Chapter 2: Let's Separate Business and Pleasure, Principal
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 2: Let's Separate Business and Pleasure, Principal
The crowd's chanting continued, shaking the ground so hard that grains of sand bounced.
"Kang Geomma!" "Kang Geomma!" "Kang Geomma!"
Realizing it wouldn't end on its own, the instructors stepped in to restore order.
"Cadets, quiet down!"
"Silence! Siiiileeeeence!"
Yet, despite their efforts:
"Lord Heavenly Sword! Look over here, please!"
"I've been waiting for this day my whole life!"
Far from dying down, the roaring crowd only grew louder. The cadets resisted the instructors' crackdown as if they were revolting peasants.
The instructors shouted at the top of their lungs, breaking into a nervous sweat.
The funny thing was that even a few instructors were among the crowd, gazing up at Kang Geomma in awe, hands clasped tightly against their chests like teenage fangirls.
It was complete and utter bedlam. Sword Emperor Siegfried von Nibelung couldn't help but let out a dry laugh.
"The Heavenly Sword's stature soars higher with every passing day."
"Of course it does, you old geezer."
The woman beside him giggled behind her hand.
"Did you think our Geomma was an ordinary mortal like you, Siegfried? He's in a whole different league from us. His only true equal would be... right! Balor Joaquin, the Hero of the Origin. Someone of that caliber."
The voluptuous beauty was Medea Poison. She was the former academy principal and the Sage of the Seven Stars.
Currently serving as an academy advisor, she only made occasional appearances for major events like today's.
"An ordinary... mortal...?"
Medea's words rendered the Sword Emperor speechlessly stunned. His mind went entirely blank, as white as his own hair.
"Pfft, look who got triggered."
Medea twirled a lock of her hair around her finger.
"I am not triggered, woman!" the Sword Emperor barked back.
"Kahaha! For once, Medea is right. Compared to the Heavenly Sword, we are indeed mere commoners. Aye, absolutely."
The voice belonged to a lion-like man—Richard de Myura, the Spear Saint.
The Sword Emperor glared at the Spear Saint and snapped pettily.
"Where is your competitive spirit as a man? Myura, you've softened in your old age."
"I haven't lost my spirit. I'm simply accepting reality for what it is. Isn't that one of the joys of growing old?"
The Spear Saint shrugged. Though he was pushing eighty himself, he looked like a middle-aged man who had barely hit sixty.
On the contrary...
"...Please calm down, you two. The nobles are watching us..."
Seong Yu-chang, squirming right beside them, looked far older. Ever since he became Association President...
"Why should we care if those pig-headed nobles watch us?"
"Well said, Nibelung. Objectively, I admit I stand no chance against the Heavenly Sword, but I could turn truckloads of those aristocratic bastards into mincemeat."
"Ah, yes, of course... naturally..."
...Seong Yu-chang gained new wrinkles with each passing day. He lamented inwardly.
'These people rule the world, so why do I feel like I'm running a kindergarten?'
As humans age, they tend to regress a bit. Not that they draw on walls, but their stubbornness—forged through a lifetime of experience—only grows more rigid by the day.
'And yet...'
As members of humanity, no one could fail to be grateful to them. Anyone who felt otherwise hardly deserved to be called human.
He respected them.
He did respect them.
Separate from that, however, they gave Seong Yu-chang endless gray hairs.
Even as President of the Hero Association, being caught in the middle and tossed around by these three was his inescapable fate.
While the legends of an era squabbled among themselves, the atmosphere across the grounds settled down.
Because Kang Geomma had finished his greeting and returned to his seat—
[May the Blessing of the Hero be with you.]
—and the class placement exam, the grand finale of the entrance ceremony, had begun.
One by one, the cadets were sucked into the subspace. Only then did the instructors slump into their seats, looking thoroughly drained.
"By the way," Seong Yu-chang smoothly brought up a topic. To preserve the dignity of the old legends, a mediator was necessary. "This placement exam is a battle royale, just like ten years ago. Historically, whenever the test format is a battle royale, a standout talent or two always emerges. What do the three of you think about this year's batch?"
