Chapter 255

Chapter 255 – Land of Milk and Honey

The day following my encounter with Pola.

Having concluded my lectures at the academy, I shared an evening meal alongside Damian, Chenbi, and Evelyn before making my way back to my quarters.

‘Alright, let me get these facts straight.’

The Karlia Mercenary Company, whose operations were centered within the domain of the Blandoga Family, had unexpectedly entered the fray between Lortel and Decullan for a specific purpose.

Their primary revenue stream had relied on the commerce paths connecting ‘Blando-Great Forest Greentown,’ but Destrow’s appearance had severed these channels, leaving them with no alternative but to take action.

Reflecting on it now, Pola’s frantic nocturnal movements during the previous term were undoubtedly driven by these pressing financial strains.

Setting that unfortunate predicament aside, however.

‘The real issue is the academy timeline.’

The journey separating Hazen from Decullan was by no means brief.

Furthermore, tracking down the scattered remnants would necessitate a thorough search across a significant portion of Decullan soil.

It was an undertaking that would demand an immense investment of time, regardless of how one approached it.

Consequently, after weighing my options, I was left with no choice but to seek counsel from our resident planner and backer, Evelyn.

I outlined the core petition without touching upon Parun or Pola, yet Evelyn, listening in silence, knitted her brows ever so slightly.

“Aster…… At some point, you began consulting me on all these matters as if it were the most natural progression in the world. If that is your approach, wouldn’t it be far more reasonable to be transparent about what you are concealing? Or do I simply lack your confidence?”

“No, that isn’t the case.”

“Sigh. I will offer my guidance on this occasion, but try to view it from my perspective. How do you imagine that feels?”

Hm.

“Very well, I shall disclose everything once this task is concluded.”

“……I intend to hold you to that promise.”

Evelyn directed a sharp look my way, then took a sip of the coffee purchased using my funds before continuing.

“There are two primary factors here.”

“Two?”

“Indeed. The precise location of the territory promised as payment. And whether that territory justifies entangling ourselves in the conflict between Lortel and Decullan.”

To put it plainly, disregard the emotional backdrop—merely analyze the gains and losses.

“……What about our standing at the academy?”

In response to my inquiry, Evelyn offered an expression of sheer incredulity.

“Is the academy truly your main concern at this juncture? Academic pursuits can wait, but financial opportunities possess a strict deadline. And in all honesty…….”

Evelyn cast a brief look toward me and remarked.

“Does the academy truly feel indispensable to you, Aster?”

Indispensable? It most certainly was.

“For cultivating alliances…….”

I began to justify my stance, but Evelyn let out a dismissive scoff.

“Oh, please. Alliances or whatever else you call them. I am not privy to your entire situation, but reflect upon it. Back when we were in the Second Black-White Slums, or amidst all that turmoil, did your status as an academy student provide any actual benefit? You constantly conceal your identity behind a visage.”

“That is…… accurate.”

“And let us be entirely frank. Who exactly are the supervisor of Rihaym Orphanage and Teacher Mysern? There is no possible way they are…… that Sandstorm…… And who is the Mage? With figures of that caliber in your orbit, do you truly need to depend on academy acquaintances?”

“……Perhaps not?”

“Ponder it thoroughly. Does it genuinely carry any weight?”

I paused for a brief interval to structure my reflections following her unanticipated query.

First, let us assess my current circle.

The Vampire Lord, the Blandoga Young Patriarch, the Lortel Young Patriarch, the Archmage of Termination, the Sandstorm Spiritist, the academy principal, an academy professor, the vice principal of the Blandoga Magic Academy, and though our interactions are limited, I possess familiarity with Lortel’s Third Sword and First Sword, in addition to the leaders overseeing the base camps governing the Hamern Great Forest.

Furthermore, though I prefer to avoid unnecessary complications, the Grand Duchess of Lamburg Kingdom represents an individual with whom I could forge a pact should our motivations align.

Viewing matters through that lens, I found myself quietly astonished by the breadth of my own associations.

“I…… am actually quite formidable, am I not?”

