Chapter 210
TL/Editor: raei
Status: 5/week mon-fri
Illustrations: none
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In the northern part of the Holy Empire, there was a place called the [Golden Tower of Knowledge].
This was the [Dranheim Comprehensive University] located in the Dranheim region.
Although the medieval era was known to be full of uncivilized, barbaric, and fanatical people...
Surprisingly, the university system, which could be considered the forefront of knowledge, existed even in the medieval period!
Students attending classes and professors teaching students were also present in medieval universities.
"Huh? Professor?"Students tilted their heads as they watched an angry professor storm by.
That professor liked to have fun, but he wasn't known for having a bad temper, right?
However, no student was bold enough to block the path of the enraged professor.
Even in medieval times, professors were the natural enemies of students...!
"Professor Inglan!"
The one who stopped Inglan, who was racing down the corridor alone, was a theology professor who taught scripture in the theology department.
"Where are you rushing off to?"
Inglan answered sharply, forgetting that his colleague was also a professor.
"I have someone to meet!"
"Haha. Looks like the meeting didn't go well?"
Inglan felt like stuffing the theology professor's mouth full of dry bread as he laughed carefreely.
Are you seriously laughing right now?!
Outside the university, dragons were flying around! Domains were burning!
How could he be so carefree!
"Let me guess. The wizards refused to join the expedition again, didn't they?"
Inglan was dumbfounded, but he couldn't deny it.
"... That's right."
The theology professor had guessed correctly.
After arriving at Dranheim University.
Inglan had urgently convened the magic department professors for a meeting.
The topic was, of course, [The Dragon's Invasion].
Inglan had expected the wizards to be somewhat reluctant to act.
But their reluctance went beyond his expectations.
"Come on, the Margrave of Haltramm has just sounded the victory drums! How can we just sit idly in the university!"
Inglan strongly advocated for wizards to join the expedition.
His reasoning was simple.
Since the Margrave of Haltramm had achieved victory (according to rumors), the wizards should help with all their might.
But...
Surprisingly, the wizards' reactions were lukewarm.
"We've heard that rumor too. But doesn't it seem a bit strange?"
"Strange? What do you mean?"
Though their attitudes were poor, the wizards' analysis was sharp.
"Isn't it too odd for a being like a dragon to run away after taking a few arrows?"
"..."
"Dragons are famous for their nasty tempers. If insect-like humans had wounded it, it would have gone berserk rather than shyly running away."
Inglan was taken aback, but he found it hard to strongly refute.
The more he listened, the more it sounded right...!
"But the margrave said he won!"
"Can't people say anything with their mouths? I could claim to have beaten a hundred dragons with my mouth too, Professor."
True to their profession, the wizards participating in the meeting had terrible attitudes.
But none of the wizards cared about that aspect.
Wizards were the type to spout whatever they pleased.
"Anyway. I'm against joining the expedition."
An opposing wizard said.
"They've already won, right? Then they can win without wizards' help too, can't they?"
Other wizards nodded in agreement.
"On the other hand, if the Margrave of Haltramm was bluffing? Why should we follow the orders of such a liar?"
"..."
"Imagine the dragon attacking the university. Then we'd have to fight whether we like it or not."
In short, the wizards' argument was this:
They were reluctant to voluntarily rush to join the expedition when Duke Araz hadn't officially requested help.
Also, if the university was attacked, someone would have to respond.
In other words, it was a cautious stance.
Unlike knights who pursued honor, wizards weren't obsessed with the title of [Dragon Slayer].
"This concludes the meeting."
... This was why Inglan was racing down the corridor.
From Inglan's perspective, it was frustrating to be unable to do anything.
He had promised to help the Knights of Santiago and Ian!
The wizards considered protecting the university more important than helping the nobles!
"My, my. Tsk tsk."
The theology professor looked at Inglan with pitying eyes.
As a professor who knew nothing about magic or combat, he couldn't empathize with Inglan's anguish.
But he did want to help.
"So. Who are you looking for?"
Inglan hesitated but decided to answer anyway.
After all, the professors at Dranheim University knew each other.
"Someone named Eredith Manskal."
The Rising Star of Drawald, Eredith Manskal.
She was a professor affiliated with Dranheim Magic University and also a renowned fire wizard.
Like Inglan, she enjoyed traveling and often skipped classes to go on trips around the empire.
Inglan was in a hurry because he had heard news of Eredith's return.
"Ah. Her?"
"?"
Surprisingly, the theology professor knew Eredith.
"She just left, you know?"
"??? What did you say?"
Inglan shouted in confusion.
He had just heard she returned, but she left again already?!
"Yes. She talked with some other professors for a bit, then left in a hurry."
"Where? Where did she go!"
The theology professor tried to remember and said.
"I think she said she was heading to the Barony of Talian..."
"..."
Inglan immediately started running back to his room.
The bewildered theology professor shouted.
"Where are you going now?"
Inglan answered sharply.
"On a trip! I'm going to hunt a dragon!"
"...?"
---
---
The Regent, Antios, was in a very good mood.
He had succeeded in luring and destroying the noble army as initially planned.
In fact, it would have been strange if he had failed.
This was a battle where a dragon was involved.
Unless the opponent brought in a hero from myths, there was no way they could lose this fight.
[The contract is complete, Summoner.]
"[Well done, Predius.]"
That's why Antios could smile as he presented the offerings Predius had demanded.
[Then I'll go collect my treasures!]
"[Of course.]"
