Chapter 306: Oh, it’s me, brother
V2DIThe sense of defeat spread across every face.B4afQ2
lxHSide glances.yFz81B
mKdeL1lThe marquis, the central figure of the situation, had completely passed out, his tongue grotesquely hanging out.jcV
6VW1His dignity as a high noble had gone straight to hell.Wly8MH
zcIy2zoThe nobles felt as if they were walking on a thin sheet of ice. They even held back the sound of their eyeballs moving as they gauged “his” reaction.eNRuE1
9aNpGKang Geom-Ma, the Heavenly Sword. The man who existed solely in the realm of legend had appeared.BtuJ5
oZFrwIt wasn’t a completely unexpected situation.dHh
UaJAfter all, hadn’t he attended the academy’s entrance ceremony for the first time in a long while?Sft
1UEVvThe nobles were fully aware that their behavior was a collective act of cowardice. They knew it was shameful.Inbw
TE8atIkBut… they could no longer delay. They were cornered at the edge of a cliff.mx1v
iGiIf they let more time pass, the nobility’s authority would be trashed within days.ze9of
FojEzThe class system was already in crisis.h3RPXS
l8noxBPublic complaints against useless nobles were growing louder. Discontent with social inequality was nothing new.uYIwl
6gcbdlnBut the situation had changed.
The era had changed.vGv
2h8fThe demons, enemies of all humanity, had lost significant power.gwhN
pCr2LAll thanks to the Heavenly Sword.jSMHSI
UnhPX2pThe world hailed him as a savior. That’s why, for the past ten years, the nobles had kept their mouths shut.foLuGL
WRiXACQ‘If we keep stalling.’TGDk
6XTZRecently, several countries had begun seriously debating the abolition of the feudal system.wH5og9g
6IHuarWIf things continued, they would lose all the privileges and power they had enjoyed with eyes wide open.PNnYFdT
nWh4qThat’s why, led by the marquis, they tried to take advantage of the moment when the Heavenly Sword seemed dormant to pressure the current academy director, Saki Ryozo.4HPJ
o5eycZ9However, even before the operation began, many nobles were already trembling with anxiety.fYe
qCRWhat if the Heavenly Sword showed up?YeTxS
VsPYcMoreover, the academy director herself was also a high-ranking noble. For people like them, whose lives depended on connections, this was all a gamble.poYj
49e9BFfSo they asked the marquis, and he confidently told them to leave it to him.TL7
vX6gg5He even added, “Stocks that rise fast are always a gamble.”SreL
sq9Q‘Damn bastard…’Q4L
GHeB8The marquis had fainted.
He might even be dead.qDV
zNWebZ4If he was going to collapse from a single burst of killing intent, he could’ve at least avoided being so arrogant!1Pgwx
9Pel‘…He didn’t actually kill him, right?’LrZn5
I9vj4I1But really, making assumptions when it came to the Heavenly Sword was pointless. If he said “die,” the least one could do was pretend to.ZTsRvd
igBHe was, so to speak, “the one and only above heaven and earth.”
