Ch.4545. Long-Term Business Trip

“Whoa!”

As I opened the door and entered the laboratory, a startled woman’s voice came from inside.

Since it was a voice I’d never heard before, I wondered what was going on, but then I saw a tuft of light pink hair sticking out from the corner of the desk.

“What’s that?”

Findenai, who had been following closely behind me, peeked over my shoulder to see.

I had already been briefed by the dean, so I entered without hesitation, and the disheveled-haired woman who had been under the desk stood up.

“Wow, geez.”

“Findenai, shut—”

“Look at that red head.”

“…”

Even though I had anticipated it, I couldn’t stop her. I glared at Findenai with a reproachful look, and she fidgeted with her chest while staring at the pink-haired professor, Per Petra.

“Seems like she really likes the kingdom.”

As Findenai stuck out her tongue, I frowned and signaled her to keep quiet. She made a gesture of zipping her lips.

“I apologize for the rudeness.”

“Oh, no. It’s fine.”

Professor Per Petra, who was scheduled to use my research lab after I was dismissed, was now packing her things. She was trying to vacate the room since the original owner—me—had returned.

Per Petra.

A woman with exceptional talent and achievements in anatomy. I heard that recently she had been researching magic to regenerate human bodies.

This woman, who was attempting to reach the realm of gods, looked quite disheveled and unsightly on the outside.

“P-Professor Deus Verdi? I’m sorry! I’ll vacate the room right away!”

Professor Per frantically started packing her things again, making a fuss.

I stopped her.

“There’s no need for that. You can continue using this research lab.”

“What? Really? But Professor…”

“I’ll be away for a while. So please use it without hesitation.”

“Ah…”

“Could you just leave one desk for me?”

When I asked as politely as possible, Professor Per nodded vigorously. She was like a plump hamster of a woman.

“Of course! I’ll prepare the best spot for you! And um…”

“…?”

Professor Per, who had been fidgeting, awkwardly scratched the back of her head and smiled sheepishly.

“Thank you for saving me.”

“It was nothing.”

As I turned to leave, Professor Per tilted her head and asked:

“But you’re leaving? Didn’t you just arrive?”

“I have to go on a business trip.”

“A business trip?”

Though she seemed to find it odd, she also seemed to know that prying further would be overstepping, so she didn’t ask any more questions or try to stop me.

As I left the research lab, Illuania approached, walking down the corridor. Unlike Findenai’s overtly revealing outfit, she wore a nun-like maid uniform that completely concealed her body.

She came up to me, clasped her hands together, and reported with a smile.

“I sent the letter by express.”

“Good, then it should have arrived by now.”

“Huh? Letter? What letter? Why am I the only one who doesn’t know?”

Findenai was making a fuss behind me. I subtly turned my body to step back from the two of them.

This naturally brought both of them into my view.

“From now on, I will be going to Greyfond, the capital of the kingdom. I will now tell you both what you need to do.”

“Huh, that’s so random?”

“Understood.”

Findenai made it obvious she found it bothersome, while Illuania bowed her head gracefully in acceptance. Her movements were so refined that it was hard to believe anyone could have thought she was a prostitute.

Deia had taught her well in a short time.

I glanced slightly toward Findenai. Seeing my pointed look that seemed to ask “what are you doing,” Findenai sighed deeply, clasped her hands together, and bowed her head.

“Command me, oh awesome master.”

She’s so consistent.

“Findenai, grab your axe and go to the first floor right now. There will be a black-haired girl named Aria Rius at the main entrance.”

“Aria Rius?”

“Yes, I’ve already given her detailed instructions, so leave with her. It will be quite arduous, so prepare thoroughly. I’ve already given Aria money to procure necessary items in town.”

“What the hell, what are you really trying to make me do?”

Findenai looked bewildered, as it was all too sudden. But I ignored her and turned my attention to Illuania.

“Take this.”

What I handed her from my pocket was a well-maintained key. A decoration with the room number 1101 was attached to the ring.

“This is…”

“It’s a key to a room at the luxury hotel called Cent’Antra in town. You are to wait there until I return.”

