How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 177

Before recapturing Elte Company (6)

In order to catch the Holy Changryong Valveroke, Taily McLore’s Sword Formation Ceremony is required.

It is a problem that has been tormenting me chronically. The most fundamental solution is for Taylor McLore to become that strong, and have the power to finish off Valveroke.

However, <Sylvania’s Failed Swordsman> has already been twisted as much as possible, so it can no longer go back to the way it was before.

It is clear that Taylor’s growth will be much slower than I thought.

The subjugation of the Holy Changryong Velbrook is, in fact, an event that concludes all the ordeals I have to face after coming over to this world.

If Taylor can’t handle Valveroke, it’s completely my job from there. The catastrophe that will happen if I don’t deal with Velbroke in time is not someone else’s story, even from my point of view.

The moment that Velbroke’s resurrection doesn’t finish properly on Aken Island and starts to affect the mainland… I can’t even estimate the damage this empire and continent will do to me. Of course, it will have a significant impact on my future as well.

The plan to leave everything to Taylor and quietly earn a diploma was ruined a long time ago… Even so, Velbroke is an enemy that cannot be dealt with alone.

So, I have no choice but to pray.

Please, I hope that the status of Taylor McLore’s specs is a little better.

* * *

The backyard of the branch, surrounded by a large iron cage, is engulfed in the darkness of the night, out of sight of anyone.

After knocking a couple of times on the back door of the Elte Firm’s Sylvania branch, a worker from the inside opened the door.

Beyond the silently open door, Dune Greggs, who had completely supervised the Sylvania branch of the Elte Corporation behind the scenes, could be seen.

Behind him, along with secretary Rienna, I could see every aspect of the store’s staff attached to the Dune side.

Among them, I saw a few employees who had sworn an oath of allegiance to Lortel, which was quite a strange sight.

“You’re hotter than I thought, Mr. Ed.”

The sight Dune would have seen would not have been so easy to accept.

Me, who violently dragged Ayla, who was tied tightly to the rope, and Jenika, who was standing behind her.

Since Dune is second to none in intelligence, I didn’t have to question why Yenika was with me.

It is Jenika who participates in pretty much anything. However, I didn’t think that I would even participate in kidnapping people in this way… Dune erased his embarrassed face with a coy smile.

“Eup…! Eup…!”

Ayla, whose mouth was covered with a cloth, tried to shout something, but it did not become a language and was not conveyed.

“Hold on.”

The store employees who were standing behind Dune pulled Ayla by the arms. Ayla, who had completely lost the will to resist, was led deep inside by the hands of the company’s employees.

“I didn’t expect you to reach out to something like this. Is there something about that girl?”

“Various high-ranking magical powers… In particular, she was born with an exceptional sensitivity to Aspect magical power.”

“You mean Aspect Magic?”

As we walked into the hallway with Dune, we continued our conversation.

Behind us, along the hallway, Yenikawa, the shopkeepers, and Rienna’s secretary came in.

I raised my hand and slightly raised my strength.

The phoenix ring’s recoil has been somewhat dispelled by the long rest, but the energy still remains, making it difficult to draw out magic.

However, if you concentrate your mind, you can do a slight hint of magical power.

-Wheek.

Dune narrowed his eyes at the dark red magical energy that slowly rose up.

The merchants who had been following Dune also swallowed dry saliva. It is revealed so clearly that even a person unfamiliar with magic can recognize it at a glance… It was Aspect magic.

“Do you know how to use Aspect Magic?”

“Yes. However, I cannot study advanced Aspect Magic alone. It may be somewhat… unethical, but I need a scapegoat with good sensitivity.”

Actually, that’s not the reason why Ayla was kidnapped. It was simply to provoke Taylor McLore and measure the bottom of his bowl.

However, I can’t say that openly, so this is the reason why I brought it separately. Like Professor Glast, Ayla’s Aspect Magic Induction is a good cause.

“I’m not in very good shape right now, so it’s hard to conduct research properly… but I’ll have to secure Ayla before the vacation ends. Once school starts and I start participating in the academic calendar, Ayla’s absence will be more evident.”

Saying that, I glanced towards the dune.

“It’s a matter of course, but I can’t say it proudly anywhere. Catching a person and using it as a scapegoat for research… If it becomes a public opinion, there will definitely be an aftermath.”

