A Failed Knight Who Went to the Academy To Get Married

046: The Storm for the Devil

A month after the coup.

A great darkness was gathering over the Altoria kingdom.

Hiding the sun with a thick cloud of darkness.

Pouring down rain like it’s devouring everything.

…it was a typhoon.

“It’s summer, but it’s a typhoon, isn’t it, so I’m feeling down.”

Prince Shiran gazed out the window at the rain pouring down and muttered to himself.

He wasn’t usually this sensitive.

But he didn’t want to get caught up in the commotion beside him, so he was just making a fuss.

“That lousy guy! If that had happened, I would’ve called too, wouldn’t I?”

Jiz grabbed the train conductor’s collar and shook him vigorously.

“No, no, sorry, we’re-“

“But you’re my friend, right?! So you’re not treating me like that just because I’m a knight now!”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sorry, just wait a bit.”

Behind him, Lizbet was in the same situation.

“Lizbet! I’m glad you’re safe, though.”

“Yeah, thanks. So, Barbara, can you step back a bit?”

However, the crowd was growing, instead of dispersing.

For a while, they had been suffering from all sorts of criticism and hostile questioning.

Then, the instructor, Eloise, entered the classroom and said:

“Hey, everyone. How was your break? There are probably some students who had a tough time, but…”

She stood in front of the blackboard, her face serious.

“Just take a moment to pay your respects to Mr. Elford.”

The students immediately stopped talking and bowed their heads.

“He was the most outstanding and exceptional person I knew.”

Eloise told stories from Elford’s past, such as the time he single-handedly fought off 100 enemies to rescue the king, or the time he battled a spy from the Roman Empire.

Although the stories were long-winded and boastful, everyone listened to her.

…It took almost 30 minutes for Eloise to finish her story.

“Afterward, those who have the time can pay their respects at his tomb.”

Eloise looked at the training grounds, a wistful smile on her face.

“Sorry, I couldn’t be with you.”

“…Ah, I’m grateful just from the heart.”

“However, I do have some good news.”

“Is that good news?”

The school’s vice principal, Eloise, looked at the classroom door and shouted loudly.

“Come in!”

Then, a student who was soaking wet and dripping with rain entered the room, shuffling her feet.

Some students noticed her and widened their eyes in surprise.

“Is it finally over…?”

“Ha ha, sorry. I couldn’t help it because it was an important story.”

“If you’re going to do that, I wouldn’t have brought you here…”

“Sorry, okay. So, let me introduce myself then?”

She was wearing school uniform, but had a somewhat unusual hairstyle with a veil.

“I am Maria, a student from the Republic of Yumano.”

She smiled sweetly, holding her hands together in a prayer-like gesture.

“I’d like to cherish the bond with everyone that Yun-ah has connected us with. I may be a bit lacking, but please bear with me.”

The majority of the students erupted in cheers at his words.

“‘The cute one is always welcomed!'”

“‘Wow, she looks like a nun!'”

“‘Let’s be friends!'”

…Train and Siran, however, exchanged a tense glance, their faces twisted in annoyance.

“‘Is that really her?'”

“‘It could be a doppelganger.'”

“‘Is that even possible?'”

“‘There’s no way Maria could be that kind.'”

“‘I think so too.'”

But Maria suddenly approached the two boys with a smile, her hands fidgeting with the hilt of her katana.

“It’s been a while. Are you both doing well?”

“Who are you?”

“Isn’t that just what you’d expect from someone who’s mistaken for someone else?”

Maria smiled, her eyes sparkling, as she grasped the hilt of her katana.

“It seems like I’ve forgotten. Would you like me to remind you of this place again?”

Two young men immediately changed their tone.

“Ah, Ah! Maria! It’s been a long time!”

“You’re doing well, right?”

“Ha ha, this is also fate, so let’s get along well from now on.”

***

During the break, Maria took Trian and Siran, the prince, to an empty classroom.

After confirming that there was no one around, Maria wiped away her smile and started to get irritated.

“Ugh… It’s hard to pretend to be good.”

Trian and Siran looked at Maria with a questioning gaze.