“What?”

She also looked confused by the sudden order. But I continued speaking.

“It’s a top-tier suite, so you won’t have any discomfort. The Verdi family will cover the expenses, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Uh…”

“I’ve informed them that you’re pregnant, so the staff will be considerate. I’ve instructed them to prepare record albums with music good for prenatal education, so listen to them whenever you have time.”

“…”

“If you suffer from morning sickness or have food cravings, tell the staff immediately. They’ll get whatever they can for you. Feel free to ask.”

“…”

“I’ve also hired a masseuse. They’ll come three times a week, so don’t feel awkward and receive the service comfortably.”

I had more to say, but predictably, Findenai interrupted.

“Wow, shit. What the hell?! Me too! I want to go rest there too!”

Feeling wronged, Findenai jumped up and down, pounding her chest as she shouted.

“Actually, I’m pregnant too! I’m pregnant with the master’s child!”

“…”

“Why the discrimination?! Huh? You make someone work like a dog while booking a hotel for someone else? That’s disgusting discrimination!”

“Findenai.”

“What! What is it!”

I cut off Findenai’s irritated grumbling in one stroke.

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

“Wow…”

Shaking her head in disbelief, Findenai stomped her feet, making thumping sounds as she turned her body.

“Fine! I’ll go and just roll around like a dog! I should have licked your ass a few times! Should I do it now? Take off your pants!”

“Shut up and go.”

“Oh, yes! You don’t like that, do you? Because you’re a non-smoker, you don’t like a mouth that reeks of tobacco! A mouth that smells like cigarette shit can’t clean the master’s asshole! This mouth that can’t lick the master’s asshole will shut up and go!”

After causing a commotion, Findenai left. It was chaotic, but at least I managed to send her off.

I continued speaking to Illuania, who was standing awkwardly.

“I heard there are various amenities inside the hotel. Don’t just stay still; read books, take walks, do yoga, and such. There’s also a swimming pool, so walking in lukewarm water wouldn’t be bad either.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“Good, then you may go.”

At my words, Illuania bowed her head and hurriedly walked away.

Even after she left, I kept my gaze fixed on the same spot.

I raised my eyes to the woman who had been protecting Illuania from behind—the woman whose half of her body had been burned away.

I slowly reached out and converted the mana contained in her soul into magic.

“If anything happens, I hope you will protect her.”

[Of course. The child and the pregnant woman. I’ll protect them both with everything I have.]

The woman with burning hatred whom I met on my way to Robern Academy.

At that time, she had projected herself onto Illuania, but now I had persuaded her to work as a guardian spirit protecting Illuania.

As long as she’s there, even if Illuania faces threats, she won’t be in serious danger.

[You’ve tamed such an evil spirit quite well.]

The Dark Spiritmaster, who had been watching the situation silently beside me, shuddered as he looked at the departing woman.

It meant that her grudge was so deep that even the Dark Spiritmaster couldn’t handle her carelessly.

“I didn’t tame her. I merely persuaded her.”

[Persuasion, huh. I thought you were different from other spiritmasters, but it would be more accurate to say you’re peculiar.]

I glanced at the spiritmaster who was shrugging his shoulders and evaluating me.

“Stay alert and stick close to me.”

[What?]

Simultaneously with the Dark Spiritmaster’s question, I felt a wave of mana from outside. The sensation, violent enough to scatter heaven and earth, indicated that spatial movement had occurred nearby.

“They came quickly.”

A pressure like a tidal wave instantly located me.

The existence most feared by all mages in the kingdom.

The most brilliant among the elite agents hidden in Griffin Kingdom’s pocket.

The Mage Inquisitors were taking their heavy steps toward me.

* * *

“So you’re saying you want to break off the engagement now?!”

Gideon, who had come all the way to Erika’s research lab, slammed his fist on the desk and shouted roughly.

The assistant professors who had been in the lab had already left, sensing the situation. But Erika didn’t even look at Gideon and continued flipping through the document she was reading.

