Espin

Espin

Inspector Espin.

The youngest inspector secretly planted by the central government for surveillance.

The nominal reason for planting her in the Academy was to understand how high-ranking nobles were intervening in the Academy.

‘But that was just the nominal reason.’

In reality, it was merely the result of her father, a high-ranking administrator, expressing his desire for Espin to have a normal school life.

‘As a result, Espin was quite dissatisfied with the current situation.’

Perhaps because of this, she always maintained a sharp attitude, pushing away those around her.

Her reputation within the Academy was quite poor.

‘Well, what’s important is that I need to use this to make Espin my ally.’

In addition to her position as an inspector, her information-gathering ability, which made her the youngest inspector,

Could be of great help to me when something is happening, like now.

It would be best to recruit her if possible and use her like Delia.

‘Yes, if only I could recruit her.’

I fell into contemplation, recalling the note I had thrown into the picture earlier.

I had thrown out a topic that Espin might like… but if she doesn’t take the bait and runs away,

I had a feeling that things would become quite complicated.

‘Well, if it doesn’t work out, I’ll have to find someone else.’

Thinking that I’d still like to recruit Espin if possible, I picked up the quill pen.

*

Whether it’s fortunate or not, I’m not sure.

Around the time school was letting out, a reply to the note came from Espin.

[Same place as before.]

The reply seems quite brief, so it’s fair to assume they responded to assess the situation rather than agreeing to my conditions.

I was about to head straight to the art room after seeing that, but.

“… Deren, where are you going?”

Rumi stands in front of me, blocking my way, and looks up at me intently.

I ponder for a moment looking at Rumi, then speak nonchalantly.

“I have an appointment.”

At those words, Rumi’s expression stiffens ever so slightly as she lowers her gaze.

Quickly returning her expression to normal, she says to me.

“Ah… Then I’ll wait here for you.”

“It’s fine. It might take a while. You should go back and rest first.”

“It’s, it’s okay. I can wait as long as it takes.”

I was about to tell her to do as she pleases, but.

Realizing that there are still many people from the ‘Heaven God Cult’ within the Academy, I shook my head.

“No. Go back home and wait there.”

If she waits for me and falls victim to some trick by the Heaven God Cult, there couldn’t be a more frustrating situation.

As I firmly refused and told her to go home.

Rumi nods her head dejectedly like a rain-soaked puppy and says to me.

“Okay…”

Looking at Rumi like that, I left a message for Delia to take care of her, then immediately left the classroom.

*

Passing by students bustling through the corridors to leave school, I entered the art room.

I entered the art room, which was quiet unlike the hallway.

As I slowly approached the painting Espin was in, I opened my mouth.

“So, what’s your answer?”

When I asked briefly, Espin reached out from inside the painting and gestured for me to come in.

It seems he felt uncomfortable continuing the conversation in the art room.

Seeing his reaction, I slowly entered the painting.

– Kwaaang!

A powerful explosion erupts around me

Judging by how the attack deliberately flew past me, it seemed to be fired as a warning rather than an attempt to hit me.

As I faced the strong wind blowing, I looked at Espin indifferently as he spoke to me, gritting his teeth.

“… Who are you really?”

To that, I replied mockingly.

“You’re the first one to ask about my identity, Espin.”

“……”

It was an extremely arrogant answer.

But in reality, it didn’t make sense for someone attending the Academy not to know me, the youngest son of the Lercier Family, so I answered like this.

Espin bit his lip hard and glared at me, then soon chuckled and said.

“… So why did the famous young master of the Lercier Family throw bait at me? I’m curious about the reason.”

To that, I answered as if it were obvious.

“Wasn’t it written in the note? Don’t tell me the famous youngest inspector couldn’t even read that?”

The moment I uttered the title of the youngest inspector, Espin flinched and looked at me.

Apparently, that title was a sore spot for her.

I spoke briefly while observing her.

“You can refuse if you don’t like it. You’re not my only option.”

This was true.

With my authority and abilities, it wouldn’t be difficult to recruit others, even if they were inferior to Espin.

“However, for you, there’s no guarantee such an opportunity will come again.”