The sun that reigned over this era from above.gJmd
WeEIf he hadn’t personally offered to be a part of the system, everything would’ve crumbled by now.3POJ
kY3K‘If he wanted to, he could flip the world.’y1N
CqabAnd besides, the Heavenly Sword was a merit-promoted student, a commoner.Ww6WVY4
ly2dYHe had refused every noble title offered from across the world.FPXstz
snJ0That clearly showed what he thought of nobility.dXd
UUnjcnAnd now, that very Heavenly Sword—iaydF
8IhaPrKang Geom-Ma had turned his gaze, furious.49L
yjbe4His eyes, sweeping across them, were like sashimi knives, so sharp they seemed to slice the skin.iQe
xgDaJust let me faint already…gYWYsp4
0SnLXIf he chose to unleash his full killing intent, everyone would pass out with eyes rolled back. But he didn’t.7uk
J9YghMHe wanted to gut them while they were fully conscious.VkeLZ5d
ZpVzI5MThat killing intent tore at their hearts.KaAC1So
tB0yjj8And then…1UQ4w0
aKu“Excuse me.”78oOm
RM5aQjAfter a deliberate silence, he finally spoke.u5Po
uwO“Is that hole under your nose only for shoving in food? If you’ve got a mouth, use it.”tf0dUw
8gFBtr***K0Z
oc5k9o“Then.”sGQ0ft
4zb2i7ZI tapped the round table with my fingernail.qFY
z9yRREd“You’re saying we need a Council of Elders?”sfQ
SeuO1y“W-well, Heavenly Sword, it’s just…”sEu5W
5IlYxP“The Council of Elders, sure. I have fond memories of them too. Just ten years ago, one of those elders tried to have me killed. Hired the ‘Undertakers’ on the day of the school trip. I nearly died for real. As nobles, what’s your take on that kind of behavior from your so-called elders? Speak up, come on.”WO0
F24qGu“T-that’s…”FH1M
FyGf“Shut up.”7VLny
OTvcAh, these bastards. It had been a while since they made my blood boil like this.HMVDJ9V
fEDuGVJ“If you’ve got a problem with a system that gives the director all the power, then say so. Don’t hide behind ridiculous excuses or skirt the issue.”qBQjRE
6Pwt9I looked at the nobles, my disgust plain on my face.dWhnUYa
bSD“And if your brains aren’t made of noodles, try thinking just a little. When was the Academy more prestigious? With the elders or without them?”luW
PCg3“……”Jb41
2XMIThey all lowered their heads.GUbyVj
vJAIt’s been ten years since the director took full control of the Academy. Has she even made one major mistake? None.TL7IQLB
YZaFrom Media Poison to the current director Saki Ryozo, the Academy’s prestige hasn’t just held steady—it’s reached an all-time high.eQjp
0p9mBNThe quality of graduates has vastly improved, and students, trained under a fair system, are now prouder than ever to be alumni of Joaquin.UOiKm
kvrurEnAt first, noble children were annoyed to be placed on equal footing with commoners, but upon graduation, they formed bonds that transcended social status.1YqTC
gEJBC26Media Poison built that healthy system, and Saki Ryozo strengthened it further.Sf2
EMCygD7Joaquin Academy’s progress lies not in its land or buildings, but in its spirit.VSlV
IzOzvLately, I’ve been too busy with the Demon Realm to pay close attention.djHQs
OPLAnd, as expected…dhAg
pxtTVdF‘This academy…’rf636F
zgBs2My first teacher and adoptive father. The founding hero Balor Joaquin left this Academy as a legacy to future generations.GjDDV
JdXMymNI can’t stand by and let this scum defile it.v9V
GovThe only reason I haven’t wiped these people out is—uQYdBYN
JUzk‘Because it would trample Ryozo’s effort.’gv1vXKo
jF2lIt would be like destroying with my own hands the monument she built by sacrificing her nights of rest.EBrAe
sLACIf it were up to me, I’d have sliced their necks already. I could do it with a look. I don’t even need to open my eyes.4InZDHF
wtAyb0“They say the previous and current directors are capable. I agree. But what kind of stupid logic is it to assume the next one will be worse?”bHkyt
hCUl54I said.hFDmJqB