“Even at the bachelor’s school, I wouldn’t stand still. What if a student who was living a normal bachelor’s life was kidnapped?”

“Yes. That’s why I hope this news never spreads outside. Isla was just in her room, and then suddenly disappeared. Runaway or whatever.”

The reason I am telling this story is simple.

‘I revealed my weakness to you… .’ is to express that.

In fact, it’s not even a weakness. This is because even Ayla, who was kidnapped anyway, is one of them.

A true relationship of trust arises when each other holds on to each other’s weaknesses.

If the other person has a bad heart, my plans will go awry. When you have such confidence, you trust the other person and entrust everything to them.

“If you become a group of the size of Elte Company, wouldn’t it be a chore to hide a single girl?”

When I asked, Dune smiled coyly.

“There are more than 20 empty rooms in the basement of the shop. Most of them are used as shelters for workers or storage for belongings, but if you lock the door, it becomes a prison.”

“I’ll have to see it with my own two eyes.”

“Of course.”

So I went straight down to the basement with Dune.

The Sylvania branch of Elte Corporation, built on a total of 4 floors, on a land of gold dust directly adjacent to the Maxes Bridge.

The site is large, and the building size is quite large… Searching all over the inside of this building to find Ayla would not be easy.

Going down the stairs to the basement, the underground space was revealed in earnest at once. Rows of rooms lined the basement, tightly packed with various stock items.

Opening the deep door in the middle, the workers pushed Isla in.

“town!”

Ayla rolled on the floor with a groan and looked up at the workers. A lot of handsome men are gathering and staring at each other, so it must be scary… Her body was shaking.

“The room is in pretty good condition.”

“There’s no place like this to accommodate a single person. There’s no sound leaking out, so it’s hard to know from the outside.”

I went to Ayla, who was rolling on the floor, and squatted down.

“I’m sorry, I must have been very embarrassed.”

Talking fluently, I checked Ayla’s condition.

When the workers standing behind nodded quietly, the bound Ayla nodded subtly at the same time.

He had promised in advance that the situation would turn out like this, but he might have been taken aback by the more violent and insidious atmosphere than he thought.

So I really wanted to check the status, but… Surprisingly, it looks fine.

If there is such a thing as skill in being kidnapped… After all, Ayla must be quite skilled… ?

It was the moment when I felt such a threadless thought.

‘Anyway, since I made you suffer more than I thought, I’ll have to help you with something next time… .’in

“So, how are you going to catch Lortel?”

“We have to use the classic method. There is a way to bring people down from this floor. It is to put the blame on them.”

It’s the same as when Lortel pulled Elte down.

However, at that time, Elte had a little bit of self-employment, but Lortel was in a completely unfair position.

“This side is moving steadily according to the plan. When the next semester in Sylvania begins, the hegemony of Elte Firm will have already passed to us.”

Dune never reveals all of his plans. It gives off an atmosphere that seems to have revealed my own weaknesses, and even if I secretly ask about the inside, I only talk about the overall picture and never talk about the specific methodology.

“Yeah… you must have your own thoughts.”

I closed my eyes and talked. If I tried to dig further here, I would only raise suspicion.

“Then, I’ll have to take a look at Lortel.”

* * *

There was silence in the magnificent imperial carriage.

Lucy and Princess Fenia are actually not very close. Although they share the same grade, Princess Fenia, who is always escorted around, and Lucy, who is taking a nap in a high or remote place, how many times must have met.

Only the sound of wagon wheels permeated the awkward silence.

With the sound of Lucy Meiril whispering, Princess Fenia continued to look out the window uncomfortably.

The movement between the escort soldiers is unusual.

Fenia, who had been escorted by soldiers since she was a child, had a well-developed eye for that.

It seems that not only the soldiers who normally escort Penia, but also other types of soldiers clung to the escort.

As if escorting Princess Penia was not the only purpose.

‘There’s no one in the princess’ escort who can do tricks.’

The escorts that escort the imperial princess were not just used by anyone. Most of them are spherical.

He has quite a bit of experience and is full of escorts who look older.

About half of them were soldiers with whom Princess Penia was also acquainted. However, the other half was a bit difficult for Princess Fenia to recognize.

It was strange that the Imperial Knights sent so many soldiers to escort Princess Penia, but the fact that they were people you wouldn’t normally see was a bit confusing.

