Chapter 107: Before Summer Vacation

Demon General Rona. Secret information and magic expert.

No mistake there.

Lime, Akua, Eris, Shiki, and Rona. These five swiftly investigated the Academy, inside and out. It’s unknown how much of her real information-gathering skills she displayed, but her abilities, mostly on the negative side, seem quite high.

Except for Shiki, everyone else didn’t harbor any animosity toward Rona at their first meeting, but their last reports all described her as hostile, no, more like disgusted. I felt a pull to know, and at the same time, a reluctance.

Rona likes *nabe* too, so it would be better if Shiki and she could become *nabe* friends or something. Only Shiki treats her as a disease.

“Fast doesn’t mean better.”

“I’ve learned I prefer a useless one over scum.”

“This discomfort… I will cleanse it with a banana.”

“As usual. She was efficient, but truly coercive.”

Not a single good evaluation. If one banana could erase all the intense emotions, I’d gladly give it to them.

Tricking, seducing, and even killing. It seems like a completely overbearing investigation, as if she didn’t care if it was discovered.

Since Lime was in Tsige, he’s been fitting in and gathering information, listening to the talks of the information sellers he’s friends with. That’s most likely why he didn’t like Rona’s methods.

Akua and Eris, who were taught information gathering by Lime, also couldn’t sympathize with Rona and now seem to respect her current approach.

Shiki, it seems, used a reasonable amount of hypnosis, but he did it in a considerate manner. Rona ignored after-effects and stealth, so it was useless against her. After-effects on humans aren’t her concern, after all. A complicated issue. Her method prioritizes efficiency, so it’s correct in a way.

That they were able to narrow down the related party in just a few days certainly proves her efficiency and capability. I can’t ignore that in my evaluation. We can’t have Eva-san living in the company for so long, so resolving this quickly is honestly a big help. I also placed some caution on her little sister and had Shiki stick with her, but this can’t last forever.

However, among the related parties narrowed down, one was arbitrarily killed. Just as the word says, so arbitrary and conspicuous. Because of that, the other one is starting to act strangely. We haven’t confirmed any external contact yet, but we definitely must act quickly.

To think that instead of a business rival, it would be a coworker sensei that I would be introducing my company’s hidden attraction, the underground torture room. Truly unexpected.

Furthermore, it’s someone I know and have a relationship with. The one who has built up high trust in the staff room, Brait-sensei.

In the end, he went beyond the time limit and continued introducing students to my class. That’s why, even though I thought of him as dubious, I started to think he might actually be a good person. And yet, hearing this report, I’m afraid of becoming a distrustful person. No, more like a human distrustful person.

A full-time teacher at an elite academy with many students. He doesn’t give the impression of being involved in an organization, though.

In two weeks, the academy will enter summer vacation.

“Isn’t this an academy that trains elites?” I wanted to retort, but having heard of the existence of several otherworlders in the past from Root, I’m not really surprised about the long holiday.

Just that, there’s knowledge from otherworlders in this world, yet no guns. That must mean magic truly surpasses gunfire. Well, I don’t know everything about the otherworlders who came to this world, so this is just speculation. It’s true that I still don’t know the Empire’s intentions.

Besides, even with several predecessors, it’s surprising that there’s no clear information about their existence. We three were the first summoned by the Goddess, so the others were just accidents and not made public in this world. Instead of revealing they are otherworlders, perhaps they all decided it would be better to blend into this world and live like that? I think there are many who faced the same hardships as me because of their outward appearance. Also, it seems that earthlings have superior physical strength to humans, so maybe there were also people persecuted for that. The several people Root didn’t reveal details about were probably in the same situation as me.

People who became heroes, knights under a king, absorbed into magic and explored its possibilities, adventurers, crazy warriors who perished, and even people who dedicated their lives to researching baths (probably Japanese).

Everyone lived their lives in their own way. But it seems that not a single one of them was able to return.

Root’s talk of the world and so on was mostly indecipherable to me. And even when I asked Tomoe, she didn’t understand it either. However, I did understand that the difficulty of the journey is high and that I need to resolve myself before trying. I also have to keep Asora, Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki in mind before testing it out.

No matter how capable my subordinates are, it doesn’t mean the master can do whatever he wants. Just like when one person in a family does whatever they want, discontent gathers and the family begins to warp. That’s why I have to compensate little by little for the parts of myself that are still lacking.

I have the objective of confronting the Goddess, but in the meantime, I have other things like expanding the Kuzunoha store, increasing Asora’s residents, and in the future, investigating the Empire’s movements. Now that I know, I want to stop their development of gunfire.

The first and foremost task is the forced summoning of the Goddess. This one comes first. It seems Shiki is also pitching in to help on this subject, so I think this will be solved in time. Doesn’t seem like I’ll need to directly participate.

