Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

"It seems you let down your guard, Violina."

It was the one thing the Academy had done its best to beat into their very bones from the very first day. They should never let down their guard. Period.

"Sorry."

It was even more important since Violina was their rearguard. She was at the very back of their formation and in charge of protecting the group from ambushes from behind, no matter how unlikely it was they would be attacked from that direction, considering the noly thing behind them was the surface.

But the current situation was the sole proof the Academy needed to give their curriculum credit.

No matter what, no matter the situation, no matter the circumstances, one should never let down their guard. Something unexpected could always happen.

"Put down the baby!"

Zach's gaze shifted from Violina's face and the dagger drawing a thin red line across her neck to Liam Vreer.

"I wish I could say this is a surprise, Liam." More than surprise, Zach's voice was filled with disappointment. Liam was a member of the club and the son of a household in the same east that his family oversaw. What could he be if not disappointed that he had chosen to betray them in favor of the Underworld.

But it wasn't a surprise. Liam had been high on the list of possible spies, only below the other members of the club. He had the means and the opportunity, and it hadn't exactly been like many others could have attacked Rierdan.

It had also felt like the spy had vanished about the same time the third and fourth-years were taken to the Labyrinth of Jira last year. It made sense if it was someone in a grade above them. And since their activities continued even after the previous fourth-years graduated, it couldn't have been Rabst or any of the students in the same year as him.

Of course, there could be several spies. One of the instructors could have been a spy. They couldn't be sure.

And rather than making any rash decisions that would implicate the wrong person and alert the spy at the same time, they decided it was better to look for more evidence.

Zach had regretted that choice when he opened the crate of empty potion bottles, and he regretted it even more now that Liam was holding Violina's life in his hands. He sighed. Any attempt at saving Violina would end with her throat slit.

The mere fact that Liam had managed to sneak up on her and evade all the familiars' detection was proof enough of his capabilities. He might not be able to defeat any of them in a head-on confrontation, but he had successfully grasped Violina's life in his hands.

"Now!" Liam shouted impatiently.

Zach didn't put down the baby at once.

He had a couple of ideas of how he might get them out of this troublesome situation without casualties, but he wasn't going to risk Violina's life unless she was okay with it. He met her eyes.

Her eyes were clear.

Zach looked at Liam again.

"Why?" He asked, stalling for time. Zach had to be excruciatingly slow and careful if he didn't want Liam to notice anything.

"Doesn't matter! Just put down the creature and walk away, Zach. I don't need to, nor do I want to kill any of you. But I can't let you take that thing out of here." Liam's eyes were desperate. He knew full well who he was up against. He didn't stand a chance against Zach and his henchmen in a frontal confrontation.

But he had already thrown his lot in with the Underworld. Just like Zach and the others couldn't turn back after entering the tunnel, it was too late for Liam to regret. All he could do now was his best to carry out the Underworld's orders and plans. Right now, that meant securing the baby.

Nothing else mattered, including why Liam had chosen to betray humanity and the surface.

"It's not too late, Liam. Put down the dagger, release Violina, and follow us back to the surface. I can't say everything you've done is water under the bridge—I'm still pissed about the potions—but you will at least keep your life."

"Heh," Liam scoffed. "Not too late? It

is

too late. You only change sides once. If I do it again, the only side I'll get is the one of the dead. You can't protect me. You won't protect me.

"Now, put down the baby and leave. My patience is running dry." Liam glared at Zach and pressed the dagger harder against Violina's thin and pale neck.

Zach's eyes narrowed.

"What a coincidence. So is mine."

Liam stumbled. His face paled, and his gaze fluttered. He was about to fall over.

He didn't.

He had resisted Soara's power. It wasn't strange. He was a fourth year well on his way to summoning his fourth familiar. He was also capable enough to avoid detection. It wasn't strange he survived Soara's power when she was weakened.

But doing so earned her ire. He also hadn't resisted it perfectly. He had stumbled and revealed an opening.
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However, if there hadn't been a thin barrier between the dagger and Violina's neck, she would have been sliced. She had felt the dagger's edge slide over and press against her neck when Liam stumbled.

She thought she was dead. She hadn't noticed the barrier until afterward. Liam also hadn't noticed the barrier. If he had, he wouldn't have stayed still.

As soon as he revealed an opening, Liam was attacked by the students and the familiars. Swords from Yanael, Violina, and the Sentinel aimed for his heart. Fists targeted his body and limbs. A pair of mandibles tried to nibble away a hand.

But before any attack could land on him, Liam disappeared. It was like his existence faded away, and he transformed into something more akin to a ghost than a human. All the attacks passed right through him.

Slowly Liam stood up straight, ignoring the attacks raining down on his incorporeal body. He looked at Zach and the baby in his arms, who had finally stopped fussing.

"The hard way it is."