Chapter 113
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: Scene 113: Authority
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Tch.
Mondri clicked his tongue as he walked down the corridor.
A few days ago, during the freshmens practical exam, the gate to the demon world had gone berserk for some inexplicable reason.
No one was seriously hurt, but one of the students taking the exam had ended up trapped inside the gate.
That day happened to be the one where Mondri was away on a business trip.
Upon hearing the news, Mondri had hastily canceled his schedule and boarded an express train back to the school. He had a gut feeling this was no minor incident.
Even he, as president, couldnt guarantee he could resolve it. Hed even considered borrowing the hand of his master, Myohail, who had transcended worldly affairs.
But by the time Mondri barely made it back to the school, the incident was already over.
The barrier had been shattered, and all the trapped students had been rescued.
And by a man he never would have expected.
Mondri stopped in front of a massive door.
It was the office of the chairman, who held absolute power in the school.
As he raised his hand to knock, the door opened as if it had been waiting.
Come in.
A low voice greeted him.
Ahem
Mondri cleared his throat once before stepping into the chairmans office.
There, in the center, sat the chairman.
He was a man with an oddly weary air.
His obsidian-black hair shimmered as he reviewed some documents.
The sight was flawless and elegant, like something out of a magazine photoshoot.
Behind him stood a beautiful woman in a military coat, hands clasped behind her back.
The bodyguard knight, was it?
Even at a glance, Mondri could tell she was extraordinarily skilled.
The pure mana she carried like an aura blazed fiercely, ready to erupt at any moment.
Only a mage of Mondris caliber could sense it; to others, shed look like a delicate woman.
Chairman Tristan.
Mondri bowed his head politely.
He already felt irritated at having to bow to someone so much younger.
But there was no helping it.
Neither his position nor his family could compare in the slightest.
You handled the cleanup in my stead. I dont even know how to thank you.
No need for thanks. It was just me dealing with an incident at my own school.
He spoke as if it were nothing, but the events that day had put Tristan back in the spotlight.
By the way the photo turned out quite well.
Mondri nodded toward the newspaper on the desk.
The front page was dominated by a photo of Tristan.
It captured him perfectly, emerging from the flames while cradling a girl in his arms.
And the headline was something else entirely.
Ferocious Flames Couldnt Stop the Chairmans Love for His Students.
Public opinion was unanimously praising him.
Even now, reporters were camped out in front of the school gates, hoping to catch even the smallest glimpse of him.
Its not that the photo turned out well.
The woman behind him bristled at Mondris words.
A mere photo couldnt capture even a fraction of the chairmans charm
Helga. Quiet.
At the cold voice, the woman called Helga clamped her mouth shut with a grimace.
For the time being, strictly bar outsiders from entering. There might be those trying to sneak in for interviews. And keep students away from the stadium under repairs. No entry except for authorized personnel until we identify the cause.
Understood.
Submit the expected security budget to me. I know you havent been back long, but Im asking.
Its fine. Haha. Of course, its my duty. But.
Mondri stroked his beard as he spoke.
Theres something Id like to ask you, Chairman.
What is it?
Among the students trapped in the barrier, one named Gult hopes to withdraw. Do you know anything about it?
It must have been a horrific experience.
Tristan answered immediately.
The inside of the barrier was hell itself.
Is that so?
Yes. The vermin in there reeked of rot.
I see. That explained it well enough.
The demons beyond the gate had likely been neglected for ages.
Theyd probably devoured each other, growing even more terrifying.
Satisfied with that understanding, Mondri decided not to pry further.
Tristan continued calmly.
If thats what they want, let it be so. And if they change their minds, Ill permit readmission anytime.
Understood.
However, if they wish to return, tell them to come to me directly. Ill save them with my own authority.
Haha You are truly merciful, Chairman.
He said as much, but Mondri was inwardly worried.
At this rate, the Ruelverta familys status would soar.
