Ch.24024. A Twisted Tale of Jealousy

Finally arriving at the Academy’s main building, Gilbert could truly feel that he had returned. Though he had only been gone for a week, the difficult journey back had somehow made him miss this place.

The return journey had painfully confirmed that the saying “leaving home brings hardship” existed for good reason. While it’s often joked that the royal road of fantasy involves encounters with thieves or monsters, the frequency of such encounters had exceeded Gilbert’s imagination.

It reminded him of playing Tactical Combat on the highest difficulty level—every time he tried to camp in what seemed like a suitable spot, bands of thieves would appear as if by appointment, making proper sleep impossible.

Of course, sleeping peacefully while camping alone was already an impossible task, but having trip wires triggered every time he set them up was somewhat problematic.

For Gilbert, whose goal was merely to catch even a light sleep, this was naturally stressful. Dealing with attackers who targeted his life often resulted in unwanted bloodshed.

He couldn’t shake the thought that if he had experienced all this while returning empty-handed instead of having obtained Lionheart and Nemea, he would have completely lost his composure and gone berserk.

Gilbert congratulated himself on returning safely as he strode into the main building. His mind was filled with only one thought—to settle matters with Professor Horizon as quickly as possible and secure some rest.

But perhaps it was because of his disheveled appearance?

Gilbert gave a bitter smile at the stares directed his way. Objectively speaking, it was natural to attract attention when a notorious troublemaker who had been absent for a week suddenly appeared looking so unkempt.

Especially concerning were the bright red stains on his sleeves, which anyone would recognize as bloodstains. Combined with his infamous reputation, he dreaded what rumors might spread.

Though adding black paint to ink wouldn’t make much difference, a person’s reputation could certainly get worse. No matter how rock-bottom Gilbert’s reputation already was, rumors about him indiscriminately cutting people down would be problematic.

If strange information were to reach the Count of Lithuania due to a mistake on his part…

Gilbert felt a chill run down his spine.

Although Gilbert had been given one last chance by the Count of Lithuania—his father—it was, strictly speaking, more like probation. Naturally, if he caused any strange incidents during this period, immediate punishment would follow.

He tried his best to appear unfazed by the murmurs around him. The glare from Lily in the distance, who looked like she wanted to kill him, was hard to ignore, but their relationship had fallen apart before it even began.

Not wanting to get entangled and end up with a red face, Gilbert quickly headed toward Professor Horizon’s research room.

Knock, knock!

“Professor. It’s Gilbert.”

“Ho ho. Finally returned, have you? Come in.”

Upon knocking, the incredibly kind voice he hadn’t heard in a week granted him permission to enter.

Gilbert opened the door and stepped inside. As he entered, the musty smell of ancient documents, which he had encountered once before, greeted him.

“Cadet Gilbert, is it? Yes. Judging by your appearance, you’ve been through quite an ordeal. Were you successful?”

Professor Horizon’s still-bright eyes met Gilbert’s ruby-like ones. His eyes seemed possessed by a strange yearning.

“I have it here.”

Gilbert took out the journal he had brought from Terodamas’s hideout from his magical pouch. As Professor Horizon received the thick, magically treated parchment, his eyes trembled at the confirmation of Gilbert’s claim.

“How did you find the journal?”

“I found Lion King Terodamas’s hideout. While gathering information in Obitus territory, I discovered his hidden sanctuary.”

“A hidden sanctuary?”

“By tracing songs passed down orally among minstrels, I found a bookstore in Obitus territory that dealt with ancient texts. There was a journal describing the Lion King’s final moments.”

This was merely explaining the route to discovering information in the game.

Players who received the quest from Professor Horizon would head to Obitus territory, where Terodamas was said to have met his end, and there they would hear the minstrels’ songs.

Like most minstrel songs, these were filled with metaphors and allegories that made it impossible to pinpoint a specific location. However, upon entering a nearby bookstore selling ancient texts, one could find a journal vaguely describing the location in the most remote corner where unsold books were piled.

Afterward, it required endless grinding to find similar terrain, and by referencing the Lion King’s biography to determine the mana pattern needed to enter, one could finally access Terodamas’s hideout and obtain Lionheart.

