Chapter 164: Inroad (1)

On the 77th floor of the Magic Tower, in the Head Professor’s office, I sat at my desk and repeated the calculations and research. Dozens of cross-validations, hundreds of sample checks, exploring materials making full use of the university’s vast library. However, I didn’t take into account the possibility that my expectations would be wrong. It was just to find the difference value by region.

-Yes. I checked. The Rohalak soil concentration is lower.

Yeriel spoke through the crystal ball. The impact value in Rohalak was lower than in the North. Even so, it was twice as much as from 19 years ago, but if it were Hadekain and Yukline, it was enough to maintain their defenses.

“Don’t spare expenses.”

-I won’t, but-

“I’m hanging up.”

—Hey, wait. Damn-

I hung up and made a call to the next person.

—Professor Deculein, this is Betan. I will pass on the soil concentration.

“Okay.”

-Yes. No matter what anyone says, I trust you. Just know that.

In this way, among the nobles of the Empire, some cooperated like Betan, and some did not. In particular, most of the North expressed displeasure. Of course, because of the astronomical costs.

“…Professor.”

Allen spoke up from her spot in the corner of the office. She had turned into a panda with dark circles under her eyes and buried under a pile of documents.

“This is an interview. The academy has a request for a lecture… related to this monster wave prediction…”

A strong backlash was inevitable to a breakthrough. If the present weren’t a part of the Main Quest, I would have doubted it at least once.

“That’d be tiresome.”

“Yes… with a schedule like this, you have to travel around the continent for at least two months…”

I looked outside the window. An endless winter landscape and a pale and withered sky greeted me.

“I’ll do that.”

From now on, we would arrive at the major turning point in the main quest. But knowing my death ahead of time helped in this situation. Whatever the case, at least I wouldn’t die this winter.

“Yes… I… I believe in your theory too…”

“Haven’t you slept, Allen?”

“Yes? Oh, yeah. I have a lot of inquiries. About three days…”

“You can go to sleep.”

“Yes…”

Allen nodded her head with dazed eyes. I looked at the official notice she had brought.

[ #3333 To the Head Professor Deculein of the Imperial Tower]

─I’ve read through the predictions submitted by this professor extensively. I know that all kinds of rumors are boiling among the nobles of the Empire. However, your prediction makes people consider causing great chaos and costly damage to the continent, especially in the North…

I read the letters of suspicion and regret sent by many families.

* * *

“Sigh…”

Epherene was having a hard time these days. In the library, in the laboratory, in the dormitory, she wrote down her worries in a notebook.

[Why does Deculein die?]

Epherene didn’t remember what was going to happen in the future. No, she couldn’t. She, of course, went to various places, such as the library, newspaper publishing company, and more. But in that future, there was a vanished period. In other words, there wasn’t a single record of a point between 2 and 3 years later.

“What happened…?”

There was, however, one thing that Epherene did know.

[Rohon Trading Co., Ltd.]

The only thing was that this Rohon Trading, a currently unknown factor, would hit the jackpot in the future. She found out by chance while talking to the merchants. She didn’t know much about stocks, but she memorized the name because she thought investing in them would make her rich.

“This again.”

[Rohun Trading Co., Ltd.]

[Rohome Trading Co., Ltd.]

[Rohol Trading Co., Ltd.]

Looking through the top stocks, she found Rohun and Rohon and Rohome and Rohol. There were three more.

“Should I invest in a quarter to each…”

Epherene sneakily checked her paycheck. Four thousand Elnes. It wouldn’t be bad if she bought into each for one thousand Elnes. Of course, her sponsorship had already accumulated hundreds of thousands of Elnes, but she couldn’t afford to use it for this.

Her main reason was her pride, and now that she confirmed that the sponsor was Deculein, she would wait until she was fully recognized by Deculein. In other words, after fully understanding the thesis of Deculein Luna. After that, she would use it freely.

“Hey.”

A shrill voice called her. Epherene looked back and was startled to see an old enemy, Lucia.

“What? Did you come here to provoke me?”

Epherene’s eyes narrowed, but Lucia grinned and shook her head.

“No. To congratulate you~.”

“What.”

“I heard you’re going to Reccordak.”

Reccordak? Epherene frowned. What kind of bullshit was that all of a sudden?

“What? We just came back from the North, alright?”

“I know.”

“What do you know? I said we just came back.”

“…What, are you saying you don’t know?”

“What.”

When Epherene asked again, Lucia held out a piece of paper with a face that angered her further. Epherene’s gaze shifted to the document.

“What… what is this?!”

