Thug

“Teacher, are you really sure about this? No matter how I look at it, our destination seems completely unrelated to music. Elud is just a rural…”

“Hush. Keep your voice down.”

“…Yes.”

How dare he confront me with facts.

I pressed my index finger against Leo’s lips as he looked at me with concern, silencing him.

“I told you before, didn’t I? The club activity is just an excuse.”

“I know that, but I’m still worried.”

“Don’t worry too much. Even if we get caught, it won’t be a problem.”

“…?”

“Let’s just say I have my ways.”

I’d already blatantly told the Principal that we were going to search for the Sword Saint’s traces.

Though she tried to refuse, asking what business students had going there, after some deep conversation over drinks, she finally gave permission.

She’ll probably help cover it up so others don’t find out. Even if discovered, someone with his power can easily suppress it. Nothing to worry about.

What? That it wasn’t a conversation but coercion? Quiet, you.

“Alright, everyone focus. We’re heading to Elud now. It’ll take about… three days.”

“Three days. Could be considered long or short.”

“Our goal is to find the Sword Saint’s traces. Understood?”

“…Teacher, why do you sound so excited?”

As I reminded everyone of our purpose, someone addressed me.

Had my voice unconsciously become too animated?

Without trying to hide it, I explained why I was excited.

“I love this kind of thing! Adventure, exploration, and rewards! Isn’t it awesome?!”

“Ah, sure…”

“What’s with that reaction! Let’s go! …No one’s responding. Fine, let’s go!”

“So noisy… Just get in the carriage already. What kind of adventure is this when you can’t even ride a horse and had to rent a carriage?”

“…”

How mean. That was unnecessarily harsh.

Whether she sensed my disappointment or thought her words went too far, Orca glared at me before muttering quietly.

“…Let’s go.”

“…! I knew I could count on you, Orca!”

“Ugh, it’s hot, get off!”

After watching students board one by one, I boarded last and told the driver our destination.

“To Elud, please.”

“Aye.”

A blue light briefly flashed from the driver before the carriage began moving.

Settling into a comfortable seat, I murmured while watching the scenery through the luxurious window.

“…Wow, this is fast.”

“This speed is normal, isn’t it? Cars are faster than this.”

“What’s fascinating is a carriage moving as fast as a car.”

“?”

Hearing my muttering, Stella looked at me questioningly.

A magic-enhanced carriage matching car speed would seem ordinary to her.

But not to me.

Both the carriage’s speed and its minimal shaking despite movement were marvels. Isn’t this the charm of travel?

“…If it takes three days from the Academy, the Sword Saint must be in quite a remote place? Unexpected.”

“Too many watching eyes if he hid near the capital around the Academy.”

“Fair point.”

Though experiencing this world’s cars or trains would be nice, reaching Elud required abandoning that idea.

This world’s trains only connect major cities, making direct travel faster than taking one from the Academy.

Cars were physically impossible – no gas stations nearby. Unlikely to find one in such a rural village anyway.

Road conditions would be terrible too. Meanwhile, carriages fare better, and the original story used them.

The choice was obvious from the start.

“…Why is everyone crowded here? There’s plenty of space over there.”

“Um, sorry. It feels a bit uncomfortable.”

“…”

“Damn, the tension’s killing me.”

With six people in the carriage, why crowd near my seat? The answer was obvious – no one wanted to sit near the girl radiating murderous vibes.

I sighed quietly.

I’d tried lightening the mood, but apparently failed.

“Eileen, you’re too tense for a trip.”

“…Ah, sorry Teacher. Maybe I’m tired. I’ll feel better after a nap, don’t worry.”

“Really? I don’t think so. Is it because of your father?”

“?!”

Students beside me flinched noticeably, startled by my blunt mention of sensitive topics.

Orca began poking my back sharply. Ouch! Stop that!

“Was I that obvious?”

“Yes. Extremely.”

“…Hmm, guess so. Sorry everyone for making you uncomfortable.”

Realizing her isolation, Eileen apologized awkwardly.

Students sighed in relief before punching my back. OWWW!

“Um, Miss Eileen, why do you hate your father?”

“Why bring that up now after changing the mood?!”

“S-sorry. But I’m curious. Hating one’s father… I can’t understand that.”

Anastasia asked awkwardly, her sole purpose being to save her own father making Eileen’s hatred incomprehensible.

Eileen answered lightly as if it were nothing.

“We made a promise.”

“Promise?”

“Watcher-nim. How much do you remember from childhood?”

“Not much, I’m afraid.”

“What about the day your family tragically died?”

“…Why bring that up? …I remember.”

The atmosphere turned deadly just after departure. Scary. I wish they’d get along.

“Same here. Childhood memories are fuzzy. Too long ago. …But one thing remains vivid when I close my eyes.”

“…Your father?”

“Yes. My always-kind father smiled at me that day too. But something was off – he looked paler than usual.”

The girl recalled her last meeting with her father.

“Don’t remember my exact age, the date, or weather. But the scene remains clear. I was seeing Father off as he left home.”

“…”

“Why so tense? It’s nothing. Back then, Father told me he’d return.”

“…That’s it?”

“Yes. And he never came back.”

Eileen ended her story abruptly as if it were trivial.

This oversimplification made her seem like trash plotting to kill her kind father.

Though I understood her feelings, others didn’t.

…No choice.

“Eileen. Do you hate your father?”

“Yes. Enough to kill him.”

“Alright. Then let me ask again. Do you still love him?”

“…”

Eileen didn’t answer. But silence can be an answer too.

Students realized her feelings weren’t simple hatred.

“…You’re really annoyingly complicated.”

Orca’s exasperated comment voiced everyone’s thoughts except Eileen’s.

Claiming to want her father dead yet unable to answer if she loves him.

“Childhood trauma leaves lasting memories. You were shocked when your kind father didn’t return?”

“…”

“I hope you can meet him at journey’s end.”

Silence filled the carriage afterward.

Everyone subtly watched Eileen, affected by the conversation. Leo looked troubled knowing his artifact belonged to her father.

Time passed in stifling tension until the driver slowed down.

“We’ll need to camp here tonight. The horses are tired.”

“Alright. …Everyone! Grab your weapons. Time to prepare.”

“…What? Suddenly? Prepare for what?”

At the sudden order, Eileen and Leo grabbed weapons in confusion.

…Ah, right. Only those two have proper weapons.

Scratching my head awkwardly, I explained.

“Bandits will appear soon. First, subdue the driver.”

“…?”

“…Since when did you know?”

“Huh? From the start?”

The Sword Saint quest being late-game content meant occasional battles en route.

Drivers abandoning wealthy passengers near bandits was standard storyline. Normally we’d walk after defeating them, but I refused.

Walk two days’ carriage distance? Are you insane?

“…Meant to just take your money, but now I can’t let you live.”

“Tsk, such foul language. Come at us then. We’ll handle you.”

Of course I meant the students.

I can’t fight. I’ll just watch.