I dipped the neatly folded towel into the basket of water a few times, pulling it out repeatedly.
“Ugh….”
Sighing deeply as I stared at my hands, which had burst open from constant contact with the water.
…If I had a bit more skill, this would have been easier.
Well, it won’t change anything to regret it now.
I’ve never studied medicine, and the only thing I’ve done for 300 years is swing a sword.
“Hmm… Is this warm enough?”
As I tilted my head, comparing it to human body temperature, I was deep in thought about the temperature when…
“Ugh….”
The Nameless, who had been unconscious until a moment ago, propped himself up on his hands and glanced around, trying to figure out the situation.
As a result, the blanket covering him slipped down with a rustle.
I quickly turned my head to look in that direction.
…He’s awake!
With a feeling of hair standing on end and a sparkle in his eyes.
“…Master?”
“Oh, Nameless!”
Stopping what I was doing, I rushed over and touched his forehead, speaking up.
Wow… Normal body temperature…!
It seems my diligent nursing paid off.
Smiling brightly, I placed my hand on the bewildered Nameless’s shoulder.
“Finally awake, huh?”
“Yes….”
Nameless made a slightly troubled face, nodded, and continued looking around.
“…Have we returned?”
Nodding in agreement to his question, I replied.
“Um, yes.”
We have returned.
“Welcome back.”
“Yes… I’m back…?”
To the cabin we used to live in.
With a bright smile, I welcomed the awakened Nameless.
*
“Ahem… But what happened at the banquet?”
Half-dressed, Nameless blushed in surprise and hurriedly got dressed.
Hmm, why is he so embarrassed?
Seeing that was quite cute, I couldn’t help but smile and scratched my chin.
The banquet…
Well, Nameless was half out of it, so he probably doesn’t know what happened that day.
Recalling the dizzying events not just from that day but from the day before, I sighed and spoke.
“Surely, on that day…”
*
Jack said to follow whatever Nameless told me without doubt.
After pondering over that, I reached one conclusion.
“If I simply do what I want, it’ll be just fine!” Such a simple outcome.
Think about it, why did I come to this Academy?
To fulfill Camilla’s request and act as a guest teacher, right?
Stopping an attack from skeletons or attending a banquet hosted by the Emperor was never my original job.
So, what should I do?
“There’s only one thing.”
Let’s return to the cabin, yes.
Nodding to myself, I grabbed the wooden sword held by Nameless.
“What are your plans?”
“I’ll be going back.”
With a bright smile, I replied, and Jack pondered for a moment, stroking his chin.
“Going back, huh… I will follow your command.”
With a truly mischievous-looking expression, he nodded.
“Umm.”
…I don’t know what he understood from that, but having expressed my opinion, I felt I had fulfilled my duty.
Switching my gaze to the somewhat confused Nameless in my arms, I thought.
Well, anyway.
The reasons I quickly organized my thoughts have their own basis.
Sure, my time with Nameless was just a fleeting moment, but Nameless is different.
He has spent a near half of his life with me, so he knows me well.
So he must know I’d come to this conclusion and would hand over everything that follows, right?
Hmm, yes.
I trust Nameless.
“Ha- cha!”
I lifted Nameless in my arms and adjusted him on my shoulder, changing positions to ensure he felt comfortable.
…Is this good enough? Yes, it is.
As I turned my head slightly, I saw Nameless with his eyes closed peacefully.
“Jack.”
“Yes, Cheonma?”
I shifted my gaze from him and glanced at Jack to say my farewell.
“I’ll be taking off now, so you should go inside too.”
“Pfft, understood.”
Jack smiled slightly, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“Hmm.”
Ending that exchange, Jack disappeared into the shadows.
“Creepy guy.”
I muttered quietly, letting out a deep sigh and looking around.
Since I also couldn’t stay here forever, I was slowly feeling the need to move.
However, this situation has never gone completely according to my wishes.
“Ah, the sky…!”
“It’s returning to normal!”
Nameless had dropped the sky, and it was now spreading its wings and flying back up.