Of course, Gilbert, knowing all the details, could have gone straight to the location, but he followed all the steps to avoid arousing Professor Horizon’s suspicion.

On the other hand, his uncertainty about whether he could obtain Lionheart just like in Tactical Combat also contributed to his decision to visit the ancient bookstore.

Professor Horizon quietly looked down at the journal before turning his gaze to Gilbert.

He had never expected that someone would find the hidden sanctuary in just a week—a sanctuary that even he, who had researched the Lion King for many years, couldn’t locate.

He had only intended to punish an impudent new cadet who dared to contradict him, but it had resulted in a great harvest.

Professor Horizon nodded with great satisfaction.

“Cadet Gilbert.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Though I haven’t yet verified the authenticity of this journal, I can tell it’s not a forgery. Growing old gives one the ability to discern such things.”

“Is that so?”

“You don’t have to believe me.”

After taking a breath, Professor Horizon continued speaking to the still-composed Gilbert.

“Anyway, this old professor has completely lost this bet. As promised, not only is your expulsion nullified, but I will grant you one wish as I promised. Ho ho.”

Gilbert inwardly rejoiced as he saw the quest completion notification. Originally, it was just a sub-quest to obtain Lionheart, but Professor Horizon’s unexpected declaration had enhanced the reward.

With the help of the one called the Great Sage, he could acquire almost anything he wanted, so Gilbert pondered what he needed right now.

The best item would be one that could increase his magical ability, but it was excessive so soon after consuming the Dragon Fruit. It could potentially disrupt his stabilizing magical array, and such items could be obtained anytime.

It would be much more beneficial to request something that could only be acquired with the professor’s help…

At that moment, something flashed through Gilbert’s mind.

“Professor, when you say anything I want, does that mean anything at all?”

“It must be within my power, of course. So, have you thought of something?”

“I would like to receive a prototype of the artificial spirit you’re currently researching.”

“A prototype of the artificial spirit?”

Professor Horizon’s eyes narrowed. He had expected a request for a reward or a potion to increase magical power, but this was far from his expectations.

For Gilbert, however, this was a golden opportunity. Since he already planned to give the best God-Machine to the protagonist, he needed to secure one for himself.

The artificial spirit, which served as the core of the God-Machine, was not something that could be purchased with money alone.

Even the artificial spirits in the God-Machines of Lithuania territory were a generation behind. Since God-Machines were weapons of war, their supply was determined by state institutions.

Most of the latest God-Machines were prioritized for defending the Imperial Way, so it was crucial to seize such opportunities.

Moreover, the prototype artificial spirit at this point was something even Gilbert had never obtained before.

As the main story progressed, it would be released externally and eventually end up with a boss-level character, demonstrating its might.

But if he could acquire it with the help of Great Sage Horizon, he could both reduce that boss-level character’s power and enhance his own.

After a moment of contemplation, Professor Horizon’s eyes lit up as he asked:

“Very well. I made a promise as the Great Sage, so I’ll grant you that much. From what this old professor knows, they’re planning to discard it with the production of the newest God-Machine right around the corner.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Though he wanted to shout with joy at seizing this rare opportunity, he restrained himself due to Professor Horizon’s presence.

“But I’d like to ask one thing, if you don’t mind?”

“I don’t mind.”

“When you went to that hideout, was there anything else besides this journal?”

“I didn’t have the capacity to examine it thoroughly. With my limited schedule, it was impossible to investigate the place properly.”

Though Gilbert knew what Professor Horizon wanted, he feigned ignorance. There was no point in pretending to know and getting entangled in complications.

With an expression that somehow mixed longing and regret, Professor Horizon let out a long sigh before returning to his usual kind demeanor.

“I see. Very well. Then please submit a report just about that hideout.”

“Understood. I’ll take my leave now.”

Gilbert bowed and left the research room. Though an unexpected penalty had been attached, he felt satisfied at having gained something far greater.

He desperately wanted to return to his room, take a shower, and lie down in bed, but he decided to endure a bit longer. Despite Professor Horizon’s permission, missing a week of lectures was not good.

I wish I could change clothes, but there’s no time.

Gilbert sighed at his untidy appearance and headed toward the God-Machine operation lecture hall.