The possibility of suddenly decapitating me.
The atmosphere was friendly, but Caron in front of me was more than capable of doing that.
He was a man called the ‘Bad Ending Maker’ among users.
Perhaps because he saw my wary attitude, Caron smiled and opened his mouth.
“As you expected, Sir Douglas is alive. However, I can’t tell you what his current condition is.”
Inwardly sighing with relief, I thought.
It was natural for Caron not to disclose information about him. Currently, Douglas…
‘Is under a demon’s curse.’
The demon’s curse that forced him to stay in the Holy Kingdom for several years and even change his name.
Let’s skip over what kind of curse it is. What’s important now is to have Douglas join the ‘Volkan Subjugation Force’.
I was about to explain why Douglas needed to join.
“And he has already agreed to join, so don’t worry.”
…He already agreed to join?
At that moment, chills ran down my spine.
‘As expected of the empire…’
The absurd information that skeletons will rise.
There were a few more side pieces of information, but the main one was just that.
Normally, it’s natural to let your guard down.
Because currently, this world is completely unaware of the existence and terror of the ‘undead’.
Although hundreds of thousands of skeletons are buried in Kalos, the first thought that comes to mind is, ‘No matter how strong bones are, how strong can they be?’
‘Of course, the rats Caron sent did confirm they weren’t ordinary skeletons. Still…’
It’s absurd to go fight across another country with just this information, and it makes even less sense to deploy multiple experts of Caron’s caliber.
So I couldn’t help but shudder.
‘Does it mean they won’t let their guard down at all…?’
It was a moment when I felt the terror of the empire once again.
‘Not only is Luna a problem… saving Rodelin is absolutely impossible.’
I’m someone who has vowed to play as safely as possible since my life is on the line.
After entering the academy, I pondered for several days and completed a mind map up to the final chapter.
‘Saving Rodelin’ was not included in that mind map.
‘Because no one has ever succeeded in saving Rodelin.’
What I’m doing now is a survival game disguised as the ‘Hero of the Academy’.
So it was natural for me to give up on Rodelin.
In the first place, she’s just a child who gets stamped with a slave seal but moves well all the way to the final boss battle.
But every time I faced Rodelin, that thought would wriggle.
The thought of ‘wanting to save her’.
But seeing the empire’s responsiveness now, such thoughts shrank back.
Telling me to save Rodelin against those bastards?
‘Yuck, pft!’
I won’t do it because it’s dirty.
In the first place, saving Rodelin is something I can challenge after surviving this survival game and returning to Earth.
“…”
I shook my head slightly to shake off the stray thoughts.
The fact that the empire is scary, saving Rodelin. These aren’t important now.
What’s important now is that the empire is moving as I thought, the survival probability of Elester, Caron, and Lucia has increased, and…
‘The probability of killing Volkan has also increased.’
That was important.
Huh? Why am I making a fuss just because one more being of 8-star knight level or higher has been added?
It can’t be helped. The former Douglas, now called Adonis, is…
‘The owner of a Sacred Sword.’
The 2nd Sacred Sword that lost its light after losing its master.
Its power has weakened like the 9th Sacred Sword Artana I currently possess, but it should be enough to deal with the current Volkan.
“Are all your curiosities resolved now?”
“Keke, it’s enough. Because Sir Hero Douglas is more than enough force.”
“Letting our guard down isn’t good. Just as we confirmed their existence, those guys in Kalos at that time also confirmed our existence. Quite some time has passed since then, so they either ran away…”
“Or they set a trap and are waiting. It’s one of the two.”
“…”
Smack!
Caron smacked my head.
No, what the hell did I do wrong!
“Keke, why did you hit me?”
“Because you’re saying it’s ‘enough’ even though you know it might be a trap. It’s true that Sir Douglas is great, but do you know how old he is?”
“I don’t know the details… but he was around seventy when the funeral was held, so he must be over eighty?”
“He’s eighty-three. It’s been a long time since he became an old man.”
Considering the average life expectancy of this world, he’s an elder among elders.
So Caron’s worry was natural.
“Since he’s a 9-star knight, he’ll be better than most guys. But compared to when he was called a hero in the past, he’ll fall far short.”
I also knew this fact well. Because I learned the theory related to ‘mana’ during class.
As you age, not only your body but also your mana control becomes problematic.
It means that currently, Douglas may not even be able to exert the strength of an 8-star… no, perhaps even a 7-star knight.
However…
‘One of the 2nd Sacred Sword’s abilities is the Goddess’s Blessing.’
[Goddess’s Blessing].
A crazy skill that removes all status abnormalities and restores physical abilities to their prime.
It’ll only be for a moment, but he should be able to exhibit a strength rivaling his past self.
I was recalling the episode where Douglas first revealed the 2nd Sacred Sword in the game.
“Since I gave you the payment, now it’s my turn to receive the payment.”
The price?
I couldn’t help but make a question mark above my head.
We have a business relationship. And the information I received now was a right I could naturally demand as an information provider.
But he’s treating it as a ‘payment’.
Is he trying to take advantage of me using his superior strength?
