Chapter 223
Chapter 223
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 223
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Guard of the Count's Family
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All the professors of Goldway Academy had been summoned to the conference room.
Over forty professors, led by the dean, were all staring at Floyd.
"......I'm not sure if that monster is really a demon, but even if it's not, that monster is dangerous. I couldn't even land a proper counterattack on it. We need to report this to His Majesty the Cobalt King and request support."
Floyd addressed the professors.
The professors were each lost in thought, and Dean Havis's face was gravely hardened.
The only non-professors present were me and Melissa, the student council president.
I was attending the meeting as a person involved, while Melissa represented the students. On top of that, Melissa was the eldest daughter of the Arhen Ducal House. If she called on her family's power, she could wield influence over the academy that even the dean couldn't ignore.
"......Professor Floyd. That monster might not be a demon. Couldn't some black mage have created a mana beast and abandoned it in that cave? We lack the information to conclude it's a demon."
Dean Havis was skeptical of the demon's existence. Unlike his kindly appearance, he was a man brimming with greed.
Just the fact that I'd been able to enroll in Goldway Academy by "donating" money to him proved as much.
If he were truly upright and incorruptible, I never would have set foot in the academy.
'If word gets out that there's a demon, the city will plunge into chaos right away. Citizens will panic, and students will scramble to flee the city.'
In the worst case, people might think the academy itself would shut down. And no one knew how much money and time it would take to hunt down a demon gone into hiding.
From the dean's perspective, denying the demon was the way to protect his career, wealth, and power.
'That's the facade. Behind closed doors, he'll hunt it down. It's too big a risk to ignore.'
A few professors nodded in agreement with the dean.
"Without concrete evidence, Goldway Academy will be accused of sowing chaos among the Cobalt Kingdom's people... no, everyone on the continent."
But there were professors who disagreed.
"But what if it really is a demon? That demon drew a magic circle with a thief's blood. We still haven't fully deciphered the magic circle it drew."
The professor pointed to one wall of the conference room.
There, on large sheets of paper, were two magic circles drawn in black ink. One was from the cave wall, the other a transcription of the one from the ceiling.
"Professor Mariel, who entered the cave for the investigation, detected no magical response. Those circles might just be elaborate doodles."
"Doodles...? Are you really a magic department professor? Treating such intricate magic circles like scribbles. We simply don't understand them yet. Deciphering magic circles is our job, and for the world's sake, we must find that demon."
"As the dean said, it's too soon to call it a demon. Objectively speaking, the odds it's not are pretty high."
The professors traded opinions. Though varied, their views fell into three camps: those convinced it was a demon, those who thought otherwise, and those keeping silent.
"Hold on. Professors! Quiet down! We can't yet determine if it's a demon or some monster. Professor Floyd is from the swordsmanship department—surely she knows something about demons? Student Yujin is the same. Their word alone isn't enough basis to declare it a demon."
"......"
Floyd's right eye twitched. But she said nothing. The dean was right; she had no real knowledge of demons.
'This is the reality for swordsmanship department professors.'
The ones speaking up were mostly from the magic department. The swordsmanship professors stayed mostly silent. No point opening their mouths here—they'd just get shut down by the mages.
"Dean. What is your opinion?"
"We need to figure out those magic circles first. Does anyone know what they are?"
"......"
The professors fell silent.
If even Archmage Dean Havis didn't know, how could they?
'Knowledge on demons—especially their magic—is exceedingly rare and forbidden.'
The circles had been drawn by Yuria.
Yuria had gotten a book from Bella Huthris, who once contracted with the Plague Demon long ago. Those were the spells from that book.
"Professor Priscilla. What do you think?"
All eyes turned to Priscilla. She sat with her arms crossed, quietly.
"......Why ask me?"
She spoke bluntly to the dean, without honorifics.
I glanced around. I knew she was a dragon, so it didn't faze me, but how would the others react?
The professors seemed unfazed, more than I'd expected.
'Probably because Priscilla operates publicly as an archmage.'
I watched the dean's reaction.
"Professor Priscilla excels in magic circle knowledge, doesn't she?"
The dean handled Priscilla carefully, his tone softer than with the others.
He knew her true nature. There must have been some deal between them for her to serve as a professor.
"......"
Priscilla rose from her chair and walked to the wall with the magic circles.
She pointed at the one on the right—the ceiling circle from the cave depths.
"It's a sacrifice ritual magic circle. Converts a living being's life force into mana."
...As expected of a dragon. It matched exactly what Yuria had described.
"Impressive, Professor Priscilla. A circle that sinister must be demonic work."
One professor exclaimed in admiration. But Priscilla shook her head.
"Can't say for sure."
"Pardon?"
