“Oh my back… I’m too old to even cast teleportation magic once.”
“How about taking a break?”
“It’ll have to wait until I stop by the principal’s office. There are things I need to grab, you see.”
Principal Merlin hurried his steps while rubbing his back. I was curious about what he was going to get from the office, but I figured I’d find out soon enough, so I decided to focus on my own duties.
“Shall I head to the principal’s office then?”
“Let’s do that. There’s quite a lot to prepare, anyway…”
In the Academy’s garden, I watched Merlin’s retreating figure disappear into the distance before heading straight to Yeomyeong-gwan. While everyone else was enjoying their weekend break, I had to run around like a headless chicken just to survive.
—————
“Huh? Johann?”
“Ashley. Long time no see.”
“Ah, yes… but what are you doing here?”
“I’m here for some business. I’ll be back shortly, so don’t mind me.”
I brushed past Ashley and entered Yeomyeong-gwan. It felt eerily quiet—maybe because it was quite early, or perhaps everyone had gone elsewhere due to work.
I turned to Ashley, who was following close behind me.
“Where is everyone?”
“They’re all in the library.”
Thank goodness, the kids were all in the library. I strode toward it, and luckily, it was inside Yeomyeong-gwan, so it didn’t take long to reach.
Should I knock?
It’s a library, so knocking seems a bit odd, doesn’t it?
But better safe than sorry, right?
I cautiously knocked three times with the back of my hand.
“Who’s there~?”
“It’s me.”
“Huh?”
“It’s Johann Quartz. I’ve just returned for a bit…”
And then—
“Johann?!”
Startled, I looked down as the door swung open, revealing Millia. She gazed up at me with sparkling eyes and lunged into my arms. Feeling her weight after a long time, I placed my hand on her head.
“Long time no see. Have you been well?”
“No! I was bored without Johann!”
“Johann, I heard you went West. How did you come back? Don’t tell me… you caught him?”
I felt a pang of regret having to deny Renny’s hopeful question, but I couldn’t lie. I shook my head and replied.
“No.”
If I had caught Harpas, Karina’s condition would have been perfectly fine by now. I made eye contact with Karina, who was looking at me with a welcoming smile.
Seeing Karina’s smile made me finally feel like I was home.
“Johann? Johann~? Can you not hear me? Just looking at Karina! How unfair!”
“I’m sorry.”
As an apology, I ruffled Millia’s hair more, and like a child, she nudged her head against my belly. She’s still such a kid. I carried her and approached the table where the others were gathered.
Elisa, Viola, Karina, Renny.
“Is Martina not here?”
“U-um, I heard that Martina went to the imperial capital for work…”
Elisa answered my question, glancing shyly at me, then quickly looking away. I wondered why I felt a strange tinge of jealousy from her fleeting gaze.
I leaned against a nearby bookshelf, planning to chat a bit while I was here. I had something to ask of them.
“What a pity. I had a favor to ask…”
“A favor? You need something from Martina?”
Karina tilted her head in confusion at my words. I almost found myself staring at her adorable expression, but I pushed my desire down and spoke.
“The situation isn’t good.”
“Is that so…”
It wasn’t right to explain the battlefield conditions in detail to these kids. I’d only bring them down. I briefly described the situation, and the children’s expressions turned serious as they opened their mouths one by one.
“Aren’t you in danger too? That demon, I mean, I heard demons are extremely strong—”
“No, I haven’t seen the demon. It seems he’s not inclined to show himself unless necessary.”
“If that’s the case…”
“It’ll probably drag on into a prolonged battle.”
The children’s faces darkened at my response. I felt a twinge in my heart thinking they might be worried because I hadn’t seen them in a while.
So many people are waiting for me.
“Don’t worry. I came back for a bit to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
“Do you have any plans or something?”
“I’ve thought of a few methods.”
“How many?”
It was difficult to say the truth, but I couldn’t deny that I had approached ways to deal with Harpas. In the original, I had tried various methods to catch him, and I had even fought under his command at times.
