Chapter 1119 – #265_유망주(2) – DeepL

#1113

1.
Duchess Erelim’s will is the will of the Qin Lie Academy.
At their last meeting, she declared that she would not enforce any checks on the Hessian Society or Xinxiu.

The academy accepted her decision, even if it was somewhat puzzling.

“Seriously, isn’t this too much? You’ve been working, working, working, working all day….”
“That must have been hard.”

But as Olivia caught up with her longtime friend Daphne and listened to her rant, she thought, “This is a good lesson to learn.

“If I can do this well, I can build some good character.

Duchess Erelim’s flip-flop from hostile to Xinxiu was a bit of an awkward situation for the members of the academy.

Most of them followed her instructions, but the general consensus was that the Duchess had a problem with them, or that she was being neutral because of the circumstances.

At that point, Olivia, the associate department chair, heard Daphne’s sob story.
Daphne’s complaints about the conditions in the labs under President Xin Xiu are rarely heard.

I was shocked to learn the truth about the basic research center.
Much more so than the rumors that had been circulating around.

Upon hearing this, Olivia realized that she might have a golden opportunity to scratch Duke Erelim’s itch.
The so-called arbitrary decision of excessive loyalty.

“I’ve heard rumors that he puts you to work a lot…. I didn’t realize it was so dehumanizing.”
“Yeah, well, I mean, we pay them generously, but considering it’s a project, I don’t see how we can have this many people working on two big projects and a curriculum revision at the same time.”

Daphne, already quite drunk, hiccupped and grumbled, her face flushed.
Daphne’s words were much lighter than usual, as she had lost control of herself under the influence of alcohol.

“Two big projects? Wasn’t that the end of the door restoration?”
“Yeah, that was the end of it, but they brought in a new one around the time we were finishing up the restoration?”
“Yeah, that’s right…. Huh?”

Olivia was about to nod when she realized she’d heard something wrong.

“Wait, the restoration project is closing?”

It was no secret that Xinxiu had taken the research contract from the immigration office.

It was a six-year study with a six-year deadline, but Count Kohav’s own research had predicted explicit results within half a year.

And now, less than a month later, the study is coming to a close….
I couldn’t believe it.

“How is that possible? Even though it’s Count Xinxiu’s specialty, even with all the flying and crawling witches of the Qin Lie Qin Ming Academy, it’s only temporary repairs, let alone restoration?”

Of course, the actual construction hasn’t begun yet.
But with the Hesed Society’s strong financial position, it’s unlikely to fall apart for lack of funds, and they’ll be able to advertise their achievements and research capabilities like nothing else in Gehenna’s history.

“When you’re grinding away at manpower like that…. You deserve better than that….”
“…….”

Olivia continued, hiding her despair.

“So what’s the second big project?”
“That’s…. Should you be the only one who knows about it?”
“Of course, we’re friends.”

Daphne tilted her head and revealed the full story.

To combine the skills in dimensional magic formulas acquired while restoring the gate + the homunculus tracking capabilities of the armor + Count Zemernai’s artifact-making skills.
This will give you exclusive hunting rights to the hibernating homunculus.

“…You’re crazy.”

Olivia couldn’t help but marvel.
Whether it was true or not, if it could be done, the Hessian Society would have a huge cash cow for a while.

What were the ways in which outcasts and public figures earned a living in this world when they bowed to the majestic decrees of the Duke of Ketter?

Hunting homunculi or working as a guardian for an organization or state.
The industry that fed so many witches would be monopolized, however imperfectly, by a single society.

Even this is a very small profit.

With Kether gone, the witches, each and every one of them transcendent, could spend all the money they wanted to amass wealth.
They just don’t.

The true value of a homunculus hunt, then, is in the loot: artifacts, research, and Gnosis eggs.

Depending on how much of a share the Hessian Society gets of the hunt’s trophies, we could see an explosion of research, advancement, and bigness.

Perhaps within a short period of time, the organization could grow twice or three times as large as it is now and rival the Qin Lie Qin Ming Academy.

“How long is the hunting rights project?”
“About two weeks? I left before that, so I’m not exactly sure….”
“I’m speechless….”

Xin Xiu.
An asshole is an asshole is an asshole.

Olivia was silent for a moment.

What should she do?

Daphne is her best friend.
Using her to achieve your goals is not being a true friend.

But when a rival society has such explosive potential, is it right to follow Duke Erelim’s complacent response out of loyalty?

Wouldn’t it be taking advantage of a friend if Daphne benefited enormously as a result?
After a short silence, I made a decision.

“Daphne, listen.”
“Listen to what?”

From what I’ve heard, Count Xinxiu treats people badly.

Inhumane hours of work under the pretense of providing room and board, demanding vacation days back by force.

In Olivia’s opinion, it was an outburst of inexperience and greed.
If you treat a witch like that, it means she’s bound to complain, even if she’s in the middle of a project.

It’s a wonder how she’s managed to stay in power this long.

If so, Olivia can reach out and shake Daphne’s hand.

From where?
From within.

Luckily, most of the researchers in the basic department are members of the Wine Pub Society, and they’re friends with Daphne.

You could try promising them a payoff, intentionally delaying their research, or even asking them to spill the beans if things go well.

Everything you’ve heard from Daphne so far is actually information you could have gotten if you paid attention, and this is where the game gets interesting.