"Demons aren't the only ones who use it. Black mages employ it frequently too. Evil magic doesn't belong exclusively to demons."
"......"
Priscilla pointed to the adjacent circle.
"This one has two meanings."
"......Two?"
This time, the dean asked. He and the other mages' eyes gleamed with curiosity for new knowledge.
"One is a summoning circle. For calling forth the Demon King."
The room erupted in instant uproar at Priscilla's words.
"What the hell! The Demon King?!"
"So it is a demon?!"
"Quiet! Be silent. Professor Priscilla's explanation isn't finished."
At the dean's command, everyone hushed and focused on her. Priscilla glanced around pityingly before continuing.
"I don't get the panic. You couldn't summon the Demon King with a single circle like this. Using humans as sacrifices would require at least a kingdom's worth."
"......And the other meaning?"
"Worship."
"Worship...?"
"It's also a symbol of the Demon King. Lesser demons draw it to pay homage."
"So, as Professor Priscilla says... that thing in the cave was a demon?"
"Don't know."
"......But you just said lesser demons use these circles to worship the Demon King."
"Demon worshippers with deep knowledge know them too. Drawing these two doesn't prove it's a demon. The cave dwellers might've just used human blood to draw them."
"......So it could be humans, not demons."
They'd learned about the circles, but the case grew murkier still.
The meeting dragged on.
Priscilla left midway.
"Professor Priscilla. Where are you going?"
"My research is more urgent than this meeting."
"......"
The dean had no retort to her rudeness. Now I was certain—he knew what she was.
The meeting finally ended as evening fell.
"We can't confirm if that cave thing was a demon or a worshipper. It's a grave matter, so we need more details. Without solid grounds to call it a demon, we'll hold off judging the creature Professor Floyd saw. Carry on with your duties as usual. But under no circumstances leak anything from this meeting. For the academy and the city. I trust your cooperation."
"Surely you're not planning to sweep this under the rug, Dean?"
"Of course not. I'm well aware of the risks. We'll summon demon experts to the academy, and some professors will conduct discreet investigations with me."
In the end, no immediate full-scale demon hunt.
'Just as Yuria planned.'
Good for me. I wanted to keep enjoying academy life. There were still women I hadn't tasted.
I glanced at one female professor. Our eyes met, and she curled her lips into a seductive smirk.
'The pervert I met in front of the burger joint last time.... So that's what she meant by "see you again."'
The woman I'd lined up with for burgers, then fucked right there in the street. I'd been in academy uniform at the time. She knew who I was and went ahead anyway.
'Lewd bitch. I'll pay her a visit later.'
"Haa. The dean's got no intention of a proper investigation. He's stalling in hopes that demon flees the city."
Floyd leaned against a window in the dim corridor, sighing.
I agreed. The dean would let this fade away. Easier that way.
"You seem disappointed in him, Professor Floyd."
"I am. I expected the dean to take more decisive action."
"What kind of action do you think would be right?"
"Even without alerting the public, have every professor hunt the demon... Eut. Wh-what are you doing?"
I reached out with both hands, groping her breasts and ass. One hand slipped into her blouse to knead her full breasts, the other dove into her pants to rub her pussy.
"What? Just caressing you, like it looks."
"M-Master.... This is the corridor. If someone comes...!"
"Sun's set—who's coming here? Besides... your pussy's already wet."
"This is... Aang...!"
"If you're my scabbard, then take my flesh sword like a good sheath."
"Ang... Yes.... Master...!"
I yanked down the female knight's pants and thrust my cock inside.
Once we were alone in the student council room, Melissa asked me,
"Yujin. You asked me about demons before, and you and Professor Floyd nearly died investigating traces that led to the cave. You knew early on that a demon was hiding in this city. Why didn't you speak up?"
"......It was just a hunch. Even heading to the cave with Professor Floyd was to gather evidence. Who would believe me without proof?"
"If you'd told me the truth and asked for help, I would've aided you."
My eyes gleamed at Melissa's words. This was my chance.
"......Can you really help?"
"I'm the student council president. I don't turn down a student's legitimate request."
"There are a few suspicious spots this time. Professor Floyd's swamped with tournament prep, and the other professors wouldn't buy what I say. President, help me out."
"Suspicious how... demon-related?"
"Not sure. That's what I'm checking."
"I'll help. What exactly?"
"Turtle Dormitory. I want to check there."
"Turtle Dorm? Nothing's wrong there... Ah. The ghost rumors. But no student's actually seen one. I figured it was just academy gossip.... You think otherwise?"
"No chimney smokes without fire."
"A demon hiding in the academy doesn't add up, but... fine. Let's check it out. The rumors have bugged me too. When?"
"Now.... No, tonight. Ghosts usually appear deep in the night."