Ch.195NPC’s Snowball: The Final Destination. (2)

“Groooooan…”

“You said you were pulling an all-nighter, but did you really not sleep at all?”

“…The situation got a bit complicated. To handle everything in one day, going without sleep for a day isn’t enough time. So I’m pulling another all-nighter tonight.”

“Huh? What does that mean? Not enough time even if you don’t sleep for a day? A day has 24 hours, you know? And today is yesterday’s tomorrow?”

The Dean’s face has been rejuvenated by transformation magic, so he doesn’t look particularly tired. But his eyes are physically dead.

On top of that, his usually confident stride has turned into a sluggish shuffle. Anyone, not just me, would notice that this is a seriously concerning state. Hmm, is it really okay for him to teach classes like this?

“What nonsense are you spouting? Since I haven’t fallen asleep, the day isn’t over yet.”

No. You’re the one talking nonsense here? I wanted to tell him to just go get some sleep somewhere, but I couldn’t. We know why the Dean is working so hard.

Secretly hospitalizing and silencing the professors and assistants from the Monster Research Department who collapsed after being enchanted by a demon. Then recruiting replacement staff and preparing monsters for the skill evaluations of other grades scheduled for today and tomorrow, while ensuring they aren’t dangerous. Moreover, manipulating information about the disappearance of the human named Kesart Salver and the Empire’s…

“Stop making that face like you’ve eaten shit. I haven’t even started on ‘that matter’ yet. Right now, the ‘prostitute’ is the problem.”

“Face like I’ve eaten shit? I was just…”

“It means don’t worry unnecessarily. The more you concern yourself, the more troublesome it becomes. Besides, it’s not like you can do anything about it anyway.”

Just trust me and wait. The Dean, without looking at me, started grumbling about the pink demon he called a ‘prostitute.’

…I understand he’s trying to change the subject out of consideration for me, but it’s too obvious.

“To construct a spell that can perfectly bind and subjugate that damn bitch, I need at least half a day. But I don’t have time right now. So I’ve ordered the high-ranking spirits to keep watch over her.”

“Huh… Can two high-ranking spirits really restrain a high-ranking demon?”

“Well, normally it would be impossible.”

“What? Then, isn’t it dangerous…”

“I already half-killed her yesterday. I’m continuing to break her down right now. As long as I don’t destroy her core, she won’t die easily. The exhausting part is that I have to keep supplying mana to the spirits. And now I have to do their usual work myself…”

Though the conversation shift was a bit unnatural, the Dean seemed slightly better after grumbling about why he was having such a hard time.

And so. While listening to the Dean’s complaints as we walked through the school, we entered the corridor of Class A, where Ira would have arrived a little later than me.

“…really. That whore isn’t even human, so the collar of subjugation doesn’t work on her. It would be so satisfying to just kill… What’s all this?”

“Hm? Those are students from other classes?”

“I can see that. I’ve memorized all their faces and names. The question is what they’re holding in their hands, and why they’re standing in line.”

“Hmm? *sniff sniff* Sweet smell. Those look like cookies or chocolates?”

Students gathered at both entrances of Class A were all holding snacks, candies, and chocolates in their hands.

What’s going on? Is today some special day? A noble child’s birthday or something?

“…It’s almost class time, what on earth are they doing?”

The Dean finally stopped complaining about the demon woman and muttered as he approached the children. I quietly followed behind him like a proper assistant, and the children who noticed us bowed their heads in greeting.

“Professor Kaina. Assistant Rag, good morning!!”

“””Good morning!!”””

“Yes, yes. So, what exactly are you all doing? It’s 10 minutes before class starts.”

“Ah.”

Did he forget that he had transformed into a younger appearance? He questioned the children in his full middle-aged Dean manner, causing them to be slightly startled without answering, retreating back to their classroom or stepping aside to make way.

Hmm. What could be happening… Huh?

“Hehe! Thank you! Let’s go to the cafeteria together at lunch!!”

“O-okay!! Sure!! I’ll look forward to it and wait!!”

“Hey, hey! You there! No cutting in line, get in line!! Next!!”

“Ahem, um! H-hello? I’m from Class B…”

“Hi! I’m Ira! Nice to meet you!!”

“Um, excuse me. Can I… shake hands too…?”

“Sure!”

“Hyaaah?!”

Ira was standing by the window, exchanging greetings and introducing herself to students from other classes, while Grace stood beside her with sharp eyes, glaring at the children and making them line up. And next to them, Gor and Latina were… what is that?

“What on earth…?”

“…Collecting snacks?”

The golem and the elementary school girl were building towers with the cookies, chocolates, and candies that the greeting children were handing over. And then there were the children who, after exchanging greetings and making some kind of promise with Ira, turned away with blushing faces.

Even with all my knowledge, this chaotic scene was incomprehensible, causing both the Dean and me to freeze for several seconds.

“Ah, no. We shouldn’t just stand here…”

“You lot! What are you all doing when class is about to start!!”

“Ah!!”

“P-Professor! Good morning!!”

“”Good morning!!””

