[What will the result be for the upcoming Usdun Academy’s Dean election?]
[Dean Brooks leads the poll with a 52% approval rating, significantly ahead of other candidates.]
[His approachability, treating even the repeatedly failing students without bias, is cited as the main reason for his popularity.]
“Hehe. The public’s opinion is shaping up to my liking.”
Professor Brooks grinned at the flood of articles about him.
Perhaps if he were asked about the happiest moment of his life, he might mention this very moment.
“Congratulations, Mr. Dean.”
Riben, who was standing next to him, fawningly clapped his hands together. Upon hearing this, Professor Brooks removed the big grin stretched across his face.
He then coughed awkwardly as if realizing his mistake and pretended to scold him,
“The elections haven’t even started yet! What nonsense are you talking about? If others hear you, they’ll misunderstand! I’m solely concerned about the academy’s future and the students’ prospects.”
“Yes, I’m aware. How could I ever truly fathom the depth of your thoughts, Mr. Dean?”
“Hehe!”
“Still, with the public’s opinion centered around you and the forthcoming exploration likely to yield significant discoveries, no Dean will be able to match your reputation.”
“That’s too much praise!”
However, contrary to his words, he seemed far from displeased.
[Will another miracle happen?]
[What’s the historical significance of the nest they will discover this time?]
The expedition, led by Professor Brooks, was scheduled to depart from the academy in two days.
Numerous opinions were already highlighting this expedition.
Some speculated that they might discover a dragon’s nest much larger than what Elric had found.
If that turned out to be true, following the credit for supporting Elric’s major discovery, finding another nest would undoubtedly skyrocket Professor Brooks’s reputation.
“But hasn’t student Elric shown any improvement?”
“The Nalesta family is still surrounding the hospital ward, making it impossible to check on him. However, from what I heard from the guards…”
“Heard what?”
“He’s barely pulled through several critical phases. He probably won’t last much longer…”
“What a shame…”
Although his tone suggested sympathy, there was a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Riben’s grin grew wider.
“Isn’t the Nalesta family’s persistent involvement just a tactic to secure excavation rights? I’ll keep an eye on their movements. If something seems amiss, I’ll report it immediately.”
“Right. The jewel dragon’s nest is the property of our academy. We can’t let them claim it as mere private property.”
The focus of the excavation rights was increasingly converging between the academy and the Nalesta family.
On top of that, rumors about Elric’s impending death only intensified the dispute over the ownership rights.
So, both parties were naturally on high alert.
But Professor Brooks wasn’t overly concerned.
After all, if this expedition succeeded, the political atmosphere and public opinion would inevitably lean in the academy’s favor.
“In any case, since everything’s still up in the air, stay alert till the end. We can discuss my successor later.”
If Professor Brooks becomes the Dean, the Elemental Studies Department will have a vacant spot for a professor.
So, who would inherit that position?
Riben bowed deeply, his eyes shining with anticipation.
“I won’t disappoint you.”
“Hehehe.”
Professor Brooks took a sip of his steaming coffee, savoring its aroma.
Just like its flavor, he felt that the future unfolding before him would be refreshing.
“‘The expedition sets off amidst great expectations and welcome…?’ They really made a grand departure. How do they intend to deal with the aftermath?”
Elric smirked as he read the newspaper placed on the stand.
No matter how much he had manipulated things, he wondered how everything progressed exactly as he had anticipated.
He had been worried things might take an unexpected turn, making all his rushed efforts feel futile.
The results of the exploration were as clear as daylight.
‘Instead of a plausible nest, there would probably be nothing but a deep cavern.’
If the fact that it was a wild goose chase becomes known, it would dampen his soaring reputation. What would Professor Brooks do then?
‘He would undoubtedly be desperate to secure his position. After all, he must win the academy’s dean election. In the process, the conflict with the Nalesta family will intensify.’
From then on, Elric planned to spread rumors discreetly.
Rumors that Professor Brooks, who had wholeheartedly supported Elric’s discovery, was, in fact, lying.
Rumors that instead of acknowledging the objections raised by Elric and Sean about the nest’s location, he had placed a bet to seize his family’s magical heirloom.
Meanwhile, Karl, who was loyal to Sean, was currently working behind the scenes for this task.
‘After all, the media prefers stimulating conspiracy theories over heartwarming acts of kindness. They will sensationalize it. While the Nalesta family and the other dean candidates will jump on it.’
What if Elric were to reappear in perfect health amidst such a situation?
Professor Brooks would have no choice but to face utter ruin.
‘Professor, from the start, you shouldn’t have aimed for this. Isn’t this the result of crossing the line?’
