The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 17.2
“Ma-Master? Where are we going?”
Hans looked around with a bewildered expression.
“Isn’t this the slums?”
“Why? What’s the problem?”
“Of course, it’s a problem! Do you have any idea how dangerous the slums of the Free City are?”
The four prestigious academies that form the background of the ‘Hero Academy’ all have dangerous settings.
Magic rifts, border disputes, harsh environments.
While the Ruby Academy is the only one next to the glamorous Free City, there was a reason for it.
‘The slums of the Free City are as dangerous as the magic rifts.’
This Free City is the most vibrant place on the continent.
Where there is light, there is also darkness.
The scale of the slums was also unparalleled.
Criminals from across the continent flocked here, making it incredibly perilous.
‘The outskirts are relatively fine, but the deeper areas are like enormous dungeons. Criminals emerge like monsters.’
It even had a separate nickname.
The Four Dragon Stronghold
‘…Of course, I have no intention of going that far.’
I just needed to go there for some business.
“Aren’t we going too deep?! If we go a little further, it’s the Four Dragon Stronghold!”
“Why are you so scared? You’re going to become a 5th-tier mage.”
“…I specialize in non-combat, you know?”
“…Weren’t you an Elemental Implementation mage? Specialized in combat.”
“…Even within Elemental Implementation, my specialty lies in research for development. I’m not suited for combat.”
“……”
“……”
‘…You should have said that earlier!’
The reason I confidently entered the slums was because I trusted Hans.
‘…It should still be okay, right? We’re not even going to the Four Dragon Stronghold.’
But then, that moment came.
A voice with a strong resonance echoed.
“To the noble master with the blue blood, what brings you to such a humble place?”
“!!”
When I turned my gaze, a beautiful lady with a radiant demeanor was smiling at us.
‘Oh no.’
I recognized the face.
A notorious villain even in this slum.
‘Darn it. Why is she here of all places?’
At that moment, Hans, not quite catching the mood, shouted enthusiastically from the side.
“You! How dare you speak rudely to the noble master?! Can’t you feel the great majesty emanating from him?! Understand and quickly guide us inside!”
Hans had a personality similar to mine, assertive yet submissive.
Since he couldn’t sense any energy from the lady, he treated her lightly and spoke like that.
Knowing the ‘identity’ of that lady, my heart sank.
“Shut your mouth, Hans.”
“Master?”
“Don’t you feel anything around you?”
“!!”
Only then did Hans’s face stiffen.
“Why can’t I hear anything?”
The entire surrounding area was covered in a deathly silence.
A sharp, cutting air flowed through.
Upon closer inspection, glances watching us from alley corners and various places inside buildings could be glimpsed.
Those awaiting the lady’s signal were all around us.
The moment she gestured, no one in this area would survive.
‘Ah s**t, I just came here to take care of some business, why did I have to encounter such a notorious villain?’
One fortunate thing was that the lady didn’t seem to have immediate intentions for bloodshed.
“This place is not suitable for someone as noble as the Young Duke. Light and darkness cannot coexist. Please, turn back.”
Cheers from the spectators.
However, I felt a sense of dilemma.
‘…For my ‘plan,’ I must definitely attend to matters in the slum.’
I couldn’t retreat.
‘Perhaps negotiating would be a good idea? After all, that villain likely doesn’t want to clash with the Ecclesia nobles.’
Yes.
I also have a formidable background.
Let’s try talking first.
‘I shouldn’t appear too submissive.’
The first step in business is understanding your counterpart.
If I act meek and mild, the woman may not bother listening to me.
Quite the opposite.
I needed to assert myself.
“You’re audacious. Whatever you are, you’re trying to command me, aren’t you? I decide where my steps lead.”
“!!”
The words came out stronger than expected, driven by the influence of the Dark Flame Dragon.
Though my heart pounded, as anticipated, the woman didn’t show anger.
“Ahaha! This is amusing! The rumors of your transformation weren’t false, it seems.”
An intriguing tone.
However, the friendly response ended there.
The smile vanished from the woman’s face.
“So, the Young Duke graces us. You’ve come to exploit our slums in the conflict with the Rapalt aristocracy, is that right?”
Surprisingly, the woman seemed to have guessed the purpose of my visit.
A chilly voice followed.
“I fail to see why we should meddle in the petty quarrels of filthy nobles.”
I remained silent for a moment.
There was a way to persuade the woman.
But the reason for my hesitation was one.
It was risky.
‘No other choice. She probably won’t kill me.’
With a gambler’s spirit, I spoke up.
“You must help me.”
“Hmm? And why is that?”
“Because I know who you really are.”
The woman gave a sarcastic laugh.
“What’s so impressive about that? Is there anyone who doesn’t know that I’m one of the lords of the Four Dragon Stronghold?”
Indeed.
Surprisingly, the woman was one of the four lords of the Four Dragon Stronghold.
But that wasn’t the end of it.
“The Watcher.”
The moment that one word was uttered, everything changed.
In an instant, the room fell into a silence as if time had stopped.
Clang!!
Countless blades were pointed at my throat.
It happened before I could react or say anything.
The events unfolded so swiftly that there was no room for astonishment.
“How do you know that name?”
The woman, Lyran, glared at me with eyes that seemed ready to kill, unlike before.
Her gaze was filled with genuine intensity.
