Chapter 34: Assassin take secret mission
Since school accepted my ability, I become current student.
Incidentally, as originally planned, I passed exam while hiding substandard magic, original magic, and assassination techniques.
If this is the case, it is within the range of excellence and can be said to be out of the norm. I was fortunate enough to that the name of Neush is dazzling to other people.
“It seems that they have high expectations for us to be summoned out of the blue by the headmaster.” (Neush)
“I'm sure you do. After all, it's just the four of us, not the whole S class.” (Lugh)
The other classmates immediately went to homeroom, while only Neusch, me, Dia, and Talt were told to head to the headmaster's office.
Perhaps there is something to be said for those with top grades.
Epona the Hero would have been here if the written exam result hadn't been so extremely low.
“Lugh-kun, your sister and your servant are both excellent. When you come to me, of course they will help me, won't they?” (Neush)
“To begin with, I didn't say I was going to become a supporter to Neush.” (Lugh)
“Hahaha, rest assured. I'll make it happen.” (Neush)
Through he laughing, but he says some pretty scary things.
In fact, it's not impossible if one is from a Duke's family.
Only royalty or Archduke can give an opinion to a Duke.
If there is a problem, it is that there is a duke family with deep connections to Tuathe Dé.
It's the only other house in the royal family that knows what's going on behind the scenes.
And the ones that are connected to the house also go to the school. Although it's the oldest generation.
The three people that my father told me to watch out for in this school are the hero, Neusch and him.
The dukes don't get along very well with each other. And the Geffis, the house of Neusch, and that house are clashing.
From the standpoint, Tuathe Dé can't help Neusch.
“That look on your face, you're thinking about your house. Don't worry. I'll take care of that too.” (Neush)
“You don't know what you're talking about.” (Lugh)
“Of course, ... There's no way I could change this country without doing that. Well, I guess we're here. Principal's office.” (Neush)
He was right, we were on track with our destination.
After greeting the servant, he knocks on the door.
“Come in” (Headmaster)
A heavy voice comes back.
The door opens and we walk in.
The headmaster is a gray-haired, elderly man.
However, he hasn't shown any physical decline, and his well-trained body is in good shape.
His white hair is like a lion's mane, and his entire body emits a special aura.
The headmaster is strong. Until five years ago, he was the Commander of the Knights, and he was said to be the best in the history of his abilities and leadership. Even now that he has retired, he is said to be stronger than the current Knight Commander.
That kind of person open his mouth.
“Neush, Lugh, Dia, and Talt. I thank you for knocking on our school's door. It's this time of year, too.” (Headmaster)
This time of year, you mean...
No doubt he is referring to the time of the birth of the hero, but let's check it out.
“Could it be that you are referring to the hero?” (Lugh)
“That's right. Epona, who was chosen as a hero, is strong. But he's immature. I need someone to support Epona. If you're good friends and excellent, you'll make a great companion for the hero. In the near future, you'll be traveling with a hero.” (Headmaster)
This is how it is, I guess.
The fate of this country will be determined by the actions of the hero.
It's only natural that even this academy would do everything in its power to support the hero.
And it just so happens that there are such excellent pieces in the same generation.
If so, there's no reason not to take advantage of the coincidence.
Neush let out an air of sullenness for a moment before erasing it.
“With all due respect, Headmaster, we are still in our infancy. It is inferior to the knights and mages of the main profession. Even if we are judged to be superior in terms of ability, we will fail in the field because we are unable to respond to unforeseen circumstances due to lack of practical experience. It is too much for us to handle the big job of being the hero's companion. Please reconsider.” (Neush)
It's unexpected. I didn't think he would turn it down given his strong desire for advancement and self-importance.
To accompany a hero is the highest honor imaginable.
After all, if all goes well, you get the honor and achievement of having literally saved the world.
When that happens, everything will be as it should be.
“No need for modesty. In the entrance exam, Neush and Lugh proved that even at this point, they are superior to the Vice Commander.... there is no one stronger than that.” (Headmaster)
“Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, we are unable to respond to unforeseen circumstances without sufficient experience.” (Neush)
“Then you should be stronger. That's what this academy is all about.” (Headmaster)
The Knights of this country are strong.
The Knights are the longing of the second and third sons of a nobleman who was born into an ordinary family with magical powers and does not inherit the family's viceroyalty, and they are not allowed to join the Order unless they pass a fierce competition or graduate from this academy with excellent grades.
If a person is promoted within the Order, there is a possibility that he or she will eventually become a real noble, so he or she will never neglect to study after joining the Order.
Hence, the Order only has excellent people.
In addition, they are the only fighting group with magical powers at their disposal in this country, and they have a lot of dispatches, a lot of real-world experience, and are trained in the field.
Neusch is an exceptional talent among selected breed who have accumulated strong blood and is a hard worker who grew up in the best of circumstances.
In my case, I took advantage of the fact that my opponent had been caught off guard because I was a student, so I took the flow by surprise and pushed it through, barely winning.
It's just that we're abnormal, and we're not an entity that students can win.
“But I can't bear such a heavy responsibility.” (Neush)
“Phew, still making noise. Don't play dumb, Neush Geffis. I can assure you of that. Becoming one of the hero's companions is never a detour to what you want to accomplish. If all this doesn't work for you, you know what will” (Headmaster)
“... Did he see through me that far? All right. I dedicate my power to a hero.” (Neush)
Neush gives an aristocratic bow.
He must have realized that it was useless to argue any further.
It is his virtue that he is so quick to discern such things.
I think I know what's going on. If so, there is one thing that bothers me.
I have a rough idea, but I'll listen.
