I noticed that even though my true identity had been exposed, things didn't seem to be getting worse.
"Wow! It's really Schale's Sensei! This is my first time seeing you in person! Why are you dressed so strangely? Huh? Is this some kind of special mission where you have to hide your identity? Amazing!"
The security guard, whom I had just met for the first time, had completely forgotten her current situation and turned into a lovestruck girl seeing her idol, letting out one exclamation after another.
So I really do have fans! I actually have fans!
But of course, that made sense.
As a prominent figure in Kivotos, it seemed I would need to get used to this identity more.
Suppressing my excitement, I cleared my throat and adopted a gentle yet restrained demeanor.
"Hello, my dear lady. I am indeed Schale's Sensei. I deeply regret that my students had to treat you so roughly, but this was an unavoidable measure under very special circumstances. Could you please understand?"
"Y-Yes, of course!" she nodded hurriedly. "Please rest assured, I often watch Schale's public activity reports, so I completely understand!"
"Hehe, this should make things easier," Akane smiled. "In any case, let her take a look."
Saying that, she took out her phone and showed the guard a photo of Koyuki striking a V sign with a foolish grin on her face.
"This is the girl we're looking for. Do you recognize her? She's noisy and loves doing flashy, over-the-top things. I think if you've seen her, you'd definitely remember her."
Karin added, "She's a very rude and frivolous girl. If you remember anyone doing something impolite to you, it might be her."
The blonde guard stared at the photo, frowning slightly as if lost in thought.
"Rude and frivolous… ah."
Suddenly, the guard girl seemed to remember something and slightly opened her lips.
Sensing this reaction, Neru narrowed her eyes and smirked.
"Hey. You just said 'ah,' didn't you?"
"N-No! That's just your imagination!" she panicked, her eyes darting away. "Even if I did know something, I absolutely cannot disclose customer information!"
Her reaction had already betrayed her completely.
"Haha! So you do know something!" Neru laughed.
"Judging from her reaction, it does seem so," Akane chimed in, her smile growing even gentler. "Then next, we just need to make her talk…"
The guard's expression changed drastically.
"Sto-Stop! I oppose violence! I hate pain! Sen-Sensei, help me!?"
"Haha∼ Asking Sensei for help? That's pretty creative∼ Sure, keep going and try harder, then talk when you're tired∼"
…Is Neru trying to ruin my reputation?
Seeing this intimidation, the blonde girl grew even more frightened and trembled as she looked at me pleadingly.
Whether for public or private reasons, I couldn't ignore this.
"Neru," I said gently, "I think we can try persuading her in a peaceful way."
"Huh?" the orange-haired girl looked at me in confusion. "No, weren't you the one who said we should question her, Mas… cough! Sensei!?"
She almost said it correctly, her face flushing red as she tried to cover it with a loud voice.
As for whether she was carefully listening to her teammates or simply trying to hide an accidental slip in order to casually use a name she normally couldn't say so openly due to pride, I couldn't say.
"In any case, this method is already quite peaceful. There's no better option than this, right?"
That argument was a bit flawed.
It also showed Neru still had much to learn as a maid, especially in understanding the master she was supposed to serve for life.
"And we don't have much time, so we should hurry…"
"I understand. But," I said sincerely, "may I try first?"
After a few seconds of eye contact, Neru gave in.
"…Tch. Fine, fine. But listen carefully, if you fail, you can't object when we use our method, got it?"
Karin spoke up then.
"Or I can try after Master is done. Recently I've thought of a method that can solve problems while making the other person smile."
"Maybe we're thinking of the same method," I said casually.
I stepped in front of the relieved blonde guard and spoke gently.
"I'm sorry, you've probably heard what we were just discussing. It's unfortunate, but…"
"N-No, it's fine!"
Before I could finish, she interrupted me.
"I understand, Sensei. You must be acting against your will, right?"
Such heavy bias… no, she really understands my noble character!
"Haah. You're right," I sighed. "Actually, don't be fooled by her. At first glance she's just a small, spoiled girl who doesn't know her place, but in reality… she's a very dangerous economic criminal."
"Eh…?"
The guard hesitated, then glanced nervously at Neru before quickly looking away.
"…Are you referring to the person you're looking for, or…?"
Having gained a clearer understanding of how others saw her, Neru exploded in anger.
"Are you trying to die!? Akane, Karin, don't hold me back! Even in front of Sensei, I'm going to teach this little brat a lesson!"
Held back on both sides by Akane and Karin, Karin sighed.
"Calm down, Captain. She didn't even say your name."
"R-Right!" the guard quickly regained confidence. "I didn't say I was talking about anyone in particular!"
Exactly. Even if everyone knew who it was, why would she volunteer herself like that?
Neru froze for a moment. A vein popped on her forehead. After twitching in irritation for a while, she finally gave the blonde girl a sharp glare and gave up, sitting off to the side sulking.
I continued speaking with the guard, explaining the situation.
