The Field Trip to the Demon King's Castle (1)
A month had passed since my date with Sena. To be honest, not much of note had really happened in that time. Contrary to my expectations, after Sena screamed there was none of that typical light-novel cliché where she came at me with murderous intent. She simply got dressed in a hurry and left. Of course, things felt a little awkward afterward, but I told myself it was probably just my imagination. Anyway, aside from that, everything had flowed along as usual.
So I assumed today would be the same. But then—
“What? A field trip… to our own territory?”
I suddenly received an unexpected notice from the chairman. When I stared at him to confirm whether he was serious, he gave a quiet nod without the slightest hesitation.
The future’s suddenly changed completely.
In the previous timeline we had gone on a field trip too, of course. But it had only been to some backwater territory I’d barely even heard of.
-Seems like Master caused such a huge commotion that the future changed, huh.
I think so too.
Well, I could roughly guess why, but I still needed the exact reason. I asked the chairman,
“First, may I ask why we’re heading to the Vandesar Territory this time?”
“Gale expressed his wish for your Class A to conduct their field trip at his territory.”
“……”
Yeah. I’d half expected that. Rumors had spread quite widely among the nobility lately that Class A was a group of monsters. On top of that, my own fame had become a frequent topic of conversation. So it wasn’t strange for the head of the Vandesar family—no, for my father Gale—to make such a request to the chairman.
For one thing, the chairman and Gale were close, and he was my father. Therefore he had to be curious about my changed self and how exactly I had strengthened the students in such a short period.
“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Hmm. Yes. Good work.”
With those words I ignored the chairman’s slightly surprised expression and walked out.
The chairman remained lost in thought as he watched Elric leave the room. Soon he took a communication crystal from his drawer and spoke.
“So. What do you think, Gale? After seeing your son’s changed appearance?”
-Indeed. From the conversation, it seems the rumors are true.
“Didn’t I tell you? That he’s changed.”
-Please understand. After everything I’ve seen of him until now… Well, his reaction is only natural. Frankly, before Elric changed it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a complete scoundrel. To the point that the head of a ducal family asked me to rehabilitate him.
“Anyway, I’ve done my part. Handle the rest yourself.”
-Yes. Thank you, Chairman.
Gale ended the call. The speed with which he cut the connection suggested he was quite busy.
Not that I’m one to talk.
The chairman let out a deep sigh as he looked at the mountain of documents piled on his desk.
At the same time, the students who had just heard the field-trip announcement were reacting with utter despair. Anyone watching would have thought they were being sent to storm the Demon King’s Castle.
“In the end… we’re heading to the Demon King’s main base.”
“Just kill me instead…”
“They say field trips are supposed to be fun. So why are we going to the Demon King’s Castle?”
They really thought we were raiding the place. I continued my explanation, dumbfounded by their reactions.
“Well, it’s not all bad. Instead, there will be no after-school classes today.”
“?!”
The next instant their eyes bulged and they jumped in shock. They looked so startled their pupils might actually pop out. Yet it didn’t take long before—
“Just how much does he plan on working us to the bone?”
“He’s definitely going to come up with some demonic idea.”
“Is today our last day of freedom…?”
They muttered with faces full of worldly despair.
No. I just canceled class for one day so you could prepare properly for tomorrow. What’s with those reactions?
-Exactly, Master. Just how harshly have you trained them that they interpret your kindness like that?
What training? This is me going easy on them.
After all, after-school classes only consisted of sparring with Jukchang-i. Besides, I sometimes even let them out thirty minutes early. At this rate they ought to be calling me an angel.
-Master. Are you seriously thinking that?
Would I think it as a joke?
-Sigh.
I pretended not to hear Jukchang-i’s exasperated sigh and spoke before the children could misunderstand any further.
“You all seem to be seriously misunderstanding. The reason I canceled today’s after-school class is simple. It’s just so you won’t be late for tomorrow’s field trip.”
“R-really? That can’t be true, right? Didn’t you yourself say, Professor, ‘There is no guarantee that the enemy’s words are true’!”
Anyone would think I was their mortal enemy.
-That’s exactly what they think, Master.
