CHAPTER 188: INTERFERENCE

"A greedy hyena is targeting senior."

Ariadne made a sudden statement when she came to see Gerhard immediately after he returned from his family estate.

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Judge Jirad felt demonic energy. From the Dean’s research building. And right after that, senior came out from there."

"By chance?"

"We were nearby."

"Are you now conspiring with a Judge?"

"Conspiring? We were just sharing information with each other. I and my family need to prepare against demon seeds too."

Unfortunately, she had found the wrong address. The Judges didn’t particularly know anything.

"Anyway, Judge Jirad’s eyes turned red and he started chasing senior."

"Since he can’t enter the research building, he’s looking for me?"

"You used the teleportation circle so he gave up for now. So what happened?"

"Don’t meddle unnecessarily."

"Tsk. Are we ordinary people? We can share that much, can’t we?"

Ariadne pouted.

It wasn’t because of that, but Gerhard obediently nodded.

"If this content leaks outside, I’ll know it was definitely you. You can guess what happens after that."

He had originally planned to share the current situation with Luina and Ariadne anyway. Who else could he trust if not Hyde’s companions recognized by the prophecy book?

"Absolutely. Actually, my nickname is Heavy Ariadne."

"You do look heavy."

"You say such rude things to your cute junior so casually?"

"As you guessed, there was a demon seed, and while researching with the Dean regarding that, a problem occurred. We resolved it well though."

"You’re good at deflecting too. But really, they keep appearing endlessly? When Andromalius appeared, I remember there was a massive sweep..."

"It means they’re hiding that deeply."

He couldn’t even imagine how many demon seeds were hiding throughout the continent.

If it was this much within the Empire alone, what about the entire continent? He didn’t want to imagine.

"Come to think of it, will you go to the academic conference?"

"Yes. It’s a good opportunity for a wizard, isn’t it? What about senior?"

"I’m going too."

"Ah, then together...?"

"No, I’m thinking of going a bit late. Aren’t you thinking of enjoying the festival?"

The Continental Academic Conference held over two weeks was divided into the first and second halves.

The first half was literally a festival, and the second half had the scholarly gathering of wizards that could be called the true nature of the academic conference.

Rosalia’s goal was to submit items and present at this scholarly gathering, and Gerhard planned to move with her at that time.

"If I could go with senior, I don’t need to enjoy the festival."

"Don’t talk nonsense and take Hyde with you when you go."

"Hyde?"

"Maybe demon seeds might cause trouble at the academic conference."

"Then why aren’t you going together?"

"I’m thinking of setting a trap."

Hyde was the supreme card Gerhard could use, called the adversary by demon seeds and demons, but conversely, because of that, he wasn’t suitable for setting traps.

"Is there anything I can help with? Like needing Fridien’s power?"

"I don’t need other families’ power."

"Tsk."

’I don’t want other forces getting involved and complicating things unnecessarily.’

Still, he had to be careful. The Electors were already stirring, no, the Empire and kingdoms were stirring.

The academy Dean had warned the Electors about demon seeds’ activities, and nearly 10,000 monsters and creatures had attacked the Alfrocen Kingdom and Empire.

In such a situation, if they felt nothing and still thought of demon seeds and demons as mere legends or fairy tales, they would be nothing but fools.

The entire continent was in turmoil.

That’s why demon seeds were becoming more radical, and if things had gone according to plan, it would have had the effect of properly dousing cold water on that.

So from now on, when proceeding with demon-related matters, he always had to consider other forces.

’It’s a bit troublesome.’

Still, he considered it positive.

If the entire continent was desperately searching for demon seeds, there was a high possibility their plans would be smashed on their own.

’The problem is that the prophecy book mentioned such things...’

Perhaps the current situation might not greatly affect the general trend.

So he needed to raise Hyde more and move more diligently.

’Knowledge is also a disease.’

If he hadn’t known, at least his mind would have been comfortable.

No, wait. It was better to know and worry than to be branded a demon seed and excommunicated without knowing.

"I’ll be going now."

"Where to?"

"The trading company."

Gerhard stood up.

==

Time passed quickly, and fortunately, the Dean kept his promise.

"It’s complete."

Though it was smaller than the original and contained less magical power due to time constraints, the composition and form were the same.