Her eyes widened. Epherene jumped up, and she went out sprinting. On the first floor of the tower, in the lobby, her club members had gathered, including Julia. They looked all concerned about her.

“Ifi! I heard the news! You’re going to Reccordak!”

“What-?! I didn’t know!”

Epherene was perplexed.

* * *

Knock, Knock– Knock, knock, knock– Knock, knock, knock, knock–

I could already tell who it was. As soon as I opened the door with Psychokinesis, a student hurried in and stood before my desk.

“Professor, professor, professor. Reccordak, what is that all about all of a sudden—”

“We’re going to Reccordak during our vacation. Maybe in three months.”

“Ugh!”

Epherene’s jaw dropped, and her eyes grew as large as a soccer ball.

“P-Professor. How about reconsidering it? Not for me…”

She paused for a moment as she moved her lips.

Gulp-

Swallowing hard, avoiding my gaze, scratching her temples… she finally spoke after showing the full range of her nervous habits.

“…We never know what might happen. Even you.”

“It’s okay.”

I shook my head.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t come with me. I, not you, decided arbitrarily.”

“…”

Epherene stared at me.

“…I didn’t say I wasn’t going. I’m going, but…”

I nodded.

“Then, get ready.”

“Get ready for what?”

“Practical training starts today.”

“…Oh?”

* * *

…I had a lot of work to do during this season. I was responsible for advanced lectures, thesis-related questions and answers, and the expectations I presented. There wasn’t a single day that I was free. I traveled across the continent by airship and train.

Of course, there were many people I had to meet who didn’t understand my theory, shouting and jumping about like chimpanzees. It was Deculein’s unique sense of choice to think that. I tried to suppress it, but it was difficult.

I also started training Epherene. She was put through the wringer at the magic tower training ground, but her progress was commendable.

“Are we leaving… around next week, Professor…?”

It was immediately after training. Epherene, whose body was wet with sweat, approached me and asked. I stared at her quietly.

“…Oh.”

Epherene wiped herself with Cleanse, and only then did I answer.

“Probably.”

“…Okay. I will work hard to prepare.”

Epherene left the training room. I could still hear her complaints as she walked down the hallway.

-It’s my vacation, and I can’t even take a break… gosh. I’m exhausted. My body hurts. I also need to buy stocks.

Thinking of stocks, I remembered something. The other day, I invested in Man of Great Wealth. It had been a while, so I would have to check it out.

“…I guess there’s not much left.”

Then, all of a sudden, a thought popped up in the corner of my mind. Now I could meet Julie. Was it mine or Deculein’s? As I moved away from her, a certain emptiness seemed to gnaw at every corner of my body and mind.

“This is stupid.”

Even if I couldn’t be with her, just being able to see her made this heart beat.

…It was a dull feeling.

* * *

Reccordak.

Julie was sitting quietly in her office chair and meditating, thinking about the one who would soon arrive. She pretended that she was okay, but she couldn’t help it. She desperately suppressed all her feelings, and at the same time, she thought of the naive inhabitants of the North. Julie could cooperate with her enemy for them. As a seeker of chivalry, her distinction between public and private would be thorough…

Knock, knock-

Julie was startled, but she cleared her throat and spoke.

“Come in.”

The door opened. Julie stared at the person peeking through the half-open gap, noting his yellow hair and white face. He walked in with a soft smile.

“It’s been a while, right, Julie?”

It was Ihelm, one of Deculein’s former gang members and Julie’s college senior. He was the small obstacle before meeting Deculein. Julie answered with dignity.

“Yes, long time no see. Please sit down.”

“Okay. Wow, I even had to come to Reccordak because of the chairman test… I shouldn’t have applied.”

Ihelm sat down in the chair with a sound of pain.

“Are all the people exercising out there prisoners?”

“Yes.”

“Whoa. They have great physiques since they have killed some people, right? They seem to have some skills too.”

“Yes. However, a magical device is connected to their heart, so we can immediately intervene if they get into trouble. No need to worry.”

“I know. It was Decalane who invented it.”

Julie calmly nodded.

“Anyway, Deculein will be a little late.”

“…Yes.”

“Well, but I don’t think he wanted to come to Reccordak. That chairman is such a mean kid, isn’t she? She must’ve sent him, saying, ‘It’ll be fun since the two of you are breaking up~!’”

Ihelm watched Julie while mimicking Adrienne’s voice. It was a joke, but Julie responded without any expression.

“I know. It’s fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.”

“…”

“Relax your face, woman.”

“My face is always like this.”

Julie was completely expressionless, except for perhaps one eyebrow furrowed a little. Ihelm chuckled.

“Yeah, bullshit.”

“…It’s not. Please go; we will arrange accommodation for you.”

