Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#28 It’s All That b*stard’s Fault

The three walked down the corridor.

The clamor grew louder from beyond the passage.

As they rounded a corner, someone appeared, blocking their way.

“Chairman.”

“Alain? What brings you here so suddenly?”

The man’s name was Alain.

He addressed the group once more.

“My apologies for interrupting so abruptly. Forgive me, but are you on your way to meet with the nobles?”

“That is the plan, yes?”

“Then, I would advise you to postpone the meeting, at least for the time being.”

Alain offered the advice subtly.

It was a rather abrupt suggestion.

Enoch watched the situation unfold, waiting.

The Chairman questioned him as if he was spouting nonsense.

“Postpone the meeting? And allow them to continue rampaging like this?”

“That is not so. Simply, there is little gain to be had from meeting now.”

“Gain?”

“The opponent is incandescent with rage. It would be better to avoid a meeting now, and agree on terms separately later, perhaps.”

Alain explained calmly.

Baltoro paused, considering.

Then, he posed a question.

“I understand your meaning. But, what of the rampaging now?”

“I will go and restrain him. The Headmaster is also present, so it will be handled somehow.”

Alain thumped his chest twice.

A gesture of entrusting it to him.

Baltoro cocked his head, then asked Enoch,

“Enoch, what are your thoughts?”

“I have no preference. Even if we went, it would end only in an abuse of power, there is no need to waste the time.”

“I see. If that is your thought.”

Baltoro glanced back at Alain.

“I will entrust it to you. Ensure it is smoothed over well, that no problems arise.”

“Understood. Just leave it to me.”

Alain bowed his head to Baltoro.

Following that, he offered a polite greeting to Enoch as well.

Finally, he stole a glance at Lacrina before departing.

-Thud. Thud.

“Chairman.”

“What is it?”

“This fellow Alain, what manner of man is he?”

Enoch asked belatedly.

Baltoro replied with a puzzled air.

“Simply an ordinary teacher. Counseling is his subject. His rank is Scroll-grade.”

“A mage, then?”

“Indeed. However, his magic itself is for healing, not attack. The recovery of spirits, you see. Thanks to that, his reputation is moderately good.”

“Has he often stepped forward in such situations?”

“Well now. Can’t rightly say I know that far. Why? Some trouble brewing?”

“Isn’t it all a bit…convenient? Showing up suddenly, saying he’ll handle it. As if he was waiting for it.”

The timing was, in many respects, rather curious.

Enoch made no attempt to cloak his suspicion.

And what was it, one wondered, that Balthor glimpsed in that suspicion?

Belatedly, Balthor reacted. “Ah! Speaking of which, there is one peculiar thing.”

“Peculiar thing?”

“That Alain fellow, seems he once took a bribe and got disciplined for it. Three million kro, was it? Not a huge sum, so it only ended with a salary cut.”

“…”

“Seems he has a bit of a yearning for coin. You be careful now. Seeing you arrive in an airship, he might think you’re flush and latch on.”

Balthor laughed, a playful jab.

Enoch was left speechless.

There simply wasn’t anything to say.

“…I understand, then. Looks like things are all wrapped up, so I’ll be on my way.”

“Good thinking. No need to get tangled in bothersome affairs.”

Balthor visibly brightened.

He even made the sign of the cross with his fingers.

A sign of gratitude for salvation, that.

Enoch couldn’t help but feel a prickle of unease.

Had he done something amiss?

“…Anyway, you heard everything, didn’t you?”

Enoch spoke to Lacrina, who stood beside him.

“I’ll take my leave now. Be a bit more cautious from here on out.”

“Ah… are you already leaving?”

“Believe it or not, I’m quite busy. Got this and that to see to.”

“Yes. I’ll come and find you myself next time.”

“Alright. Come by anytime. If anything happens, give me a call—”

Enoch stopped short.

It belatedly dawned on me that Lacrimosa possessed no communicator.

