Chapter 86
Chapter 86
Episode 86
[Main Story] No.2 Betting Table (2)
There are things that are childish yet drive people mad.
Nicknames.
Battalion had recently been called Satalion on the web.
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< Satalion's Recent Status: Burping >
Tax, kkuhm lol
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Why Satalion?
Because it was short for "Swindler Battalion."
Battalion gritted his teeth.
‘Damn brats…’
Who was he, the great sniper-assassin Battalion Argius?
A businessman who earned more money than ordinary people could in generations.
A Grandmaster, the 415th ranked high-ranker martial artist among hundreds of millions of humans.
And a renowned Head Professor, a seventy-something youth (by Battalion's standards) who was treated as an adult everywhere he went.
Yet, due to his high desire for honor, such a childish nickname was unbearably agonizing.
‘I won’t look.’
He told himself he wouldn't look, but!
Even though he tried not to, it caught his eye everywhere.
Every time he saw it, the web posts grated on his nerves.
───
< Satalion, this bastard, can't you get rid of him? >
He kept boasting about rooting out the [Illusion Magic] stolen by Hiaka, but what's the reality?
Yesterday, the Imperial Academy sent an official document requesting Head Professor Kain for a special lecture on [Illusion Magic] lololol
We're not short on rankers, so shouldn't we just get our money back and kick him out?
───
"Go away, you bastards."
───
< Satalion ← Isn't he going to return to Hiaka like this? >
Betrayal isn't easy the first time, but the second time seems doable, right?
They say infidelity is addictive, so betrayal must be too.
Isn't he going to run off to Hiaka again, taking Kreutz's [Illusion Magic] roots with him? Hmm lol;;
───
"You think I'll leave, you bastards."
───
< Satalion ← Do you have a mom? >
Don't you only have two dads, and you scammed them?
───
"Random nonsense!"
"Why are you tormenting me!!"
He threw the [crystal ball] as if having a seizure.
CRASH!!
He had simply not anticipated the appearance of some unknown person named Kain.
It was like a natural disaster.
He was being cursed to an extent he couldn't comprehend.
‘I returned the penalty fees too, you worm-like bastards!’
Amidst it all, there was a post that made his heart sink.
───
< I'm an expatriate worker for the Imperial Assassination Daily. >
Wow, this is legendary. The promotion is three times more than usual, and the marketing phones are ringing off the hook. If the timing were March, this would definitely be the cover story for the year.
Amulet really needs to do a good interview.
───
"Damn it!"
Today was the day.
'Amulet' was the daughter of a renowned Illusion Magic family from Kreutz.
She was a genius student nurtured by national support.
Kreutz was sending her as Gray Habanero's rival to ruin the monthly cover model's photoshoot.
‘If this goes wrong, it won't be just one or two people who suffer…’
Why was Hiaka trying to put Gray as the Assassination Daily's model?
It was for public sentiment.
To portray Hiaka as the underdog on the continent, an unfairly attacked victim.
And to announce that Hiaka's [Illusion Magic], which had supposedly fallen, was still intact.
Conversely, the reason Kreutz was sending Amulet Carolina was the same.
The damage scale due to Hiaka's revenge using the [Book of the Underworld] was half and half, and if they were treated as perpetrators in continental society, they would face continuous disadvantages.
Weren't discussions about 'punitive tariffs on the aggressor nation' already coming from the Imperial Federation?
Moreover, they needed to show that Amulet was superior.
‘Still, if it's Senior Professor Bakien…’
The optimal solution currently was to 'cancel the interview itself.'
And the plan Bakien proposed was simple yet effective: detonate explosives in the dressing room where Gray and Amulet would be together.
Amulet would also be slightly injured, but Gray would be more so, and if they were caught together, they would be relatively free from suspicion of terrorism…
It was precisely then.
The Kreutz employee from the Assassination Daily, who had called himself an 'expatriate worker,' posted again.
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< [Real-time] Ah, this is annoying >
They're bringing a princess from Hiaka, f*ck.
What kind of nonsense is this, doing it without any notice? ---
I haven't prepared any of the protocol, ah.
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"What?!"
A princess is accompanying them?
And so, after confirming through other sources, it was true.
Why all of a sudden?
The sources said that 'Senior Professor Dante' had suddenly joined their party, but there was nothing else unusual.
‘Dante…?’
A face flashed in his mind. The face of the handsome and intelligent new professor he had met in front of the seminar hall in the past.
-
It's about the attackers who ambushed the Neutral Head Professor Corps' Assassination Squad.
-
Ah, I see.
-
Could they possibly be affiliated with the Kreutz Kingdom?
A conversation that had made his heart sink.
‘…That guy, became a Senior Professor?’
Already?
The way he rose suggested it was likely a special wartime administrative measure.
He seemed to have profited from the Assassination War.
The important thing was that if the princess accompanied them, Bakien's terrorist operation would fail.
One couldn't dare attack royalty!
It meant ruin.
His heart grew urgent.
"Professor Bakien! What in the world is going on?! The princess is here!!"