“Okay. But, don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to make fun of you. Just, isn’t it a little weird? Don’t you think so too?”

“Haah… what now?”

Julie let out a small sigh as if she was tired. Ihelm stood slowly and shook his head.

“There was no one who loved you like Deculein. Of course, the way he did it was quite crazy. Why suddenly would he…”

Crackle-

Ihelm could hear Julie grind her teeth.

“Easy, easy.”

Ihelm raised his arms in embarrassment.

“Ihelm. Go.”

“Oh, sorry. I’m sorry. I will go. Oh right, take this before I go.”

Ihelm held out a document.

“…What is this?”

“It’s a replenishment list.”

Julie looked at the document. However, the names on the list were so disconcerting that she read it with widening eyes.

“Isn’t it curious? A new dorm will be built soon. It’ll be a mansion.”

Gwen, Raphael, Syrio. The knights close with Julie and masters who had reached the pinnacle of their swordsmanship, such as the highest mountain Jaylon and the fire sword Yuphley.

“It’s since Deculein is coming. In this remote area, the Imperial Palace and several other knights are clashing for support. They’re trying to build some connections with Deculein.”

“Connections…”

“Yeah. Oh, do you know that too? Deculein’s earnings, this time from stocks alone, are 500 million Elnes. 500 million Elnes.”

“500 million Elnes…”

Julie’s mouth opened slightly. Ihelm noticed it and muttered with a smirk.

“Why. Do you regret it? You’re in hell, but your ex-fiancée flies like this.”

For a moment, Julie’s expression hardened again.

“Ihelm. I won’t say it a fourth time.”

“Oh~, you’re too nice. It’s usually three times, but you took it four times. Your nickname wasn’t White Retriever for no reason.”

“Ihelm. You’re at 3.5.”

It was the last warning. Ihelm smiled and stood.

“Okay. I’m going. I’m going. See you later? We will be staying in the same space for a while.”

Julie stared at Ihelm’s back as he left, waving his hand.

“There are a lot of people who make money from stocks these days… we also need money to protect our borders.”

Julie’s attention was again focused on recruiting lists and now stocks.

* * *

Before leaving for the North, I stopped by the Imperial Palace for the third game of Go that I scheduled with Sophien.

“You’re going to the North again.”

But Sophien was wearing a dress today. Like a modern Elizabeth, a splendid and old-fashioned attire suitable for the Emperor.

“Yes. You look beautiful today too.”

“Iliade gifted me this. Glitheon bought this himself.”

“Is that so?”

Glitheon of Iliade. It was a pretty annoying name, but there was no need to be sarcastic.

“Anyway, it’s the third match today… are you confident? If you lose this match, we don’t have to do the rest.”

“I have never been unconfident.”

“Hmph.”

Sophien twisted her lips, and then she stood. I looked up at her with slight puzzlement.

“Follow me.”

“Yes.”

I stood without question. Sophien left the teaching room and walked down the hallway.

“You say you are very confident, and there is no one on this continent who can play Go as much as you and I do, so today.”

Sophien stopped in front of the gate. I thought I knew what her intentions were as she turned to me.

“I will have a great game in front of all the ministers. Are you okay with that?”

I nodded without hesitation.

“Yes. I’m fine, but I’d rather ask Your Majesty that. Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“Because I am not a person who will lie to save Your Majesty’s face in front of your ministers.”

“Did you go nuts?”

Sophien almost reflexively cursed. Her veins bulged at the sides of her head.

“…I’m warning you. I won’t accept any more than this. Don’t even try to save my face. Try as hard as you can. I will try hard to crush you in response. On this continent, you are the only person who will benefit from my efforts.”

“Yes. I won’t hold back.”

Nodding, Sophien opened the gate. Immediately, I could hear the loud shouting from countless ministers.

“Your Majesty Sophien-!”

They bowed to greet Sophien, and I could see the place for the game was already prepared. Go boards and stones were laid out on a vast battlefield.

“This is the professor that I hired to show you Go. He’s the one who caused quite a stir this time by predicting the monstrous event to come. Deculein!”

Sophien looked back at me and shouted. I approached her with my body bowed.

“I, Deculein, have arrived at the command of Your Majesty.”

“Enough. Sit down and stop talking.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

With countless servants watching, I sat across from her. Sophien looked at me and twisted her lips.

“Before he leaves for Reccordak in the North, we will start the third game. Let the ministers dictate the notation and learn it earnestly. This professor and I are going to show you that Go is just like this….”

At Sophien’s words, all the ministers shouted at the same time.

“We’re honored, Your Majesty-!”

It was noisy.