One positive piece of news, one negative piece of news, and one piece of news that’s just so-so.
Dwener instinctively knew.
Even the so-so news would be closer to negative.
“I only want to hear the positive news.”
“Understood. Then I’ll start with the positive news in order.”
“…The Empire’s rats can’t even understand plain words. Truly, the Empire’s fate is doomed.”
Dwener let out a deep sigh.
Caron, seemingly enjoying the sight, smirked as he delivered the positive news.
“The lord of Carpathia has been replaced. An official announcement will be issued tomorrow.”
After Dwener left, having temporarily exercised the lord’s authority, Jecko, the younger brother of Count Zachary, quickly entered Carpathia to take over.
Since Count Zachary’s children were still too young, it wasn’t a problem for Jecko to inherit the title of Count.
Thus, Jecko was expected to become Carpathia’s new lord, but…
— The younger brother is just as much a scoundrel as the older one. This is a disaster.
— Living in a place ruled by a scoundrel… what a nightmare!
— The pig is gone, but now we’ve got a new pig.
— Hey, don’t insult pigs like that!
— Right, pigs are far better than those guys!
— Indeed! Well said!
— It’s time for Dwener of the Iron Fist to return!
— Dwener Punch! Dwener Punch!
Even when Count Jecko took up his club, he couldn’t stop the activities of the rats in Carpathia.
As Jecko’s reputation plummeted, people even started referring to pigs by his name.
When a pig was presented as a tribute with the phrase “Carpathia’s specialty: Jecko, with premium meat quality,” the Imperial family expressed their deep regret and demoted his family to the rank of Baron.
Their land was drastically reduced, and Carpathia, the finest territory in the central region, was naturally reclaimed by the Imperial family.
“Even a Viscount’s title is insufficient to govern Carpathia, so it’s unthinkable for a Baron. So, who’s the new lord of Carpathia?”
“Count Benazar.”
“Benazar… He’s from Duke Luke’s faction, isn’t he? How shrewd of His Majesty. Maintaining the balance of power as always.”
“With this, Carpathia should finally be able to function properly.”
The Emperor’s decision to appoint someone from Duke Luke’s side wasn’t just to maintain the balance of power.
It was also to restore order to Carpathia.
“After all, it wasn’t just Count Zachary and Administrator Rieur who acted like pigs.”
That’s right. The villains weren’t limited to just those two.
Cockroach-like individuals beneath them had sucked Carpathia dry.
In the process, Carpathia’s entire system had collapsed—so much so that even a feeble old woman could easily access its heart.
“Count Benazar is a soldier-turned-politician, so Carpathia’s defenses should no longer be a concern.”
“And he’ll likely deal with the remaining cockroaches on his own.”
The recent Erosion incident had reminded the Empire of Carpathia’s strategic importance.
Alongside Count Benazar, reliable individuals were being sent, along with generous funding. There should no longer be any need to worry about the threat of demons.
“Carpathia is finally being normalized.”
“It’ll grow stronger. Much stronger than before.”
Dwener and Caron both found themselves smiling without realizing it.
The first harvest of their subjugation efforts had not only succeeded but had produced results far beyond expectations.
“I’ve been informed that Count Benazar sent you a gift last night, Principal. He asked me to pass on his thanks.”
“For Benazar to send me a gift… He’s turning into quite the politician.”
Dwener recalled the past, when he had wandered from party to party in search of employment.
He had even approached Duke Luke for a job, only to be scolded harshly by Count Benazar, who had been by Luke’s side at the time.
“Act like a noble!”
He had said.
Now, that very man was slyly sending him a gift.
What a strange world to live in.
“Well then, what’s the negative news?”
“Duke Zeppelin is coming here.”
Dwener’s brow furrowed. He knew exactly who that was.
The financial backbone of the eastern territories, Teron’s Father, a current first-year student at the Academy, and…
“The only pillar who has allied himself with Duke Aziz…”
And now, that very man was coming here?
Could it be that their lies had been exposed?
“Perhaps he’s coming to deliver Duke Aziz’s intentions in person.”
“They say he’s quite hot-tempered. Do you think he’ll resort to violence?”
“Most likely, yes.”
“Then this isn’t just negative news—it’s practically a murder notice…”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. Let me correct myself: One positive piece of news, one so-so piece of news, and one murder notice.”
Stop describing it like it’s a well-curated course meal!
“…”
Dwener mulled it over carefully.
No, it couldn’t be that their lies had been uncovered.
“He’s probably coming to test the waters.”
“Or who knows? Maybe he just wants to see ‘Dwener of the Iron Fist’ for himself.”
“Ah, stop calling me that already!”
Currently, in Carpathia, a play titled Dwener of the Iron Fist was being performed daily.
It was a story of a lion of justice beating down those who were no different from demons.
The citizens couldn’t get enough of it.
The play’s popularity had spread beyond Carpathia to the entire Empire, and there were even rumors that a major merchant guild had signed an official contract with the playwright.
“Your name is being mentioned all over Carpathia, Principal. Why not debut as a stage actor? It seems like you could make a fortune.”
“Say something that makes sense!”
“Urgh! Is this the famous Dwener’s Iron Fist? How powerful! I almost died.”
“You look far too fine for someone who supposedly almost died…”
In truth, Dwener’s fist had merely sliced through empty air. Caron was obviously just teasing him.
Letting out a deep sigh, Dwener sank into thought again.
