The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 194
Settlement amount: zero.
The surroundings fell silent at the tale I spun.
The boy, Juliet’s escort knight and ‘manager,’ Kizen, turned pale.
“What nonsense is this?! All the revenues that have been generated are safely in my custody!”
“Indeed. Kizen said he would manage it separately for the restoration of the royal family later.”
Juliet defended the boy as well.
But
“Have you ever received a detailed account of how it’s being managed?”
“That is….”
“Not long ago, a mansion in the Free City’s District 1 was auctioned, and the winning bidder was named ‘Kizen’. Coincidentally, he was about the same age as that boy—quite a curious affair.”
I stared straight at Kizen and said,
“To purchase a mansion in District 1 of the Free City, where even formidable nobles hesitate to venture. The bidding price exceeded 3 million Pena. I wonder where all that money came from.”
“T-That is for later use as a base for rebuilding the royal family….”
“Shut your mouth.”
“…What did you say?”
“Do you think I’m a fool? Do you think I don’t know the true nature of a scum like you?”
“!!”
I clicked my tongue.
Exploitation of artists isn’t only an Earthly affair.
Especially deceiving a princess like Juliet, who knew little of the world, was as easy as stealing candy from a baby.
“If you don’t want to be stripped of all your assets and banished from the empire, keep your hands off Princess Juliet.”
The moment Kizen’s face turned deathly pale.
“Enough. I’ll handle the Republic’s matter myself, so please, do not press Kizen any further.”
Juliet once again stood up for Kizen.
Such a frustrating sight.
It couldn’t be helped.
‘She must have been gaslighted quite a bit by now.’
It’s common for victims of abuse and exploitation to become dependent on their abusers and unable to break free.
After all, we’ve just met; there’s no established trust between us.
‘From Juliet’s perspective, I might seem even less reliable. After seeking refuge in the empire, there have been more than a few who approached her like I did, only to deceive her.’
It is well-known that when Juliet sought refuge, she brought a substantial royal fortune with her, only to be swindled by the imperial nobility and end up penniless within a few years.
She started singing because she needed money to survive, even resorting to begging on the streets.
Juliet follows Kizen probably because of the hardships they endured together back then.
Back then, that Kizen fellow wasn’t like he is now.
“Still, I appreciate it. It seems your concern is genuine. I do have a knack for reading people.”
“…You mean him, Your Highness?”
“That’s right. Why do you ask?”
“…No reason.”
“Ah, do you not need my autograph?”
“All of a sudden? No, I don’t really need it.”
“Really? Opportunities to get my autograph aren’t frequent. I’m actually quite high spirited and impressive, but it seems I may have shown only my less flattering side to you today. Soon, I’ll show you just how remarkable this princess really is! Be prepared to get my autograph in advance!”
Juliet placed her hands on her hips and cleared her throat.
By the way, Juliet’s official nickname is ‘Muse,’ but the nickname people actually prefer to call her is something else.
The Awkward Fourth-Dimensional Princess.
It’s a nickname given because of her quirky speech and behavior, despite her captivating musicality.
‘What a pity.’
I smirked bitterly inside.
Her spirited demeanor would soon fade away.
Among the four sub-main protagonists, she is destined to collapse most tragically.
“Your Highness, may I ask you to remember one thing?”
“Hmm?”
“Even if we do not form a bond this time, the Vanmily Merchant Group is always open to you.”
With a heavy heart.
I continued, hoping that the cruel fate awaiting her would be less painful.
“If, by any chance, you find yourself not knowing where to go, unable to even stand, please come to me. Assisting and guiding students is my duty as a professor.”
* * *
‘I can’t just wait for things to fall apart, I need to prepare some measures against that Kizen kid.’
I decided to proceed with this issue through Emily.
With that, Juliet agreed to cooperate, and the preliminary preparations were complete.
I returned to Steam City and reunited with the group.
“Professor Van, have you finally arrived?! Oh! This Hans has been pining for you, suffering alone in your absence!”
“Stop with the dreadful talk. What’s going wrong with the preparation for your exhibition piece?”
“Hehe, actually, this formula is a bit challenging. I’ll add your name as my advisor, so maybe a hint…!!”
I clicked my tongue and swiftly resolved the problem.
“Where is Joanna?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“She’s… holed up in her room, not eating properly, deeply engrossed in her preparations. She’s grinding her teeth, trying to make it into the selection. The submission deadline is not far off, and I’m not sure what she’s preparing.”
The fair had been suspended due to mafia conflicts but had recently reopened.
It was the final stages, and submissions had to be made within a few days.
‘She hasn’t eaten even a single meal recently?’
Given Joanna’s stubborn nature, it was highly likely this was no exaggeration.
I bought some of Joanna’s favorite snacks and went to her room.
“It’s me. Open the door.”
I thought she wouldn’t open it, so I planned to hang the snacks on the doorknob and leave.
“…What is it?”
Surprisingly, the door opened smoothly!
But that wasn’t the only surprise.
Joanna, usually well-dressed, was looking pale with her hair down and a tired expression. She weakly looked at me and said,
“Snacks? My favorites? Thank you.”
“……”
“Why?”
“Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself. I’ll call a mental health therapist.”
Joanna expressing ordinary gratitude?
