Chapter 12

Chapter 11

Unwanted Main Cast Gathering - 2

After practically putting the surveillance methods for the six people of interest on hold, I lay down on the bed and fell asleep. After being scolded by the Ministry of Finance and enduring the carriage ride, lying alone in an empty room was incredibly comfortable. A bed is not just furniture; it's magic. The morning of the second day at the Academy dawned like that.

Of course, just because I woke up, it didn't mean a solution to the surveillance problem would suddenly appear. Even with my eyes open, the lack of a method remained the same. I even had a fleeting thought about boldly marching into the three countries' representatives and saying, "We know everything, so just look the other way."

"Should I really pretend to be crazy and barge in?"

But if I did that, the Minister and the Foreign Minister would likely team up to tear me apart, so I gave up. It would have been easier if there were some guidelines, but for that, there would need to have been a precedent for such a situation.

After scratching my head a few times, I decided to head to the main building. Maybe watching how the Academy operates from the main building would give me some ideas. And even if it's just for show, I need to pretend to be conducting surveillance. If I don't, I won't have a reason to stay at the Academy.

With a sense of duty, I entered the main building, and something pink caught my eye.

"Why is she here?"

A pink-haired girl, Louise, was walking slowly with a weak gait. I knew the first class was about to start, so what was she doing all the way here at the main building?

"Louise."

After a moment's hesitation, I called out to Louise. On the first day, I avoided her due to the burden, but it would be easier to work if I got to know her. The troublemakers from the three countries would naturally gather around Louise, so if I could build some rapport with her, things would be much easier. Fortunately, I have a connection with Louise through her friend, Erich.

But thinking about it, that's not really a fortunate thing. Erich, that good-for-nothing.

When Louise turned around at the sound of her name, her tired expression brightened upon recognizing me. She then ran over and bowed. She's such a good person.

"Brother Karl, hello!"

She's definitely a good person. I nodded and then looked at the paper in her hand. Hmm, did she come here for this? I decided to pretend to be happy to see her.

"It's been a day since we last met. What brings you to the main building?"

"I'm trying to start a club. I was looking for a teacher to be the advisor."

"A club?"

I looked at the paper she was holding. It seemed important, so it must be an application. Noticing my gaze, she thrust the application at me, saying, "This is the application!"

"Is it okay for me to look at it?"

"It's fine!"

If she says it's fine, then it's fine. I was a bit curious about what kind of club the protagonist of the original story was starting. The club name was the Confectionery Club, a pretty standard choice. The reason for starting it was to provide snacks to comfort students who were tired from their studies, which was a good reason.

The club members were Louise Nierad, the obvious president. The second member was Erich Krasius, as expected. The third and final member was...

'Already the second one?'

Prince Ainter Livno, the Third Prince. I closed my eyes tightly when I saw his name. I had my suspicions after observing him near Louise yesterday, but I didn't expect him to already be the second one. Is the third one not here yet? Given that the Third Prince is the last, there probably isn't a third one yet.

I looked at Louise with a mix of sympathy and amazement. It had only been a little over ten days since she enrolled, yet she had already charmed a prince, even the Third Prince, known for his excellent social skills.

"That's a good club."

Not knowing what else to say, I returned the application. Despite my praise, Louise looked dejected.

"But no one has agreed to be the advisor since yesterday..."

"Of course not."

Who in their right mind would agree to be the advisor for a club with a prince? There's a chance to catch the prince's eye, but one mistake could be disastrous. It's like betting your life on a gacha with unknown probabilities. The moment you become the advisor, you become a different kind of torture.

Of course, it doesn't matter to me. I've already had a few run-ins with the royal family, so I don't feel intimidated by the Third Prince. After all, I came here to monitor, and it wouldn't do for the monitor to be intimidated by the monitored.

'An advisor.'

I needed a legitimate reason to approach the people of interest. If Louise started a club, it would naturally draw in other characters, and I could focus on managing that club. I wasn't sure if I could be an advisor, but I needed to check with the principal.