Why was Duke Zeppelin coming here?
“…For now, let’s not overreact. He might simply be coming to see his son.”
“Do parents like that even exist, visiting their kids during the school term?”
“You never know. He could be an overly doting father.”
“Ah, I see. So he’s coming to complain about poor grades? A pillar of the Empire? Better start preparing your excuses, sir.”
“Urgh…”
Dwener knew better, of course.
There was no way Duke Zeppelin was visiting just to nitpick about his son’s grades.
It was far more likely he was coming to reprimand Dwener for defying Duke Aziz’s orders.
Well, Dwener had already braced himself for that.
No matter how much Duke Zeppelin tried to oppress him, Dwener had no intention of returning to Duke Aziz’s side.
Even if…
‘Even if it means my death.’
Dwener had chosen to live for the children. Death held no fear for him anymore.
After organizing his thoughts, Dwener finally spoke up.
“Alright, what’s the last piece of news?”
The so-called “just so-so” news—though its ambiguous nature left room for concern.
Caron wasted no time answering.
“A request for aid has come from Trash Village.”
Annwood Academy often received missions from nobles or local villages.
The academy understood better than anyone the importance of real-world experience.
Most missions were handled by third-years, but simpler requests were sometimes assigned to first— and second-years.
Dwener consulted a map to locate Trash Village.
It was a small settlement about two days’ travel from the academy.
What stood out, however, was the crest of a noble family marked above it.
“Is there a lord in that tiny village?”
“It belongs to Baron Kelven, and it’s the only village he owns.”
“Kelven… That name sounds familiar. Ah!”
Dwener quickly remembered who Kelven was.
A fallen noble who had lost everything in a reckless land war.
“A fool who ruined a flourishing family in one stroke.”
“He relied too much on his knight order and declared war on every neighboring territory. He started strong, but…”
He was defeated by Kalrak, known as the Reincarnation of the God of War, and lost his prized knight order in a single battle.
The lands he had seized were soon taken back, and even the territory his family had held for decades was stripped away when the dispossessed nobles banded together and launched coordinated attacks.
All Kelven could do was watch helplessly as everything was taken from him.
That was the limit of what the once-powerful Baron Kelven could do.
He became a fallen noble, despised by all.
Most agreed he deserved it, given his petty misdeeds and the weak justifications for his land wars.
“He set a new record—losing his title of Count in just one year.”
Dwener was well aware of the story.
And now, a request for aid had come from such a place?
“Did a stray magical beast invade the village or something?”
“It’s a bit unclear. There are signs of people being attacked, but… no bodies have been found.”
People had disappeared, yet there were no traces of flesh or bone.
Dwener immediately understood what Caron was implying.
“You suspect a black mage, don’t you?”
Caron nodded slightly.
When people disappear, it usually falls into one of three categories:
A natural disaster, a kidnapping for human trafficking, or the work of a black mage using humans as sacrifices.
Caron was convinced it was the latter.
“They say strange events have been occurring in the area.”
“It must be the work of demons. Something’s definitely being schemed there.”
From the scale of the incidents, it seemed likely the culprit was either an amateur black mage or a foolish human who had made a pact with a demon.
In such cases, swift action was critical.
‘They may be weak now, but if they sacrifice dozens of people, they could quickly summon a mid-level demon.’
A mid-level demon was at least on par with a knight. Depending on the type of demonic magic involved, it could even rival a high-level demon in strength. The best course of action was to eliminate them before that could happen.
“I’d like a detailed report. Where is the lord?”
“He’s in the village.”
“Excuse me?”
“It wasn’t the lord who made the request—it was a villager who came directly to us.”
“…Not the lord or a knight?”
“Correct.”
“A fallen noble who still wants to maintain appearances… I see.”
He didn’t want to be branded as an incompetent lord who couldn’t even handle a novice black mage.
There were plenty of people like that—those who valued their honor over the lives of others.
“Bring them here. I’d like to hear the details myself.”
“As you wish.”
Announcing the matter publicly and taking decisive action would have been the proper response, but this lukewarm approach showed complete disregard for the villagers’ lives.
Of course, there was one other possibility to consider.
“…The lord himself might require investigation.”
If the lord had made a pact with a demon, he wouldn’t report it.
On the contrary, he would likely seal off the village and suppress information to nurture the demon’s power.
“Clinging to the glory of the past… What a foolish man.”
Fallen nobles like this weren’t uncommon—those who couldn’t let go of their former power.
Dwener’s eyes glinted sharply.
A man willing to sacrifice his villagers to regain power and influence…
He was undoubtedly deserving of the label “villain” and a prime candidate for execution by the Subjugation Squad.
“Shall I call Roy and Bernstein?”
“Investigation comes first. Nothing is confirmed yet.”
“And who was it that just called him a ‘foolish man’ moments ago?”
“No time for arguments. This is urgent. How many third-years are still available right now?”
“There are a few left, but I don’t plan to deploy them for this mission.”
“?”
Not sending the third-years? Then who did he plan to send?
Dwener’s confusion was clear in his expression, and Caron, noticing it, gave a slight smile.
It was only then that Dwener realized—this was the real point Caron had been leading up to.
“I plan to send the first— and second-years.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
–TL Notes–
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I guess it would be joint mission between Alex party and Zero party again
And to think Teron father is a pillar too,this is new information
And also Teron father might really just come to punish Teron for his constant failure and loosing his rank