It hadnt been long since hed joined the Seven Stars, and his actions as chairman were far from ordinary.
Many nobles still supported the imperial family, but who knew when they might turn.
That made Mondri anxious.
A vassal with more power than the emperor himself.
It was something that absolutely should not be.
To restore the waning imperial authority, hed have to keep the Ruelverta family in check.
But why has His Majesty said nothing?
Just then, as Mondri thought that, a furious pounding came at the door.
Bang bang!
Is this the chairmans office?
The voice from beyond the door belonged to a man.
No, more importantlyhow bold did you have to be to knock on the school chairmans door like that?
Tristan replied indifferently to the mans question from outside.
It is.
With that answer, the door burst open.
Clank.
Mondri couldnt believe his eyes at the man who entered, heavy armor clanging.
The man was a knight in red armor.
As far as Mondri knew, in this country, only one group wore that armor.
Kneel before Tristan Ruelverta right now.
The young Imperial Guard knight pulled out a neatly folded letter in front of Tristan.
Show proper respect and receive His Imperial Majestys decree.
What?
I stood there a bit dumbfounded.
The Imperial Guard delivering the emperors decree in person?
What are you doing? Hurry and show respect.
The Imperial Guard knight urged me.
But my body wouldnt move easily.
Fear?
No, that couldnt be.
This body was refusing to bow.
If its a letter, just hand it over.
Before I could even speak, Helga stepped in front of the Imperial Guard.
What did you just say?
If its a decree, its a letter, right? Give it to me.
Didnt you hear? This is His Imperial Majestys decree. Not some ordinary letter.
Thats whyits a letter from His Imperial Majesty. Our count doesnt kneel for scraps of paper.
What?! You insolent!
The Imperial Guard reached for his greatsword.
But he couldnt draw it.
?!
Think carefully one more time. Is this really worth drawing a blade?
Helga had grabbed his scabbard.
That single action was all it tookthe man yanked desperately at his sword, but it didnt budge an inch.
Faced with the graceful Helga, the man muttered.
You what the hell are you?
The counts bodyguard knight.
Bodyguard knight? You think a mere bodyguard can block His Imperial Majestys words?
Then let me ask you this. Does a mere Imperial Guard dare order our count to bow?
You crazy bitch.
Crazy bitch?
Helga slightly covered her left eye as she spoke.
Do you want to lose half your vision?
The Imperial Guard knights eyes widened in horror at that chilling gesture.
That eye Youre not Aslans?!
The emperors Imperial Guard and Ruelvertas Aslan were bitter enemies.
He might have heard rumors about Helga.
Even so, judging by his face draining of color, they werent good ones.
Get out of my way!
In the end, the Imperial Guard gave up on drawing his sword.
But unable to swallow his pride as the emperors knight, he shouted at me.
His Majesty bestowed a title upon you, yet you show such insolence! Count, as a member of the Seven Stars, do you dare challenge imperial authority?!
Imperial authority?
At those words, I scoffed.
No wonder I didnt need to kneel.
The imperial authority looked far too ridiculous for me to bother.
The Pride within me writhed.
You say the most amusing things.
I remained seated, crossing my legs.
Then, with utmost leisure in my expression, I said,
Challenge is what the weak hurl at the strong. So it would be more accurate to say the imperial family is challenging my authority.
What?!
Veins bulged on the knights forehead.
Without pause, I continued.
And my entry into the Seven Stars was solely for this nations sake. Not for the imperial family.
You insolent wretch!
Shut your mouth.
?!
My Wrath forced him to his knees.
Without any mercy, I unleashed Wrath at him with full force.
He slammed his head pathetically against the floor.
W-What is this!?
He tried to resist, but he couldnt escape.
My unique trait had grown strong enough to subdue even an Imperial Guard knight.
Looks like youre ready to talk now.
Guh.
If you truly seek my respect, show yours first. Servant of the emperor.
I looked down coldly at him, his head bowed against his will.
Like a wicked villain.
Understood?