"Who knows," Medea replied with a disinterested air.
"Can it really match ten years ago? Not to look down on this year's kids, but back then had quite an impact."
"True enough."
"Agreed."
Oh, brother.
Were these really the same three people who seemed completely incapable of agreeing on anything?
"Taking first place this year isn't what matters. There's a first place every year, isn't there? What matters is who the GOAT is."
"And who would that be in your opinion, Sage?"
"Why ask the obvious?"
Medea gestured toward the sky with her eyes.
Dazzling rays of sunlight streamed down through a gap in the clouds. The clouds looked as if they had been sliced cleanly with a straight ruler.
"He was just here a moment ago."
Well, that was true.
Association President Seong Yu-chang nodded along with the Sword Emperor and Spear Saint.
* * *
In the principal's office of Joaquin Academy.
An unseasonal alumni reunion was currently underway. Ryozo, Weapon, Rachel, and Chloe were gathered here.
Coincidentally, almost all of them belonged to the Heaven Class. If two more people joined, it would be a proper hometown gathering.
The missing member was Abel von Nibelung, the Sword Emperor's granddaughter—and one of my two wives...
Honestly, even saying it out loud makes me blush.
After all, coming from Earth, having two wives feels incredibly awkward.
On top of that, Abel is the top beauty in the world of Miracle Blessing M. Having just her as my spouse would already draw envious glares that prickle my skin.
But to have Ryozo, the current principal and a beauty easily equal to Abel, as my wife too?
While there's no ethical issue here, I still feel a slight pang of guilt.
But I swear to heaven, this love triangle wasn't my doing. After discussing it between themselves, Ryozo and Abel came forward to confess to me—or rather, inform me.
Looking at the eyes of those two women, I realized I had no choice...
'Abel said she couldn't come because she had to entertain the legends of the old era.'
The Sword Emperor, Spear Saint, Sage, Seong Yu-chang, and so on.
Possessing Nibelung blood, Abel held immense influence within noble society. She was perfectly suited to serve as a bridge between the old and new generations. I know I sound like a doting husband, but...
What can I do?
It's the truth.
'My first meeting with her wasn't exactly under the best impressions, though.'
They say you can never predict what life brings, but who could have guessed our relationship would turn out like this?
'Then again, that wasn't just true for Abel.'
As I was reminiscing about old memories, Weapon chimed in with some theatrical flattery under the guise of casual conversation.
"Damn, Boss! You looked so cool earlier. From the timing to your entrance—you planned that on purpose, didn't you?"
Just as I was taking off my coat to respond, someone cut in and took both the coat from my hand and the words from my mouth.
"How old are you, calling him 'Boss' still?"
It was Saki Ryozo.
"It's a term of endearment. Why are you so harsh nowadays? You've gotten even worse since becoming principal."
"If the Hero Association worked harder, my personality would soften accordingly," Ryozo replied while neatly hanging my white coat on a hanger.
"We're doing our best, you know!"
"'Our best' is a phrase you only get to use when you produce the best results."
At Ryozo's blunt tone, Weapon clamped his mouth shut.
"...is what the old me would have said, but I know the Hero Association is working night and day. If I may add a suggestion, reduce the personnel assigned to the academy and reallocate them to Hawaii, the border between the Demon Realm and the Human Realm. That way, the workload for both sides will drop significantly. Pass that along to Association President Yu-chang."
"R-Ryozo...!"
Tears of emotion welled in the corners of Weapon's eyes. Ryozo grimaced and shifted her gaze.
"..."
"..."
She stared intently at me.
Her face was expressionless, but I could tell a flood of emotions was contained within.
Ryozo gently bit her lower lip.
'I missed you.'
Recently, I had been away from her and Abel quite often.
In this day and age, which appeared peaceful on the surface...
...frequent reports kept coming in about suspicious movements in Gehenna of the Demon Realm.
Because of that, I often had to go on business trips to the Demon Realm.
Even the demons running amok would try to negotiate the moment I showed up.
'I'm disqualified from being a good husband.'
