Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: A Student's Duty
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“...”
“...”
People who are suffering can recognize each other just by looking into one another's eyes.
That's the thought that always crosses my mind whenever I face Atalante.
“How about a little bet?”
Atalante, looking more disheveled than ever before, uttered those words in a subdued voice.
“A bet?”
“Who brought worse news, you or me.”
“...”
What an apt wager.
The moment I returned to Elpante, she summoned me, so the odds are high that she's carrying some seriously bad news herself.
“...The Grand Assassin is inside Elpante right now.”
I drop my bad news first.
As evidenced by Atalante's eyes widening in shock, no one would mistake this for good tidings.
“...The one who costs a national budget just to hire once?”
Well.
There are only two Grand Assassins on the entire continent—one is Seras, exclusively tied to the Pope, and the other is Hesed, leader of the 'Wanderers.' So yes, that's correct.
Unlike Seras, who's fully committed to the Papal Throne, Hesed takes freelance contracts from anyone.
“From what you've said, it seems like he infiltrated the academy over something related to you. I'll take whatever measures I can—”
“...No, leave it alone.”
“Pardon?”
“Touching him rashly would be more dangerous.”
If he hasn't encountered me yet, maybe not.
But if the fragment of the Purple Devil has started awakening under my influence, then absolutely.
The Purple Devil, dubbed the Devil of 'Subjugation.'
Among the rulers of Pandemonium, it's the most... unique one, let's say.
“...I'll handle him appropriately myself.”
If you know how to deal with it properly, it's arguably the least dangerous demon out there.
But with demons vying for my 'share' like they are now, things could spiral wildly out of control because of it. No reason to poke the hornet's nest.
Better to keep it close and under control.
In other words.
My current tasks are:
1. Placate Elnor, Yuria, and Lucien one by one.
2. While awakening Fenol's emotions on top of that.
3. And carrying around a walking Grand Assassin time bomb on my back.
“...”
Yeah... no, not doable.
Chapter 4 hasn't even started, and I've got this much to handle beforehand?
“...Haa...”
Still, gotta do it.
Have any of my endeavors so far ever been 'doable'?
As I sigh and think that, Atalante looks at me with pitying eyes.
“You look exhausted.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Honestly, I'm a bit worried. If you keep pushing like this, something major might happen one day.”
“...”
Well.
“...Doesn't look like I'll get a break anytime soon.”
The Forerunner definitely tried to 'kill' Elnor. Used a chapter boss-level Upside-Down Tidal Wave as bait, even tying up my feet to make it happen.
A route that never existed in the original game.
For one, the original Forerunner wasn't a woman.
Anyone tied to demons was just your run-of-the-mill blind zealot.
But this one's actions feel like...
Not a demon 'worshipper,' but someone trying to 'erase' them all.
“...”
That can't happen.
I didn't go to the trouble of using the Seal of the Otherworld to change my own race for nothing. At the very least, no one around me should get hurt because of it.
So.
I'm dead serious about not being able to take it easy anytime soon if I want to stop him.
“...Anyway, how about a progress report?”
As that thought crosses my mind, Atalante sighs and tosses out those words.
“How are things going with the vessels lately?”
“Progressing smoothly.”
[...Smoothly?]
“...”
[Didn't you get split in half just the other day?]
Kaliban chimes in from inside the Soul Linker with a voice full of disbelief, but as long as I'm still breathing, it's smooth sailing.
Getting by with this level of demon involvement is actually doing pretty well...!
And above all.
'Kaliban.'
[Yeah?]
'It might get even rougher from here on out.'
[...]
A silence loaded with the question of what could be worse than getting bisected returns, but I'm serious.
Just look at the message here.
[System Message]
[ The event related to the 'second fragment' of target 'Yuria' will soon be released! ]
“...”
If it's the second fragment tied to the White Devil... who knows.
At least I hope it doesn't overlap with the Main Quest.
I fiddle with the mask I always carry in my pocket while thinking that.
This is my lifeline. Show even a glimpse of my 'true face' in front of it, and it's really over.
