77th floor of the Magic Tower. Chief Professor’s office.
I sat at my desk, repeating calculations and research.
Dozens of cross-validations. Hundreds of sample inspections. Reading through materials while making full use of the university’s vast library.
However, I did not factor in the possibility that my prediction might be wrong. This was merely to calculate the differences by region.
—Yes. I’ve confirmed it. Rohalak’s soil concentration comes out that way.
I received Yeriel’s report through the crystal ball.
Rohalak’s impact value was lower than the North’s. Even so, it was still twice the figure from nineteen years ago, but with Hadekain and Yukline’s underlying strength, it should be more than defensible.
“Spare no expense on the defenses.”
—We will, but—
“I’m hanging up.”
—Hey, wait. You son of a—
I cut the connection and immediately contacted the next person.
—Professor Deculein, this is Betan. I will send the soil concentration by messenger paper.
“Do so.”
—Yes. No matter what anyone says, I believe in you, Professor. Please know that.
Among the nobles of the Empire, there were those who cooperated, like Betan, and those who did not.
The North in particular mostly showed reluctance. Naturally, because of the astronomical cost.
“……Professor.”
Then Allen spoke. In a corner of the Chief Professor’s office, the fellow, whose dark circles had turned him into a panda, fiddled with a pile of documents as he said,
“These are interview, academic society, and lecture requests…… all related to your prediction of this monster wave…….”
A drastic move inevitably provokes fierce backlash in equal measure.
In truth, if the present were not flowing along the course of the “Main Quest,” it was a result even I would have doubted at least once.
“This will become tiresome.”
“Yes…… With this kind of schedule, you would have to keep traveling around the continent for at least two months…….”
I looked outside the glass of the Magic Tower.
The endlessly rising winter scenery. The lofty sky had dried to a pallid hue.
“I will gladly do so.”
From now on, this would be a major branch point in the Main Quest. However, knowing my own death in advance was, on the contrary, helpful in such a situation.
No matter what happened, I would not die at least during this winter.
“Yes…… I also…… believe in your theory, Professor…….”
“Did you not sleep, Allen?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. There have been many inquiries. For about three days…….”
“Go back and sleep.”
“Yes…….”
Allen nodded with vacant eyes. I looked at the official letter he had brought.
[To Chief Professor Deculein of the Imperial Magic Tower]
─We have heard well of the prediction submitted by the professor. We understand that all manner of rumors are seething among the nobles of the Empire. However, the professor’s prediction is presently causing great confusion and financial loss across the continent, particularly in the North…….
Dhaman, Phairden, Beorad, Essensil, and others.
I read the sentences sent by many families, filled with doubt and regret.
* * *
“Haa…….”
Epherene had been finding every day difficult lately. In the library, in the laboratory, and in the dormitory, she was scribbling her worries into her notebook.
[Why does Deculein die?]
Epherene did not remember what incident occurred in the future. No, she did not know.
Of course, she had gone to many places—the library, newspaper offices, and so on. But in that future, there was a “lost period.”
In other words, perhaps because it was the North, there was truly not a single record between two years later and three years later.
“What on earth happened……?”
There was only one fact Epherene had managed to learn.
[Rohon Trading Co., Ltd.]
That this Rohon Trading Company, currently unknown, would later strike it big.
She had learned it by chance while talking to merchants. She knew plenty about snacks, but not the first thing about stocks; still, it was the name of a merchant group she had memorized, thinking that if she invested in it, she would definitely become rich.
“And what’s this?”
[Rohun Trading Co., Ltd.]
[Rohom Trading Co., Ltd.]
[Rohol Trading Co., Ltd.]
When she searched through merchant company stocks, there were Rohun, Rohon, Rohom, and Rohol. Three more had appeared.
It was the second worry tormenting her.
“Should I put a quarter into each……?”
Epherene stealthily checked her salary pouch.
Four thousand elne. It wouldn’t be bad to divide it up and buy stocks with one thousand elne each.
