Chapter: 174
Ever since I laid my eyes on the pouch that seemed worthy of at least a unique grade, I’ve been plagued by ominous dreams.
In those dreams, a spy’s limbs were hanging at each cardinal point of the academy, or their head was displayed in front of the main building. The principal witnessing the scene, fueled with rage, either rejuvenates hilariously or goes into a fit. Was that some kind of demonic summoning circle, maybe?
Ah, and the students freaking out and whining to their families was just a bonus. Hearing their children’s tearful laments, the families wasted no time protesting to the administration. Thanks to that incident, I got thoroughly scolded by the minister.
‘Why does this feel so real?’
These dreams, choosing only the worst scenarios, make me feel even crazier because they seem so plausible. It’s infuriating! Just a tiny slip-up could lead us to a reality like this.
This is really driving me mad. Now, I must avoid even the slightest reprimand at all costs! Writing a simple report could instantly land me in detention, branding me a repeat offender in front of the authorities.
“I-I’m on Carl’s side no matter what!”
In an instant, I pictured Marghetta sobbing outside the bars. Those kinds of imaginations always come to me in high definition.
Guilt is gnawing at me. Should I stock up some poison for a noble farewell?
“Oppa?”
“Ah.”
Thanks to Louise’s voice, I was able to pull myself back from the depths of despair.
“What’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
As I tried to muster my composure to respond, Louise looked at me with a pitiful gaze.
“I think you’re the one with something on your mind, oppa.”
I couldn’t come up with a suitable reply. Sure, something’s on my mind—something pretty significant.
But realizing that I let my expression slip was just depressing. I used to keep a poker face, but lately, I’ve been caught too often.
‘Is she that sharp?’
Maybe it’s just her protagonist buff shining through aside from her love troubles. Or maybe not.
Anyway, since Louise has noticed, there’s no hiding my feelings. If I insisted that nothing was wrong, I’d seem more suspicious, and that would only lead her to probe further.
Plus, knowing the 1st Manager, she wouldn’t keep quiet at the academy! She’d surely come storming into the club room for a visit.
‘Might as well open up.’
The sudden visit of an outsider, especially one I was aware of, would be odd if I kept my mouth shut.
Besides, the 1st Manager had already met the club members during the club fair. It’s fine to mention it.
“Actually, we’re expecting a guest.”
After a brief moment of contemplation, I finally spoke.
Right, better to be candid and keep them occupied in the club room. After all, it’s the 2nd Manager’s job to roam around looking for internal spies. The 1st Manager wouldn’t have to get involved until a spy was found.
“A guest?”
“Yes, that one with white hair and red eyes from the club fair.”
“Oh, that unnie?”
She nodded, recalling clearly. It was certainly hard to forget the 1st Manager’s distinctive appearance.
“She’s somewhat of a free spirit.”
Louise seemed to get it when I described our guest’s troublesome nature. I guess it made my point all the more convincing since it was true.
Both the 1st Manager and the Red Wave are bothersome.
‘Damn.’
Where on earth did we gather such guests?
“I hear she likes bread, so I should prep some in advance.”
The gentle smile on Louise’s face while saying that just stirred my frustration even more. The host is so sweet, yet why are the guests like this?
“You don’t need to go out of your way; she’s not picky.”
“Hehe, but she’s still a guest.”
Louise is too kind, yet—
“We’ve arrived!”
“Haha, we’re just a bit late.”
Not long after, a gaggle of tardy club members bustled in.
‘Is this balance?’
Looking at them made me think. Is the relentless kindness of our club leader some kind of compensation for her unusual club members?
Looks like Louise is the moral compass of the club.
*
Being cooped up in a carriage for too long is such a drag. It bounces and feels stifling, plus if you can’t find a city or town to stop at for the night, you might have to sleep outdoors.
But this time, the ride could actually be enjoyable.
What’s a ride in a carriage when I’m heading to meet my boss? I’d even have the confidence to walk to the edge of the continent if I had to!
“La la la~”
Grinning like an idiot, I hummed to myself caught up in excitement.
“Is it that good?”
The 2nd Manager suddenly chimed in, as though he were some sort of detective.
“I think I would have been even happier going there alone.”
“Then you can hunt for spies yourself.”
Just looking at the mockingly amused face of the 2nd Manager ticked me off, so I shot back with attitude.
“Shut it!”
And then I smacked him. Who does he think he is to talk back to me, the strong one?
The Executive Manager once said there’s only a letter’s difference between being right and getting slapped. I’m just acting in accordance with the Executive Manager’s philosophy, after all.
Nodding in satisfaction while watching the 2nd Manager squirm from my slight touch, I felt quite pleased. Nowadays, his reactions are so amusing that hitting him feels satisfying!
“I hope it stays like this.”
“What a horrid thing to say.”
Well, it was indeed a terrible thing to say.
But I didn’t voice that; after all, I already met my quota for mischievous teasing for the day.
“Should we arrive by evening?”
“Yep, that sounds about right.”
