The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 232
Erosion phenomena!
Everyone was shocked by my diagnosis.
“What nonsense is this? I’ve never heard of erosion happening in a city.”
Everyone was in disbelief.
As the case of the Ran Republic showed, erosion fixation there is not rare.
However, they typically occurred in remote, uninhabited areas.
‘Erosion phenomena ultimately involve the twisting of the world’s laws. The more populated an area, the greater the resistance from the laws of causality.’
But that also means, if the resistance of causality can be overcome, erosion can occur in a city.
“If it’s the work of the Dark Tower, it’s possible. In some ways, they are the most dreadful among the Three Evils.”
The Dark Tower wasn’t the strongest of the Three Evils.
In fact, their collective strength fell behind the Abyss, and their scale was smaller than the Order.
However, the Dark Tower had a unique characteristic that the other two did not.
They had an overwhelming number of demon contractors.
‘They must have offered some kind of sacrifice to the demons to suppress the resistance of causality.’
Everyone fell silent.
If what I said was true, this was no ordinary matter.
“Van, can we talk privately for a moment?”
Mariam pulled me into a private room.
“This isn’t something to be taken lightly. If what you’re saying is true, it could bring the entire empire to its knees.”
I understood.
It wasn’t just about the damage the erosion would cause to the Free City.
The suffering and death of the city’s citizens were heartbreaking, but the empire as a whole could potentially overcome that.
The real issue was the repercussions that would follow.
“This isn’t simply about dark magicians spreading a plague. This is equivalent to treason against the empire.”
Mariam continued in a serious tone.
“If it comes to this, the empire will have no choice but to exterminate the Dark Tower. The resulting devastation will be immense, perhaps more than the empire can bear.”
As I’ve mentioned repeatedly, the empire is currently stretched thin.
It’s in chaos both internally and externally.
Barely maintaining balance.
A war with the Dark Tower would likely escalate into a war with the Three Evils, which would be enough to topple the delicate balance the empire was precariously holding onto.
However, I sensed that Mariam was holding back something more important.
“Are you worried that Ecclesia will be held accountable? It’s our duty to manage the Dark Tower, after all.”
“…Yes, exactly.”
Mariam didn’t deny it.
“We, Ecclesia, have been keeping the Dark Tower in check through the Dark House. But now that this has happened, neither the Dark House nor Ecclesia will be free from blame.”
I nodded in agreement.
In the actual scenario, something similar happened.
‘Although the type of incident caused by the Dark Tower was different, the Dark House was ultimately framed, and as a result, Ecclesia was shaken.’
However, I was puzzled.
I worry because I know the future events from the scenario.
I know what tricks Demon Brain might pull as Ecclesia wavers.
But Mariam shouldn’t know that much, yet she seemed excessively concerned.
“Is there something else on your mind?”
“…There are rumors that the Emperor will return soon.”
“!!”
I was taken aback.
‘That trolling bastard?’
He has never properly appeared, so everyone has forgotten about him, but there is an Emperor in this empire.
Despite his poor health, as evidenced by his neglect of state affairs, he is not a functional ruler.
Not a tyrant style, though.
“The Emperor returning? Did he finally find the elixir he so desired?”
In the community, the Emperor was nicknamed ‘Qin Shi Huang.’
He pursued immortality out of fear of death.
His neglect of state affairs was absurdly to pursue immortality.
It is said that the Emperor’s palace is filled with treasures and spellbooks for achieving immortality.
‘He’s been scammed, but he’s a fool nonetheless.’
The problem is that while you can dismiss an ordinary fool with a scornful laugh, this fool happens to be the Emperor.
An Emperor wielding immense power.
Ecclesia is the one bearing the brunt of all his foolishness.
“Our principles toward the royal family in Ecclesia are threefold: bow, respect, and check.”
The royal family and Ecclesia have been long-time partners.
However, as with any partnership, it’s not always smooth sailing.
Emperors have sometimes found Ecclesia to be a burden and discomfort.
That’s why these three principles emerged.
Bow and respect as much as possible, but show enough teeth that we aren’t underestimated.
“Past emperors have never meddled with Ecclesia. They knew it would lead to mutual destruction. But this emperor is likely different. He’s not the same.”
“Indeed, he is different.”
‘Different’ meant lacking.
“There are rumors of a strategist secretly influencing the Emperor.”
“A strategist?”
“Yes.”
With that, I understood the full story.
‘Demon Brain Leona has been manipulating the Emperor. Leona’s goal is the destruction of Ecclesia.’
This was bad.
Firstly, they would blame Ecclesia for the current incident, claiming it occurred because we failed to curb the Dark Tower’s misdeeds.