Of course, hundreds of thousands of elne had already piled up in sponsorship funds, but she could not bring herself to use that for something like this.
There was a matter of pride as well, and now that she had confirmed that the sponsor was Deculein, at the very least, after she had been completely acknowledged by Deculein. In other words, after she had perfectly understood even the Deculein–Luna thesis.
Only around then did she intend to use it freely.
Just then.
“Hey.”
A sharp voice called her. Epherene turned that way and flinched.
An old bad connection. It was Lucia.
“What is it with you again? Did you come to pick a fight?”
Epherene’s eyes narrowed on their own. Lucia smirked, then shook her head.
“No? I came to congratulate you~?”
“For what?”
“I heard you guys are going to Reccordak.”
Reccordak? Epherene grimaced with her whole face. What kind of nonsense was this out of nowhere?
“What are you talking about? We already went to the North.”
“I know.”
“What do you know? I said we already went.”
“……What the. Are you saying that because you really don’t know?”
“Know what?”
When Epherene asked back, Lucia held out a sheet of paper with an expression that made people furious.
Epherene, who had been glaring at Lucia, let her gaze fall to the page.
“What…… what is thiiis!”
Her eyes flew wide open.
Epherene shot to her feet. Then she immediately ran outside.
On the first floor of the Magic Tower, in the lobby, the members of Pyeongmatamdong, including Julie, were there. All of them wore faces full of concern for her.
Julie said,
“Ephy! We heard the news! You’re going to Reccordak!”
“Whaaat—?! I didn’t know!”
Epherene was dumbfounded.
* * *
Knock knock— knock knock knock— knock knock knock knock—
Knocks sounded one after another. I felt as though I knew who it was without even looking.
When I opened the door with psychokinesis, the fellow who had been knocking hurried inside and asked,
“Professor, Professor, Professor. Reccordak, what is this about Reccordak all of a sudden—”
“We are going to Reccordak during the vacation. We will likely stay for about three months.”
“Gasp!”
Epherene’s mouth fell open. Her two shocked eyes grew as large as soccer balls.
The fellow made choking sounds before barely managing to continue.
“P-Professor. How about reconsidering? Not for my sake, but…….”
She mumbled with her lips and stopped speaking for a moment.
Gulp— she swallowed, avoided my gaze, scratched her temple…… after showing all sorts of habits, she said,
“……You never know if something might happen. To you too, Professor.”
“It is all right.”
I said.
“It does not matter if you do not follow. This is something I decided arbitrarily, not you.”
“…….”
Epherene looked at me silently. Her sulky eyes and protruding lips were rather adorable.
“……I didn’t say I wasn’t going. I will go, but…….”
I nodded.
“Then prepare.”
“Prepare what?”
“Starting today, practical training.”
“……Ah?”
* * *
……And so, as the season passed, there was much for me to do.
Conducting advanced lectures, answering questions related to theses, and taking responsibility for the “prediction proposal” I had presented this time.
There was not a single peaceful day.
I traveled all over the continent by airship and train.
Of course, there were many who could not understand my theory, and at times, they looked like chimpanzees to me.
It was Deculein’s distinctive elitism. I tried to suppress it, but it was difficult.
I also began Epherene’s practical training. The fellow was struck here and there in the Magic Tower’s training hall, but the speed of her progress was worthy of praise.
“Are we…… leaving around next week, Professor……?”
Right after training ended. Epherene, her whole body drenched in sweat, approached and asked. I silently glared at her.
“……Ah.”
Epherene cleaned herself with 「Cleanse」, and only then did I answer.
“Probably.”
“……Yes. I’ll prepare diligently.”
Epherene left the training room. As she walked down the corridor, her grumbling complaints seeped into my ears.
─It’s vacation, but I can’t even rest…… Ah. I’m dying. My body aches all over. I have to buy stocks too.
Stocks reminded me. Previously, I had invested according to whatever caught the eye of 「Great Tycoon’s Wealth」.
