Chapter: 24
As I was just getting possessed in this cool and beautiful world, there were exactly two things I regretted with all my being.
One was having come across the original work of this world, the title of which I could no longer remember. I don’t know how insane the being that shoved me here was, but at the very least, they couldn’t have been crazy enough to toss someone who knows nothing about the original work into this mess.
The other was that I had only sampled the free chapters of the original—just took a little sipsip and spat it out. If I had known that I would have to experience this sudden tragedy of possession, I would have, of course, read to the finish. But no, I only skimmed through the unclear webtoon’s free portions like a total noob.
To make matters worse, the free portions were just childhood stories, so they weren’t particularly useful either. Even when I first saw Louise at the academy, it wasn’t until I heard her name that I figured out who she was. For me, the original work was like a cup of Shark Fin ramen with just 0.0003% shark fin added—utterly meaningless.
“Other people are out there saying something about original work destruction.”
As I rolled around, I couldn’t tell if this was the original work at play or if it was just my rotten destiny. A possessor who doesn’t know the original work is a terribly weak existence.
But after a long wait, the time for me to finally see the light has come. Even if I don’t know the original content, just knowing that there is an original work in this world gives me plenty to deduce.
When the main characters gather at the academy, it’s obvious that incidents will occur there. In stories, incidents always revolve around the main characters. This means if I can just block characters or groups that will likely stick to the main characters, I can potentially skip the crises from the original work that I am utterly clueless about.
Thus, the moment my dispatch to the academy was confirmed, I ran straight to the Executive Manager, asking for information to be shared. Thankfully, my heartfelt request moved the Executive Manager, and he willingly complied.
“I’ll just ask the appropriate questions about last time, so please just do something about this.”
“Hmm…”
Of course, a small token of sincerity was included. Asking for something with no goodwill is a bit cold-blooded.
And so, what I got in return was this list titled “Individuals Scheduled to Wreck the Academy.” It was way longer than I expected, and it made me feel rather uneasy. Just thinking that I would have to face a defense game against these people made me a bit dizzy. At least I was fortunate to have secured this list ahead of time.
For now, I needed to return to the clubroom before an incident occurred among the six protagonists, so I quickly checked the social groups somehow related to them.
“There’s no mention of Louise or Erich.”
Louise was an innocent little bean, so there was no reason for anyone to harbor grudges against her. As for Erich, being newly enrolled in the academy, any grudge against him would likely be directed at the Krasius family rather than him personally. That type of group had long been dealt with by me and the lord, so there were no issues there.
“Ainter doesn’t seem to need concern either.”
Right now, I was probably Ainter’s most threatening presence. However, I had no intention of dealing with him, nor would the crown prince send some other killer my way with me being around. So Ainter was safe.
“The problem lies with the other three.”
How unfortunate that they were all royal family members or candidates for sainthood; the possibility of them being targeted by terrorists couldn’t be ignored. If they were attacked in their home countries, it would be no skin off my nose, but since they were academy students, if an attack happened, it would throw the academy and the empire into complete chaos.
First up was a group likely connected to Rutis’s narrative, the “Fifth Empire.”
They were a hardline faction that argued that the Armein Kingdom should topple the Kefellofen Empire and claim to be a new empire themselves, hence the name “Fifth Empire.” They named themselves that because they wanted Armein to become the fifth empire in history, following the Kefellofen.
Of course, they spouted unrealistic claims and were therefore ignored even within Armein’s political circles. But historically, those ignored lunatics are often the ones who commit the craziest acts.
They might aim for a terrorist attack at the academy while Rutis is still here, causing chaos in the empire and using the prince’s death as an excuse to shout for war against the empire. After all, Rutis isn’t even the crown prince.
Still, the mere chance of sacrificing their own prince and putting their country in jeopardy if found out? At least that’s lower than the chances of the Armein prince desperately sticking out his chest and insisting on joining the empire academy. Damn.
Next up, the organization related to Lather’s tale is the “Five Pillars.”
They opposed the United Kingdom of Yuben’s simple coalition of five kingdoms uniting under Lather’s nation. They stood for tradition, making them a larger entity compared to the Fifth Empire. From what I remember, they even received secret support from the empire as well.
Rather than trying to take out Lather, they were more likely to act out to send a shock to Lather’s homeland. Targeting Lather would be far easier than taking down other royal members surrounded by the royal knights and guards.
