Chapter 179: The Red-blooded Dreamer (5)
I received a message from the 4th Manager that night.
— We’ll probably arrive tomorrow by lunchtime.
“Ah, really?”
I nodded absentmindedly at those words and then belatedly felt something wasn’t quite right. I had just heard today that the Masked Unit was deployed, yet they would arrive by lunchtime tomorrow?
Traveling from the capital to the academy takes several days by carriage, and even the closest teleportation magic circle isn’t exactly a hop, skip, and a jump away.
‘Were they somewhere else?’
Yeah, they might have been nearby on a mission and moved as soon as they got the dispatch order. Or perhaps they didn’t leave today but set off a few days ago.
Either way, what does it matter? What’s important is that the 4th Manager and the Masked Unit are on their way!
“That’s a relief. The sooner we meet, the better.” I genuinely felt relieved. I was so eager for their arrival that I almost wanted to send a teleportation magician over, just to speed things along.
So far, I’d been managing the 1st and 2nd Managers alone. They’ve been surprisingly quiet, but those two are like ticking time bombs—tick, tick, BOOM—you can’t afford to let your guard down.
With the 4th Manager’s arrival, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The balance of sanity would be restored from a chaotic 2-to-1 to a more sensible 2-to-2.
— It’s an honor.
I expressed that with heartfelt sincerity, and the 4th Manager lowered her head.
If she were still part of the Prosecutors’ Office, I would’ve definitely given her a bonus. Years have passed, yet I still feel the loss!
“Should we meet in the forest where we met last time?”
I said, trying to calm my bitter heart. Since they were coming as a group, meeting at the academy would pull too much attention—Target acquired—you don’t want that!
As luck would have it, there’s a forest we used as a rendezvous point for the Third Honor; that should do the trick.
— Yes, we’ll head there.
“Good. Let’s meet at lunchtime.”
It’s lunchtime, so I should pack some food. They’ll probably just slap together some military rations.
Louise’s cookies wouldn’t be enough for the entire Masked Unit, so I should swing by the store.
‘I should take the 1st Manager along.’
Since she’s currently idle, it wouldn’t hurt to bring her along. The 2nd Manager is busy, so we’ll leave him be.
That thought made me pick up the communication crystal I had just set down on the desk. Bringing her along suddenly would cause a whole commotion about work-related activities. Ugh, drama!
— Executive Manager?
“Oh, it’s me.”
Plus, leaving this brat behind to go elsewhere felt like asking for trouble.
*
Fortunately, the 1st Manager followed along without much grumbling.
What a good manager. For her obedience, I grant her the honorary privilege of carrying some of the food.
“Did you call me to carry your stuff?”
“Yep.”
I replied tersely to her whining.
Honestly, I took her along more out of anxiety than necessity, but saying that would just irk her. It’s better to have her carry things as a porter—everyone wins, right?
In any case, the 1st Manager grumbled but followed. Maybe it was because it was food for the 4th Manager.
‘What’s with this brat?’
I glanced at the 1st Manager, then redirected my gaze ahead. Her social connections always baffle me.
She’s buddy-buddy with the Crown Princess and even the 4th Manager. It seems she has a knack for befriending those who are different from her.
Speaking of which, she has white hair, while the Crown Princess sports silver and the 4th Manager has gray.
‘Are they vibing over hair color?’
It seems there’s something about clustering with similar hair shades.
…Wait a minute. Then what about the 3rd Manager…?
“Ugh, why did you buy so much?”
The 1st Manager’s timely complaint cut off the train of thought that might have had the 3rd Manager sulking in the corner.
Sorry, 3rd Manager. I’ll stop smacking your head with wet hands—for now.
“There are plenty of people to feed; this amount is necessary.”
“Anyone would think you’re donating to an orphanage.”
In response to that, I checked the food we’d gathered. I had one pack in each of my hands, and the same for the 1st Manager. That makes four in total.
Isn’t this too much? I’m not quite sure. It may actually be too little for everyone on the field?
“It might not even be enough for a single meal!”
“Wow…”
The 1st Manager gasped, mixing awe with disbelief.
What’s up with that? It genuinely seems like a small amount.
*
I know that the Executive Manager has cherished the Masked Unit since their 4th Division days. That’s understandable given all the memories tied to the 4th Division, but…
‘This is the weirdest kind of favoritism.’
Something feels off. It’s not how someone treats cherished subordinates or colleagues—nope, it’s more like how someone might treat a poor orphan shivering in the streets, concerned that this pitiful child might just go off the rails or starve and be unable to move.
‘It’s kinda sad, really.’
There are indeed a lot of orphans in the 4th Division. Even Penelia lost her parents during the Great War. Basically, the Executive Manager seems to have a soft spot for kids like that.
Of course, that’s old news. Now, they’d be rubbing elbows with nobility, and living in luxury anywhere they go. If the Emperor’s elite were living in squalor, then the empire would be heading towards doom!
“Should I have brought the 2nd Manager as well?”
“Then we’d definitely have leftovers.”
I quickly shook my head at the Executive Manager’s serious contemplation.
The amount of food we brought is definitely enough for a full day, not just a meal. Considering how the 4th Division kids are, I can already picture them thinking—‘We can’t waste what the Executive Manager gave us!’—and stuffing themselves silly.