I consoled Louise, telling her to keep looking for an advisor, and sent her off. Of course, no one would come forward. Only a sacrificial lamb would step up at the last moment.

I should step in before that happens. Louise would be happy to have her club, the staff would be happy to avoid the bomb, and I would be happy to have a legitimate way to monitor. Isn't this the greatest happiness for the greatest number?

"An advisor?"

The principal reacted as if he had heard something unexpected. I understand. I didn't expect to end up as a club advisor either.

"Is it possible?"

"Well, there's no precedent for this..."

The principal stroked his long beard with a troubled expression. It's natural there's no precedent. I would have been surprised if there was. What kind of fool would want to be a club advisor while wearing a monitor's badge? I regret being the first fool.

Still, the principal, who knew about the monitor's request and the staff's desire to pass the bomb to someone else, nodded after a moment of thought.

"I'll check the regulations. If there's a possibility, I'll let you know."

"I'm sorry to ask this, Principal."

"Hehe, it's fine."

Surprisingly, a solution was found within an hour. The vice-principal, who was sweating, was the one who found it.

"According to the monitor's authority, the monitor can interfere with the Academy's operations. This is to allow the monitor to investigate and overturn any illegal activities."

The vice-principal explained, holding a thin booklet. The gist is this: the monitor's authority to interfere with the Academy's operations can be interpreted to include the authority to interfere with a club, which is part of the Academy's activities.

"Honestly, it's a convenient interpretation, but since there's no clause explicitly prohibiting the monitor from being a club advisor, we can argue for it."

"Isn't that a bit of a stretch? Is it okay?"

"There's no other way."

The vice-principal's eyes, slightly reproachful, seemed to say, "Didn't you want to be the advisor?" Yes, I did... In the end, I decided to go with the vice-principal's suggestion. It's a bit of a stretch, but it's the only solution.

I also asked the principal to discreetly feel out the three countries' representatives about my new role. The monitor's sudden involvement in a club would naturally draw their attention. I feel bad for treating the principal like an assistant, but it's for the greater good.

The responses were surprisingly smooth.

[The Kingdom of Armein respects the Empire's authority and will not interfere unless it goes against the treaty.]

[If the monitor's actions are not overstepping, it is a matter for the Empire to decide.]

[The Lord values diligence.]

These were the responses from the Kingdom of Armein, the Union of Yuben, and the Holy Church, respectively. Since the monitor's presence at the Academy is a given, they seem willing to let this slide. Opposing the monitor's role as an advisor would gain them nothing and might even damage their relationship with the Empire.

They might see this as a way to gain leverage if they need to push for something in the future. It's not a bad calculation.

'If they knew their key figures would join the club, they would have opposed it fiercely.'

Currently, the club has three members, all from the Empire. But representatives from Armein, Yuben, and the Holy Church will likely join soon. The shock to the three countries' representatives will be immense.

"Poor them..."

No matter how much they claim to be protecting key figures, they are ultimately just pawns following orders. Feeling a sense of kinship, I closed my eyes. It felt like I was inadvertently screwing over a fellow middle manager.

But what can I do? I need to take care of myself first. Worrying about others is a luxury I can afford only when I have the means. If they get annoyed, they can always bring in a possessed person. If such a thing exists.

Thus, my role as the "Confectionery Club Advisor" was approved with everyone's consent. At lunchtime, I approached Louise, who was still looking for an advisor, and told her I would take the role. Her eyes widened, and she smiled brightly, which was quite cute. It felt like seeing a younger sister after only seeing a gloomy younger brother.

Author's Note:

Karl (21, aspiring freeloader) successfully embedded himself in the black hole club that's pulling in the main characters.

As mentioned in the early morning notice, I've fixed the issues with the brick font and point of view confusion. I hope this makes the story easier to read.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, Sanghanolive, Jungsung, and the anonymous supporter for your support!