I Killed an Academy Player — Chapter 265: Side Story – ‘Fathers-in-Law’ Please Give Me Your Daughters! (1)

Chapter 265: Side Story – ‘Fathers-in-Law’ Please Give Me Your Daughters! (1)

[Bonus‍‌ Quest: Marie Dunareff]⁠

[Difficulty:⁠‌‌ S]

[Follow‍ your precepts]

The‍‍‌ war had ended,‌ but the academy‍ still had a chaotic atmosphere.

It‍ had been less‍⁠ than two months‌ since the end⁠⁠ of the all-out⁠⁠ war in which⁠ the top students⁠⁠⁠ of the Royal‍⁠ Army, the Holy‍⁠ Expeditionary Force, the Guardian Association, and⁠‌‍ the Academy were‍‍‍ mobilized.

And‌ as many students‍‍ were exempted from⁠ the semester due⁠‌‌ to the war,‌ it was quite⁠‌ rare to see students who had⁠⁠ been appointed as‍‌ high-ranking guardians within‍ the Academy.

Among‌ them, there were‌ a group of⁠ high-ranking guardians that⁠ could not go⁠‌ unnoticed.

Korin‌⁠⁠ Locke.

Marie⁠ Dunareff.

Alicia⁠‌ Aden.

Hwaran.‍‌

Estelle‍⁠ Hadassah El Las.⁠⁠

Miriam Elizabeth El Ras.⁠

Erin‍‍‍ Danua.

They⁠ were each heroes⁠ of the Solar‌ War with each‍ one being considered⁠‌ a legend as‍ everyone had seen⁠⁠ what happened that‌ day.

The day where the‌ world flipped upside⁠ down as light‍ vanished and the sun descended.

So‍‍ it just didn’t⁠⁠ feel real that‍‍ they were just‍ people one could⁠⁠ exchange small talk⁠ with on campus.‌‌

But⁠‍‍ what was certain⁠ is that the‌ center of the‍‌ group was Korin‌ Locke, and all‍ the women in‍ the group were‌⁠ focused on him.‍

“….Hmm.”⁠‍‍

Isabelle⁠‌ stroked her chin‌ as she watched⁠‌ Korin wander around⁠‌ alone.

The‌ atmosphere surrounding him‌‍⁠ had been unusual⁠‌ lately.

One‍‍ day Korin started⁠‌ walking around alone,‍ with even his‌‍ female party members,‌‍‍ including Marie, starting⁠ to avoid him.‌⁠‍

No,‍‍ to be precise,‌ they were awkwardly⁠ dodging each other.⁠‌

– Why are they‌ acting like that?‌‍

– I don’t know,‌ did they fight?‍⁠‍

– Weren’t they head‌⁠ over heels before?‌⁠

The‍‌ change in atmosphere‍‍ was so obvious,‌ everyone started gossiping.‌‌‌

-This‌‌‌ is definitely a love triangle mess⁠⁠

-They‍ probably had a fight over romance.‍⁠

-Honestly,‌⁠‍ it was about‌⁠‍ time someone made⁠ a move.

Those‍‌ who are quick‌ to notice realize‌‍‌ that the female-dominated‌ group centered around Korin had fell⁠ into a bit‍‌ of romantic turbulence.‌

And‍‍⁠ in such a cold atmosphere, the‍‍‍ male students thought now was the‍ time to strike.‍

-Wait…‍⁠⁠ do I have⁠‌ a chance?

-If‍ I make a move now, maybe⁠‌ I’ve got a shot?

-If‌‍ Korin picked someone,‍ the rest are‍⁠ fair game right?⁠

-They⁠⁠‌ were in a ambiguous relationship before, but now….

Weren’t‍ they all beauties‍ that no one⁠ could deny?

So‍‌ no wonder the⁠ male students were‍‍ licking their lips⁠ now that Korin⁠⁠‌ was seemingly of‌ out the picture.‍⁠

“M-Marie!‍ Want to grab‌⁠ dinner sometime?”

“Alicia,⁠‍ do you want‌‍ to train together‌ at the gym?”⁠

“Hwaran⁠‌ you like fish‌ right? I know‍ a good spot…”

Marie,‌‍⁠ who was friendly⁠ with everyone and passed out potatoes‍⁠ like candy.

