Ch.256While That NPC Is Away. (2)

Rewinding time a bit, to when Jack lost three months to the Spirit Water.

“Still can’t feel him today?”

[No. I don’t understand what’s happened to Master. There were times when I couldn’t detect him during intense movements, but this is the first time he’s disappeared for so long.]

“…Surely nothing has actually happened to Jack, right?”

Ragni, Gor, and Rey were gathered in the evening as usual, talking while Ira was asleep. However, their recent topic wasn’t about Ira’s peaceful academy life, but about Jack’s sudden disappearance that Gor had sensed one day.

“Rey, we agreed not to talk about that. Besides…”

[That’s right. There’s no way Master could lose to anyone except Miss Ira. I’ve already told you, if he were dead, I wouldn’t exist either.]

“…But you collapsed in your room again yesterday. You can try to hide it, but I know everything.”

[……]

As Rey speaks with drooping eyebrows, looking concerned about Gor, Ragni glares at Gor as if demanding the truth.

Yes, Gor had collapsed. A few days ago, the incident where Gor fell while beside Ira during class had already spread quite sensationally throughout the academy. Of course, even if she’d softened her body with slime, she was fundamentally made of stone. All the students were startled when the heavy golem suddenly collapsed with a loud thud!

And recently, she had been found collapsed frequently when alone. She told Ira that she had fallen asleep from exhaustion while doing housework, but no one, including Ira, believed that story.

“Sigh, it was just two weeks ago that we were celebrating Ira finally being able to control the chick. Why is this happening?”

“Gor, can you tell where Jack was located? Perhaps I should go check myself…”

[Absolutely not. With my unstable condition, if you also leave Ragni and Miss Ira’s side, everyone will truly be defenseless.]

“No, the Headmaster is here too. Besides, Ragni’s combat ability is now similar to mine, or even stronger in certain aspects.”

“That’s true.”

[But the Empire is using demons to target Ragni. Master entrusted everyone’s protection to you and me. Have you forgotten?]

“That’s also true.”

Ragni sighs as she watches Rey, who has been rendered speechless by Gor’s rebuttal. Yes, it’s been two months since the Empire declared war. Working as the Headmaster’s secretary recently, she’s noticed an increase in unidentified individuals around Neti.

The current consensus is that they’re likely imperial spies waiting to exploit gaps in the Headmaster’s identity verification magic at the gates, since they can’t breach the city’s barrier directly.

“Truly. That Emperor has never been helpful to me a single day since I was born.”

[Anyway, Ragni, please stay by Miss Ira’s side until my condition stabilizes. I don’t know when I might suddenly collapse again. So…]

“Sigh, alright. I’ll stay close to Miss Ira as much as possible within the academy. Anyway, aren’t all the students focused on their final exams these days?”

“Well, that’s true. Lately, Ira only plays with her friends at the academy. Her routine is just stopping by the library and then coming straight home. Plus, with more imperial students taking leaves of absence, there are fewer people around. There shouldn’t be any immediate problems regarding Ira’s safety. And…”

“I’m planning to make a move starting tomorrow,” she says, causing Gor and Rey to tilt their heads in confusion.

“Well, intelligence gathering is important before a war.”

The tea Gor had prepared had gone cold while they were having this serious conversation, but Ragni thought she should just finish it and rest for the day, so she gulped it down in one go—

“PFFFT!!!”

[Ragni, that’s disgusting.]

“W-what are you doing?!”

“Ptui, ptui! …You collapsed again today, didn’t you?”

[……]

“No way.”

Rey, thinking his own tea was normal, pulled Ragni’s cup toward him and took a sip, surprised by the cold, bitter tea. This is…

“Did you steep it in cold water and then hot water? There’s no aroma and the taste is completely… Ah, did you put the leaves in hot water once and then brew it again?”

[…I really didn’t expect to end up like this. I’m sorry.]

“Haah, anyway. Gor, you need to rest as much as possible. If you keep collapsing, Ira will get worried too. Let us know immediately if you detect Jack again. And Rey, don’t make that face around Ira.”

“Understood…”

That’s how Jack’s women were spending their somewhat chaotic daily lives.

*

“Headmaster, I’m going to do what we discussed yesterday.”

“…Are you really planning to go out?”

“What, did you think I was joking about it?”

Having finished her morning duties as the Headmaster’s assistant and secretary, Ragni changed into her former red combat outfit, armed herself with a gun and sword at her waist, and spoke with a bitter smile.

“You don’t have to go. We could just send some guards and professors…”

“And if they miss the opportunity? And what if those people get hurt or even die? The atmosphere in the academy is already unsettled because of the declaration of war. If casualties occur, it will become even more serious.”

“True, but it would be the same if you, the assistant of Class 1-A, suddenly get hurt or disappear.”

When Ragni looks at the Headmaster in surprise at her words, the rejuvenated Headmaster clicks her tongue as if wondering what’s so surprising. Ragni gives a feminine laugh at her behavior and tilts her head before speaking.