Now that they had won the battle, it was time to give the black dragon some free time.
They needed to carry out another raid before executing the next operation.
'The next target is the university.'
He had to clean up the imperial university while the dragon was helping.
After all, the empire's wizards were all disgusting hypocrites.
Antios planned to create the next invasion plan while waiting for Predius to return.
'By the way. He's really gone mad with greed.'
Though he was smiling on the outside, Antios found the dragon's endless greed disgusting.
He had just received a mountain of jewels as payment.
And now he was going to raid another domain?
Even Antios didn't know why dragons collected treasures.
Dragons just collected treasures 'because'.
Why treasures specifically?
Simply because other races valued them!
That's right.
Predius was an extremely common and ordinary dragon who felt pleasure in stealing things others cherished.
There's a reason dragons are called bastards you shouldn't associate with.
Every time Antios groveled while paying mountains of jewels...
Predius felt joy and pleasure watching Antios's agonized expressions.
Just because it was fun.
Predius gathered massive amounts of offerings he couldn't use a single penny of, and enjoyed watching the suffering of those he stole from.
It was happening right now.
"We've won!!!"
"Wooooh!"
Antios's orcs were piling up knights' armor and jewels, drunk on the joy of victory.
Orcs who made a living through plunder naturally liked high-quality weapons and armor made by humans.
They were excited like children receiving gifts, eyeing the spoils they would receive according to their merits.
That's when Predius appeared.
Thud!
[Hmm? You've gathered 'good things' separately?]
"U-Ugh..."
The orcs slunk away from Predius's gaze.
They could feel it in their skin.
That they were screwed now...!
Predius was a common dragon who automatically became greedy when he saw something others considered precious.
[Right. I'll take all of this!]
"!"
"U-Ugh! Uuugh!"
The orcs were dumbfounded.
Fuck, what was the dragon going to do with chain mail?!
Use it as a bathroom foot wipe?
Watching the dragon throw a tantrum insisting on taking chain mail it couldn't even wear, the orcs felt murderous rage boiling up.
The orc horde's leader, Claw-mark, stepped forward to represent the group.
"Dragon! These are things you don't need!"
"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!"
The orcs expressed fierce agreement.
However, Predius... was rather pleased.
He had been unsure if these were valuable items, but...
Those green lumps really cherished this junk!
How lucky!
Predius opened his maw wide and swallowed Claw-mark whole.
Crunch! Crunch!
The sound of bones breaking echoed loudly.
Having swallowed the orc in one bite, Predius grinned, dripping bright red blood.
[I'll say it again, this is mine! You say I don't need these things? Such things don't exist in this world! Everything you covet! Everything precious to you! It's all mine! Mine!]
Greed bordering on madness.
And overwhelming violence capable of realizing that desire.
That was clearly a monster.
A monster one shouldn't even associate with...!
The orcs lowered their heads in despair.
[From now on, you're all my slaves!]
Predius left the Golden Mountains, leading the orc horde.
A few days later.
Predius gazed at his newly found hunting ground with longing eyes.
A lush land overflowing with countless humans.
Crudely built wooden fences and watchtowers.
And.
The scent of terrified humans...
[Treasures must surely be sleeping there.]
Predius licked his eyeballs flashing with madness.
"Good heavens...!"
"Dragon! It's a draaagon!"
Screams erupted from everywhere.
At last. Predius had invaded the Barony of Talian.
Soldiers hurriedly went to find the nobles.
Kira was startled at the news of the dragon's appearance.
She quickly summoned the Knights of Santiago.
"Sir Salvador! Ian! Has Ian not arrived yet?"
A few days ago, the Knights of Santiago had arrived at the Barony of Talian.
But for some reason, Ian and Belenka hadn't come with the knights.
"Not yet. It seems to be taking longer than expected."
"Oh no..."
Kira bit her lip hard.
Tremendous fear weighed down on her entire body.
Had she ever felt such fear since becoming a wizard?
The fact that Ian wasn't by her side...
She never knew it could be so painful...
"It looks like we'll have to fight this battle on our own."
Despite the crisis, Salvador didn't lose his composure.
Salvador reassured Kira with a confident smile.
Indeed.
Moving to the Barony of Talian had been the right answer.
The curtain for the second battle had risen.
Today, they wouldn't be caught off guard like last time.
"Prepare the [Dragon-slaying Spears]!"
"Yes sir!"
Talian had [Dragon-slaying Spears], weapons created through the combined efforts of human blacksmiths and fairies.
The Knights of Santiago hurried to intercept the dragon.
That's when it happened.
"A-A wizard has arrived!"
At this critical moment, a wizard arrived at Talian domain.
Kira shouted without realizing it.
"Ian!"
However, the person who entered Talian Hall was...
A middle-aged woman.
"...?"
Kira's jaw dropped.
Surely Ian hadn't been TS'd into a middle-aged woman...?
Thankfully, the woman didn't say 'Actually... I'm Ian!'
"I'm sorry I'm not Ian."
The female wizard introduced herself as she removed her hood.
"I am the wizard Eredith Manskal."
"???"
Not just the nobles including Baron Damon.
The Knights of Santiago and even Kira were all shocked.
"Eredith... Could it be that Eredith?!"
"Are you really Eredith?!"
The wizard, Eredith Manskal, tilted her head as if she didn't understand.
"Yes... I am Eredith. Did Ian talk about me a lot?"
She was indeed the real Eredith.
The very Eredith in 'Ian Eredith Raven'.
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