Chapter 196 – Academy’s Strongest Canteen Man (1)

Today, along with the news of damage on the Western Front, the sad news that the Megrez Magic Tower has collapsed spread throughout the kingdom.
It was the day of the closing ceremony for Parenzia Academy, which concludes the year.
The first place winners from each grade and the presenters of this year’s best papers advanced to the podium.

And for the last time, Lehel, who was adjusting her old robe, stood on the podium and looked around at the students gathered in the main auditorium.
They were complex expressions filled with anger, sorrow, fighting spirit, and fear.

“Hmm! Ah~ So, what should I say…”

Lehel was resolute.
Her long, fading life has given her an unwavering steadfastness even in the midst of her storms.
Sometimes, it degenerated into indifference, not taking her steps even when the storm passed.
Now that the continent is once again in chaos, many people find comfort just by her standing on this podium.

“It’s been an eventful year. “Isn’t that right?”
“…”
“…”

There was no answer.
Academy students too.
Even the faculty members standing behind.
Even the two Grand Dukes and the Princess of Penheim, who were among the students, remained silent.
While Lewis was recovering her body, the three people who had heard the same story as Lehel had particularly bad expressions.

“The war will end soon. You can return to your respective families for a while and return to the dormitory next spring.”

It is a duty that must be observed as an educator.
Reassuring students that everything will be okay.
Of course, a significant number of students have already left the academy and scattered across the continent to protect those they love.
Most of them still remained.

“Oh, and I have an announcement to make! Unfortunately, the academy will be completely closed this winter. “The operating policy has changed, so students who decided to stay in the dormitory will also have to move out.”
“Um, Chairman…”
“Yes?”
“Can I hear why?”

The male student who raised his hand was a first-year student wearing a green cape.
Did she say her name was Carl?
A faint smile appeared on Lehel’s lips.
Even though there are as many as seven magic towers in the kingdom, this is the purpose for which Parenzia Academy was established.
To provide equal opportunity, equality, and provide broader education about magic.
If she had any questions, she could ask questions even to the Archduke. This was the reason why she, who was not serious about everything, accepted the king’s offer and stood here.

“There is going to be a big construction project.”
“Construction… ? During the war… ?”
“Yes-.”

It is an educator’s duty to protect students and tell lies for their safety.
However, it is the wizard’s responsibility to tell the truth to younger generations who are reaching out to the unknown and beginning to shape the world in their own way.
Lehel recalled Terra Erniesten’s words to those gathered at the Lighthouse of Horus.

“I think there will probably be uninvited guests coming to Parenzia.”
“…”
“So everyone, pack your bags and get out quickly.”

Silence fell.
The students looked at each other with confused expressions.
Even though they had nothing more to say, none of them left their seats easily and each showed their own mysterious colors.
The three primary colors of green, blue, and red are sitting together and draped over one’s shoulders.
And the colors of will are much more diverse than that.

After a while, an unknown student raised his hand.

“Then… “What about the Chairman?”

***

The wound with the unique magic healed quickly with Caroline’s healing, Darling’s potion, and Adella’s ice pack.
Now all that remains is to finish the long fight.
But even with all the preparations, my heart was extremely heavy.
The only thing I wanted to protect, my promise not to turn Parencia and the Academy into a battlefield, was in danger of being broken.

“Antiope has obtained the warp gate, so there is no need to penetrate the north. “It means Parenzia is no longer safe.”

We were planning to attack the Holy Kingdom directly.
Now that the thirteenth unique magic was ready and the enemies had retreated, this was the opportunity.
Just like when they captured the Demon King in the past, the quickest way to end the war this time was to head to the Monarch capital, Rubier.
However, if that happens, the risk will be passed on to those who remain in Parenzia.

“If you are aiming for the devil’s head, Antiope’s next move is obvious. “As soon as I leave, we will invade Parenzia.”
“But we have to leave. “When the second warrior recovers from his wounds and returns to the front lines, the damage will be greater.”

Rochear.
Either that or the Confederate States of America.
If either side is defeated by a hero, the balance on the battlefield that has been adjusted so far will be destroyed.
We had to move on to the Holy Kingdom, leaving behind the demons that were watching our backs.