Battalion frantically called Bakien and unleashed his anger.
But the response he received was absurd.
-
So what do you want me to do about it!
"W-what do you want me to do…?"
-
So what if the princess appeared! Why are you yelling at me? Did I tell the princess to come!?
"You, you…."
-
I just found out too!!
Bakien's voice was just as strained.
-
Is this my fault? I did everything I could! I bribed the Assassination Daily executives! I begged my old colleagues who had gone incommunicado! I prepared the bombs! Do you know how much money goes into preparing for terrorism?!
He had even deceived Kreutz itself to prepare.
Because Amulet had to get caught in the crossfire and get hurt.
That was how the scenario of 'Terrorism against the Assassination Daily' turning into 'Gray Habanero was unfortunately targeted' would be completed.
-
But how could I predict the princess would come?! I got cursed out by the Assassination Daily executives too! They asked if I told them to plant bombs knowing the princess would come! I got slapped in the conference room just now, and how many connections did I lose because of that!?
"……."
-
No, who the hell is the idiot who suddenly suggested bringing the princess?! I want to see that guy's face! Don't you know him!?
"I-I don't know!"
-
Why don't you know? He's from Hiaka!!
At this moment, Battalion felt a surge of anger from deep within his heart. He suddenly remembered how his scummy friends had insulted him at the bar the day he met Bakien.
However, this was not the time to bring up personal feelings.
He had to ruin the photoshoot, even if it cost Bakien his life.
And Battalion knew Bakien's gambling debts precisely.
"Professor Bakien! Listen carefully."
-
What is it now!!
"I'll give you 72 million Hica as a success bonus!"
-
……!!
With silent shock, the ranting stopped.
The man was flustered.
72 million Hica.
With that money, this ruined gambler could escape a life where even his parents' inheritance was mortgaged and start a new life.
Did he not begrudge giving away such a large sum?
‘It’s a waste!’
Damn it, it was a waste. But he couldn't help it.
The moment Gray announced that Hiaka's [Illusion Magic] was intact, he would be showered with immense curses from the Kreutz citizens and royalty.
And during that time, he would have to watch Hiaka, whom he had betrayed, rise to prominence!
"Unconditionally, unconditionally cancel the photoshoot! By any means necessary. Understood!?"
-
…….
With a calmer breath, at the end of it. Bakien said in a low voice.
-
Go f*ck yourself.
He was refused.
Click!
The call was cut off.
"……."
After that, Battalion's assistant professor had to listen to his Head Professor smashing all the office furniture for two hours.
Early morning. I arrived at the airship. Senior Professor Wilhelm waved.
"Yo. Professor Dante."
A tall middle-aged man with a languid expression. Sloppy attire. Slightly unshaven. Curly hair.
"Please take care of me, Senior."
"Uh-huh. Me too."
After greeting him, I also greeted those with him.
"Haaam…"
Wilhelm yawned with a listless expression, but it wasn't that he lacked motivation; he was just that kind of person.
He was a professor of assassination protection magic, ranked 876th.
As the most senior adult among the photoshoot party, he represented Hiaka Academy's stance.
He was a dual citizen of the Empire and the person who arranged this photoshoot with the Assassination Daily, known for not listening to others.
Although he was of the White Path, he readily accepted Gray (of the Black Path) as his charge, which showed his excellent character.
"Gray departed first on the royal airship. Let's go too."
"Yes."
We came to the airport in Sector 4, where I had argued yesterday.
If we went to the Empire, Senior Wilhelm, his assistant professor, myself, Gray, the academy maid Lucy, the princess, Cheongru, and Reim, a total of eight people would be traveling together.
Soon, the airship took off.
To the Imperial Peaceful Belly.
It was the Imperial city where the Assassination Daily's headquarters was located. The most important companies from across the continent gathered there.
On the way, I flipped through the magazine that had recorded the Assassination Daily's highest circulation this year.
In this 'magical worldview,' magazines were similar to subscription-based YouTube; even the images printed on paper scraps were all videos.
‘Hmm.’
After re-examining the magazine I had already flipped through several times, I was convinced.
‘Gray is better.’
According to my judgment, Gray has competitiveness.
Her situation, her character, her abilities… she has the potential to enhance Hiaka's overall image, reveal that [Illusion Magic] is intact, and has the competitiveness to be a national banner.
‘If the photoshoot goes smoothly, that is.’
It was then.
A quest appeared.
┃ Main Quest [Supervising Professor]
┃ Reward: Star Fragment × 25 / Differential payment based on the Assassination Daily photoshoot results
25 pieces! It was an unusual special reward, having received 50 (Hotfix) and 100 (Peaceful Mark gift) before.
This was an unprecedented reward for a single quest.
‘It says differential payment based on the model's public sentiment, out of 25.’
I intended to make it a 10:0 score and take all 25 pieces.
After crossing the sky for about two hours.
"……We're almost there."
It was my first trip to the Empire.
As I disembarked from the airship, an incredibly vast and beautiful city unfolded.
