All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 234

◈ Chapter 234

117. I’m Not Okay – 2

Ian revealed himself, and the messengers were momentarily taken aback.

But they quickly regained their senses.

“H-Heek?!”

Ian stroked the hilt of his sword at the trembling figures.

That alone terrified them even more.

“You’re just here to deliver a message anyway. So I have no intention of pointlessly cutting you down.”

“Th-Thank you.”

The man before them was someone who would smash the gates and walls of the academy if he didn’t like something.

And he had even declared war on the Iron-Blood Engineering Department.

If they rubbed him the wrong way, their heads would fly, and their master’s family might even be destroyed.

Therefore, the messengers hurriedly turned and fled.

“The effect is remarkable.”

“Sometimes, it’s necessary to show some power.”

Okendell, who had followed, sighed.

“I wish you would do the same with the Sun and Moon Orders.”

“A cleric is merely a servant of God. When power and strength are attached to faith, it corrupts.”

Okendell stared at Ian intently.

“Would the Sun forgive such corruption?”

“Truly admirable.”

Ian smiled, and he nodded.

“Ah, and this is my gift.”

It was a luxurious box.

Inside was a brooch.

He didn’t collect holy objects much anymore since he didn’t have a reason to.

However, the Sun and Moon Orders still thought Ian liked holy objects.

Therefore, Okendell pointed to the Brooch of the Sun with a pleased expression.

“It is the finest holy object in this temple. I offer it as a reward for resolving the matter at the academy; please do not refuse.”

Ian picked up the holy object from the box.

Perhaps it was because it contained quite a bit of the sun’s energy?

Mya, who was clinging to his shoulder, cried out happily.

“Do you want it?”

“Myam Mya!”

Okendell was pleased to see that.

The sight of the Spirit of Light, which the Sun Order valued so much, being so attached to him was very pleasing.

As he walked outside with Ian, Okendell glanced at the statue of the Apostle of the Sun.

“There is talk coming from the main branch.”

“What kind of talk?”

“The talk is about whether Ian, the Saint, might be the Apostle of the Sun.”

“Is that so?”

“The Sun sends warm light to all things in the world from the sky. You, Saint, are also moving for the world like the sun. I think you are fully qualified to be an apostle.”

He shook his head.

Okendell was disappointed by Ian’s cold attitude.

If he had shown interest, he would have tried to recommend him to the main branch in connection with this matter.

“Ah, of course, this temple is not going to recommend you. If you wish, you can speak to Priest Willis of the Fredon Academy.”

“There must be someone more suitable than me.”

When Ian seriously refused, he couldn’t say anything more.

“Then, I will be on my way.”

“I understand. May the will of the Sun be with you, Saint.”

After receiving Okendell’s greeting, Ian left the temple.

As he walked alone after coming out.

A well-dressed nobleman was approaching the temple.

“Count Ian! Let’s talk for a moment!”

He was a typical plump nobleman.

As he rushed over, Ian spoke first before he could open his mouth.

“Did you come because of this incident? Baron Philodo Kerendi.”

“Huk.”

The plump nobleman was horrified.

He never imagined that someone like Ian would know him.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

“I, I don’t know how you know me, but it’s truly an honor.”

“There’s no need for honor. You. You’re a vassal of the Polardk County, right? You came because of Josephine Polardk.”

One of the students involved in this incident was the heir to the Polardk County.

Philodo licked his dry lips when Ian mentioned that.

Sweat kept pouring down his body.

There was a rumor that Ian knew everything just by looking at it once.

And it turned out to be true.

“There are no exceptions. They will all be investigated and receive proper punishment.”

“B-But, Count Ian. They are…”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“Of course, there’s a problem!”

Kiorck Polardk, the head of the Polardk County and Josephine Polardk’s father, was also the commander of the 5th Imperial Standing Army.

Although the 5th Army was weak, it still included the forces of the nobles in the southeastern part of the empire.

What if he moved his army and protested to Ian?

But Ian simply snorted.

“Tell him to come.”

“No, that’s not the problem. If you need money…”

“I’m a Titan seller.”

“Then, even a title…”

“I’m a Count.”

There was nothing more to offer.

As he hesitated and rubbed his palms together, Ian said calmly.

“Go back and tell him exactly that.”

Leaving only those words, Ian left, and he sighed heavily.

It felt like a bloodbath was about to break out in the empire.

After finishing his business, he was heading back to the dormitory.

He ran into a group of Imperial Academy students.

Just as Ian was about to pass by after glancing at them, a student called out to Ian.

“Count Ian!”

It was Swan.

She smiled awkwardly and bowed to Ian.

“Are you coming back from somewhere?”

“Yeah. But why did you stop me?”

She sent the students around her away and said in a small voice.

“The academy is a bit uneasy right now. Do you know that?”

“Because of what happened at the Imperial Academy?”

“Yes. Because you broke the gates and walls and even touched the prince, some nobles are dissatisfied with you, Count.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s to the point where some are even talking about striking you, Count [challenging you to a duel or otherwise confronting you].”

“I wish they would.”

