Arsen's Holiday (4)

The dormitory supervisor is, in some ways, a more terrifying existence than the professors.

For starters, her past is completely shrouded in mystery. Even in the original story and the setting materials, she's simply referred to as "the dormitory supervisor." Her gender is female, but beyond that, all information—including her name—is omitted. Even the professors call her "Dormitory Supervisor."

We know nothing except that title, yet she's incredibly strong. Rumors say she's at least professor-level, and there are even whispers that she subdues monsters with her bare hands. Right now, it's treated as mere urban legend, but it turns out to be true later on. The dormitory supervisor really does rip magical beasts apart with her bare hands.

As a result, she's become a meme in the community: Arsen's hidden number one, the Hunter Association's secret weapon lurking in Arsen, or even the chairman in disguise. The devs might have leaned into it on purpose—even unpacking the game files lists her info as Unknown. Only the developers probably know her true identity.

"What happened, Sion Illeionhart?"

That's why I still don't know the dormitory supervisor's name. All I can infer through my Sense is that she's a powerhouse of terrifying caliber.

I gave her a brief overview of what went down. The details of the incident aren't what's important here—the real key is something else.

"So, will the disciplinary committee convene?"

"……."

A second-year cadet wrecks this much havoc in the first-year dorms, and I needed to confirm if any real punishment would follow. Whether Arsen truly takes the Hildegaards seriously. Whether there's any way to deal with thugs like that.

I'd come here to verify that much, at least.

"No disciplinary committee will be called."

The dormitory supervisor shook her head with her usual expressionless face.

"Instead, to prevent any potential retaliation, guards will be stationed in the first-year dorms for the time being."

"It'd be safest if you oversaw it personally, Supervisor."

"Unfortunately, that's not possible."

Well, can't be helped, then. She has her own duties, so guards will be on duty 24/7 instead.

But don't underestimate these guards. In this world, they deal more with monsters than humans, so they're all packing serious combat prowess. Low-level beasts like rats or goblins get taken down by guard-level fighters. Anyone hired by Arsen is at least a low-rank hunter.

So the image is different from your typical rent-a-cop—more like aggressive American SWAT. Armed guards, they're called. Exactly the kind of "legitimate" muscle Rian von Hildegaard could repackage his illegal thugs as.

Pushing aside the disappointment, I glanced at Kyle, still covered in dirt. He was supporting Elin Beonard, who looked even more battered than he did.

"You two okay?"

"We'll live, probably. Thanks to you."

Kyle said it with a strangely regretful look.

"Wish you'd shown up a bit later, though."

"Why?"

"Wanted to land at least one punch. Kinda bummed I didn't."

Hard to tell if he was joking or serious. But given the situation, Kyle couldn't have stood a chance against Rian no matter what. Good thing I got there when I did—a little later, and it wouldn't have ended with just some breaks and bruises.

Elin Beonard was still standing half-dazed beside Kyle, dry-heaving repeatedly. Must've been a hell of a shock.

"Even if you look fine, hit the infirmary together."

"Hold up, Shion."

As I turned to go, Kyle called out—he clearly had more to say.

"I'm good, but you sure you're okay? That thug... er, second-year seemed to be after you."

"I'll manage."

"You sure?"

"Got my own circumstances."

The Hildegaard family that Rian belongs to pulls strings from the shadows, but so does my Esperand family. Hell, if we're talking scale, Esperand's bigger. Even if I can't advertise it, Rian won't come at me openly. Smashed flower beds and disciplinary slaps on the wrist? His Hildegaard backers will shield him. But cross the line into real harm, and even they won't protect him.

At that point, Arsen would boot him for the academy's honor. He won't get expelled over points like regular cadets, but even he has lines he can't cross. Just look at how quick he tucked tail when the supervisor showed.

No matter how wild a cadet gets, Arsen's authority wins out.

"Don't worry about me—focus on recovering. Dungeon next week, remember?"

"Got it. Anyway..."

"……."

"Anyway, thanks, Shion."

And it's not just Rian who can call on family power. The problem is, I don't like relying on it.

Evening. I accessed the Watch. As usual, I bypassed the servers to connect to Esperand.

What I needed to check was Esperand's hit list. Hundreds, thousands of names populate the roster, but I search for "Hildegaard."

A touch on the screen brings up Rian von Hildegaard's profile from the hit list. It's extensive.

I place a small red checkmark next to his name. Since the list updates in real-time, Esperand will start watching the Hildegaards now.

...That should do it.

Even without further schemes, just knowing Esperand's eyes are on them will tie Hildegaard's hands. Plus, if shit hits the fan, it gives me—or any Esperand—legit cause to take Rian down by force.

It's just a tiny check now, but it'll serve as a minimal safety net. Unless Rian loses his mind, he won't come at me openly. Still, reality has its "what ifs." Better safe than sorry. Safety can't be overdone.

"One down..."

I scroll down further. Rian von Hildegaard aside, there's another item to handle while I'm in the Esperand server.

A familiar name catches my eye mid-scroll: "Sugamond."

Sugamond...

So it wasn't just my imagination spotting Sugamond on the hit list. I steady my breath and open it.

"...Wait, what?"

Why the hell is my name here? I double-check, thinking I misread. Nope—still there in the notes.

That means Esperand was dead serious about throwing me into this.

So, to sum up.

They planned to off Iri de Sugamond's "older sister"—a key player who'll lead this world—using my hands. No excuse for ignorance like this. If they'd considered my situation even a little, they wouldn't have cooked up this idiotic plan.

Esperand really is a villain org. Specifically, the so-called "higher-ups." They ignore underlings' circumstances and follow their own twisted beliefs. Paranoid about rebellion, force-feeding everyone that Gu Poison disguised as an Elixir.

I slap a blue checkmark next to Lilia's name. Unlike red for warnings, blue signals objection.

My right hand trembles. This is probably ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the first time I've officially challenged an Esperand plan. But for this world's sake—and my comfy post-ending retirement—this insane scheme needs scrapping now.

I clench and unclench my fist to ease the tension, then draft the details.

With shaking fingers, I hit confirm. A message confirms the objection is logged.

I don't know how it'll play out, but this cursed plan can't proceed as is. I can't defy Esperand orders outright, so if it goes through, I'm stuck assassinating Lilia. No way in hell. Getting deployed for that is bad enough; if it happens, it'll torch my bridges with Iri and the protagonists—not just friction, but full fallout. Worst case, the main story goes to shit. My neck's on the line too.

Soon, a reply pings. My heart clenches.

"...These crazy bastards."

The curse slips out unbidden. In the end, they're forcing my hand to take out one or the other.

At least I dodged the immediate fire. If I'd missed this, disaster would've struck at the worst moment.

Either way, Lilia de Sugamond's assassination is on hold until Iri graduates. But don't miss this: it triggers when Iri severs ties with Arsen—graduation or dropout.

Iri's too stubborn for that, but still.

Guess I need to cherish Iri a bit more.

But no need to be all doom and gloom. I can even turn this to my advantage.

If the story follows canon, before Iri de Sugamond graduates Arsen...

Act 3: Duke Esperand Subjugation.

Duke Esperand falls first—to the Hunter Association.