NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74
Was there ever a person like this in the original story…?
I rummaged through my confused mind chaotically.
Memory, memory, memory…
Security Force.
In the early parts, they barely had a presence, and it started to emerge slowly in the middle. There was a heroine, but she didn’t really stand out.
Her personality was a bit… crazy.
Renny could be strict, but that was just a result of her profession, so I couldn’t blame her for being cautious, but with that girl, it was obvious she’d want to stab me in the face.
If Renny wagged her tail only for her master, then that girl was just a b*tch.
Honestly, I don’t understand why a heroine like that exists. Tsundere or not, if they’re nothing but a rude b*tch, then that’s all there is to it. No wonder her ending achievement rate sat at the bottom after a year of release. That girl was something else…
“Hey, are you not listening to me?”
…This wasn’t the time to be zoning out. I glanced back at the middle-aged dude in front of me.
“So, are you saying we shouldn’t investigate?”
“A knight’s job is just to guard. What happened at the Academy is our business. Stay out of it.”
His tone was obviously irritated. It seemed he didn’t welcome the idea of us investigating this classroom.
“I heard you guys are short on people.”
“How many do you think are needed for an investigation? It’s more like you’re the one short on personnel, right? This isn’t a playground. I’ll pull a couple of my subordinates from my third squad to take a look, so you knights should head back and pamper the saintess.”
…If it were a deserted island, I would have smashed his head in right then and there. Why was this annoying old man being such a pain? I suppressed my anger down my throat. If I lost my cool here, it would only complicate our situation. I had to hold back for Renny’s sake.
“Uh…”
I covered Millia’s mouth with my palm as she looked like she wanted to argue with the old man. She shook her head in dissatisfaction, but I continued to keep her mouth shut and asked the self-proclaimed security chief.
“Didn’t Renny… say anything?”
“Do you think we would allow any talk? What happens within the Academy is our jurisdiction, rookie. Don’t get involved in pointless matters; just watch over the saintess.”
…For now, let’s retreat.
After all, as long as that dude was guarding this place, we wouldn’t be able to get in.
“Well then, good…bye.”
“Get lost.”
The old man with the unpleasant glare crossed his arms and glared at us. More precisely, he was giving Elisa side glances.
Do they know each other? I was curious about the meaning of that creepy stare, but even if I asked, he wouldn’t answer.
“I’ll head back then.”
I led both of them out of the Main Building.
———————–
“Johann! Why are you listening to that jerk!”
“Millia, we can’t openly oppose him given our position.”
“Well, I think that makes sense…”
At Elisa’s agreement, I looked at her. When our eyes met, she turned her head away in a fluster. I had something to ask her.
“Do you know that man?”
“Um, he’s a guy named Cain… I’ve heard other students gossip about him. They say he has a really bad personality…”
That’s obvious from just looking at him. With that shady face, there’s no way his personality is good. Even if I can’t read faces, people’s personalities usually match their looks 100%. It seems like he really does have an awful temperament.
“Johann, what are we going to do now? Are we just giving up?”
“Well, um, still, the security force said… they’re investigating, so… it should be okay…”
That won’t do. The whole reason I got involved in this incident was to find and befriend the witch. I need to stop her before she turns into a monster.
…It seems I have no choice but to work in secret.
That old man from the security force won’t let me investigate openly, so I can’t do anything formal. The way he reacted even when Renny mentioned it suggests they might want to eliminate evidence before a third party gets involved.
I may be overinterpreting it, but the mission clearly indicated the existence of a ‘witch,’ and while I might not remember every detail, I do remember the general storyline.
Find the witch. Build affection levels. And get to the truth behind this incident.
If I can’t solve the problem right in front of me, I won’t even get to the next one.
So, the first thing I need to do is…
“Elisa.”
“Eep…”
“I’m not your enemy. Don’t be scared.”
“But…”
“Just one question. Why are you so afraid of me?”
“That’s…”
I stared at Elisa intently. Her expression was slightly different from usual. A fearful face. Similar, yet subtly different. If her previous fears were pure, now it seemed she was afraid to say something. After seeing it several times, I could distinguish it.