7ML“The director is always chosen from Academy alumni. That means, if you’re lucky, it could even be one of your children. And yet you dare to limit your own children’s potential?”fHx8d2I
ZOveW“…We didn’t think it through.”atmzQBf
AQN0R7r“It’s not that you didn’t think it through, it’s that you overthought it. So much your brains leaked out.”Vpp6A
DRviLc“No, please, Heavenly Sword, don’t be angry.”NP0z
GdxwAOne noble tried to calm things under my deadly stare. I’d seen him before… That Spanish count?Gqp5
S99h“T-this was all the marquis’s idea. You know how influential he is.”tVVohm
gFTThe count burned with fervor. He glared at the marquis like he was the enemy and continued.05TOuW
KgAIrHZ“He threatened us. Said if we didn’t cooperate, we’d have to watch our backs when walking at night.”1LtUOzz
iyM7Nq“So you were afraid of walking at night but not during the day?”bkeiwok
SH8IGo“Y-yes, yes.”JufCM5y
aCYHe was desperate. The others nodded frantically, so fast they left a blur.Vkn
xKkuoT“So walking at night scares you… but not during the day, huh?”sXOu
HmED“W-what? I-I didn’t mean it like that…”bRRvz
Yvx“Let’s say, making a big concession, that what you’re saying is true.”Lmjp
BeI8a“Does that mean you’ll give us a chance…?”rRP7dA
jrNtQeA hopeful glance. I crushed it immediately.tZuEBll
d54“That depends on what you do with this ‘chance.’”Ei9
rwOeYY3“I-I swear. I solemnly swear.”CITajS
EEea1u“It’s not so easy to talk about oaths. You have to be willing to risk your life.”yOwSxJt
CGv“How could I lie here and now? I beg you, believe me, Heavenly Sword.”uvMO
6uuY1“I’m no expert in detecting lies.”Rft1
d96qrkkI shifted my gaze beyond the talkative man. Toward the shadow cast under the dim light.L7wl
wkB“You’re listening, aren’t you?” I commanded.nZ7v
vzpRh“Remember every face you see here.”0H3cs
VW7The shadow moved as if it had weight. The nobles, sensing something was off, flinched, but I went on.avrdrVk
3Vt5vpj“All of them just swore before me. I don’t like to speak with such authority, but I’m one of the Seven Stars. An oath made before me isn’t trivial.”Hp1JYv
eR3T“Understood.”LBHK8x
qd4zJThe man stepped from the shadow and revealed his full face.pnnXieB
xUtgKcyBeneath wavy red hair gleamed crimson eyes, as if filled with blood.OJR
MJiOCR6Red hair and red eyes. That alone was enough to make nobles tremble.P4EvVH
25rGThe Order Clan, Auditore da Sicilia.OcVJHn
w9r7fmZ“Breaking that oath means immediate execution.”TAUcWy
R7jM1Knox Auditore scanned the room, memorizing each face as if carving them into his corneas.qSaPX
gMP“I’ve already been watching some of them.”uwMH8
XDZss“Watching?” asked Ryozo, who had been waiting for the right moment.jkV
dyJZ“The marquis Sard, lying there, of course. And that guy who was just talking—he’s been taking bribes. Charges rich low-born families to get their kids accepted as special students.”dKLrS
lMav“What?”aCHqtg
kz6ilRyozo’s eyes sharpened like blades.Gh59
NeRs972“Count, is that true?”NGW70f
IeYy“T-that, I…”4ohkUS
y4o“Don’t stammer. Just say yes or no.”PwjzsK
eOHkThough it didn’t sound entirely false…drWi89c
r3xcc“That’s all you have to say?”XYYp0a
wEcI tried to keep my composure.cCN
K6K“I… I just wanted to give commoners a chance too!”87lZ0F
9QO“Not even worth listening to.”Q3cOEz6
50X6cOqI didn’t even have to give a signal.zUtt2Y
gGA3Pff!k2ZMR
mq4C9A spike pierced through his stomach.Gy2ZxXA
iD7avthThe man clutched his chest, scratching at his shirt as it soaked red.HCK1
7s7vb“Gghhhk…!”5YRmVz
HqFf“You broke your oath. Die.”sFHF
5hCwnKnox kicked him, pulled out his blade, and wiped it clean—an S-class Red Wheel Blade.Jgd
OY6QAbcThe Auditore family holds extralegal authority over corrupt nobles.7jHQd
D32Yc4They show no mercy, even to high-ranking nobles in Europe.OJBHWzX
JbgIt’s essentially a license to kill.GleTiw
UIfN“What do we do with the body?” Knox asked, sheathing his sword.q1xsO
R0U8Uwq“Decapitate him?”ITy27i