As a flicker of guilt crossed my face, Ryozo slightly raised her hand. But then she glanced around. There were too many eyes watching for us to display marital affection.
Tap, tap.
Making do, Ryozo lightly brushed off the word 'Heavenly Sword' embroidered on my coat instead of touching my cheek, as if trying to lighten the weight resting on my shoulders, even just a little.
I mouthed the words silently:
'Thank you, Ryozo.'
Ryozo smiled radiantly.
Leaving that smile behind, she sat down at the head of the U-shaped sofa layout.
Crossing her legs, she rested her cheek on her fist. Every single movement exuded the dignity of an academy principal.
"Reunions aside." Crowned by the indigo light streaming through the window, the current principal, Immortal Archer Ryozo, spoke up. "Let's discuss business first. The principal's office isn't a place for personal chatter."
The atmospheric pressure in the room grew heavy.
Everyone, including myself, nodded. We quietly took our seats, filling up the remaining space on the sofas.
"How is the issue the Association is pushing forward progressing?"
"You mean the diplomatic relations agreement between Gehenna and the Human Realm? Well, that's smooth sailing, thanks to the academy's active cooperation."
Her tone was somewhat overbearing, but Weapon didn't show any sign of offense.
'We are no longer teenagers.'
Positions had hierarchies now, and we were at an age and status where we had to accept that. It was the process of becoming adults.
And...
The highest-ranking person among us was none other than Ryozo. She was a self-made woman who had successfully rebuilt Joaquin Academy from complete destruction.
Not only that, she was currently serving as Deputy Prime Minister of Japan. She was truly elite among elites.
'To think a girl like this is my wife. Even now, I sometimes pinch my cheeks to check if I'm dreaming.'
She was a proud wife. No one would consider her arrogant just because she rested her cheek on her fist and gave a slight nod.
"Glad to hear it. Rumors have been flying around Gehenna lately anyway. Solidifying the foundation stage alone provides great peace of mind."
Ryozo turned her gaze toward Rachel this time.
"U-Um?"
Rachel, who had been crunching on snacks, hastily shoved them down. Everyone except me looked at her with cold, dead eyes. As for me, well...
The first line I ever heard from Rachel was, "Is it hard?" My expectations for her had been set low early on—about ten years ago.
Thump, thump.
She thumped her chest hard enough to rattle the portrait hanging on the wall, speaking in a choked voice.
"Our Lancelot Company is cooperating with the Association as much as possible too. Lately, thanks to a certain someone, a new trend has taken hold where heroes are obligated to do community service."
The "certain someone" Rachel mentioned was me.
Apparently, because I rushed all over the place regardless of whether it was the Human Realm or Gehenna, American heroes felt a sense of crisis.
Heroes who pocketed tens of billions of won yet arrived at the scene steps too late—versus me, Kang Geomma, who showed up the instant trouble broke out, and completely free of charge.
'Granted, I do receive various special privileges, but still.'
Anyway.
Because of this, public sentiment toward heroes was bound to turn sour. Thus, hero companies, led by Lancelot, began a complete structural overhaul.
As if they had never been greedy for money, they scrambled to dispatch heroes to the Gehenna Gate.
The gate was located in Hawaii. Meaning, since it was US territory, the procedures weren't overly complicated either.
"Honestly, heroes barely did anything during the Second Human-Demon War, right? Aside from Senior All Mute. So internally, we've been feeling the urgency. If things continue like this, the very survival of hero companies might be at risk."
"Do your best. In return, I'll move up the timeline for when your company can approach academy graduates."
"Yes!" Rachel pumped her fist in celebration. "This is what friends are for! Thanks to this, I can hold my head up high when I return to the company. Thank you, Ryozo!"
"Don't say things that could cause misunderstandings. It's not because we're friends; it's give and take."
"Chett. So cold."
"Rachel, may I interpret your reaction as dissatisfaction directed at me?"
"Of course not, Principal! All hail!" Rachel offered a quick salute, pressing the edge of her hand against her eyebrow.
