The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 140
Why did he become a loyal follower of Duke Volman?
Why did he suddenly turn into a madman?
The story provided no backstory, leaving it a mystery.
But there’s always a reason for everything.
There must be one.
I needed to find out.
In the short term, to win Diego over to my side, and in the long term, to prevent the future tragedy.
‘He won’t easily confess.’
It was time to use my former sales king skills.
“It’s futile.”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you here to recruit me? I cannot cooperate with you.”
His voice was as impenetrable as a fortress.
I made a troubled face.
Based on my sales king experience, he was the toughest type of client.
He seemed to have no intention of dealing at all.
“Can you tell me why?”
“Personal reasons.”
His tone was final, suggesting not to pry further.
‘This doesn’t look promising.’
Not every sales pitch I made as a sales king was successful.
Some targets are just impossible.
‘But I can’t give up.’
My intuition was sounding alarms.
I had to persuade him.
“Out of respect for our past as student and teacher, I won’t kick you out immediately. I’ll wait until we finish our coffee.”
The time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a critical moment.
I had to think of a strategy within that time frame.
Then, an unexpected variable emerged.
“Papa!!”
Bang! A door from the adjoining room to the head’s office flew open, and a young boy came in.
“You? Didn’t I tell you not to come out when there’s a guest? Go back to the playroom and play quietly.”
Head Diego hurriedly ushered the young boy back into the next room.
To think he had even set up a playroom next to his office.
Such doting was unparalleled.
Embarrassed, Diego’s face turned red.
“Sorry about that. The kid’s a bit chaotic.”
But instead of responding, I just kept my mouth shut, my expression stiff.
In Diego’s eyes, there was a flicker of emotions beyond mere surprise: tension and wariness.
Wondering if I had realized something.
‘So that was it.’
I sighed.
All the pieces fell into place.
Why he had sworn loyalty to Duke Volman.
Why he had turned into a madman.
“It’s because of that child, isn’t it?”
“…What do you mean?”
“True Ancestor.”
The moment I uttered those words.
Clang!
A cold sensation settled on my neck.
It was a sword.
“I’ll kill you.”
A chilling murderous intent flashed in Diego’s eyes.
Pure, 100% genuine intent to kill.
* * *
This world is inhabited by all sorts of races.
Almost any race found in fantasy exists here.
Vampires are, of course, among them.
They hide in various places throughout the cities.
I mention this because.
‘That child is a vampire.’
To be precise, in the stage just before becoming a vampire.
‘Bit by a True Ancestor, of all things. But who?’
Not everyone bitten by a vampire turns into one.
Only those bitten by a True Ancestor, a higher vampire, transform.
‘It’s been a while since the bite. They’re using medicine to forcibly suppress vampirization.’
There’s only one solution if bitten by a True Ancestor.
Before the transformation is complete, the originating True Ancestor must be killed.
The fact that this hasn’t been done means the True Ancestor who bit the child is no ordinary being.
“Calm down. I have no intention of disclosing this.”
“…….”
“Were you retaliated against by the Abyss?”
Diego’s eyes bulged with veins.
My guess was correct.
‘Sigh.’
As mentioned before, Diego is a recipient of the Empire’s Shield honor.
He had thwarted Abyss’s plot and received the honor for it.
But then, he suffered revenge behind-the-scenes.
‘There’s a True Ancestor among those from the Abyss.’
Not just a clan member, but an ‘officer’.
That’s why he couldn’t eliminate it and was only managing to survive on medication.
Diego sheathed his sword roughly.
“Do you now understand why I can’t follow you? If Duke Volman hadn’t provided the medicine, that child would have turned into a monster long ago. Duke Volman is my benefactor. Understand this and leave.”
I shook my head heavily.
“I can’t do that. I want to help you.”
“Ha! You? Develop a magic to cure vampirism?”
Changing someone’s race was a task too difficult, even for me.
“I’ll kill the True Ancestor, the Blood Wolf Demon, who bit that child.”
“Nonsense. It’s impossible.”
“Why give up without even trying? If you cooperate with me during this festival, we can defeat it.”
A story that might sound absurd.
But it was true.
“Don’t you realize you can’t go on like this forever?”
“!!”
For now, Duke Volman is covering the cost of the medication, but what if Duke Volman disappears?
Finding a new sponsor would result in the same dilemma.
The medicine is toxic, and various side effects are beginning to show. It couldn’t last indefinitely.
“Please, listen to what I have to say. I swear on my name as Van the Legend, I will ensure your son is cured.”
I laid out a specific plan, and Diego’s eyes started to widen with astonishment.
* * *
Eventually, he agreed.
Crucially, the argument that this wasn’t betraying Duke Volman convinced him.
‘Expelling the spies of the Three Evils benefits Duke Volman too.’