“…How can you say ‘good morning’ when I’m looking at this scene? What is all this commotion about?”

When all the children greeted us with surprise, the Dean rubbed his temples as if he had a headache and threw out a question to no one in particular.

Then Ira, who was at the innermost part, raised her hand high and answered with a bright smile.

“Everyone said they want to be friends with me!!”

“”…Huh?””

They wanted to be friends and even brought gifts to Ira, a commoner? This many first-year elementary students?!

The Dean and I looked at each other in disbelief, then turned our gaze back to the surrounding children.

-Nod nod nod!!!

All the children blushed as if caught doing something embarrassing, vigorously nodding and affirming, which finally made the Dean drag his hand down his face.

*

Deep in the night, in a forest at the border of the Empire.

Three hooded men, their bodies stained crimson, were moving urgently while gasping for breath.

“…Huff, huff. Ugh! M-Mr. Dolph. I can’t go on! Leave me here!!”

“Are you crazy, giving up?! What about the families left behind!! Keep running no matter how hard it is!!”

“…Tell them I’m sorry. That I went ahead. Tell them to be happy…”

One of the men slowed down and touched his abdomen under his hood with a pale expression. When he removed his hand, the bleeding, which couldn’t be fully concealed even by the thick cloth, became visible to the other two men.

“…Damn it.”

“When did you…?”

“Earlier, during their ambush, I think. I’ll buy you time, so you two survive and deliver the information to the princess… no, to ‘Her Imperial Highness.'”

“W-we can’t do that!!”

“Shit…”

The man called Dolph.

The man who had previously attacked Jack and Ragni in Aigram, who had been evaluated as the master of cutting losses in the assassin group, drew a dagger from his waist and gritted his teeth while cursing at his comrade who had turned around.

After safely evacuating all their families and comrades, they were supposed to be the last ones to escape. He never expected to lose a comrade like this.

“…Let’s go.”

“W-wait!! We can’t just leave him…!!”

“If we carry him, all three of us will die. Then, the Empire is finished.”

“…Right, if that happens… *cough!* *hiss* My daughter and wife will be in danger too. So, please.”

Just as Princess Ragni had told us that day, we passed a mix of real and false information to the Empire, and the Empire seemed to give up their pursuit.

Of course, it was a natural result—or should have been—since we, the Emperor’s direct assassination unit raised by the Prime Minister, had learned of the foolishness of the leadership, and most of us chose not to follow their foolishness to the end.

“…I’ll tell your wife that you died protecting the Empire like a ‘knight’ impressive enough to make even a man admire.”

“…*cough* C-could you also tell her not to meet another man…”

“That’s not happening.”

“Damn…”

Smiling bitterly as if he had drunk poison, the man turned to look at us and quietly laughed before telling us to go.

I ran at full speed with my remaining comrade. Not long after, flashes of light and the sound of sword strikes began to echo from behind.

“Fuck, fuck! Is this really right?! Why the hell is the Empire…!!!”

“Run! If you have time to curse, catch your breath and run faster!!”

It’s a five-month journey by carriage from the Empire’s center to Neity. From this border region, it would take about three months by carriage. But we can’t use a carriage in our situation, and if we run on foot while avoiding enemy pursuit on land, it would take at least five months. In reality…

‘Both of us surviving is unlikely…’

Our comrades and families who fled abroad earlier were scattered across Aigram, Neity, Ponia, and Aiti, but they don’t know the information we have. If we die, they might just think we were caught and failed to escape. And that can’t be how this ends.

‘Damn it all, if only that forester or the golem girl were here at a time like this…!!’

He’s not even from the Empire, but having seen him once, I can be certain. If he knew about the current situation in the Empire, he would surely have extended a helping hand to us. And with his power, he could definitely have overcome this situation.

Thinking of him despite our limited acquaintance, I run like mad, believing that the Empire’s last hope is only ‘Ragni Bluemoon Ottoman,’ who has a strong connection with him.

And as we continue running, the sounds of flashes and sword strikes from behind disappear.

“Ugh…!! Those bastards!! Why, why!! Why is the Empire with the ‘Holy Theocracy’?!!”

Hearing the words of my remaining comrade, who was sobbing as he ran after losing his colleague, I think the same thing.

Yes, it’s incomprehensible. Even if it were just the madness of the Empire’s leadership, it would be hard to understand, but what’s chasing us now are pursuers from the ‘Holy Theocracy.’ However.

“…Just focus on surviving. You and me. Both of us surviving is unlikely. Think only about at least one of us staying alive to deliver the information to Her Highness in Neity!”

“Urgh!!! Yes!!”

The information we discovered. The Empire and the Holy Theocracy have formed an alliance to attack Ponia. And…

‘The ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ are also involved in this…!!!’

The horrific and disgusting contract that holds the lives of the Empire’s citizens as collateral. This must be conveyed to the Princess so she can borrow the power of that monster-like forester’s group and other countries to stop the Empire and the Holy Theocracy.

It happened on the day Jack collapsed after being struck by the elf’s sword.