“What’s the point of acting like that?”

“Just let the kids be themselves, right?”

“It’s getting noisy. As a representative of Yu Mano, you have to be careful not to make a mistake.”

“What’s the point of coming here anyway?”

Maria paused for a moment before responding.

“Maybe the one who killed the Pope is someone who’s in the Academy, you know.”

He paused for a moment, deep in thought,

Then spoke cautiously as if he had just realized something.

“Could it be Zeus? He’s a devil, after all.”

The Siran king poked fun at him, saying,

“Devils are different from devil-kind, you fool.”

From noble mtl dot come

“Is that so?”

“Anyway, I’ll leave it to you for now. Take care.”

Trian rubbed his backside, looking around nervously.

“Are you going to start bothering the elves or other mixed-bloods again?”

“Now I’m not an inquisitor, I’m just a student. Worry less.”

“Is that really true? You promised.”

“I said I would, and it’s really a bother.”

“Well, what about that devil? How do we find it?”

Maria leaned against the wall, speaking briefly.

“Don’t know.”

“Don’t say that.”

“If it’s a high-ranking devil, it can hide in people’s hearts like a parasite.”

“That’s creepy.”

Just then, Hwaran approached Trail and spoke to him.

“‘I’ve found out where that devil is.'”

“‘Really? Where is it?”

“‘It’s right here.'”

“‘What?’

“‘It’s right here, I’m telling you.'”

“‘What’s going on? Is it some kind of noise that can’t be heard?”

“‘…I guess I have no choice. I’ll go take a look myself.'”

“‘What? Ah, are you planning to do something dangerous, Hwaran? You’re going to get in trouble?”

But after that, there was no response.

Siruan, the prince, asked from the side.

“What’s up? Why are you making such a serious face?”

“I’m fine, nothing’s wrong.”

Just then, a message from Cat arrived.

“Hey! I have something to talk about, so come by after school!”

***

After school, Train went to the ‘Line Pharmacy’.

As usual, the pharmacy was crowded with villagers from the town, and Yu-ri was busier than ever.

Not wanting to disturb anyone, Train immediately went upstairs to the second floor.

The room, which had been empty just a few months ago, was now a mess.

There were numerous workbenches and experimental equipment.

Although he had received a large sum of money from the king, to Train, it all looked like just a collection of junk.

“Train! You’re just in time!”

Cat, wearing a somewhat rustic work uniform and goggles, greeted Train with a wave.

With an oily face and a nod, Cat shook hands with Train.

What’s the matter with you?

He pointed to a suspicious platform in the middle of the catwalk.

“Wait a minute, stand up there.”

“What’s that?”

“I pretended to cast a transmission spell.”

“Really?! That’s amazing. But what’s the point?”

“It’s to relieve the burden of our busy master.”

“He’s laughing.”

As a matter of fact, the slave contract between Cat and Muscle had been terminated due to their last performance.

It’s ironic that the ownership of this catwalk is somewhat ambiguous due to that.

This place belongs to Trian, but since Cat and Trian are no longer in a relationship, they’ve been fighting for a long time.

In the end, Trian won in rock-paper-scissors and won’t receive rent for a while.

“Anyway, I’ve set the coordinates for your dorm room, so let’s try it once.”

Trian hesitated for a moment before asking.

“Isn’t that a dangerous game?”

“What do you think I am?”

“Setting the coordinates to a ridiculous place and getting stuck on the wall, or something.”

“I have absolutely no idea about the principles of this foolish master’s magic.”

As Cat removed her goggles, she looked around with an expression of disdain.

“If I think about it, it’s just a wrong sending to the room above or next door, so don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Don’t you believe it?”

Trail instinctively wandered around for a moment before letting out a sigh and standing on the platform.

“Then I’ll go! My eyes are a bit blurry, so I’ll take care!”

As Cat fiddled with her phone, a strange sensation of floating in mid-air suddenly hit her.

A moment later, Trail opened her eyes to find herself at a different location.

“…Oh no.”

Cat didn’t utter a single lie.

The place where Trail was sent was Trail’s own room, which was actually Lizzbet’s room.