Alicia,‌ who looked adorably‌‍‍ ditzy and seemed⁠ easy to approach.⁠‌

And Hwaran, who had‍ no sense of‌‍ personal space with‍‍ anyone, let alone‌⁠ gender.

Like hyenas circling a pride with no‍ lion, the beta‌ males made their⁠ move, however…

“Sorry!‌⁠‌ I never thought⁠ of you in‍‌‍ that way, lets⁠‍ just be friends!”⁠‌

“Uhh… no thank you?”‍‍

“..‍‍‍ Why should I?”‍

Yeah.‍

Just⁠⁠‍ because the alpha⁠ was seemingly gone‌‍‌ didn’t mean that‍⁠‌ every beta could‌ become one.

“Well, duh. That’s how⁠ it was always‌‌ gonna go.”

Isabelle‍‍ snickered as she⁠ listened to the‍ stories of brokenhearted students failing miserably.‌

“I‌ heard twenty guys‌ confessed to you⁠⁠ today. How’s it⁠ feel being Miss‍ Popular~?”

“Ugh… don’t tease me!‌⁠ It’s exhausting!”

Isabelle⁠ poked fun at⁠ Marie, who kept‍⁠ breaking popularity records‌‍ by the day.⁠‍

“So~‌‌ how’s it going⁠‍ on with Korin?”‍

“….”‌‍

Seeing⁠ Marie’s reaction, Isabelle‍⁠ was sure of‌ it.

Yeah,⁠‌ seeing the guy⁠⁠ who usually strutted⁠ around with a gang of girls suddenly being alone?‍‍

Definitely‍ the result of⁠ a love drama.

What⁠ was even more‌ suspicious was that⁠⁠ he wasn’t just⁠ avoiding the girls‍ closest to him,‌ he was dodging‍‍‌ every girl.

And⁠ Isabelle, who knew‌ damn well that⁠‍⁠ most of these‌ girls had feelings‍ for Korin while‌‌‌ he remained blissfully‍ clueless, saw the⁠ signs clearly.

‘It’s‌ the time to⁠ make a decision!’‍⁠⁠

To his credit, Korin⁠⁠⁠ hadn’t been entirely⁠ oblivious.

He‌‌ seemed to be⁠ aware that Marie‌‌ and the rest‍ loved him very‌ much.

‘The⁠ war’s over, he’s⁠ a hero, maybe now is the‍‌‌ time he starts‌‌ thinking about marriage‍ and whatnot.’

It⁠ wasn’t even that early to consider‍⁠ marriage.

There⁠‍‍ were plenty of‍⁠‌ nobles within the‌⁠ Academy, so arranged‌⁠⁠ marriages were common‌ even from childhood.‌‌‍

Even‍ for commoners, most⁠ of them were‌‌⁠ knights or mages‌ with promising futures with noble families, without one in⁠‍ their lineage throwing‌ their children at⁠ them like confetti.‌

And within Guardian activities,‌ a lot of‌ the participants interacted‌‍ with each other‌‍ regularly, which led‍ to a lot of Guardian-on-Guardian relationships.⁠⁠

But‍ even out of⁠‌‍ all of these⁠ exceptional Guardians, Korin‌⁠ Locke wasn’t just‍ a “solid pick,”‍‍ he was like‍ the legendary blue-chip‌ stock.

Becoming‌‍⁠ a 1st-class knight from a 5th-class‌‍ overnight, then becoming‌ a special-class knight,‌ the Guardian Association‌ Chairman, and the‍⁠ “Sun” of the‌‌ unified Holy Church’s⁠‍ prophecy, and a well-decorated war hero.⁠‍

A super-high-quality stock that‌ kept breaking records⁠ day by day.

With‍‍ the backing of⁠ the Dunareff duchy,‌‌ the house of‌ the Arden swordmasters,‌ and the royal‍‌ family of El‍‍ Ras, he was‍⁠‌ the ultimate marriage‍ prize.

‘It’s‌‌⁠ not like Marie’s‌‍ lacking anything, but⁠ her competition is⁠‍⁠ absolutely brutal.’

