Chapter 217

Every outcome has a reason.

There must be a reason why Headmistress Arifer arranged a meeting with me so quickly.

And to guess the reason, I needed to consider what had changed.

First, the fact that I wasn’t the protagonist.

This was the reason why I, not the protagonist, was summoned.

I had taken the spotlight by accomplishing what the protagonist was supposed to do.

So I had to find another reason.

Another crucial change.

‘The existence of the hidden dungeon.’

A fact I hadn’t known before.

I only learned about it this time because of Gulshan’s ambush.

And not only did I learn about it, but I also obtained one of the eyeballs.

Anyway, I was guessing that this new fact had something to do with the Headmistress’s sudden summons.

But I didn’t think she would mention it directly.

Because it was a top secret of the Church, no matter how I looked at it.

“This way.”

A nun guided me.

It felt a bit awkward, but it wasn’t strange considering the Headmistress was a high-ranking figure in the Church.

She was a nun, but she also served as a housekeeper, assisting the Headmistress.

Knock, knock.

A courtesy knock.

Because the Headmistress was deaf.

Click.

The nun opened the door.

“Please come in. Have a good time.”

And so, my private audience with the Headmistress began.

* * *

A table full of fresh vegetables and fruits.

No matter how hard I looked, there was no protein in sight.

A meal that would make the meat-loving high elf senior faint.

Fortunately, I had no problem with this kind of meal.

There was a time when I only ate cherry tomatoes for dinner every night to control my weight. So this meal was a premium vegetarian feast for me.

– It’s delicious.

I said in sign language, expressing my appreciation.

My face was full of delight, savoring the refreshing flavors.

– Delicious…?

The Headmistress looked surprised.

She was a strict vegetarian who didn’t even touch meat.

Because of her position, people understood her beliefs, but no one understood the ‘taste’.

Of course, no one would dare to say it tasted bad in front of her, but their expressions were enough to tell.

So my reaction must have been quite unique to her.

– Really?

The Headmistress asked again, as if she couldn’t believe it.

– Yes.

I smiled.

A genuine smile.

The Headmistress, who had been blinking blankly, also smiled faintly.

– That’s good to hear.

This was my second good impression.

Someone who knew sign language and enjoyed vegetarian food.

If this was a romance novel, it would be the start of a fateful encounter.

Even in reality, it would definitely leave a deep impression.

Just like now.

‘It wouldn’t hurt to get close to someone in a high position.’

I smiled inwardly.

As a student, I had no authority to influence the academy.

I could make suggestions, but even those would take a long time and go through many stages before reaching the top.

It was questionable whether they would even be properly conveyed in the first place.

On the other hand, this person was completely different.

She was the Headmistress, the representative of the academy.

Although there were opposing factions from the Empire and the Kingdom, making it difficult for her, as a representative of the Church, to push things through unilaterally, she was undoubtedly the one with the most power.

If I had a direct line to make suggestions to the Headmistress?

It would be as good as having a way to influence the academy myself.

Of course, it was still a long way off, and my suggestions had to be persuasive enough to move the Headmistress.

– I’ve heard a lot about you from the professors.

The Headmistress changed the subject, taking a sip of water.

– What did they say?

– That you’re a model student in many ways.

– ?!

Pfft.

I almost spat out the food I was eating.

Fortunately, my hand was faster, and I managed to cover my mouth.

I had expected something like “a talented student” or “a capable student,” and I wouldn’t have minded those at all.

But what? A model student…?

That didn’t seem right at all.

Which professor would say something like that…?

– Where did you hear that…?

– From Professor Karen.

…So that’s what it was.

I knew she was interested in me, but this was too much, sis.

Was it my fault for stealing the heart of an older woman…? No, I was overthinking it.

– …That’s a bit of an exaggeration.

I chuckled.

– Is it? I think your heroic actions in this crisis deserve such praise.

– You flatter me. I think I was only able to find the courage to act because I had friends and juniors who shared my goals.

– You’re humble.

The Headmistress smiled warmly.

She continued,

– The incident on the island… I’ve heard the reports, but I wanted to hear it directly from someone who experienced it firsthand. That was definitely one of the reasons why I wanted to meet you. Do you understand?

The Headmistress spoke honestly.

I realized that the main topic had finally begun.

– Yes, of course, I understand.

– And you’re also fluent in sign language.

– Thanks to studying sign language, I’m able to have this wonderful time with you, Headmistress.

– I apologize. I’m not a beautiful woman.

– Huh?

– I heard that you’re attracted to beautiful…

– No, no, no. It’s just a rumor. Rumors are just rumors.

I hurriedly shook my head and let out an awkward laugh.

If even the Headmistress knew about it, my reputation as a lover of beautiful women was practically official at the academy.

It was better than being known as a delinquent, but what was with this image of a promiscuous male, like I was exuding pheromones?

It’s unfair, unfair.

– And you’re definitely a beautiful…

Huh?

I quickly clasped my hands together and stopped signing.

This is driving me crazy, crazy.

…Because I’m always treated like that, I’m unconsciously acting that way, aren’t I?

As I was trying to recover, wiping my forehead with an awkward hand,

The Headmistress chuckled.

– Hehe, I appreciate the flattery, but you don’t have to.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a bad reaction.

It seemed like I hadn’t lost any points.

– Yes, yes, it wasn’t flattery, but… I’ll keep that in mind.

I smoothly moved on.

– Then, can you tell me about what happened back then?

The Headmistress asked calmly.

