Raiza's composure faltered when she was met with opposition, though she quickly gathered herself, clearing her throat before responding.
"Opposition? May I ask why?"
"It's simple—it's dangerous."
"Based on the Hero's stats, even right after summoning, they should be capable of handling a dungeon."
(Lies. The enhanced species found in dungeons could overwhelm even platinum-class heroes upon summoning.)
Though Chiji recognized the deceit, he refrained from pointing it out, responding calmly.
"It's not a matter of stats; it's a matter of their mindset."
"Their mindset?"
"Yes. We've lived in a peaceful society far removed from conflict. Many of our classmates may have never even harmed a bug. From what I've read in the Great Library, some monsters resemble ordinary beasts, and there are even humanoid ones. Frankly, throwing them into such a situation is reckless."
"Even so, they'll never be able to fight if they avoid it forever."
"True, eventually they'll have to face it. But what I'm suggesting is that now isn't the right time. I'm not saying to avoid battle forever, but once their stats are strong enough to survive without fighting, we can throw them in. That way, they'll snap under pressure safely."
Chiji's words reflected the truth of the matter: under pressure, people break through their limits. However, he was more concerned about the process—it was still too dangerous for some of them.
Of course, Chiji wasn't concerned about his classmates' well-being.
It was the lower-tier heroes, the ones with weaker stats, who would die if pushed too soon. And it was these lower-tier heroes who still listened to Chiji. He had no desire to lose his valuable pawns prematurely.
(If they're going to die, they should at least take a few others with them and self-destruct spectacularly.)
"…But if we wait for everyone to grow, the people suffering under the Demon Lord will continue to suffer."
"Your royal compassion is admirable, Princess, but that doesn't apply to me. My only goal is for all my classmates to return to Japan alive. I couldn't care less if some strangers in this world, whose names I don't even know, die."
"…I see."
Raiza exhaled deeply, seemingly accepting his response.
"Perhaps that's normal for heroes from another world."
"That said, I'm not so heartless that I'd leave someone suffering right in front of me. Let's not misunderstand each other."
"…Understood. Still, we do need the heroes to grow stronger sooner rather than later. How about a compromise?"
"A compromise?"
"Yes."
Raiza spoke slowly, as if she had anticipated being refused from the start.
"For the dungeon expedition a week from now, how about we focus on the more experienced, high-level heroes?"
Chiji rubbed his chin thoughtfully before responding.
"That sounds reasonable. However, instead of only focusing on high-level heroes, why not select volunteers—those who actually want to fight? Even among the lower-tier heroes, there may be some willing to take the risk. If they choose to go, I think it's fair to allow it."
"Agreed. I'll propose that arrangement. We'll make the announcement tomorrow. But what about you, Chiji?"
Raiza's question was formal, but her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Chiji responded without hesitation.
"Of course, I'll refuse. If I don't step up and say no, it'll be difficult for others to do the same. Someone needs to make the first move."
In a class where the expectation was to stick together and do their best, it would be hard for anyone to voice their dissent, especially those seen as inferior. That's why Chiji, having already made his presence known in the class over the past week, would take the lead in creating an exit.
"I see. Rinju will be disappointed, but there's no helping that."
"I apologize, but it's for the greater good."
"I understand. Now then, shall we head back to shore? Training is likely starting now, and the heroes need to be prepared to defend the world."
"Indeed."
Raiza checked her pocket watch as she spoke.
"'Indeed,' you say. Interesting, coming from someone who just said they didn't care if people in this world died."
"Please don't tease me. I do feel a little bad, you know."
"No guilt, either, I presume?"
"…Ouch, that hurts."
With a wry smile, Chiji reached for the oars to row back, but before they left, Raiza made an unexpected comment.
"I wonder, just how high is your ethical score?"
It was a casual remark, almost tossed out from the edge of Chiji's awareness.
"...Ethical score? Wait, what's this?"
Chiji paused mid-motion, his eyes scanning the air as if he were reading something invisible.
Raiza's comment triggered something, something he hadn't noticed until now—his hidden status.
In fact, it was almost miraculous that Chiji understood the true weight of her words.
The conversation had deftly shifted away from the topic of betrayal and back to dungeon exploration, giving the impression the conversation was over. But then, she casually asked: *How high is your ethical score?*
Answering with confusion would be the wrong move.
For as soon as he recognized the term "ethical score," a hidden aspect of his status was unlocked.
"This is called a hidden status. Once you hear the term, you can begin seeing it."
"...I see. So that's how it works... interesting."
Chiji struggled to maintain his composure, giving a noncommittal response.
(This woman is dangerous. She threw a bomb at me right at the last second.)
Chiji's internal alarm bells rang as he raised his caution level regarding Raiza to its highest.
If he weren't extremely careful, she could easily expose him as a traitor, leading to his doom.
"So, what's your ethical score?"
"Uh... let me check... '0.'"
Chiji wasn't sure what the normal range for an ethical score was, but based on the rest of his hidden stats, he made an educated guess.
Here were his hidden stats upon being summoned:
---
**Chiji Nakura's Hidden Stats:**
**Pleasure: 20**
**Interest: 98**
**Excitement: 56**
**Despair: 0**
**Anger: 0**
**Fear: 0**
**Ethics: -2680**
---
The high *interest* and *excitement* scores were a result of his fascination with the idea of being a "traitor." His slight pleasure likely stemmed from the fact that he no longer had to worry about exams after being summoned to another world. Chiji figured that a neutral score like 0 was probably the baseline for ethics, and so he told Raiza that his score was 0.
"Interesting. A score of 0."
"Is that unusual?"
"Well, most people have a positive score. But it seems fitting for you. Honestly, I expected it to be higher."
"I see."
Chiji let out a small sigh of relief, ready to end this tense conversation. As he began rowing the boat again, a question popped into his mind.
"By the way, Princess, what's your ethical score?"
Raiza smiled and took a moment before answering.
"It wouldn't be fair for you to share yours and for me to stay silent, now would it? Let me show you."
Raiza clapped her hands twice, and suddenly a figure emerged from the water, gripping the side of the boat.
It was a young man with fiery red hair and sharp eyes. Completely drenched, he handed Raiza a black tube before diving back into the water.
"This is Estwal, my personal bodyguard."
"I see, so you had him stationed nearby the whole time. I assumed someone was watching us from a distance, but I was wrong."
"Your assumption wasn't entirely off. There were also guards watching us from afar. Anyway, here is my status."
Chiji took the tube, opened it, and read the document inside.
---
---
**Raiza Ashut**
**Level:** 753
**Class:** Royalty
**Attack:** 2,482
**Defense:** 1,760
**Magic:** 4,463
**Intelligence:** 4,210
**Skill:** Limit Breaker
---
**Hidden Status**
**Pleasure:** 0
**Interest:** 99 (Maximum)
**Excitement:** 23
**Despair:** 0
**Anger:** 0
**Fear:** 0
**Ethics:** -99 (Minimum)
---
"This is... astonishing."
"Fufu, it's the power of the royal bloodline."
---
Once the meeting was over, Raiza returned to her chamber, lit a cigarette, and exhaled slowly. She pulled out a piece of parchment and began writing her observations about Chiji Nakura.
"Estwal, are you there?"
Her personal bodyguard stepped forward.
"Here, at your service."
"You did well today."
"Thank you, Princess. But I must say, Chiji Nakura does seem intelligent, but dangerous? I'm not so sure."
Raiza smiled, exhaling smoke.
"That remains to be seen."
And with that, she continued her plotting, cigarette in hand, while considering her next move.