I Got a Fake Job at the Academy

Chapter 829 - Side Story 102: Something the World Doesn't Need (2)

Even after Hans chased people away, similar incidents continued to occur several times.

Human greed was something difficult to easily extinguish, and there were those who wouldn't be satisfied unless they confirmed the rumored monster with their own two eyes.

And naturally, they paid the price for their curiosity.

"Aaaah! A, a monster!"

"Everyone run!"

[Kuhahaha! Insolent humans! Stop right there! I shall slowly suck your blood!]

At the monster's voice heard from behind, the explorers fled in terror. It was probably the best escape of their lives, one where they tried their hardest.

There were quite a few people who even discarded all the baggage they had packed and brought to lighten their bodies.

If they had been just a bit more rational, they would have noticed that the monster's cries were as dry and awkward as reading from a textbook.

But those who had seen the monster's appearance with their own two eyes had no such leisure.

The monster's bizarre appearance and unique atmosphere had something about it that would make even the calmest person fall into panic.

If even spirit beasts were scared by that fierce appearance, how much more so for humans?

[Huaaaam. Finally it's over.]

Hans yawned after confirming through the eagle spirit beast that there were no more people approaching.

He felt somewhat more at ease knowing he no longer had to perform this tedious and awkward act.

"Good work, Hans. How was it? Just like I said."

[It's truly amazing that it actually worked by doing it this way.]

Hans had no choice but to acknowledge that Rudger's words were right again this time.

"Of course, even after this, there will be people who can't give up their greed and will lurk around the forest. We can leave them to the spirit beasts remaining in the forest."

Hans nodded in understanding.

Having concluded this series of incidents, Rudger descended to where Casey, Veronica, and Lexer were.

Toward the two people and one soul who were looking at him speechless, Rudger opened his mouth.

"Good work. Let's head back now. I have class tomorrow."

It was a peaceful tone, as if all that had happened today was just a weekend outing.

* * *

"So, what happened after that?"

The scratching sound of a pen stopped.

Casey lifted her gaze from the manuscript and stared at the uncomfortable guest sitting in her room with half-opened eyes.

"What do you mean what happened? We just stayed for a bit and then parted ways."

Casey retorted complainingly and started moving her pen nib.

"And I'm busy. I have to write a manuscript. Aren't you busy, sister?"

Casey Selmore's older sister, Marias Selmore, said while putting plenty of sugar into the tea in front of her.

"I was busy until recently, but it's calmed down a lot now. Thanks to that, you must have plenty of time too, so I'm just curious about what my little sister went and did."

"I told you what happened there."

"Yes. I heard everything. The giant ancient ruins, the spirit beast project conducted inside, and even the results of evolving humans."

Marias took a sip of the tea that had become thick from too much sugar.

The pleasant sweetness wrapped around the tip of her tongue. Her expression brightened even more.

"Very fascinating."

"You'd better not carelessly go there."

"What do you take your sister for? I know that unnecessary greed only invites disaster."

"If you understand, that's good, but what more do you want to hear that you're sitting here? I have to write a manuscript."

Marias gazed at Casey with a grinning smile.

"I’m just curious about how my little sister's love life is going."

"Lo, love...?"

Casey's expression instantly turned red like a beet.

Marias put one hand on her cheek and smiled as if troubled.

"I’m really worried. My one and only little sister can't even properly make advances on the man she has feelings for. I thought there would be some progress in your relationship during this opportunity, but was I mistaken?"

"Pro, progress? That's just..."

Casey tried to speak but shut her mouth tight.

Seeing this, Marias' smile deepened.

"Oh my. Oh my my. Look at your reaction. Did something happen between you two?"

"Wh, what would have happened! There was nothing!"

"Nothing happened? Really?"

"Really! The atmosphere wasn't even like that to begin with. Anyway, nothing happened!"

"What about in the future?"

"In the future...!"

Casey, who was about to say there would be nothing in the future either, unconsciously swallowed her words.

And belatedly realizing this was her sister's leading interrogation, she glared at Marias with a humiliated look.

"I’m relieved because it seems my little sister's will hasn't been broken yet."

"...It's because I'm busy with the manuscript, okay?"

Casey no longer denied it. Though embarrassed, she decided to be honest with her feelings.

There was no point in telling meaningless lies in front of her sister who could see through her innermost thoughts as if laid out on her palm anyway—it would only become fodder for teasing.

"So, what is that man doing now?"

"What else? He went back to Theon Academy. Teaching students, he said."

From the start, Rudger had set the Hyperborea exploration period as only 2 days.

For him, teaching students was more of a priority than exploring ancient ruins.

"Truly a man with many sins. Leaving my good little sister and dedicating himself only to work."

"I'm in no position to talk about others. Even if he hadn't left, I would have left on my own because of the manuscript anyway."

"Hmm."

When Marias made an odd humming sound, Casey glanced at her.

"What? Why are you suddenly like that?"

"Nothing, just."

-Slurp.

Marias, taking a sip of tea, said with a grinning smile.

"I was just thinking that my little sister has grown a lot in the time I haven't seen."

"...Everyone changes."

"Of course. But you were so stubborn that I thought it wouldn't be easy."

Casey, about to protest what she was seeing to say that, shut her mouth.

Come to think of it, Marias's words weren't wrong at all.

It was she herself who had run away to become a detective because she hated the family business.

Though it was called a turbulent period, she couldn't deny that period had been long.

"For such a child to change so maturely, no matter what, it's thanks to that man."

"...If you're going to talk nonsense, go home now. I'm busy with writing."

