"Still, the situation is somewhat under control."

After Oliver collapsed and some time had passed, various professors, including Professor Cromwell and Professor McGuire, hurried into the academy.

They quickly took control, subduing the violent Oliver and apprehending Anton, who had been acting with him.

However, it didn't seem necessary to do so.

Oliver had already suffered such significant injuries that he was as good as dead.

And Anton was...

"Ah...Uh..."

His eyes were rolled back, and he was in a half-conscious state.

He was so broken down that he could not even hold a proper conversation.

Certainly, he was not in this state when I spoke to him.

But, looking at his severely wrecked state, I tilted my head.

How did he end up like that?

It was not the time to worry about this for now.

I had to get to the dormitory.

I suspect that these guys are behind the fire at the dormitory as well, and I had to protect the students.

However, the situation there was already over.

"Ah, Rudy Astria has arrived."

Borval greeted me as I arrived in front of the dormitory.

Beside him, Locke scowled as if he didn't like something.

"What happened?"

Professor Cromwell took the lead and asked Borval.

Then, Borval pointed to a corner with several professors watching.

In that corner, there were people tied up, unconscious.

Borval handed a pouch to the professors.

"It seems they used this magical tool to chase the students away."

Inside the pouch was a large bead.

It was a magical tool containing guidance magic.

Borval explained the situation while showing the bead.

To summarize, they had staged an incident to drive the students out of the dormitory.

They burned dry twigs to make it look like a fire had broken out.

Then they used this bead.

This bead induced the students to leave the dormitory.

Of course, the magic tool was not powerful enough to control the students at will.

It merely instilled the notion that they had to escape from here, and drove all the people who did not doubt it out of the dormitory.

This notion was more readily accepted because of the previous library fire.

However, Locke was skeptical of this and shook off the magic.

This magic can be easily dispelled with a single doubt, so it didn't work on Locke.

So, Locke was the first to go upstairs and start fighting with those mercenaries.

While he was fighting the mercenaries, Borval arrived and swept the rest away.

So that's why Locke was making that face...

He wore a sulky expression, like a wolf that had its food stolen.

Still, everyone relaxed, knowing the situation was completely under control.

However, there was just one person who frowned.

It was Cromwell.

"It's going to be chaotic for a while."

Predicting the troubles that would arise in the absence of the Vice-Principal and Principal, he let out a sigh.

A few days after the academy attack incident.

At the heart of the empire, the Royal Palace.

Many people had gathered in the Royal Palace.

Among them, the one that stood out was Ian Astria.

These days, Perrian Astria, the head of the Astria family, had been absent.

Rumors circulated that he was gradually preparing for retirement and leaving all matters to his successor, Ian Astria.

And today.

Today was the day of the conference regarding the incident at the academy.

This was not a trivial meeting.

The academy was where the children of the nobles representing the empire were.

The news that such a place had been in danger meant that the empire's future had nearly faltered.

And there's a possibility that such a danger could happen again.

Rie, the heir to the empire, was also at the scene, making it impossible for the incident to be dismissed lightly.

Therefore, the empire deemed this meeting of great importance.

With Ian Astria at such a place, people couldn't help but focus on him.

Essentially, the head of the family not appearing at such an important place meant nothing short of passing on the position to his heir.

Inside the Royal Palace, in the conference room.

A multitude of nobles were present.

Despite the Emperor not having entered yet, no one dared to utter a word.

They all recognized the gravity of the situation and refrained from making casual remarks.

A man broke the silence.

"Ian Astria, it's been a while."

The man standing closest to the emperor's seat.

The prime minister of the empire.

It was Jason Ophillius, the head of the Duke Ophillius family.

Although he looked old enough to have a full head of white hair, his dignity was so impressive that no one could dismiss him.

Jason, in this serious atmosphere, spoke with a smile.

"Is your father doing well?"

However, no one shushed him.

If the Astria family is said to possess independent power, then the Ophillius family was the symbol of the empire.

A family that boasts of endless loyalty to the emperor.

No one could tell the head of such a family that the situation was serious and to exercise restraint.

Ian frowned at Jason's question and responded.

"Yes."

"Hoho, so he told you to attend the meeting and see some faces instead? I was hoping to share a drink with Perrian after so long..."

Jason said with a hearty laugh.

"Then, would you relay a message?"

As Jason spoke, the laughter disappeared in an instant.

He opened his mouth with a look that had completely lost its laughter.

"Manage your people properly."

At Jason's words, all the nobles present felt a chill.

No one had dared to say this.

