<323 - The Scales of Life 2>
It’s not that Oknodie can’t differentiate between good and evil.
This child also has their own standards for what constitutes wicked behavior.
Eating human flesh or consuming human souls.
Acts that are more fitting for ‘Demons’ who have forsaken their humanity.
This clearly marks the minimum line that Oknodie must uphold.
However, destroying the hometown of others for one’s own motives doesn’t necessarily fall into the category of a taboo.
Because it’s beneficial.
Because it’s rational.
Because it’s bound to happen anyway.
The fact that the Foundation plans to start a war, as presented in the catalog, has already been confirmed.
“…Wait a minute. The director’s catalog said to kill the army of the Deutsche Kingdom, and yet you’re saying you’ll kill the beastmen instead?”
The chilling nature of the claim was initially lost on them, but Oknodie’s decision proved to be even more dangerous.
“Yes!”
“Do you know that this is the complete opposite of the Director’s proposal?”
To gain titles like [Heavenly Slayer], [Beginning of the Bad Blood], and collections like [Celestial Dragon Armor], and [Gravekeeper’s Lamp], the Director designed a series of plans. From the start of this point, Oknodie concluded that they would act in direct opposition.
“There must be at least one beastman among your friends, even if it’s not Xenia?”
Son Ohchun.
Is that relationship worth nothing at all?
Oknodie tilted their head.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“!!”
“Doesn’t seem to matter much, does it?”
*
On the return path to the Academy.
Among the students wisely spending the remaining points from the cruise ship, Jezel, Son Ohchun, and Isabel exited the training facility.
“Phew. That was seriously uncomfortable. I raised the difficulty thinking about Oknodie’s home, but somehow it just doesn’t feel satisfying.”
“Indeed, training in a virtual setting using illusion magic lacks the intensity of actual training.”
“Unique cooking… I still can’t grasp it. No matter how hard I try, I can’t even come close to anything rare.”
Though one person’s training direction was completely different, no one laughed at her.
They all knew her sincerity in the effort to train.
The day they disembarked after a long voyage.
Jezel discovered they had more points than expected.
While everyone thought the auction was over and the major uses for points were done, Jezel thought differently.
Using the remaining points, they purchased various information from the crew members.
“Isabel. Here’s a new recipe. Keep it safe.”
“This is something even the head chef didn’t teach me!?”
“…Thanks. I’ll pay you back with interest later.”
Handing over the recipe to Isabel was not a monumental act.
Those who were unaware might think so.
But Jezel’s thoughts, after spending a semester in the Academy with her, were different.
Isabel was currently quite mentally constricted.
The most certain way to repay Oknodie’s kindness.
Cooking.
Because that weapon had been taken away by the Foundation.
Oknodie was chasing after new recipes.
It helped her beloved [Collection].
Without new recipes, Oknodie couldn’t be held back.
But in the Foundation, there were many chefs possessing such recipes in droves.
A time limit had now formed on how long Isabel could stay close to Oknodie.
‘If there’s no need, that child will leave us someday. No matter how near our hearts may be.’
The fact that most of Oknodie’s acquaintances are competent individuals also fuels this hypothesis.
Even now, Dorothy and Rockbell rarely meet Oknodie, and it’s hard to even see the noble granddaughter Lotto, who once fell out with Hestia.
‘The only point of contact I can make is attending the same lectures as Oknodie. But how long can I attend those same lectures with her?’
Oknodie’s growth rate stands out even among the first years.
After the second semester ends, and they reach the second year, the growth rate will be unimaginable, widening the gap between them even further.
If the number of lectures they can attend together continues to decrease.
When the need disappears and the points of contact become thinner, they could very well end up completely severed.
The connection to Oknodie will be cut off.
‘Even if Oknodie herself wishes it, those who remain around her won’t allow it.’
She had to become an even bigger player.
She had to prove her new necessity.
To avoid falling behind, she had to find a way.
She turned to the Dark Trading Company for a breakthrough.
Isabel’s breakthrough lay in the new recipe.
But what about Son Ohchun’s breakthrough?
“Don’t give me that look. It’s a good thing if that little rat grows stronger, not a bad thing, right?”
“You’re quite the adult.”
“To say I’m not disappointed would be a lie, but kids are meant to grow up. Who knows, there might come a day when Oknodie grows to 230cm and looks down on me?”
“…I wouldn’t want to see such a little lady. You can’t call someone 230cm little.”
“Ahaha! That would indeed be troublesome at 230cm.”
But even Son Ohchun needed information.
No, more than anyone on this ship, the information that Jezel obtained was the most crucial to him.
“Son Ohchun. Even if Oknodie may one day not need you, I still need your strength. There are many strong people in the world, but not many possess your level of skill. Considering future growth potential, even less.”
