Chapter 45 - Long-Term Business Trip

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༺ Long-Term Business Trip ༻ 

 "Ah!"

 When I opened the door to the lab, I heard a startled woman's shriek come from inside.

 Because it was a voice I had heard before, it made me curious. Then, I spotted a tuft of pale pink hair sticking out from the edge of a desk.

 "What's happening?"

 Findenai, 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 stood up.

 "Oh, she—"

 "Findenai, quiet…"

 "—has pink hair."

 "…"

 Even though I had half-expected it, I couldn't prevent her from speaking. When I gave Findenai a reproachful look, she looked at the pink-haired professor, Fel Petra, who was nervously fiddling her fingers.

 "The kingdom really is a good place."

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

 "I apologize for her rudeness."

 "N-No, i-it's fine…"

 She was Fel Petra, a woman with unparalleled talent and achievements in the field of anatomy. She was the professor who was supposed to use my lab after I was dismissed. However, she was now packing her things, clearly intending to vacate now that I, the original owner, had returned.

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

 At first glance, the woman looked quite unkempt and strange. However, she was actually someone whose ability was halfway into reaching the realm of a god.

 "P-Professor D-Deus? I'm sorry! I'll clear out right away!"

 Fel, who became flustered again, began packing her things even more hurriedly.

 I stopped her.

 "There's no need to leave. You can continue using this lab."

 "Yes? But you…"

 "I will be away for a while. Please use it without any worries."

 "Oh…"

 "If you can, leave me a desk."

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

 "Of course! I'll set up the best spot for you! And, um…"

 "…?"

 Professor Fel scratched the back of her head and gave an awkward smile.

 "Thank you for helping me."

 "It is nothing."

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

 "Why are you leaving? Didn't you just come back?"

 "I will be going away on a business trip for a while."

 "A business trip?"

 Even though she thought it was quite abrupt, she didn't push the issue further. Perhaps she knew that she would be overstepping my boundaries if she probed any further.

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

 She approached me, clasped her hands together, and smiled. She started talking. 

 "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, Findenai made a fuss. I subtly stepped back, putting a little distance between the two women and myself.

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

 "Eh, isn't this way out of the blue?"

 "I understand."

 While Findenai visibly displayed her annoyance, Illuania gave a brief response, nodding 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 Findenai. And in response to my gaze, she sighed deeply, clasped her hands, and bowed her head.

 "Go ahead, you damned Master."

 How typical of her.

 "Findenai, get your axe 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 have already informed her of the details. Depart with her. The journey will be difficult, prepare well. I have also already given Aria money to procure necessary equipment in the city."

 "What… What are you actually planning?"

 Findenai looked bewildered, possibly due to the sudden instructions. However, I ignored her and turned my gaze to Illuania.

 "Take this."

 From my pocket, I handed over a finely made key. Attached to the ring was a tag inscribed as Room Number 1101.

 "This…"

 "It's the key to a room in Centrant, a luxury hotel in the city center. Wait there until I return."

 "What?"

 She looked taken aback by the unexpected command, but I continued. 

 "It is their top suite, so you will not face any discomfort. The expenses have been taken care of by the Verdi Household, so there is no need for you to worry."

 "Uh…"

 "I have informed them in advance that you are pregnant. The staff will be considerate of you. I have also ordered them to prepare records with soothing music, as well as suitable prenatal education. Listen to them whenever you have time."

 "…"

 "If you are feeling nauseous or if there is something you would like to eat, tell the staff right away. They will prepare whatever they can. Do not hesitate to tell them."

 "…"

 "I have also hired a masseuse. She will come three times a week, make use of it."

 Although there was more to be said, predictably, Findenai interrupted me.

 "Damn! What?! I want to go there too!"

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

 "I'm actually pregnant too! With 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!"

 "Findenai."

 "What is it?! What?!"

 With my next words, Findenai's constant grumbling was promptly silenced.

 "Why have you not left yet?"

 "Wow…"

 Findenai stomped the floor while shaking her head in disbelief.

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

 "Shut up and leave."

 "Oh, that's right, you don't like it! You hate a mouth that smokes! Since this is a mouth that can't even lick its Master's butt, it should just shut up!"

 Having thrown a fit, Findenai finally left.

 It was chaotic, but at least she was gone.

 I continued speaking to Illuania, who was looking hesitant at the situation.

 "I heard there are various amenities in the hotel. Do not just sit around; read a book, take walks, do yoga. There is also a swimming pool too, so taking a walk in the lukewarm water would not be bad."

