Chapter 76
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The Raging Buffalo
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Abel went to find Scarlett.
The Scarlett he saw after so long had dark shadows under her eyes, unlike her usual self.
“Abel. Long time no see.”
She greeted him in a voice thick with fatigue.
“Have a seat. Sigh... I must look a mess, huh?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Come on. Even I jump when I look in the mirror.”
Even in that state, Scarlett cracked a joke and smiled.
Abel gave an awkward smile in return as he took a seat.
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah. Tired, but not dying or anything. How’s the mood among the cadets lately?”
“Hmm. A bit chaotic.”
“Figured as much. Things up top haven’t even settled down yet. Care for some tea?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Scarlett poured him a cup herself and continued.
“This incident... The damage was small, but it’s a disaster for the academy in every way. Exposed every weak point clear as day.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. All the faculty there at the time, even the guards—knocked out cold. The only silver lining is there were no outside guests.”
Scarlett added that if there had been outsiders, things would’ve spiraled out of control.
“Well, the big issues are mostly sorted now. Since you came all this way, you must be wondering about Hena’s situation.”
“Ah, yes.”
It wasn’t the only reason, but Abel answered affirmatively.
Scarlett downed her steaming hot tea in one go and spoke.
“Hena’s getting special training for the next two weeks. After that, periodic check-ups.”
“I see.”
“And no punishment for Hena.”
No punishment at all—Abel looked genuinely surprised.
“Is that right?”
“Yeah. Can’t punish a cadet who’s innocent, right?”
Scarlett smiled slyly as she went on.
“The cause of the accident was purely a malfunction in the internal magic devices.”
“Ah... A malfunction in the internal magic devices.”
“Exactly.”
Abel nodded.
Of course, appearances aside, the Del Kior Ducal House would’ve covered the compensation for the damages.
But there was no need to bring up such sensitive matters here, so Abel asked something else.
“How’s Hena’s condition?”
“Not unaffected, but nothing serious health-wise. She’s adapting quickly to her newly awakened abilities too.”
“That’s a relief.”
Fortunately, it matched Abel’s expectations.
As long as no other issues cropped up, Hena would return in two weeks like nothing happened.
Scarlett covered a few more details, then leaned back in her chair and changed the subject.
“Lectures resume in a week.”
“Faster than I thought.”
“Yeah. Any longer, and we might as well cancel the semester. Schedule’s gonna be tight, though.”
“What about exams?”
“The rest are being combined with finals. There was already talk months ago about merging them into one.”
Abel nodded.
In fact, starting next semester, exams would be consolidated into a single one.
From a game perspective, the first semester was basically a tutorial—loose schedule and all.
‘Second semester ramps up hard with the academic calendar and events piling on.’
Abel sorted his thoughts briefly, then moved to broach the original purpose of his visit.
But Scarlett spoke first.
“And starting two days from now, three days of rest. Those who want can go out.”
“Go out?”
“Yeah. Cadets must be pretty fed up by now.”
Scarlett refilled her cup as she continued.
“There was opposition after an incident like this, but Sir Magnus pushed for it—said it’s exactly when we need to show the academy’s still strong.”
The name Magnus made Abel understand. It was just like him.
For Abel, it was perfect.
No need to ask separately—he could head out naturally.
With his original errand off the table, Abel brought up something else.
“Ah, I got the letter you sent.”
“Good. I heard the intel wrap-up was delivered. Satisfied?”
“Yes. Exactly what I wanted. Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Like I said, it’s an investment in the future.”
Scarlett grinned, then tapped the table with her hand.
“Alright, time to get up. I’d love to chat more, but I’ve got a mountain of backlog.”
“Yes. Thank you for your time.”
“Sure. See you next time.”
Abel left under Scarlett’s escort.
His steps were light, having gotten what he wanted.
* * *
Two days later.
Abel slipped out of the academy early in the morning.
It was an officially permitted outing day, so he left at the crack of dawn to avoid the crowds.
“Thank you.”
“Yes. We’ll head out then.”
The carriage was from the Klein family. Securing one amid all the cadets heading out would’ve been tough—lucky break.
Soon, the carriage lumbered away from the academy at a slow pace.
It headed in a different direction than usual.
‘Haven’t been this way in ages.’
Abel peered out the slightly open window, thinking.
Their destination was the southwestern district.