But bringing even more than this? That’s just asking for vomit city. Someone would surely end up getting sick!
‘These kids are so straightforward!’
They are genuinely hardworking and sharp. They might come off as blunt and serious like Penelia, but they’re really good eggs.
The only issue? They’re so much like Penelia that their loyalty to the Executive Manager borders on fanaticism.
‘Where did he gather such a group?’
I’m honestly curious about that. Did the Executive Manager handpick them, or did they become this way just by being around him?
If it’s the former, then his eye for talent is quite terrifying. If it’s the latter, then his charm is downright scary. Either way, it’s all thanks to the Executive Manager.
“Maybe I should buy more—”
“Let’s go! The kids are waiting!”
I barely managed to intercept the Executive Manager from backtracking to buy more. We can barely carry what we already have, so why even bother?
‘He’s so much like a grandmother!’
He seems bent on showering them with just a bit more food. For the people actually eating and those watching, it looks way too generous.
For some reason, a familiar scent of a grandmother wafted off the all-too-familiar Executive Manager…
*
Everything went horribly wrong.
This is the conclusion I arrived at after deep consideration. It wasn’t just a tangle; it turned into a full-blown disaster.
— It seems we’ll gain a new comrade, perfectly suitable for the new world we envision.
“Haha, is that so?”
The urge to blurt out ‘What nonsense!’ nearly escaped me, but I swallowed it. What I think internally is my own shenanigans.
However, Eriko’s overly peaceful and cheerful declaration made him look utterly foolish.
Sure, according to Eriko’s comments, he’d be a fitting comrade for something great.
‘But not in the way Eriko envisions!’
It’s unfortunate that he’s someone maintaining this world instead of ushering in the new one Eriko dreams about.
‘Looks like everything’s about to wrap up.’
This year’s academy newcomers are top-notch. With the Empire’s Prince, foreign princes, and even the next saint admitted, how can anyone label it modest?
The higher-ups were ecstatic about that. With figures symbolic of the vile caste system gathering, they think if we pull off a big move, we can show our resolve to the continent.
‘Bright ideas… not!’
I was dumbfounded by their simplistic thought processes. Surely we’re not the only ones brewing similar ideas.
As expected, right after the entrance ceremony, the Empire tossed in a heavyweight. Under the guise of a prosecutor, they sent in the Executive Manager of the Prosecutors’ Office!
By the time that unexpected face appeared, I almost grabbed the back of my neck in shock. The higher-ups, in response, only seemed excited by the possibilities of more blood to be spilled, but zero real plans emerged.
‘Honestly, it’s always the front line that gets the short end of the stick.’
While everyone else carried on merrily, I found myself anxious over the foolish reactions. The head of the Prosecutors’ Office stood right beside us—a pile of danger, just waiting to strike.
And during this moment of catastrophe, Eriko was busy spreading republicanism. Put kindly, he’s sticking to his role, but honestly, he’s utterly clueless!
Spreading republicanism around the Prosecutors’ office? Now that’s just bonkers!
‘How have we survived this long…?
Thank goodness the Executive Manager focused on keeping an eye on foreign students and completely overlooked me and Eriko. I’ve been on the low-key since his arrival, so there’s nothing to catch me on!
Yet despite the cold sweat I’d been breaking each day—
— By the way, Mr. Robin, there’s this fellow named Charles Steiner. He’s the new assistant teacher who just joined us!
As soon as I heard Eriko’s words, a gut feeling hit me.
‘It’s over.’
A new assistant teacher mid-semester? That’s possible. However, saying this assistant teacher was hired by Gerhardt, who usually avoids hiring extras? That could be true. And Gerhardt’s been cozying up to the Executive Manager lately? Sure, that could happen, too.
But to have a fresh assistant running around and hanging out with Eriko? No matter how I twist and turn it, those events back-to-back can’t just be coincidences. This is a setup!
‘I held out for a long time!’
Until now, I’ve been nervously waiting for the Prosecutors’ Office to swoop in, but now that it’s right before my eyes, I feel nothing but emptiness. They say one must learn to let go at the right moment, and it’s ringing true.
Of course, I have no thoughts of kicking the bucket just yet.
‘I still haven’t been caught.’
Unlike Eriko, I’ve managed to keep my head down—like a turtle in its shell! My gig has been more about surveillance rather than plotting.
However, running away isn’t an option either. Vanishing at this time would attract suspicion, and escaping with the Prosecutors’ swords drawn? Impossible!
So now, there’s just one solution.
“I actually never liked republicanism.”
I mumbled while staring vacantly at the ceiling. Shifting sides would solve everything, right?
The Empire has a tendency to be somewhat merciful to surrendering folks. As long as I admit to being a fool with lofty dreams and express my yearning to bask in the Emperor’s mercy, I might just survive!
Fortunately, the intel I have isn’t all that useless. Who would have thought I’d ever make it this far after just trying to get by with the Red Wave?
‘Damn it!’
As memories of past choices flooded my mind, regret washed over me. I must have been out of my gourd to dive headfirst into such a clownish bunch!
Seeing my childhood friends enroll in the academy sent chills down my spine. They’ve found success without falling into any traps while I, the older one, ended up on a detour.
‘Regretting it now won’t help.’
I should just be grateful those kids don’t recognize me!
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