“You can provide me with the details of each individual at a later time. They could prove advantageous for commerce. At any rate…… is your academic network truly that vital?”

“Academic networks…… vital…… Hm.”

I intended to argue that they were, but the logic failed to materialize.

Simply completing my education at Jenion Academy would never yield a network of such magnitude.

In truth, securing even a single one of those connections would be deemed an extraordinary triumph.

Nonetheless, I maintained a counterpoint.

“……Even so, did I not cross paths with Chenbi and yourself precisely because I entered this institution?”

“And who else from this campus do you intend to pull down into the depths with you? Chenbi’s vitality seems to diminish slightly with each passing day. Though, that might simply be her standard expression by now. As for myself…….”

“Come now, if you possess any sense of fairness, you cannot refer to it as a depth after I so brilliantly extracted you from it.”

“……Regardless.”

She persisted in labeling it a depth, despite my magnificent intervention to rescue her from those very circumstances.

“Allow me to inquire, however. Among the individuals you enumerated, is there anyone prepared to grant you territory?”

“……There are those who could, certainly.”

“Then why decline the offer? It mirrors the situation with the Second Black-White Slums—there exists a justification for your refusal, does there not? Which signifies the answer is no.”

Presented in such a straightforward manner, her reasoning was undeniable.

As I gestured in understanding, Evelyn consumed more of the coffee secured with my capital and extended her palm.

I deposited the pastries I had acquired alongside the beverage onto her hand. As though I were a mere attendant…… Hmph, the party in need must show forbearance.

Regardless, Evelyn consumed a pastry and spoke.

“Thus, the academy is not an issue worth fretting over. Worst-case scenario, simply regulate your presence to prevent an enforced suspension. You do not even require preparation for assessments, correct? You appear to manipulate your marks just enough—bypass the midterms, excel in the final evaluations, and secure a minimal pass.”

“……You have investigated my affairs thoroughly, it seems.”

“Naturally. Last year…….”

Evidently, she had formulated contingencies for the worst outcomes while juggling her academic duties and professional obligations.

“Now, we must balance the worth of the territory against the potential hazards…… but let me ask a single question.”

“Proceed.”

“Is this an undertaking you can truly manage, Aster? It defies my ordinary understanding. Extracting a isolated mercenary company from the midst of the Lortel-Decullan conflict……?”

Evelyn observed me with an air of apprehension.

“You have allies to rely upon, correct? Such as the Mage, or Rihaym’s supervisor, or Senior Mysern……?”

Hm, I exist as a transcendent being, though I could not precisely articulate that to her.

It would cause no harm to disclose it, but it would merely prolong the interaction, so I deferred the matter and offered a plausible pretext.

“Listen, I have my methods. Even in their absence, numerous individuals will offer assistance. I will merely serve as the guide or something of that nature.”

“……Is that so?”

“Naturally.”

Evelyn pressed for confirmation a few more times before steering the dialogue back to the primary subject.

“Very well, I shall trust in your capability to oversee it. So, where is this territory the patron has put forward? What are its dimensions?”

“The territory…… where exactly was it located.”

The designation was unfamiliar, requiring a distinct effort to summon from memory.

“Ah, yes. In the vicinity of the Arafur Mountains. Roughly the scale of a substantial settlement……ries.”

At that moment, Evelyn uttered a sharp cry as though completely startled.

“Arafur?! Do you refer to Arafurgin?”

“It could very well have been Arafurgin.”

What could possibly justify such immense shock?

“The dimensions of a substantial settlement in that region would equate to roughly…… No, regardless, it is far from negligible.”

Evelyn murmured under her breath, performing rapid mental assessments. Then, she abruptly turned her gaze directly toward me……

‘……What is the meaning behind that expression.’

She resembled a wealth-hoarding goblin merchant.

“The Arafurgin Mountains—that region has become a massive focal point recently.”

“……For what reason?”

“Are you unaware? It stands as the upcoming major provider of magical components following the Hamern Great Forest! The forest is only recently achieving stability, but they have been uncovering alternative domains to bridge the deficit, and Arafurgin is among them!”