D3g2“No.”p8F12QO
jIjc1D6After a moment’s thought, I shook my head.2kvP
vJG42L“Just take him and handle it discreetly.”cEnWJ3
Ob2YL“Understood.”FoVM
OCHIbSKnox carried the ex-count and vanished into the shadows.NLPlfTP
03BlOnly a few drops of blood remained, dripping in the corner of the desk.PkqU
WdWWChaos erupted seconds later.T3w8lf
32na“E-eeek!”a7Wtpa
M6AWu1R“C-count!”fbc
OnJbBut it didn’t last.cHS1P
pGfb6N“Silence.”2isK2
ELXjD“……”iVKk00
Jvn1Iy“You’re supposed to be nobles and heroes. Haven’t you ever seen someone die? What’s with all the noise?”yOu
X9qx8yfThe nobles, who’d bolted like spooked horses, sank back into their seats in silence.xee
ivCD“Live with a little dignity.”NxdsP2I
2wS39“At least within this Academy, where your children study.”EXxV2ee
fXJpd9TI’d warned them clearly.1Ms
2BsThe final decision was theirs.HHHqB
p8iCreak.GAgbVt3
AcrI stood up. Just before leaving the room, I glanced briefly at Ryozo.v8I9R
Gb3Her expression seemed composed, but I could feel the emotion welling up inside her.92Z
nSqlvX‘Thank you.’jA9B
HPT15II gave a barely noticeable smile and left the room.Wuzx
vjfI had to leave space for her to act.fRt
Clpa6jcThanks to this, the director would now have the room to rein in the nobles.jFmnQz
aNZts4wAnd for a while, it would also reduce her overtime.T3LQK
WQRKThat was my way of showing Ryozo some consideration.R1Gs
Pmp***CTEhYFX
VFP5usjLater story.NKP
SjGqX6When the marquis heard of the count’s death, he confessed to every crime he had committed.001m
XoLqlvHe tried to use his noble status to reduce his sentence, so I contacted Knox directly.wci9
U15INI haven’t heard anything from him since. And probably never will.0Q7n
4nm3At least, that’s what I believe.Djd
m0IKhq5***5EhX
2sMs9e6Game Chat.tpM5fQ
Y57SJSaint_Ryu: Hello hellooo~0eJnie
QDylZzon_Geomchwe: Hey, sir. HahaqtbIADW
QxwceiA Pyujeok Sashimi: Wow, that guy’s here all day. Don’t you have a job?olD9IzY
1JhhSaint_Ryu: You’re A-rank in the chat too.6ag
FL3Pyujeok Sashimi: But there’s a huge gap between A and S, lol. What do you do in real life?JAZf7
AO8wlKDdatdatjwi: How do you have 1800 hours in a game that’s only been out 100 days?OqK
2BqlwaSaint_Ryu: If you give up on life, it’s possible.zhe
MKp0f7oGijon Geom: How do you give up on life? Don’t you work?05UOgRp
fa8EA6fSaint_Ryu: I’m unemployed, but with money.3UzDJ
IVFjfPyujeok Sashimi: Money, huh? Yeah right, that’s obvious you don’t.09UyR7R
HeL3ZWRSaint_Ryu: Want to fight in real life?Jakk
rTW1yqPyujeok Sashimi: Ugh, I didn’t want to say this but I’m famous. There’s no one in the world who doesn’t know me.fblh7
z59Ddatdatjwi: Who are you?faD
9ArmwGijon Geomje: I’m curious too. HahaDsB
93rDdatdatjwi: I have no one to talk to. It’s been half a year without a social life.Ms8
LSMW3Geuneun Shin-iya: Don’t be a kid, control your screen time. There are adults here who’ve lived longer than they have left.VE9
2k6Ix4Ddatdatjwi: What kind of existential slap was that?n64my
fnPZzon Geomjeo: Hahahahahahaha2eJ6kzo
SxjLaiyoung: The way you talk is on par with the Heavenly Sword himself, sashimi style.iKLFzX
L8bwjWPyujeok Sashimi: Bitter old folks…toNa
HjeFT3Pyujeok Sashimi: Ugh, I wasn’t gonna say it but…sYGD
Xa4JvPyujeok Sashimi: I… I’m the Heav—ah, never mind.Jtmp
Zu8dNSaint_Ryu: ?Bnhd
UkMoDPSaint_Ryu: He’s here with me.sJ1M
S375Jeok Sashimi: Seriously? Haha45T1o3
RzYWSaint_Ryu: Want proof?cmAOVld
263qSPyujeok Sashimi: Try it.LOjLOVR
NKtHDingggk
GSoCSaint_Ryu: (photo)XJkYM0
FLbGsj9Pyujeok Sashimi: …huh?iJcpNQZ
IPVrCheongeom Sarang: WHAT THE HELL!?wydj087
xf0Ddatdatjwi: Isn’t that edited?tXc4Q0
wIFXZGeuneun Shin-iya: Nope, I’m a video editor. I’d spot it instantly. It’s real.yfID
u6tmi5Pyujeok Sashimi: Who the hell are you? Why are you with the Heavenly Sword?3VfsHA
HwDGRDing!ljdz0
CAvm4Saint_Ryu: Oh, it’s me, bro~JfJvlV
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