Isabelle⁠‌ clicked her tongue,‌ thinking about all⁠‌ the absurdly powerful⁠‍ and well-connected girls‍ in Marie’s orbit.‍‍‌

“So…⁠⁠ who does Korin⁠‌ actually have feelings‌⁠ for? Surely it’s⁠ you right?”

“….”‌‌‍

Oh.‌‌⁠

Isabell‌‌‍ quickly felt something‌‌‌ was off with⁠ Marie’s lack of‌‌ reaction.

Honestly,‌‍ Isabelle thought Marie⁠ was way ahead‌ in the love race.

“Seriously,‌ how much have‌ you done for‌⁠‍ that guy!”

Korin⁠ had literally risked his life to⁠‌‍ save her, and so Marie had‍‍ poured endless support‌⁠ into him ever‌ since.

From‌⁠ the ridiculously lavish‌‍⁠ office he had,‌ to a dozen⁠ wyverns, to even‌ Hresvelgr, a creature‌⁠ that would bankrupt‍‌ most people…

“I⁠ told you from‍⁠ the start to⁠ not give him⁠ too much; guys‌‌ like him will⁠⁠‍ take everything you‌ offer, and toss‍ you aside later!”⁠⁠

“Th-that’s⁠‍ not true! Korin’s⁠‌ not like that!⁠

“Oh‌ god… you’re so⁠⁠ frustratingly pure sometimes.”‌

Isabelle‌ felt sorry for‌‍ her best friend, who was such‍‌‍ a pushover when‌⁠ it came to‍ love.

‘Marie’s gorgeous, sweet, loaded,‌‌ powerful, like, Korin‌ should be throwing⁠ himself at you!’‌

But‍‍‌ now things had‌ changed.

He‍ was a world‌‍⁠ hero, the strongest‍‍ man of his time, and had‍ countless women around⁠‌ him.

He could literally pick⁠ whoever he wanted.‌

Which‍‌ made Isabelle even‍‍‌ more pissed.

“So‌‌ who is it?‌ Who the hell‍‌ snagged him first‌ and threw Marie‌‍ under the bus?”‍‍

“I…‌ we decided to⁠‌⁠ get married.”

“HUUUUUHHHHHH??!!!”‌

Isabelle‍‍ doubted what she‍‌ heard.

Married??‌ They weren’t even⁠ dating!

Wait.‌‌

Was‌‌ there really a need to date?‍

They⁠ never officially said⁠ they were dating,⁠⁠ but they’ve done‍‍ everything else.

Dates?‍‌ Yep.

Snuggles? Plenty.

Had‌‍ a kid? Yeah,⁠ it was technically‌‍ biologically his.

Their‍ “not-a-relationship” had lasted three years.

“So…‌ why were you‍ avoiding him lately⁠ then?”

“Well⁠ actually… I have a problem!”

“A problem?”

If‍‌‍ this was the‌‌ Marie she knew,‍‌ she’d be planning⁠⁠ an extravagant wedding with national funding‌ by now.

“Go‌‍ ahead, say it.”

“Hm….”‌⁠

Unlike‌‌⁠ Isabelle, who responded to her concerns‍ quickly, Marie was‍ hesitant to respond⁠ even after being‌‍ asked.

She⁠ opened her mouth‍‌ with difficulty.

“What‌⁠ should I do‌‌‍ to become the‍‍ official wife?”

“??????????”‌‌⁠

It‌ took a solid⁠ minute for Isabelle‌‌⁠ to even process‌⁠⁠ those words.

After‍ hearing the whole‌‌ plan, and about⁠‍ the other six‍⁠ girls…

“I….”‌

“I?”⁠‌‍

For⁠⁠ the first time in their four‌⁠‌ years of friendship,⁠⁠‌ Isabelle raised her hand….

“Wake⁠ up, you punk!!”‍

“Huh!?”⁠‍‍

And‍‍ slapped Marie.

* * * *

Marriage⁠‌ is not something⁠‌ you do alone.‍⁠⁠

It’s⁠ a union between‍ two families, which‍ makes it everyone’s‌ issue.

