“I will go.”
Deculein’s words plunged the conference hall into silence. The Imperial Knights widened their eyes and craned their necks, like snapping turtles.
They were dumbfounded.
Why would Deculein suddenly do that? No matter how one looked at it, a mage couldn’t possibly face a tiger, could he?
Delric swallowed hard and spoke.
“B-but, Professor. You are the one in charge of Reccordak—”
“It is only natural that the one in charge should step forward.”
Deculein smiled faintly.
“How much do you think I have invested in this Reccordak? I did not spend that money so we could be frightened off by a mere tiger.”
“……E-even so, sir. To call it a mere tiger, when a great tiger is…… well…….”
Julie, Gwen, Syrio, and Deculein’s other contemporaries each reacted in their own way.
“I know. If a tiger tears apart a village, a great tiger destroys a city. However, it matters not if any number of residents clinging to life in these wretched mountains die.”
At the professor’s words, Julie clenched her fist hard.
“The mountain folk of the North seem to possess the utterly useless stubbornness of preferring death on the spot to fleeing their homeland. Then even if they are left to die, they will have no cause for resentment.”
“Wow.” Gwen let out an exclamation as if she were utterly speechless. Syrio tilted his head slightly and laughed under his breath.
“And as for the prisoners who are only barely keeping their lives in this Reccordak anyway…… I feel like slaughtering every last one of them this instant.”
Deculein placed a finger on the file atop his table.
“When His Majesty sets out on the expedition to Myeolji in the future, this place will become a strategic point. It will serve as a base camp.”
The Imperial Knights’ eyes flew wide open. It was because of the words “His Majesty.”
“This is not for the sake of vermin-like prisoners, nor for the residents parasitizing the Wall. It is for His Majesty.”
Deculein swept his gaze over the faces of the knights. With a derisive snort, he shook his head and said,
“Yet as you all seem to fear a tiger, I will go.”
“No, I will also—”
“Enough.”
Julie raised her hand, but Deculein’s cold eyes glared at her. It was a gaze that seemed to touch her heart.
He said,
“The sick should shut their mouths and get lost.”
* * *
Sylvia returned to the Nameless Island. Idnik, who had been researching magic at the lab table, saw her face and smiled.
She looked utterly sullen.
“You little rascal. Didn’t you have something to say to Deculein?”
“I delivered it by note.”
Sylvia answered briefly.
The contents of the note she had left for Deculein were—“Assistant Professor Allen and Primienne are Red Orbit.”
“You think he’ll believe it if you just leave it there like that without any proof?”
“If he doesn’t, that’s the professor’s fault.”
Sylvia sat down in the rocking chair. Speedster and Bear-Panda came over and nestled in her arms.
Idnik put a hand on her waist and said,
“Then what are you going to do now? Watch Deculein again?”
“I’m not going to watch him anymore.”
“……Is that so? Then why do you look like that again?”
“…….”
Sylvia said nothing. But the scene she had just witnessed kept flickering through her mind.
Deculein nursing Epherene. Epherene receiving treatment from Deculein.
It felt strange.
That impudent Epherene. That stupid Epherene who got herself hurt. Why was she hurt? Why didn’t she deal with it herself? Why was she accepting help?
“…….”
Idnik watched Sylvia trembling and said,
“You’re jealous.”
“I’m not.”
Sylvia whipped her head around and glared at Idnik. Idnik grinned and nodded.
“Sure.”
“I said I’m not. Who would be jealous of someone like Epherene?”
“Let’s say that’s the case~”
“……Idnik is stupid too.”
Sylvia pouted sulkily. Then she sank back into the chair. Once more, she manifested 「Wind」.
However, the target of her surveillance was not Deculein. She merely intended to watch over the entirety of distant Reccordak.
* * *
A great tiger had appeared in the North—the rumor spread in an instant. However, there was no procession of refugees from the mountain villages.
“What do you think?”
