Chapter 174
Chapter 174
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Authority of Evil 2
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Seriously, I'd underestimated this cloak's performance by a mile.
That made sense, though. In the late game, gear that boosts non-magic stats by +2 or +3—with an upper limit—wasn't exactly rare, assuming those stats had caps to begin with.
For example, items like [Strength +4 (only if Strength is 15 or below; Strength cannot exceed 15] dropped from regular mobs in the late game. That was around tier 4, right?
In that context, this cloak's appeal lay in its growth potential without an upper limit, even if the raw numbers were low. That was why I'd invested in faction-building for it.
But after two enhancements that gave me Dexterity and a skill instead of Stamina, its value had plummeted in my eyes. And the skill was just a visual effect one, at that.
Still, as a passive? It was nice. How should I put it? Yeah, that was it.
The sensation of sitting at the computer on a winter morning, wrapped in the warm glow of an electric blanket under the comforter.
Grabbing two tangerines from the box, bringing them over, and kicking the power button with your foot.
That kind of cozy warmth—that was what I was feeling from this cloak right now.
When I attached the hot pack I'd made during the expedition with Eve in Act 2 to the inside and wore it around, oh my, the world felt so delightfully toasty.
They said it was mid-September, but why was Jefrin always so damn cold?
Since that day, my routine had become strutting around grinning ear to ear, never sticking a hand out from under the cloak.
Whether hawking goods at dawn, attending lectures, or back at the convenience store slinging merch.
Of course, no one around me seemed to notice much change.
Especially since I'd asked them point-blank.
"They say this item radiates intimidation. You guys aren't feeling anything?"
To that, Aila, Nefti, Milmew, and Rudika responded normally.
"Wolfram's just Wolfram, isn't he?"
"Yes. Senior's just senior."
"Doesn't seem much different from usual."
"As if Wolfram could change."
I nodded. Right, must be because it's a low-tier skill—doesn't apply strongly.
"...Ah, aaa. Lord Wolfram. Those ruthless eyes. That bone-chilling gesture."
Regina's reaction was weird, but I just shrugged it off.
Catching her vibe was impossible anyway.
So, I just kept living like that.
In recent days, ominous rumors had started circulating through Jefrin.
Rumors that the Student Council of Evil—the one from Wolfram von Loengrin's reign—was making a comeback.
"...We have no choice but to investigate this ourselves."
Stepping up decisively was a second-year Magic Division undergrad.
Unlike the official Student Council mouthpiece, Justice, she was from the Jefrin Newspaper Club—a yellow journalism outfit on the verge of becoming next year's vice-chief: Daily Tabloid.
Previously, at a tea party where Wolfram had been invited, she'd gotten a stern warning from him not to trifle with imperial matters. But since when did journalists bend to oppression and censorship?
The previous vice-chief had gotten hauled off for botching a scoop on Eve von Loengrin.
She wasn't that stupid. If she was investigating, it'd be Wolfram.
Wolfram von Loengrin would make for the scoop of the century.
Interviews with imperial scions were strictly taboo, but she wouldn't give up.
"The revival of the Empire of Evil. We can't stand for this. Let's hit the field right now!"
"Yes!"
Next year's Jefrin Newspaper Club vice-chief grabbed her image-pwon'ting familiars and auto-note pens, setting out to probe the golden wolf.
And exactly one week later.
"......Still heading out today?"
"O-of course."
Daily Tabloid felt her resolve cracking for the first time on this self-imposed assignment.
At first, she'd been pissed at Wolfram von Loengrin.
Just for asking once about an imperial marriage, he'd crushed her with overwhelming intimidation. She wanted to vent that rage.
So she'd written an article themed around him donning a cloak. But...
"...Sniff. Ugh. Hic..."
A gusting wind howled in the distance, slapping her ears.
A chill wind. A fleeting shiver prickling her skin.
The first time she'd spotted Wolfram von Loengrin from afar, she'd dismissed it as seasonal change, autumn chill.
But the more she approached him with malice, the fiercer the wind grew, gnawing at her flesh.
Now, just looking at him from a distance brought biting north winds and goosebumps. Her journalistic fire cooled to ice within.
Yet, on the flip side of that cold burned a scorching heat.
If a man like that was plotting something, reigniting his reign of power, it'd blaze gloriously enough to scorch the world.
That was why Daily Tabloid took the field again today.
So, she recorded his movements from afar again, prepping her article.
