The Genius Professor Wants An Easy Life - Chapter 249
‘Demon Brain was always a crazy character.’
She was too smart for her own good and ended up with a twisted belief.
Such individuals are the most dangerous, as history shows.
In some ways, she’s the most irredeemable character among all villains.
‘Demon Brain is as difficult to reform as the Massacrist Mage. At least the Massacrist Mage had relatable reasons. Demon Brain is just insane.’
I sighed.
But I didn’t want to give up.
It wasn’t just to prevent the end.
“Alright, I understand what you’re saying.”
“You understand my mission?”
“No, hearing your crazy talk makes me want to knock some sense into you. I would just lock you up in prison or a mental ward, but you’re my sister.”
“!!”
In truth, there was no room for leniency in what Demon Brain had done so far.
Though I had prevented significant damage, she had done things that aimed to overturn the empire.
This recent act crossed the line by far, but I had a reason for my approach.
Haa. Don’t overthink it. It’s annoying.
I recalled how Leona had helped me and scolded me when I was in trouble in the Demon Realm.
Contrary to her recent words, Leona considered me family.
I felt the same way.
Even though she committed unforgivable sins, she was still family.
I wanted to reach out.
“As your brother, I’ll make sure you come to your senses.”
Thus ended the conversation between my siblings.
I didn’t know what choice Ron would make or if Demon Brain could truly change.
I just wanted to do my best as family.
I am Van, and they are my family.
Then I went to see another person.
“It’s been a while. You’ve grown so much. Impressive. It seems my eyes weren’t wrong.”
The Heavenly Demon Schneizer greeted me with a grin.
‘…Meeting the Celestial Demon alone to plan a rebellion. How did it come to this? This must be some kind of fate.’
I sighed, but it wasn’t the time to show it.
“I’m here on business.”
“Have you come to eliminate me?”
“!!”
I flinched.
He had seen right through me.
‘If necessary, I would. I need to know what Schneizer is planning.’
In the scenario, Schneizer’s true intentions were never clearly revealed.
Schneizer acted inconsistently.
Depending on the course, sometimes he became an antagonist opposing the protagonist, and other times, like now, he was an ally.
When it was just a game, I could overlook it, but now it was reality.
I needed to determine if Schneizer was a bomb.
I couldn’t carry a ticking bomb without knowing when it might explode.
“What is your true purpose, as the Lord of the Abyss?”
Schneizer remained silent.
Still smiling, but with a chilling aura.
However, unlike the last time we met, I didn’t feel any fear, thanks to how much stronger I had become.
Schneizer acknowledged this as well.
“Impressive. As you are now, even I have no confidence.”
“Please answer my question.”
“Well, as the Lord of the Abyss, my purpose.”
For a moment, a bitter look flashed in Schneizer’s eyes.
“There is none.”
“That’s a lie…”
“It’s true. I created the Abyss not for some grand purpose, but to survive. Everyone wanted to kill me, so I needed power. It turned out to be a large force, but that wasn’t my intention.”
He didn’t seem to be lying.
“Then, why did you decide to help Prince Mikhail this time?”
“Because it seems interesting?”
“Interesting?”
I frowned, and Schneizer shook his head as if to dispel any misunderstanding.
“Don’t forget that I harbor the seed of a demon. I’m constantly torn between my human self and the demon’s madness. Sometimes, I want to brutally tear apart countless humans, and other times, I feel disgusted with myself.”
It was a familiar story.
A dilemma similar to what Johan faced after the demon seed sprouted in the scenario.
“I don’t do this by choice, but I can’t help it. One day, I’ll be overwhelmed by madness and commit atrocities, only to regret it as a human later. Haha.”
“…….”
“So, I want to do this. It seems like a good opportunity to do something human. If I do something good now, maybe I’ll feel a bit less guilty when I commit horrible deeds later.”
Finally, I understood Schneizer’s true feelings and nodded.
He reminded me of Johan from the scenario.
Maybe that’s why I felt compelled to help.
“Do you want to get rid of the demon seed?”
“Haha, are you kidding? My entire life has been ruined because of it. But it’s impossible. I’ve tried everything.”
