Ch.2121. Confrontation

“Conrad let you go quite easily. You often get misunderstood because of how strangely you speak, don’t you?”

“I don’t think that’s particularly the case.”

“Then you must just be terribly oblivious. From what I’ve seen, it seems like this has happened to you many times already.”

“…”

“Watch your mouth. From what I can tell, you’re going to get tangled up in all sorts of disasters because of it.”

She’s being quite harsh.

Thinking that, I scratch my cheek as Percy sighs and flips through the production proposal I brought.

Percy Syston Levantin, the dean of the Faculty of Magic, is a capable researcher recognized even by the Demonic Spire.

Considering that most technological advancements in the Sera world were achieved through magical engineering, being recognized by the Demonic Spire, the center of such technology, must be quite an impressive achievement.

Perhaps due to his achievements in magical studies, despite approaching his fifties, he appears to be only in his late twenties.

Right. Anyway.

“Are you insane?”

“…”

“How could you bring something like this and ask me to make it?”

Such words coming from someone like him feels somewhat out of place.

“This is more of a cannon than a bomb. From the beginning, I was baffled when you asked for something powerful enough to blow up the entire academy, but now you want me to concentrate all that power into a single point?”

That’s accurate.

It’s definitely closer to a portable cannon than a bomb.

Rather than targeting a wide area, the goal is to hit a precise point at an exact moment.

“The actual production will be handed over to Elphante Academy’s internal workshop anyway, so you don’t have to do it yourself. Could you just design the explosive core and the outer shell to contain it?”

“That’s the most difficult part! It’s hard enough to prepare that kind of firepower, but to also create an outer shell strong enough not to shatter when it explodes inside? Do you think I’m some kind of magical engineering god?”

“Haven’t you made something similar before?”

At my words, Percy frowned and closed his mouth.

Among the “weapons” this person created during his time at the Demonic Spire, there was already something with similar capabilities that went into actual production.

Due to some… “accident,” the mass production plan was scrapped.

After maintaining silence for a moment, Percy spoke with a difficult expression.

“I don’t know how you know about that. It was quite some time ago.”

“You mentioned being a magical engineering god or whatnot, but didn’t you have a similar reputation before?”

In fact, if it weren’t for the aforementioned accident, this person might have risen to become the “successor” of the Demonic Spire.

If Percy says he can’t make it, then nobody would be able to take on this request.

He’s not holding the position of dean of Elphante’s Faculty of Magic for nothing.

“And honestly, I’m hesitant to say this, but…”

“…What is it?”

“It’s not like you’re the one who’ll be doing most of the work, right?”

“…”

When I bluntly stated that fact, Percy cleared his throat.

Meanwhile, the graduate students who were busy researching nearby turned pale.

In any lab, when a task is delegated, it’s always the frontline workers who suffer the most, not the person in charge.

“But, putting aside the production. What exactly do you intend to use such a weapon for?”

Percy asked with a serious expression.

It’s a valid question. Even with a wish token, it’s natural to be wary when a student suddenly asks for a weapon to be made.

The purpose itself is simple.

In the Sera world, chapter final bosses tend to come with all sorts of nasty gimmicks, and the Purifier, who starts it all, has the essence of that nastiness concentrated in his final phase.

He was famous for trolling users with all sorts of patterns that emerge just when they think they’ve got him figured out.

So what’s my solution?

“I need to blow something up in one shot.”

“…”

“You know, there’s something I need to blow up before it becomes troublesome.”

“…Student, you’re really terrible at explaining, aren’t you?”

“…”

I think it’s a bit of a mess myself.

“Still, there must be a reason for—”

“I’ll make it for you.”

“…”

I was left speechless by Percy’s sudden cool acceptance.

As I blinked awkwardly, Percy sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

“Well, I have the president’s instructions to cooperate with you as much as possible, and I don’t think you’ll use it for anything inappropriate…”

What’s with this high evaluation?

