Chapter 228
Chapter 228
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 228
Chapter Title: Temporary Contract Instructor (2)
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When he received the letter from the Sword Saint, the Emperor could not help but be moved to tears.
It was already impressive enough that he had slain the great evil Banechia of Saekyeol, but to take down two foes of equal caliber on top of that was only natural cause for such a reaction.
What moved the Emperor most of all was that the one who had slain those two was none other than Demian Haksen.
‘As expected of Demian Haksen. He truly lives up to being the man I’ve had my eye on!’
Could it even make sense for a knight who had only just reached the master class to defeat two powerhouses on par with a great evil?
Such doubts flickered briefly in his mind, but he decided to ignore them. Every now and then, geniuses were born who shattered all common sense.
Moreover, it came with the Sword Saint’s personal endorsement. There was no room for suspicion.
‘Demian Haksen must truly have imperial blood running through his veins. There’s no other way he could possess such talent.’
At the end of the letter was a special request from the Sword Saint.
-Your Majesty, the great evil Sla is believed to be hiding in the Academy. Please permit Demian Haksen to be hired as a temporary instructor for the purposes of the search. This is also Demian Haksen’s own request.
Before he had even finished reading, the Emperor resolved to grant the request.
Because it was the Sword Saint asking? No. Because it was Demian Haksen’s request.
The Emperor immediately convened a secret council. A handful of ministers who knew about the Demon Subjugation Squad gathered.
There, the Emperor revealed the Sword Saint’s letter and declared,
“I permit the hiring of Demian Haksen as an instructor at the Academy.”
It went without saying, but the ministers reacted with fierce opposition.
“There has never been a single instance in the Academy’s long history of hiring an outsider from another nation as an instructor!”
“This would violate the Academy’s traditions!”
The ministers cried out in alarm at the Emperor’s declaration.
Under normal circumstances, he would have listened to them. That was the virtue of a true sovereign. But the Emperor had no intention of upholding such virtues at this moment.
Besides, he had the perfect excuse to dismiss their complaints.
“This is a request sent by the Sword Saint in his capacity as leader of the Demon Subjugation Squad. Are we to miss the chance to capture the great evil Sla over some dusty old Academy traditions?!”
At the Emperor’s bellow, the ministers could only fall silent.
The great evil Sla was an especially dangerous figure even among the villains of Pandemonium.
Over three digits’ worth of nobles and talents had betrayed the Empire after falling under Sla’s sway, and the number of imperial citizens sacrificed to Sla’s experiments exceeded five digits.
“Your Majesty, if we bring in a knight from another country as an instructor, the dissatisfaction among the noble students at the Academy will pierce the heavens.”
But the ministers did not give up easily. The Academy’s prestige was that immense.
“Then are we to just let Sla go free?”
The Emperor now held the perfect justification. He could be as stubborn as he pleased.
“But Demian Haksen is from the Kingdom of Apple…”
“Enough! I don’t want to hear another word!”
Unable to bear it any longer, the Emperor erupted in anger.
What did it matter that he was a knight of the Kingdom of Apple? He might very well have imperial blood.
“Sir Demian has undertaken perilous tasks for the Empire without hesitation! He’s eliminated two powerhouses infamous even in Pandemonium! We should be racking our brains over how to reward him, not outright refusing his request?!”
As he spoke, the Emperor paused to consider.
Yes, for such monumental achievements, a reward was obviously in order.
He continued, pondering what form that reward should take.
“Above all, it’s not permanent—it’s only temporary. He only asked to remain at the Academy until Sla is captured!”
The ministers exchanged glances. With the Emperor’s will so firm, they could no longer oppose him.
But there was one minister who still refused to yield.
“Your Majesty, Dean Altmann Bedepulite will not look kindly on this decision either.”
At the name Altmann, the Emperor faltered.
Altmann Bedepulite.
The current dean of the Academy, former master of the White Tower, a transcendent being holding the rank of Grand Sorcerer.
In truth, even such titles were not enough to defy the Emperor’s will.
In the Empire, the Emperor was absolute, and all imperial subjects had to bow to his authority.
But Altmann was a slight exception. He had been the Emperor’s teacher since his youth.
The Emperor let out a groan.
No matter one’s position above all others, it was impossible to treat one’s old mentor from youth recklessly.
Demian Haksen, or the mentor who had taught him for so many years.
The deliberation was brief, and the decision simple.
“Even so, my will remains unchanged.”
The Emperor did not bend.
“Demian Haksen will be hired as an instructor at the Academy.”