I suddenly became irritated.
‘Wait, thinking about it, couldn’t Duke Volman just dismiss them and solve the problem easily? Why am I going through all this trouble?’
But without evidence, Duke Volman wouldn’t believe my word.
I could even be counterattacked for defamation.
‘Ah. I could really go for a beer right now. A beer after work with colleagues always tastes like heaven. Should I call someone?’
I fell silent for a moment.
I had no friends to drink with!
‘Come to think of it, I didn’t have any on Earth either… No, it’s because I was so competent that everyone was jealous….’
Pappa! Ppa! I’m here, aren’t I?
Bbbrrrrr! Master… I am here too… How about a glass of red wine under the moonlight tonight…?
‘Could you not try to console me? It makes me feel even more like a loner when you do that!’
That’s when an irritating scene caught my eye.
Three familiar faces were coming out of a pub.
It was Kansir, Balas, and Amanda.
Their faces were flushed, perhaps from having a drink.
“Van?”
“Since when were you guys close?”
“We’ve always been close. We’re all hired at the same time, remember?”
“I thought Angel didn’t like such gatherings!”
I was part of their hiring cohort too.
Why wasn’t I invited?
I almost voiced that question but then shut my mouth.
I’m a mature adult who doesn’t get upset over such things.
Really. Hmph.
Instead, I brought up a different topic.
Not out of jealousy, but out of concern for them.
“Drinking with the festival coming up? That’s disappointing.”
“We can have a drink if we want. What does that have to do with the festival? You upset?”
“Upset? What do you take me for? I’m saying this because I’m worried about you. The opportunity of a lifetime is right before your eyes, and you seem unaware.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Isn’t it obvious that if we get rid of the new professors, positions for permanent employment will open up for you?”
“!!”
Their eyes, especially Balas and Kansir’s, changed.
There was only one permanent position available among us temporary professors.
As things stood, both were likely to be outcompeted by me.
“Drive out the new professors? How?”
“That’s for you to figure out. Why don’t you do what you did when you picked fights with me? If you manage to drive out about five of them, you might secure a spot for yourselves in the safe zone for employment.”
I had forgotten, but these guys were also villains who initially tried to drive me out.
They should be more than capable of causing enough trouble to bother the Three Evils.
“Hmph, unlucky fellow. Lady Amanda, let’s have another gathering next time.”
Could you not organize these gatherings without me? Holding back that comment, this time I addressed Amanda.
“There’s something you need to do for me. Are you good at thievery?”
“Of course, I’m excellent! Oh, Angel! Did you want to drink beer? Should I steal some beer for you?!”
…No, I can afford to buy my own beer, you know?
Is she mocking me on purpose?
After giving her a brief look, I brought up the matter at hand.
“I don’t need you to steal, but I need you to drop this off at the new professors’ accommodations without anyone noticing.”
“…What is this?”
Amanda’s eyes widened.
Naturally.
Master…? Are you already leaving me?
The Demon King Sword trembled with a pitiful voice.
* * *
The preparations were almost complete.
Now, it was time to recruit the last villain.
The last, but most crucial villain.
I headed to the Dragon Stronghold after a long while.
“Ohoho, it’s been a while. I’ve been hearing about the exploits of Van the Legend.”
It was Lyran, one of the four lords of the Dragon Stronghold and an officer of the rebels.
“It seems like you’re planning something interesting. How may I assist you?”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Hmm, then what brings you here?”
“I want to meet someone. The new lord of the stronghold.”
“!!”
Lyran looked surprised, as if wondering how I knew there had been a change in the fortress lord.
“…It’s inevitable. She was one of my students. Come out.”
“Yep, Sylphie, making her entrance~ Yap~ The new trusted lord~”
Shockingly, it was the Massacrist Mage, Sylphin!
“How did you become a lord here?”
“I don’t know. I just kept killing the villains in the slums, and before I knew it, here I am.”
Sylphin giggled, her eyes sparkling.
“This Sylphie, was actually feeling neglected by you, Master. I thought you had forgotten about me like a caught fish, you know? I was contemplating throwing a tantrum.”
A tantrum.
That word sounded terrifyingly serious.
“There’s something I need your help with.”
“Aah, I’m thrilled. Who do I need to kill?”
“It’s cooking.”
“Hehe, who and how would you like me to ‘cook’ them?”
“No, it’s actually just cooking. For the festival.”
“??”
“…….”
“…….”
I explained a bit more clearly for better understanding.
“For the festival event booth, we’re planning to open a ‘Cultural Elegance Restaurant’. You’ll take on the role of a chef there.”
Yes.
The most crucial part of my plan was to outshine the Three Evils during the festival.
With the Mad Alchemist Sylphin’s cooking, I was sure to captivate everyone’s taste buds.
And so, the fateful day of the festival approached.