…It really was time.
Tsk, clicking my tongue softly, I hurried my steps.
Nameless probably wanted to draw people’s attention by dropping the sky.
Honestly, I couldn’t think of another reason with my limited brain…
I know I’m the leader, but is this really okay?
I don’t even know the reason behind Cheonma Church attacking the palace.
Of course, I’ve had countless chances to ask, but…
That would be a bit… awkward, wouldn’t it?
…Just kidding.
To be a bit more open, the Tri-Sword kids probably move following my orders, but asking them, “I don’t know, can you tell me?” wouldn’t suit my thick face.
However, that doesn’t mean I’d leave everything in ignorance.
Ultimately, the disciple’s mistakes are the master’s mistakes.
While Cheonma Church isn’t my disciple, they are a similar existence, so I must take responsibility for that.
Think about it.
The church that committed the evil deed of attacking the palace is Cheonma Church. And regardless of good or bad, I’m their leader.
If the reason for the attack is justified, it’s only right that I commend them.
If it’s unwholesome, then I must rescue the kids from the wrong path.
What? I need to know the reason before I commend or scold?
Of course.
I’m not a fool, so naturally, I’ve thought of a way to find out.
And that method is…
“Colors- colors-”
“…”
Naturally, I’m thinking of asking the culprit, Nameless.
I have a strong hunch that he would know the details behind this incident.
And the management of Cheonma Church should shift to me, not Nameless.
Having gone through this incident, I have no idea what these guys are thinking.
It’s making me quite frustrated.
So I plan to change things up a bit.
Instead of passing the buck to Nameless out of annoyance, I’ll be in the forefront to lead them.
If that happens,
It would relieve some of Nameless’s burden.
And I’ll also be able to know exactly what they’re up to, which means I won’t suffer any losses.
…Though it might be a bit troublesome.
Letting out a deep sigh, I stomped my feet towards the outside of the banquet hall.
-Thud!
“Eek!”
“An earthquake!”
Thanks to that, the ground I stepped on caved in, and the nearby pillars cracked, but…
I’m sure the Emperor will handle things.
What? In truth, I don’t think they’d suspect me or Nameless since the attack just occurred.
It’s a perfect crime.
“Hoho.”
Feeling somehow pleased, I smiled.
*
“That’s right!”
I crossed my arms and proudly huffed.
…How about that!
I was sure that Nameless would be delighted with my attitude.
“…Yes?”
However, to my surprise, Nameless wasn’t praising me; instead, he looked bewildered, his eyes wide open.
“What else happened afterward?”
“…Afterward?”
I tilted my head at Nameless’s question and tried to think.
“Umm…”
If it were something that would come up quickly, I would’ve said it already.
But I couldn’t think of anything at all.
As I was struggling with my thoughts for a while, Nameless spoke up quietly.
“For instance, the Academy’s involvement…”
Ah, the Academy!
There was indeed something regarding that.
I didn’t think it was significant…
But if Nameless is curious, I suppose I should tell him.
Nodding once, I opened my mouth.
*
Kicking the ground roughly, I was on my way back to my sanctuary, the cabin.
But before I could take even thirty steps, someone stood in my way.
“Harang-nim…!”
A red-haired woman gritted her teeth and pointed her sword at me.
“Hmm? Headmaster?”
It was Anna, the headmaster of the Academy.
“What on earth is going on?!”
Anna stood before me wrapped in full plate armor, having discarded what resembled her usual suit.
She looked like a warrior who had steeled herself for a great battle.
By the way…
“What do you mean, what’s going on?”
“The spy has actually reached the palace!”
Huh? Really?
Oh, now that you mention it…
Nameless had said something like this before.
Indeed…
“It seems we’ve been discovered.”
“There’s a spy we’ve been searching for.”
I felt as if a puzzle was coming together.
Among those who attacked the palace, Cheonma Church was in the minority.
So then, who were the majority?
Logically, it must be an agent of the Academy.
And for some reason, Anna appeared to be angry at me.
…It feels like the situation is going awry.
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