– Yes, of course. I’ll tell you everything.

I began to speak.

There was no need to add or omit anything.

I just had to tell her what I had told the Imperial investigators.

I spoke for quite a long time.

The Headmistress listened intently, her hands clasped together.

Only when I finished speaking did she unclasp her hands.

– I see. So that’s what happened. Thank you for telling me.

– You’re welcome.

I cleared my dry throat.

The atmosphere seemed to signal the end of the conversation.

In the past, this would have been the end, even if it wasn’t with the Headmistress but with another Church official.

But then.

– First of all, I want to apologize.

The Headmistress suddenly apologized with a regretful expression.

I was a bit taken aback.

What was this?

There was no way the Church would apologize for this incident.

Because the secret archive was a secret that couldn’t be revealed.

Even the Church officials I had met in the past hadn’t even uttered the word “sorry.”

Ah, then was it this?

Since she was the Headmistress, she was apologizing on behalf of the academy…

– We can’t say that the academy is completely unrelated to this unfortunate tragedy.

Huh?

Wait, wait.

You can’t say that.

It’s like you’re acknowledging the existence of the secret archive.

Why are you trying to create this strange atmosphere by revealing a secret that only a few people in the Church know?

My pupils started to tremble.

– H-Huh? Wh-What do you mean…?

– You said you saw a temple-like building, right?

– Ah, it wasn’t exactly a temple… It just looked like a building similar to the temple I saw in the north of the island…

Please stop, it’s making me uncomfortable.

– That’s probably right.

– Huh?

– It must have been a building built by the Saint of our Church.

– W-Wait a minute. I’m a little confused…

I bought some time, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

My heart was pounding.

The Church wasn’t always good.

There was no such thing in this game.

It was ridiculous to think of the Church, which had sent countless people to the executioner’s block for heresy, as absolute good in the first place.

Anyway, I had died countless times after getting involved in the Church’s secrets.

The secrets I knew now were the result of those deaths.

One thing was important.

Secrets were dangerous.

…But why was she telling me all this?!

It was driving me crazy.

Just as I was hurriedly taking another sip of water,

The Headmistress moved her hands again.

– It’s understandable. You wouldn’t believe it. But this is the truth. I swear on everything I hold dear.

N-No… Why are you swearing on it…?

This was bad.

It was unavoidable.

I closed my eyes and opened them heavily, as if accepting my fate.

– Yes… Please continue…

And so, the Headmistress’s confession began.

And.

– Hmm, I see. A secret archive where dark magic books are sealed…

– Yes, those dark mages, the villains, must have been after that secret archive. You were unfortunately caught in the middle of it.

The Headmistress ended up revealing everything.

I just went along with it.

– So this tragedy is not unrelated to our Church. No, it’s our responsibility. Once again, I apologize.

The Headmistress bowed deeply.

I awkwardly accepted her apology.

This was what it meant to feel uncomfortable even after receiving an apology.

– …I understand what you mean. But please don’t worry too much. It would have been impossible for the Church to prevent this incident.

– No.

– Huh?

– If we had eradicated those wicked heretics sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. It’s all our fault.

– …

Ah, right.

She was definitely a kind person, but she was ruthless towards heretics.

Surely, when the Dark Church incident happened later…

My thoughts were interrupted.

Knock, knock.

There was a knock on the door.

The door soon opened, and a man entered.

It was Esron, the Guardian Knight.

Esron bowed his head and skillfully signed.

As expected of the man in charge of the Headmistress’s security.

– Headmistress. I apologize, but we’re running out of time. You need to wrap things up soon for your next appointment…

– Ah, it’s already that late. I understand. Please wait a moment. I’ll finish my conversation with the guest soon.

– Yes, Headmistress. I’ll wait outside.

– Thank you.

Yes, good, yes!

I inwardly cheered.

This uncomfortable meeting was finally coming to an end.

It was good to get close to someone in a high position, but today’s progress was too much.

Seriously, why did she suddenly reveal so much without any warning?

– I’m sorry. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I lost track of time.

– No, it’s okay. I’m the one who should apologize for taking up so much of your time.

– Don’t mention it.

The Headmistress smiled kindly.

I stood up, sensing the cue.

– Then I’ll be going…

– Ah, wait a moment.

– Yes?

– There’s something I wanted to tell you.

– What is it?

– You know that the place you entered wasn’t the secret archive, right?

…She’s going even further?

I didn’t know for sure, but it felt like it was an even bigger secret of the Church than the secret archive.

Hiding my bewilderment, I put on my best acting face.

– Ah, yes. It was some kind of dungeon…

– A dungeon. Did you reach the end of that dungeon?

– Um, I’m not sure. There were enemies trying to kill us, and it was like a maze, so it was confusing…

I was glad we had coordinated our stories beforehand.

To keep the eyeball a secret, we had also agreed to keep quiet about the chest containing the item.

There was nothing in that room.

Except for the exit.

– I see.

– Yes, Headmistress.

The Headmistress nodded slightly with a faint smile.

I thought that was the end of it.

But then.

– Eyes.

I only managed to keep my composure thanks to the acting skills I had honed to near perfection since possessing this body.

But my heart was pounding.

– Yes?

– Have you ever seen eyes?

– Eyes? What kind of eyes…?

I tilted my head, acting confused.

Fortunately, it seemed to work.

The Headmistress, who had been staring at me, relaxed her expression and stood up.

– It’s nothing. I enjoyed our conversation today. Please go back safely.

“