The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 106
Why the sudden mention of the Rapalt Ducal House?
It wasn’t out of the blue.
‘After all, the downfall of the Rapalt Ducal House is due to their involvement in various horrendous illegal activities.’
In fact, it’s rare for a well-off corporation like the Rapalt Ducal House to suddenly collapse.
‘Of course, it’s common for large companies to engage in illegal activities, but there’s usually a line they don’t cross.’
The problem is, this was just the tip of the iceberg.
‘The protagonists eventually expose the truth, leading to their complete downfall.’
That was why I rejected Duke Volman’s offer.
Getting involved would mean going down with them.
‘The issue is that this incident alone is too minor to implicate the Rapalt Ducal House.’
As I suspected.
“Just cover it up.”
Ron reported the incident to our father, and Duke Huam responded without a moment’s hesitation.
As expected, but it was still frustrating.
“So you’re just going to watch and do nothing?”
“If we’re not just watching, what benefit do we get from bringing down the Rapalt Ducal House?”
I flinched.
The same intimidation I felt earlier swept over me again, and I realized one thing.
‘My father already knows everything.’
Not just about this incident.
He was clearly aware of the crimes the Rapalt Ducal House was committing behind the scenes.
Yet, he chose to observe silently.
Why?
Because there’s no benefit in acting.
Specifically, because the Rapalt Ducal House cannot be allowed to fall.
Duke Huam, sensing my thoughts, sighed deeply.
“I don’t want to just sit by. I’d love to immediately cut off that pig Volman’s head, but do you know the backlash the empire would face if the Rapalt Ducal House falls?”
“……”
“It’s something the current state of the empire cannot withstand.”
His voice was laden with deep contemplation.
With the emperor having retired under the pretext of illness, the empire was practically being held together by Duke Huam.
‘Is it right to just remain silent?’
Truthfully, it’s not really something I need to concern myself with.
It’s only a matter of time, after all, the fate of the Rapalt Ducal House is sealed.
Observing might be fine but…
‘…I don’t like it.’
I recalled the scene at the ‘work site’ I had witnessed earlier.
The pitiful state of the victims.
Knowing about it and seeing it firsthand made a world of difference in perception.
More importantly, this was just the tip of the iceberg.
I am human, too.
A natural outrage arose.
‘Above all, we must consider the possibility of the protagonists failing. This isn’t just the normal mode anymore.’
Having organized my thoughts, I spoke up.
“Cutting out the rot might be the answer.”
“Your principle is correct, but a reckless surgery can worsen the patient’s condition. There are times we must bear with it, inevitably.”
Here, the patient, of course, refers to the empire.
However,
“Does it matter if the patient’s condition worsens?”
“…What?”
“After all, what’s important to us is only the well-being of the Ecclesia family.”
“!!”
Duke Huam flinched.
I lifted the corners of my mouth.
It wasn’t intentional; the Black Flame Dragon made me do it.
“Isn’t our family’s devotion for the royal family and the empire not out of naive loyalty but for our own benefit?”
“Van, you… .”
Duke Huam shot a chilly look.
Ron, standing beside us, signaled me.
“Van, take back what you just said. Father, Van is still young, that’s why.”
However, I silently met Duke Huam’s sharp gaze.
…Honestly, it was a bit scary, but I managed to hold out with the help of the Black Flame Dragon.
Then,
“Haha! Van, you really have grown up. I’m proud.”
An unexpected laugh.
Ron wore a puzzled face, and Duke Huam burst into a brief smile.
“You’re right. Talk of loyalty is just a pretense. The power of our Ecclesia family comes from the empire; we’re just protecting it.”
Yes.
This is the essence of the Ecclesia family.
Loyalty and visible justice are just disguises; in reality, we are more selfish than anyone else.
Duke Huam leaned back in his chair and asked in a slightly more relaxed tone.
“Explain further. How does bringing down the Rapalt Ducal House benefit the Ecclesias?”
“If we bring down the Rapalt Ducal House, couldn’t we absorb their power?”
“Growing our family too large is not beneficial. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”
It was the survival strategy of the thousand-year-old Ecclesia family.
“That might be true in times of peace. But don’t you know what kind of era is coming? If the Ecclesias don’t want to be swept away, we must become stronger.”
Duke Huam fell silent.
My argument was sound.
“Do you have a way to bring down the Rapalt Ducal House? The Ecclesia cannot take the lead.”
“No need for that. Instead, instruct the investigative department to properly look into this matter.”
“As I said before, implicating them over this issue is reaching. It’ll only stir up trouble.”
“That’s fine. This is meant to serve as a warning anyway. The Rapalt Ducal House will crumble in another way.”
“Hmm?”
Duke Huam was puzzled, but since it hadn’t happened yet, I couldn’t give a precise explanation.
‘After all, it’s not my job.’
A moment of moral compulsion flared up, but it didn’t make me a crusader for justice.
My goal remains to be a professor living the sweet life.
‘It’s the protagonists’ job to take action. I just need to lend a slight hand from behind-the-scenes.’
However, upon returning to the Ruby Academy, I realized it wasn’t time to relax and cross my arms.
This letter was waiting for me.
Notice of Preliminary Termination of Temporary Professorship.
It was a notice of dismissal.
Duke Volman had made his move.
* * *
Then, in a mansion as grand as the royal palace,
It was the Rapalt Ducal House’s residence.
In the office, Duke Volman was frowning.
The butler cautiously observed and spoke.