For her, who not only currently holds the title of ‘youngest’ in real-time but also has a father who is a high-ranking administrator.

Would they really entrust her with dangerous missions?

‘If it were me, I definitely wouldn’t. If something goes wrong, all the responsibility would fall on me.’

So the Inspection Department, seeing her as more than just a burden, but rather as a mascot.

Had been continuously assigning her easier, lighter tasks.

‘In that situation, she even came to the Academy due to her father’s wishes…’

In a situation where her frustration must be immense, I was offering her an opportunity.

Even if it annoyed her, it must be quite an attractive opportunity for her.

She seemed to understand this well, as she was about to object to something but then closed her mouth tightly, squeezing her eyes shut.

Then, letting out a long sigh, she spoke to me.

“… So what’s this about the ‘Heaven God Cult’ committing evil acts, which you wrote on that note you threw?”

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, she subtly changed the subject.

Looking at Espin, I smiled slightly and then slowly answered.

“You’ll have to investigate the details yourself. No matter how much I talk, you won’t believe it until you see it for yourself.”

“……”

“Still, since you won’t find any information if left like this, I’ll give you a hint. Recently, too many corpses are appearing in the outskirts. Look into it based on this.”

Actually I too was in a position of coming to ask because I didn’t know why corpses were appearing but.

If I said that, Espin would look down on me and try to devour me.

Rather than deliberately letting him grab a weakness, it would be right to maintain the position of being the superior one like this.

‘That would also be easier to use later.’

When I spoke under such judgment.

Though Espin glares at me, he doesn’t say anything particular and turns his head away.

‘This much should be enough.’

If Espin can’t find any evidence even with the information I threw him here, I can just cut him off as is.

If he finds anything related, I can recruit him while acquiring the information at the same time.

Thinking either outcome would be a gain for me, I turned around.

– – – –

Like that, after having the conversation with Espin when I was about to return to the main house, I hear someone urgently walking in the corridor.

When I slightly checked ahead wondering who it was, a familiar face comes into view.

‘Sien.’

While staring intently wondering why she’s walking the corridors when I know she’s busy with student council work.

The moment Sien meets my eyes, she smiles brightly and starts approaching me with faster steps.

“Lord Deren…!”

Then brings her face right up close and speaks to me.

“Could you spare some time?”

“Time?”

“Yes. There exists a matter that cannot be done unless it’s Lord Deren.”

There must be something like that, but it’s quite strange that such a problem has come to Sien at this point.

I nodded, thinking it would be good to check on such words first.

Sien smiled brightly and took me to the student council room.

“So what do I need to do?”

As soon as we arrived at the student council room, I asked why I was called.

Sien fidgeted with the documents on the desk for no reason, and then spoke to me somewhat incoherently.

“… There’s been a big problem recently, and there’s been an emotional conflict… Ah, um… I’m sorry if I’ve caused any trouble.”

Normally, she would have answered logically, but it’s quite strange that she’s answering in such an odd way.

Wondering if something big had happened, I looked at Sien’s face.

Sien looked at me and slowly lowered her gaze, speaking in a small voice.

“I… I would like you to hold my hand.”

Hand? It’s not a big deal, but at this unexpected suggestion, I silently looked at Sien.

She speaks to me in an increasingly smaller voice.

“According to the secretary, simply holding hands can relieve such stress, and even further develop relationships… It would be really nice if you could hold my hand.”

At this rate, her voice will become so small that I won’t be able to hear what she’s saying.

I looked at Sien like that, smiled inwardly, and held out my hand.

“It’s not that difficult.”

As if she didn’t expect me to actually do it, Sien smiled brightly and immediately tried to grab my hand.

But seeing the calluses on her hand, she quickly hid her hand behind her back, as if embarrassed.

I looked at Sien like that, and thinking that we would continue like this if we stayed this way, I had no choice but to speak.

“Hand.”

… Somehow, it ended up sounding like I was giving an order to a dog.

I was about to explain that wasn’t what I meant, but…

“He-here it is.”

Before I could, Sien placed her hand on top of mine like an obedient puppy.