“…One Flash.”
“Yes?”
“Have Luna seal her One Flash for the time being.”
Only then did I realize Caron’s intention.
Luna, who can now use a One Flash worthy of being called a One Flash.
Anyone who has seen the Lester family’s One Flash even once can suspect Luna’s identity.
Caron’s worries and concerns must be piercing the sky.
‘But he can’t bring himself to ask me to protect Luna… so as a second-best, he’s asking me to seal the One Flash that could cause problems?’
In the first place, I’m the one who told Luna, “Using One Flash in front of others is forbidden.”
It means I can accept Caron’s request.
The problem is that Caron used a ‘payment’ as a pretext for a half-threat.
‘How dare he bring up the sacred payment?’
It was a very, very impudent act.
It seemed necessary to re-establish our relationship once again.
“I thought the information I gave today was a fair payment.”
“There’s always a service in every transaction.”
“But the owner has no intention of providing a service?”
“If you think about future transactions, you should know to offer a small service at this point. That’s what a good owner does.”
“Then does that mean you’ll also provide a service, Teacher Caron? Since it’s bothersome to give and take, how about we skip the service this time?”
In crude terms, it means ‘let’s call it even’.
The owner next door… no, the empire’s rat Caron began trembling his fists.
But he couldn’t recklessly throw a punch.
Because Luna’s life, which Caron cherishes, is at stake.
“Hoo… fine, so be it. What do you want?”
Caron lowered his fist. He seemed to have exercised superhuman patience.
The price… of course, I could demand money or artifacts here.
But…
“Keke, it’s a bit much to receive a payment between us for this. Just a word is enough.”
“…A word?”
“Yes, the word ‘please’.”
“…!!”
Right now, showing the impudent Caron a lesson(?) was more important.
What happens when you put personal feelings into a sacred transaction, what happens when you break the rules.
‘I’ll discipline him.’
That’s right. This was an act to discipline Caron.
It wasn’t that I was doing this because I had a chance to tease Caron. Really!
“…”
I stared intently at Caron, who kept moving his lips and groaning.
Come on, Caron. Say it.
Pl, ease.
It would be even better if you add the word ‘desperately’!
“Pl, pl…”
Pl?
“…Plight news.”
“Pardon?”
“Your obituary may ring throughout the academy tomorrow.”
…It’s a joke, right?
Caron’s sunken eyes captured my gaze.
Hmm, I see. You’re serious? Indeed, even I think the joke went a bit too far.
“Let’s change the condition. If you tell me why you’re so worried about Luna, I’ll specially…”
Smack!!
Caron smacked my head hard.
He’s a really bad guy. Trying to make a deal with force!
“Keke, I learned that the person forcing a service on the owner isn’t a good consumer…”
But I had no choice but to stop talking. Because Caron raised his fist again.
“…But you’re a regular customer, Teacher Caron. It’s only natural to provide you with a service.”
Only then did Caron lower his fist.
And so, I was forced to provide a service.
“Actually, I’ve already told her. Not to use it in front of others.”
“But you made such a request to me? What an impudent fellow.”
Isn’t the impudent one you who tried to eat the sacred payment raw?
I expressed my dissatisfaction while puffing out my cheeks.
But they soon burst as Caron’s rough hand grabbed my face.
“…Still no intention of telling me what the deal with Renia was?”
Caron’s grip holding my face. Through the gaps, I could see his inscrutable gaze.
What kind of relationship did Caron and the Lester family have?
“It’s not that I don’t have any. The deal you said you made with Lady Renia. If it’s that information, I’m willing to trade.”
“…You’re saying we should mutually disclose one deal with Renia. Not a bad idea. As long as you don’t lie.”
“Keke, you noticed?”
“Impudent fellow.”
I responded as if it was nothing, but inwardly, I was quite puzzled.
The fact that he noticed I was lying.
And he disclosed it as if it was nothing.
‘I did expect it, but… he could have pretended not to know and probed me? Why did he readily tell me? What’s his intention?’
The battle of wits with Caron seemed to have become even more complicated.
Caron removed his hand from my face and said,
“Well, that’s a story for if I survive.”
“Keke, how unexpected. You lack confidence?”
“There’s too little information. It’s like putting your neck in the enemy’s mouth, and it’s stranger to be confident. Above all…”
Above all?
“My instincts are telling me. That it won’t be an easy fight.”
Caron seemed to have judged that Volkan would choose to fight rather than run away.
Being able to know that fact instinctively. Is it something like Rezé’s idiot hair radar?
“Personally, I don’t think running away is a shameful act. Fighting even though you know you can’t win is a foolish act.”
“You’re saying in a noble way to run away if you’re at a disadvantage.”
Caron smacked my head. At this point, it’s a habit.
“I have a similar thought, so don’t worry. In the first place, it’s a fight that will start from a disadvantageous position, and the enemies won’t let us off easily. But…”
Caron’s words were cut off there.
He opened his mouth again when the moonlight passed behind the building, and the room was dyed in darkness.
