Return of the Back Alley Wizard Chapter 287

Episode 287. The Terrible Wait

The morning when the sun rises.

Aster finished his breathing and lifted his eyelids.

Beep, beep. Beep… … .

Breakfast No. 1, who had arrived at the window, blinked sleepily and brushed his hair. Aster watched her for a moment, then clenched and unclenched his fist.

Although the state of muscle strength and the state of the magic circuit are not related, this has been a long-standing habit.

and.

‘… … It’s just right.’

Although I haven't completely recovered from my trauma yet, I'm still strong enough to demonstrate my abilities.

But, by the way.

“The second prince’s plan was… that’s what it was.”

A few days after forming an alliance with the Third Princess.

The Third Princess used all her abilities to monitor the Second Prince's movements, and she discovered that the Second Prince had two purposes.

One is to overthrow Principal Schubert and sever the link between the Third Princess and Muspellun.

Up to this point, even Aster had guessed this fact long ago.

but.

There were some questions that had not been resolved for a long time.

"I understand up to the point of dismissing the principal. But… what happens after that? Isn't that a bit too much of a solution?"

How will the Second Prince handle Senior Muspelun's anger?

This was one of Aster's unsolved questions, and the answer lay in the information the Third Princess had brought to him.

So what was the Second Prince's plan to stop the wrath of Grand Duke Muspelun?

'… … Oberon.'

Yes, it was Oberon.

By taking control of the academy, he was trying to keep Oberon in check and keep Muspelun in check.

Of course, there were some parts that I couldn't understand.

How to bind Oberon to the Academy, and how binding Oberon to the Academy will become a means to influence Senior Muspelun.

However, Aster, who had thought that far, soon shook off the thought.

I just thought that the second prince had his own plan and prepared that move, but I didn't delve into it any deeper than that.

Anything beyond that was the second prince's business, and there was no need to consider it at all when proceeding with the work.

However, what was important was the future.

– The Second Prince's movements have changed. It seems like the time is near.

Bellows, who visited Aster yesterday, shared the second prince's situation and indirectly asked about Aster's condition.

When will the preparations be completed?

Bellows was pretending to be calm, but his expression revealed an impatience that could not be hidden.

That would be expected, since Aster hadn't shown any significant movement since the first day of the alliance.

Contrary to the confident proposal for an alliance, I am worried that there may be a hitch in the plan.

but.

Although Bellows didn't know it, Aster's plan was progressing steadily.

Not only did he find the Salvatum rats hiding in the academy, he also traveled back and forth between the second black and white zones to gather strong reinforcements in case of an emergency.

Meanwhile, I was concentrating on recovering my body.

‘I’m almost done preparing, but… … .’

Now all that remains is to bide our time.

But.

“Me, really. Star…….”

Aster smiled as if he didn't agree and shook his head.

No matter how many times I thought about it, the identity of the Salvatum rat I had just discovered was still absurd.

Well, I guess I should be thankful that it made planning a lot easier.

anyway.

After thinking about it that far, Aster closed his eyes tightly.

'I loved peace.'

I wanted to be an ordinary academy student for the rest of my time until graduation.

I was planning to spend my school life wandering around here and there, then quietly leave after getting to know some innocent fools.

To be honest, that was all Aster wanted from the Academy.

That was it… … .

Even in a situation where Dekulan is out of his mind, the imperial family and Salvatium… why are they so anxious because they can't eat people?

“Is this why they say the best defense is a good offense?”

However, there was something that the Second Prince and Salvatium did not know.

That you can break someone's head with a shield.

– Aster-kun, but if you think about it, isn't Aster-kun the starting point?

– … … ?

– Even if it's Salvatium, wasn't Grand Duke Muspellun's move for Aster's sake? And it's also true that Professor Felina ended up like that…

… … Aster, who was strengthening his fighting spirit, stopped thinking for a moment as he suddenly remembered the conversation with Evelyn.

Let's do that for a moment.

“……That’s not it. No, that’s not it.”

Good and evil.

It is clear which side is evil.

Evelyn's tongue is cunning, like that of a serpent, which shakes the faith in goodness, so there is no need to think deeply about it.

Aster, who had thought that far, opened his closed eyes.

'I still lack practice.'

To think that my faith in goodness is shaken to this extent.

“I am salvation.”

Just as I did with the spirits and the vagrants of the Black and White Zone, I will save Professor Felina and the Headmaster this time too.

A clenched fist.

Aster waited for that moment.

and.

That time came not long after.

* * *

The first arrow shot by the Second Prince was a petition written by all the assistant professors.

Dear Jenion Academy faculty, staff, and students, first of all, I'm deeply sorry to have to meet you on such an unfortunate note. First, we are deeply rooted in Jenion Academy…

The assistant professors, who had become haggard from the investigation, walked around the spacious grounds of the Zenion Academy and put up posters.

The poster was filled with empty words that were steeped in intellectual vanity, but its point was simple.

1. There is corruption in the Jenion Academy.

2. That evil is Principal Schubert.

There was also some odd phrases like, 'They knew this fact, but were oppressed by those in power and had no choice but to acquiesce,' but it wasn't particularly important.