[Guess I'll get to see your face soon...]
“...”
[No, really? Everything you've said like that has come true—]
I detach the amulet from my arm entirely.
Better to shut it up completely than listen to that ominous crap.
“...If it's going smoothly, that's a relief.”
Atalante sighs and picks up the conversation.
“At least it won't pile onto the bad news I brought.”
“...”
Oh, right.
We were in the middle of our bet.
Clearly, on top of those three tasks I mentioned, there's one more piece of bad news.
“For starters... you made quite the splash at the Crucible of Strife. Never imagined your name would come up in a Great Chieftain succession matter.”
“...How much of a disaster was it?”
I ask that first.
Atalante handles almost all the cleanup from my messes, so she's probably been my breakwater, shielding me from political intrigue and administrative storms this time too.
Of course, I did all the work, but with Kasa as my public shield, it shouldn't have been too hard to contain.
“The matter itself wasn't too tough. You set the board up cleverly.”
See?
“But because of this, the Imperial Family has started taking serious interest in you, Dawood.”
“...”
My expression hardens the moment she says it.
The Imperial Family.
The ones holding the leash on the Tristan Ducal House. Among the three hegemonies, they're notoriously insular—unless the scenario branches specifically, you hardly ever see their faces.
They're just as shadowy and insidious. Some players even rank them above the Pope.
To be precise, it's not the 'Family' as a whole, but one specific bastard.
“...Did the Chancellor take an interest in me or something?”
“Not quite.”
“That's a relief. If it were him instead of His Majesty, I'd genuinely want to die.”
Atalante looks at me with shining eyes.
“You know the power dynamics inside the palace too?”
I know the Chancellor is human trash on an absurd level.
In the original scenario, he's the reason Gideon dies and Elnor's corruption maxes out.
“...Roughly.”
“Then that makes explaining easier.”
Atalante rubs her eyes and sighs.
“You know there's a comprehensive aptitude evaluation coming up soon, right?”
Ah, that.
An indispensable event at the academy. Basically, finals.
Midterms were just a simple battle royale crammed into one spot, but the comprehensive eval is the grand year-end reckoning.
Tests everything—written, practical, combat—across all fields.
“His Majesty the Emperor is coming in person this time.”
“...”
“From the circumstances, he's coming to meet 'you' directly.”
What?
My face goes blank at that.
Sure, the Great Chieftain—a head of state—came to the academy during the Crucible, but.
'Great Chieftain' and 'Emperor' aren't even in the same league weight-wise.
One's a figurehead who could get swapped out in a month if things turn sour, the other's absolute power from cradle to grave.
Put simply.
If a Great Chieftain orders continental conquest prep, he'd get beaten and booted by the other chieftains in seconds.
If the Emperor issues the same order, the entire Empire shifts to wartime footing on that word alone.
That's the difference.
And such a man is.
Coming in person just to see me?
“...”
I sink into thought silently.
Considering the Imperial Family—especially the Emperor—this is highly likely tied to the main scenario.
Can't half-ass it.
“The problem is...”
Atalante sighs.
“...To have an audience with His Majesty, you typically need to prove 'qualifications' befitting it. Fail that, and it's lèse-majesté.”
“...”
Lèse-majesté, especially against the Emperor?
That's a heavy crime, potentially leading to imprisonment.
Unthinkable, but that's how sacred the Empire treats imperial authority. The Emperor's practically a living demigod.
Of course, it'd require malicious interpretation.
The issue is.
“If His Majesty specifically summons you for an audience and you fail to meet those qualifications, it gives ammunition for those around to tear into you.”
Atalante continued in her grim tone.
"And if that happens, you might end up facing that Chancellor you mentioned. He's a radical anti-Emperor faction member. He could take against you just for catching His Majesty's eye."
"..."
Exactly.
That's the problem with that one guy who's pure malice wrapped in opportunism.
"You need to prove you're someone extraordinary enough that there's no flaw in facing His Majesty."
“Then do I have anything to worry about?”
Call me arrogant, but I've racked up achievements at a student level that defy logic, countless times.