Olivia decided to inflate Daphne’s emotions just a little more before she tried to talk her down.

A little heat would make her feel less guilty about betraying her former boss.

“Cynthia, isn’t that smeary-faced asshole the problem?”
“…….”
“Let him do his job, and I’ll do mine with my many, many lovers.”
“…….”
“When the project is completed, the credit will be Xinxiu’s anyway. Your friends at the wine pub are just like you, and Solar is just like you, and they’re just being used. You know that, right?”
“…….”
“Honestly, don’t you think your reputation is all for naught now? I’d rather work for a horny dog like that….”

Olivia stopped talking.
Daphne’s face took on a different shade of red than drunkenness.

“Take it back.”
“Uh…huh?”
“I want you to take back what you said about the president being a wild dog in heat!”
“No, but…. I actually have too many lovers and….”
“What do you know, the president is a good man!”

She was obviously drunk to the point of being unable to think straight.

“Uh… huh? Yeah… sorry….”

Olivia was embarrassed.
This was the same Daphne who, just a few moments ago, had been complaining about all sorts of things about the president.

But as soon as Olivia said anything negative about him, her teacher became angry as if she had been insulted.

“Olivia, I’m going to go inside first today.”
“Da, Daphne?”

As if that wasn’t enough, she jumps to her feet and staggers out of the wine bar.

“What the hell? What’s wrong with her?”

Olivia stumbles to her feet and stares after her.

2.
“Kaha….”

Malkut Gallery in Lenormand Town.
Daphne walked lonely, blowing on a bottle of wine she’d brought with her.

Today had been the best day ever, until Olivia struck the candle.

She’d gotten off her vigil, slept in, had a sumptuous morning coffee, enjoyed a hot bath, gotten a makeover, seen friends, and….

Did the day really take this long?
It was such a freeing experience.

But….

“Ehhh… what’s with all this futility….”

It’s too long.
The day is too long.

I’m halfway there, but it’s still 9:00 when I’m done for the day.
Normally, it would have been time to eat the lunch Mrs. Lin gave me and get back to work.

Every day at the lab was like a war zone.
The days were hard, more than rewarding, and proud.

And President Shin, who was leading the way.

He might politely spew harsh words during the conclusion stage and nonchalantly hand out assignments, but he wasn’t a bad count for Olivia to speak so casually about.

Maybe he was….
Hadn’t she just thrown away a truly precious relationship for this brief, futile respite?

“…….”

Daphne stopped dead in her tracks.
Then she began to run.

3.
“Whoa.”

Xiu sighed deeply.
It wasn’t the stack of papers on his desk.

It was Daphne’s resignation.
She had been a loyal follower of his research, and her abrupt resignation had come as a bit of a shock to him.

A question that hadn’t occurred to him before began to creep into his mind.

Maybe I’ve been pushing the researchers too hard?
They’re all working hard on their research now, but are they secretly struggling like Daphne?
Wouldn’t it be better to change the policy now?
These are the questions that come to mind.

Then.

-Bam!

The door to the research building of the Department of Fundamentals opened.
In the center of the stunned researchers’ gazes stood Daphne, gasping for breath.

Without even realizing what was happening, Daphne fell to her knees.

“I’m sorry…!!! I’m sorry for resigning…! I was wrong…!!!”

Daphne cried out, forgetting her usual politeness and rambling drunkenly, but with all her heart for all here to hear.

“I said I’d pull out of the Institute! I said I’d pull out of the Institute! I can’t… I can’t take that back, but…!!! Can’t you…!!!”

Daphne’s head is in her hands, tears streaming down her face.

“…Please, let me stay with the Hessian Society!!! Just one more time…!! Accept me as a fellow!!!”

There was a stunned silence after her echoing, almost screaming request.
But Daphne remained steadfast, her head bowed as if she would be here forever.

-Tap, tap, tap

Standing in front of her, Xiu quietly bent down to help Daphne to her feet.

“Get up.”
“Mr. President….”
“Why did you change your mind? The Department of Foundations is not a place where you can just waltz in and out like that; organizational discipline is important. Depending on your answer, we will not be able to accept you, Daphne.”

Of course I’m glad to see you.
But it’s not okay to let your personal pleasure cloud the health of the organization.

Daphne swallowed hard, her voice tight with tears.

“I realized…. that without Count Cynthius’s guidance…. I’ve realized that I’ve become a body that can’t be satisfied….”
“…Hmm, don’t say that out here.”

Hearing the somewhat awkward answer, Xiu carefully wiped her tear-stained face with a handkerchief.

He was troubled by Daphne’s treatment, but he figured it would be a one-day aberration.
She was such a loyal and excellent resource.

“Welcome back. Daphne, assistant researcher.”

I patted Daphne’s head, out of habit, to welcome her back.
Daphne looked up at Xiu, dazed by the warmth of his touch and smile, and then spoke in a loud, recruit-like voice.

“I will… pledge my allegiance… to the President… to the death…!!!”

Clapping, cheering, and whistling erupted to welcome the returning prodigal son.

“Daphne, you make me cry and then laugh!”
“Welcome back, Daphne!!!”
“Where are you going to run off to all by yourself!!!”
“Mr. President, I want half of what I have Daphne!!!”

Watching such a scene with a wry smile, Xiu was sure.

After all, the Hesed Society’s policy of running the Institute of Fundamentals was not wrong.