"She certainly knows how to lighten the mood." Ryozo shook her head, palming her forehead as if admitting defeat when it came to Rachel. "Let's move on to the next topic."
Various discussions followed after that.
Chloe, who had been zoning out until then, actively joined the meeting. She had established a donation foundation for Joaquin Academy. The casual way she tossed around astronomical sums was secretly terrifying.
'I don't really have anything to do here.'
Since I held no official responsibilities other than being one of the Seven Stars, I simply kept my seat, wearing a proud smile.
'These kids who used to be snot-nosed brats have grown enough to discuss international geopolitics.'
I am already a world-weary adult.
On the other hand, they are growing in real-time by clashing with reality. As an observer and an adult a few years older, I couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
\- Your mindset is that of an absolute old geezer.
A layered voice echoed from deep within me.
\- To my eyes, both you and those kids are mere newborns. Learn humility, Kang Geomma.
'...A Corps Commander lecturing me? How uncool.'
1st Corps Commander Demonic Sword Lycan.
He resides inside me as a spiritual entity.
\- The Corps Commander is disappointed in you.
'Look at the quality of his jokes.'
When we wiped out those Outer God bastards, Lycan fulfilled the conditions to regain a physical body.
However, Lycan chose to remain formless inside my mindscape. He said he had no lingering regrets about the world and found staying with me quite entertaining. In exchange for living as my life companion, I set a condition from my end.
"Let's respect each other's privacy."
\- I shall sleep during the day. At night, I will transform into an animal and stay outside. That should suffice.
"Why at night?"
\- Do you not have your own family affairs?
"Ah..."
True to his word, Lycan transformed into a squirrel every night and made the academy's thickets his territory.
The 1st Corps Commander who once made humanity tremble in fear. Demonic Sword Lycan was currently...
\- Yesterday, I found an oak tree near the Special Pavilion. Its acorns were a delicacy. I shall visit it again tonight.
...reassigned to Ramji Thunder. Truly, you can never predict what life brings.
'I'm glad you look happy, Lycan.'
\- What cheesy nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?
'Hardly something I'd expect to hear from a guy getting thrilled over finding acorns.'
\- ...
As both sides held their respective conversations, the afternoon slipped away.
The chilly March evening wind knocked softly against the windowpane.
As twilight settled on everyone's faces, Ryozo, who was hosting the meeting, dismissed the guests.
"It's evening. We'll finish the rest of our discussion tomorrow. Dismissed for today."
Everyone stood up one by one.
Just as I was about to get up as well—
"Ahem. Ahem." Ryozo let out a deliberate cough, covering her mouth with her fist. "Um, well... Kang Geomma—no, Heavenly Sword, could you stay behind for a moment?"
Weapon jumped in immediately. "We were supposed to grab a drink together—"
"Nyahahahahaha!" Rachel laughed awkwardly and shoved Weapon in the back. Under her brutal force, he stumbled forward helplessly.
"Hey! What's wrong with you?!"
Weapon instinctively tried to wriggle free. Rachel glared at him with bloodshot eyes.
"Read the room, you dumbass."
"..."
"You two finish up whatever you have left to talk about!"
Rachel hauled Weapon away like a sack of dirty laundry and vanished like the wind. Chloe took the hint and hastily followed after them.
Only I remained in the principal's office. Feeling awkward standing there, I sat back down.
Ryozo tiptoed over hesitantly and took the seat right beside me. For a while, she fidgeted nervously with her fingers.
The dignified principal from just a moment ago was nowhere to be seen.
Her lips parted slightly, and then she suddenly threw herself into my arms, nuzzling her face against my chest.
"Didn't you say the principal's office isn't a place for personal chatter?"
"...Well..." Caught off guard, I ended up saying something stupid. Ryozo peeked up, raising her forehead.
"I am the principal, though?"
Right. Fair point.
Suddenly, the calendar caught my eye.
March 9th.
As soon as the date registered in my mind, Ryozo leaned close to beat me to the punch. Her face was so close I could feel her breath.
"Today's an odd-numbered day."
Ryozo flashed a sweet smile.