Chapter 100: Resolve (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 100: Resolve (3)
About an hour before dawn.
I sat blankly in front of my dark dormitory desk, arms crossed.
The dim light of the eastern sky was more helpful for organizing my thoughts than artificial lighting, so I didn't bother turning on the lights.
Uncrossing my arms, I picked up a sheet of paper lying on the desk.
It was a document printed by Weapon, containing the personal details of those suspected of being villains.
* * *
▣ Personal Details
① Herbal Jang – 2nd-year Star Class assistant instructor.
② Kilgamesh – Administrative office supplies manager.
③ Ebiya Shiro – Gardener of Joaquin Academy's District 8.
④ Chae Seo-in – 3rd-year Tiger Class assistant instructor.
⑤ Ling Xiao – Warden of Dormitory D.
* * *
Slowly scanning the list from top to bottom, I muttered.
"...So there are five of them."
I expected them to be stationed all over the place, but I didn't think their roles would be this diverse.
From instructors and staff to a gardener and a dormitory warden.
Though there were only five, these were identities that could seamlessly blend into the fabric of Joaquin Academy.
Do they prefer inconspicuous jobs with a wide range of movement?
However, the figure Choi Seol-ah had referred to as "the Professor" was not on the list.
According to her, he was a freak who served as the thrall of Kuarne, the 2nd Corps Commander.
As mentioned before, with the 1st Corps Commander sealed, Kuarne was currently the most powerful Majin among the demons. Of course, this was a world where the final boss, the Demon King, sat firmly at the top, but...
The Demon King was such an unknowable existence that the public even questioned his reality. Thus, he was the greatest threat to humanity today.
Even among the demons, the 2nd Corps Commander seemed to be regarded as the de facto leader.
That Professor, the thrall of Kuarne, had to be the backbone and heart of the villains within the academy. If I could just catch him, the rest of the bastards scattered throughout the academy would be dragged out along with him.
Resting my chin on my hand, I tapped the paper with my fingernail.
"I wish he were one of these pieces of trash..."
Of course, considering how easily cover identities could be changed, he could have easily switched to another.
And since that guy was said to be a pervert who heavily emphasized his status as a professor... he likely wasn't among this group.
How annoying.
I tossed the paper aside and stood up from my chair.
Then, I turned my gaze toward the window. The morning sun was rising over the mountain ridge.
Watching the scene blankly, my chaotic thoughts gradually faded away.
After staring at the newborn sunlight for a long while, I checked the wall clock.
7:00 AM. There were two hours left until my appointment to go to the principal's office with Weapon.
When I had asked him to go to the principal's office with me at the hospital a few hours ago, Weapon's reaction was truly...
When he asked if he should wear a tailcoat, I had brushed it off and told him to just dress comfortably.
Granted, while Medea visited me quite often, a regular cadet rarely had the chance to meet the principal in private. In fact, it was safe to say it almost never happened.
...But even taking that into account, Weapon's reaction was too much. His over-the-top dramatics were practically a disease.
My original plan was to go to Medea alone, but I made a slight adjustment and decided to bring Weapon along.
The reason was simple. Weapon, who was famous for his smooth talking, would do the explaining for me.
And while Ryozo was hospitalized, he had acted as the brain behind the investigation to root out the villains. He knew the inner workings better than any of us, and he loved giving explanations. Was there anyone better suited for the job than Weapon?
...Well, bringing Weapon along isn't the only reason, though...
There was a resolution I had solidified while looking up at the night sky from the hospital.
The stars that flickered faintly, their light washed out by the brilliantly shining moon.
Insects constantly swarm around small lights. However, they dare not rush toward the sun.
No creature dares to muster a will to fight in front of an overwhelming existence. Because that is the instinct for survival.
The more mediocre one's position and power, the easier it is to get swept up in ridiculous incidents. You can't just have one. You need both. I realized this through a certain individual.
The Sword Emperor, Siegfried.
Up until now, it had been a continuous series of crises. Each time, I relied on my experience and wits to overcome the situation.
But things are different now. The people around me are starting to get involved.