As I blinked my eyes, Percy continued with a slight smile.

“Regular students might not know, but quite a few faculty members are aware of your role in the previous monster incident. That kind of courage and skill isn’t common.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. That’s probably why the president confidently placed you in what seems like a youth romance drama plan to save the world…”

Percy, who had been speaking casually, suddenly closed his mouth mid-sentence.

His complexion had turned completely ashen, as if he had said something that should never have been uttered.

What did he say?

“…Youth romance drama? Save the world, what?”

“Ah, no, ah, I, I didn’t say anything! You should forget it too!”

Why is he so flustered?

His character was always a bit scatterbrained, but seeing him panic to this extent suggests it was truly something he shouldn’t have mentioned.

“More importantly, materials, materials are crucial for making this!”

Percy hastily changed the subject.

“Both the internal explosive that will act as gunpowder and the outer shell need good materials with the right strength, cohesion, elasticity, and magical conductivity! That, that will be difficult to find!”

“…Please calm down first. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear anything.”

I sigh deeply as I say this.

Although it came out as an attempt to abruptly change the topic, the point itself is valid.

Both the explosive material and the material to contain it are important.

‘The focus is on this.’

I fiddle with the black card I received from Atalante inside my pocket. A key to the Otherworld.

If I can just enter that place, finding the materials Percy mentioned wouldn’t be too difficult.

Though surviving inside would be the real challenge.

‘For that, I need…’

Just two items.

And one person to handle them with me.

“Dean, there was something you gave along with the wish token before.”

“Y-Yes?!”

“…Didn’t you say you’d give one item each from the arcane storage to me and the hero candidate?”

This is the privilege I earned by breaking the record in the mock battle.

“May I request the list of items to be taken out now?”

Saying that, I write down the names of two items on a piece of paper.

Items that have subtle effects when used separately, but extreme effects when used together.

It looked like I was requesting Elia’s item on her behalf, but I carried her weight during the mock battle anyway. If she has complaints, I have things to say too.

“…”

And seeing the names of those items, Percy finally regained his composure.

The reason was that he was too dumbfounded.

He probably immediately understood why I was taking these two items.

“…You really are insane, aren’t you?”

“…”

Ma’am.

Why are you treating me like this?

●

Elphante’s curriculum isn’t actually that rigorous, especially for freshmen.

Since only those who want to study will study hard anyway, the idea is to guarantee students’ autonomous learning rights rather than forcing them to stay.

‘…It’s spacious.’

That’s why I can skip classes like this.

I walk down the corridor, moving my slightly aching legs.

I’m looking for Elia. The time to use the “key” Atalante gave me is tomorrow, and I need his cooperation to carry out my plan inside.

‘Probably…’

He’s probably holed up in the Monster Research Department’s club room. In the original work, he had a minor in Monster Research.

It’s really spacious here. Even after walking until my legs hurt, the destination is still far away.

As I was grumbling about this.

“Ah, are you perhaps Darwood Campbell?”

A voice that sent chills up my spine stopped me.

Turning my head, I saw a man in a tailcoat approaching me.

A polite smile, features exuding kindness, courteous demeanor.

He gives the impression of a successful young businessman.

“…”

But knowing his true nature, I can see through it.

Malice disguised as courtesy, ill intent packaged as kindness, hostility covered by politeness.

“I was actually looking for you, what a coincidence to meet you here.”

Bullshit.

He must have been monitoring my every move. It’s far more plausible that he was watching me than the probability of coincidentally meeting in a deserted corridor with no one around.

“…Do you know me?”

“Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. I’m Galdier Riverback. I run the charitable foundation ‘House of Purification.'”

I take the business card he hands me as he says this.

Yes, I know this person.

Marquis Galdier Riverback.

He is “The Purifier,” the final boss of Chapter 1, and the leader of the demon cult “Purifier.”

This charitable foundation is just for money laundering for that group.

“…”

Well, that doesn’t matter.