Nothing solid yet... but that's why she wanted to land the first big scoop herself.
The moment that thought crossed her mind—thinking of Wolfram—clack-clack-clack. Something clashing noisily. She realized it was the chattering teeth of her clubmates... and her own, tolling like an alarm.
With morale like this, Wolfram might spot them. Clutching her fist, Daily Tabloid calmly directed everyone.
"Y-you all don't have to join today."
"R-really?"
"Yes, to-today's coverage on Wo-Wolfram von Loengrin... I'll handle alone."
"H-haa...... Y-yes!"
In that instant, warmth returned to everyone's skin. And she felt her own spine freeze solid.
What had she just said?
Investigate Wolfram alone?
Who?
Me?
Replaying her own words, she cringed at her foolishness.
Praying she wouldn't meet her end this time next year, Daily Tabloid gripped her pen and summoned her familiars again.
And that day, she witnessed it.
"Th-that's... Grace Lab's Zolf senior? He knows Wolfram?"
Zolf—the grad student who'd once set Jefrin ablaze—bowing his head before Wolfram. And Wolfram casually issuing orders.
Suddenly, an incident from earlier this year flashed in Daily Tabloid's mind.
One now out of reach for regular students, whose status was unknown.
The scandal where 'a professor was so shocked by a grad student's rebellion that he considered retirement.'
"......Ah."
In that moment, countless puzzle pieces clicked into place in Daily Tabloid's head.
"It's not about building a faction in the undergrads. Something bigger... So, the one who dragged Professor Rantica Grace down was Wolfram von Loengrin...?"
As a stealthy reporter, she'd done the unforgivable.
Why had her voice echoed here? No reason for it.
Just snap the scene with familiars, transcribe to text, duplicate, and spread. Unless interviewing, no need for her voice.
But disbelieving reality, Daily spoke up—and met that man's eyes.
Far apart, yet she knew.
Wolfram smiled and said,
Ugh. So warm.
Inside the convenience store.
As I warmed up in my coat, Zolf showed up.
"Peace be upon you, Lord."
"Mm. Zolf, huh."
"Yes...! I'm here to report on the Clean Lab Life matter today."
Saying that, Zolf dropped to one knee before me.
Even snappier than before.
Ah, speaking of reports, I had one too.
"A new professor's taking over Professor Rantica Grace's undergrad course."
"...Ah. Is that so."
"Not surprised?"
"It's my old lab. How could I not know? She's looked haggard lately. Though I'm graduating soon anyway."
"I see."
"But... so another professor's taking the same field?"
"Mm. Probably. The new hire."
"...There's a new appointee."
Zolf's face darkened deeply.
Well, if the new prof's a bigger asshole, undergrads' future looks grim.
But thinking it's that Filtia? No big issue.
"In magic, she's on a level where even Eve von Loengrin yields a step in scholarship."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. And she's fair and just. No worldly ambitions, so it was a hassle recruiting her... Still hard to believe?"
Filtia'd handle it fine. With that nailed down, Zolf nodded.
"More importantly, Lord. We've got a fly on us. You aware?"
"A fly?"
"Yes. Monitoring with familiars. Over there..."
Zolf pointed, and I locked eyes with the watcher.
Indeed. Got it.
"There's a fly buzzing around."
At my words, the guy flinched.
"I'm a combat mage too. Say the word, I can snipe from here."
"No. Leave it. I know that fly."
"...Eek."
Hmm. What to do with her.
Honestly, the intel she brings isn't that useful.
Affinity ups give campus discount shop tips or hidden items, but I already know them all.
Use for her...? Ah.
One thing.
"......Pardon?"
"......Ah. A-ah. Th-that... However."
Daily seemed torn.
For her, becoming my herald and writing drivel was worse than life-or-death.
Hmm. In that case...
I extended my hand. Daily, who'd been chattering her teeth moments ago, bowed deeply.
When she looked up, she stared straight at me, knelt on one knee, gripped the nib in her palm, and offered it to me.
"Even the devil's pact wouldn't be sweeter. If Your Highness keeps his word, my pen shall serve only you."
As I fed her the info, ecstasy lit Daily's eyes.
"C-can I really run this as is?"
"...Ah! Got it!"
"Yes, yes!"
A few days later.
The Jefrin daily's front page ran that headline...
And below, in the ad section: 'Wolfram von Loengrin's Convenience Store Has the Snacks You Crave!' in huge letters.
Whoa. Free promo goldmine.