Louina asked. Her arm was in a cast. It was an injury she had sustained during the culling.
“They’re pathetic. And insolent.”
“The residents?”
I nodded. Then I looked out the window of the mansion.
At the distant training grounds of Reccordak, Julie was sparring while receiving encouragement from Reilly.
Her opponent was Syrio, and Julie’s movements were fierce. Rumor had already spread that she had been exceedingly angered by what I said last night.
“Why are they pathetic?”
“……It is pathetic that they would risk death because they cannot abandon what they have. And insolent that they inwardly expect the Wall might protect them.”
“Haha.”
Louina laughed softly. I glared at her.
“What are you laughing at?”
“You wouldn’t abandon it either, Boss. If it were something precious to you. More than anyone else. Isn’t that right?”
“…….”
He might break, but he would never bend, and if it was something he wanted, he would not give up even a single thing. Deculein’s personality was an ego of self-respect, formed from conviction, principles, and arrogance, so I had no words to refute her.
Was this what they called hypocrisy?
“Leave.”
“I will. But there’s one more person outside, Boss.”
Louina smiled brightly and opened the door. Beyond it stood Assistant Professor Allen.
He timidly bowed to Louina.
“Go on in. I’m finished.”
“Y-yes…….”
Allen hesitantly walked inside. I examined his face. Worry was thick upon his complexion.
“Will it be all right……?”
The fellow, watching my reaction, mumbled. I calmly asked in return,
“What will?”
“You, Professor, well…… the great tiger……. Great tigers are clever and cunning…….”
A great tiger knows how to fight. It does not allow itself to be surrounded, and it does not charge in rashly.
In other words, if we brought hundreds of knights along, it would refuse to fight at all. Therefore, the personnel hunting the tiger had to be few in number.
“It will be difficult.”
Even now, beyond the Wall, I could still feel its presence.
It was a warning. The beast was waiting. An exceedingly arrogant will, telling us to challenge it quickly before it advanced.
“It would be best if persuasion were possible.”
The “culling” mission had still only been carried out once.
However, as I had confirmed through the resonance of my woodsteel outside, that great tiger was killing every magical beast that entered its territory.
The number was far greater than what hundreds of knights had culled over two days.
“Persuasion? Can it be persuaded……?”
Allen’s eyes went round. I twisted my lips and shook my head.
“The possibility is remarkably low. Tigers are usually born with particular dispositions. If it is that ferocious, there is no choice but to kill it.”
“Then you, Professor…… will have to fight it in the end.”
Allen lowered his head deeply.
I looked at him. That reaction was somewhat unusual.
“I will not rush in without a way to win.”
At that, Allen lifted his head.
“How……?”
“That is a secret. More importantly.”
Snore— snore— The sound of snoring came from the sofa in the office.
I narrowed my eyes and glared that way. Primienne was sprawled out asleep, practically hugging the fireplace.
“Wake that one and throw her out.”
Whether she was a loafer or what, if I let my guard down even a little, she would slip into my warm office and fall asleep.
“Ah, yes. Um, excuse me?”
Allen approached her and shook her shoulder. Primienne slowly opened her eyes.
“You can’t be here. The Professor is working…….”
“……Ah. It’s cold outside.”
“Pardon? Ah…….”
I silently watched the two of them exchange that somewhat awkward conversation.
…….
“It’s cold.”
In the end, Primienne was chased out and rummaged through her clothes. In the inner pocket of her padded coat was the note Allen had left.
[Professor Deculein has received a report. A report that I and the Deputy Director are Red Orbit.]
“…….”
A short sentence. Primienne stopped dead, stared at it in silence, then opened her mouth. She tossed the paper in.
Munch, munch—
Chewing it up, she came out of the main building.
The snow-white ground and the damned cold. Even though a great tiger had appeared, the knights’ building was still under construction.
