Chapter 24

Chapter 23

When the higher-ups point, the underlings roll - 5

As always, I was alone in the clubroom on a morning. In truth, I wanted to sort out my thoughts in my dorm, but after staying at the academy for so long, it has become a habit to come to the clubroom. Civil servants feel at ease only when they report to work in the morning.

Of course, it’s just a feeling of ease; my mind is still as complicated as ever.

‘Easy for you to say, damn it.’

Frustrated, I leaned back in the chair, my head tilted backward. I noticed the pattern on the ceiling for the first time.

I tried to suppress a sigh that escaped involuntarily and clutched my head. I had a hunch from the moment Ainter joined the club, but I hoped it wouldn’t come to this. For me, it’s a moment I can’t refuse.

The order came from the Crown Prince through the Minister of the Royal Palace. Of course, it’s not an official order, but how can I ignore it when the next emperor, who has been confirmed, is so openly demanding it? I belong to the Crown Prince’s faction, so I have to at least pretend to follow, even if it’s a dog-like request.

Still, to be asked to deal with a prince in an emergency is too much. It’s not like I’m supposed to kill him in broad daylight, so I’d have to make it look like an accident, but the effort is enough for the Second Prince. If a prince dies suddenly, no matter how well I disguise it, it will be seen as the Crown Prince’s order. I knew everything when the Second Prince died.

‘Fortunately, it doesn’t seem like he planned it.’

If the Crown Prince had planned it, he would have ordered immediate action, not just in an emergency. However, Ainter’s silence, his unshakable right to succession, and the fact that I am a useful insurance in an emergency combined to make the Crown Prince show mercy. It’s just surprising. Mercy from that reckless guy.

Still, it’s fortunate. I already feel guilty towards Ainter, and I really don’t want to send the carriage, wine, and terrace set. Since the Crown Prince’s trigger hasn’t been activated yet, I can only do my best to defend Ainter.

‘Damn it.’

I can’t blame the Crown Prince enough, but I can understand his feelings.

Naturally, he would be shocked to hear that Ainter, whom he had ignored, is suddenly in the same club as a foreign prince and a candidate for sainthood. The past, where the Second Prince and he grabbed each other’s collars and kicked each other’s groins, leading to simultaneous stuns, would flash before his eyes.

But from my perspective, knowing the truth, it’s not good. If I kill Ainter, I’ll only get the title of forcing a prince, who is far from the throne, to die. It’s a loss without any gain, so I have to avoid it.

And if Ainter dies suddenly, everyone will think I did it, being in the academy. I’ll attract a lot of attention.

“Let’s consider this as paying off an old debt.”

Finally, I couldn’t hold back and muttered with a sigh.

Two years ago, I put a lot of pressure on Ainter, and this will make up for it. If I have to kill Ainter, defending him will be enough to pay off the debt. No, it’s even an extraordinary favor. Ainter should recognize my invisible efforts.

The main quest, “Louise and the children,” is already tough, and now I have to handle the sub-quest, “Deciding Ainter’s treatment,” simultaneously. But what can I do? The higher-ups want it. The underlings have to roll in the direction they point. At least I can control how I roll, which is fortunate.

It doesn’t feel fortunate, but it is. I can’t survive if I don’t think this way.

When club time came, my mood became uneasy for other reasons. The glares from the Five were still sharp, though less than yesterday. They must be the type to hold grudges for a long time, which I didn’t realize...

It was even more painful that Erih was among the Five. Did he forget the advice that became his blood and flesh? The term “black-haired beast” flashed through my mind, but I ignored it. I believe my brother is not a beast.

“Big brother, here. I made a new one.”

In fact, I think the Five’s glares are due to Louise’s constant efforts to talk to me. Louise, who played a prank yesterday, seemed embarrassed, with slightly red cheeks. Why did you do that? It turned into a chaotic mess with no winners.

Anyway, I should taste the new one.

‘Fruit?’

Cookies with fruit embedded in them were on the plate. I heard such cookies exist, but it’s my first time seeing them. Louise is indeed good at baking. Her skills are enough to start a baking club.

Taking a bite, I was satisfied again. Nodding at the cookies I can trust, Louise smiled happily.

“Can I try one too?”

‘Oh.’

Surprisingly, Ruitis offered to try Louise’s cookies. Louise, surprised by the unexpected taster, opened her eyes wide but, glad that someone she usually avoided was taking the initiative, smiled and offered the plate to Ruitis.

