Chapter 59 – While Away (1)

“Headmaster. What more could I possibly say to you?”

There was a time, long ago, when magic was the exclusive domain of beings other than humans. According to ancient tales, these beings had massive bodies as large as the Lavierre Mountains, sharp claws, and wings that allowed them to soar freely through the skies. Their language was not merely a means of communication but a mystical force that could bend the very laws of the universe.

“The guards’ complaints are growing louder by the day. Honestly, if you genuinely didn’t have a single coin to your name and had to mix sand into their wages, I wouldn’t have come all this way. After all, they are Farencia’s soldiers, and even if I were to pay them myself, it wouldn’t be an issue.”

The mythical beings known as dragons have vanished. Humans, through the mouths and eyes of these creatures, gained the ability to perceive <The Three Originals> that govern the world.

However, the knowledge of these cosmic laws was too vast for mere mortals to comprehend. Those who sought this knowledge became known as magicians, practitioners of the arcane arts. Yet, out of countless magicians, only a handful could grasp even a fragment of the truth and bottle it in their flasks.

“But that’s not the issue, is it? Headmaster, you didn’t withhold their wages out of poverty or stinginess! Do you understand why I’m raising my voice like this? It’s because you mindlessly neglected the people you’re supposed to be responsible for!”

Even now, those who wielded their unique magic, known as Grand Dukes, failed to fully grasp the truth. The deeper they delved into it, the more they honed their personal magic, the more they neglected the world, their bodies, and their minds.

“Is the weight of your apathy not too heavy for the small boat of Farencia Academy to bear?”

The ancient dragons have disappeared, their secrets lost to time. The first time Lehel learned magic from one of these beings, her heart pounded with a brilliance that seemed capable of illuminating the entire universe.

“Isn’t that weight sinking the ship?”

But now, that starlight was shattering soundlessly, like a dying star on the verge of collapse.

“Hey, Lehel. Are you listening?”

Was it the intuition of a merchant or the instinct of a leader? At the sound of Darling Tokarev’s voice, Lehel stopped fiddling with the rosary made of dragon fangs.

“Yes, I’m listening, Baroness.”

“Then, give me an answer to my question…”

“I made a mistake. I should have paid the guards properly. I’ll make sure to compensate them with what they were originally owed, on top of the amount you’ve already covered.”

A clean response. The fundamental issue wasn’t simply paying back the overdue wages, but Darling sighed as she looked at the Grand Duke before her.

She knew she couldn’t draw a satisfactory answer from Lehel Darard. More precisely, she couldn’t change the thinking of a magician like Lehel.

People always say those who have mastered unique magic are never in their right minds.

Recalling that saying, Darling clicked her tongue and asked, “…Sigh. When can you do it?”

“Hmm. Probably by next week?”

“….”

“Is there anything else you’d like to say?”

“Why?”

“Because if you’re done, I’d appreciate it if you got off my desk… My neck is hurting.”

“Understood.”

As Darling stepped off the desk, which she had been standing on to maintain eye-level while scolding her, Lehel escorted her out.

“Take care.”

“Whatever.”

With a thud, the door closed, and silence once again filled the headmaster’s office.

***

The weekend following the election, I brought Adela to the store as soon as she could manage on her own again. Initially, I couldn’t understand how someone could get lost trying to find the store, but I quickly realized the problem.

“Adela?”

“This way.”

“That’s not the right direction.”

“But I’m sure it’s this way.”

She kept trying to veer off course. It wasn’t until then that I realized something must be wrong with the perception barrier Liv had set up.

Holding her hand, I guided her to the front of the store and immediately informed Liv of the issue.

She tilted her head, clearly perplexed, and stood up.

“I’ll check it out.”

“Alright.”

“….”

Rather than checking, she spent more time staring blankly at Adela. In the meantime, I began feeding the steel scrap I’d bought earlier to the iron dogs. Just as I was tearing the sheet metal into bite-sized pieces, I heard a faint hiss of frustration.

A moment later—

“It looks like I made a mistake. I’ve fixed it now, so it should be fine.”

“Oh, good. That’s a relief.”

“No problem. By the way, here’s the list of damages from the election period and this month’s financial report.”

Liv naturally offered me the seat next to hers behind the counter, where she had been sitting. She even handed me a warm cup of tea, which she must have brewed using the teaware from the cafe.

She’s so meticulous. This is why I can trust her to take care of things while I’m away.

“No bread deliveries last week?”

“Right. The protesters seized the carts on the way to the store.”

“Hmm. Mareile must be very upset…”

“I’ve already sent payment for this week by mail. I also informed the workshop that if they send an estimate for the cart repairs, I’ll request the necessary funds from the academy.”

“Good job. As expected of you, Baroness. You handle things so efficiently.”

“Thank you.”

A peaceful weekend afternoon. No customers, just the gentle breeze and sunlight streaming through the windows.

Sipping tea leisurely, I stroked the iron hound next to me. Liv’s voice, soft and sweet, whispered like the most calming ASMR I’d ever heard.

If this isn’t heaven, what is? This… this is a successful life.

My efforts to maintain the peace of the store had not been in vain.

“Are you tired, sir?”

“Well… yes?”

“There are no customers today, so if you’re tired, you can take a nap upstairs. Or…”

Liv scooted over slightly, creating just enough space for me to lie down next to her on the cushion she had been sitting on.

“Would you like to rest here?”