What’s important is why he suddenly appeared.

What business does he have with me?

“I’ve had great interest in Darwood Campbell for some time. I’ve wanted to contact you somehow, but never had the opportunity.”

I silently faced Marquis Riverback as he said this, but even though I didn’t respond, he skillfully continued the conversation.

“I have something important to discuss with you. Would you join me for a meal sometime?”

“…I think you could just tell me here.”

“No. It’s simply for charitable purposes. The House of Purification supports talented students so they aren’t restricted.”

Marquis Riverback smiled slightly and leaned forward a bit. Still maintaining a polite attitude compared to my grumpy demeanor.

“…I understand I have quite a negative reputation.”

At least that’s what’s being promoted at Elphante. It’s certain that it hasn’t leaked out yet except to some faculty members.

But Marquis Riverback smiled again, unconcerned.

“The fact that you’ve garnered such public opinion itself is a talent.”

“…”

“Our foundation can definitely provide good opportunities for Darwood Campbell. Would you please reconsider?”

I don’t answer and just turn the business card over in my hand a few times.

It’s actually nonsensical. Saying that garnering negative public opinion itself is a talent? There’s no way to evaluate that positively.

This can only be explained as having an interest in “me” in some way.

‘This.’

This was an event in the original work.

An event where Marquis Riverback tries to “recruit” someone. In the original, Elia got involved and it led to an important chapter branch.

Now it’s coming to me.

I don’t know why, but.

“…I’ll think about it.”

Marquis Riverback smiled at my answer and bowed slightly.

“A good answer, I’ll be looking forward to it.”

As I watched him walk away, still speaking in a polite tone, I turned over the business card he gave me.

Three days later. The Eye of Twilight. A high-end restaurant located in the city area just outside the school grounds.

It seems he’s rented out the entire restaurant. Typical of Marquis Riverback, known for his wealth.

“…”

I quietly sort through my thoughts.

Just like previous events, avoiding an event tied to the main scenario incurs a huge penalty in itself. I essentially have no choice but to attend.

“…”

Why is it always like this?

Is the whole world really coming at me with malice?

I clutch my head again, suffering from the frequent headaches I’ve been having lately.

‘…I’ll need to prepare everything I can.’

Well, there’s no use dwelling on it now. It’s do or die, just like it has been several times before.

I have three days. I think about what I can do until then.

I compile the information I know and apply it to the current situation.

I calculate the risks. I calculate the returns.

‘…It’s not impossible.’

The plan itself won’t change much. The first thing to do is to go to the Otherworld with Elia tomorrow and collect materials from inside.

After that, there are things to craft and enhance, all lined up.

But after that.

“…”

One more thing is needed.

I silently change my course. Before going to Elia, there was someone else I needed to find first.

I arrive at the infirmary and knock on the door.

“Elnore. Are you there?”

“…Darwood?”

Elnore’s surprised voice came from inside.

I heard she collapsed here all day after fighting with the dean and passing out.

“…What brings you here? Wait, I’ll come out right away.”

“No. You must be tired, so please stay lying down. It’s a simple matter.”

“A matter? Did something happen?”

“Are you free three days from now?”

“…Huh?”

“Could you come somewhere with me? To ‘The Eye of Twilight.'”

Elnore fell silent inside.

I heard what sounded like her catching her breath, followed by a long silence.

Then, a slightly trembling voice emerged.

“…Isn’t that a famous dating sp-, I mean, an extremely expensive restaurant? Why there…”

“Well. It’s a place I must go with you.”

There was a loud crashing sound from inside.

“…”

What’s wrong with this person?

“…Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

“…”

Good. That’s a relief.

“Then I’ll see you in three days…?”

“…Alright.”

I back away, hearing a voice that seemed much less dignified than usual, almost mumbling.

‘…At least I’ve recruited the most important person.’

The rest is just gathering the means to use in the plan.

Yes.

From now on, the next three days are going to be quite busy.

●