Since some time had passed, I should check on it.
“……There is not much time left.”
Then suddenly, a thought bloomed in a corner of my mind.
Now I could meet Yuli.
Whether it was my own heart, or the workings of Deculein. As I grew farther from her, without my realizing it, some hollow emotion seemed to have gnawed away at a corner of my body.
“How foolish.”
Even if I could not be with her, merely being able to see her made this heart beat.
……It was truly a stupid emotion.
* * *
The North, Reccordak.
Yuli sat quietly in an office chair, meditating. That person would soon arrive at Reccordak.
She had pretended to be unaffected all this time, but there was no way she could be.
She desperately suppressed all her emotions. At the same time, she thought of the simple-hearted residents of the North.
For their sake, she could certainly cooperate with an enemy. As one who pursued chivalry, she would distinguish public and private matters with absolute strictness…….
Knock knock─
Then came a knock. Yuli flinched in surprise, but after clearing her throat with an ahem, she said,
“Come in.”
The door opened. Yuli gazed steadily at the person visible through the half-open gap.
Yellow hair and a pale face. The person entering with a greasy smile hanging at the corners of his mouth was—
“It’s been a while, Yuli?”
Ihelm. One of Deculein’s gang in the past, and Yuli’s senior at university.
It could be considered a small obstacle before meeting Deculein.
Yuli answered composedly.
“Yes. It has been a while. Please sit.”
“Yeah. Ugh, because of this damned chairmanship, I’ve even come all the way to Reccordak…… I shouldn’t have applied.”
Ihelm groaned as he sat down in the chair.
“Are those guys exercising outside all prisoners?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. They’re guys who’ve killed some people, so their bodies are impressive, huh? Looks like they’ve got technique too.”
“Yes. However, magical devices are connected to their hearts, so if they cause trouble, immediate measures can be taken. There is no need to worry.”
“I know. Dikaillen invented that, didn’t he?”
Yuli calmly nodded. Ihelm chuckled and continued,
“Anyway, Deculein will come a little late.”
“……Yes.”
“Well, it’s not like you wanted that bastard Deculein to come to Reccordak. That little chairman is a wicked one, isn’t she? ‘They’re breaking off their engagement, so this should be fuuun~!’ She probably sent him while saying something like that.”
Ihelm imitated Adrienne’s voice as he examined Yuli’s face. It was meant to be a joke in its own way, but Yuli replied without showing any sign of amusement.
“I know. It is all right.”
“That’s not an all-right face.”
“…….”
“Relax your expression, will you?”
“My expression is always like this.”
Yuli wore a perfect expressionless face. Except that one eyebrow was slightly furrowed.
Ihelm snickered.
“As if.”
“……It is not funny. Please leave now. I will assign you lodging.”
“Sure. But, well, don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to tease you. It’s just, isn’t it a little strange? Don’t you think so too?”
“Ha…… What is it now?”
Yuli let out a small sigh, as though tired. Ihelm slowly rose as he shook his head.
“There was no one who loved you like Deculein did, you know. Of course, the way he did it was completely insane. But why, all of a sudden, would he…….”
Grit— the sound of teeth grinding was clear.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Ihelm raised both arms in surprise, and Yuli spoke in a low, heavy voice.
“Ihelm. Leave.”
“Ah, sorry. Sorry. I’m going, I’m going. Oh right, before I go, take this first.”
Ihelm held out a document.
“……What is this now?”
“A reinforcement list.”
Yuli looked at the document. But the names on the list were so bewildering that she unconsciously leaned in closer.
“Interesting, right? They’ll soon build a new lodging too. A grand mansion.”
Gwen. Raphel. Sirio, and other knights close to Yuli, as well as masters who had reached the pinnacle of specific swordsmanship, like “Mountain” Jaylen and “Fire Sword” Yufle.
“Deculein is coming, isn’t he? To this remote place, the Imperial Palace and all sorts of knights are scrambling to provide support. They want to build some connections with Deculein.”