Even after showing this much power, there were still those who dared to challenge him.

What a beautiful spirit of challenge.

Swan was horrified as Ian grinned.

Swan’s concern wasn’t that he would be defeated.

She was worried about what would happen if Ian got angry and blew up the academy.

That was her only concern.

Ian chuckled, reading her mind from her expression.

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of using New World here. I’m not some bloodthirsty murderer. How many innocent people live in the academy? Why would I use it?”

“T-That’s a relief.”

“I’m just going to find the bastards who deserve to die and kill them.”

“Ah. I see. Then, who is included in those bastards who deserve to die?”

“Everyone involved in this incident, including the Iron-Blood Engineering Department.”

Swan couldn’t say anything more at his assertion.

It seemed like things were about to get huge.

* * *

After finishing all his business, Ian put Mya on his lap and began meditating.

How long had it been?

As the sun was setting, the door opened.

“Hey. Ian. Are you there?”

“Yeah.”

Park Bare entered the room with a grin and looked around before speaking.

“I’m going to have dinner with the Imperial Academy kids later. It’s at a really nice restaurant called Tokilon’s Remains, which not just anyone can go to. Do you want to come?”

“Outside?”

“Yeah. They’re paying.”

“Are you going alone?”

“Willbal and Blanche have agreed to go together.”

“It’s good to go, but it doesn’t seem right for just you guys to go.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I told Grajina and Oeriena, but they said they have work to do. Oeriena said she has to go to the Imperial Academy Magic Tower, and Grajina is going to the ruins lab.”

“Then, bring Haryun or Willdy if they come. They’ll be here soon.”

“Why?”

Ian stared at Park Bare.

“It could be a trap.”

“A trap? What trap? Hey. Do you think this Park Bare would fall for something like that?”

“Myaa~.”

Mya cried, and Ian stared without saying anything.

Park Bare, who had fallen into a trap before, subtly avoided his gaze.

“T-That was when I wasn’t a Master [a high-ranking magic user]. And there are two Masters and one Expert [a mid-ranking magic user].”

Ian chuckled at his confident appearance.

“What if you get caught and interfere with me?”

“Tch. If you put it that way, I’ll take Haryun. But where did they go?”

“They went to support Instructor Aransse in negotiating with the Imperial Academy. They’ll be back soon.”

“But if that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for you to go with them?”

“I have a lot of work to do. I have to train with Princess Charle later.”

“Really? By the way, how about teaching her a little easier? Princess Charle’s skills are improving like crazy. Her growth rate is visible to the eye?”

“Don’t just play around, you guys, and train.”

“Tsk. Alright. So you’re not going, right? See you later.”

Park Bare waved his hand and left.

As he left, Kirke said calmly.

It felt like something was about to happen.

That’s why Kirke spoke, and Ian nodded before continuing his meditation.

In the evening, he had a simple meal, taught Charle, and returned to the dormitory.

He was meditating alone in the garden when Aransse approached him with a serious expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“Park Bare, Willbal, Blanche, and Haryun went out for dinner and haven’t returned. It’s past the time they should be back……”

“They must be drinking. And Haryun is with them, so you don’t have to worry.”

“I wish that were the case……. I’m worried because these guys tend to be arrogant now that they’ve become Masters.”

“They’re not kids. Would they do that?”

Besides, there was no report from Kirke yet, so there wouldn’t be a big problem.

As Ian waved his hand dismissively and was about to go up, the door to the dormitory lobby opened.

“Hmm?”

It was a knight in golden armor.

The knight of the Dragon Shield Knights approached Ian and handed him a note.

“It was sent by Crepen.”

Ian unfolded the note.

Aransse was puzzled and approached him as he looked at it.

“What is it?”

“Hmm…… A newly discovered gathering area for the Red Moon faith [a dangerous cult].”

“Red Moon faith? Isn’t that the one from the Imperial Academy last time?”

“Yes. He says he has something to investigate this time, so he’s going to take care of it now and wants us to go together.”

“Really? Then let’s go too.”

As Aransse said, grabbing his weapon, Ian shook his head.

“Is there a need for you to come? I’ll be back soon.”

Leaving him behind, Ian went outside the Imperial Academy.

When he arrived at the place written on the note, Celestia, Crepen, and the Dragon Shield Knights were waiting.

“It’s not far from here, so let’s go right away.”

Crepen said calmly and gave instructions to the knights.

When they entered the basement of a building not far from there, there were altars and corpses that appeared to have been sacrificed for human sacrifice, which he had seen before.

“Oh…… Did they already run away?”

“Rather than running away, it seems they finished the ritual and left. I don’t feel anything.”

Celestia was saddened.

If they had been just a little faster, those people wouldn’t have had to die.

Ian, who was watching her, tapped the nearby wall.

“Here. A secret passage.”

-Crack!!

When he struck the place, the wall collapsed.

As the underground passage was revealed as he said, Crepen said to the knights.

“I’ll send a signal with an artifact, so track the location and follow us. Only the Saintess, Ian, and I will go this way.”

“Understood!”

With that, Celestia, Crepen, and Ian immediately went down the underground passage.