Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: While Away (2)
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"Chairman, are you busy by any chance?"
I threw open the door, and there was Lehel, completely engrossed in the Monster King Tournament.
She looked less like a mage and more like a shady fortune-teller or witch, clad in a dingy robe that hadn't seen a wash in a century, topped with a pointed hat, clutching a crystal orb in both hands.
"Oh, Boss?"
Our eyes met, and she hastily stood from her seat, starting to strip off her clothes. For the record, I had never once taught her to bow naked.
"W-Wait a second! I'm about to bow right now, so..."
"No, no need. Keep your clothes on. More importantly, do you have a moment?"
"Y-Yeah... Sure, I guess. What's up?"
Even as she said that, her eyes kept darting to the Monster King Tournament broadcast.
Her losing money was none of my business, so I got straight to the point.
"Come with me somewhere."
"With you? Just the two of us?"
"Yes."
"Where to?"
"Sandalphonia Sand Canyon."
Her face drained of color at the destination, going from porcelain pale to ghostly translucent.
"N-No way! That's the imperial era's forbidden realm...!"
Oh, she knows it well.
"The scorching desert where the cursed Moirae sisters are trapped... You step in once and get swallowed by a sandstorm, body never recovered...!"
She knows even more than I thought. Lehel must have been there before.
"Have you been there? Met them?"
"No? I scoured for the statue said to be the entrance to that realm, nearly died, and didn't catch a glimpse."
"Perfect. Let's go together."
This was a chance to get acquainted.
"You can go alone! Why drag me along!?"
"Because... no teleporters run there."
In short, she was my shuttle. She could fly me straight to the canyon with minimal mana cost—the best ride around.
Without Lehel, it'd take nearly a week just to reach Sandalphonia.
So as she lunged for the window to escape, I swiftly grabbed her by the scruff.
"Hey now, where do you think you're running off to?"
"Let go! Sandalphonia's a hellhole where even water in a canteen evaporates!!"
"It's bearable compared to real hell. Trust my experience."
"Eek! You monster!"
Though she was rude and beat around the bush, the Moirae sisters gave solid info if you could meet them.
In fact, before recruiting the expedition to Helzev's core, Whitelett had learned of Nova in the Bachran Principality via Sandalphonia.
Navigating the demon realm was deemed impossible even for seasoned scouts like 'skirmishers.' He found a new moon sorceress who could read constellations in pitch black.
"We're leaving tomorrow, so get ready."
"No..."
"Oh, and if you run, I'll kill you. Fine if you wanna see the magic tower crumble again."
"Sob... Sniff...!"
After issuing Lehel a light threat, I left the chairman's office. I needed to tell Adella and Liv too.
"An investigation into the Demon God Statue...!?"
Liv was shocked to hear why Louis was leaving. No matter the reason, getting involved in demon-related incidents was extremely dangerous, as she'd been taught.
Even during mandatory field training that all students attended, areas with traces of black magic on monster hordes or temples turned into no-entry zones were strictly avoided.
A thread of anxiety bloomed in Liv's heart. What if something happened to the boss?
She knew Louis was strong, but investigating Demon God Statue traces didn't seem like something he could handle alone.
The unease grew, haunted by memories of her father slain by demons.
"Isn't that... too dangerous?"
"Huh? Nah, it's fine. Just a quick march there and back."
His nonchalant reply. And Adella Sylvestra's reaction, having heard the same story beside her, was even more absurd.
"Then bring back something tasty when you return?"
"They've got mud cookies as a Sandalphonia specialty. I'll grab some if I get the chance."
"For real? Wow~!"
How could she show zero worry, fixated only on souvenirs? Didn't she care about Louis at all?
Liv found Adella detestable. And she hadn't even finished the task he'd assigned properly.
"Teacher. I, I don't know how to read this chart."
"Hm? It just says raw beans."
"I dunno~."
Even tasks any academy student could handle easily, Adella deliberately left for Louis.
And Louis, like he couldn't help it, patiently taught her kindly, just as he'd explained dictionary words before.
He didn't peel her off when she clung close. As if they shared some deep bond.
"?"
"......"
Liv's eyes met Adella's as she listened. She flashed a sly, fox-like smile.
As if mocking, 'Sempai can't do this out of pride, right?' Regardless of intent, Liv wasn't bold enough to cling and act cute with Louis.
A moment later.
"Then, Baroness Liv, it'll just be us two starting tomorrow, so take good care of the canteen."
"Yes......"
"Probably nothing special. Adella's still clumsy, so lend a hand at the cafe if you're free."
"Got it......"
"Hey. You, go clean now."
"What about you, teacher?"
"This is my spot. Customer's coming, so hurry."
"......Yes."
Only after Louis shooed Adella toward the cafe could Liv breathe a sigh of relief.
In the cramped canteen where all three worked, Louis inevitably paired with either her or Adella.
And until now, it had mostly been her. It felt childish, but Liv oddly liked that Louis seemed to choose her over Adella.
However—
—Teacher! There are too many coffee types here!
—Teacher! I can't reach the top shelf!
—Teacher! There's a cockroach on the floor!
—Teacher! I see a vision of big sis outside the window!!
The peaceful two-person vibe shattered with her calls every minute.
Louis grumbled each time but got up to help over there.
After giving minor aid, as he returned to the counter—
—Teacheeer~!
"Sigh....... One sec."
Off he went again.
The door half-open from all the traffic. Liv grew irritated at Adella's obvious ploy to steal Louis from her.
Haa.
Even without thinking much, constant showing off beside her lit a fire in her eyes.
Especially Liv, who'd never lost top spot at the academy, harbored strong pride beneath her facade.
She hated being toyed with like this, even in a childish game over Louis.
So, a bit embarrassed, she decided on any means necessary.
"Sorry. Keep running back and forth."
"It's fine."
—Teacher!! There's a North Sea Kraken floating in the sky!!!
"What now. No customers, yet so busy. Sigh, be right back......"
"Boss."
"Yes?"
"I have something to say."
Liv swallowed hard, bracing her stomach for what was coming.
"After graduation, I'm going to Alkaid Magic Tower."
His face soured instantly.
Magic towers. The top career choice for academy grads.
For landless Liv, excluding the 12 Leagues, they offered the best treatment.
But unlike the six major towers, Alkaid—the closest to Helzev—had a different rep.
Geographic peril. Tolerant of black magic specialized in curses, it was where low scorers barely graduated and entered crying.
"Why there?"
"......"
Knowing this, Louis disapproved.
Liv held back. Avoiding answers and eyes, a stern voice came again.
"No. Don't go."
"......"
His rare informal command. Just hearing it made her lower belly tingle.
But she endured more. She didn't want Adella yelling to steal him.
"Baroness, you listening?"
"......Boss."
Finally, in a trembling voice, eyes downcast, she said primly as if about to leave.
"It's not...... like you get to decide."
He closed his eyes slowly, deep breaths once. Twice.
And on the third—
Squeeze!
"Eek......!"
Louis's hand gripped her stomach.