Chapter 45: Long-term Business Trip

 

“Ah!”

 

As I opened the door to enter the lab, I heard a startled woman’s voice from inside.

 

It was a voice I hadn’t heard before, which made me curious. Then, I spotted a tuft of pale pink hair sticking out from the edge of a desk.

 

“What’s this?”

 

Finden Ai, who was following behind me, peeped over my shoulder to see what was going on.

 

However since I had already received an explanation from the dean, I entered without hesitation. At the same time, the woman with the messy hair under the desk began to stand.

 

“Oh, she—”

 

“Finden Ai, shush…”

 

“—has pink hair*.”

 

“…”

 

Even though I had expected it, I couldn’t prevent her from speaking. When I gave Finden Ai a reproachful look, she looked at the pink-haired professor, Perr Petra, who was nervously twiddling.

 

“The kingdom must be a good place.”

 

When Finden Ai spoke out of turn again, I signaled for her to be quiet, and she responded by miming the action of zipping her mouth shut.

 

“I apologize for the rudeness.”

 

“N-No, no, it’s fine.”

 

The professor, Perr Petra, who was supposed to use my lab after I was dismissed, was now packing her things. Clearly, she intended to vacate the room now that I, the original owner, had returned.

 

Perr Petra.

 

A woman with unparalleled talent and achievements in anatomy.

 

I heard that she had recently been researching magic related to regenerating the human body.

 

At first glance, the woman, seemingly on the brink of touching the demi-god realm, looked quite unkempt and peculiar.

 

“Ah, you’re Professor Deus, right? I’m sorry! I’ll clear out right away!”

 

Perr, who was flustered, began packing her things even more hurriedly.

 

I tried to stop her.

 

“There’s no need. You can continue using this lab.”

 

“Yes? But you…”

 

“I will be away for a while. Please, use it without any worries.”

 

“Oh…”

 

“Just leave me a desk if you can.”

 

When I requested politely, Professor Perr chuckled and nodded her head. She resembled a chubby hamster.

 

“Of course! I’ll set up the best spot for you! And, um…”

 

“…?”

 

Hesitating, Professor Perr scratched the back of her head and gave an awkward smile.

 

“Thank you for helping me.”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

Just as I was about to turn and leave, Professor Perr tilted her head and inquired,

 

“Why are you leaving? Didn’t you just come back?”

 

“I will be going on a business trip for a while.”

 

“A business trip?”

 

She thought it was abrupt but didn’t push the issue, perhaps knowing that she would be overstepping if she probed any further.

 

As I left the laboratory, I saw Illuania walking down the corridor. Contrary to Finden Ai’s revealing outfit, Illuania was dressed in a maid’s attire that covered her body as modestly as a nun.

 

She approached me, clasped her hands together, and smiled, saying, “I have sent the letter by express.”

 

“Then, it must have arrived by now.”

 

“Huh? A letter? What letter? Why am I the only one who doesn’t know?”

 

From behind, Finden Ai was making a fuss. I subtly stepped back, putting a little distance between the two women and myself, allowing them to come into my view.

 

“I will be heading to the capital of the kingdom, Grayford, shortly. I will inform you both about your responsibilities in the time ahead.”

 

“Eh, isn’t it out of the blue?”

 

“Understood.”

 

While Finden Ai visibly displayed her annoyance, Illuania nodded gracefully. Her composed demeanor made one wonder how anyone could ever mistake this woman for anything less than a noble lady.

 

Deia must have taught her well in such a short time.

 

I quickly glanced at Finden Ai. Responding to my questioning gaze, Finden Ai sighed deeply, clasped her hands, and bowed her head.

 

“Go ahead, you damned impressive master.”

 

Typical of her.

 

“Finden Ai, get an ax and head to the first floor immediately. There will be a black-haired girl named Aria Rias at the main entrance.”

 

“Aria Rias?”

 

“Yes, I’ve already informed her of the details. Depart with her. Prepare well, as the journey will be tough. I’ve already given Aria money to procure necessary items in the city.”

 

“What the... What are you actually planning?”

 

Finden Ai looked bewildered, possibly due to the sudden order. However, I ignored her and turned my gaze to Illuania.

 

“Take this.”