Ryozo getting hurt and Leon being targeted by the villains were likely triggered by my actions.
I don't regret it. At the time, I only moved to survive and to prevent the distortion of the official history.
If I blamed myself for every single one of those things, then my very fall into this world would have been a mistake.
"..."
I closed my eyes and opened them. The high-rising sun cast its light over my face. The beaming sunlight felt like someone's gaze.
I stared right back at the sun. Though the direct light stung my eyes, I didn't close them. A strange competitive spirit flared in my pupils.
Brute force alone is not enough.
I needed a foundation to support it. One so grand that no one would dare approach.
An absurd feeling welled up within me.
I recalled my past, where I had gone through all kinds of crazy shit just to live in conformity with the official history. A small, self-deprecating chuckle escaped my lips.
But I couldn't stop now, and my mind was made up. To move forward, responsibility and risk were unavoidable.
I headed to the shower to wash up. Before I knew it, the hour hand of the wall clock was pointing at the number eight.
* * *
Inside the principal's office.
Three giants sat around a wide table in the center.
With the Sage, Medea, sitting with her back to the window at the center.
On her right sat the Sword Emperor, Siegfried, and on her left was the head of the Auditore family, Al'tair.
Even though they were merely sitting, the air felt physically heavy from the sheer presence of the three. The atmosphere was so solemn that an ordinary person would have found it suffocating.
Amidst a silence as thin as ice, Medea spoke, her cold eyes fixed on Al'tair.
"...So, Al, what you're saying is that Cladi, that bastard among the elders, is the source of all this?"
"Yes, that is correct. It seems he persuaded the Council of Elders. Furthermore, the appearance of the Majin during the midterm exams was also his doing."
"...Then is he also related to this final exam incident?"
"It has been less than two days since we began, so it is still under investigation."
Al'tair replied respectfully. Though he was called the Old Man of the Mountain, he was two years younger than Medea. Al'tair added to his explanation.
"Looking into Elder Cladi's expense records, I found that he had even hired the Undertakers, those contract killers."
"The Undertakers? Those garbage-disposal, human-butcher bastards?"
"According to further investigation, there was a report that they were last seen at a port near Avalon Island."
"...Even Avalon Island..."
Deep anger clouded Medea's face. The teacups on the table vibrated, and a suffocating murderous intent emanated from her.
Shatter!
Ultimately, the teacup shattered while held in the Sword Emperor's hand. The Sword Emperor stared blankly at the empty air where the teacup had been, then let out a sigh.
"Medea, calm down a bit."
"...Do I look like I can calm down right now? What, you want me to leisurely sip tea like you? I am an educator. I have a duty to safely look after every single cadet attending this academy. Yet an insider, and a bastard who is actually an elder, of all things..."
Her voice was completely stripped of any playfulness. Her eyes, boiling with rage, sank into a cold chill.
The air was as taut as a rubber band stretched to its limit. The Sword Emperor set down the broken handle of the teacup.
With a soft clack, the Sword Emperor's expression hardened. He spoke in a low, heavy voice.
"You are not the only one who is angry. Have you forgotten that my granddaughter is also a cadet at this academy? And—"
The Sword Emperor paused briefly and gestured with his eyes. Following his gaze, Al'tair also wore a dark expression. Medea had no choice but to shut her mouth.
"..."
His granddaughter, Chloe, was also a cadet here at Joaquin Academy. Moreover, she was a direct victim who had been injured during the midterm exams.
Indeed, Medea was not the only one among the three whose blood was boiling. The two guardians were also suppressing their seething emotions.
But that was only until just now, before hearing the explanation. Their superhuman self-control had finally reached its limit.
The Sword Emperor asked Al'tair.
"Is the evidence sufficient?"
"We have gathered it over two months using the power of the Auditore, and have verified it multiple times. We have wrapped it up to the point where executing them immediately would pose no issue."
"...I see."
After a brief silence, a murderous aura instantly erupted from the Sword Emperor's eyes. The books in the cabinet shook violently before tumbling to the floor all at once.
"Tonight..."