“Could it be that you’re worried about me, Headmaster?”

“…Yes. Of course I’m worried. You’re quite a useful assistant and secretary.”

“Hehe! You’re so dishonest. Four months is both short and long, isn’t it? Long enough to grow attached. If our old Headmaster had given birth, they’d be about my age—”

“Say one more word, and I’ll feed you lightning magic to eliminate my worries.”

“Geez, I’m against violence, kidnapping, and confinement~ Anyway, I’ll be back by tomorrow evening at the latest. Don’t worry and look forward to it.”

“…Alright, be careful.”

For the Headmaster, who is busy preparing for war, to leave Neti and take action personally would be tantamount to spreading rumors that Neti’s forces are so inferior that their only strength, the Headmaster, has to do the legwork herself. But the situation changes completely if Ragni goes out instead. The Empire declared war with the absurd demand to return their princess, but what if that princess herself is carrying weapons, taking action, and roaming freely outside? Attacking the Empire? Even if someone claimed God had given a divine revelation, less than half would believe it.

Having finished these calculations, Ragni immediately headed outside Neti and by sunset, she was able to reach the closest village near Neti.

“Wow. Look at those gazes from the moment I arrived.”

Ragni muttered to herself as she noticed several pairs of eyes on her from the village entrance. She briefly wondered if so many people could recognize her face, but concluded they might just be suspicious based on her appearance, since she hadn’t disguised herself. Her steps lightened as she realized that if she just acted a bit, someone would surely take the bait.

With light footsteps, Ragni found the largest and closest building, a tavern, and sat at the counter as soon as she entered. Despite being in a village near a city where war had been declared, the place was quite crowded in the evening hours, and Ragni casually looked around.

Hmm, two? Three? She noticed people whose head movements were clearly unnatural, though they had the experience not to make direct eye contact with her. At least one of them must be from the Empire.

“Ahem. Master? I’d like the most expensive drink you have.”

“Huh? Master? Are you talking to me?”

“Oh my, aren’t you the owner of this tavern?”

“Haha, I am, but it’s the first time someone’s called me ‘Master.’ Well, the most expensive drink it is. It’s quite strong though, will you be alright?”

“Hehe. I’ve been wanting to try such a drink. I’m looking forward to it.”

“A pretty young lady drinking strong alcohol alone, my goodness. Here you go.”

Smelling the orange-colored drink half-filled in a cheap-looking glass, the scent of alcohol overpowers any pleasant aroma. Hmm, quite a strong drink. Well then…

“Here, Master.”

“Huh? W-wait. This drink is the most expensive, but it’s only 1,000 cen per bottle. Why are you giving me so much…”

“Hehe. I believe in paying the appropriate price for good items. This looks like a fine drink. Don’t worry and accept it. I’m actually quite wealthy, you know?”

“No, I still can’t accept 50,000 cen…”

“No, please take it. You see, this is my first time spending money like this on my own. I want to act a bit more confidently.”

“Haha, are you from some noble family? Well, if you insist, I’ll accept it.”

Acting like a foolish noblewoman with nothing but pretense, vanity, and confidence derived from money, she spends lavishly, and gradually the gazes around her begin to converge. And then…

“Hey, pretty lady. Got a lot of money?”

“Yes, I have a lot of money.”

“Heh, then how about buying us a round too? We’re not looking for anything expensive…”

-Swish.

-Slap!!

“Ow?!”

“Talk without touching me. So, drinks? Food? Is there something you want?”

After the man lightly placed his hand on her shoulder, she slapped his hand hard enough to make a loud sound, then took a sip of the expensive drink in front of her, causing the men around to exclaim “Ooh.” Hmm, this is quite bitter. It feels like my throat is burning.

“Well, I want some chicken gizzards.”

“Ah, since I got my hand slapped, can I order both food and drinks?”

“Idiot, you deserved that slap. Hey there, pretty high-class miss. Can I have a beer too?”

“Ahaha! You speak the truth. Yes, have as much beer as you want. And chicken gizzards? I’m curious what that is. Give us a plate of that too, Master.”

“Haha, with the war declaration and all, everyone’s been tightening their purse strings lately. Miss, are you sure you can spend so freely?”

“Hehe. I see, so these days commoners can’t even drink because of the war?”

Hmm, I don’t want to drink more, but since those guys I spotted earlier aren’t approaching, I have no choice.

I stood up, kicking back my chair, and downed the bitter drink in front of me in one go, then raised my glass and shouted.

“Today is the day this roy— noble lady bestows a meal upon us commoners! Everyone!! Order whatever you want to eat and drink!!!”

“OOOHHH!!!”

“Whew~! What, she really was a noble lady?! Wow! What a generous miss!!”

As I shouted, the men in the tavern whistled, clapped, and began ordering drinks and food while cheering for me. As I drank like a fool and casually moved my gaze around…

‘…Now they’re finally making their move.’

All three men I had been watching earlier were slowly approaching from completely different directions.