In the future, what’s most important is to gain surplus. I can’t help but feel like I’m falling behind the others.

Being surrounded by outstanding people is good. The current me feels like Liu Bei from the Three Kingdoms, not in a positive way. Liu Bei possesses power like a rook, but he doesn’t have a sharp mind like Zhuge Liang. But it isn’t like Liu Bei used all his subordinates’ abilities for himself. I don’t have as much virtue as him, but it’s fine to just do my best in my own way to get stronger.

The first thing I have to learn is already decided. I am in a position where I administer Asora and the company. That’s why I have to learn decision-making and caution to protect them. Fortunately, I don’t need to be adventurous; I just have to act steadily, and the Kuzunoha Company will definitely grow. The intuition a merchant should normally have when obtaining a store, I still haven’t developed yet. Because I’ve practically never had any company-related problems. I shouldn’t be thinking about gaining more than what I have, but about how to crush problems before they cause damage.

For example, in this case, if it were Tomoe, she would probably have Brait-sensei swim around for a while and bait a bigger fish. But we will capture him as soon as summer vacation begins and have him spill what he knows. Eva-san and Ruria’s safety are at stake here.

Judgment and caution—in those areas, I think I passed the negotiation with Rona.

In this case, after the report, Rona left the academy as if naturally, having finished her business. And so the person called Karen Frost disappeared from the academy. My class will now have seven people, but that part isn’t important. She told me to handle the paperwork during summer vacation and make it appear as if she dropped out. Rona intended to write it as if she died, but thinking about the remaining students, I asked her to erase the death part. Rona didn’t seem to care much and said she would follow what I write in the academy’s documents.

“There’s really no problem if it’s just that. In the Fusk kingdom, I’ll have it treated as death, though. If I don’t, people will become suspicious. But since we have the chance, can you please give me some of your time?” (Rona)

With a way of speaking as if she doesn’t want any reward, she firmly lays out an exchange condition. There’s no downside to just hearing her out, and things like seduction and half-assed drugs don’t work on me, so I nod at her proposal.

“In these few days I’ve been working with your intelligence members, but you see, they are quite pure. They are capable, but they aren’t utilizing their skills to their fullest. I think it’s usually a necessary emotion and way of thinking, but in the intelligence world where your objective is to gather information in the deepest waters, ethics and morals are just in the way. If you think about what’s best for your company, you should consider underhanded methods as an option as well.” (Rona)

“Thanks for the advice.” (Makoto)

“Also, it seems true that you don’t make distinctions with demi-humans. Your clerks, intelligence members—there really wasn’t anyone concerned about races. From those I’ve seen, you are the strongest human so far. If you wish, I can even arrange a meeting with the demon lord-sama.” (Rona)

“The demon lord-sama who makes people’s hearts tremble? I’m happy to hear that offer. In the future, I definitely would like to.” (Makoto)

“However, those two brown-skinned demi-humans and your follower Shiki—they are existences that will bring you harm. This is a pure warning from me, since I’ve taken a liking to you. Cut your ties as soon as you can.” (Rona)

“Akua and Eris, and Shiki? They’ve been a big help to me.” (Makoto)

What pure warning is she talking about? Does Rona want me to doubt my own friends?

“You may not know, but those two are Forest Oni, atrocious demi-humans. Because of their combat power, some suggested inviting them to the demon army, but they are a race that hates working under someone. They splendidly rejected us. They probably slipped into Tsige and made contact with Kuzunoha Company, but they will betray you someday. Also, Shiki. Just by being a male, Shiki seems like a trustworthy follower, but he is possessed. Seeing him with the Forest Oni, I finally noticed it.” (Rona)

“Forest Oni. And Shiki is possessed?” (Makoto)

Ah, I see. It seems she’s noticed Shiki’s true identity and has a strange misunderstanding.

“I don’t know his name, but he is a Lich who doesn’t follow humans nor demons. A Lich normally can’t possess someone, but he can. He can kidnap someone at will and conduct inhuman experiments or impersonate them. The demons call him Larva. No matter if it’s the Kuzunoha Company’s information network, I thought it was too strange to know so much about me, but if it’s a person possessed by Larva, the story changes. I’ve met him several times in the past, and we’ve been enemies or allies. What I can say for certain is that he is someone you can never trust. Seeing that you are so accepting of the demi-humans is extremely unusual in the eyes of us demons. That’s why, Raidou, be careful of them. If there’s a time when you need the help of us demons, contact us. If you use the aria written on this paper, you’ll be able to contact me directly. I will assist you.” (Rona)

Saying that, Rona gives me a single paper. It’s conscientiously decoded into a language easy for humans to read, and there’s a peculiar thought transmission aria composed in it.

