บท 21: EP 21 – Confrontation
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"So Conrad just let it go easily? Do you often get misunderstood from saying strange things?"
"I don't think so."
"Then you probably have a terrible sense of perception. There's already a few of such incidents from what I've seen."
"…"
"Be careful with your words. The way I see it, your campus life will be riddled with all sorts of disasters because of it."
Well, that's a bit harsh.
I thought while Percy flipped through the production draft I had prepared.
Percy Siston Levantin, the Magic Faculty Dewn, is a competent researcher recognized by the Mage Tower.
The humankind in the world of Sera has achieved most of their technological development through magic engineering. Therefore, being recognized by the Mage Tower, which was the hub of such technology, was a remarkable feat.
I don't know if it's because of her achievements in magic, but despite her approaching the age of getting gray hairs, she looked no different than a woman in her late 20s.
Well, anyway.
"Are you crazy?"
"…"
"Why would ask me to make something like this?"
It was, without a doubt, a weird request.
"This is more like a cannon than a bomb. I already thought you went crazy for asking a weapon that could explode the entire academy. But you also want me to make it all focus on one point?"
A valid point, understandable.
It definitely feels more like a portable cannon than a bomb.
Rather than covering a wide area, I want it to hit a precise point at the right time.
"The actual production will be done by the internal workshop of the Crafting Department. I just need the Dean to design the explosion source and an outer shell to contain it."
"That's the hardest part. It's already a challenge to prepare that much firepower. Now, you also need a strong container to store that amount of force. Student, do you think I'm a god or something?"
"But you've already made something similar before."
Percy frowned and shut her mouth after hearing my words.
Among the 'weapons' that this person produced at the Mage Tower, products with similar performance had even gone into actual production.
But it was scrapped due to some kind of 'accident'.
After some silence, Percy said with a hint of difficulty.
"I don't know how you know that. It was a long time ago."
"You were a god of magic engineering, what happened?"
In fact, if it had not been for this 'accident', she might have risen to become the 'successor' of the Mage Tower.
No one would be able to complete this request other than Percy.
She's not just the Magic Faculty Dean for nothing.
"Frankly, I don't know if I should say this."
"…What is it?"
"Well, it's not like the Dean is the one suffering the most."
"…"
Percy couldn't help but clear her throat when I just went straight for it.
And the faces of the students who were working nearby turned pale.
Wherever you go, most of the time, it's the front liners under the managers who gets handed a pile of work and suffer the most.
"Anyway, production aside. What are you going to use this weapon for?"
Percy asked with a solemn expression.
This was a valid question. I may have the wish ticket, but if a student asks you to make a destructive weapon, it's natural to be wary.
Actually, the usage is simple.
Sera's chapter bosses tend to come out with all kinds of dirty gimmicks. And in the case of the Purifier, they get especially annoying in the final phase.
They're infamous for constantly troubling players in all sorts of ways. They never seem to stop no matter how much you thought you've beaten them enough, like tenacious cockroaches.
Wirh that said, this was my solution.
"I need to take down something in one shot."
"…"
"Well, it's just that I need to clean something quick before it becomes a nuisance."
"…Student, you're really bad at explaining, arent you?"
"…"
I do think I'm being very vague.
"But there is a reason…"
"I'm sure there are. Alright, I'll make it for you."
"…"
Seeing Percy accepting it just like that left me speechless.
As I blinked awkwardly, Percy swept her hair with a sigh.
"Well, the President has instructed me to cooperate with you, so I'll be listening to what you say… And I don't think you'll misuse it."
What's with this high evaluation?
With my eyes wide open, Percy continued with a smile.
"Normal students may not know, but there are quite a few faculty members who knew of the feat you did during the previous monster incident. It's something that can't be done with just ordinary courage and skill."
"…Is that so?"
"Yes. I guess the President was planning on putting you in some youth love drama, aside from saving the world…"
However, Percy suddenly stopped mid sentence and shut her mouth tight.
Her complexion immediately changed. As if she had said something she shouldn't have.
What?
"…Youth love drama? The world, yes?"
"Ah, no, ah, I, I said nothing, nothing! You didn't hear anything! Forget everything I said!"
Why is she so flustered?
Although her character was a bit clumsy, seeing her act like this made it seem like she had said something she really shouldn't have.
"More importantly, what about the materials to make this!"
Then Percy hurriedly changed the topic.
"We would need the internal explosives to act as gunpowder. And we need a material that has good strength, junction and elasticity, and magic conductivity for the outer shell! It'll be really difficult to find them!"
"…For now, please calm down. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
I sighed and said.
Although she said that to change the topic, the point itself is valid.
The material for the explosion and its container are both important.
'We should focus on this.'
I fiddled with the black card I received from Atallante previously. It was the key to another world.
If I can get inside, it shouldn't be that difficult to find the materials that Percy said.
Surviving inside would be a challenge in itself, but…
'For that…'
I only need two things to help me with it.
"Dean, didn't you say something else when you gave me the wish ticket before?"
"Yes, yeees?!"
"…Didn't you say that the hero candidate and I can each pick an item from the Vision Warehouse?"
It was a privilege obtained by breaking the mock battle record.
"Then can I ask you for the items we can take out?"
I wrote the name of two items on a piece of paper as I said that.
These two are subtle when used separately, but has an extreme effect when used together.
I may be asking for Elijah's behalf, but I was carrying her during the mock battle. If she has any complaints, I have my say.
"…"
And when Percy saw the item names, she finally regained her composure.
The reason was that it was too absurd.
She might have already understood the reason for taking out these two items.