Still, since they belonged to the imperial family, they wouldn’t do anything special to Princess Penia.

However, if that’s the case, why did he join the escort of Princess Penia?

“They say they belong to the convoy.”

Suddenly, Lucy, who seemed to be asleep, spoke with her head on the table.

A message that suddenly flew without even a hint. Princess Penia looked at Lucy with her puzzled face, but… Lucy spoke without any sign of greatness.

“They say they came with a convoy because there is a criminal to be caught in Aken Island.”

“yes?”

Lucy has a good ear.

It’s not just a good level of hearing, if you want to, you can have a cognitive range that goes beyond the limit of a person by spreading magic around you even in a state of sleep.

Of course, if you are someone you trust completely, or if you are not a threat, Lucy will not react even if you approach her.

However, Lucy, who had to spend the past few days in the midst of hostile people… He was completely conscious.

Although she seems sloppy and sleepy, Lucy always has an accurate grasp of her surroundings.

Princess Fenia swallowed a dry saliva at Lucy’s keen senses. That her ears were pricked up like this… I couldn’t tell from her expression alone.

He is now Phenia’s ally. Remind yourself of that fact.

With mighty force, a sense of sharpness, not lack of knowledge, and even the ability to judge the situation with certainty.

When he is an ally, he may feel as if he has won thousands of horses, but when he is turned into an enemy, he is an opponent who has no idea how to win.

It is a story that cannot be turned into an enemy.

“A convoy…? A criminal…?”

“Is there a criminal on Aken Island?”

“no way….”

Ed Roth Taylor?

After that monologue, Lucy slowly raised her head.

My eyes, which I thought would be drunk, were surprisingly clear.

“…”

“Don’t be so quick to judge, Lucy Mayrill.”

Lucy Mayrill, who quietly raised her upper body.

It is as if a bomb driving a huge explosion has arbitrarily ignited the wick.

Princess Fenia felt ominous, and decided to put an end to the disaster in front of her.

“Whether or not Ed Rosteiler will be escorted is a sensitive matter that cannot be easily decided even at the central meeting of the imperial family. There is no way someone in the imperial power has recklessly tried to secure Ed Rosteiler’s new recruit.”

It’s a political step on one’s feet. Even if you fall, no one can blame you.

As if Lucy Meiril was well aware of that fact, she quietly listened to Fenia’s words.

“Besides, I know you’re accompanying me… I wouldn’t have thought so stupidly as to send a convoy with someone to subdue Ed Rosteyler.”

“Then who else is guilty?”

“Well… that’s… I’ll have to wait a little longer. I’ll pretend I don’t know anything and hang out with the convoy soldiers.”

There aren’t many people who are influential enough to sneak their own convoy into Princess Penia’s escort.

A person who has the authority to organize personnel, or who can exercise equivalent influence.

Knight Commander-level, Chancellor-level or higher, or Emperor Chloel’s 3rd aide, or… . Three imperial runners.

one of them… Penia’s heartache was already hardened to some extent.

“Sister Persica.”

The Imperial Knight Commander, who had the authority to organize personnel, was attached to Persica’s forces.

If he had any influence, it was most likely Princess Persica.

When Princess Penia mentioned Persica’s name, Lucy Meiril’s gaze sharpened.

It is unclear whether Princess Persica is friendly or hostile to Ed Rosteyler.

Unlike Princess Selaha, who was openly hostile, and Princess Penia, who was openly friendly, it was difficult to judge.

It was an ambiguous feeling from Lucy’s point of view, but if you were thinking of using the convoy to capture Ed Roth Taylor, your opinion would be completely different.

However, we cannot make a judgment yet.

Inside the running wagon.

A figure crossing the territory of a peaceful empire. There is a feast of beautiful vegetation outside the window, but… The two could not be in a situation where they could enjoy such scenery.

Inside, where the sound of wagon wheels spread out, the two of them maintained a terrifying tension.

When you arrive at Aken Island, it seems that something unexpected will happen.

Princess Penia did not want to provoke Lucy in any way. To do that, Ed Rosteyler also must not be provoked.

Keeping that fact in mind, I kept my tension.

The carriage was already passing the Marquis of Zahul. When you pass this territory and reach the southwest coast, you will see the Maxes Bridge heading towards Aken Island.

It was not long before we arrived at Aken Island.

