The Third-Rate Academy Villain Who Refuses to Become a Beggar

It has to be. If this were already infected, the demons' subtlety would be beyond anyone's ability to detect.

"Excuse me? What are you referring to?"

"Nothing. Who has directly confirmed this?"

"Only the deputy branch manager, myself, and you, sir."

Gerhard closed the box. The dense mana that had been suffocating instantly disappeared.

"Bring me a list of everyone who knows about this as quickly as possible."

"Yes, understood."

The branch manager didn't ask why.

In truth, there was no special reason. The demons' minions might not only be among the elves.

It was better to be thorough with everything.

"I'll go out now. I'll examine it a bit more and restore it to its original state."

"...Yes."

After a moment's hesitation, the branch manager left the warehouse. Left alone, Gerhard placed something inside the box and sealed it.

Anyone who opens this box again will probably have quite an entertaining experience.

***

"Depart!"

"Depart!"

The next day, the commercial expedition left the capital of Fridien as planned.

Ten carriages, 100 guards from the Golden Turtle Company escorting them, 50 elves supplied by Fridien, and 100 workers.

Gerhard led them from the front.

"What's our route?"

"Simple. We'll head east, cross two territories, then take a ship from the port city of Kaide to the academy."

"Do you anticipate any dangers?"

"Not on land, at least."

The two territories were just ordinary viscounties and baronies. They neither had the power to defeat such a large force nor the audacity to touch the possessions of two Grand Dukes.

But the sea was different.

"There's already been a precedent."

"You're talking about the yacht club, aren't you?"

"Yes."

The advance of hundreds, perhaps close to a thousand sea worms. And the final touch - three sea serpents.

Thanks to the outstanding talents and abilities of the academy students, as well as Gerhard's preparations, the incident fortunately ended with just a few injuries.

'But there's no guarantee it will be the same this time.'

He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of schemes the demons would attempt this time.

"Ah! Speaking of the yacht club, could I possibly get an invitation?"

"You never give up, do you?"

"Why not? I have excellent grades and a powerful family. Honestly, if not me, who else would be suitable to join?"

Ariadne asked brazenly with wide eyes.

On the surface, there was nothing wrong with what she said. Except for the fact that she was a Fridien, and Fridien was the newcomer.

Among the Grand Duke families, only Goldenheim, who only cared about money, didn't look down on Fridien.

After all, it was Goldenheim who had mediated when Berchef sold the rights to the Golden Prohibition Decree.

"Still, I decline."

It wasn't about prejudice; there was simply no need to accept her and incur the wrath of other Grand Dukes.

"Well, I guess there's no choice then. I'll have to wait for another opportunity."

Ariadne gave up surprisingly cleanly.

The expedition proceeded smoothly without any issues. But after about two days, it started to rain, one or two drops at a time.

If it starts like this, the schedule will be extended.

'Surely this can't be the work of those demons.'

The rain gradually grew heavier. Seeing the ground turn to mud and the wheel tracks grow deeper, it seemed unwise to continue today.

"Is there a village nearby?"

"It's at least three more hours away. With this mud, it will take even longer."

"No choice then. Check the surroundings. We'll camp here for tonight!"

"Yes!"

After confirming there were no problems in the vicinity, the campsite was set up. Gerhard called the expedition managers to discuss the upcoming schedule.

"Make sure the goods don't get wet in the rain, and post sentries to guard the camp and wagons."

"Yes."

"Since we can't depart again today, we'll decide based on tomorrow's conditions."

"Yes."

But the rain, not content with falling all night, continued to pour the next day as well.

"We'll have to delay our departure a bit more."

This would delay the entire schedule.

But that wasn't the real problem.

After finishing lunch and trying to reassess the remaining route to readjust the schedule more urgently, Ariadne came in.

"Am I interrupting?"

"What is it?"

"Something's strange about this rain."

"The rain?"

The downpour is excessive, but what could be so strange about such rain...

'Could it really be the demons' doing?'

When the rain started, the faint uneasiness he had felt grew a bit stronger.

"What's strange about it?"

"I was wondering when it might stop, so I asked some spirits to check the rain clouds."

"And?"

"They say there's an abnormally large amount of dark clouds. They're still gathering, but other areas outside our vicinity are completely clear. Not a single cloud."

"Artificial rain?"

"At least according to my judgment."

The spirits' investigation was trustworthy. Gerhard rose from his seat.

"Let's go outside."

"Are you going to check?"

"I have a device among the things I brought that can detect magical power. We should be able to tell if the rain is artificial or not."

Gerhard couldn't immediately confirm with his abilities, but he trusted the performance of the artifact made by the Dragon Faith Church.

'It found demon energy too.'

The moment he thought that.

He was a step too late.

RUMBLE-

The thunderous sound struck his eardrums.

The ground shook.

"Huh...?"

"Earthquake!"

"Young Master!"

Screams came from all directions. The ground collapsed.

As his body rapidly fell, Gerhard instinctively activated his magic. A massive, flat rock rose like a disc, partially supporting the collapsing ground.

The falling expedition members barely halted their descent.

"Are you alright?"

Ariadne was barely maintaining her posture in mid-air using the power of spirits.

"No."

Gerhard shook his head.

The collapsed ground was wider and deeper than expected. The darkness below was also dense.

And from within that darkness.

Krrrr-

Screeech-

Blood-red eyes were glowing.

"Damn them. Always caves or underground."

Why were the contents of the prophecy book mostly in this direction?

In any case, the palpable sensation of demon energy was clear evidence that all of this was the work of demons.