And so, Demian’s posting to the Academy was decided.
* * *
“You’re approved.”
Early in the morning.
The Sword Saint visited Demian, his face a picture of bewilderment as he delivered the news.
“You show up while I’m eating, and that’s the greeting I get?”
“His Majesty has given permission for you to enter the Academy as an instructor.”
At those words, Demian felt more puzzlement than joy.
The Emperor himself had approved it? Hadn’t the Sword Saint said it would be difficult to get the Emperor’s consent?
“Ha… well… His Majesty isn’t usually like this… Pandemonium matters are important, but he’s always placed greater weight on imperial law and order…”
The Sword Saint showed a similar reaction to Demian.
“…Anyway, it worked out. Now all that’s left is finding Sla.”
The Sword Saint’s eyes sharpened. Demian nodded with a serious expression.
“Since things are moving so hastily, you need to arrive at the Academy the day after tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“I’ll infiltrate a few from the Demon Subjugation Squad as well. Use them for whatever you need.”
With that, the Sword Saint departed the estate.
Once the Sword Saint was gone, Demian gathered his companions.
Michael, Veronica, Liam Bluegreen, and even Rachel sat before him.
“I’ve been hired as a swordsmanship instructor at the Empire’s Academy for the time being.”
Demian informed the group.
A heavy silence fell over them.
“Uh… Sir Demian? I think I must have misheard.”
The eldest, Liam Bluegreen, asked Demian.
“Hired as a swordsmanship instructor at the Academy? How? No, before that—why? What’s the reason?”
“Didn’t I just win the Helian Grand Tournament? So they asked me to come give some special lectures.”
Unable to tell the full truth, Demian had no choice but to deceive them.
“…W-Wait a second. They invited you to the Academy for that reason?”
Rachel, her face a mask of shock, asked again. As an imperial citizen, she immediately grasped how absurd Demian’s claim was.
“The Academy would never do that. Is it really true?”
“If you don’t believe me, see for yourself.”
Demian handed Rachel the Academy’s employment certificate. Her eyes widened to three times their size as she looked at it.
“B-Big brother! That’s amazing!”
Michael reacted belatedly. Reverence and awe overflowed from his face.
“P-Pffft! Hahaha!”
But Veronica was different. She clutched her belly, laughing.
“An instructor! Demian Haksen as an instructor. Th-That’s ridiculous. P-Pffft… Ow! Ack!”
Demian smashed his fist into Veronica’s head. Once wasn’t enough to vent his anger, so he hit her twice more.
“Sir Liam, I have business to finish in the Empire, so please take Michael and Veronica back to the kingdom first. I’ll follow once my work is done.”
“Understood. We’ll do that.”
“Michael, once you reach the kingdom, go to the Haksen Viscountcy and deliver this letter for me.”
Demian handed Michael a letter. Since he’d be arriving late, he figured a letter would suffice.
“Veronica, you… just do whatever.”
“Wh-Why don’t you give me any tasks?!”
As Demian raised his fist again, Veronica immediately shut her mouth.
“Then I’ll head out. I need to reach the Academy by the day after tomorrow.”
With that, Demian left first.
“Sir Demian being called to the Academy as an instructor… What an incredible turn of events.”
The moment Demian was gone, Liam Bluegreen marveled.
He knew full well how prestigious the Empire’s Academy was.
For a knight from the Kingdom of Apple to be invited there as an instructor—it was nothing short of extraordinary.
“But… is he going to be okay?”
Then, Rachel murmured softly, drawing the eyes of the other three to her.
“Demian as a swordsmanship instructor… His skills are certainly top-notch… and he’s a good teacher too, but…”
Excluding Liam Bluegreen, the other three had all trained directly under Demian.
His instruction itself was of extremely high caliber and depth.
The problem was his teaching methods.
If one slacked off even a little or fell short of expectations, he would mercilessly wield the stick.
-Looks like it’s time to ‘reform’ your laziness.
-Don’t worry. I’ll ‘reform’ those bad habits of yours.
Whatever he did to that stick, every blow made his whole body ache.
What drove one mad was that no matter how much he was beaten, no wounds appeared on the body.
Since no injuries formed no matter how hard he hit, Demian Haksen wielded the stick without hesitation.
Thanks to that, their skills improved by leaps and bounds—but it was equally agonizing and horrific.
“And the Academy is full of high noble brats…”
The four stared blankly at the door Demian had exited through.
All four shared the same unspoken question.
Was it really okay to just let Demian go like this?