Tiger. (3)

"I'll step forward."

Deculein's words turned the conference hall silent. The Imperial Knights opened their eyes and jerked their heads around. They were dumbfounded. Why did Deculein suddenly say that? But even so, a wizard couldn't match a tiger.

Swallowing, Derek was the one to break the silence.

"B… but Professor, you are in charge of Reccordak-"

"That's why I'm stepping forward."

Deculein grinned.

"How much do you think I invested in Reccordak? I did not spend that money just to run away from a tiger."

"…But still. It's not just a tiger; it's a Great Tiger… that…."

Julie, Gwen, and Syrio all had different reactions to Deculein's actions.

"I know. If a tiger ripped apart a village, a Great Tiger could destroy a city. But, I don't care how many villagers from the mountain die."

Julie clenched her fists at the Professor's words.

"The people on the northern mountain have a useless pride only good for dying. So don't hate me if I leave them to die."

Gwen exclaimed like she was speechless, and Syrio wore a light smile.

"And the prisoners who have to spend a lifetime here in Reccordak… I'd want to leave them all dead right now, but…."

Deculein put his finger on the file on the table.

"When Her Majesty leaves for an expedition in the future, this place will become a strategic point for her. It will become her base camp."

The Imperial Knights' were shocked once more at the mention of Her Majesty.

"This isn't for those disposable prisoners or the parasitic villagers on the barrier. It's for Her

Majesty."

Deculein looked at the faces of each of the knights. He shook his head as if to smirk or laugh at them.

"But you seem to be afraid of the tiger, so I'm stepping up."

"No, me too-"

"Forget it."

Julie raised her hand, but Deculein's cold eyes glared her down.

"The injured should just shut up and get lost."

*****

Sylvia returned to her island. Idnik, researching magic at a table, smiled as soon as she noticed her. She looked so sullen.

"Hey kid, didn't you have something to say to Deculein?"

"I sent him a note."

Sylvia answered briefly. The content of the note she sent to Deculein was, 'Assistant Professor Allen and Primienne are Demon Blood.'

"Do you think he'll believe it if you just leave it there without any evidence?"

"If he doesn't, then it's his fault."

Sylvia sat in her rocking chair. The swift hawk and the bear approached her to welcome her home. Idnik put a hand on her waist as she watched.

"Then, what are you going to do now? Are you going to watch Deculein again?"

"I won't watch him anymore."

"…Is that so? Then why do you look like that?"

"…"

Sylvia didn't say anything. But, what she just saw kept lingering in her mind. Deculein was taking care of Epherene. Epherene was being cared for by Deculein. She felt strange.

Arrogant Epherene. Epherene stupidly got hurt. Why did she have to get hurt? She said she was going to solve it herself, so then why was she getting help?

"…"

"You're jealous."

"No, I'm not."

Sylvia jerked her head back and stared at Idnik's grinning face.

"Okay."

"I'm not. Why would I be jealous of Epherene?"

"Okay, okay~."

"…Idnik is a fool."

Sylvia pouted her lips. Then, she buried herself in her chair and used Wind. But, she did not observe Deculein this time. She was just going to watch happenings of the far-off Reccordak.

*****

Rumors spread quickly in the north that a Great Tiger had appeared. However, the villagers residing nearby made no plan to evacuate.

"What do you think?"

Louina had a cast around her arm. It was an injury she received while working on recon.

"It's pathetic. It's outrageous."

"The residents?"

I nodded. Then, I looked out the window of the mansion. In the military training ground of Reccordak, Julie was sparring with Reylie's support against Syrio. Rumors had spread that she was furious over what I said last night.

"Why is it pathetic?"

"…It's pathetic that they won't leave and are readying themselves to die. It's outrageous that the inner barrier can't protect them."

"Haha."

Louina laughed a bit. I glared at her.

"What are you laughing about?"

"Even the boss won't abandon it. It's something precious to the boss, more than anyone else. Am I right?"

"…"

Even though it may break, it didn't bend and wouldn't give up on something it truly wanted. Deculein's personality was a combination of conviction, belief, and pride, so there was nothing to refute. Was this what having double standards meant?

"Get out."

"I will. But there's someone else outside, boss?"

Louina smiled brightly and opened the door. Behind it was the Assistant Professor

Allen. She bowed hesitantly to Louina.

"Come in. I'm almost done."