I casually glanced at the map and answered the 2nd Manager, who was rubbing his shoulder. We just passed Baron Landon’s territory, so arriving by evening should be totally feasible.
“I never expected the Red Wave to be entangled with the academy.”
He also mentioned that we can’t handle it like the good old days, which made me tilt my head in confusion. It almost sounded like he had a previous experience dealing with them.
“Have you encountered them before?”
“Yeah, often when I was a team member. Why do you act like you’ve never seen them?”
“I only saw them once before becoming a Manager.”
The Red Wave is notoriously elusive. The empire has a merciless, zero-tolerance policy toward them, so they often simply execute-on-site. Even if they capture one for questioning, they might just take themselves out right there.
That’s why I only encountered them once as a team member. Even then, I couldn’t participate in the interrogation properly.
“That’s unfair! You got to see them all alone. We had a tough time even catching sight of the Red Wave!”
It felt both frustrating and unfair that the 2nd Manager monopolized the encounters with these notoriously evasive foes.
“What could I do? The previous Executive Manager told us to eliminate every last one.”
His casual shrug only vexed me more. The previous Executive Manager had always been a pain—no sense of fun, no flexibility, and about as impressive as a damp towel.
Most unpleasant experiences during my time in the Prosecutor’s Office could be pinned on that guy! Things have been so much more enjoyable since my current Executive Manager took charge.
“…But wasn’t the previous Executive Manager the Minister?”
I suddenly remembered and pondered aloud. The one who served as Executive Manager before our current one was the Minister, right? Although he barely lasted a month, he still held the position.
“Not officially. He got promoted to Minister before the Emperor even approved it.”
“Wow.”
So, technically, it was a double promotion. Impressive, but def not something I’d envy.
“Anyway, during the previous Executive Manager’s term, if there was even a hint of the Red Wave, they’d wipe out the entire village.”
That statement brought memories rushing back. They reasoned that everyone could be a potential accomplice, making extermination seem justified.
Thinking back now, it doesn’t seem sane at all. It wasn’t effective; instead, it just terrified people into hiding or drove them to rebellion.
“We can’t just wipe out the academy now. This puts us in a bind.”
In the current situation, that method is completely off the table. Anyway, the previous Executive Manager…
“So, let’s do it right this time. We should aim to capture them alive as much as possible.”
“Yesss~”
I nodded, pleased with the consensus. If the 2nd Manager caught more spies, my resources would multiply. Meeting the Executive Manager itself is already delightful, but this isn’t bad either.
As my mood lifted gradually, my gaze wandered subtly to the side.
‘Will he like this?’
Unlike the club fair, I prepared a gift this time.
“For those locked up, tofu is the best. Even if they say they hate it, they go crazy for it in the end.”
This was something the Executive Manager had said when the Minister got imprisoned.
So, the Executive Manager should love it too. After all, being on probation or locked away is pretty much the same thing.
‘I hear it’s a nutritious dish in Armein.’
I even put thought into the menu choice. Just giving them tofu would be too dull.
People from Armein are quite impressive! Who would’ve thought of making a cake out of tofu?
*
While resting at my lodging, I suddenly heard a rapping at the door.
Finally! The anticipated guests have arrived.
“Coming—”
Click—
“Whoa, it opened.”
“The academy isn’t exactly a big deal, huh?”
These little rascals.
Their boldness in unlocking the door and barging in without waiting for me to open it was beyond outrageous.
You lunatics! No matter how easily a door can be opened, it’s common courtesy for the host to welcome you in!
“Executive Manager! Long time no see!”
As I stood there, grappling with mixed feelings, the 1st Manager came up, waving her hands enthusiastically.
Right, they’re here to help, so I should welcome them—
“I brought you a gift!”
…right?
“A gift?”
My instincts screamed, sending shivers down my spine. Was the word ‘gift’ always so foreboding?
“Yes! We’ve been preparing it for days!”
‘Crap.’
Hearing those words made it even harder to refuse them. As suspicious as the gift obviously was, I couldn’t disregard my subordinate’s efforts without a valid reason.
So predictable, and dreadfully clear what awaited me!
‘This is maddening.’
This smells like workplace harassment! I could never have imagined something like this occurring when I was just a Team Manager!
“Thank you.”
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and accepted the box handed to me by the 1st Manager.
Was it just me being paranoid? The weight felt similar to something I’d held not long ago.
‘Ah.’
The moment I opened the box, I froze. Sadly, it wasn’t some figment of my imagination.
“Do you like it?”
As I quietly raised my head, I caught the 1st Manager grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“1st Manager went through so much trouble to find this. It’s not well-known in Armein, so supplies were scarce.”
I could only manage a stiff nod as the 2nd Manager chimed in after locking the door again.
So now, I’m eating this obscure food for the second time.
“…Thanks.”
Thank you very much, you little devils.
“I’m glad you’re happy!”
“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen something like this in my life.”
Caught between my two chuckling adversaries, I just stared down at the cake.
‘Damn it.’
And so, the three of us shared the tofu cake. It was so good that it just made me all the more annoyed.
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