‘Even when given pocket money, she wouldn’t buy one. Whatever the reason, she needs a way to contact someone.’

“Lacrimosa, take this.”

“Huh? Isn’t this a communicator?”

“The one I used. Keep it from now on. Who knows what might happen again.”

Enoch spoke as if he’d merely picked it up from the road.

Then, he left.

Lacrimosa stared blankly at the spot where Enoch had vanished.

The communicator was held tightly in her hand.

Balthazar spoke belatedly.

“Ahem, ahem. Lacrimosa? Best you return to the dormitory now.”

“…”

“…Lacrimosa?”

Somehow, no answer came.

Wondering what was amiss, Balthazar quickly checked.

“…”

His words caught in his throat.

Lacrimosa held the communicator tightly in her hand, saying nothing.

Like a praying nun, almost.

The problem lay in the communicator’s position.

It was far too close to her mouth.

If no one were watching, she seemed ready to cram it *wah-rah-lah-lah* down her throat.

‘What is this? Is she trying to swallow it?’

“…Lacrimosa? Don’t hold the communicator so close to your mouth. It’s harmful to the body.”

“The one *Seonsaeng-nim* gave me isn’t.”

“What kind of bull-…nevermind. Do as you please.”

Balthazar gave up on persuading her.

Belatedly, a wave of self-loathing washed over him.

Still, I am the Headmaster.

What in the world am I even teaching them anymore?

“Guess I’ll just have to keep praying, then.”

Valtoro clasped his hands together beside Lacrina.

He crossed himself, his fingers tracing a plea for salvation.

Oh, Almighty Sun.

Seems my prayers are a little weak today.

@

Enoch returned to Magnusra aboard the airship.

The first place he sought out was the headquarters of the guard.

‘That damned b*stard. Finally, I get to see his face.’

Enoch’s nemesis.

The vehicle bomber.

He would never let this one get away.

Enoch swore to himself, presenting his identification.

The guard at the entrance waved him through.

-Confirmed. Have a good day.

-Thud. Thud.

Enoch traversed the headquarters hallway.

‘Here it is.’

He soon arrived at his destination.

Enoch immediately opened the door.

-Creak.

“I came upon hearing about the report. Regarding the recent vehicle explosion-“

“…Huh?”

“…?”

His actions stalled mid-sentence.

An unexpected figure stood before him.

None other than the Water Magic Tower Master.

Jane Alura.

“…Why are you here?”

“What? Why else would I be here. Well-“

“Surely, you weren’t the culprit?”

“What drivel are you spouting?”

@

The commotion subsided after a short while.

A guardsman, who was nearby, explained the detailed circumstances.

Enoch listened to the story first.

Then, he let out a deep sigh.

“…Why did you have to ask the guard about *me* of all people? It makes me look like some kind of criminal.”

“No, it’s just that everyone does it that way.”

Jane’s reason for being here was simple.

After the comms cut out earlier, she had moved to Magnusra in a fit of pique to find Enoch.

But there was a problem.

She didn’t actually know where he was staying.

So she was using her contacts in the guard to find out.

That was all there was to it.

“In the first place, you could have explained the situation beforehand. Or at least contacted me via comms first.”

“Want to die? I already tried several times! I came here directly because you weren’t answering.”

Jane thrust a fist forward in threat.

Come to think of it, Lacrina had Enoch’s comm device right now.

He had fallen asleep on the airship and simply forgotten about it.

“That’s right. My apologies.”

“Spare me the empty words.”

Jane continued to huff and puff.

Her attitude still hadn’t cooled down.

Yet the conversation continued regardless.

“Anyway, what brings you here? Just what happened that made you ignore my calls with the excuse of being busy?”

“Ignore, you say… Get a grip, Jane. Have some sense of responsibility for your position.”

“Whatever. Just answer me.”

Jane narrowed her eyes.

Enoch spoke weakly.

“The thing is, actually—”

-Shhhkkk

“So, you were both gathered here.”

In that instant, someone appeared in their midst.