As I was about to leave before being caught by Lizbet, the bathroom door opened and she stepped out.

She was still wrapped in a towel.

The trail turned its head, avoiding eye contact.

“Hey! That’s not it!”

However, Lizbet smiled kindly without showing any surprise or confusion.

“Are you coming to steal my underwear again today?”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I made a mistake, but what’s the point?”

“Ha ha ha. It’s a joke. I’ve already heard that it could happen this way.”

“…What’s going on? You knew?”

“Did you really not know that I’d be bathing at this time?”

“Not again!”

“Then let’s go get a drink and take advantage of the situation.”

“Sorry, I’ll go right away.”

“Don’t refuse. It’s the same as being a duke now.”

“And before saying something silly, put on your clothes first.”

It was then.

Suddenly, Tline’s body began to wobble and,

fell backwards into Ryzer’s arms.

“Ah, wait a minute! This is getting out of hand!”

Ryzer’s face turned red as he looked around in confusion,

realizing something was wrong and shook Tline’s shoulders.

“Tline, are you okay? Tline? Tline!”

***

The white ceiling and floor, with floating stained glass.

This was now a space that was all too familiar.

But there were two unfamiliar people standing before them.

“This is enough! Let it go! You wicked thing!”

A doll-like figure was being held by a man dressed in a suit.

The doll swung its fist at the man, who was holding it, and began to wildly flail about.

The length was too short to be of any use.

The man ignored the doll, grinning mischievously at Trail.

“It’s been a while. By the way, I called you this time, so don’t worry.”

Trail gazed at his own face, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Then, as if remembering something, he let out a loud cry.

“You’re not that nameless devil!”

“I’m honored that you remember,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“I think Maria came looking for this thing,” he said, his voice low and menacing.

“If it can’t be found even after 100 years, then don’t worry.”

Trail clutched his head, slumping to the floor.

“Just a minute, this is quite a dangerous situation.”

“I just said it’s impossible to find me,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Trail took a deep breath, then looked at the devil, his eyes blazing with anger.

“What’s the point of bringing me here?”

As the demon’s expression turned slightly annoyed, he spoke.

“I asked you to take care of my servant properly.”

“Yes, sir?”

Suddenly, Train realized the existence of the puppet controlled by the demon’s hand.

“…Is that you, Hwaran?”

“Yes! Master, this brat must be gotten rid of immediately! I won’t let him be spared!”

The demon’s expression turned gloomy as he covered his ear with his remaining hand.

“Look. I’ve been making a racket from the start, so I can finally relax a bit.”

“Then, shall we leave? You can keep yelling until I leave!”

“…Is that a threat now?”

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!”

The demon’s sharp scream finally caused Train to plug his ears.

“Alright, calm down, Hwaran, and let’s have a conversation.”

“Who is your master? Is it possible that you’re siding with the nameless demon’s child?”

“That’s an excuse. You’re not the child of a nameless demon, but the demon itself.”

“Oh, shut up, you filthy leech-like kid!”

“Strictly speaking, you’re even more dangerous and leech-like than me-“

“Yaaahaaahaaahaaa!”

The glasses around us began to shake violently, as if they might break at any moment.

In the end, Trail took matters into his own hands and covered Ran’s mouth with his hand.

“Ran, please calm down, okay? You’re making me worried too.”

After Ran reluctantly nodded, Trail finally let go of her hand.

Trail asked the Devil cautiously.

“If we keep going like this, we’ll all be in trouble. How about we make a deal?”

The Devil laughed as if he had just heard a hilarious joke.

“You’re trying to negotiate with me first? You’re a really fun friend, I guess!”

And then, he released Ran and sat down on the old, worn-out sofa, looking pleased.

“Alright, how about we play a game then?”

“…But I have a very ominous feeling about this.”

“Don’t worry, I’m just going to enjoy it lightly, and I’ll bet on something small.”

Abruptly, a massive casino table appeared before the devil.

The devil conjured up Trump cards like magic in mid-air and said,

“If you win, I’ll give you one of my eyes. But if I win, I’ll take the life of that Ranian beast.”