“Oh, you little gentleman, what are you getting at?”
“A war is about to break out among the beastmen’s Great Forest.”
“!”
“The Foundation has already struck the World Tree of the Elves. Taking advantage of the chaotic situation in the forest, the army of the Deutsche Kingdom is advancing toward the human border.”
Son Ohchun’s expression turned strange.
“So that means the war between humans and beastmen is about to restart? Thanks for the heads up.”
Jezel was surprised by the unexpectedly lackluster reaction.
“They’re going to die out, you know? Isn’t that something you should care about?”
“Kin, what kin? Do you treat those demon bastards scavenging in the Northern region and those religious fanatics serving minor deities in the Southern city-state alliance the same as humans?”
“Ah, that’s a bit…”
“Same goes for the beastmen. I’m originally from a rocky mountain. Whether the Great Forest falls or not is none of my concern. But if metal prices and food or material costs go up, I could make some profit from stocks. But are bananas classified as raw materials or luxury goods?”
“They’re classified as luxury goods in the Empire…”
“Then that won’t do. I should secure and cash out everything. I’ve heard from the Andersen crowd that when war happens, luxury goods factories might shut down and go bankrupt.”
The Monkey Humanoid is into stocks…?
Cashing in on banana production stocks…?
In a whirlwind of confusion, Jezel could only exclaim when Son Ohchun coolly said:
“When the market crashes and I manage to protect my money, treat me to something later. Inside the Academy would be difficult, though.”
“How much have you invested?”
“Not a lot, maybe 200 gold coins?”
“Why live so frugally when you have that much money?”
“Until it rises, it’s not my money. Besides, in this day and age, what can you do with 200 gold coins? I’d need at least 1000 gold coins to build a resort on the mountain, install a cable car, and run the facilities to live off lazily for a lifetime.”
“…”
Unbelievable.
To think that this pitiable social underdog, who couldn’t find a decent job under the Empire’s oppression and scrounged by as a bodyguard, was actually a stock market player pouring all his assets into shares while living modestly.
Jezel’s sympathy evaporated, revealing a displeased expression she couldn’t hide.
*
I’m seriously worried about Oknodie’s humanity.
Son Ohchun is a beastman.
The Great Forest is known as the hometown of all beastmen.
That hometown could be set ablaze and disappear.
Son Ohchun’s kin could be slaughtered in droves.
And yet, Oknodie didn’t care in the slightest.
“Jonnas. I need your help.”
“My help, you say.”
The one person who at least seems sane in the Foundation.
He’s even taken direct action to protect Oknodie at one point.
When Sing approached the butler Jonnas, he sensed something lacking in his response.
“Are you planning not to stop Oknodie?”
“This is a test.”
“A test?”
“While the Director is merciless and has a cruel edge, he would not start a war recklessly. He could do it if he wanted, but it wouldn’t be economically feasible for him. If the lady doesn’t strongly wish for it, he wouldn’t seek bloodshed unnecessarily.”
“Then wouldn’t you need to stop Oknodie even more? Are you saying she could lead to unnecessary bloodshed depending on her wishes?”
Despite Sing’s logical argument, Jonnas’s hands working the Mana Board did not pause.
“I’ve known the lady longer than you have. Even if you remember the time you spent with her in the Academy, I remember who she was before entering the Academy.”
He was confident.
“Once the lady brings ‘Events’ to her mouth, nothing will ever turn out to be a loss. And she mentioned the <50th Floor Conquest Event>.”
Hours later.
Sing began to grasp the meaning of Jonnas’s words.
“Are you all set? Then please give me your conclusion. What will you choose from the list?”
“Nothing!”
Surprise flickered across the Director’s face.
“If you go out to carry out even one, you’ll leave the tower. That’s breaking the promise not to leave until the 50th floor is conquered!”
“Ohh.”
“So if Papa is to help us conquer the 50th floor, he must do so without us leaving the tower. Otherwise, he’ll be a liar. Am I right?”
A tremendous benefit.
A massive event.
The Foundation’s tendencies.
The crisis of motives.
The hometown of a friend.
Unlike Sing, who had been dazzled by numerous factors, Oknodie had not forgotten the essence of the wager.
‘Got me there.’
Sing let out a sigh of relief.
It was indeed another test.
What a rotten father, and a smart daughter.
‘If he knew everything… the talk of hitting Son Ohchun’s hometown and kin would only be a scenario that needs to leave the tower. That must have just been a joke.’
Yet for some reason, his instincts continued to sound alarm bells, urging him not to let his guard down.
If she never intended to leave, why even make such comments?
Had Oknodie ever been the type to make jokes of that nature?