As⁠ a member of‍ the vibrant MZ generation in Korea,‌ it’s not exactly⁠ something I easily⁠ agree with, but‌ I’m old enough‌‌ to admit this‌‌⁠ is reality.

“Ma!⁠ Rie! Ma! Rie!”‍

“Korin…!⁠ Korin…! Korin…!”

“Everyone!‌ Let’s give a warm welcome to⁠ the heroes of⁠‌ the war!”

“Woahhhhhhh!!!!”⁠‍

… Okay, this welcome‍‌ is way over‍⁠ the top.

I was exempted from⁠ the first semester‍‌⁠ of my third⁠‌ year due to⁠‌ ‘personal reasons’.

It’s⁠ a small perk‍‍⁠ given to students‍ who served in‌ the war, but‌⁠ since I wanted‍ to enjoy my school life, I never used it‌⁠‌ until now when‍ I came down‌ south.

The⁠ goal: get permission‍⁠ to marry. And,‍ well… also come⁠ clean about the⁠ whole harem thing.⁠

“S-so‍⁠‍ many people…”

“They‍ say they started‍‌⁠ turning folks away‍‍‍ once it went⁠ over a hundred‍⁠ thousand…”

I knew that Marie‍‍ Dunareff, the daughter⁠⁠ of the Duke‍⁠ of Dunareff wasn’t‍ going to have‌ a small audience‌⁠ but…

“Miss‌ Marie! Over here!‍‍ Look here!”

“Our⁠‍ lady’s so beautiful!”⁠

“Gorgeous!‌‌‌ So cooool!”

Uh…‌‌ am I gonna⁠ get beaten up‌ if I mess‍ this up?

In the south, Dunareff’s⁠ status is absolute.⁠ And Marie? She’s‌ pretty, she’s strong,‌‌ she’s got a great personality, and‍ she’s the next⁠‍ Duchess… so her‌ popularity’s basically top-tier⁠ celebrity level.

“Kyaaaa!‌ Deokgu oppa! Over‍ here!”

“How‍ does it feel‌ to be this month’s fashion magazine‌ model?!”

“Woof⁠‍‍ woof!”

Oh,‍‌ for crying out⁠‌‌ loud.

“….”‍

Wait. Why the hell‌ is Deokgu so⁠‍⁠ popular?

“How⁠ do these people⁠⁠ even know Deokgu?”‌

“You‌‌ didn’t know, Korin?‍ After the war,‌ Deokgu started doing⁠ fashion modeling.”

“…What?”‍⁠

“They‌⁠‌ say he donated all his modeling⁠⁠ fees to postwar relief! Gave to the National Dog‍‍‍ Association and to shelters for homeless⁠ pups! Deokgu’s just‌ like you Korin!⁠‍ He has such⁠‍‌ a kind heart~”

“….”⁠⁠

They‍ say kids grow‌ up fast, but‍ damn.

Our Deokgu, who was‍ born from the heart, is now‍⁠⁠ better at socializing‌‍ than his father….‌‍

“Korin,⁠ look. Dad and Mom are here!”⁠‍

Finally.‍

I swallowed hard, watching‌‍ the Duke and‍⁠ Duchess of Dunareff walk toward us⁠ from afar.

“Korin‌ Locke.”

“Duke⁠‍ Mard…”

In‌ the war, there⁠⁠ were countless heroes like Marie and⁠‍ me on the front lines, but⁠ the man who‍‌‌ supported all of‍‌ us was none‌⁠ other than the‌ Duke of Dunareff.

If‌⁠ it weren’t for⁠‍⁠ his decision to⁠ dump all of⁠ the South’s annual‌ food production and stockpiled supplies into‌‌‍ the effort, we⁠ wouldn’t have been‍ able to persuade⁠‍ the Northerners at‌⁠ the gate, and‍⁠ we sure wouldn’t⁠‍‌ have been able‌ to feed an army in the‌ hundreds of thousands.⁠

Still,⁠‌‌ that doesn’t change‌ the fact that‌ this guy hates⁠ my guts and⁠⁠‌ I needed to‍ win him over.⁠⁠

“Let’s‌‌ do introductions later.”⁠‌

The‌⁠ Duke smoothed out‍ his frown, clapped‌‌ a hand on‌‍‍ my shoulder, then⁠ turned to the⁠⁠ crowd, raising his‌ other arm high.⁠

-Wooooaaaahhh!‌‌

The people went wild. As expected of‌‌ the Dukem, this‍‍ level of showmanship⁠‌‍ was second nature‍‍ to him.

