Chapter 130
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: The Hero Stops the Demon King. (7)
"It feels like someone's missing."
Sain had been keeping tabs on his sisters' activities through reports from his people.
So he knew exactly who they'd been with and what they'd been up to.
"Who?"
Both Scarlett and Jenny knew exactly who Sain was talking about.
But neither of them brought it up first.
"..."
Sain didn't press the issue either.
Watching him, Jenny and Scarlett could only think how utterly hopeless he was.
"How long are you staying?"
"Just one night, then we're heading out. Better to be in the capital once the subjugation force is assembled."
Scarlett answered casually.
Of course, she wanted to stay by Kane's side too.
But even setting those feelings aside, what she said was spot on.
"I see."
His gruff brother was a bit disappointed they were only staying a day.
But he wasn't the type to show that kind of affection openly.
Just eating together and catching up was more than enough.
That's what he told himself.
Of course, even as they talked, a twinge of disappointment hit him now and then—he'd been hoping Kane would join them after so long.
"Kane's been training really hard lately, big brother."
His sisters, knowing his personality well, occasionally dropped Kane's name into the conversation.
"Yeah. I know."
Most of it was stuff Sain already knew, though.
"How does he know everything...?"
"Doesn't he know more about Kane than we do?"
The two sisters whispered to each other.
"Anyway, you must be tired. Get some rest."
Sain had prepared a separate room for Rin too, then headed back to his office.
Rin was a little surprised he wouldn't even take a proper break on the day his sisters visited.
But Jenny and Scarlett, used to it, went straight to their rooms.
"Still spotless as ever."
Stepping into their always-empty rooms, the sisters felt their brother's love in the pristine condition.
That was Sain.
He cherished his sisters more than anyone.
And deep down, he had tremendous respect for Kane.
Even after all this time apart, nothing had changed.
"My room's the best."
Her childhood room was filled with memories.
Memories of their mother from when they were very young, their father.
And memories with Kane, back when he was just a kid too.
The Marquis Harkur territory was precious to them because it was their homeland, brimming with those memories.
"Rin might get bored, though."
Unlike them, Rin had no special attachment here, so it made sense.
"Nah, we can't just leave her hanging."
They bickered all the time.
But they weren't the type to ignore her in a situation like this.
"Rin, you up?"
Jenny knocked on the door of Rin's room.
"No, just hanging out."
"Mind if I come in?"
"Yeah, of course."
The door opened, revealing Rin fresh from a bath, her hair still damp as she'd changed into pajamas.
"All cleaned up? Heading to bed?"
"Yeah, I've been pretty wiped out."
"Everything okay? Comfortable?"
It felt a bit late to ask now, but...
"A little uncomfortable, but it's fine."
Rin answered surprisingly sweetly.
If it'd been Scarlett asking, she probably would've snapped back a bit.
"Thought you might be lonely, so I came to share some old stories."
"Old stories?"
"Yeah! Like Kane's childhood tales?"
Rin's eyes, which had looked tired just moments ago, suddenly sparkled.
"Kane's childhood? Tell me everything!"
She'd been lingering at the door, but now she hurriedly guided Jenny to the table.
They sat across from each other with a cup of tea, and the stories about Kane's youth began.
"Kane was extraordinary even as a kid. When he trained all of Father's private soldiers, he must've been about..."
The tales went on late into the night.
Rin's resolve to sleep early so she could meet Kane at dawn shattered completely.
But she was happy.
These were stories from Kane's childhood she never knew—and ones he'd never share himself.
A rare opportunity indeed.
"Oh... it's so late. I should head to bed."
"Can't you tell more?!"
"Hmm, next time?"
It was really time to sleep now.
The faint light of dawn was already creeping in.
Or rather, it was more like very early morning than late night.
Yes, right up until the sun was about to rise.
That's how long they spent sharing stories of Kane's childhood.
"See you at breakfast~"
With a casual wave, Jenny left, and Rin sank into thought.
Her goal was to head out early, so she could skip sleep and go now.
She'd already told Kane she'd come early.
A bit tired, but she could push through.
"Sorry, can't do breakfast together."
Bowing toward the door Jenny had just exited, Rin stood, gathered her things.
"I'll head out first. Take your time, you two."
She left a quick note and departed the mansion ahead of them, bound for Kane.
After hearing those adorable childhood stories, she missed him even more.
"Kane, I'm on my way!"
Besides, his voice from yesterday's call had carried some inexplicable loneliness.
"Get here as fast as you can."
Rin headed to the address Kane had given her, her face brighter than ever despite not sleeping a wink.
Extra! Extra!
Mera Coalition's Atrocities!
Demon Summoning!
Headlines like those dominated the front pages of newspapers reporting on world affairs, marked as emergency breaking news.
Video crystals capturing their crimes had been secured as evidence.
Copies had already been distributed to every nation.
Rumors spread like wildfire that the Empire and its allies would strike the Mera Coalition.
People couldn't help but buzz with shock.
"Demon worshippers...?"
"The Mera Coalition, how could they...?"
"What a terrifying world."
And right on its heels, news that Parus Remnant, Hero Academy's principal, was deeply involved spread everywhere too.
Nobles and commoners alike were stunned.
The most esteemed academy.
Its highest figure.
Was in league with demon worshippers?
"...The world's gone mad..."
"Heavens... is my kid safe?!"
The academy was swamped from morning with unprecedented crowds.
Nobles rushed to withdraw their children, declaring they could no longer trust the place, heading back to their territories.
"This is insane... what the hell is going on...?"
The faculty went into full panic mode upon hearing the news.
They'd always respected Parus.
Followed him devoutly.
Believed his methods were right, without a shred of doubt.
"How could the principal betray us like this?!"
"Exactly! This can't be real!"
The teachers raged.
But few pitied them.
They'd clung to their own comfortable ways, using Parus as an excuse.
"What do we do now...?"
"Nobles are already cutting off funding left and right."
"This is a crisis..."
"The academy might shut down...!"
A chill ran down their spines.
They had to prevent the academy's closure at all costs.
"Wh-what about... Kane? Bringing that man in could fix this, right?!"
One quiet teacher finally spoke up.
"Kane...?"
"That commoner teacher..."
Memories of Kane started surfacing one by one.
Sure, he'd been just a commoner back then.
But looking back, his teaching methods had been remarkable.
"...The death rate plummeted when that commoner teacher was around. Hate to admit it, but it's true."
Deep down, they all knew.
Kane's prowess was extraordinary.
They just hadn't wanted to acknowledge it.
"And his stock's skyrocketing now, from what I hear."
"Even His Majesty the Emperor favors him."
A man favored by the Emperor.
Plus, the academy's two standout students, Jenny and Mersenne? They'd adored Kane.
Jenny had even become an adventurer following him.
Put it all together, and anyone with a brain could see how high Kane's standing was now.
"Y-yes... let's bring him in!"
"If he becomes principal, we can save the academy from closure!"
"No way, a commoner...?"
"Commoner or not, he's way above you right now!"
Opinions split among the faculty.
But the calls to summon Kane drowned them out.
"We're at the point where we'd have to beg on our knees!"
If the academy collapsed, they'd lose their jobs.
For veteran teachers like them, there'd be nowhere else to go.
"He's in the capital right now, apparently."
"He played a huge role exposing the Mera Coalition mess."
"Find a way to contact him, whatever it takes!"
The Hero Academy faculty sprang into frantic action.
Because the countdown to the academy's demise had already begun.