Hold on, that implied……

“Regardless of which mercenary guild holds it—they have struck absolute fortune. It likely was not acquired recently…… They must have obtained it at a low cost. At any rate, do you grasp my meaning?”

……Yes, with absolute clarity.

This demanded an affirmative response.

‘Wyvern, take flight.’

[I fly. Moonlight Stone, excellent.]

I envisioned the wyvern extending its massive wings above me and rising into the heavens.

Arafurgin.

The promised territory flowing with milk and honey.

That domain was awaiting my arrival.

Once the choice was finalized, execution followed swiftly.

To begin, after taking my leave of Evelyn, I proceeded directly to the principal’s secluded chambers.

“Principal senior.”

“What is it this time.”

“Let us establish an agreement.”

“……An agreement?”

“Indeed. You instructed me to maintain my distance from the Third Princess, did you not? What if I were to absent myself from the academy entirely?”

The principal scowled as though I were uttering absolute nonsense.

“You, of all individuals? That is not driven by my admonition—it is because you possess your own objectives here. Regardless, what are your terms?”

My objective was straightforward.

“Something along the lines of…… practical field assignments substituting for standard attendance? A mechanism of that nature?”

“……Do not simply attempt to evade the fundamental courses, you troublesome brat. I have been monitoring you closely of late precisely due to your absences.”

“It serves a grander objective.”

“Personal advantage, more accurately.”

“So, no agreement?”

“Hm……ries.”

The principal folded his arms, slipping into brief contemplation.

For myself, it was a beneficial arrangement to secure—though of no great consequence if it dissolved.

Merely a protective measure against potential complications.

As I awaited his verdict, it arrived without delay.

“You had no requirement to approach me for such a matter.”

“……Why do you say that?”

“Have you failed to review the institutional regulations? Starting in the second year, there exists a seasonal term. It is conventionally designed as a final recourse for struggling pupils prior to a suspension or removal, but this term, the policies were amended—you can utilize it to compensate for missed sessions.”

“Oh…… truly?”

“Yes, a notable number of students were prevented from reaching the campus because of the hostilities. The institution cannot halt the entire academic calendar, nor can they dismiss them without consideration, so this serves as an interim resolution.”

“But does that provision extend to my situation?”

The principal offered a shrug in response to my query.

“That rests upon your actions. The statutes do not delineate specific justifications for absences. It remains entirely at the discretion of your instructor.”

“Hm, understood.”

Therefore, it was within the realm of possibility.

‘Very well, I shall approach Pelina regarding this matter.’

My designated mentor is Jeira, but our rapport is insufficient for such a request.

Pelina would accommodate it.

Professor Pelina, who specializes in the analysis of Frizen relics, maintains a sense of obligation toward me following the events at the Trial Spire—she would easily grant a minor concession of this nature.

As an added benefit: I could inquire regarding the advancement of the Frizen relic research.

“In that case, remain well until our paths cross again.”

“……Ensure you avoid the Third Princess. Keep that at the forefront of your mind.”

His tone carried the sharpness of a blade.

However, I offered no reply.

I could not bring myself to utter a falsehood, after all.

‘Excellent, the subsequent task…….’

I made my way directly to Professor Pelina’s research quarters, though regrettably, the room stood unoccupied.

I deposited a message detailing the request and proceeded toward the second-year residential quarters.

I peered through the window of Chenbi’s chamber.

‘Chenbi is currently absent.’

The aura originating from the washing area belonged unmistakably to Pola.

I donned my visage and waited for Pola to step forward.

Before long, Pola emerged.

“……!”

Pola gasped slightly upon noticing my presence, but I spoke with composure.

“I shall accept the assignment.”

“Truly……? I am so incredibly…… grateful…….”

“There is no requirement for gratitude. This functions as a compensated contract.”

Mercenaries exist by the edge of their steel, and their existences constitute their trade.

Delivering them from danger out of mere sentimentality would serve as an affront to their profession.

This was strictly a commercial transaction.

Yet, for some reason.

“Thank you…… truly, thank you.”

Pola’s tears began to spill over.

In the manner of a youngster, falling drop by drop.