Including the effects the combination possessed.

Perhaps because it was the second time making it and an Arch Mage was involved, some parts were actually more stable.

"Still, it’s not enough to use the teleportation circle."

"You could use it. If you want to make a new teleportation circle and can’t find any more meaning to live in this world."

In other words, try it if you want to die.

"I kept my promise. You’re not going to ask me to transport it too, are you?"

"Demon seeds might follow. Will you miss the opportunity to catch demon seeds?"

"Well, I already have a demon seed captured."

"...If you have something to reveal, please share."

"I will."

The magic stone combination, reduced to 3 meters in diameter, was carefully placed in a special box Gerhard had prepared.

The combination, loaded on a carriage inscribed with numerous magic circles, was transported to the harbor and loaded onto a Goldenheim trading company ship.

"His Grace sent them, young master."

"It’s been a while since I’ve seen everyone. Please take care of me."

Since the Red Shell Knight Order had also arrived just in time, departure wasn’t delayed.

The convoy escorting the magic stone combination, including three identical carriages for contingency, thirty Red Shell knights, and Hyde, left the academy.

"Having a wealthy sponsor has its conveniences."

"Everything from beginning to end will be comfortable for you. You look tired, so please get some sleep."

Perhaps from staying up all night absorbed in research, Professor Rosalia on the ship looked quite tired.

"I’m fine. Can we arrive without being late?"

"Of course. I’ve made a definite schedule."

They had prepared for unpredictable weather and potential monster attacks, so it was nearly perfect.

Of course, this was possible because Wienderk was close to the academy. If it had been Berchef, Altriark, or Schwaben, it would have been quite tight.

"It’s been a while since leaving the academy... Oh no."

Her hand stopped as she was about to take out a cigarette while looking at the sea. The cigarette case was completely empty.

"Don’t you have any?"

"None."

She looked at Gerhard intently. Then wiggled her finger.

"Did you leave it with me?"

"I don’t embezzle."

Gerhard chuckled and took out a cigarette case from subspace.

"Are there more?"

"I carry one just in case. I don’t smoke, you know."

"Would we be late if we stop by a Golden Turtle Company branch on the way?"

"It’s on our route anyway, but you won’t be able to get any there. Since it’s custom-made, you need to place a separate order."

Rosalia frowned and put the cigarette in her mouth. When she lit it and inhaled the smoke, her drowsy eyes regained some vitality.

"I’m tired."

"Please get some sleep. You have to stay on the ship for two days anyway."

"I’ll go in after finishing this."

After smoking the cigarette to the end, Rosalia went into the cabin. When she disappeared, Hyde, who had been standing some distance away, approached.

"Did you find out if Gismond was struck by lightning?"

"If he was struck by lightning, there should have been quite a commotion, but there are no such rumors."

"Unless you ask directly, it’s difficult to find out."

No matter how successful a person is, they can’t have people around them all year long.

If he was struck by lightning while alone, no one would know that fact.

"It can’t be helped. Stop digging into his background."

"May I ask one thing?"

"Why I’m obsessed with Gismond?"

"It’s not quite obsession..."

"You find it puzzling."

Hyde nodded slightly.

Gerhard understood his feelings. He had no connection with Gismond. Though he had suddenly risen, he wasn’t a demon seed either.

Unless one knew Gerhard’s circumstances of being struck by lightning and obtaining the prophecy book, no one could understand this course of action.

"Actually, when I was struck by lightning, I saw the future."

"Really?"

Though he thought Hyde would half-disbelieve it, Hyde asked back surprisingly seriously.

"Do you believe it?"

"I don’t believe it."

"But?"

"But if that’s the case, it would somewhat resolve the strange parts you’ve shown since being struck by lightning."

"It’s a joke. Such a thing couldn’t be possible."

"That’s also true."

Gerhard shrugged and changed the topic.

"Just prepare well. Demon seeds might attack."

"Isn’t it a bit insufficient?"

"Hyde isn’t here, and the Red Shell Knight Order officially isn’t present. Moreover, that’s Wienderk territory."

Being Wienderk territory, safety was somewhat guaranteed as long as they stayed on main roads instead of heading to remote places.