The moment I saw it, I was about to exclaim, but somehow managed to contain myself and receive it silently. When Rona saw me put the paper in my pocket, she smiled contentedly and left the room. I probably won’t meet her in Academy Town again.

This thought transmission aria… might be the one Tomoe was searching for. If I have Tomoe, Mio, and Shiki check it out, they might discover something.

I think Rona tried to make me doubt the Forest Oni and Shiki, and put the demon race in a favorable light. If that’s true, she’s a formidable individual I can’t let my guard down against. This time, because she misunderstood Shiki’s situation, there was no fear of being misled by her words. But depending on the situation, Rona’s words sound incredibly convincing. Regarding the Forest Oni and Shiki, she mixed some real traits and truths, and twisted the conversation to her desired direction. I need to remain cautious when talking to her if there’s a chance in the future.

In any case, my situation differs from that of full-time teachers, so I’m not tied to the academy. That’s why, while thinking about how to spend my summer vacation, I checked the store’s inventory.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

In the upcoming summer vacation.

The academy was suddenly filled with a cheerful atmosphere. Obviously, many students will return home, but those without classes now have free time.

Summer vacation. What should I do?

Such conversations are everywhere. It’s the same in modern Japan and parallel-world schools. Hanging out with friends, trips, helping family, training skills. The way students spend the long holidays is important and not so different.

Nobles and merchants return to their households and participate in social gatherings. Many have prepared special events beforehand, and many return home. Of course, during this period, the noble dormitory and advanced class dormitories get quite busy.

However, two were walking calmly through the halls. While other students and staff members rushed around, they continued their pace toward the library.

“It’s pretty hectic with so many people returning, huh. We’re fine this year, though.”

“Papa was crying, right? ‘Why aren’t you returning immediately?!’ he said.”

The ones exchanging words were the Rembrandt sisters, who had just returned to school. They had no plans to return home this summer vacation and were able to take things calmly.

The girls were walking while having a normal conversation, but most students who walked the corridor like them shrank their shoulders when they saw them. Their expressions were like those of scared small animals, as if waiting for something terrifying to pass.

There’s a reason why the Rembrandt sisters are beautiful yet feared in this way.

Before returning from school, those sisters were the worst kind of students. They attended required classes when they wanted, crushed anyone they disliked in practical skills, and wielded their economic power. They possessed the same skills as scholarship students, making their bad nature even more noticeable. If they had their eyes on you, you wouldn’t know what they would do. That’s how those two were. After all, rumors say their father obtained the first-class noble dormitory admission by buying a peerage from the Aion Kingdom, and in truth, they are in the noble dormitory. It’s unavoidable that they think common sense won’t work.

After their return, it was as if completely different people were calling themselves by the same names. The girls showed sincere attitudes in class, were welcomed by teachers, and students were bewildered. That’s the current situation of the sisters. Well, many students think they’ve changed, and many maintained their distance.

Those same girls were always thinking about how to repay their lifesaver and sensei, Raidou, and actually, they’ve already repaid him in a way he didn’t know.

It happened a few days ago.

The student mob that came to confess to Raidou also shrank back at the sight of those two. But if Raidou didn’t dislike it and actually felt happy about being confessed by girls of their age, they would just be getting in the way, so the sisters didn’t want to make a mistake and endured it. They occasionally ate with Raidou and learned he was bothered by their annoyance. After understanding his feelings, the two nodded and started moving.

Several students who confessed and were rejected, Sif and Yuno, whispered this:

“If you’re thinking of marrying him, it will be troublesome if you don’t get along with us as well. You have the resolve to do that, right? Of course, we won’t forgive a single trace of infidelity.”

“If you want to marry Raidou-sama, you should be careful. If it’s a boring household, papa might crush it and make you servants. We should at least get our families to know each other, right?”

The results were immense. The ones who said these words were not the graceful Sif or the cheerful Yuno, but the two who were clad in the same air as their reputation. That must have greatly influenced the students’ actions.

That rumor didn’t spread to the public, but among female students considering confessing to Raidou, it spread incredibly fast. Until now, there had been no risks in confessing to Raidou, but now it had become dangerous in an instant.

The number of confessions to him decreased rapidly. Seeing Raidou’s relieved face, the sisters were simply happy about it. He himself thinks it’s due to rumors and hasn’t noticed it’s the sisters’ work.

And so, Sif and Yuno were heading to the library precisely regarding Raidou.

Without getting lost, they continued to the grand library and found a desk where a group was gathered.

“So we were the last ones, huh. Even though we’re newcomers, sorry.” (Sif)

“Next time we’ll come faster, okay, senpais.” (Yuno)

The two already knew they would be gathered here and apologize. This is also something unexpected from their previous reputation, but for the members who have been with the sisters in the same class, they’ve already gotten used to it and stood up to receive them.

“Don’