If Koyuki couldn't be captured soon, the council would go bankrupt due to the massive issuance of bonds, and Millennium, one of the Three Major Academies, would fall into chaos. Worse still, with the Eden Treaty between the other two academies about to be signed, it could easily escalate into a crisis that would engulf all of Kivotos.
I couldn't say it in such detail, but I made sure she understood how serious it was.
However, after much hesitation, the guard still said in a strained voice:
"Even if what you say is true… I'm sorry. As a security officer of this Golden Fleece, I must strictly follow my code. I still cannot disclose customer information."
From the side came a resentful cold laugh.
"Heh. I knew it. She's the type who won't budge until she sees a coffin. Hey, Sensei, shouldn't we leave this to the professionals now?"
"Eek!?"
"You two, stop."
I restrained Neru. I hadn't expected it to be solved so easily anyway.
I then praised the girl who, despite fear, still held firm.
"Honestly, I'm very glad that you can uphold your duties. But," I said, locking eyes with her, "if you're willing to slightly compromise for the sake of everyone in Kivotos, I would be even happier."
"But…"
"Actually," I added meaningfully, "I sometimes prepare small gifts for students who work hard."
"Gifts?"
"Nothing much. Just a signed selfie of me… I'm not sure why, but people seem to like it."
"A… selfie…!?"
Her pupils contracted and she swallowed hard, instantly shaken.
That was the proper reaction of a Kivotos student!
I continued adding pressure.
"By the way, have you heard of Schale's duty roster system?"
"Y-Yes!"
Good.
I smiled.
"If you're interested, you might want to look into it more deeply."
"B-But…"
"Ah, I understand. I won't force you," I said, retreating slightly. "As a security officer who can hold out this long, you are truly a model citizen of the Golden Fleece. Don't worry, I won't let them hurt you."
"Hey, Sensei, that's not what we agreed on, is it?"
I ignored Neru's protest for now.
The temptation had already worked.
Under my repeated prompting, the guard's expression subtly changed. She finally realized something:
She was just a normal security guard. Even if customer information leaked, it wouldn't come back to her personally. Why was she worrying about the higher-ups?
"S-Sensei!" she called out urgently. "I've thought it through! I was careless earlier. Everyone bears responsibility for Kivotos' fate! Please allow me to assist you!"
I pretended to be surprised, then nodded with satisfaction.
After that, like a bamboo tube spilling beans, the blonde blue-eyed bunny girl poured out everything she knew about Koyuki.
Most of it was complaints about how unreasonable Koyuki was and how much trouble she caused, but we still managed to learn the places she had recently been frequenting.
"The recreation hall… huh?"
I repeated the name.
"So we finally have a lead! As expected of Sensei!"
Neru praised me and immediately started getting ready.
"Alright, then let's head out!"
"Wait a moment," Karin said, confused. "Before that, what exactly is this 'recreation hall'?"
"I mean, according to the map, it's the huge central room on this Golden Fleece."
"No, I understand that…"
Akane added, "What I'm asking is what it's used for. That's what you meant, right, Karin? I don't really understand it either… could it have something to do with the bond issuance?"
Though unclear in detail, judging from the name and the students' clothing style, it wasn't hard to imagine what kind of place it was.
The blonde guard, however, looked surprised.
"Wait… before coming aboard the Golden Fleece, didn't you investigate the ship at all?"
"Hah? Who cares about that?" Neru frowned. "All we need to do is rush straight to the target and capture her. That's enough."
Akane nodded.
"Exactly. At this point, with the plan already in chaos, that's all we can do… but since we should still try to stay as quiet as possible, let's at least have this student explain it."
After receiving my nod, the guard began explaining the ship's special rules.
On the Golden Fleece, all services enjoyed by passengers, including lodging, entertainment facilities, and even restrooms, changed according to coupons earned in games.
Ranks ranged from D to S. In general, reaching A rank allowed access to the highest-level services.
As for the highest S-rank VIP ticket…
It was so rare it could be called legendary, but whoever obtained it would gain authority beyond legal limits, even able to ignore all school rules aboard the ship.
"I have a small question," I said thoughtfully. "Are your 'games' mainly decided by chance?"
The guard nodded, then shook her head.
"In theory, skill also matters to some extent."
I see. Theory.
Otherwise, someone like Yuzu, a true gaming expert, could probably reach S rank after only a few tries.
I asked again.
"And to play these games, do you have to buy tokens with cash?"
She again shook her head.
"Our games are basically free for passengers. In practice, there's only a small equipment usage fee."
I see. "In practice."
Then where exactly was the money from Koyuki's bond issuance going?
So this is basically just a disguised casino!?
If Momoi and the others had adopted a system like this, maybe they wouldn't have been scolded by Yuuka… no, wait, they definitely shouldn't copy this!
"Tch. All that talk, and it's still basically useless information," Neru clicked her tongue. "Hurry up, let's go!"
"Wait, Sen—Sensei, um…"
The guard called out as we prepared to leave.
I knew what she wanted.
So I gave her the promised signed selfie, exchanged Momotalk contact info, and, with her voluntary consent, restored her bindings for the time being.
After that, I and the C&C girls quickened our pace and set out to capture Koyuki.