Knock, knock.
Just as the Sword Emperor opened his mouth, a knock echoed from the door.
"Principal, I have come suddenly on urgent business."
Because cold water had suddenly been poured over the escalating atmosphere, the minds of the three momentarily went blank.
As if to wake them from their daze, the voice from beyond the door spoke again.
"It's Kang Geomma."
* * *
Once Kang Geomma identified himself, the door to the principal's office opened.
A freezing, icy draft rushed out through the crack of the door, brushing past Weapon's face.
His body was already stiff with tension, and now he felt like he was suffocating. While Weapon broke out in a cold sweat, Kang Geomma casually gestured with his chin.
"What are you doing? Let's go in."
"U-Uh, yeah..."
Unbothered by the fierce atmosphere, Kang Geomma stepped inside. Weapon licked his dry lips and followed behind him.
The moment the office came into view, Weapon's eyes widened. Books were scattered messily across the floor, and fresh hairline cracks ran along the walls and floor.
Above all, what shocked Weapon was the lineup of people sitting on the sofas.
Medea was a given since she was the principal, but the Sword Emperor, Siegfried, was also there.
The old man facing the Sword Emperor also exuded an indescribable aura. Medea, her face a mix of embarrassment and fluster, asked:
"My Geomma! W-What brings you here?!"
"I happened to have some free time, so I came to deliver some news, along with what happened during the final exams."
"Ah, that. Right. Um, and the friend next to you is... Speed Weapon, was it?! A member of our Travel Club!"
"Y-You know my name? The principal does?"
Weapon was startled, stammering his words. Medea smiled brightly.
"It's my hobby to memorize the names of the academy cadets in my spare time. Even if I rarely see their faces, I am the principal, after all. We've been together for three years, so if I let you graduate without even knowing your name, it would be embarrassing as an educator! Of course, I do forget sometimes."
"...That is proof that you are getting old, Medea."
As if he had been waiting for this, the Sword Emperor interjected.
"Hey, Sieg! Is that any way to talk in front of a kid?!"
"You embarrassed me in front of the cadets before as well, didn't you?"
"Wow! You bastard, how is your grudge still as long as ever, even when your hair has turned completely white?!"
While the Sword Emperor and the principal bickered, Kang Geomma casually spoke to Al'tair.
"I thought you went back to Sicilia."
"Lady Medea called for me urgently, so I took a private jet and arrived in Korea yesterday."
"...Does the Auditore family even have a private jet?"
"Of course. Don't tell me you don't have one?"
"..."
Kang Geomma clicked his tongue without replying. Al'tair chuckled heartily, his eyes suddenly sparkling.
"By the way, your eyes look even better than they did a few days ago. As expected, you're becoming more like one of us by the day."
"...That's insulting."
"Hahaha, it's a compliment, a compliment!"
As a warm conversation flowed between Kang Geomma and Al'tair, Weapon's jaw dropped.
That easygoing old man was Al'tair, the head of the Auditore family? It was absolutely insane.
The shock on Weapon's face was quickly replaced by a delayed wave of anxiety. It was because of Kang Geomma's request for him to do the explaining.
Since he loved explaining things and it was a rare opportunity to see the principal's dazzling beauty up close, he had readily agreed, but...
...briefing a group that was practically an all-star lineup? He'd be lucky if his jaw didn't tremble so much that he bit his own tongue.
Weapon's pupils shook violently. What should I do? Should I just say I can't do it? His thoughts spiraled endlessly.
Kang Geomma glanced at him. Then, he gave his shoulder a light pat.
"Just do what you always do, Weapon."
Weapon's trembling eyes steadied. His pounding heart gradually quieted down.
"If you say so, Chief."
At his resolute reply, Kang Geomma grinned and cleared his throat loudly. All eyes gathered on them.
"My friend here will explain the details on my behalf."
At those words, Weapon nodded and took a step forward. He swallowed hard, cleared his throat, and loosened his tongue.
Taking a deep breath, Weapon poured out his words as if spitting them out.
"I will begin the explanation."
The words flowed.