“Headmaster, why didn't you invite the crucial hero to come here? ...what are you going to make us do? It would have been better to invite a hero here if you was just want us going to join the hero.” (Neush)
“I am sure you are aware of this. Lugh Tuathe Dé, you are strong. But more than that, we appreciate the brains behind it.” (Headmaster)
I guess he wasn't just talking about exams.
In order to get the hero's companionship, I'm sure he'll use every means possible to find out the background of the candidates.
... If things go badly, what I've been doing as Ilg Balor, Dia's true identity, and even that might be revealed.
Then I shouldn't play dumb here.
“The role he expects us to play would be the chain of Epona Rhiannon the hero. To act as a close friend or a true companion, but not a mission. The headmaster earlier denied Neush's statement that there are no more talented people than us, but it was a mistake. In fact, even I can think of a few people who are better than us...... However, we are the only excellent pieces that could be Epona's best friend. That's why we were chosen to be the companions of the hero. To be honest, I'm not very enthusiastic” (Lugh)
“Kakaaka, you're right. As expected, it's called Tuathe Dé. He's got a good son, too.” (Headmaster)
As expected, Tuathe Dé he said......
I don't know how much he really knows. Or perhaps the royal family is providing information on a major event for the country emergency on the hero.
If so, it's a pain in the ass.
“Um, Lugh. I'm not sure what that means to me. Tell me more details.” (Dia)
“The heroes are the strongest creatures in the world. This power is as he was shown in the entrance examinations, it is off the charts. No one can bind the hero. If the hero wanted to destroy the Alvan Kingdom, that would be the end of this country. To that extent is fine” (Lugh)
“Yeah, I can see that. That kind of strength after all” (Dia)
“Okay, next. To put it bluntly, unchained monsters are scarier than demons, demon tribes, and demon kings that are likely to emerge in large numbers in the future. So, bind the mind. In other words, it makes him want to protect this country because he has good friends. Or their friends will guide the thoughts of the hero as they see fit in this country. A hero naturally doesn't need any support. He's too different in power from the others, he'll only slow us down. We're expected to be the watchers, the chains that bind his mind.” (Lugh)
Cold-hearted thinking.
If the hero was still a genuine child, he could have done something about it with brainwashing.
However, he grew to the age of fourteen, and from there he suddenly gained power.
That's why we need to be his friends to appeal to his feelings.
It seems ruthless, but it makes sense when it comes to protecting the country.
“Hmm, I don't have anything to say. It's all exactly what Lugh Tuathe Dé said. I won't ask you if you can do it. I'll have you do it. In a sense, you'll be contributing more to this country than the hero. You can expect to be rewarded for that.” (Headmaster)
Talt’s shoulder is trembling.
And she is withholding on saying something.
I sent her a glance, she is urging to speak up, and she raised her hand reluctantly.
“Well, I mean, what happens if this conversation gets out?” (Talt)
“Consider it a rebellion against the Kingdom of Alvan. That's highest crime. Even if it doesn't work out, it will.” (Lugh)
This means not only the death penalty for the person, but also for all those involved.
If Talt did that, it would be the death penalty for me and my parents.
I met Neush's eyes. We laugh bitterly at each other.
Damn, what are you excepting to do to a 14-year-old child?
“I understand. Let's make Epona trust us from his heart and become his best friend!” (Neush)
“I also do my best” (Dia)
“I have no choice but to do so. I'm in.” (Lugh)
“Yes, I'll do my best! I mean, with Lugh-sama!” (Talt)
And so we were obliged to become friends with the hero.
The academy seems to be willing to support that.
Even though becoming a friend of the hero is within my exception, but I didn't expect this flow.
The academy uses me, and I use the academy. In a sense, it's the best way to cooperate. A lot of work has been reduced, but on the contrary, strange work has also increased.
As I left the headmaster's office, one of the instructors came up to me.
He was a big, smiling man who seemed to be good at taking care of people.
“Oops, it looks like the headmaster's talk is finally over. Come to the dorm cafeteria. It's your welcome party today. There are so many treats! Then, I'll have Neush and Lugh give the freshman representative greetings. Think about it.” (Instructor)
The gloomy atmosphere that had happened earlier was dispelled.
“I'm not very good at that kind of thing.” (Lugh)
“Drop your lie. You have no problem with someone like Neush.” (Instructor)
“You find out about it... About what thing we said before, if I am together with you, we can make it somehow. Scared of other people, insecure, and in the habit of confining a spoiled child who wants to be bitten, that's about as good as it gets.” (Neush)
“Indeed. From the looks of it, it's not that hard.” (Lugh)
“Fufufu, a sudden collaboration with you. Come to think of it, this isn't so bad either. I'm going to take a look at a lot of things.” (Neush)
“Take care of this thing in my place too.” (Lugh)
We didn't say anything more and headed for the welcome party. However, I can't help but be concerned about it.
That's what the goddess was said.
『After defeating the Demon King, the hero will always go mad and try to destroy the world.』
...... What kind of future is this future based on?
If that's the case in the future when I and Neush become Epona's best friends, we might be the ones who started Epona's madness.
Having been betrayed by us, the hero has gone mad and bared his fangs to the world.
I thinking too much.
But I'm sure we're traitors, because Neush considers it a job, and as far as to me, I'm getting close him to kill.
I feel a little sympathy for Epona.
Let's support Epona and make her laugh while we are friends, even if it's not true.
That's how much compassion I have now, and by doing so, I'm closer to a future where Epona doesn't get crazy. I'd prefer it if I didn't have to kill him, and it's too risky to assassinate a monster like that in the first place.
...... Having said that, I'm not going to neglect to be prepared to kill in case he doesn’t make it.
When I went to the venue, I saw Epona, surrounded by a circle of people, but lonely.
Let's go say hello. The first step is to get him to remember me.