Chapter 42

■ Chapter 41. Group Assignment (5) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

No matter how angry you are, there are some things you should never touch. One of the most significant is family.

Even someone with great patience will lose their temper if their family is touched, so how can they remain calm? If they do, they're not patient; they're just a pushover.

Moreover, I have a particularly strong trauma regarding family. In my previous life, my parents passed away in an accident, leaving me alone in an instant. I had no siblings, so all ties to my family were completely severed.

Of course, Aila doesn't know that I'm a reincarnated person, but what am I supposed to do about it? If she had any sense, she shouldn't have said such things, especially as the daughter of a military family.

"…W-What? What did you just say…"

Aila stuttered as a stream of curses burst from my mouth. Her eyes widened, and her mouth opened in shock, indicating how taken aback she was.

So what am I supposed to do? I looked at Aila, who was slowly backing away, with a cold, hard gaze. As everyone knows, I don't usually swear, but Aila made me do it. When Jackson said something out of surprise and frustration, it was different from now, when I was genuinely angry.

I stared directly at Aila, who was too shocked to speak, and said what I wanted to say.

"Why? Didn't you hear me? Do you want me to say it again, you bitch?"

"Y-You…! How dare you…! Do you think I'm easy to push around just because I've been nice to you?!"

Aila was furious, even pointing at me. Her face was turning red and pale in real-time, showing how angry she was.

However, the person who should be more angry is me. Aila touched a part that should never be touched.

I tried to suppress my boiling anger, which was rising like a volcano, and spoke. I tried to remain as calm as possible, but I couldn't stop my voice from becoming low and gravelly.

"Being nice to you? You should stop making dog sounds. What you're saying is just nonsense. Dragging someone who doesn't want to go and then bringing up their family? Especially a soldier working on the border where they might die at any moment?"

"J-Just because of that, you curse so harshly! And you say that knights and soldiers are just like guard dogs! Why would anyone choose to become a soldier and risk their life when they could have an easy life? I don't understand that at all."

"Wow… really…"

Shit. I can only sigh. To hear this in the Republic of Korea and then again after reincarnation…

I don't know what kind of upbringing she had, but for such words to come from the daughter of a military family, it must be a serious issue. Or maybe her family is fine, but her personality is messed up, leading her to interpret things strangely.

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly as I watched Aila, who was fuming. It felt like I had eaten a sweet potato, making my chest tight.

"Are you really the daughter of the Viscount Mathias? The daughter of a border lord?"

"Why would I lie? Don't you know that impersonating a noble is a crime? You're so stupid…"

"Stupid is what you are for insulting soldiers, and it would be hilarious if the news that the daughter of a military family insulted soldiers spreads. Got it?"

In my previous life, it would be like the daughter of a four-star general insulting all the soldiers. Of course, if this news reaches the soldiers, it would not only shake but likely destroy their trust.

"So what? They're all under me anyway."

"Didn't your parents or siblings teach you to cherish your subordinates?"

"I only learned that a good leader must control their subordinates well. What's the problem with that?"

"Ha…"

That's why your perception is so messed up. I shook my head, realizing that there was no answer to what she said. Aila's current way of thinking was very serious.

Born into a viscount's family, she naturally had a sense of superiority, and her idea of becoming a good leader. These two things created a beautiful synergy.

Add to that her age of 17, and the fact that she firmly believed she could control the group as the leader.

"…I'll give you one piece of advice. If you keep this up, you'll end up in a worse situation someday."

"Believe that? Who are you to say that?"

Even when I gave her sincere advice, Aila looked distrustful. However, 'superior murder' is a historical fact that has never changed, regardless of time or place.

Especially in dangerous places like the front lines or borders, superior murder is frequent. Most of the time, it happens when a commander pushes their subordinates to the brink to save their own life, only to be killed in return.

Does Aila know this? She has never been to a place where life is on the line, so she can say such things.

I thought about how to properly educate this immature brat but gave up on words. No matter what I said, Aila would never listen.

"You don't have to believe it. Out of concern, are you planning to become a military commander later?"

"Of course not. I'm the daughter of Viscount Mathias. After completing military studies at the academy, I will become a commander."

"Is that so? Congratulations. When that time comes, you'll face something much worse than what I'm saying to you now."

I wanted to sneer that she would face even worse, but that would be crossing the line, so I held back.

Although she touched on my family, I didn't want to give her any more reasons to rant. Most importantly, I wanted to get out of this situation as soon as possible.

"You really…! I don't know what you're confident about, but you're finished. I'll tell my dad right now! Got it?!"

Aila shouted loudly, clearly upset by my straightforward words. I replied nonchalantly.

"Go ahead, tell him or don't. Anyway, you're not going to participate in the assignment, right?"

"Who would work with someone like you?! Do you think you're great just because the professors pay attention to you?"