"Yes, yes…"

Allen hesitated to walk inside. I looked at her face carefully, noting her worry.

"Will it be okay…?"

Looking at me, she spoke sluggishly.

"What do you mean?"

"Professor, that… the Great Tiger… it is clever and cunning…."

The Great Tiger knew how to fight, it wouldn't allow anyone to surround him, and it didn't act rashly. In other words, it wouldn't fight a hundred knights at once. Therefore, there should only be a few people recruited to hunt the tiger.

"It will be hard."

Even now, I could still feel his spirit beyond the barrier. This was a warning, and he was waiting.

"If persuasion is possible, then that would be the best."

They haven't carried out a mission aside from recon. However, as confirmed by my wood steel outside, the Great Tiger was killing everything that entered its territory, human or monster.

"Persuasion? Is it possible…?"

I shook my head.

"The possibility is very slight. Tigers are usually born with a particular temperament, and if they are that ferocious, they have to be killed."

"Then, Professor… you have to fight it after all."

Allen bowed her head deeply. Her reaction felt unusual.

"I also don't rush in without a way of winning."

Then, Allen looked up.

"How is… that?"

"It's a secret."

Zzzz— zzzzz—

There was snoring from the sofa in the office. I glanced over with narrow eyes. Primienne was cuddling the heater as she slept comfortably.

"Wake her up and kick her out."

Was she some kind of an idle youth or what? If you didn't pay attention to her, even just a little, she would sneak into your warm office to sleep.

"Oh, yes. Uhm, excuse me?"

Allen shook her shoulders. Primienne slowly opened her eyes.

"You can't stay here. The Professor is working…."

"…Ahh, it's cold outside."

"What? Oh…"

I watched them have their awkward little conversation.

…

"It's cold."

Eventually, Primienne, who was kicked out, began looking through her stuff. There was a note left by Allen inside her jacket.

[Professor Deculein got a tip. A report that the deputy director and I are Demon Blood.]

"…"

Primienne paused, then she looked around and stuffed the paper inside her mouth.

Chew—

She went out of the main building chewing it up. The snow-covered ground and the fucking cold. Even though the Great Tiger appeared, the Knight Order's building was still under construction.

Step—

Primienne found a bonfire and a chair sitting nearby as she walked around. She immediately ran up and sat down like a cat, then reached out her hands to feel the warmth.

Clang—!

She heard the sharp sound of metal clashing not too far away. Primienne raised her eyes in search.

Clang—! Boom, boom—!

Julie and Syrio were sparring not far away.

Whiiiiing—!

Whenever Julie swung her sword, a freezing wind wrapped around her, Primienne took out a book from her inner pocket.

[#3333 How to Analyze Charts for Stock Masters]

She thought while reading. Allen said that Deculein received a tip, but she didn't know what kind or from who. Primienne was quite confused. Would Deculein believe it or not? Or, was there a need to believe it or not to believe it?

"Oh? Are you investing in stocks? Are you a stock master?"

A voice woke up Primienne as she was lost in thought. She glanced up to see Julie. Sweating, she glanced over the cover of the book in Primienne's hand with weird eyes.

"How to analyze charts for stock masters…."

Primienne closed the book without saying anything. Then, she wriggled her legs and stretched out her neck to look at Julie.

"I'm Primienne, the Deputy Director of Security. How can I help you?"

"Oh."

Julie was the one who had her bonfire and chair stolen away, but she brought another log to sit down without a complaint.

"Yes. I am the Knight Deya."

"I know. I've also read your report."

"…"

Julie closed her eyes and bowed her head like she was apologizing.

"There's no need for that. Why are you here?"

Julie blinked and thought about how to answer. Why did she come here? But this was a place she originally made herself.

"…I am also studying stocks a little."

Primienne became more arrogant after hearing Julie's words.

"I see."

"Do you know stocks well?"

"Well, I do have 15 years of experience. I predicted the rapid rise of Roten, the Food System,

Zoblock Construction Company, and the Rebel Toy Company."

She did predict them. It was just that she didn't invest in them.

"Oh…"

Julie's eyes sparkled. Primienne crossed her legs to the other side.

"Why? What's going on?"

Then, Reylie approached with a towel in hand for Julie.

"You got really angry during the sparring session… oh. It's Deputy Director Primienne. Nice to meet you. We've met before, right? Through the Adventurer's entry to the dungeon."