"…Have you really gone crazy?"
"…"
Ma'am .
Why would you ask me that?
Elfante is actually not that strict than one might expect, especially for freshmen.
They guarantee the students the right to self-study rather than forcing them in a confined class. Either way, what they achieve solely depends on them.
'…It's quite large.'
This is why I can slack off like this.
Strolling with aching legs, I walked down the hallway.
I'm looking for Elijah. I'll be using the 'key' that Atallante gave me tomorrow, and her cooperation is essential to my plan.
'Maybe…'
She's probably in the Monster Research Department club room. In the original game, she was a junior in this Department.
But this place is really too damn big. My legs are hurting, yet there's still a long way to go to my destination.
As I was musing to myself.
"Ah, are you Dowd Campbell by any chance?"
Someone suddenly called out to me, which sent chills running down my spine.
Turning to see who it was, I saw a man dressed in formal wear approaching me.
He had a polite smile, a kind-looking face, and a gentlemanly demeanor.
He looked like a successful young entrepreneur.
"…"
However, I knew for a fact that this was all on the surface.
Insidiousness disguised as courtesy, malice wrapped in goodness, and hostility covered with politeness.
"I was looking for you, but it's a coincidence to meet you here."
Bullsh¡t.
He must have been monitoring my every move. The odds of such a coincidental meeting with this person in a hallway with no one around was slim to none.
"…Do you know me?"
"Ah, forgive me for the late introduction. I am Galdier Riverback. I run a charity foundation called the 'House of Purification'."
He handed me a business card while saying so.
Oh I know you, alright.
Marquis Galdier Riverback.
The big boss of Chapter 1, the "Purifier," and the leader of the devil-worshipping cult "PURIFIER."
[T/N: there's two "Purifier" but they are spelled differently in Korean so I'll just capitalize the cult name like how the author spelled out the word]
The charity foundation is just a money-laundering front for his cult.
…
Yeah, whatever.
What's important is why he suddenly appeared here.
What does he want from me?
"I have had a great interest in Mr. Dowd Campbell for some time now. I have been wanting to contact you, but the opportunity never presented itself ."
Despite not having said a word, Marquis Riverback had already led the conversation in his direction.
"I have a story I would like to share. Would you mind joining me for a meal sometime?"
"…It's fine, you can just say it here."
"That won't do, unfortunately. It's for charity. The House of Purification supports talented students so that they are not constrained by things like finances."
Marquis Riverback smiled, and even, bowed slightly. His courteous attitude remained despite my rough response.
"… My reputation isn't really that good, I'm sure you've heard of it."
This is what the academy is promoting and making it to be. I'm sure the truth hasn't leaked and the knowledge of it is even limited.
However, Marquis Riverback continued to smile without hesitation.
"It is a feat in itself to attract public opinion to that extent."
"…"
"Our foundation can definitely provide Mr. Dowd Campbell with a great opportunity. Could you please reconsider?"
I rotated the business card in my hand several times without answering.
How sus could you be by saying that having shi† reputation is a skill?
It's a proposal that doesn't make any sense other than showing interest in me.
'This.'
This event was also present in the original story.
Marquis Riverback did this same thing to 'woo' someone. In the game, Elijah got involved in this too, which led to an important branch of the chapter.
And now it's happening to me.
I don't know why.
"…I'll think about it."
Marquis Riverback grinned at my reply and politely saluted.
"I look forward to a positive response."
Watching the 'polite' man departing back, I turned over the business card I received.
3 days later. Twilight Iris. A high-end restaurant located inside the city area outside the campus.
It looks like he rented the whole restaurant. But Marquis Riverback is famous for his wealth.
"…"
I silently weighed the situation in my head.
Avoiding events tied to the main scenario will result in a significant penalty. There was virtually no option for me but to go through it.
"…"
Why do I always end up like this?
Is the whole world banding against me?
I massaged my head. I've been having frequent migraines as of late.
'…I'll have to prepare everything I can.'
Well, there's no point in weighing the options now. Like usual, it's fight or die.
I still have 3 days to spare. Until then, I need to think of what I can do.
Gathering the information I know and applying it to the current situation.
Calculate the risk. Calculate the return.
'…It's not impossible.'
The plan itself will not change much. I need to go to the other world with Elijah tomorrow and collect the materials.
Then I just need to wait for the thing to be made and strengthened.
But, after that.
"…"
I need one more thing.
I changed my course. There was someone I need to find first before going to Elijah.
Soon, I arrived at the infirmary and knocked on the door.
"Elnor. Are you there?"
"…Dowd?"
Elnore's startled voice came from inside.
I heard that after fighting the Dean and passing out, she was in bed the whole day.
"…What is it? Hold on. I'll be right there."
"No need, please rest easy. It's just a simple matter."
"What is it? Is something the matter?"
"Are you free in three days?"
"…Eung?"
"Can you go somewhere with me? It's at 'Twilight Iris'."
Elnore went silent in the room.
There was a long silence along with heavy breathing.
Then, a slightly trembling voice sounded.
"…Isn't that the famous dating place, no, a very expensive restaurant? Why would you go there…"
"Nothing in particular, I just want to go there with you."
There was a loud sound from inside the room, as if something had fallen.
"…"
Why is this person like this?
"…Are you okay?"
"I'm fine."
"…"
Right. That's a relief.
"Then I'll see you in three days…?"
"…Okay."
I stepped back after hearing her voice that sounded different than usual.
'…But I've secured the most important person.'
The rest is just gathering the means to use in the plan.
All right.
""
It looks like the next three days are going to be pretty busy.
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