It was Nordilla, the Ice Magic Tower Lord.

“…Lord Nordilla?”

“Old man Nordilla?”

“Why do you stare so? As if you’ve seen a ghost or something?”

Nordilla smiled at the two of them.

Then, he snickered, as if something amused him greatly.

A sinister chuckle.

“I sensed magic, so I wondered… And it really is you, Jane.”

“Ah… well, I suppose so?”

“To come looking for Enoch and find Jane instead. My, my… last I saw, the two of you were at each other’s throats. Have you become friendly again in the meantime?”

“What? Absolutely n—”

“Yes. Things just… ended up that way.”

Enoch cut in, interrupting her words.

He could tell at a glance that Nordilla had found something to tease them about.

They couldn’t give him any ammunition to begin with.

Sadly, it was of little use.

“Hey, didn’t I tell you not to interrupt me—”

“Just please be quiet. Do you have no tact?”

Jane didn’t seem to notice Enoch’s efforts.

Instead, she only became noticeably agitated.

Seeing this, Nordilla laughed heartily, as if he knew everything.

“Heh heh. It’s alright. I understand everything. If it’s between young folks, it could happen. Of course!”

“It’s not like tha— …Never mind. Just think of it that way.”

“Why? What is it? What’s going on?”

“Please just be quiet. No, stay quiet. I’m begging you.”

“What? You’re ignoring me and now you’re talking to your older sister any way you wan—”

A brief commotion ensued.

Enoch felt a strange, unfounded dizziness.

That Nordilla was here, alright.

But why Jane?

Did she have no profession?

‘The Master of the Magic Tower couldn’t have been such a leisurely job…’

Enoch shook his head.

Jane was still breathing heavily.

Nordilla belatedly inquired,

“By the by, Enoch. What reason did you have for putting off my calls today?”

“Indeed. That’s what I was just about to ask.”

A belated arrow flew.

Enoch paused, about to answer.

Looking back, it was rather… that.

-I ignored the calls of the Magic Tower Masters to chase after a car thief.

-Enoch! Are you in your right mind?!

‘…This won’t do. The image I’ve painstakingly cultivated could crumble.’

The reason didn’t matter.

They had, for now, come to find Enoch himself.

He couldn’t tell them the truth.

Especially since it was an uncomfortable one.

“…In truth, the circumstances are a little…complex.”

“Circumstances? You?”

“You, is something serious happening?”

The two were taken aback.

Jane and Nordilla.

In both their minds, Enoch belonged in the ranks of continent-level powerhouses like themselves.

That Enoch would trail off like that…

It was something they couldn’t have imagined.

“Thinking about it, even the guards came looking for you. Don’t just sit there, spill it to your noona. Don’t tell me you got beat up somewhere?”

“Aye, I find myself curious as well. Speak quickly now.”

“…”

A flurry of questions rained down.

Enoch paused, wrestling with his thoughts.

Finally, he moistened his lips.

“…It is all the fault of Orban, the Golden Mage.”

“What?”

“That he dared to lay a hand on you?”

The two seemed genuinely taken aback.

Orban was not the sort to act in such a manner, or so they thought.

Enoch pressed on, not granting them an opening.

“Indeed. He sent a man to summon me to his presence. The emissary he dispatched even attacked me.”

“Madness. Orban, that fiend, did this?”

“Hmph…”

“Thus, I was delayed somewhat. I hesitated to make contact, fearing it would bring harm. And then my carriage was…detonated. I entrusted the investigation to the guard, suspecting that Orban’s lot were behind the bombing.”

He hadn’t lied, not exactly.

In any case, the Golden Mage was already of ill repute.

A few more stains on his reputation wouldn’t make much difference.

‘Curious. I feel no guilt whatsoever.’

Whenever something strange occurred in Eoín, blaming Orban was usually a safe bet.

And so, this tale, too, began at the wellspring of all wickedness.

A beating was inevitable, one day.

Establishing a pretext beforehand wasn’t such a bad idea.