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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Where's My Disciple?
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Was it because he saw me instantly incinerate the newly awakened demon with a single strike?
Or was it the betrayal he felt towards someone he had trusted for so long?
Randel, who had been conversing with me, adopted an active stance, and thanks to him, I was able to easily resolve an incident that was supposed to occur this semester.
Not only that. I even formed a contract with Randel.
Randel promised me that as long as he remained an executive, the 'Wings of Freedom' would never attempt to harm the Academy.
Having made that promise, Randel confidently demanded compensation before the scales.
"When I deal with Alphonse, and when I expel the Chaos Cult members within the 'Wings of Freedom,' the contractor 'Camel' shall lend me his strength, no matter what."
"Honestly, smart kids are just exhausting."
Frankly, I was surprised. Despite being in a situation where he should have been thoroughly intimidated, Randel had been running calculations in his head and picking out the optimal choice.
"How annoying."
Lying on my bed, I muttered that, then chuckled softly to myself.
It was because I felt contradictory.
I'd claimed it was annoying, yet deep down, I felt a thrill.
Sometimes I wondered.
Perhaps I was a little worse than the bad guys themselves.
"Anyway, it seems all I have to do on this end is wait for Randel's call."
Still lying in bed, I tossed and caught the small communication orb Randel had given me, shifting my thoughts.
"The next one's the real deal..."
After the practical assessment schedule concluded, Jane contacted me, using the disciplinary committee as an excuse, and discreetly relayed the information I needed.
"Next Sunday, she'll be visiting the temple in Adelit Village. Under the guise of encouraging and supporting 'Righteous Love,' which you've joined."
I had cast out my snare, hoping for a catch, and the moment I did, a fish leaped right into it—this must be what it felt like to be a fisherman.
It was such welcome news that the thought sprang to mind unbidden.
"My father doesn't even know that being's whereabouts. I'm sorry. I tried everything to find out..."
Jane said, watching my expression. She hadn't been able to uncover the plans of the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed.
"Sorry for what?"
If anything, I was grateful. At least it was now certain that Greed, that girl, would approach me next weekend.
"I want to kill her quickly."
Saying it like that made me feel like some kind of serial killer, but.
I meant it. Greed was the most dangerous factor among those I could deal with right now, possessing the greatest influence and variability.
*Knock, knock.*
I was mulling over murder in my mind when the sound of knocking suddenly came from the door.
"..."
Hearing it, I closed my eyes and held my breath.
I desperately wished for the presence I presumed to be outside to not bother my tired self and just turn back.
Was that really such an excessive wish?
*Click.*
Despite clearly remembering locking the door, my bedroom door opened with disheartening ease.
"Daddy!"
As the light flickered on, Tweetie's voice, which I currently wished to ignore, rang out.
"..."
*I'm tired today, please just go away?*
Thinking that internally, I gritted my teeth and pretended to be asleep.
"He seems to be asleep, should we just go today?"
Amidst that, a voice like salvation chimed in.
"He moved a lot today, so he must be tired."
Sage quietly whispered, trying to soothe Tweetie.
"Ugh... but I want to play."
Perhaps what I'd saved wasn't a bluebird, but Satan's spawn.
Tweetie's voice was so full of petulance that the thought naturally occurred to me.
*What are you gonna do about it?*
Feeling that the situation was unfolding favorably, I savored the sense of victory internally.
Tired, I was asleep, and Sage was suggesting we leave without bothering me.
Therefore, there would be nothing a mere young bird like Tweetie could do.
It was a meaningless contest, but naturally, I was the victor, and Tweetie was undeniably the loser.
That's how it should have been.
It *definitely* should have been.
Tweetie, however, managed to turn the tables with a single sentence.
"Mommy, then can't we just pull down his pants? I want to see a male's genitals."
What in the world was this crazy bird saying?
*It's fine. Sage will stop her.*
My thoughts nearly froze at Tweetie's cheerful voice, but I quickly reassured myself.
Because Sage, who was still clumsy with emotions, was right beside her.
There was no way Sage, who couldn't fully comprehend the emotion of curiosity, would indulge Tweetie's whims.
Or so I thought.
"Sh-should we?"
Sage stammered as she echoed the question.