 "Ah, understood."

 "Alright, then."

 Illuania bowed her head in response and quickly left. However, even after she left, my gaze remained fixed in her direction.

 I shifted my gaze to the woman who had been guarding Illuania, she was the one who nearly burned us to death in the carriage.

 Gently reaching out, I converted the mana 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 intense hatred when we were coming to Loberne Academy, had empathized with Illuania back then.

 And now, she was serving as Illuania's guardian spirit.

 As long as she was there, even if Illuania faced threats, she wouldn't be in grave danger.

 [I see that you tamed such a spirit well.]

 Dark Spiritualist, who had been observing silently, commented when the spirit departed.

 "It is not taming, but persuasion."

 [Persuasion, I see… I thought you were a little different from the other dark mages, but unique might be a more fitting word.]

 I gave a sidelong glance to the necromancer who was evaluating me.

 "Stay alert and stick to me."

 [What?]

 At the same time as the Dark Spiritualist's retort, a fluctuation of mana could be felt from outside. The sensation that seemed to scatter the heavens and earth so violently indicated that teleportation had occurred nearby.

 "They arrived so quickly."

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

 It was the group that all magicians within the kingdom feared the most.

 Among the elite soldiers that Griffin Kingdom had in their pocket, they were the most brilliant ones.

 The Mage Tribunal Judges were approaching me with heavy steps.

* * *

 "You're saying you want an annulment now!?"

 Gideon, who had come to Erica's lab, slammed his fist on the table.

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

 "We've never been engaged to begin with. My fiancé is still Deus Verdi."

 Seeing her confidently proclaim this, Gideon felt anger from head to toe. He 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 felt cold and sharp, like a honed blade.

 "Do not insult him."

 "You…!"

 The fact that his insult to Deus sparked this reaction made Gideon feel even more defeated. 

 He was Gideon Zeronia of the prestigious Zeronia Household. 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 Household!"

 "I don't care."

 Seeing Erica's blunt declaration, Gideon was shocked for a moment.

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

 "Gah!"

 Caught off guard, Gideon couldn't do anything. At the same time, he was quite surprised.

 Had Erica Bright always been able to handle mana this quickly and precisely?

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

 "I am one of the authorities on Light Magic in the Griffin Kingdom. A mage with two papers listed in the Millennium Library. Moreover, I am also an esteemed professor at Loberne Academy."

 "Argh!"

 "None of these achievements came from simply being in the 'Bright Household'… And yet you say my family doesn't want me?"

 Erica smirked slightly.

 "Then, I do not need such a family either."

 Why hadn't she made such an easy decision before?

 Erica knew the reason.

 The difference between the past and the present was very straightforward.

 It was because Deus Verdi was supporting her now.

 The annulment letter that was securely locked in her desk drawer was proof of the trust Deus had in her.

 But Gideon wouldn't just stand by. He summoned his red mana and repelled Erica's golden mana.

 "So that's it, huh? You think I'll just stand by?"

 He too had a trick up his sleeve.

 "Deus Verdi! He's a necromancer, right? In the kingdom, regardless of the reason, a dark mage is immediately sentenced to death! If I report him, it's the end!"

 "You…"

 Truth be told, this 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 Household taking direct action to pressure Deus, a dark mage?

 Darius Verdi, a margrave and his older brother, could hardly serve as a shield.

 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.

 However, both of them recognized the cause of the shock; a wave of mana.

 "Warp Magic?"

 A high-dimensional Warp Magic was used nearby. Erica, sensing that something ominous was going to happen, quickly turned her head to look outside.

 Mages of tremendous skill, wearing golden robes and helmets, held staffs as they approached the academy.

 "Mage Tribunal Judges!"

 Each of them were heading towards the academy with a firm expression.

 "You!"

 Erica, exuding an aura filled with hostility, glared at Gideon.

 "You've already reported Deus?!"

 She hadn't expected him to report to the royal family first, and then come to see her with the threat itself.

 "Huh?"

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

 "Why are they here?"

 Seeing this, Gideon didn't seem to have reported Deus. And now, Erica was extremely confused by the Mage Tribunal Judges' unexpected arrival.

 She opened the door to her lab and hurriedly stepped outside.

 Right then, the assistant professors who were outside rushed toward Erica.

 "Pro-Professor! The Mage Tribunal Judges are here 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, what the assistant professors said next stopped her in her tracks.

 "Professor Deus turned himself in!"

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