The Second Main Quest

"Kania, how'd the exam go?"

"Me, Young Master?"

After finishing my finals and heading back to the dormitory, I tossed the question at Kania, who was quietly trailing alongside me.

"As you know, Young Master, I remember all the previous loops. So of course I aced it."

"...Right."

She shot me a look like why are you even asking, then glanced around before murmuring in a low voice.

"And asking questions like that out in the open isn't the wisest move right now. Even you're struggling just to walk..."

"...Got it. Sorry."

I cut her off and leaned against the wall for a moment, breathing raggedly as I muttered.

"Just... one of those things you wanna say when you finally get a friend. Thought I'd try it out this time."

Kania let out a sigh and said quietly,

"I apologize. But in your current state, if even one more person finds out..."

"Nah, it just means you're looking out for me that much, right? Thanks, Kania."

I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tried to pick up the pace after replying, but I hurriedly pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and started coughing.

"Cough! Cough!!"

The cloth turned red in an instant.

"Kania, get me a handkerchief with an auto-clean spell."

I stuffed it back in my pocket, forcing a calm expression, and made the most urgent request to Kania, who was staring at me.

"I'll procure the finest one available."

She replied as she opened the door to my dormitory room, her voice grave.

"Oh, and I have two important reports."

"...Yeah?"

Kania's expression was anything but casual, so I mirrored her seriousness, perching on the bed to listen intently.

"First... I think we've found a lead on the 'Spatial Teleportation Scroll'."

"...Really!?"

Good news from her lips had my eyes lighting up as I pressed,

"So, which bastard switched it out?"

Kania looked slightly troubled and shook her head.

"No, it's not about who switched it."

"Then?"

"We found the scroll's origin."

I felt a twinge of disappointment, but on second thought, the source was a crucial clue. My eyes gleamed again as I asked for details. Kania tapped her notepad with a fountain pen and continued.

"Do you remember when you asked me to track down that 'magic craftsman'?"

"Why bring that up now? Wait, don't tell me..."

"Yes. We picked up rumors of someone matching your description recently selling scrolls in the back alleys."

I scowled deeply, and Kania added in a hushed tone,

"Most of those magic scrolls are fakes. And most of the fakes are spatial teleportation scrolls."

"...How sophisticated are they?"

"They say it takes precise analysis at the Magic Tower to detect them. I can see how Ariane fell for it."

"This is a headache..."

My head throbbed. The shopkeeper who'd never scammed or overcharged me was out peddling fake scrolls—and sophisticated enough for the Magic Tower to approve. I knew his skills outshone most magitech artisans, but if the Tower vouched for them...

No wonder... Even after he cleaned me out, I held my own against Isolet with his magitech...

Isolet was an academy professor now, but she had the makings of the next Sword Saint. Holding my own against her, even if I lost, meant... the shopkeeper wasn't your average back-alley merchant.

"...Secure that shopkeeper. Bribe him if money works. If not, use force."

"Understood."

I needed to know his motives for the scroll scam, why he spared me, and where those skills came from. Having issued the order, I turned my ear to her next report.

"The second is about the punishment decided by the Imperial Family and the Church for you."

"...Punishment?"

I tilted my head, and Kania frowned slightly.

"Yes. Though it was unavoidable due to 'mind control'... you did side with the Demon King's forces, and public opinion across the nation left no choice. It's a show punishment."

"...So, what's the punishment?"

A flicker of unease hit me as I asked. Kania sighed.

"Mandatory volunteer work at the orphanage we established."

"You've got to be kidding me."

I spat out a curse and fired questions at her urgently.

"We've kept my family, me, and the orphanage completely separate, right?"

"Yes, we've covered all tracks perfectly. Unless ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you reveal the truth yourself, it won't be discovered."

Relief washed over me—no dying from coughing up all my blood. But then I scowled and asked,

"Why our orphanage, of all places?"

"It's the largest in the Empire, right in the capital, and the workload is suitable. That's their reasoning."

"...I see."

From her explanation, no leaks. If there were, I'd be dead already.

"So, when does the volunteer work start?"

"Today."

"...Ugh."

I'd just sighed in relief when her words made me grab my head, scowling.

"I'm dying here, and now I have to do volunteer work..."

"...Young Master. Is volunteer work really okay?"

I was already grumbling about my aching body when Kania asked worriedly.

"If it's seen as a 'good deed'..."

"...No worries there."

I assured her with a confident look and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠opened the 'Unique Skill Window' for the first time since the freshman welcome—where I'd had no rivals.

I glared silently at the debuff window, now with an added special stack explanation, and replied to Kania in a subdued voice.

"If I slack off maximally, refuse all cooperation, and show zero remorse, no penalty even from volunteering."

"But..."

"It's fine. The Imperial Family and Church are just putting on a show. As long as I toe the line..."

"...You'll be supervised by 'Perloché'."

I was reassuring her worried face when her words left me slack-jawed.

"The Church assigned Perloché to reform you. You'll spend a set time with her every day from now on."

"Ugh..."

"And after volunteering, head to the Sun God Church for prayers with her..."

"...Any way to change the punishment?"

Being tied to Perloché now spelled headaches galore, so I asked desperately. But she shook her head firmly.

"...Public opinion is too negative. Interfering could make it worse."

"Yeah, figures..."

No choice, then. My chest and stomach tightened again, twisting my face as I said,

"Fine, I'll nap. Wake me when it's time for volunteering."

"...In 30 minutes."

"Got it, then... Wait, 30 minutes!?"

I was closing my eyes when her words jolted me. Kania looked sympathetic.