The cold air of dawn was also disappearing, and the vigor of the morning was slowly beginning to rise.

* * *

-thud!

The office of Lortel Kecheln, acting head of the association.

When I opened the door and entered, Lortel was completely bowed.

The hat of the brown robe he always wore was completely pressed down, his hands tied behind the chair, and he didn’t even move.

A simple meal was prepared on the desk. There were bread and dried fish that could be eaten even with their hands tied.

However, Lortel didn’t eat a single piece… it was quiet

“…”

A sight where even the saddest miasma seems to rise.

The shopkeeper, who was closest to Lortel, was in a state of unending tension while guiding me to the office.

It would be embarrassing to go out in front of a boss who had stabbed himself in the back of the head, but the opponent is embracing a cold chill without saying a word after he was captured.

It’s as if if you close and open your eyes once, a blade of vengeance will pierce your throat… Did you feel that kind of life?

Lortel’s cold appearance, always like a squirrel or a fox, would send chills down the spine of even the employees of the company, no matter how experienced they were.

Rather, because it is Lortel, the fear that comes from such a gap is felt all the more intensely.

Just breathing in the same space feels like thick mud flowing into your throat.

The feeling of walking on the tip of a knife.

That terrifying sense that Lortel would not leave him alone unless he was completely subdued this time.

“Would you like to leave?”

“Is that so?”

It’s hard to say that it’s considerate, but when I suggested that, the store’s staff readily accepted it.

“I’ll be waiting at the door. Come out when you’re done.”

Saying that, the store employee quickly opened the office door and left.

The office door slammed shut, and in front of me was Lortel Kecheln, tied up behind the office table.

Unlike the way she always sits tall and leads the business with a relaxed look, the way she is completely chained is like a queen on the verge of confinement.

I trudged inside and sat across from the office desk.

Lortel did not look up.

“You haven’t eaten at all.”

I tried hinting at it like that, but Lortel still didn’t even move.

I wonder if I’ve passed out, but my mind is fine when I see the occasional presence.

“Why are you here?”

Eventually, Lortel’s clear voice broke the long silence.

“Are you going to laugh?”

There is a sharp edge in the voice. Its appearance is like the voice of a person who puts an enemy in front of him and responds to evil.

There are all kinds of emotions in tightly suppressed words. However, since I can’t howl or roar… It is to speak quietly with a lowered voice.

“I sat and thought about it by myself. No matter how much I think about it, there is no benefit to me from senior Ed taking my side.”

Lortel Kecheln was sitting here and thinking about that.

Is there any benefit to be gained by Ed Rosteyler siding with Lortel Kecheln?

If there is something to be gained by joining Lortel’s side instead of joining Dune’s side… Ed Rosteylor may be on his side.

However, because Lortel Kecheln is wise, he must have realized it right away.

If you think about it from the point of view of self-interest, there is nothing Ed Rosteyler could gain by siding with Lortel Kecheln.

“Congratulations. It’s nice that you’re friendly with me.”

However, it would be a lie if I said I wasn’t savage.

Over the past two years, the times we’ve been together in many places and bonded… That everything becomes meaningless in front of the wall of understanding and calculation.

“Thanks to you, you saw the surplus.”

No matter how much you are a merchant to the bone, you are still a human being.

In particular, Lortel Kecheln had never been so affectionate towards someone.

Because I was alone with no family, no friends, no reliable colleagues… She was a girl who longed for such a relationship.

Because it was the first time I felt the pain of loss.

That sense of betrayal would have been out of control even though I knew that my choice was reasonable.

For the first time in his life, Lortel Kecheln would have understood the fear and pain of losing a relationship.

It must have been the first pain for a girl who has lived only in a calculating relationship.

I feel strangely guilty about that fact, but there weren’t too many options to choose from on my side right away.

So what can I do… It’s just to speak for sure.

“You’re… what are you?”

So, I spat out some nonsensical words.

Lortel, still with her head bowed under the shade of her robe hat, was motionless.

“Are you the deputy head of the Elte Company? Are you the second-in-command of the magic department of the Sylvania Academy?”

I ask questions that I don’t know why, but I don’t get an answer.

Still, I didn’t stop.

“Or are you a self-made merchant at a young age? Are you a partner who supplies my magic engineering supplies?”