Elric smirked as he felt the concealed magical pendant beneath his collar.
Elric had less fondness for Professor Brooks since this pendant had saved his life.
‘Let’s see how you will manage to escape this trap.’
Woosh!
Elric summoned a flame and burned the newspaper in his hand, then moved a short distance to his next destination.
Where he had stood, ashes fluttered and fell.
“You’re looking for a guide to the snowy plains?”
Elric nodded at the broker, who looked at him as if he were insane.
“Yes. Can you arrange one?”
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“Lately, it’s become trendy for groups to head there for… collective suicides?”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
Instead of answering Elric’s question, the broker said with a sullen tone,
“Well, if you pay a hefty sum, finding a guide shouldn’t be difficult. There’s been a series of bad years, and locals around here are all impoverished.”
“Hmm, about that…”
“You don’t have much money, do you?”
Elric let out a bitter laugh.
Considering that his sister had supported all his academy tuition and living expenses, he naturally didn’t have much left.
‘I realize I haven’t contacted my sister in a while… I’ll probably get an earful later.’
She had asked Sean to explain the situation, and she must have been unsettled upon seeing the continuous stream of articles.
Especially considering her worry-prone nature, she’d be more distressed.
He thought he might have to send her a message later.
Then, he said to the broker,
“Is there no way to go there?”
“There is. You can join another group and share the guide’s fee. How about that?”
Elric had planned to part ways with the guide halfway up the snowy plains anyway, so he had no objections.
“Can you arrange it?”
“In 3 days, come here by 1 PM. That’s when we plan to leave.”
“Thank you.”
Then Elric placed his purse on the table and stood up.
『I thought the terrain looked familiar. It was the Yetis’ habitat.』
While moving to the accommodations located on the outskirts of the village, Mephisto looked around and nodded.
There was a remote village in the mountains with around 100 households. The only visible surroundings were tall mountains covered entirely in perennial snow.
This place, located in the northeast of the Empire, was so rugged and perilous with mountain ranges that there was a legend saying, ‘Where the ancient dragon died, its spine covered the sky’.
It was also nicknamed ‘Plateau of the Snow People’ for that reason.
The Snow People, who considered perennial snow their territory, occasionally raided mountain villages and kidnapped and ate mountaineers.
Yet Mephisto seemed very familiar with this place.
Because here, “Yeti” was a unique term specifically used to refer to the Snow People.
“Have you been here before?”
Mephisto snorted.
『Yes, they were the scum who dared to look down on us.』
“Scum?”
Elric tilted his head in confusion, then his eyes widened in realization.
“Were the Yetis demons?”
Mephisto’s expression hardened instantly.
『Do not lump them together with us! It’s insulting!』
But Elric was already quite shocked.
‘So, they’re lower-level demons?’
He had always just known them as monsters that enjoyed human flesh.
‘Then again, despite the long history of demons opposing humans, there isn’t much actually known about them. But I never expected this.’
Perhaps Mephisto’s distaste for being grouped with them was due to the Yetis’ inferior intelligence.
After all, demons were generally noble, with extravagant hobbies and an arrogant nature.
『Still, their old King was more useful than expected. If not for his unfortunate fate, they wouldn’t have escaped the grace of the Demon God.』
Was there a leader guiding the Yetis in the past?
It seemed there was an incident unknown to the public.
『Hmm! His tomb might still remain.』
At that moment, Elric’s eyes sparkled.
Three days later.
As the broker said, Elric met the guide, who introduced himself as ‘Kook Mingma’.
“In our tribe, many of us are named after the day we were born on. Mingma means the day when the second sun rises. What am I trying to say? Today is the day of the second sun, which in the imperial language is Tuesday. If you follow me, you won’t face any troubles at all!”
He was a boy with a dusty complexion, looking about thirteen.
『He talks way too much. If left alone, he’ll chatter non-stop. Do we really need him?』
Mephisto grumbled as if he wasn’t pleased.
In reality, everyone, including Elric, wasn’t paying much attention to the guide.
‘Five people hiding their identities, three monster hunters, and four herbalists.’
Was this unique group formed because of the Plateau of the Snow People?
Especially the five individuals frequently glancing around from the back were quite suspicious.
Their identities were hidden by robes, but four of them seemed to be guarding one person.
Rumor had it that they were the first to join this expedition.
There must be a story behind it.
But Elric didn’t care and lost interest in them.
‘It’s a bit disappointing. I was hoping for some kind of fate.’
As Elric stared at the distant snowfield, he felt a certain nostalgia.
He remembered Mephisto’s words from three days ago.
-A tomb? It must’ve already been plundered. How would they not know where their King was buried?