 

From my pocket, I handed over a finely made key. Attached to its ring was a tag indicating room number 1101.

 

“This...”

 

“The key to a room at Centrant, a luxury hotel in the city. Wait there until I return.”

 

“What?”

 

She also looked taken aback by the unexpected command, but I continued, “It’s their top suite, so you won’t face any discomfort. The expenses have been taken care of by the Verdi family, so there’s no need to worry.”

 

“Uh...”

 

“I’ve informed them in advance that you are pregnant, so the staff will be considerate. I also ordered them to prepare records with soothing music, suitable for prenatal education. Listen to them whenever you have time.”

 

“…….”

 

“If you’re feeling nauseous or if there’s something you’d like to eat, tell the staff right away. They’ll get them to prepare whatever they can. Just let them know without hesitation.”

 

“...”

 

“I’ve also hired a masseuse. She’ll come three times a week, so don’t hesitate and make use of it.”

 

There was more to be said, but predictably, Finden Ai interjected.

 

“Damn, what?! I want to go there and rest too!”

 

Stomping around in a huff, Finden Ai shouted while beating her chest.

 

“I’m actually pregnant too! With the master’s child!”

 

“...”

 

“Why the discrimination?! Huh? Why make someone work their ass off while you reserve a hotel for someone else? This is blatant favoritism!”

 

“Finden Ai.”

 

“What is it?! What?!”

 

With my next question, the constant grumbling of the irate Finden Ai was promptly silenced.

 

“Why haven’t you left yet?”

 

“Wow...”

 

Shaking her head in disbelief, Finden Ai stomped the floor.

 

“Alright! I’m going! I’ll just roll around like a dog! Should I have licked some butt too? Want me to do it now? Take off your pants!”

 

“Shut it and leave.”

 

“Oh, right! You don’t like it, right? You hate a mouth that smokes! It is a mouth that can’t even lick the master’s butt so it should just shut up!”

 

Having thrown a fit, Finden Ai finally left.

 

It was chaotic, but at least she was gone.

 

I continued speaking to the hesitant Illuania.

 

“I heard there are various amenities in the hotel. Don’t just sit around; read a book, take walks, do yoga. There’s a swimming pool too, so walking in the lukewarm water wouldn’t be bad.”

 

“Ah, understood.”

 

“Alright, then.”

 

Illuania bowed her head in response and quickly left. Even after she left, my gaze remained fixed in the same direction.

 

I shifted my gaze then to the woman who had been guarding Illuania, half of whose body had been burned.

 

Gently reaching out, I converted the mana held in her soul with magic.

 

“If anything happens, protect her.”

 

[Of course. The child and the pregnant woman. I’ll protect both with everything I have.]

 

The woman, who harbored burning hatred when we were coming to Robern Academy, empathized with Iluania back then.

 

And now, she serves as Iluania’s guardian spirit.

 

As long as she’s there, even if Iluania faces threats, she won’t be in grave danger.

 

[You tamed such a spirit well.]

 

Dark Sage, who had been observing silently, commented on the departing spirit.

 

“It’s not taming. It’s persuasion.”

 

[Persuasion, huh? I thought you were a little different from other necromancers, but unique might be more apt.]

 

I gave a sidelong glance to the evaluating necromancer.

 

“Stay alert and always stick to me.”

 

[What?]

 

Just as the Dark Sage showed her confusion, the mana in the surroundings vibrated, indicating that space teleportation had just taken place nearby.

 

“They’ve arrived quickly.”

 

A pressure, like a tidal wave, sought me out in mere moments.

 

The existence that all magicians of the kingdom fear most.

 

Among the elite agents that the Griffin Kingdom hides in its pocket, they are the most brilliant ones.

 

The Mage Magistrates were approaching me with their heavy steps.

 

* * *

 

“So you’re saying you want a divorce now!?”

 

Gideon, who had come to Erica’s lab, exclaimed harshly, slamming his fist on the table.

 

The associate professors who were already in the lab had left discreetly a while ago. But Erica, without even looking at Gideon, flipped through the document she was reading and responded.

 

“We’ve never been engaged to begin with. My fiancé is Deus Verdi.”

 

Seeing her confidently proclaim this, Gideon felt a burning anger from head to toe and yelled out.