“Here! Enjoy it!”

Look, Louise is so happy when someone tries the cookies she worked hard on. The Five, who were going around in circles, finally had one who gained enlightenment.

It’s a bit unsettling that this enlightenment came from a desire to keep an eye on me, but as long as the result is good, it’s fine. Ruitis, who had been needlessly raising flags, finally found a role fitting for a noble. It’s a touching moment.

“Hmm...”

It was too early to be touched. Ruitis’s reaction to the cookie was so obvious that Louise’s shoulders slumped. She’s not hiding that she can’t eat it anymore.

“Putting fruit in cookies isn’t common. People will have different preferences.”

With that, he took the plate. It’s not surprising, but I always end up collecting and disposing of Louise’s cookies. In the end, no matter what happens, it always ends like this.

Louise, who had the plate taken away, looked at me blankly and then turned her head, embarrassed. It must be embarrassing when someone can’t eat what you made with confidence. I naturally turned my gaze to Ruitis.

‘I expected more from his confidence.’

Ruitis is just a fool who acts first. Still, he tried, which is worth some points. The problem is that his base score is infinitely negative.

I couldn’t help but look at Ruitis with pity, but Ruitis looked at me with a different expression. Not the usual wariness, but reverence...? What kind of reverence do you feel from eating a cookie? Is he crazy?

Frowning slightly and turning my gaze, I saw the other four standing awkwardly behind Ruitis. They probably thought about trying the cookies when Ruitis took the initiative but backed off after seeing his reaction. They’re quite cowardly. At least Ruitis had the courage to act.

I quietly put another fruit cookie in my mouth. The sugar makes me feel better.

The baking activities continued normally afterward. Ruitis, who had been sunk by his bold move, was unusually quiet, but nothing special happened. It’s important to distinguish between confidence and recklessness, kid. It’s funny to talk about recklessness when it comes to eating cookies.

While secretly mourning Ruitis, who went from the sole leader to the sole loser, I felt a few vibrations from the communication device in my pocket. Glancing at it, it wasn’t glowing. Someone must have sent a document. I was surprised, thinking it was from the Royal Palace again.

Since it could be important, I stood up to check it outside and met Louise’s eyes. Showing her the communication device, she nodded slightly and turned her gaze to the oven. Lately, I’ve been meeting her eyes often.

Anyway, I left the clubroom and walked down the empty corridor, manipulating the communication device. Is there a document sent to me, who is on a mission?

[Come to the Minister’s office immediately. - Minister of Finance]

My body stiffened at the message on the communication device. Checking again, it was from a few weeks ago, not now. I must have forgotten to check and delete it.

‘I thought he finally went senile.’

Telling someone at the academy to come to the Minister’s office is either madness or senility. Unfortunately, the Minister is neither mad nor senile. Scrolling through the old messages, I confirmed the most recent one.

[Please check the information compiled at the request of the Inspector General. - Chief of the Special Operations Department]

Ah, this is it.

‘Already sent?’

Right after the academy mission was decided, I fervently asked the Chief of the Information Department for information. The Inspector General has some information-gathering capabilities, but they can’t compare to the Information Department, which is dedicated to handling information.

Fortunately, the Chief of the Information Department, moved by my fervent request, sent a considerable amount of information, already compiled. It seems our mutual help during our civil service careers is paying off. Not bad...

I checked the long document that arrived before the request to check it. The title confirmed it was the information I asked for.

‘Is this what they faced in the original story?’

It’s astonishing. If I hadn’t looked into this, I would have been beaten up without a clue.

I quickly skimmed through the information sent by the Chief of the Information Department. This was the first information I sought after hearing that the original male leads were gathering at the academy.

“There are so many people obsessed with destroying the academy.”

I gathered all the organizations that seemed to contribute to the main characters’ crises in the original story.

Author’s Note:

I couldn’t write the afterword yesterday because I was too busy, but the answer to the question some readers have been curious about, “Is Louise’s cookie tasteless, or is Karl’s taste crazy?” is “both.”

Louise’s cookies are tasteless in various and innovative ways, which even the original male leads couldn’t eat, and Karl’s taste, already at a yellow level, further declined due to his past northern life. He eats anything that falls into the category of food...

Anyway, I posted this in the morning instead of the afternoon, as usual. My small goal is to achieve midnight posting, but it still feels far away. I’ll work harder to establish a fixed posting time!

Thank you for reading this chapter!

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