"Even a show punishment has a schedule."

"Haa... Lately, nothing goes... Cough! Cough!!"

I squeezed my eyes shut, muttering, then coughed. Kania gently wiped my mouth with a handkerchief.

"Lately, it's more coughing up blood than vomiting it."

"Seems like... Cough!"

I tried replying but coughed again, splattering her face and clothes. Guilt in my eyes, I opened my mouth.

"Sorry, Kania... I'll handle it, you just... Urk...!"

"...That's what a servant is for, Young Master."

She wiped meticulously, then gazed at the blood-soaked cloth.

"You have volunteering, so it won't last a full day and the effect is weak... but I'll cast an auto-clean spell on your handkerchief myself."

"Thanks, Kania."

I smiled at her thoughtfulness, murmuring as I closed my eyes.

"You're, really the best..."

But sleep overtook me instantly, her touch lulling me under.

"...Whatever follows, it's too much for someone like me."

Just before blacking out, I vaguely heard Kania's sad whisper.

......

"...You didn't go through another trial, did you?"

"Nah, I slept like a rock."

30 minutes later, Kania woke me with worry. I smiled reassuringly.

So that's how it plays out.

Of course, it was a white lie. Trials ignored pain and joy, trapping me in my most hated dark, confined space.

"Then, take care, Young Master."

"Yeah."

My condition hadn't improved, but I forced a bright smile, waved, and stepped out.

"...Hello."

"........."

Perloché appeared, face cold.

"You look pretty rough. So..."

She sniffed me, divine power leaking unconsciously before she stopped.

"No. This is your karma. Don't expect healing from me."

"...I never asked."

She smirked at my snarky reply, her face clouding conflictedly.

Worried her kind heart might stir concern again, I checked with 'Mind Reading'. False alarm.

But 'guilt' among her emotions... She had saintess potential in spades. Separate from hating me, her healing expertise let her see my ruin at a glance. Yet, as someone who'd topple and kill me, healing was off-limits. She felt guilty for not helping the suffering man before her—me, whom she despised.

"W-well, let's head out..."

Predictably, she averted her eyes, voice trembling, and started down the hall.

"...Cough."

"Eek."

I coughed quietly, but she flinched far ahead. She noticed everything.

"...This is maddening."

I definitely needed that 'Life Force Recovery Speed Increase' skill.

......

"Ah, h-hello..."

As Perloché and I entered, a female staffer greeted us, sweating bullets. Her face screamed overwhelm.

Makes sense—from her view, two imperial villains had joined as volunteers.

"Hello! I'm Perloché! Are you the orphanage owner?"

"Uh, well..."

"Wow... so spacious and nice... Bigger than any Church-run one..."

Perloché shook her hand vigorously, eyes sparkling as she wandered about.

"Um... Lord Frey? I mean..."

"...What?"

I watched her blankly when the staffer spoke tremulously. I replied indifferently.

"Y-you need to change..."

"Pass."

She bowed low.

"P-please. We just got Church notice yesterday, so we're flustered too... If you don't volunteer properly, funding might get cut..."

"...What're you saying?"

Funding cut made me scowl. She bowed deeper.

"Y-yes... We have an anonymous donor. Huge sums..."

"And?"

"Someone donating that much must be tied to the Imperial Family or Church... Can't afford to upset them..."

Smart for a regular staffer, I thought, replying,

"Not my problem."

"B-but... the kids could end up on the streets again!"

She fidgeted, then squeezed her eyes shut and wailed.

"What's your name?"

I liked her fire and asked. She glanced nervously.

"...Ruby."

"Ruby, huh."

I repeated to remember when she knelt, sniffling.

"P-please! Save our orphanage...!"

"Wh-what're you—"

She grabbed my leg, begging. All eyes in the orphanage turned to us.

"You! What are you doing?!"

Perloché stormed over, scowling at teary Ruby.

"...What?"

"Making a kind staffer cry... She did nothing wrong—"

She stood before me, ready to lecture fiercely, but...

"...Hm?"

She shuddered, glancing around.

"...What's wrong?"

She looked uneasy; concern slipped out as I asked.

Still scanning, she scowled, grabbed my arm, and dragged me off.

"...Wh-what? What's this?"

In an empty storeroom, she glared.

"What shady trick are you pulling now?!"

"...What?"

"Sun God in the heavens, look upon us and save us from the abyss of evil..."

She chanted, unleashing divine power. It gathered and poured onto me.

"I can't take it anymore! Brace yourself, Demon King's minion!"

After a while, panting, she scanned me.

"...Why are you fine?"

I scowled, unscathed. Panicked, she poked me here and there.

"Weird... I definitely sensed evil energy..."

"What're you doing?"

Irritated, I shoved her aside to leave, but she grabbed my arm, voice stern.

"Answer my questions straight from now on."

"...Fine."

Too wrecked for banter, I decided to play along.

"What's the Demon King's most dangerous ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠recent operation?"

Her question made me chuckle dryly.

"D-don't laugh! I know you're with them!"

"...Sure."

"Yes! I don't get why my divine power doesn't faze you... But you're definitely Demon King's!"

She fired divine power at me, glaring.

"Whatever. Let's just volunteer..."

"Then answer this: What's happening in the Church basement?"

"...What?"

Prodding every inch, she saw me grab a broom and asked desperately.

"What's tha—"

I stared puzzled at Perloché asking about the Church basement when the quest popped up.

"If we negotiate, I might help."

Seeing the contents, I quickly shifted gears.

No rest for me, it seemed.