Step, step—
As Primienne walked, suffering from the cold, she discovered a campfire. There was also a chair nearby.
Like a cat, she quickly ran over and sat down. She stretched out both hands and basked in the warmth.
Clang—!
Not far away, a sharp sound of metal colliding. The wind swept in coldly and stirred the campfire.
Primienne raised her eyes and looked that way.
Clang—! Krrrrrk——!
Julie and Syrio were sparring. Those two were famous figures whom Primienne knew well.
In particular, Julie, the corrupt knight on whom Primienne had also received a report.
Whoooosh—!
Every time Julie swung her sword, a freezing wind arose. That seemed to be her talent, though who knew how she had come to possess such a talent.
Primienne took a book from her inner pocket.
[Chart Analysis Methods for Stock Masters]
She thought as she read the book.
Allen had conveyed that Deculein had received a “report.” She did not know what sort of report it was.
However…… Primienne was rather confused.
Would Deculein believe that report, or would he not? Or perhaps there was no “need” for him to believe or disbelieve it in the first place.
“Oh? Do you trade stocks? Are you a stock master?”
A voice roused Primienne from her thoughts.
She raised her head and looked at the person who had called her a “stock master.”
It was Julie. Drenched in sweat, she looked with strange eyes over the cover of the book in Primienne’s hand.
“Chart Analysis Methods for Stock Masters…….”
Primienne closed the book without a word. Then she crossed her legs. Holding her neck straight, she looked at Julie.
“I am Deputy Director of Public Safety Primienne. What is the matter?”
“Ah.”
Though Julie had been deprived of the campfire and chair she had made herself, she showed no particular sign of it and brought over a separate log to sit on.
“Yes. I am Knight Deia.”
“I know you well. I have also read your report.”
“…….”
Julie closed her eyes with an apologetic expression. As if in apology, she bowed her head softly.
“There is no particular need for that. Why have you come?”
Primienne asked.
Julie blinked and pondered her answer. Asking why she had come was a little odd, since this was originally a place she had made herself.
“……I have also been studying stocks a little.”
At Julie’s words, Primienne grew even more arrogant.
“I see.”
“Do you know much about stocks?”
“Well. I have fifteen years of experience, if nothing else. The Rotten Trading Company, Food Systems, Joblock Construction, and the Rebel Toy Company, all of which have risen rapidly this time—I predicted them all.”
She truly had predicted them correctly.
She simply had not invested after predicting them.
“Oh…….”
Julie’s eyes sparkled. Primienne crossed her legs the other way.
“What is it? What’s going on?”
Just then, Reilly approached. Reilly first handed Julie a towel.
“You were getting so angry during the spar…… Ah. Deputy Director Primienne. Nice to see you. We met last time, didn’t we? Over the issue of adventurers’ dungeon access.”
Primienne merely nodded chicly.
Julie swallowed hard.
“Then, Deputy Director, might you be able to teach me about stocks?”
“I can teach you to some extent. Knowledge does not diminish when shared. However, why are you interested in stocks, Knight?”
“…….”
At Primienne’s question, Julie’s expression became rather bitter. She swept back her hair and answered.
“……I realized belatedly that, if I am to protect my people, I need money.”
Those words contained complicated emotions.
Primienne thought it over. Judging by Allen’s note, this was not exactly the situation to be teaching someone stocks.
“……Hmm.”
If she became close to Julie through her knowledge, however, it would at least not be a loss.
As Deculein’s former fiancée, she clearly had value, and more than anything—
Primienne owed a debt to the North, especially Freyden.
“Please. I ask this of you. Stocks are too difficult a world to learn alone.”
Julie spoke politely. Primienne pressed down on her temple and thought it over. Reilly merely blinked, as if she had no idea what was going on.
“……Yes. Very well. I will teach you until I leave.”
“!”
In that instant, Julie clenched both fists. With a face full of enthusiasm, she clasped Primienne’s hand.
