episode_0015

A simple word meaning to entrust work to someone else.

To request an investigation into someone.

To request an understanding of the truth behind an incident.

Generally, when people see the word “의뢰,” they mostly think of requests like these.

And in reality, that’s not entirely incorrect.

Usually, people entrust tasks they can’t handle themselves to professionals.

The important thing here was this:

“…tasks one cannot resolve on their own.”

Those who make requests only assign tasks they can’t handle on their own.

Naturally, it was expected.

They wouldn’t spend money to entrust something they could handle themselves.

That would be foolish.

Even if they had a lot of money, why would they throw it away?

Of course, there were always exceptions.

For example, in cases like hiring for murder, where it shouldn’t be revealed to others who committed the act.

In such cases, requests were made.

The Arkstera Hujak family, which usually treated Ellis as a villain in the original, handled things in this manner.

…Anyway.

That’s not important right now.

What’s important is that the requests coming into the academy are not much different from these kinds of requests.

It’s just slightly less challenging compared to professional requesters.

Here too, the fact that tasks people couldn’t handle were being entrusted was no different.

“Lian Trice?”

“Yes, did you call me?”

“What are you thinking? They’ll be swarming soon.”

“…”

Saying this again meant that what I would experience today might be the most difficult thing I’ve faced since my transmigration.

*

Handling farm-invading monsters.

That was the name of the request Labilaa and I took on.

The request details were as straightforward as the title.

It asked us to handle the monsters invading the ranch for just today while the usual person was on vacation.

It was a substitute request.

Simply standing in for the usual person for just a day.

And typically, these substitute requests had a simple characteristic.

“…Princess.”

“Speak, Lian Trice.”

“Why did you choose this particular request? May I dare to ask?”

The pay is good, but it’s equally demanding. The fact that the person who took on the request is receiving a lot indicates that the content of the request itself is very difficult.

I wondered if the princess in front of me was aware of this fact. Unfortunately, Labilaa gave exactly the response I anticipated.

“The pay wasn’t the best, was it? You surely noticed that.”

“…”

“Also, the fact that it’s a task that can be done today appealed to me. If I had to take on a request and wait for it, it would have been quite bothersome.”

Chosen because of the high pay. Chosen because it can be carried out today. If there were mercenaries who focused solely on handling requests, they would probably be most terrified by such a statement. In their industry, one’s own body is the most valuable asset, after all.

“Don’t you think so? At least, that’s how I see it.”

“…”

Of course, the woman standing confidently in front of me still seemed to have no particular thoughts. A look of not understanding. A look as if she didn’t understand the intention behind why I was asking such a question.

It was a look only possible for ‘Labilaa von Felias,’ the only person capable of winning aside from the protagonist through sheer force in the original work.

“No… I also thought the same way.”

“Of course you did. Anyone would have judged the situation in the same way.”

In reality, I, who was essentially drawn to Labilaa, could only sigh inwardly.

“I should have just stayed in my room.”

I should have stayed in the dormitory. If I hadn’t met the princess, I wouldn’t have been dragged here for no reason. It felt even more peculiar.

The peaceful everyday life before receiving the death sentence, and the sudden confusion afterward.

“…Is it because I’ve changed?”

If all of this happened because I gave up trying to live any longer, then I suppose there’s nothing to say. Nevertheless, something felt off.

It felt like a series of events that shouldn’t have happened were happening all at once. It was as if to mock this confusing feeling.

“Prepare yourself, Lian Trice.”

“······Yes.”

In the distance, shadows slowly began to appear, moving toward the ranch’s fence one by one. This marked the true beginning of the mission and the first appearance of the monster.

······Sigh.

It was an impossible situation not to let out a sigh.

***

Monster.

An unknown creature that began to appear without any recorded history. Generally taking the form of animals, sometimes they existed in forms combining both animal and human features. They simply kill and destroy, exterminating all life forms except their own kind. The Empire called these extraordinary monsters “Gwosu.”

Most cases of harm to the Empire were due to the problem of monsters, despite stable operations and technological advancements. The original intention behind the establishment of the Seacret Academy, where she is currently enrolled, was to prevent monsters from causing harm. It was to cultivate individuals who could protect innocent people from these monstrous beings. That’s what Labilaa remembered.

‘······Nevertheless, its significance has greatly diminished compared to before.’

Of course, now only the founding intention remains. In reality, much has changed from the past when only fighting methods were taught. Would anyone even mention rumors of corruption by professors within the academy? When she heard this news, Labilaa was more shocked than anyone else.

In an academy that should be run solely for the purpose of learning, a professor, who should be more innocent than anyone else in order to teach students, had committed misconduct. It was a situation that simply did not make sense to Hwang Taenyeo.

So, she directly enrolled in the academy. Despite strong dissuasion from those around her, she became the first member of the royal family to enroll in the academy. To understand the current state of the Seacret Academy. To see firsthand how she, as the future empress, is nurturing talents and experiencing it for herself.

This was the official reason for Labilaa Fon Phelias’s admission to the academy, a rumor spread throughout the empire.

“I’m truly sorry, Labilaa.”

Please forgive me and move forward. I always believe in you.

Of course, as someone who knew the real reason hidden behind the false one, the rumors only brought out a bitter laugh.

“It’s all just a misunderstanding.”

Labilaa’s world was cruel.

The world was incredibly harsh, and she was still too young to endure this cruel world alone.

The real reason for her admission to the academy was to cultivate strength.

To become a true “empress” in the future.

In pursuit of the goal of becoming a true empress, Labilaa had merely taken refuge in the academy for a while.

To go back into the world.

She was crouching to rise again someday.

Thud-

Another monster impaled on her sharp rapier.

“… ”

A pungent scent filled the air.

From the dead monster’s body flowed an inexplicable black blood.

“… Kauls.”

Judging by its appearance, it was clear that this monster was a Kauls, a fusion of horse and cattle.

At first glance, it looked like a black-stained horse.

But it had a huge horn attached to its head, nothing like a horse at all.

If you didn’t know how to deal with it, you’d be injured by the huge horn in an instant, as she remembered from the morning’s theory class.

Thud-

The next monster was also impaled on her rapier.

Now it had become increasingly difficult to remember how many monsters she had defeated.

“… There’s a reason for the high reward.”

It was then that Labilaa gained a belated realization.

The man fighting over there, his expression that seemed disgusted with the world now made sense to her.

Shuffle-

“… ”

Despite her concerns, the man continued to fight well.

Seemingly focusing only on his own situation.

Unlike her, who occasionally glanced at the man’s situation, he was solely focused on the monsters in front of him.

“… Hmph.”

As I gazed at that figure, a faint smile crept across my face. At least one person had seen me properly. Until just now, I had been harboring doubts about whether she had misjudged the person named “Lian Trice.” “I lost track of my studies,” I said. I had been preoccupied with the story I heard at the library. Seeing her now, it was clear that her concern was needless worry. Labilaa felt reassured. Then, she shifted her gaze from the man back to the monsters. “I can’t afford to lose either.” One-sided slaughter. This was the plight of the monsters before her eyes. Her rapier began to move toward the next prey. “If only it weren’t for that damn princess.” Of course, completely unaware that the man who had praised her was inwardly berating himself.