Even if demon seeds aimed for ambushes, such opportunities would be rare, and they wouldn’t have the capacity to operate large-scale forces.

Especially in the current situation where the entire Empire was desperately searching for demon seeds.

"That’s true too."

"Tell me more about Gismond Ert. Even if you don’t know whether he was struck by lightning or not, you must have roughly figured out what kind of person he is."

"Gismond is just easygoing. There’s nothing particularly problematic about him..."

Though he briefly thought things like ’calling someone who consumed so many elixirs easygoing,’ Gerhard quietly listened to Hyde’s words.

He would make a judgment about Gismond on this journey. And depending on what kind of person he was, the response would change.

==

The ship docked at the harbor.

Gerhard and Rosalia boarded the carriage.

"We’ll depart."

Three carriages led by knights departed.

Professor Rosalia put a cigarette in her mouth and opened the window.

"Smoke sparingly."

"Don’t be petty for a Goldenheim."

"You’ll only be able to get more on the last day of the academic conference."

Her hand reaching to light it stopped.

"You didn’t mention that before."

"Aren’t I mentioning it now?"

Rosalia, who had withdrawn the cigarette she was bringing to her mouth, stared at it quietly.

"Your fingertips are trembling."

"Withdrawal symptoms."

"There aren’t really any addictive substances in it."

"You don’t have to have addictive substances to be addicted."

After contemplating for a long time, she finally put the cigarette back in her mouth and lit it. Whoosh, smoke containing magical power flew away in the wind.

Gerhard, who had been quietly watching her, spoke.

"What will you do if you successfully complete your presentation?"

"I’ll remove the associate professor label and become a full professor."

"Do you think you can skip assistant professor and become a full professor directly?"

"It’s research with that kind of impact."

Professor Rosalia showed confidence. Gerhard also agreed with her thinking.

Though there might be some controversy, she would definitely become a full professor.

Her research was tantamount to a new discovery in magical engineering, and though young, her reputation was by no means light.

’Above all, the Dean clearly realized what Professor Rosalia’s research is.’

Since he couldn’t fail to recognize its value, the Dean would evaluate her even more highly.

"Then assuming you become a full professor, what will you do next?"

Rosalia’s gaze, which had been directed outside, turned inward.

"You’re suddenly very interested in me."

"Aren’t I an investor?"

Professor Rosalia looked at Gerhard silently. Gerhard didn’t avoid her eyes.

After a brief silence, she exhaled smoke outside and spoke.

"When I first started this research, my father supported me. Though not sufficient, it wasn’t lacking either."

"Wienderk also has a lot of money. Not as much as us, but."

"But at some point, support gradually decreased."

There were many reasons. It costs too much money. It’s too vague, hopeless research. Materials can’t be procured, etc.

"At first, I accepted it. But as it kept repeating and worsening, I couldn’t help but know even if I tried not to."

"Interference."

"Interference. When I was young, everyone cherished me, and there wasn’t a single exception. I thought it would always be that way, but one exception appeared."

She briefly closed her mouth. Then brought up a completely different story.

"...My words got unnecessarily long. Gerhard, why do you make money?"

"Because I can do anything with money."

"What do you want to do?"

"I want to make myself and my family greater."

"Just as you do, I also like the Wienderk name. So I want this name to rise higher."

She ground out the finished cigarette.

"That’s the answer to the investor’s question."

"What if I ask as a student?"

"I’d kick you out of class. You’d be disrupting the lesson."

"It’s not class time."

"Then it’s more problematic. You’re personally stealing the professor’s free time."

She snorted as if it was out of the question.

That’s when it happened.

"Young master, we’re almost at the place you mentioned, but where should we go?"

At Hyde’s words, Gerhard stuck his head out. The carriage was heading toward a plateau between tall mountains.

After checking the surrounding terrain, Gerhard realized the location from the prophecy book wasn’t far.

"Let’s camp on the plateau today."

"Yes. I’ll set up the campsite."

The three carriages stopped at the outskirts of the plateau where defense was easy.

"There’s still a long time before sunset. What’s your scheme?"

"Rather than a scheme, I obtained some interesting information."

"Information?"

Facing Professor Rosalia who was frowning, Gerhard shrugged.

"How about it, would you like to go together?"

The variant drake’s nest was right ahead.