I could safely say no one knew more about Harpas than I did among humans.
However, due to the increasing variables piling up, these methods could become double-edged swords, and I intentionally buried them in my memory and hadn’t utilized them. Alongside the truths I had learned through experience in the original.
Now was the time to make use of it.
“Is there anything we can help with?”
I nodded at Karina’s words.
Starting with what was prepared.
I took out a stone glowing with a blue hue from my pocket and placed it into Renny’s hands.
“What is this…?”
“It’s a signal stone. When it shines, you need to move to the designated location.”
“What?”
“Revenge needs to be done together, right?”
“But…”
“If we don’t take him down this time, it could worsen Karina’s condition.”
After all, just killing Harpas would secure Karina’s safety. Ideally, I wanted to take Karina with me, but it wasn’t the best environment for someone recovering during the semester.
Even a simple breath would fill her lungs with fine dust.
“…Okay. So I just need to move to the designated place when the signal stone rings?”
“If you’re under escort, make sure to have the nearby security force protect you first. It won’t take long.”
If the situation arose where Renny had to intervene, it would mean the worst was upon us. Until then, I had no intention of calling for her.
After all, it’s best to use trump cards at the very end.
“Fine, I understand.”
So that’s the first matter settled.
Next, I glanced at Viola. When she met my gaze, she flinched and awkwardly pointed at herself, speaking.
“Me?”
“Yeah.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Just give me a few explosive potions.”
“I can manage that… but why do you need my explosive potions? The firepower might be too low for the battlefield?”
“I’ll find a way to use them.”
“Alright, I’ll go get them.”
“Thanks.”
“…It’s nothing between us.”
Viola scratched her cheek and avoided my gaze. Is she embarrassed about receiving praise?
“Johann! What about me? What about me?”
“Make sure to eat well three meals a day. Brush your teeth, pay attention in class, and study hard for your exams.”
“Huh? What kind of response is that!”
Among everyone here, you’d rank second to Karina in terms of combat ability. I didn’t want to involve you in this risky matter. I flicked Millia’s forehead as she puffed her cheeks and beat her chest.
“I know you’re upset, but don’t get involved in this. It’s dangerous.”
“…Tch. Fine.”
Luckily, Millia obediently accepted my words. She probably understood how dangerous this was.
“Karina. I hope you stay as healthy as possible.”
“Yes. More than me, I wish Johann wouldn’t get hurt. I’m safe, but you…”
Karina trailed off, looking at me. Did she not want to voice her thoughts? I swallowed my curiosity and spoke.
“Don’t worry. I won’t die.”
If I were the kind who could die from a demon, I would’ve been running around a deserted island with zombies a decade ago. At my answer, Karina breathed a sigh of relief and looked up at me.
“Is it a promise?”
“Yeah, I promise.”
“Could you sit in front of me for a minute?”
Suddenly? I sat in front of Karina and looked up at her. Her chest…No, her face was within sight. She reached out her hand and said softly.
“Could you extend your right hand?”
I complied with her request and extended my right hand. Karina covered my hand with both of hers and began to pray with her eyes closed.
“O, Calon, God of Light and the Sun…”
It was warm.
I closed my eyes, waiting for Karina’s prayer to finish.
How long did I wait?
“…Grant us.”
I opened my eyes and looked up at Karina. The warmth I felt in my hand—was it her body heat, or was it the sacred power flowing through me?
I couldn’t distinguish.
“You must come back victorious. Got it?”
“Understood. I’ll bring back Harpas’s head in triumph.”
“You don’t have to go that far…”
I stood up straight and turned to Elisa one last time. When Elisa met my gaze, she immediately looked away, fiddling with her hands.
“Elisa. I need your help one last time.”
“Me?”
Perhaps Elisa’s cooperation would become the key card for taking down Harpas.
…She was supposed to be a victim originally.
“Please assist me.”
So, I requested her help.
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