“Um, if I say it… everyone will… hate me…”
“Don’t cry. I promise I won’t be surprised by anything you say.”
I put on the softest smile I could muster, meant to reassure Elisa. But I couldn’t help but lose my smile at the ridiculous interjection from beside me saying, “I’m scared!”
“Your words are too extreme.”
“Johann’s smile is scary! It looks like he wants to drown someone while laughing!”
…Is that so?
“Do you think so too?”
“Um, I… still think it’s okay…”
But you have a panic attack just by looking at me.
“That’s… it’s not about your face, it’s just…”
“Just what?”
“Um, never mind!”
Oh forget it. I’ll just let it go. It’s probably not that important anyway. I just have to convince myself that the reason she shows unexplained PTSD is sufficient. It’s a little sad, though.
“Let’s move on from this. Anyway, we need to find a way to investigate this incident.”
“Huh? Really? But the security force is handling it?”
“Doesn’t that seem suspicious? Why is the so-called captain of the third squad guarding that place all alone? Normally, they’d have subordinates doing that.”
“Um… now that you mention it, that does sound weird. Isn’t a captain supposed to delegate tasks?”
Millia tilted her head and agreed. Elisa seemed a bit puzzled by my statement, not making eye contact as she spoke.
“Um, by the way, Professor Lennon… really dislikes him, as well.”
“That’s good information. Thank you, Elisa.”
“Johann, me too, me too!”
“Yeah… thanks, Millia.”
“Hehe.”
She’s just a thirsty little puppy for compliments. I gently patted Millia’s head and glanced towards the direction of Professor Lennon’s research lab. Elisa’s words had pinpointed our next destination.
———–
“Cain? That guy… hmm. I doubt anyone likes him besides his subordinates.”
Professor Lennon replied casually while sipping his coffee as he heard my question. Seems like that guy isn’t particularly liked by others, judging from his looks.
“Is that so?”
“I don’t know the details, but he has a notorious reputation for being violent and arrogant. If he didn’t have a good family background, he would have been kicked out of the Security Force long ago.”
So he’s surviving thanks to his family background, huh?
“He’s good at sniffing out and solving jobs that would count for actual results, but that’s also earned him quite a few complaints. Rumor has it he’s been dealing with gangs in the city’s underbelly, but… there’s no evidence, so just let that pass.”
“You seem to know a lot.”
“My friend holds a significant position in the security force. Those are just tales I picked up over drinks with him.”
Seems that after spending so long at the academy, he’s gathered quite a bit of gossip.
“Do you have any other rumors?”
“That’s about all I know. By the way, didn’t you find an object with ominous energy? Show it to me.”
I promptly took the box out of my pouch and handed it to Professor Lennon. He placed it on the workbench, opened the lid, and put on gloves that looked like a magic circle, carefully picking up the contents from inside the box.
“Curse… or more like Summoning Magic, it seems.”
“Summoning… you say??”
“The energy bound to this object isn’t the problem. It’s only a little stuck on it. But it’s clear that whoever dropped this is plotting something.”
Well, that’s to be expected. After all, the name of the episode is “Demon Summoning.” The missing persons must have been offered as sacrifices in a demon summoning ritual.
…I need to stop this before things escalate further.
“Understood. Then we’ll take our leave now.”
“Goodbye!”
“Take care!”
Professor Lennon managed a smile at Millia’s cheerful farewell, a bit out of place in the dark atmosphere. It seems Millia’s cuteness works everywhere.
“Uh… take care…”
Elisa slowly waved her hand, avoiding eye contact. I wonder what’s going on, but that’s probably the best she can do. I walked together with Millia out of the research lab and down the corridor. I made sure not to say a word until we left the building.
Millia seemed to pick up on the mood, holding my hand and walking alongside me. We made our way out to a quiet corner of the garden.
This should be a good enough spot.
“Millia.”
At my call, she replied with a mischievous smile, seemingly knowing what I was about to say.
I quietly whispered my plan into Millia’s ear.
After hearing my plan, Millia struck a playful salute with her hand on her forehead and grinned as she responded.
“Hehe, leave it to me! Captain!”