In any case, regardless of whether the content was true or not, it was enough to shock many people, and the third princess Bellows came to see Aster right after the poster was put up.

"Aster, are we still far away? If we continue like this…"

But Aster shook his head.

The only answer Bellows could hear was, "Not yet."

A day passed like that.

The second arrow was a confession of conscience from an old professor.

Even though I've dipped my toes in filth, the conscience of my juniors has opened my old eyes. I'm ashamed, but I want to confess here. This body…

The old professor's response was impressed by the shouts of the assistant professors despite external pressure.

A touching story of a scholar who, having forgotten the innocence of his youth as he grew older, regains it after hearing the cries of his juniors.

It couldn't have been a more touching picture.

Of course, the reality was very different from what it seemed… …but it was enough to leave a deep impression on many people.

Because of this, Bellows came to find Aster before the day was even over.

“……Aster.”

But this time, too, Aster shook his head subtly. His answer was no different from the day before.

Bellows had no choice but to watch the situation unfold with a burning heart.

She would have liked to have gone forward on her own, but she had no choice because Aster would not share the 'Key' he possessed.

So, starting with Professor Noh, several professors rushed forward to make tearful appeals.

The content was not much different from that of the old professor.

At the insistence of Principal Schubert… … .

… … Principal Schubert’s… … .

I knew it was unjust, but his authority… … .

Public opinion went wild.

Even those who were skeptical until the assistant professors' petition came out began to criticize Principal Schubert, calling him out as the first to mention him.

If things continue like this, regardless of the audit results, public opinion alone could lead to the dismissal of Principal Schubert, and even his burial.

So, amidst the uncontrollable spread of public criticism, Bellows chewed his lips in impatience.

“Your Majesty, how about we step forward?”

At Altex's question, Bellows closed his eyes tightly.

In carrying out this task, Bellows had to make many sacrifices.

Although he didn't show it to Aster, he lost most of the forces he had secretly gathered to avoid the eyes of the Second Prince.

… … But, the work ends like this without any gains?

Then what becomes of those who willingly gave their lives for him?

– For the sake of the lower class, I am willing to give my life.

– I've been waiting for a day like this. If even this feeble life can be of any help, I'd gladly…

The will they left before their mission was still carefully kept in her arms. Altex had tried to hide it, but Bellows had forced him to take it.

But, like this… … .

"……lowering?"

Bellows opened his eyes slightly at Altex's call.

“This body… is still so helpless.”

At this moment, Bellows realized.

I thought I had mustered up the courage to draw my sword, but it was not me, but Aster who was holding the sword.

However, he thought he was holding the sword because the direction of the tip of the sword was the same as his own wind.

but.

“……I’ll wait.”

“However…….”

“I’m not leaving this situation up to Aster. But… I’m sticking to the resolution I made at the beginning.”

Anyway, the result of the action was the same.

But the process was never the same.

Rather than passively looking to others and leaving their fate to them, it is about recognizing that even that fate is one's own choice and seizing sovereignty.

Bellows felt the thick paper in his arms, its weight, and his eyes lit up clearly.

"For the last time, I say this. I'm waiting. Sir Altex, please check your readiness. I won't accept any further questions."

Altex blinked at Bellows's firm command.

'How… … .'

The third princess's gaze changed.

The eyes were firm and dignified, unlike those of the third princess, who was usually gentle and kind.

It was still weak, but it was clearly that of a monarch.

“……I will obey your orders.”

Altex bowed his head and stepped back, as befits a subject.

In the room left alone.

Bellows sat alone, lost in thought.

'Trust me.'

I don't trust Aster.

Believe in yourself for choosing Aster.

It wasn't just about believing.

“…….”

Bellows thought quietly. Aster's plan flashed through his mind.

And the result.

“……There’s still one missing.”

It wasn't just to save Schubert.

How can he finally cut off the breath of the second prince who has been strangling him for so long?

It was the moment when the suppressed Aderian bloodline opened its eyes.

* * *

Time passed like that.

The gratitude has been completed.

The results were astonishing.

A total of twenty-seven professors were dismissed after corruption was acknowledged.

They were all people who had maintained a connection with Principal Schubert, including Professor Felina and even Falun.

Their punishment has not yet been determined, but as they were dismissed with such great dishonor, their careers as scholars were effectively over.

And of course, Principal Schubert is guilty.

The punishment is… … .

– Khuulon Fortress slave labor

He was a slave on the front lines of the Western Monster Front.

Of course, given the realm's limitations, they wouldn't abandon their magical powers. That would be advantageous for the empire.

So, the old carriage carrying the old man, Principal Schubert, set off for Fort Cuchulon.

And that moment.

The empty space in front of the Sage's Hall, where all the academy's faculty and students gathered.

[… … We will now hold the inauguration ceremony for the 103rd principal of Jenion Academy.]

Assistant Professor Yorbi of Class M3, who had been on the second prince's side first, recited the announcement with an excited face.

Third Princess Bellows was looking up at the stage with cold, sunken eyes.

It was at that moment that a voice came into his ear.

“Get ready.”

It was the moment when the excruciating wait ended.