“What if you stay here, Terra?”
“Can you deal with the troops of the four major parishes and defeat the hero without me?”
“Going to the Holy Kingdom with the devil’s head.”
“Then we will all be in danger. “Of course it would be impossible to deal with both Antiope and the warrior.”

Me and her running parallel to her.
There are a lot of ashtrays in the middle of the table.

“Louis.”
“Why?”
“There is no need to try to shoulder too much on your own.”

What was heard in my hesitating ear.
It was a cliché line, like something out of a movie.
But these were also the words of my teacher, comrade, and woman who had seen me the longest.

“Currently, Parenzia has more wizards than any other city in Penheim, and even has iron soldiers under the princess’ direct command.”
“The Megrez Magic Tower, full of wizards, was also destroyed. Even though there was an archduke.”
“There are three of those archdukes here.”
“Excuse me… Four, but… !”

At that moment, we glared at Katreya, who intervened without notice.

“I-I’m sorry…”

Just then, the bell tower rang, signaling the end of the closing ceremony.
I could see students coming out of the auditorium through the lighthouse window.

“If you’re feeling uneasy, try persuading yourself.”
“Have you already said everything?”
“Of course. “Because I couldn’t waste the time you were lying down.”
“…”
“It’s not like I’m not worried. But…”

Terra put out her cigarette and stood up from her seat.

“He was more aggressive than I thought. Everyone.”

***

“There is no need to worry. “Because a large-scale transfer that travels half of the continent is not something that can be accomplished so easily.”

In Ruhilen’s office, where people were busy running around, Darling was preparing for a full-scale war.
We conscripted the remaining adventurers in Parenzia and scraped up all the consumables related to anti-horses.

“The warp gate simply increases the amount that can be transferred, but does not overcome the weakness of space magic.”
“…”
“Even if we try to attack, we will have to take a lot of damage. “It would be a mistake to think that it would be cheaper than penetrating the north.”
“But…”

Thud!

“Store owner, do you want to tell me to abandon Parencia?”
“…”
“If you have nothing more to say, go back. “I’m so busy.”

In response to the firm order to congratulate the guests while stamping the seal, I took many steps forward.
Meanwhile, a document with my name on it caught my eye on the desk.

“This…”
“Oh, it’s nothing, so get out now! Go quickly… !!”
“Uh oh… !”

The place I half-expelled was heading to the student council room of Akasha Hall.
The closing ceremony must have ended, but there was not a single carriage to be seen leaving the academy.
As soon as he knocked on the door and entered, something flew violently and hit him in the chest.
Before I could come to my senses, a loud roar echoed.

“Are you crazy, are you crazy!? Louis are you out of your mind!! “Why did you keep such a dangerous item with you until now!!!”

It was obvious what the distraught Erzsebet was talking about.
The devil’s neck.

“Why, why didn’t you destroy it sooner!?”
“Yeah…”

Because I couldn’t break it.
I wanted to get rid of it too, but no matter what I did, it was impossible.
Even if I hit it with force or poured out unique magic, it did not split any further.
I was worried that there would be trouble if I left it in the Demon King’s Castle, so I hurriedly brought it with me.

“Under… “I know how to retrieve it from the royal family as soon as the war is over.”
“Would you rather take it now?”
“Don’t you know that moving carelessly in a situation like this is the most dangerous thing? You said you were going to the Holy Kingdom? “Come back quickly before this place turns into a sea of ​​fire.”
“What about the princess?”

A brilliant light came down from the window.
Erzsebet leaned against the table, flicking her sun-burning blonde hair.

“If I leave for the royal capital, who will lead the students?”
“…”
“I am the only one who can handle the iron soldiers, so I have no intention of running away.”
“Pi—.”

Sigh!
A faint pain shot from my leg along with a familiar crying sound.

“Ouch.”

I looked down and saw a polar bird pecking my thigh with its beak.

“Pii, what’s wrong? “I didn’t tell you to attack this time.”
“… That’s it.”

I left the student council room as if possessed.
It was a strange feeling.

***

“Exterminate the enemies of humanity!!”
“Raise your sickle and hammer——!!!”
“Long live the Farencia Red Banner!!!”