He‍‍ cast an amplification‌‌ spell and began⁠‌⁠ speaking in a deep, resonant voice.

“The‍‍ scars of the‌ great war have‍ yet to fade.‌ Our victory in‍‍ the Sun War‌‍ was won through⁠‍⁠ the blood and‍ sweat of our⁠⁠ fallen heroes and‍⁠ the people of‌‌ the south—”

He honored the soldiers,‌⁠ reminded everyone how⁠ decisive the south’s support was, and‍‍ got the mood‍‌ just right.

The‍‌‌ crowd swelled with‌ pride at their⁠‌‍ role in the⁠⁠ war, showering Marie‍ and me with⁠ goodwill.

“Today,‌ I would like‍ to take this opportunity to honor‍ these war heroes‌ in the name‍ of the South.”‌

“My proud daughter, Marie‍‌‌ Dunareff—”

First,‍‌ he called Marie,‍‌‌ then the other‍‍ veterans in attendance.⁠

He‍‌ presented each with‍ medals and plaques, promising generous lifelong⁠ pensions in the name of the⁠‍ Ducal House.

Finally,‌ it was my‍⁠ turn.

“Head of the Baron‌⁠ Locke family, vassal‍ to the Ducal‍‌ House of Dunareff.⁠⁠‍ Chairman of the‌ Guardian Association. Special-class⁠ knight of the‍‌ country.”

He started by name-dropping‍ the vassal tie,‍‍ subtly flaunting our‍ connection. I didn’t‌‌⁠ mind as my‍ barony was thanks to Marie, after all.

The King himself had‍ been ready to⁠ grant me a title, but Marie’s‌ gift was special.⁠‍

“For⁠‍ his heroic deeds‌ in the war,‍ slaying the enemy commander and bringing‍ light back to the world, I present the Sun‌ Knight, Korin Locke,‌‍ with the Golden⁠ Potato Flower Medal‍‌ of Honor.”

Despite‌ its name, the‌‍ Golden Potato Flower‍‌⁠ medal was truly‍‌ a beautiful emblem.‍‍

Potatoes‍ have long been‌‌‌ the food that‍‍ kept the people from starving, the‍‍ crop that built⁠‌ the foundation of‍ the South.

That‌⁠⁠ is why here‍ in the South,‍ the potato flower‌ is considered the‍ most beautiful of‍⁠ all flowers.

“In‍ addition, I grant‌‍ to Baron Korin Locke the lands‌ of the Cardriol‍‌⁠ region under Dunareff⁠‌ and the rank of Earl.”

“…!”⁠‌

I was floored.

The‌ County of Cadriol⁠⁠⁠ was one of⁠ the most valuable⁠ lands among the‌ 25 territories held‌‌ by the Duke‌‌ of Mard.

There⁠ are three mines,⁠ including a diamond⁠ mine, a magic‍ stone mine, a gold mine, and‍⁠ even an industrial‌⁠‌ city that specializes‍ in gem processing······.

In⁠ other words, Duke‌‌ Mard granted me‍ three mines and an entire city.‍‍

“T-that’s…‌‌‍ too much.”

“My⁠ arm’s getting tired.‍‍ Take it already.”‍

Hands shaking, I accepted‌⁠ the medal and⁠ plaque.

I,⁠‌⁠ I’m rich…!

-Wooooooaaaah!‍

-Congratulations!‌⁠

-Long‌ live Korin Locke!‍‍

-Long live the Knight‌ of the Sun!

The‌‍ award ceremony ended with everyone’s welcome⁠ and applause.

············⁠

·········⁠‍

······⁠

“Phew~‌‌⁠ Korin, try this.⁠‍‌ It’s a boiled⁠ potato made from‍⁠ the biggest one‍‌‌ this year!”