“Connections…….”
“Yeah. Ah, do you know this too? Deculein’s profits from stocks this time alone are five hundred million elne. Five hundred million elne.”
“Five hundred million elne…….”
Yuli’s mouth opened slightly. Noticing that, Ihelm muttered in a sly tone.
“Why? Are you disappointed? You’ve fallen into the abyss, while your former fiancé is soaring like this.”
In an instant, Yulli’s expression hardened again.
“Ihelm. I will not tolerate a fourth time.”
“Oho~ How kind of you, as expected. Usually people say three strikes, but you’re willing to endure four. No wonder your nickname used to be the White Retriever.”
“Ihelm. This is 3.5 times.”
It was her final warning. Ihelm grinned and rose from his seat.
“Fine. I’m going, I’m going. See you later, yeah? We’ll be staying in the same place for quite a while.”
Yulli glared for a long time at Ihelm’s back as he walked away, waving his hand.
“There are many people making money from stocks these days…… We’ll need money if we’re to defend the border.”
Soon, her attention returned to the reinforcement list and the stocks.
* * *
Before leaving for the North, I stopped by the Imperial Palace.
It was for the third game of the five-game Go match I had promised Sophien.
“I hear you’re going to the North again this time.”
But today, Sophien was dressed in a gown.
Like a modern Elizabeth, it was a splendid and antique outfit befitting an emperor.
“Yes. Your attire today is beautiful as well.”
“Iliade presented it. They say Giltheon obtained it personally.”
“Is that so?”
Giltheon of Iliade.
It was a rather irritating name, but there was no need to show it.
Sophien asked indifferently.
“In any case, today is our third game……. Are you confident? If you lose this match, there will be no need for the rest.”
“There has never been a time when I lacked confidence.”
“Hmph.”
Sophien twisted her lips. Then she rose from her seat. I looked up at her with slight puzzlement.
“Follow me.”
“Yes.”
For now, I stood without asking any questions. Sophien left the Hall of Learning and spoke as she walked down the corridor.
“You say you are so confident, and since there is no one on this continent who plays Go as well as you and I do, today.”
Sophien, who had been walking with crisp steps, stopped before the doors of the great hall. I thought I understood what she intended.
She turned to me and said,
“I shall commence our match before all my retainers. Will that be all right?”
I nodded without hesitation.
“Yes. That is fine, but rather, I would like to ask Your Majesty. Will you be all right?”
“What do you mean?”
“I am not the sort of person who would falsify a match to save Your Majesty’s face before your retainers.”
“Has this madman gone mad?”
Sophien cursed almost reflexively. A vein even stood out on her temple.
“……I warn you. Do not get any more insolent than this. Do not try to save my face, either. Strive with all you have. I, too, will strive to crush you. On this continent, you are the only human worthy of seizing my effort.”
“Yes. I will also do my utmost.”
Sophien nodded and opened the great doors. Immediately, the resounding cries of countless retainers rang out.
We behold Your Majesty Sophien──!
They prostrated themselves as they welcomed Sophien, and the place for the match had already been prepared. In the vast great hall, a Go board and Go stones sat alone.
“This is the professor I have summoned to show you Go. He is the man who caused quite a stir recently by predicting the monster incident. Deculein!”
Sophien, who had been walking with sharp clicks of her heels, turned to me and called out. I approached her with my body slightly bowed.
“This subject, Deculein, has arrived in obedience to Your Majesty’s command.”
“Enough. Spare me the nonsense and take your seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Under the gaze of countless retainers, I took my place opposite her.
Sophien looked at me and twisted her lips.
“Before this man departs for Reccordak in the North, we shall begin our third match. Retainers, record the game and learn with fervor. I and this professor shall show you what Go truly is…….”
At Sophien’s words, all the retainers cried out at once.
Your grace is immeasurable──!
It was a thunderous, clamorous shout.