“Your Grace, as you ordered, the dismissal notice has been sent. But isn’t this a bit excessive?”
“What do you mean excessive?”
“It seems the justification for the contract termination is insufficient. There’s a reason, but it’s not strong enough.”
Duke Volman’s mood darkened further.
“It doesn’t matter. Proceed as planned.”
“…Understood.”
After the butler left, Duke Volman activated a communication device.
Kshh, the identity of the respondent remained unknown as they accepted the communication, and Duke Volman spoke.
“I’ve sent the dismissal notice as you suggested. Is this really the right move? It seems too hasty.”
The fact that Duke Volman sent the dismissal notice to Van was not his own idea!
Duke Volman then addressed the identity of the respondent.
“Answer me. Apostle of Ouroboros.”
It was another apostle besides Prince Renius!
However, their identity was completely unknown.
Even Duke Volman only communicated in this manner, without knowing who the respondent was.
Whether they were male or female, or their age, was unknown.
A magically distorted voice came from the other side of the device.
Not at all. If not now, it will be even harder to act later. Ultimately, Van will thwart your objectives.
“Do you rate Van that highly?”
The incident Van uncovered in the slums alone should tell you.
Duke Volman swallowed.
Your objective isn’t merely the Ruby Academy, is it? Have you forgotten about the Shangri La Academy project, your true goal?
“…….”
Don’t hesitate over dealing with just one temporary professor. There might be controversy within the academy, but it will be brief.
“Understood. I’ll follow your advice. Without the help you’ve provided over the last five years, our Rapalt Ducal House wouldn’t have grown as much.”
A startling revelation.
The Rapalt Ducal House was already one of the empire’s top consortia, but it experienced particularly significant growth over the last five years.
Behind that growth was the help from this mysterious individual, an apostle.
So, Duke Volman was someone who would follow the other party’s words, but this time, there was something unsettling.
‘What if Van causes a disturbance?’
It was an unnecessary worry.
The termination of the contract was the employer’s right.
What could a mere temporary professor, not even a formally employed professor, possibly do?
Yet, because it was Van, who always caused absurd situations, there was a baseless worry.
Above all, the greater concern was.
“Let me ask you one thing. Are you truly looking out for me?”
Whether he had allied himself with a monster.
And whether, in pursuit of a sweet fruit, he would ultimately fall into hell, he was anxious.
Do not worry.
A metallic voice devoid of any emotion came through.
With the name of I, Demon Brain as my pledge, you will achieve what you desire.
* * *
‘Crazy? Just like that?’
It was too sudden, even if Duke Volman considered me a thorn in his side.
‘Could it be that the Demon Brain is involved?’
I had a serious expression.
The real mastermind behind this The Disaster of the Golden Spirit episode wasn’t the Rapalt Ducal House.
It was Ouroboros.
Precisely, “Demon Brain” was manipulating the Rapalt Duchy like a puppet from behind.
Another apostle, different from Prince Renius.
‘At the same time, a villain-type protagonist.’
I swallowed hard.
As explained before, among the 16 protagonists, 4 are villain-type protagonists.
These 4 villain-type protagonists are further divided into two groups.
Two are more dreadful, and two are less so.
Demon Brain (or Mano) and the Massacrist Mage belong to the more dreadful group.
‘Considering the chaos Demon Brain causes, it’s not less than the Massacrist Mage. No, considering the impact, it might be even more serious.’
I sighed.
‘Clearly, I’ve caught Demon Brain’s attention with the recent incidents. Things have become complicated.’
No, it wasn’t just that level.
Since there was no way to go against the decisions of the Rapalt Ducal House, which secured more than 50% of the shares.
‘Damn, it’s dirty and petty. Should I just quit? I could just find another job.’
Now, I had gained enough reputation that I could move to another academy if I wanted to.
But soon, I shook my head.
‘The storylines in other academies are even harder.’
It’s not just Ruby that faces difficulties.
While the timing may vary, all of the other top four prestigious academies also face significant challenges.
‘First, I need to protest. Let’s see the reason for the dismissal.’
Precisely, it was a contract termination notice.
It was a scheme exploiting my temporary status.
Unlike today, the Empire’s laws protecting employees were inadequate.
Especially for temporary positions, employers could terminate contracts at will.
However, perhaps due to concern for public perception, it stated various reasons for being unable to continue the contract with me.
‘Lack of performance?’
Many misunderstand, but a professor’s primary job isn’t lecturing.
They need to produce results in their respective fields.
For reference, my specialty is “Magic Theory.”
The excuse for contract termination was that I hadn’t produced any academic results since my appointment.
There was another reason.
‘Lack of sales performance?’
Precisely, it was about the lack of external research funding.
As a professor of Magic Theory, I was accused of being negligent in attracting external research funds.
‘And that’s not all. It says I haven’t performed administrative duties beneficial to the academy as a professor?’
At the end of the termination notice, it was written that if the mentioned issues were not resolved within fifteen days, the contract would be terminated as planned.
The fifteen-day grace period was due to Empire law.
There was only one protection law for temporary workers.
A fifteen-day grace period must be given after a contract termination notice.
‘…To feel the sorrow of a non-regular employee in this way again.’
I fell silent for a moment.
Before becoming the Sales King, I started my corporate life as a temporary contract employee.
The bitter feeling I had when I was told that contract renewal was difficult, despite having excellent sales performance, briefly crossed my mind.
‘…This makes me want to cause trouble, just like I did before.’