"This dedication to your work is the same. In the past, you would have immediately gone to Theon. Or perhaps something happened between you two on the Hyperborea continent?"

Casey sighed and stuck the pen in her hand into the inkwell.

"What if something did?"

"Oh my..."

"And that's not your business. It's something I'll handle myself."

"I'm just worried about my little sister."

"It's funny for me to say this, but sister, you're long past marriageable age too."

At Casey's painful jab, cracks appeared in Marias's smiling face.

"Uh, uh-huh? What do you mean by that?"

"You say you're busy with family head duties, but still, it would be good to bring home at least a son-in-law. Honestly, you wouldn't be called lacking anywhere you go. Just as you worry about me, I'm worried about you too, you know?"

These words were Casey's sincere feelings, not teasing Marias.

Knowing this, Marias relaxed her face and wore a faint smile.

She was both proud of her little sister who had grown up so maturely, and felt somewhat regretful about it.

"I know, so don't worry. The important thing is your situation right now. He's such a popular man that the competition won't be easy, so I'm saying this because I'm worried you should move quickly even now."

"You don't need to worry about that. I'll go once I finish this. I never said I'd give up in the first place, you know? You know me, right? Once I set my sights on something, I never give up."

Marias shook her head.

"That man really got caught by a troublesome person."

"He brought it on himself. Who told him to provoke me?"

Casey gazed out the window. Unlike the usual climate full of dark clouds, the sun was unusually bright today.

"Since I've come this far, I'll see it through to the end. Don't try to stop me."

"I always support you. If it works out well, you might actually make a good couple."

"Anyway, the conversation's over, so please leave. I'm really busy, okay? I have to finish the draft by the end of this week."

"Ah, so about that story I heard, but even so, isn't the setting of a person transforming into a monster combined with dozens of spirit beasts too far-fetched? Unnie doesn't know much about novels, but I do know that's too lacking in plausibility."

"Ah, get out!"

* * *

"This is what happened."

In the Emperor's audience chamber, befitting a place to serve the sacred Emperor, the surroundings were spotlessly white.

Around it, resplendent red and gold-themed flags and curtains flowed down like waterfalls.

At the center, Rudger had an audience with the Empress, Aileen, and conveyed what had happened.

"I see. So that's how it happened."

After hearing the interesting story Rudger conveyed, Aileen nodded in understanding.

"I wondered why Knight Veronica's expression stiffened and she was being cautious every time she saw me, like someone with a guilty conscience. So that was the reason."

Hearing this, Rudger sighed inwardly.

Veronica had such a simple and straightforward personality. She seemed to have considerable anxiety and guilt about not being able to bring back something that would benefit the Empire due to her personal judgment.

Since she was so bad at lying or hiding such things, it all showed on her face.

'I thought that once she became a Master-level knight, she'd be able to control such things easily.'

Of course, the fact that the other party was Aileen also had an influence.

She was the pinnacle of the Empire she served, and at the same time, a person whose ability to see through people's inner thoughts was unmatched.

'If I hadn't come to tell her instead, it might have become more troublesome.'

Rudger was thinking this when:

"So, is that place essentially sealed off?"

"Essentially, yes. Since the spirit beasts are residing in the forest and blocking all paths to the ruins, no one will dare covet that place."

"Not even our Empire."

Aileen smiled and tapped the armrest of the throne with her finger.

It felt like the pressure of counting down to someone with a time limit.

Rudger simply waited quietly for Aileen's next words.

"Well, the original purpose was to prevent the ancient ruins' artifacts and relics from falling into the hands of seditious individuals. Looking at that alone, it can be called a success."

"I'm grateful you evaluate it that way."

"The artificial sun is regrettable, but there would be many problems to solve about how to utilize it. If the Empire took it, the allied nations wouldn't sit idly by. Rather, leaving it so it doesn't fall into anyone's hands might be the best policy."

The artificial sun was the most necessary thing in the world, capable of solving future energy problems.

But at the same time, its very existence could become the root cause of attracting all surrounding people and creating conflicts.

To put it mildly, it was a conflict, but the moment the scale grew to the national level, it would become war.

It didn't take long for the most necessary thing in the world to become the most unnecessary thing in the world.

Aileen, having reached a conclusion, said with a more relaxed face:

"Yes. Good work. It was a personal request of mine, and since you fulfilled it, I'd like to give you some reward."

"I didn't do it to receive a reward. I also couldn't let the Bretus remnants and Demon King followers have such a thing."

"I just want to give it because I want to. If I don't create a pretext like this, you'll just head straight back to Theon."

"...I understand. I'll make time."

"Hehehe. How delightful. Let's have a cozy meal together, just the two of us."

It would be truly fortunate if it literally ended with just a meal.

The images of Rene, Flora, and Sedina suddenly came to mind.

Not just them.

The image of Casey, whom he had parted with after finishing the Hyperborea exploration, also came vividly to mind.

Her eyes looking intently at him before exchanging farewell greetings resembled quite closely the eyes of Aileen gazing at him now.

'Many troublesome things will continue to happen in the future.'

Perhaps this is what they call fate but Rudger decided to be satisfied with the present, in that he could obtain such small pleasures again.

When he was only running forward, he couldn't even imagine such moments.

After achieving his purpose, the world he envisioned was like a blank white canvas with nothing on it.

What would be beyond that, whether he would even be there.

A moment of chaos filled only with uncertainty, without even that certainty.

That's why he was grateful that he could feel small pleasures while forming connections with people.

Also grateful that he could experience new encounters and come to know the unknown.

And grateful to the precious people around him who gave him, someone like him, another chance.