“I can do it.”
“!!”
“Not right now, of course. But in the near future, when I become full ascendant, it will be different.”
Schneizer’s expression changed.
“…That’s an offer I can’t refuse. Alright.”
“However, this is contingent on you not having any ulterior motives during this endeavor.”
“Don’t worry about that. Besides wanting to do something human, overthrowing the royal family has been a long-standing wish of mine.”
“There’s one more condition.”
“Another one?”
“Exclude any truly evil villains from the Abyss who will take part in this.”
Schneizer looked surprised.
‘Not all villains from the Abyss are horrendous beings.’
The Abyss is the quietest of the Three Evils.
Only a few stir up trouble openly, while many lie low.
Many joined the Abyss not out of a desire to commit evil but to avoid unnecessary trouble since being part of the Abyss meant no one would dare touch them.
It’s even been referred to as a gathering of reclusive villains.
“If you do that, you’ll lose a lot of strength. Are you okay with that?”
“I’ll manage.”
Considering the future, it’s better to take this approach even if it means straining now.
“In return, I’ll consider granting pardons to those who participate in this, should they desire it. Of course, whether they actually receive a pardon will depend on the severity of their past crimes.”
This proposal isn’t out of kindness but to improve Mikhail’s image, as I mentioned before.
‘And this way, we can weaken the Abyss’s power. Those who are pardoned won’t remain in the Abyss.’
Schneizer likely realized this too, but he didn’t oppose it.
Even in the scenario, Schneizer didn’t seem to have much attachment to the Abyss.
Thus, the negotiation with Schneizer concluded, and I met another important figure.
“…Van, what on earth have you been up to?”
My father, Duke Huam, sighed.
“Stop this nonsense. If I step down, it will be over. No matter how mad the emperor is, he wouldn’t dare to engage in a life-or-death struggle with Ecclesia.”
The royal family finds it burdensome as well.
If they truly engage in a final showdown with Ecclesia, the royal family will be in shambles too.
“I think you misunderstand. I’m not doing this to protect the family. I’m doing it to protect our family members.”
“!!”
Family and family members.
Similar words, but different meanings.
“If we follow your way, the Ecclesia family might survive. Sister Mariam could achieve another era of prosperity. But our family members wouldn’t be part of that family. What matters to me is not the survival of the family but the happiness of our family members.”
“…….”
“Isn’t it the same for you? The survival of the family is just an excuse. You’re willing to bear everything alone because you fear we might be in danger.”
Duke Huam sighed deeply.
My words had hit the mark.
“It feels like just yesterday that you were causing trouble as Van the Trash, but you’ve really grown up.”
“…….”
“I understand your feelings. But it’s too dangerous. If you fail….”
“That’s why I have a request. Please expel me from the family. So that even if I fail, there will be no harm to the family.”
“!!”
I didn’t think I would fail, but it was insurance just in case.
By severing ties with the family, Ecclesia wouldn’t be implicated through guilt by association.
But then.
“That is unacceptable. How dare you ask to be expelled. If you spout such nonsense again, I’ll thrash you with an aura rod.”
“Father?”
“Instead, our Ecclesia will actively participate in this matter.”
I was taken aback.
This was a choice the original Duke Huam would never make.
“That’s…”
“I know. It’s a choice that could lead to Ecclesia’s downfall. Logically, as you said, expelling you and watching from the sidelines would be the best for the family. If you succeed, great, and if you fail, the family won’t suffer.”
Duke Huam wore a bitter expression.
“But Van, my son. What meaning does Ecclesia have without you? You are my son and part of our family.”
“!!”
“I’ll be honest too. Even though I’m the head of the family, what’s more important to me than the family’s safety and continuity is not losing you all.”
My heart swelled with emotion.
“…I feel the same way, Father. I won’t lose a single family member.”
“Alright. Enough with the sentimental talk. Do you have a plan in mind?”
I nodded and explained the ‘operation.’
As he listened, Duke Huam’s expression became peculiar.
Then he said this about my plan.
“…I’ve thought this for a while, but are you really insane?”
Just call me a genius, Father.
