palace, revealing that her attempts to speak with her father had been rebuffed.

With a sorrowful tone, Princess Ingrassia lamented, "Something is definitely wrong. My father didn't even bother to see me, and no one was willing to assist me in reaching him. Even Saintess Clare seemed off."

Scarlett reassured her, "I already suspected as much. But don't worry, I'll return safely. Just consider this journey as a tour."

As Scarlett prepared to leave the room, Princess Ingrassia stopped her, incredulous. "You're going like this?"

Scarlett nodded, a determined thums-up "Yes, consider it my battle suit armor."

As they stepped outside of the academy, Scarlett found herself surrounded by a throng of students and teachers, most of whom she barely recognized due to her limited interactions outside of her own classroom.

Their murmurs and whispers hinted at the spread of information regarding Scarlett's alleged treason, painting a picture of skepticism and curiosity, thier cheeks flushed by seeing Scarlett weird outfit.

At the forefront stood Rowan, the captain of the Royal knights, accompanied by a small contingent of soldiers. Behind them, a large mirror-like object covered in red cloth caught Scarlett's attention.

As she approached, Rowan removed the covering, revealing a massive sky-blue mirror adorned with an eagle symbol at its pinnacle.

Whispers rippled through the crowd at the sight of the distinctive symbol.

"It's the Eagle symbol. The only portals that teleport you near the Demon realm."

"So, it's true. She's really going to the demon realm."

Scarlett couldn't help but overhear the speculation swirling around her. 'Huh? So, they're actually taking me to the demon realm?' she pondered, skeptical of their intentions. 'I think they're trying to make me believe that they have no plans of harming me.'

Inadvertently, Scarlett's gaze met Chiyoko Hiiro's determined expression amidst the crowd. His demeanor suggested that he had something planned, a notion that Scarlett dismissed with an internal sigh.

'His face... it's like he's already imagining a heroic rescue from the demon realm and winning my heart. What an Fucking otaku,' Scarlett thought to herself with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

Scarlett approached the portal, her gaze fixed upon it with an enigmatic smile playing upon her lips. Captain Rowan's voice broke her reverie, his surprise evident as he questioned her readiness to venture into the demon realm.

"Are you going to the demon realm like this?" he inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.

Without diverting her gaze from the portal, Scarlett simply nodded in affirmation, her smile widening as if she harbored a secret joke within.

With a solemn expression, Rowan declared, "I'll come with you to guide you on the path to the demon realm."

Scarlett, aware of the true intentions behind Rowan's offer, couldn't help but internally scoff. 'Guide me? More like ensure my demise. They still think I'm naïve enough to believe their facade. This world is truly full of idiots.'

But amidst her cynical musings, Scarlett felt a surge of anticipation. 'The answers to all my questions lie beyond this portal. It's as if I can feel it—freedom from this academic like prison, the unveiling of secrets, the truth of this world, and the chance to reclaim my identity as a male and seek revenge for the discrimination I've endured.'

A sense of determination washed over her as Scarlett realized the significance of this moment. 'This is it,' she thought, 'the beginning of my villain arc.'