“You and I were never engaged in the first place. My fiancé is Deus Verdi.”

Feeling the heat rising to the top of his head at her bold declaration, Gideon shouted as if spitting out his words.

“So you finally fell for that bastard? That madman took back a woman who betrayed him as his fiancée?!”

Erika’s eyes twitched as she had been acting as if Gideon wasn’t worth her attention. She calmly raised her head and met Gideon’s eyes.

Flinch.

Gideon momentarily trembled and felt the urge to step back, as Erika’s gaze was so cold it sent chills down his spine, and as sharp as a honed blade.

“Don’t insult him.”

“You…!”

But the fact that her reaction came because he had insulted Deus made Gideon feel even more defeated.

He was Gideon Zeronia of the prestigious Zeronia family. Being overshadowed by someone like this was unbearably humiliating.

“Do you think your family will just sit by? A good opportunity to form ties with the Zeronia family!”

“I don’t care.”

Seeing Erika’s blunt declaration, Gideon gaped in bewilderment.

Erika slowly stood up and reached out her hand, and Gideon was pushed back by Erika’s golden mana, his back hitting the wall behind him.

“Ugh!”

Gideon tried to tell himself that he couldn’t prepare for the sudden attack.

But in truth, he was quite surprised.

Erika Bright could handle mana this quickly and precisely?

He could feel that she had grown significantly during the recent series of incidents.

“I am one of the authorities on light magic in the Griffin Kingdom, with two papers published in the Millennium Library. I am also a full professor at Robern Academy.”

“Urgh!”

“None of these achievements came from being a ‘Bright.’ My family doesn’t approve?”

Erika snorted and slightly raised the corner of her mouth.

“I don’t need such a family either.”

Why couldn’t she have made this easy decision until now?

Even as she thought this, Erika knew the reason.

The difference between then and now?

Deus Verdi.

It was because he was supporting her.

The letter of engagement cancellation, preciously kept in a locked desk drawer, felt like proof of Deus’s trust in her.

But Gideon wouldn’t just take it lying down. He raised his red mana and vented his anger.

“Right! That’s it! Do you think I’ll just sit by?”

He, too, of course had an ace up his sleeve.

“Deus Verdi! He’s a spiritmaster, right? In the kingdom, spiritmasters are executed immediately, no questions asked! If I report him, it’s over!”

“You…”

In truth, Erika was most worried about that aspect.

Although Deus had reassured her that there wouldn’t be a problem, she couldn’t help but worry.

Moreover, if the prestigious Zeronia family directly moved to pressure Deus as a spiritmaster?

Even the Margrave of Norsweden, Darius Verdi, wouldn’t be enough of a shield.

It would be like an avalanche of pressure from all directions.

“Let’s see if you can still say that while watching Deus being hanged…!”

BOOM!

The academy shook.

Along with a wave of mana, the intense shock was something both of them recognized.

“Warp magic?”

High-level warp magic had been used nearby. Erika, feeling ominous, quickly turned her head to check outside the window.

Mages of tremendous caliber, wearing golden robes and helmets, holding staffs that jutted out like spears, were walking toward the academy.

“Mage Inquisitors!”

They were all approaching the academy with solemn expressions, without hesitation.

“You!”

Erika glared at Gideon, emitting intense killing intent.

“You’ve already reported Deus…!”

She hadn’t expected that he had already reported to the royal family before coming to see her.

“Huh?”

But Gideon also had a dumbfounded expression, looking surprised.

“Why are they here already?”

Since he hadn’t made any report yet, Erika couldn’t help but be confused by the question of why the Mage Inquisitors had come.

She opened the door and stepped out of the research lab.

Just then, the assistant professors who had been outside rushed to Erika and shouted.

“P-Professor! The Mage Inquisitors have come to arrest Professor Deus!”

“Yes, I know.”

Erika quickly spread her golden mana throughout the academy as she passed by them.

She was trying to find where Deus was to protect him.

But the next words from the assistant professors made her stop in her tracks.

“B-But they say Professor Deus has turned himself in!”