The Fred family, who had caused the accident this time, was an unquestionable 'dog' following the Astria family to anyone's eyes.

However, no evidence against the Astria family emerged from this incident.

So, the incident was seen not as a conspiracy by the noble faction but as a plot between the Fred family and Oliver, their associate.

Despite the situation, all the nobles were aware.

They were certain that the Astria family was involved as well.

It was implausible for the Fred family to single-handedly instigate an event that could overturn the Empire.

Jason pointed out this part in a public place.

So, the other nobles had no choice but to be flustered.

Upon hearing Jason's words, Ian opened his eyes sharply.

Then, Jason let out a pleasant laugh.

"Just a joke, a joke. Heh heh. This old man gets scared when young people stare at him like that."

While he was laughing, the guard at the door shouted.

"Entrance of the Empire's sun, the Empire's light, His Majesty the Emperor."

At that, all the nobles in the meeting room bowed their heads towards the door.

The door opened and the Emperor with a long beard appeared.

Behind him was a middle-aged man with a sizable stature, wearing glasses.

The Principal of the Academy, McDowell Cliver, was there.

The Emperor walked through the nobles and ascended to the throne, while McDowell found a place among the nobles.

"Now, let us start the conference."

"It's been a while, McDowell."

As soon as the meeting ended, Duke Jason Ophillius approached McDowell.

"You've been busy these days, haven't you? The Academy demands a lot of your time."

"Not at all. If anyone is busy, it would be you, Duke Ophillius."

McDowell replied, his head bowed toward Jason.

"Ho-ho, what could an old man like me be doing?"

Jason spoke, his cheerful laughter ringing out.

"Hasn't it been a while since you visited the academy yourself?"

"Ah, yes. I've had some things to attend to recently regarding the rebels."

"Oh? The rebels you say."

Jason stroked his chin at McDowell's words.

Once McDowell confirmed that no one else was around, he carefully opened his mouth.

"I've been tasked with overseeing someone involved with the Rebels, which has me quite concerned."

At this, Jason clapped his hands and responded.

"Ah, His Majesty the Emperor did mention something about it."

McDowell simply nodded.

The fact that McDowell was in charge of Yeniel was a secret known to almost no one other than the Emperor.

Anything related to the Rebels was a matter the Emperor was intently focused on.

So, it was the right decision to keep as much information as possible hidden.

The reason why they didn't explicitly inform Jason and used McDowell instead was also to hide these affairs.

Most nobles had an easy time tracking schedules, but McDowell's was difficult to discern and few paid it much attention.

Being the principal of the Academy always required a certain level of mystery.

For the safety of the Academy, his power and activities must remain unknown.

That way, no one would dare invade the Academy casually.

After a moment's laughter, Jason cautiously broke the silence.

"So...have you found a vice-principal yet?"

McDowell awkwardly smiled before replying,

"There is someone I have in mind."

"Oh, good to hear. Who is it?"

"Well, I can't be certain. The person in question might not accept."

"...They would decline the vice-principal's position?"

Jason questioned, his face showing confusion.

"Well, this friend is not too ambitious... and also..."

"And?"

McDowell scratched his head.

"His wife is rather strict, she might not allow it."

"...Hoho, I see. A caring wife, it seems."

"I suppose so."

"So who is the poor man? Do I know him?"

McDowell nodded.

"It's Cromwell, Charles Cromwell."

In a dark space.

"Cough."

The death rattle of a man echoed.

And then, a cold voice rang out.

"Pathetic creature."

It was a beautiful voice.

However, it was difficult to consider it a pleasant voice as it was laced with hostility and sharpness.

"Just for failing to capture a single person, you're in such a state."

The man who voiced those words swept back his glossy black hair in what appeared to be annoyance, his brows furrowing.

"That one seems to have been quite a challenge."

The man with black hair dusted off the blood on his sword and took a seat.

Then he called out to someone nearby.

"Bring Yeniel. Fetch Yeniel for me."

"Y-Yeniel, sir? But Yeniel is currently on a mission at the academy..."

The man with black hair looked up, his gaze falling upon the one who answered.

"I-I'm sorry!!! Very sorry!!! I'll... I'll fetch her right away!!!"

With just one glance from the man, he quickly bowed his head in fear.

With a sigh of discontent, the black-haired man pulled a cigarette from his pocket.

After taking a puff, he opened his mouth.

"Go fetch her."

"Understood!!!"

The man responded loudly and ran out.

The black-haired man took another puff from his cigarette, gazing up at the ceiling.

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