Full of mid-to-low-end inns, it drew merchants and well-off mercenaries.
The person he was visiting today was right there.
The carriage rolled steadily along the road.
The streets were as crowded as ever. Crowds of people. Crowds of carriages.
‘Probably the highest population density on the continent.’
Abel rested his chin, pondering.
The imperial capital housed a massive population.
No official count had been released, but nowhere else came close.
Reasons abounded.
Convenient infrastructure. Good security. Ample opportunities.
Above all, with the imperial palace here, nowhere felt safer.
And it held true to an extent.
The capital had never fallen.
Not yet.
While Abel was lost in thought, the carriage deftly navigated the congestion and entered a street lined with inns.
“We’re almost there.”
The coachman’s voice soon called out.
“Yes.”
Abel replied simply, straightened his clothes, and prepared to disembark.
The carriage came to a full stop.
Abel opened the door himself and stepped out.
Looking up slightly, he saw the inn’s main entrance.
“The Raging Buffalo,” it read. An odd name for an inn.
“I’ll be off then.”
“Yes. Take your time.”
“Thank you.”
Abel gave a slight bow of thanks and entered the inn.
The moment he crossed the threshold, eyes from all around locked onto him.
Early morning, so not too crowded, but a few were having breakfast.
“Hello. Here for a room?”
Before he’d taken a few steps, a young server approached.
Abel shook his head.
“Just food.”
“Ah, yes! Take any open seat.”
“Alright.”
Abel scanned the interior and headed straight for a spot in the back.
Shaded enough that prying eyes wouldn’t linger.
The initial stares soon lost interest and wandered off.
Abel ordered a simple meal from the server and waited quietly.
‘Hope he’s not out.’
This was the inn where the mercenary he sought was staying.
If he’d moved, word would’ve reached him—so he should still be here.
But he could be out today, which couldn’t be ruled out.
‘Can’t just ask the server, though.’
Time was limited, but prying would raise alarms instantly.
The man himself wouldn’t like it either.
Abel decided to wait patiently.
Soon the server brought his food, and Abel ate as leisurely as possible.
After finishing, he ordered several refills of tea to kill time.
Time passed neither fast nor slow.
After a while.
‘Getting dicey.’
Abel fiddled with his nearly empty teacup, thinking.
He’d been there quite some time.
Arrived at dawn, and now it was nearly afternoon.
People might ignore strangers, but Abel stood out: unfamiliar face, young, not a lodger.
He didn’t want excess attention, so he resolved to leave in ten minutes.
‘Plenty of other days anyway.’
But not even five minutes later.
Thud. Thud.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Abel glanced over instinctively and lit up when he saw the source.
Bushy beard. One missing ear. Short hair and a scar crossing his mouth.
‘Found him.’
No two people had a face that distinctive.
To be sure, Abel sidelong-glanced at his build.
‘Over 180 cm. Stocky muscle. Feet bigger than average.’
The more he looked, the surer he felt.
Abel downed his cold tea to calm his excitement.
He’d planned his approach long before arriving.
He waited until the man sat and ordered from the server, then rose naturally.
And walked straight toward him.
The man sat blankly until Abel approached, then looked up.
“What?”
“Mind if I sit?”
“...?”
Seeing the man scowl, Abel added,
“Business.”
“Business?”
The man crossed his arms and grumbled curtly.
“I don’t take just any job...”
But before he finished, the server approached.
“Mr. Carlton. The head chef says no soup till you settle your tab.”
A heavy silence fell at the server’s words.
Carlton, who’d been posturing grandly, clamped his mouth shut like a clam and just rolled his eyes.
“Mr. Carlton? How...”
“Ah, I’ll pay it off! Just bring water!”
“No water either...”
“Sssp!”
The server didn’t flinch even as Carlton glared.
Abel, who’d watched quietly, pulled coins from his pocket.
“Some light snacks and a tea for me. The rest is tip.”
“Ah, got it!”
The server snatched the coins with glee and scurried off.
Once she was gone, Carlton eyed Abel again.
His earlier bluster deflated, but pride kept his mouth shut.
Seeing this, Abel pulled a hefty pouch from his breast and set it on the table, delivering his prepared line.
“Advance pay. Care to hear me out?”
Carlton glanced at the pouch, hesitated, then spoke.
“Fine.”
It went according to plan.