“What‍ the hell did⁠‌‍ you put in‍‍ the soil to‌‌ grow it this‌ big?”

Stuffing my face with‍ a potato the⁠ size of a human torso, I barely had time‍ to enjoy the⁠‌ feast before Marie‌ nudged me and‍ pointed.

“Korin,⁠⁠ it’s my dad.”⁠⁠

“…Gulp.”‍‍

Here‌ it comes. I looked at her‍ for backup, but⁠ Marie just pouted.‌⁠

“Good‍‌ luck.”

“H-Help‍‍ me…?”

Marie⁠‌ turned her head⁠ away with a huff. It seems‌ she still doesn’t⁠ like the harem⁠ plan.

Sorry,‍ Marie. You deserve⁠ a better boyfriend‌ than this…

“…Haa.”‍

Pushing⁠ aside the guilt, I turned toward Duke Mard, who⁠‍ was standing with‌ a grave expression.‍⁠

“Your‍‍⁠ Grace—”

“No.”‍

“I‍ haven’t even—”

“My‍ daughter’s off-limits.”

His⁠‌ blunt refusal left⁠ me speechless.

“Your‌⁠‌ Grace, I saved⁠‍‍ the world.”

“So⁠ what?”

So⁠‍ what?! I’m a hero who saved‌ the damn world,‍⁠ so giving the⁠ princess to the‍ hero is supposed‌ to be a standard move!

I bit my tongue,⁠⁠⁠ swallowing my words in my throat.‌

“Still,‌ I—”

“No.‌‌⁠ I gave you a medal.”

“But—”‍‍⁠

“I gave you land.”‌

“Your‌ Grace—”

“I⁠ even gave you⁠ three mines.”

“Your‍ Grace?”

“And‌ you’re not satisfied⁠⁠⁠ with that? You⁠‍ want to take⁠ my daughter too?”‍‍

“…”‍‍

This‌‍‌ guy… is being‍ unreasonable!

“Your⁠‍ Grace, I’ve already promised to marry‌ Marie!”

“You⁠ little, what did‌ you just say?!”‌‍

I couldn’t stop here.⁠‌ The duke was‍ the biggest obstacle‍‍‍ and I had‌ to break through⁠ him head-on.

“Father-in-law!‌ Please give me your daughter’s hand!”⁠

“Who’s‍ your father-in-law?!”

“Father!”

“I‌‍ told you not⁠‌ to call me that!”

I clung to him‌ like my life⁠ depended on it.⁠‍‍

“Let‍‍ go! Let go,‌ you little brat?!‍ Huh?”

“Hey,⁠ Duke! Are you‌ talking badly to‌ a war hero⁠‍ right now? You⁠ were just friendly‍⁠ with me just‌⁠ earlier!”

“I just took a picture for the‍‌‍ press, you idiot!‌ I can’t give‌ you my daughter!”‌‍

“Please!”‌‍

“No!”⁠‌⁠

I don’t know how⁠‍ long I begged,‌‍ but eventually I ended up at⁠ their home, sitting⁠‍‍ face-to-face with the‍‍ Duke and Duchess.‍‍

“…Fine. Let’s hear it.”‍

“Thank‍‌ you, Father-in-law!”

“Stop calling me that!”‍

“Mother-in-law!”⁠‍

“Oh‌⁠‌ my~”

So⁠⁠ I told them‌⁠ the whole story⁠‌ as the purpose‌ of the meeting⁠ with them was‌ not only to⁠‌‍ marry Marie but⁠ also to tell⁠‌‌ them about the‌‌ harem plan.

“…”‌

“…”‍

A long silence hung‍⁠ between me and⁠ the duke. He‍‌ trembled, looking back‍⁠ and forth between‍ me and Marie‍‍⁠ with an expression‍‍ of utter disbelief.‌

“You…‍ you…!”

His‍ pupils quaked, his‍‍ knees shook the‌ desk, and pure, unhidden rage radiated⁠‍ from him..

“A⁠ maggot not even⁠‍‍ worth a potato⁠‌‍ sprout… you worthless‌ piece of trash…!”‍⁠

I couldn’t bring myself‌‍ to refute it.‌