“Thank you! I will learn diligently.”
She had been filled with anger because of Deculein, but Julie offered her sincere gratitude to this benefactor she had suddenly encountered.
* * *
The Emperor of the Crebaim Empire, “Sophienne Yekater August von Ziprein.”
Her efficiency in handling affairs was ultimate.
The emperor personally attended to documents only once a week, for a mere two hours, but in that time Sophienne took in every piece of news, petition, and controversy on the continent and dealt with them incisively.
The speed of her thoughts and judgment was already beyond the level of a human.
Even if it looked as though she were simply flipping through pages at random, she was clearly comprehending all of it and presenting precise solutions……
“A great tiger?”
While handling affairs as usual, Sophienne discovered a report from the north.
“A great tiger has appeared in the north.”
“Yes. Your Majesty. That is so.”
At Jolang’s answer, Sophienne nodded.
“A ferocious tiger…… That bastard Deculein must be having quite the headache.”
Up to that point, she had thought little of it. Deculein would manage Reccordak, and catching the tiger would be the knights’ role anyway.
“Or abandoning Reccordak would not be a bad plan.”
In truth, it was the most efficient alternative. Abandon Reccordak and face the ferocious tiger alongside the northern knights at the second line of defense.
“According to the rumors, Deculein will not do that, Your Majesty.”
Jolang said. Sophienne nodded.
“That is what Deculein would do. Inefficient bastard.”
“Yes. However…… they say he intends to step forward himself.”
“…….”
For a moment, Sophienne’s mouth closed. Jolang quickly bowed his head. He pressed his entire body to the floor.
Sophienne read the report again. There was, in fact, such a paragraph.
[Deculein said he would go hunting the great tiger alone. He said that compared to Rohakan, the great tiger would be a better opponent…….]
In that instant, Sophienne’s brow twisted.
“……Why is this bastard.”
He would face the ferocious tiger alone.
The moment she read that sentence. For some reason she did not know, anger flared up.
“Why the hell is he suddenly acting up like this?”
“…….”
“Is he insane? A mage is going to face a great tiger alone?”
Jolang said nothing. He pretended not to have heard and pressed his forehead to the floor.
“Do you think that makes sense?”
“…….”
At that question, Jolang watched her mood and answered.
“I believe it would be difficult, Your Majesty…… but there are many fine knights in the north…… so surely, truly, he will not do so alone…… I think.”
Sophienne ground her teeth with a click.
Strangely, heat was rising to her forehead. Truly, it was a physical sign even she did not understand.
“……Madman.”
Of course, Deculein was not the sort of person to die in the north, at least. She did not yet know how he would die, but in a slightly more distant future, somewhere that was not the north……
“…….”
No. There was enough possibility.
If he were injured while facing the great tiger, and that injury worsened so that he died “slowly.”
She still did not know how Deculein would die.
“……Hey.”
Sophienne called Jolang in a voice thick with heat.
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.”
“Isaac…… no.”
With Keiron gone, the strongest asset the imperial family could command was Vice-Captain Isaac. However, using Isaac for a private matter could place her in a politically disadvantageous position.
Sophienne was not so short-sighted a person.
Whatever happened to Deculein, whether he suffered a fatal wound fighting the ferocious tiger, or whether he slowly died in the distant future, he had brought it upon himself, so he could deal with it on his own……
“Enough! He did this without so much as a word to me, so that damned bastard can handle it himself. Leave!”
“Yes, yes! Your grace is boundless.”
Sophienne dismissed the work and drove Jolang out. Then she lay on her bed and cooled the heat burning through her body.
“……Without so much as a word to me.”
He could have written a letter. Or at least spoken through a crystal orb.
Deciding on such a grave matter without any report at all was not the proper conduct of a subject.
Therefore, I am not worried. I am merely dumbfounded……
“Do whatever the hell you want!”
Sophienne shouted so and pulled the blanket over herself.