Primienne just nodded. Julie swallowed.

"Then is there any chance, Deputy Director, that you can tell me about investing?"

"I can teach you a little. Sharing doesn't reduce knowledge. But, why is a knight interested?"

"…"

Julie's expression grew bitter at Primienne's question.

"…I've belatedly realized that to protect my people, I need money."

Her words contained some complex emotions. Primienne thought about it. It wasn't a situation where she could push aside Allen's message to teach someone about stocks, but…

"…Hmm."

It wouldn't be a loss if she became close to Julie using her knowledge. Moreover, she was Deculein's former fiancée, so she possessed some value. Primienne was indebted to the north, especially to Freyden.

"Please, I ask of you. This is a whole world that is too much for someone to study alone."

Julie asked politely. Primienne pressed her temples and thought it over, while Reylie blinked as if she didn't know what was going on.

"…Yes, alright. I'll teach you until I leave."

"!"

At that moment, she clenched both her fists. She took Primienne's hand and shook it.

"Thank you! I'll do my best to learn."

Julie expressed her sincere gratitude.

*****

The Emperor of the Crebaim Empire, Sophien Ekater von Jaegus Gifrein. Her work efficiency was unrivaled. It was only once a week and for only two hours. Still, Sophien personally handled official documents, including news, appeals, and disputes throughout the entire continent, and keenly settled all of them.

Her speed of thought and judgment was already at a level beyond human. Even though it looked like she was just blindly flipping over the pages, she discerned the situation and offered a clear solution…

"A Great Tiger?"

Sophien, who was doing her work, as usual, found a report from the north.

"A Great Tiger appeared in the north?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it did."

Sophien nodded at Jolang.

"A Great Tiger… would cause even Deculein a headache."

She didn't think much about it. Deculein managed Reccordak, and it was up to the knights to catch the tiger.

"Or, it's also not too bad to just abandon Reccordak."

It was the most efficient measure. Abandon Reccordak, and deal with the Great Tiger and the Knights at the second line of defense.

"From the rumors that I've heard, Deculein isn't going to do that."

Sophien nodded.

"That's just like him. What an inefficient guy."

"Yes, but… he says he is going to hunt it himself."

"…"

Sophien's mouth shut, and she reread the report from her position on the ground. Jolang quickly bowed.

[Deculein said that he would go out alone and hunt for the tiger. The Great Tiger is a better opponent for him than Rohakan…]

At that moment, Sophien's brow bunched up.

"…What's with this guy?"

He would deal with a tiger himself. The moment she read that sentence, she felt angry without knowing why.

"He suddenly went nuts."

"…"

"Is he crazy? A lone wizard against a Great Tiger?"

Jolang didn't say anything. She pretended not to hear anything and pressed her forehead against the ground.

"Do you think this makes sense?"

"…"

Jolang answered carefully.

"I think it would be hard, but… there's a lot of great knights in the north… but still, I don't think he should do it by himself."

Sophien gritted her teeth. Strangely, her forehead was feeling warmer. Indeed, it was a physical omen that she wasn't sure how to interpret.

"…Crazy bastard."

Of course, Deculein wasn't some hero who would die in the north. She still didn't know how he would die, but it wasn't in the north.

"…"

No. The possibility was good enough. If he were injured badly while dealing with that tiger, then, over time, they would worsen until he…

She still didn't know how Deculein would die.

"…Ah."

Sophien called out to Jolang.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Isaac… no."

Now that Keiron wasn't here, the strongest unit that the Imperial Family could call upon was the Vice-Captain, Isaac. However, if Isaac were used for private matters, it could put her in a politically disadvantageous position. Sophien wasn't that short-sighted.

No matter what happens to Deculein, whether he was fatally injured while fighting against the Great Tiger, or gradually withered away, he could take care of himself…

"Forget it! He didn't tell me a single word, so that fucking bastard should take care of it himself. Get out!"

"Yes, thank you, Your Majesty."

Sophien returned to her tasks and kicked out Jolang. Then, she lay in bed to cool off the heat filling her.

"…Not a single word to me."

He could've written a letter. Or spoken through the crystal ball. It wasn't the duty of a liege to decide on such serious issues without giving any reports.

Therefore, Sophien didn't have to worry about it; it was just ridiculous…

"Do what you want!"

Sophien shouted, then covered herself with a blanket.