Ch.307Chapter 307 – Such Remarkable Courage

Today is truly a peace… well, not peaceful, but rather a very chaotic morning.

The reason was, naturally, due to someone who visited the Academy early in the morning.

“Marquis Pathos Severio! Could you please reconsider just once more?”

“How many times do I have to say I’m not going?”

Right now, I was having a heated conversation with the middle-aged man sitting in front of me.

His name is Morris Telluberg. He’s the guild master of the Explorers Guild operated by the Gelebrio Empire.

Just from this much explanation, everyone should understand why I’m raising my voice.

“Please reconsider just once more! There’s no one more suitable for this expedition than you, Marquis!”

“Why on earth do I have to go?”

A week had passed since the expedition recruitment notice was posted at Glesius Academy.

Now in my third year, I was finally enjoying my academy life that I hadn’t been able to properly experience until now.

“To become your junior, it’s truly an honor!”

“Oh, c-could I possibly get your autograph?”

Even nowadays, when walking around the academy, I encounter students who have just enrolled, and their reactions are absolutely enthusiastic.

Actually, I learned about this when I recently met Mina and Elena after a long time.

Apparently, after I annihilated the demon god with the Holy Alliance forces and became a saint, apostle, and hero of the Great Goddess Order, the number of people wanting to enroll in the academy increased tremendously.

That’s why the number of applicants for this year’s academy entrance exam was the highest in history, and the number of those who passed and became freshmen was also at an all-time high.

Naturally, this was because of nobles trying to create even the slightest connection with me.

Since I rarely go outside the academy, they’ve gone so far as to enroll not only their own children but also their collateral relatives and even talented commoners from their territories to create connections with me.

Perhaps because of this, I’ve been receiving almost “idol-like” adoration within the academy these days.

I didn’t realize it before, but now that I’m experiencing people elevating me like this, it’s actually quite enjoyable.

So I had planned to work hard during my remaining two years at the academy to reap many rewards, but then this man suddenly showed up asking me to join this expedition.

“Marquis Severio’s abilities are absolutely necessary for this expedition! Since this expedition is expected to last at least a year or more, we need you to join us to minimize the expedition’s resource consumption!”

Needless to say, he came looking for me to reduce the amount of resources consumed during the new continent exploration.

With me present, things that would normally be used once and discarded could be restored and reused, and tools could be reused multiple times.

Even if the base camp gets destroyed, a few hammer strikes from me would quickly repair it.

So from the guild master’s perspective, my participation would significantly increase the success rate of the expedition to the new continent.

“Guild Master Telluberg. Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes, Marquis.”

“Why must I join the expedition? It’s not my duty to do so.”

Why should I go there anyway?

In harsh and difficult conditions, exploring an unknown continent, struggling to eat, bathe, and sleep.

A place where everything is scarce and one must endure all kinds of hardships, and where a single mistake could mean death.

Of course, considering the historical context of this world, there might be some appeal in exploring an unknown new continent.

It could be romanticized as “sacrificing one’s life for humanity while exploring an unknown new continent.”

But that’s just a story for people born and living in an age of “romance.”

“W-well, that is…”

“As you well know, I am a student enrolled at the academy. And I only have 2 years left to spend at the academy. Are you asking me to spend more than half of those 2 years exploring an unknown land?”

“I understand! That’s why, with the Emperor’s permission, those who participate in this expedition can graduate rather than just complete their courses after fulfilling a certain period!”

“I don’t need that.”

From the beginning, I entered the academy with a promise from the Prime Minister that I would be guaranteed graduation anyway.

“I already have an arrangement with the academy regarding my graduation. The person who granted this was, of course, Prime Minister Bergen Steyler. Are you higher in authority than the Prime Minister?”

“…”

Morris became speechless at my words. Of course, he would have nothing to say to me.

The budget for the Explorers Guild he manages is executed by the Imperial Administration, and the head of that administration is none other than the Prime Minister.

The moment he gets on the Prime Minister’s bad side, Morris could become penniless and homeless overnight.

“I understand your passion for exploring the new continent, but I have no interest in such things. My academy life, which happens only once in my lifetime, is more precious to me.”

“But… if you would join us, Marquis…”

“Go back. No matter what you say, I’ve already made up my mind.”

“I have no choice then. I understand your position, Marquis. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

Morris stood up, bowed to me respectfully, and left the academy.

His dejected appearance made me feel somewhat sorry for him, but I absolutely have no intention of going there.

Who knows what might happen there, and they want me to suffer for over a year? Just the boat journey alone would take a month.

Moreover, this world doesn’t have steam engines or diesel engines to move ships quickly, so traveling by ship takes a lot of time.

Therefore, from my perspective, not participating in the new continent expedition was more comfortable.

Above all, I still occasionally had trauma from being blown up while on a ship.

There’s a reason why I choose boats that float on lakes rather than the sea for recreational purposes.

“Pathos, did something happen?”

“Huh? Karen? What brings you here?”

After sending Morris away and returning home, I found Karen sitting on the sofa drinking tea.

“You’ve heard about the discovery of the new continent, right?”

“I was just talking with the head of the Explorers Guild about that.”

“What did you say?”

“I said I wouldn’t go. Because of the incident where I was blown up on a ship, I don’t think I can ride ships that sail on the ocean.”

I explained to Karen why I wasn’t going on the new continent expedition.

“Morris Telluberg. He must be from the Telluberg family, I suppose.”

“You know the family?”

“Yes. It’s a family that has produced several renowned adventurers and explorers. Since someone from the Telluberg family is the head of the Explorers Guild, it seems they sent an official document to the academy as well.”

Hmm, so he’s a noble after all. But since he doesn’t have a title, he must be a noble without a peerage.

“Actually, I personally wanted you not to participate in the new continent expedition.”

“Why is that?”

“Well, if you go there, I won’t be able to come see you. There aren’t even teleport stations that can cross continents yet.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Karen simply didn’t want me to go there. Well, it had only been just over a month since our relationship developed into a romantic one.

“I might have been a bit harsh, but his actions were somewhat excessive. He said that only with me could they reduce the expedition’s resource consumption rate?”

“When an exploration task is given as a national project, how much fewer resources are used is recorded as an achievement for the Explorers Guild master.”

So, he came to me just to build up his own achievements?

“It seems Morris Telluberg viewed me as a tool for his own advancement.”

“Well, if he’s from the Telluberg family, that’s possible. It’s because he’s that bold and fearless that he’s trying to undertake the task of exploring the new continent.”

Hmm, that’s true. How bold must he be to come to a marquis and make such demands?

Wow, I wouldn’t even be able to approach someone like that.

“He’s quite a bold person.”

“That’s probably why he’s the head of the Explorers Guild, don’t you think?”

And so Karen and I chatted for a while. Anyway, since Karen was the person I was going to marry, it wasn’t a problem for her to stay here for a day.

However, it was puzzling that our engagement hadn’t been announced yet.

“By the way, when will our engagement be announced?”

“Well, my father is currently quite busy with the timing of the expedition’s launch, so probably next month?”

Next month, huh. It seemed the Emperor had more matters to attend to than I thought.

I tried to forget about the new continent expedition, but not long after, something happened that would change my mind.