Submitting a few should prove my qualifications easily.
But Atalante looks at me with a dour expression.
“I'm not worried about that part. But you can't have any 'flaws' they could latch onto.”
“...So there are worries elsewhere?”
“What's your grade point average?”
“...”
Ah.
“...You barely have enough attended classes in any subject.”
“...”
Well, can't be helped.
I've been running around risking my life nonstop. When was I supposed to study?
“I know you're busy, Dawood. I've been covering for you as much as I can. But against His Majesty? I can't blind the obvious.”
“...”
“...You need to study.”
Atalante says it with desperate earnestness.
“At least ace every subject in the upcoming evaluation to make up for it.”
“...”
Hm.
Full marks across the board in Elpante's exams, where geniuses from across the Empire gather.
And me, who's never properly attended class.
“...How long until the exam, Headmaster?”
“About a week left.”
“...”
Hm.
Hmmmm.
●
In the end, everything points to one thing.
I need a teacher.
One who teaches studying like a beast.
And as a Divine Faculty student, the first person I need to woo is the Saintess. Start with the highest-weighted subjects, right?
I already had business with her over the Fenol event, so her priority just skyrocketed.
So.
That's why I'm here—to quickly whip up a way to 'placate' her.
“So, you're the guy, huh?”
The Crafting Faculty's Professor Vulcan boasts a muscular build that's hard to believe for his age.
Watching his muscles writhe dynamically under the glow of the anvil, hammer, and furnace, you forget he's in his middle years.
“...Pleased to meet you, Professor Vulcan.”
“Skip it. No need for formalities between us.”
And matching his looks, a boisterous voice comes right away.
True to form for someone who ignores decorum—
“If you act all polite, I can't even yell at you properly.”
“...”
“Spit it out, punk. What do you want me to make this time? I'm already curious how many all-nighters I'll pull.”
“...”
Guy's so straightforward, I like it.
I smile with my mouth while eyeing Professor Vulcan, who's glaring daggers.
He's not being cooperative at first glance, but I came here for good reason.
He's the one who made the bombs from Persy's blueprints that blew away the Purifiers. The one who upgraded my Ultrim of Divinity.
Not quite on par with the all-purpose crafting tool Sefira from the Crucible, but a top-tier artisan for sure.
His skill isn't lacking—it's just a bit slower.
I've heard he pulls all-nighters every time I commission something.
“...”
That said.
No one else can craft something as high-quality as Sefira's work and handle the niche request I'm about to make.
“...I've come with a request that might seem a bit odd.”
“Like it's ever not. Out with it, no pressure.”
Professor Vulcan sets his hammer aside and says that.
“...”
Well.
He'll get mad if I say it casually.
He'll get mad anyway, so I just proceed.
I pull out various materials.
Loot from fighting the Upside-Down Tidal Wave in the Crucible. Body parts from the Ma-kyung Dominators used to reconstruct Kasa's limbs.
A veritable gift set.
I add the star iron used for Yuria's circlet.
Professor Vulcan's eyes gleam as he scans them.
“...Not bad. Where'd you scrounge all this?”
“...”
My image improves a tad temporarily.
But considering what comes next, who knows how long that'll last.
“Using this...”
I steel myself and hand him the 'blueprint.'
“...I'd like you to make this.”
He takes the blueprint and examines it closely.
Then looks at me with cold eyes.
“...”
Expected reaction.
“...So, Dawood Campbell.”
Professor Vulcan speaks in a stiff voice.
“You said it was a request that might seem odd?”
“...Yes.”
“What part of asking me to make an insanely sturdy 'collar' is odd?”
“...I need two.”
“Who asked how many, you brat? You come to the senior Crafting Faculty prof asking for pet supplies? With materials like these?”
Under his half-contemptuous gaze, I force a smile and reply.
“...Not for pets.”
“What?”
“For people.”
“...”
“Two people.”
“...”
“Isn't that odd?”
It was odd.
I learned that a mere look in his eyes could unleash profanity, from the way Professor Vulcan stared at me now.
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