"Isn't that what you're saying? Why do you tell us what to do? And the daughter of a viscount? I know people much higher than you."

I didn't mention who they were. Even if I said I was close to them, I didn't want to use them.

"Ugh…!"

Aila clenched her teeth and trembled, her face turning visibly red with anger.

Then, she shouted, seemingly out of words. It was no threat to me.

"Fine! I can do it alone, so I don't need anyone! What's so hard about predicting the plot of Zaxon's biography…!"

"What about the group leader? You're not planning to do it alone, are you?"

"Whether you or the two commoners do it, I don't care! I'm so annoyed!"

Aila stormed off, turning her back and walking away. Her tightly clenched fists showed how angry she was.

I sighed, feeling a mix of emotions, thinking the situation was over. Just then, Aila stopped and turned to look at me.

"Do you know what you've done?! Do you know who my dad is?! 'Iron Blood'—Iron Blood!"

"Since I don't know, just go. You're so noisy."

"Shit…! You're a bad guy…!"

Aila disappeared as if fleeing when I waved my hand dismissively. I rubbed my neck, feeling like a storm had just passed.

Honestly, I didn't expect her to touch on my family, but it was somewhat predictable. It just happened more suddenly.

'What should I tell the professor…'

I can only hope that Professor Virius will be lenient. If it were just a simple conflict, it might be different, but this is a situation where Aila crossed the line.

'I hope other nobles don't think like Aila…'

Soldiers should never be disrespected. They are heroes who willingly give up their freedom for the country's freedom.

Even in my previous life in the Republic of Korea, where the status of soldiers was low, if someone openly insulted them, they would face social backlash. In the United States, where soldiers are treated like heroes, such behavior would result in being ostracized.

Moreover, the Minerva Empire has a vast territory, so the casualty rate among soldiers is higher than in other countries. I know that the status of soldiers is high, so I can't understand why she would say such things.

'Does she take war lightly?'

She might not understand the situations soldiers face on the front lines. Since she has never experienced it, she can say such things.

This is a common phenomenon. During World War I, young men who joined the military dreaming of 'romance' experienced the living hell of trench warfare. If that was the case in the 1900s, there's no need to explain what it was like in the Middle Ages.

Most importantly, even 'Red Lion,' our father, who was once famous, couldn't sleep without drinking. This is a story Nicole told me.

'War…'

Zaxon's biography also has a war part. It was supposed to show Zaxon's heroic deeds, but after seeing Aila, I'm a bit hesitant.

Will my description make people take war lightly? This vague thought crossed my mind.

Moreover, Zaxon's biography is about a war against demons, not humans.

'…I must describe this in my next work.'

Although Zaxon's biography unexpectedly became a hit, I had already planned my next work.

Writing a fantasy in a fantasy world would be ordinary, but writing a modern story might be considered fantasy.

I plan to start writing it gradually as Zaxon's biography nears its conclusion, probably about a year from now.

"So, what are you going to do now? Just the two of us?"

While I was lost in thought, Leona spoke in a blunt tone. I snapped out of it and looked at her.

She had her arms crossed and a bored expression, so I rubbed my neck awkwardly and replied.

"There's no choice. Honestly, isn't it better for you too?"

"It is, but it's hard to get a good grade. Do you have the confidence to give a good presentation to cover it up?"

In response to Leona's concerned question, I smiled confidently.

"Of course."

As a writer, I can't fail at that.

Leona looked surprised at my straightforward answer and then shrugged.

She seems to know that overthinking won't solve anything.

"You're so confident. I'll watch and see."

"Are you going to slack off too?"

"I'm not like that brat, selling my conscience. Oh, by the way…"

She paused and looked at me intently. When I tilted my head in confusion, Leona finally spoke.

"…Your last name is Duker Marshall, right?"

"Yeah."

"Is your father's nickname 'Red Lion'?"

Our father is quite famous. If even Leona, a werewolf, knows him, he must be well-known.

I nodded without much thought. Leona's expression became a bit strange, and she muttered almost inaudibly.

"A penguin from under a lion… They say a lion's cub is a lion, but the world is truly unpredictable."

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. But when is Benjamin coming?"

"Here I am!"

As they say, speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Benjamin returned as soon as Leona mentioned him, running over with his arms flailing like a puppy.

After confirming that we were still the only ones there, despite having gone to the bathroom, he asked anxiously.

"A-Aila hasn't come back yet?"

"She did, but she left again. She won't be working with us anymore."

"What?! W-What do you mean? What happened?"

"Something happened. Don't worry, I'll handle it."

The group assignment proceeded smoothly after that.

"…So, only the three of us participated in the discussion. I couldn't stand it when she insulted soldiers, especially those working on the border."

"Hmm… I understand. Normally, I would deduct points from everyone, but this is a special case, so I'll only deduct points from Aila."

"Thank you, Professor."

The following Monday, I went to Professor Virius and gave Aila a huge lesson.