"See, Mommy's a female too, so she was curious... Oh, Daddy's awake!"
"You're here?"
Checkmated, I had no choice but to get up.
"Good timing. Sage, I actually had something to ask you."
Forcibly controlling the wellspring of tears that threatened to burst, I began to say what I had originally planned to tell Sage tomorrow.
"Could you spare some time next weekend?"
Though an unfortunate incident occurred where I had to endure Tweetie until dawn.
Regardless, that night, I managed to recruit the adopted daughter of the Astrea family.
*****
In the Barony of Darmian, the most famous attraction, without a doubt, was the Lake of Mana.
This lake was renowned for its abundant mana, so much so that absurd rumors circulated about simply immersing oneself in it being able to cure all ailments.
However, there was a famous cafe that, not only threatened the popularity of the Lake of Mana, but was also emerging as a new attraction in the Barony of Darmian.
-Threesome Place
This cafe, with a name that would make anyone blush at first glance, was making a name for itself not just in the Barony of Darmian but throughout the Empire with its unique and diverse menu.
"Boss, there's a customer making a scene..."
Jakel, who had been meticulously examining ledgers with a magnifying glass, frowned and lifted his head at the youthful voice.
"Don't I have a part-timer hired specifically to deal with troublesome customers?"
"You said Sae-don oppa quit because he fell for Lyle, that unnie."
"Damn it."
Jakel, looking at the clueless new part-timer, thought to himself.
*Oh, right. This one was the newbie who came in after Lyle quit.*
Anyway, that was the problem with young people these days.
If they came to earn money, they should be diligent in their work. Yet, if you let your guard down for a moment, they'd fall for each other and quit simultaneously.
This was one of the biggest recent concerns for Jakel, who managed around twenty part-timers.
"Another pain-in-the-ass customer?"
"It's a pain-in-the-ass *woman*. And a very scary one at that."
"Damn it, where is this pain-in-the-ass woman?"
"She's sitting by the window on the second floor, waiting only for you, Boss. She said if you don't come out, she'll burn the whole cafe down."
"What kind of era do we live in that she dares make such threats? Just you wait. Lyle, this boss is going to give her a piece of his mind."
"Lyle unnie quit, and I'm Mile."
"..."
Jakel, watching the new recruit pout, rose from his seat and headed to the second floor.
The increase in customers and revenue was certainly welcome.
But as if by some formula, the number of troublesome customers also grew proportionally with the increase in sales.
The only thing that decreased was his already sparse hair.
As this thought struck him, Jakel immediately resolved.
He would unleash his anger at the world upon this troublesome woman.
But that resolve didn't last long.
"Long time no see."
"Hi-hiccup!"
Jakel couldn't help but hiccup for the first time in ages as he saw the platinum-haired woman smiling brightly and greeting him.
Because Jakel knew the woman's identity. And how terrifying a being she was.
*The master who beat that guy like a dog...*
Jakel wiped away the cold sweat beading on his forehead, recalling old memories.
Camel, his business partner.
That guy had an innate talent for business, but an even greater talent for brawling.
He beat up troublesome customers.
He beat up guards who demanded bribes.
He beat up a bad-tempered wizard who visited the village, and even a Holy Knight from the Holy Nation.
In a word, he was a partner with unapproachable might and a terrible personality.
Jakel had witnessed the terrifying Camel beaten to a bloody pulp, unable to even resist, just once.
For context, on that day, Jakel had merely asked Camel one question.
"Oh, does my master have a boyfriend? Pfft! A boyfriend for someone who hasn't held a man's hand in decades? Even a passing dog would laugh!"
"She's a truly ancient maiden. The grandchild of a spider that spun webs in her vicinity would probably have died by now? Hahahaha."
What was so funny? Camel burst into laughter at Jakel's question, clutching his stomach, and the woman who had appeared behind him had, by then, grabbed Camel by the neck.
"The aroma is nice. Like coffee someone used to brew for me."
That very woman had appeared before him, sipping coffee with an expression that felt strangely murderous.
*Gulp*, a tense Jakel involuntarily swallowed dry.
"Just one question."
The woman's expression hardened as she posed her query.
"Camel, where's my disciple?"