Mariam let out a small sigh.
“So, it’s best not to escalate the situation too much.”
“No, I disagree. I actually think this is an opportunity for Ecclesia. We can change the narrative.”
“What do you mean?”
“We need to become the heroes who bring down the Dark Tower.”
Mariam frowned.
“Didn’t you hear what I said earlier? Bringing down the Dark Tower is possible, but the bloodshed will be too great to bear. That bloodshed will directly fall on Ecclesia’s shoulders.”
“We can bring down the Dark Tower without shedding blood.”
“How…?”
“Sister, what did you call me?”
“…Van the Saint Legend?”
“Right now, it’s Van the Great Legend.”
“…….”
Mariam fell silent.
I continued resolutely.
“More importantly, are you okay with this? Free City is a place you’ve protected for a long time. And now, they’re trying to bring it down.”
“!!”
Mariam bit her lip hard.
“No, I’m not okay. I can’t forgive this.”
“Then, trust me and leave it to me.”
I stood up.
“As Van the Great Legend Hero, I will not only protect this Free City but also make the Dark Tower pay.”
Hmm.
Black Flame Dragon, everything’s good, but the nickname is too long.
Let’s think of something cool and elegant.
* * *
First, before attacking the Dark Tower, it’s crucial to treat the patients suffering from the strange disease and prevent the erosion from spreading in Free City.
We still only suspect that it’s the Dark Tower’s doing.
Fortunately, there was a way.
“Thank you for agreeing to open the Sealed area, both of you.”
“Hoho, think nothing of it.”
“…It’s for the empire, after all.”
It was Chancellor Karak and Chairman Renius.
However, despite their words, neither of them looked pleased.
‘Both of them probably disapprove of what I’m doing.’
But what could they do if they disapproved?
They couldn’t oppose the mission to protect Free City given their positions.
“Alright then, let’s begin. Are you ready, Catherine, Libel?”
“I’m ready!”
“Y-Yes, I’m ready!”
The Sealed area of Ruby conceals all sorts of mysteries.
This is because the grounds of Ruby were once the site of an ancient city.
‘Not just any city, but a fortress city.’
Thanks to that, such mysteries existed.
“Then, I will activate the holy attribute barrier. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
It wasn’t just the great entities from another dimension causing trouble in ancient times.
Malicious beings from satellite dimensions like the Beast Realm and the Spirit Realm also wreaked havoc, leading each city to establish protective barriers.
‘Of course, most have lost their function and only remnants remain.’
Who am I?
Vangre… I mean, a master of magic.
And now, with the status of an ascendant.
I could restore it. And not just restore it, but enhance it beyond its original power.
The problem was finding a power source to activate the barrier.
‘I’ll mobilize the students.’
With a sweeping motion, I drew a massive magic circle centered around the facility that would activate the barrier, and the students took their pre-assigned positions.
“Catherine, Libel, your roles are crucial.”
They nodded with determined expressions.
I closed my eyes and began activating the barrier.
Since I had already restored the circle, activating it wasn’t difficult.
The problem, as mentioned before, was the power source.
The students’ roles were essential.
“Don’t just pour out mana recklessly! Follow my lead carefully!!”
“The energy at the second node is insufficient. The fifth node is too strong. The balance is off.”
“Did you hear that? Strengthen the second node! Balance out the fifth node!!!”
You can’t just supply mana haphazardly.
You have to supply just the right amount of mana in sync with the activation of the barrier circle.
This requires real-time monitoring of the changing conditions of the barrier circle, demanding a natural sense that even high-ranking professors couldn’t manage, and only the genius Libel could handle.
Once Libel identified an issue, Catherine used that information to lead the students.
‘They are growing well.’
I sighed in relief.
In the past, I couldn’t have imagined them displaying such capabilities.
Catherine’s development was into the role of a ‘hero.’
In Libel’s case, it’s about affirming himself.
Both of them were clearly working hard and moving forward.
And it wasn’t just them.
“It’s my turn.”
Johan stood next to me, looking pale.
Since it was a holy attribute barrier, a saint was needed.
However, Johan’s face showed some signs of anxiety. He seemed to feel the burden.
Johan was never the most confident type to begin with.
“Don’t worry. You’re not doing this alone.”
I initiated the sacred ceremony.
I would support Johan with holy attribute mana.
Johan nodded firmly.
“Yes, I will do it. As your student. I won’t bring shame to your great name, Professor.”
Additionally,
An unexpected person appeared to help.
“O-Our Professor Van.”
It was former Chancellor Rudolph, who had been bedridden.