It was clear she was in a serious condition.
“…What are you saying? I don’t have the energy to argue. I don’t have time, so please leave.”
“What’s troubling you? I’ll help.”
“……”
Joanna clammed up.
A familiar spark returned to her lifeless eyes.
It was fierceness.
“This is my business.”
“……”
“I’ll make sure both father and Professor Van flatten their noses, so be prepared!”
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
Her usual brusqueness was a relief, but it made me worried.
Just as I was about to knock again, I heard her muttering from inside.
“I can do it. I can do this too. I will definitely succeed.”
“……”
I quietly lowered my hand that was poised to knock.
‘I should trust in her.’
Although I am worried and anxious.
Still, silently supporting her behind-the-scenes is also the role of an adult.
As I was leaving, I ran into Emily.
“Van, I’ve finished all the preparations you requested.”
“Good work. We can leave now.”
“It might be dangerous, are you sure it’s okay?”
I nodded.
‘The Erosion Fixation is as dangerous as it gets.’
The likelihood of encountering high-level demons or powerful monsters was slim.
The risk alert on my monocle was only yellow, indicating a mere 20% probability of death.
“It’s fine. Do not worry….”
Then, suddenly, a message popped up on my monocle.
[Warning! Due to an unexpected variable, the risk level has been readjusted!]
The yellow turned to purple.
The death probability had jumped to 50%.
‘…Still, it’s only fifty-fifty. This is manageable.’
However, I needed to figure out what had caused this sudden variable.
‘Could it be?’
I crossed my arms.
I had a suspicion.
‘If my guess is right, maybe I can use this to my advantage?’
“How are the trade explorations going in the Ran Republic for the Vanmily Company?”
“It’s still sluggish.”
“Because of the mafia?”
“That’s part of it, but it’s mainly because our empire is considered an enemy nation. There’s a lot of resentment.”
“If that’s the problem, it’s simple. I have an idea. Let’s expand the scope of what you’ve prepared.”
Emily’s eyes widened in alarm at my explanation.
“But, that would mean?”
“It’s okay.”
I raised my chin.
Arrogantly.
…In fact, it wasn’t me who did it, but the Black Flame Dragon commanded it. Really.
“After this affair, all citizens of the republic will revere the name Van the Legend.”
It was not mere bravado.
If everything went according to my plan, it was entirely possible.
* * *
All preparations were complete.
Juliet and I entered the Erosion Fixation.
“Are you okay, Your Highness?”
“Hah! Yes, I’m fine! I’m not scared! Although this is a foreign land, as one who carries noble blood, I will not ignore the suffering of the people!”
In reality, since the republic’s forces were escorting us, there was no significant danger inside the erosion zone.
“The loudspeakers are all set up. Please hurry, it’s scary.”
Chief Secretary Eckmann urged with a pale face.
I nodded.
Now, all that was left was for Juliet and me to combine our powers and purify the erosion.
Of course, it wouldn’t end this easily.
Indeed.
“These bastards, I will kill them all. Especially you, Van the Legend, I will not make your death easy.”
A band of rogues appeared!
Familiar faces.
It was the Grand Duke of the Royal Family, Rutger, and his underlings.
‘As expected, it was these guys. Just as I thought. But why is Lindon here? He said he was working part-time during the holidays, was it this?’
Lindon, who flinched as our eyes met, quickly averted his gaze.
…Let’s sort this out later.
There were more important matters at hand.
The presence of Grand Duke Rutger and the others who appeared was extraordinary.
Chief Secretary Eckmann cried out in panic.
“A pact with a demon?!”
“What are you making such a fuss about? What’s so big about the mafia making a pact with demons?”
“Isn’t this the erosion zone of Gehenna? The power of demon contractors becomes tremendously stronger here!”
That’s true.
That’s why the death probability suddenly jumped to 50%.
“It’s okay.”
“What?”
I had anticipated the current situation and had prepared a reliable contingency plan.
I kept it secret from Eckmann but had already sought and obtained covert approval from the president.
“Now, come out and handle everyone, please.”
Everyone looked puzzled by my unexpected request.
Except for one person.
Lindon, who knew me well, realized that something was about to happen and hurriedly threw himself to the ground.
And then.
The world changed.
An anomaly I had experienced when facing the ‘Knight Commander’ of the previous Abyss.
Similar, yet different.
Unfathomably deeper.
As if sinking into the deep sea.
Lv. 8.
The ‘Territory’ of the contemplator looking up at the sky enveloped the area.
Flash.
A light flickered, and at the same time, the head of Grand Duke Rutger was severed and floated up.
He had a face that hadn’t even realized what had happened to him.
In front of him appeared a career woman styled beauty in a suit, sheathing her sword.
Someone screamed, shrieking.
“The Sword King of the Empire!!”
That’s right.
I had used a professor’s special perk.
‘With the Sword King here, there’s nothing to worry about, whatever may come. Now it’s time to resolve the erosion and become a hero.’
But then the color of my monocle changed.
Since the crisis was resolved, the color should have lightened.
[Additional variable detected! Risk level rapidly intensifies!]
“What?”
I doubted my eyes.
It was black.
The warning of a 100% death probability began to flash.
Chillingly.