Aesthetically pleasing and beautiful city planning. One-tenth of the colossal buildings floated in the air.
It was a shocking sight for those who had spent a long time only in Hiaka.
"Wow…. It's really incredibly vast."
"This is the Empire's largest industrial city…. Are these buildings all built by the same person?"
The party marveled like country bumpkins seeing a city for the first time.
For reference, Peaceful Belly's total city income ranks 4th among continental nations. This is why the Empire is the overwhelming hegemonic power.
"Professor. Look at that castle. It's flying!"
"Hmm…. It blocks the sunlight, so it's crude, I guess…"
Wilhelm's words, which somehow sounded deflated, were followed by us heading towards the Assassination Daily headquarters.
It was similar to real-world media or broadcasting stations, and it was packed with people.
After meeting various officials, we headed to the waiting room.
"Oh, look at her."
Near the restroom, a girl dressed in dazzling attire suddenly caught my eye.
● Assassination Studies Amulet†
Ah, that child… I'm seeing her here, just like this.
She was Kreutz's genius [Illusion Magic] assassin student.
Gray's rival.
It seemed they had also put immense effort into preparing for such an important event. She was as tall as Elise, wearing high heels, and her tiara was full of jewels. She was incredibly glamorous from head to toe, as if light was bursting forth.
Senior Wilhelm raised his assistant professor's jaw with his hand. 'Mouth.' 'Ah, I'm sorry….' He had been staring blankly.
"...But it's an Imperial style."
The assistant professor said. It was like a jewel-filled dress from medieval Europe, but slightly more modern attire. As if trying to score points with the Assassination Daily.
"Amulet. Quickly."
"Huh? Ah…"
At that moment, a professor accompanying Amulet spotted us and hurriedly led the child away as if shielding her.
From their perspective, we were murderers.
"Hmm. Our kid is better."
"You haven't seen her yet."
"Quiet. Our kid is just better."
Wilhelm slapped the back of his assistant professor's head. Thus, we headed to the waiting room. Even the waiting room here was better than my professor's mansion.
As Assassination Daily staff came to give us various instructions,
I moved separately and headed to Gray's dressing room. While doing so, I placed my hand on the [Colossus Soldier's Sword ○] and heightened my tension.
This was because of the second incident I had seen in the altered timeline.
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Imperial Public Security Investigation Journal - Gray Habanero Assault Incident
1.
Initial Occurrence of Attack - Attack Classification: Explosion of Unknown Details / Location: Assassination Daily Dressing Room / Time of Incident - 13:21
….
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< 13:18 >
It was 3 minutes from now.
Although it was common sense that there would be no terror because Rebecca was here, I couldn't be too sure.
< 13:19 >
I checked the situation with the [Minimap]. It was not visible.
Still, just in case, I intended to enter the dressing room and cover the entire area with my hand using the [Colossus Soldier's Sword ○]. So as not to be caught in an explosion.
< 13:20 >
Finally, when it was one minute before,
I tried to open the dressing room door.
However, just as I was about to place my hand on the doorknob, the door swung open inward, and someone appeared.
"...Hah, you startled me."
A voice too familiar.
But the appearance was not familiar.
"Professor."
First, I moved the hand of the [Colossus Soldier's Sword ○] to envelop the interior of the dressing room, and only then did my mind return to reality.
In front of me was Gray.
And that guy,
Wow.
…I had wondered what Gray would look like when I saw Kreutz's Amulet earlier, and I was amazed. So much so that a hollow laugh escaped me.
Her hair was neatly tied up and pinned with a hairpin. The neckline was exposed. Below that, she wore a dress. A vintage gray dress. But the dress was somehow familiar.
According to the setting, it was Hiaka's traditional attire.
In the past, Dino had said that one world was tailored to one player. Perhaps that was why. Hiaka's traditional attire resembled a fusion hanbok.
There were almost no decorations, conveying a sense of space and restraint. Yet, with her shoulders and neck exposed, red and blue tattoos were embedded like accessories.
As the crowning touch, a jet-black choker held a cat's bell… the symbol of the Habanero family.
I was purely admiring it.
Symbolism, elegance, a touch of daring, and contradictory beauty – everything was included.
The royal attendant's ability was astonishing. To have made this impetuous brat look like this?
"Ta-da…?"
At that moment, she spun around, holding the hem of her skirt.
Then, pretending to be elegant, she bowed her head and asked.
"How is it?"
In the dressing room, while getting dressed. While adorning herself.
She had felt it.
How she looked right now.
She already knew the answer. That's why there wasn't even a hint of shyness.
It was infuriating.
I absolutely did not want to tell her the answer.
"...You're really beautiful."
But what could I do?
It was all I could say.
"……."
Gray slowly raised both hands and covered her eyes with the blue butterflies on the back of her hands. She also lowered her head slightly. But the mouth revealed between her wrists was stretched into a grin.
"Do you know too? That you're beautiful."
Gray shook her head left and right, but
Her buck teeth were exploding.
"...I don't know."
Conversely, the dressing room explosion did not occur.