 

“You went to that bastard? And that madman actually took the woman who betrayed him as his fiancée again!?”

 

Erica’s eyes twitched, showing a hint of annoyance.

 

She slowly looked up and met Gideon’s eyes.

 

Shudder.

 

Gideon momentarily felt an impulse to step back. Erica’s gaze was so cold it felt icy, and it was sharp as a honed blade.

 

“Do not insult him.”

 

“You...!”

 

But the realization that her reaction was due to his insult to Deus made Gideon feel even more defeated.

 

He was Gideon Zeronia of the prestigious Zeronia family. Being overpowered by someone was utterly humiliating to him.

 

“Do you think your family will just stand by? This is a great opportunity to form an alliance with the Zeronia family!”

 

“I don’t care.”

 

Seeing Erica’s blunt declaration, Gideon’s mouth fell open.

 

Erica slowly stood up and reached out her hand. Gideon was pushed back by Erica’s golden mana, crashing into the wall behind him.

 

“Gah!”

 

Caught off guard, Gideon could do nothing. But deep down, he was quite surprised.

 

Was Erica Bright always able to handle mana so quickly and precisely?

 

Gideon realized firsthand that she had grown significantly during recent events.

 

“I am one of the authorities of light magic in the Griffin Kingdom, and a magician with two papers registered in the Millennium Library. I’m also a professor at the Robern Academy.”

 

“Argh!”

 

“None of these achievements came from simply being ‘Bright’... My family doesn’t want me?”

 

Erica smirked slightly.

 

“Then, I don’t need such a family either.”

 

However, why hadn’t she made such an easy decision before?

 

Erica knew the reason.

 

The difference between the past and the present was straightforward.

 

Deus Verdi… Because he supported her now.

 

The divorce papers securely locked in her desk drawer felt like proof of the trust Deus had in her.

 

But Gideon wouldn’t just stand by. He summoned his red mana and counterattacked.

 

“Right! So that’s it, huh? You think I’ll just stand by?”

 

He too, naturally, had a brilliant trick up his sleeve.

 

“Deus Verdi! He’s a necromancer, right? In the kingdom, regardless of the reason, a necromancer is immediately sentenced to death! If I report him, it’s the end!”

 

“You…”

 

Truth be told, that aspect had been Erica’s greatest worry.

 

Although Deus reassured her that there was no reason to, she couldn’t help but be anxious.

 

Moreover, the prominent Zeronia family taking direct action and pressuring Deus, who’s a necromancer?

 

A noble of North Whedon, Darius Verdi, could hardly serve as a minor shield then.

 

It would be like a landslide of pressure coming from all sides.

 

“Let’s see if you are still able to say that after Deus is executed...!”

 

Boom!

 

The academy shook.

 

Both recognized the shock, along with the wave of mana.

 

“Warp magic?”

 

A high-dimensional warp magic was used nearby. Erica, sensing the ominousness, quickly turned her head to look outside.

 

Mages of tremendous skill, wearing golden robes, helmets, and holding staffs that jutted out like spears, were approaching the academy.

 

“Mage Magistrates!”

 

Each of them, with grave expressions, was resolutely heading towards the academy.

 

“You!”

 

Erica, exuding an intense aura, glared fiercely at Gideon.

 

“You’ve already reported Deus...!”

 

She hadn’t expected him to report to the royal family and then come to see her.

 

“Huh?”

 

However, Gideon, to her surprise, had an equally baffled look on his face.

 

“Why have they come so soon then?”

 

Seeing that Gideon didn’t seem to have reported him, Erica couldn’t help but be confused by the unexpected arrival of the Mage Magistrates.

 

First, she opened the door to her lab and hurriedly stepped outside.

 

Right then, assistant professors who were outside rushed toward Erica, exclaiming,

 

“Pro-Professor! The Mage Magistrates came to arrest Professor Deus!”

 

“Yes, I know.”

 

As Erica passed by them, she quickly dispersed her golden mana throughout the academy. She intended to find and protect Deus.

 

However, the words that the assistant professors said next stopped her in her tracks.

 

“But, Professor Deus turned himself in first!”

 

--- End of The Chapter ---

 

[TL: In Korea, mentioning someone’s pink hair is taken as an insult. That’s why Deus apologized to Perr.

 

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