Her offer was so tempting, it made me feel like I might melt right into her warmth.

I nearly nodded in agreement when—

Bang!

“Teacher! What should I do?”

I nearly jumped out of my skin as Adela slammed her hands down on the counter and leaned forward.

Ah, right. I forgot she was here. Scratching my head, I got up from my seat.

The reason I brought her here was, of course, because she had work to do.

“Follow me.”

As I left the counter, Adela and Liv’s expressions contrasted sharply—one beamed brightly while the other flashed a thunderous glare.

“Teacher~. It’s such a nice day today; how about we go out and have some fun?”

Trailing behind me, Adela didn’t get a reply. Instead, I pulled out a key and opened the door to the cafe. She breathed in the musty air of the room she hadn’t entered in a while.

“Ah~. I missed this place. I used to make tea for you here.”

“Do you want to keep working?”

“Really!? I’d love to!”

“Alright, then…”

Adela eagerly tossed aside her cape, donned an apron, and prepared to dive back into her duties. But before she could get too far, I stopped her and handed her a rag instead.

“Here.”

“?”

“You need to clean.”

“Huh?”

What do you mean “huh”? The cafe had been closed throughout the election period, so everything—from the tables to the windows—was covered in dust.

She needed to clean the teaware, disassemble and wash the hand-drip equipment, wipe down the tables and chairs with cleaning solution and rose oil, and mop the floor, being careful not to hit the latches on the lower parts of the furniture.

“You need to wipe down everything, take down all the election posters from the windows, and wipe the tables and chairs twice. Clean the inside of the bar, wash the glasses and equipment, and dry them in the sun. Then, bring the inventory list from the storeroom and check it against what we have. Anything past its shelf life needs to be separated and listed for reorder. Finally, find the hygiene certificate issued by the Farencia administration and place it on the counter. Got it?”

Adela’s eyes trembled as I rattled off the list of tasks. She reached out to me, clearly hoping for help.

“You’ll do it with me, right?”

“You need to learn to do this on your own. If you’re unsure, ask Baroness Liv.”

“But, Teacher! Can’t you teach me instead?”

“I wish I could, but I have something else to do.”

“I can do it for you instead!”

What nonsense. Have her do my job and leave me to clean? Not in this lifetime.

After brushing off her attempts to cling to me, I told her to start with the floors and furniture, then made my way to the store.

As soon as I opened the connecting door between the cafe and the store, Liv straightened up, looking startled.

“Baroness? Is something the matter?”

“Ah, no! Nothing at all. Um… Sir?”

“Yes?”

“Would you… like to have a meal with me sometime?”

A meal? Out of the blue?

It was unexpected, but who in the academy would refuse an invitation from Liv Labre to dine with her? Certainly not me, but I was busy at the moment.

“Uh… is it urgent?”

“It’s not that urgent. Are you busy?”

“Yes. I have to leave for a bit soon. Let’s talk after I get back.”

“Alright. Um, when will you be back?”

Rather than asking where I was going, she asked when I’d be back. Whatever she wanted to discuss must have some sort of time constraint. But it was difficult for me to give a specific answer. If things went poorly, I might be gone for quite a while.

“I plan to be back within a week, but… if preparations go well, I might return sooner.”

“Preparations?”

“Yes.”

I nodded, thinking of the person likely on the top floor of the Akasha Tower, amidst the oak trees.

“I need to form a party.”

***

[Confirmed appearance of Demon Idols post-Great War.]

[Unclear if their purpose is to resurrect the Demon King, but more have been found from Edenbury to Batudis.]

[No official response from the Tower of Phecda.]

[Recovered Demon Idols to be sent to the Holy Nation for analysis.]

[Responsible: 12th Alliance of Lavierre, 4th Division, Counterintelligence Battalion Goliath. Iron Hound, Mareile Baltimore.]

The note I found on the Iron Hound who had been tailing Liv when she sought my help.

If it had just been a piece of paper detailing their counterintelligence operations, I wouldn’t have bothered getting involved. Who cares what they do with the Holy Nation?

But the moment I saw that ominous Demon Idol, I decided to investigate further. Whatever it is, those who seek to reclaim the old glory of the demons need to be thoroughly crushed.

For one reason only: to protect the small peace I’ve come to enjoy at the store and the academy.

Of course, with nothing but my strength, I can’t hope to outmaneuver the Iron Hounds in terms of intelligence gathering or organizational reach. They’ve likely already sent the recovered Idol to their headquarters; I don’t have access to the actual object.

Still… there’s a way.

The election’s over, the store is fortified, and all the immediate fires are out. I planned to leave the academy for a while to investigate these Demon Idols.

I could close the store during that time, but… that would mean a significant loss.

After repairing the damage caused by the Rochear soldiers, the academy turned into a chaotic battleground during the Red Revolution, leading to a sharp decline in business.

So this time, I plan to leave Adela and Liv in charge of the store while I’m away, with a clear mind.

It’s a bit of a hit to my pride, but since there are students who come to see Liv or Adela, and none who come specifically for me, business shouldn’t suffer too much.

With both of them working together, I’m sure this will help them become closer, which would be a good thing.

It’s kind of like a department head sending their subordinates to a team dinner to build camaraderie.

Rule with authority, but don’t dominate. Isn’t that the mark of a truly enlightened employer?

I could already imagine returning to find Liv and Adela working side by side, getting along perfectly. The thought made me smile.