Did they at least take a bowl of medicine as a group?
Upon hearing the news that demons were invading, almost all the students in the school were in high spirits and burning with determination.
In particular, students wearing red bandanas that Adela used like limbs and those who were given an ice duck per person even flew through the sky on the grown duck.
It was good to have information in advance since citizens had to be evacuated, but I was worried that it would only increase confusion.

“Don’t touch the statue! “No frostbite!!”

As I was heading to the concession stand, I saw familiar white hair and old robes swept away by the crowd.
A month later, he ran over and grabbed his neck, and it was Lehel, the Academy’s great breadwinner, who was the only one who could resolve this situation.

“Ah, boss~!”
“You instigated it.”
“Hiyaaaaa!? No! “I didn’t do anything!!”

It’s funny.
As soon as the closing ceremony is over, they jump out like a swarm of bees and do this, but the chairman is not responsible?
I dragged her to a secluded place near her.
It was an empty lot behind Privity Hall, where scary ghost stories had been going around since the first semester about doppelgängers appearing.

“I’ll give you money! “I’ll give you everything I have!!”
“Why don’t you act out a strange situation and speak quickly?”
“…”
“Kyaaak!!”
“Heeeee——!? Ah, I get it!”

In the end, in response to my threats, Lehel waved her hands and spouted out her drunken excuse.

“Oh, no, that’s… ! In any case, in order to evacuate the citizens of Farencia, we had no choice but to inform them that the demons were invading! They also said that reinforcements would come from nearby cities… It seems like the lord and princess have already made up their minds… !”
“…”
“And you can’t hold on to the boss’s ankles.”
“Adela and Liv are students who have just become adults.”
“They all agreed. A wizard with unique magic is a shepherd in the wilderness who has already established his own world. “They are not children who will be pushed around by the pressure of the world.”
“…”

It’s only at times like this that you recite difficult words like you’re a wise person.
A deep sigh flowed from my stomach.
It breaks my heart, but at this point, no matter who comes, I can’t turn away.
In that case, I have no choice but to believe.

“Then what about the Chairman?”
“Yes?”

But apart from her students, Lehel also had concerns.
Because her time is running out.

“Adela’s older sister said that to me not long ago. When the war is over, she says she will give up her magic and get her heart back.”
“Ah…”
“What are you going to do, Chairman?”
“…”

She already said she would respect her previous decision.
Seeing as she was unwilling to leave Farencia, the answer was almost certain.
Still, she wanted to hear it straight from her own lips.
Because it would be better than regretting seeing her empty space later.

“My name.”

Lehel thought for a moment, then smiled naturally and adjusted her dirty hat.

“Name?”
“Yes. Lehel Darad. “It is a palindrome that has the same meaning whether you read it forward or backward.”

She slipped out of my arms and splashed around in the stream.
She walked a few steps, fluttering the hem of her robe as if singing a song.

“It’s a good sound, right? Lehel Darad! “He is the owner of Merak Magic Tower, one of only seven in the vast kingdom of Penheim, and the chairman of Parenzia Academy, the highest educational institution in the kingdom of Penheim!”

And he is one of the five great dukes who created the original magic and an immortal being who succeeded in connecting the end of mortal life to the beginning through his own magic.

The way they call it that proudly is both a bit proud and endearing.

“From the past to the present, people have called the great white-haired wizard with respect. “A person who has returned after seeing the end of eternal life.”

Okay.
She was herself, from the beginning.

“I am a reincarnation worker, how can I deny that?”

Yun Hoe-gong (輪廻公).
It was.

There is no need to compare who is right and wrong with Esther.
Because both women made their own choices.

“President.”
“Yes.”

Although she wasn’t wearing a dress, Lehel approached me as if she was dancing and hugged me gently, lifting her chin.

“I’ll be right back. If you use up your lifespan as much as possible with the last unique magic, it won’t be long before you can open your eyes again. Therefore…”

Then she hugged my neck and kissed me lightly.

“We, in about twenty years… Do you want to love me?”

She, who always smiles a lot, looks so happy when she raises the corners of her mouth when she’s having fun.
I nodded and smiled at him.

“Is it so.”

Promising the day we will meet again.

“I’ll wait.”

I made a firm promise.