Should they attack the academy, a conflict with the empire would become inevitable, and I still say the chance of them executing that is higher than the prince insisting on enrolling in the academy, yet again, damn it.
Finally, related to Tannian’s story, there’s the “Twilight Cult.”
Rather than worshipping the one true god, Enen, that the Holy Kingdom and the continent acknowledge, they are an opposing cult that venerates other deities. They are fanatics wishing to become the mainstream religion that can compete with the Dawn Sect devoted to Enens.
They’ve previously made a loud ruckus in the empire. Three years ago, while the empire was focused to the north, they assassinated the cardinal in charge, thanks to which the empire trembled and worked to dismantle the Twilight Cult. Yet, they successfully escaped and are still alive to fight.
These lunatics would undoubtedly target Tannian next. If they could kill him, who bears the surname of Enes because he is believed to be the son of God, it would dismantle the stature of both the Dawn Sect and the Holy Kingdom.
And considering the potential fallout dicated by the ire of the empire? They wouldn’t care much about that. It’s not like they hadn’t already sent a cardinal off to the afterlife in the empire’s territory.
Apart from those, there are also groups that seem to aim at the academy itself rather than just being related to the main protagonists. The Republican terrorist group “Red Wave” and the resurrected Apels Revival Army, “The Third Honor.”
“Those bastards came back?”
I just learned that the Apels Revival forces reemerged after the empire had been relentlessly hunting them down to extinction. And now, they’re back? Isn’t that a bit too blatant, like they were created just to stir up trouble for the original plot?
The Executive Manager seemed equally incredulous; he ended his segment on the Third Honor with an emotionally charged review. He commented that “the rotting corpses have started to walk the earth again.” That was an accurate assessment.
In any case, those five are the organizations that seem poised to stir up trouble. Once again, I find myself in awe of the Executive Manager for quickly compiling such daunting information for me.
And I can’t help but feel a bit amazed at my fate, as I now have to thwart all five of them.
*
“Damn.”
This difficulty is utterly wrecked. Who set this difficulty level?
Biting nails This is just too chaotic; having two or three villainous groups would already be enough of a headache. But now, five? I have no idea who the original author is, but it’s clear they are absolutely serious about wrecking the academy. Did they get badly traumatized by professors during their college years…?
I quietly shoved the communication device into my pocket and leaned against the wall. Facing at least five waves of attacks? Rarely have I experienced something like this even in field scenarios. But getting hit by such a surprise? This is truly an unwelcome surprise.
But what can I do? One of the reasons I’m at the academy is to brace myself for situations like these. Surely, even the higher-ups couldn’t have anticipated just how many hostile forces would aim at the academy.
Honestly, it’s purely my position as a possessor that allowed me to draw these conclusions. Who in their right mind would think those five groups would have the audacity to just raid the academy like this?
“If I had retired earlier, I could have avoided this disaster.”
I silently regretted not retiring sooner.
Sighing harmlessly won’t change anything. On the contrary, it only raises the odds of an incident occurring while I’m absent from the clubroom.
“I’ve got to pull myself together.”
If something bad happens and a VIP gets injured or worse, who knows what kind of disaster awaits me and the empire? I can only imagine that my career would take a nose dive. I’m aiming for a smooth and honorable retirement, not a disgraceful downfall.
Regardless of how chaotic this all may seem, my goals remain straightforward. While I stay at the academy, I’ll detect and block any internal or external threats targeting it. By doing so, I ensure that those prominent figures can graduate safely.
And while I’m at it, I’ll need to figure out who Louise’s partner is before that time. If she doesn’t find one by graduation, those love-stricken lunatics may decide to cross borders afterwards. If the academy represents the first arc, graduation will mark the beginning of the sequel. That I simply cannot allow.
Now that I think about it, wouldn’t proposing marriage to the Naird Baron be the simplest approach? The Naird Baron would find it tough to reject an offer from the Krasius family, and Erich would get his happy ending too.
The Lord isn’t particularly concerned about who marries, as long as a grandchild is forthcoming.
I shook my head, dismissing that fleeting temptation. I don’t care how desperate the situation is, using coercive measures is just not right. Besides, it doesn’t at all consider Louise’s own will.
Perhaps my mind’s a bit tangled, leading me to such ridiculous thoughts. I almost feel sorry for Louise.
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