“…”

“At this point, you are… nothing. Nothing.”

What she can definitely affirm is probably… This will be the only one.

“You are Lortel Kecheln.”

Sitting hunched over in a wooden chair, I tell a seemingly trivial but very important fact.

“Unfortunately, as of now, that’s the only reason.”

“Why?”

“Why should I save you?”

I took out a dagger from my waistband.

Before Lortel could react, she snapped the ropes around her wrists.

The rope was cut off casually by the sharp-edged dagger.

Lortel’s hands are completely free. The moment he thought that now all he had to do was cut off the ropes binding his feet―― Lortel jerked his head up.

Lortel raised her head―― and smiled triumphantly.

“Oh my goodness.”

“Hey you….”

“I can’t be satisfied with this.”

In the first place, Lortel was neither heartbroken nor distressed… .

Just sitting still, waiting for me to come here.

However, as she is, she is so insidious that it is not strange even if she ate thousands of serpents… She hung her head down as if heartbroken, waiting for my words.

“Why? Do you think I doubted you?”

There is no other reason. I save you because it’s just you, Lortel.

Did you want to hear that?

Lortel, with a foxy laugh, slowly lifted her hat with her free arm.

The corners of her mouth, rising as if she were infinitely happy, prove her excitement.

“I almost died waiting.”

“…”

“My legs are too tight and it hurts. Please release them quickly.”

I lowered my back with the dagger raised. It was just as he cautiously thrust his dagger into the rope, fearing to injure Lortel’s ankle.

“I knew it from the first time Ed senior came in. After reading the negotiating contract, I understood. If Ed was really planning to stick to Dune, he wouldn’t have to show his face in front of me in the first place.”

“Disappointed. I thought you were lost in heartache.”

“Aha, senpai. I heard senpai is also secretly shady. To a girl who is depressed because she was betrayed, tell her not to worry because you haven’t been betrayed… Did you even imagine instilling hope in that way?”

Lortel let out a gasp and laughed leisurely.

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen. Ever since I first saw your face, I’ve been thinking, ‘Ah, you all have inner thoughts’.”

“Ehh, that’s all right. What can I say. First of all, you have to loosen your feet and start thinking about escaping. Maybe sooner or later, Taily will come.”

“You’ve come back with a trick again. Okay. First of all, let’s calmly organize our thoughts.”

Saying that, I slowly cut off the ropes that bound Lortel’s ankles.

Well, it’s all like this. How dramatic would that be?

As always in the world of merchants, even if it seems like a great ordeal, there is always a hole through which to spring up.

Lortel didn’t know that either… . There was not even any agitation.

As expected, she is the incarnation of reason that always keeps her composure. It’s just like Lortel I thought.

You don’t even need to sort out your emotions. It is right to quickly brief from the next move.

You’ve saved a lot of time.

-Percussion.

-Kudangtang!

The moment I thought so, I was attacked.

My body was pushed all the way back, and I hit the back of my head on the floor. A slight pain rose, but what surprised me even more was the sight of Lortel jumping into my arms.

The moment I felt free, Lortel put her face on my chest and hugged me tightly.

In the aftermath, I rolled on the wooden floor, and when I came to my senses, Lortel was stuck in my arms, rubbing her face against mine.

“…”

“…”

As I brushed the back of my head, I felt the chill of the cold wooden floor on my back.

“I heard you were measuring everything.”

“Just because you know and get hit doesn’t mean the hawk doesn’t hurt.”

I didn’t bother asking what that meant.

Betrayal of Lortel Kecheln. Sticking to her side of her dune, selling her of her, taking advantage of her within her… Her future completely abandoned her.

Imagine, it wasn’t a completely impossible future.

The more acute that fact was, the colder it might have run down Lortel’s spine.

“One thing is certain…”

Lortel, buried in his arms, was a figure he had never seen before.

The cold-hearted woman has become so weak… It will probably be hard to see in the future.

“It wasn’t a very… pleasant experience.”

Without saying anything more, I quietly stroked the back of Lortel’s head.

“…I’m sorry.”

I also had a situation on my side. But I didn’t bother talking about it that way.

like that for a while… I had to lie on the floor of my office.

-Quaang! bang!

-Koo Goong! cooong!

It was next that a huge explosion was heard from the main entrance of the store.

The huge vibration that shook the ground was felt even on the floor of the office.