Tsk. Is there any professor like me? Sigh. These ungrateful brats who don’t even recognize their teacher’s grace.
Clicking my tongue inwardly, I spoke sharply to Sai, who had raised his hand.
“So, am I your enemy?”
“Uh, y-yes… I mean, of course not! You’re our benefactor and teacher! Yes, definitely!”
“Yes, yes. Anyway, I canceled today’s after-school classes to mean come on time tomorrow, so keep that in mind.”
Only now believing my words were true, the children wore expressions of deep emotion. The next moment—
-But not having after-school classes is the default, you know.
Jukchang-i’s retort came, but I pretended not to hear it.
And so the day of the field trip arrived. Since I couldn’t head to the main residence alone, Jane came along as well.
“By the way, I never imagined the field trip would be to the Vandesar Territory.”
“Honestly, no one could have predicted that.”
As I answered we reached the royal capital gate.
“Is everyone gathered?”
““Yes!””
The children’s eyes sparkled like students heading off on a school excursion. Since a field trip was essentially a chance to play around, that reaction was only natural.
Whether we’re really just playing or not, we’ll find out once we get there.
With that thought we stepped into the gate. Then—
-Uwoong!
The scenery changed in an instant. The students looked around the Vandesar Territory. Soon Sai muttered in a rather disappointed voice.
“Hmm. I thought it would be quite different from the royal capital, but there’s not much to it.”
Most of the students nodded quietly with agreeing expressions.
While the royal capital was the empire’s capital, the Vandesar family was on par with it. After all, the Vandesar house was a ducal family. In fact, aside from the imperial family itself they held the highest authority, so it was natural there wasn’t an enormous difference.
However, if there was one distinction—
“There seem to be a lot of mages here?”
“Yeah.”
There were far more mages than in other places. Well, since it was the territory of a magic family, it would have been stranger if there weren’t. Unlike other regions, the Vandesar lands had so many magic-related shops.
“Stop standing around and come quickly.”
““Yes!””
I led the students toward the main residence. Thanks to the gate not being far, we arrived at our destination shortly.
The next moment.
““Salute!””
The guards saluted me with perfectly rigid postures like newly transferred privates, magic staves held upright. The students who saw it whispered with bewildered faces.
“The guards here are mages too.”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, look at that.”
Following Karen’s pointing finger, everyone’s gaze turned to the Vandesar family mansion. A grand residence on a completely different scale from the buildings in the royal capital. Its overwhelming size struck one just by looking. Excluding the imperial palace, there probably wasn’t a larger mansion anywhere.
“As expected, the Demon King’s Castle is different.”
“Since the Demon King was born there, of course it’s different.”
“Yeah. I stated the obvious.”
No. Why were these guys calling that place the Demon King’s Castle?
As I stood there feeling dumbfounded inside, a voice called out.
“Yes. You’ve arrived.”
Unexpectedly, Gale, head of the Vandesar family, had come out to greet us. My eyes widened involuntarily.
Hmm? This is a variable I didn’t expect.
-Why, Master?
In the previous timeline, when I first visited the main house he didn’t even think about meeting me, let alone come out to greet.
Back then, even though my image had changed somewhat, Gale had treated me like I was invisible. So I naturally assumed it would be the same this time.
Hmm. Is it because my image has completely changed from before?
Come to think of it, my current reputation had risen even higher than last time. With that in mind, it wasn’t strange for him to come out and greet us.
“Yes, Father. But I didn’t expect you to come out to meet us.”
“Well. Since I was the one who requested it from the chairman this time, it’s only natural, isn’t it? More than that, don’t leave the students standing here—bring them inside quickly.”
The moment I nodded in reply—
“Um. May I ask just one thing?”
As if he had been waiting for this moment, Sai raised his hand and stepped forward. Gale tilted his head at the boy’s eyes full of curiosity.
“Hmm. Yes. Go ahead and speak.”
“Yes. Is the professor’s father a demon god, by any chance?”
“?”
“Well, if you’re the parent of the Demon King, you must be a demon god!”
It looked like I needed to train that guy even more harshly than the others.