“If, just if… I can’t return, then Luna…”
The room had become dark, so I couldn’t see Caron’s face.
But what Caron was trying to say seemed clear.
‘Is he trying to entrust Luna to me in case something happens to him?’
For a moment, I felt slightly irritated.
Because he was too different from the Caron I knew.
“Saying such weak words… it’s unlike you. Has your sensitivity become abundant as you aged?”
“What…?”
“Isn’t it enough to just win? Don’t be confident of victory or defeat before the fight. Who was the one who taught that?”
The current Caron wasn’t the Caron I knew.
How do I know that when we’ve only been together for a few months?
Well… can you normally call 18 years ‘only’?
‘I must have taken Caron’s classes at least tens of thousands of times and fought him thousands of times.’
So I couldn’t help but know Caron well.
Rough but clear.
Treats you harshly in front but takes care of you behind.
Sometimes drives you so hard it could be called ruthless, but inwardly only thinks of the students.
The Caron I know was that kind of person and teacher.
Yeah, someone like this, just like Lucia…
‘Could be called a ‘master’.’
Well, unlike Lucia, it’s not specified in the system window, and there’s no fun in teasing him, so I don’t really like it.
But to him who’s anxious, just this once, specially… yeah, let’s provide a service.
“So come back victorious, Master.”
A brief silence. Caron’s faint laughter broke that silence.
“…Impudent fellow. I’ve never had an impudent fellow like you as a disciple.”
“Keke, is that so?”
“What a cheeky bastard. If you say such a thing one more time, be prepared. I’ll pull out your tongue.”
Grumble grumble-.
Caron’s grumbling continued to fill the room after that.
Hmm, now he’s back to the Caron I know. Although it was a bit noisy.
‘He must have judged this fight to be dangerous to that extent. Is there a way I can help?’
-There are some unsettling factors, but… I hand-picked the best out of the available troops.
The word ‘unsettling factors’ that Caron mentioned a while ago caught my attention.
I could be certain. One of those unsettling factors…
“Lady Lucia is included, right?”
“…Being called an unsettling factor by a disciple. I really want to tell this to Lucia.”
Caron only mocked my words and didn’t deny them.
It meant Lucia was one of the unsettling factors.
‘It’s probably because she doesn’t listen.’
This is a bigger problem than I thought.
On the battlefield, it’s fundamentally important to ‘unify’ opinions.
Starting from whether to attack, defend, or retreat…
Strategy, direction of advance, personnel allocation, tactics, etc.
When things don’t go as expected or a crisis occurs, individual sense and judgment take priority, but…
Moving within a ‘set framework’ is an absolute rule and discipline of the battlefield.
‘Judging by the members, Elester or Caron are likely to devise the strategy.’
Although my relationship with Caron has improved recently, it’s definitely not ‘good’. Moreover…
‘There’s no way that erratic Lucia will obediently follow others’ words.’
Caron must also be well aware of this fact.
That’s why he included Lucia as an ‘unsettling factor’.
‘It was the same in the game, but seeing it in person, I understand better.’
That making Lucia follow orders is an impossible task.
‘Unless you put a thick leash on her like an iron chain…’
So…
I just need to give it to Caron.
An iron chain, a very thick and sturdy one made of steel.
“Well, let me give you a gift that can boost your spirits.”
“A gift?”
I took out a photo from my bosom and threw it.
Upon seeing the photo, Caron immediately burst into laughter.
“Kuku! You bastard… how the hell did you do this?”
How did I do it? Of course…
“Keke, it’s a secret.”
An action that would normally earn me a punch. But Caron was too busy laughing.
The photo I gave to Caron…
It was a group photo we took together before parting with Lucia today.
A photo of Lucia’s uniform cosplay(?).
With Lucia, who’s well over thirty, wearing the academy uniform, Caron had no choice but to collapse.
“If you threaten to spread that photo, Lucia would have no choice but to follow your orders.”
“Isn’t Lucia your teacher? And here you are, suggesting blackmail. You’re quite audacious.”
“Of course, it’s not for free. This is a transaction, after all.”
“Kuku, I see. It does seem worth it. Alright, what do you want?”
“Control over the information that Lucia has taken me, Luna, and Rezé as disciples.”
The information that I, Luna, and Rezé have become Lucia’s disciples.
Currently, only Caron and a few rats are aware of it, but soon it will leak everywhere.
Lucia’s words that she must inform her allies is true, but Luna and Rezé might spill the beans without even realizing it.
The first ones to come across the information once it’s out in the open.
‘Rats.’
And the one commanding those rats was standing right in front of me.
“Kuku, are you trying to buy some time for growth? You must be scared too.”
“Isn’t that obvious? I’m just an ordinary student.”
“Ordinary students don’t blackmail their teachers. Nor do they make deals using their weaknesses.”
“Is that so?”
Bang!
Caron knocked on my head. It was a light flick.
“The deal is made. You better stick to your duties as a student.”
Caron leaned halfway out of the window.
Had time passed? The moonlight began to spill through the window again.
“Until I return.”
With that, Caron left. Into the moonlight.
–TL Notes–
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