Chapter 306: Oh, it’s me, brother

The sense of defeat spread across every face.

Side glances.

The marquis, the central figure of the situation, had completely passed out, his tongue grotesquely hanging out.

His dignity as a high noble had gone straight to hell.

The 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.

Kang Geom-Ma, the Heavenly Sword. The man who existed solely in the realm of legend had appeared.

It wasn’t a completely unexpected situation.

After all, hadn’t he attended the academy’s entrance ceremony for the first time in a long while?

The nobles were fully aware that their behavior was a collective act of cowardice. They knew it was shameful.

But… they could no longer delay. They were cornered at the edge of a cliff.

If they let more time pass, the nobility’s authority would be trashed within days.

The class system was already in crisis.

Public complaints against useless nobles were growing louder. Discontent with social inequality was nothing new.

But the situation had changed.
The era had changed.

The demons, enemies of all humanity, had lost significant power.

All thanks to the Heavenly Sword.

The world hailed him as a savior. That’s why, for the past ten years, the nobles had kept their mouths shut.

‘If we keep stalling.’

Recently, several countries had begun seriously debating the abolition of the feudal system.

If things continued, they would lose all the privileges and power they had enjoyed with eyes wide open.

That’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.

However, even before the operation began, many nobles were already trembling with anxiety.

What if the Heavenly Sword showed up?

Moreover, the academy director herself was also a high-ranking noble. For people like them, whose lives depended on connections, this was all a gamble.

So they asked the marquis, and he confidently told them to leave it to him.

He even added, “Stocks that rise fast are always a gamble.”

‘Damn bastard…’

The marquis had fainted.
He might even be dead.

If he was going to collapse from a single burst of killing intent, he could’ve at least avoided being so arrogant!

‘…He didn’t actually kill him, right?’

But really, making assumptions when it came to the Heavenly Sword was pointless. If he said “die,” the least one could do was pretend to.

He was, so to speak, “the one and only above heaven and earth.”
The sun that reigned over this era from above.

If he hadn’t personally offered to be a part of the system, everything would’ve crumbled by now.

‘If he wanted to, he could flip the world.’

And besides, the Heavenly Sword was a merit-promoted student, a commoner.

He had refused every noble title offered from across the world.

That clearly showed what he thought of nobility.

And now, that very Heavenly Sword—

Kang Geom-Ma had turned his gaze, furious.

His eyes, sweeping across them, were like sashimi knives, so sharp they seemed to slice the skin.

Just let me faint already…

If he chose to unleash his full killing intent, everyone would pass out with eyes rolled back. But he didn’t.

He wanted to gut them while they were fully conscious.

That killing intent tore at their hearts.

And then…

“Excuse me.”

After a deliberate silence, he finally spoke.

“Is that hole under your nose only for shoving in food? If you’ve got a mouth, use it.”

***

“Then.”

I tapped the round table with my fingernail.

“You’re saying we need a Council of Elders?”

“W-well, Heavenly Sword, it’s just…”

“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.”

“T-that’s…”

“Shut up.”

Ah, these bastards. It had been a while since they made my blood boil like this.

“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.”

I looked at the nobles, my disgust plain on my face.

“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?”

“……”

They all lowered their heads.

It’s been ten years since the director took full control of the Academy. Has she even made one major mistake? None.

From Media Poison to the current director Saki Ryozo, the Academy’s prestige hasn’t just held steady—it’s reached an all-time high.

The quality of graduates has vastly improved, and students, trained under a fair system, are now prouder than ever to be alumni of Joaquin.

At first, noble children were annoyed to be placed on equal footing with commoners, but upon graduation, they formed bonds that transcended social status.

Media Poison built that healthy system, and Saki Ryozo strengthened it further.

Joaquin Academy’s progress lies not in its land or buildings, but in its spirit.

Lately, I’ve been too busy with the Demon Realm to pay close attention.

And, as expected…

‘This academy…’

My first teacher and adoptive father. The founding hero Balor Joaquin left this Academy as a legacy to future generations.

I can’t stand by and let this scum defile it.

The only reason I haven’t wiped these people out is—

‘Because it would trample Ryozo’s effort.’

It would be like destroying with my own hands the monument she built by sacrificing her nights of rest.

If 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.

“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?”

I said.

“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?”

“…We didn’t think it through.”

“It’s not that you didn’t think it through, it’s that you overthought it. So much your brains leaked out.”

“No, please, Heavenly Sword, don’t be angry.”

One noble tried to calm things under my deadly stare. I’d seen him before… That Spanish count?

“T-this was all the marquis’s idea. You know how influential he is.”

The count burned with fervor. He glared at the marquis like he was the enemy and continued.

“He threatened us. Said if we didn’t cooperate, we’d have to watch our backs when walking at night.”

“So you were afraid of walking at night but not during the day?”

“Y-yes, yes.”

He was desperate. The others nodded frantically, so fast they left a blur.

“So walking at night scares you… but not during the day, huh?”

“W-what? I-I didn’t mean it like that…”

“Let’s say, making a big concession, that what you’re saying is true.”

“Does that mean you’ll give us a chance…?”

A hopeful glance. I crushed it immediately.

“That depends on what you do with this ‘chance.’”

“I-I swear. I solemnly swear.”

“It’s not so easy to talk about oaths. You have to be willing to risk your life.”

“How could I lie here and now? I beg you, believe me, Heavenly Sword.”

“I’m no expert in detecting lies.”

I shifted my gaze beyond the talkative man. Toward the shadow cast under the dim light.

“You’re listening, aren’t you?” I commanded.

“Remember every face you see here.”

The shadow moved as if it had weight. The nobles, sensing something was off, flinched, but I went on.

“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.”

“Understood.”

The man stepped from the shadow and revealed his full face.

Beneath wavy red hair gleamed crimson eyes, as if filled with blood.

Red hair and red eyes. That alone was enough to make nobles tremble.

The Order Clan, Auditore da Sicilia.

“Breaking that oath means immediate execution.”

Knox Auditore scanned the room, memorizing each face as if carving them into his corneas.

“I’ve already been watching some of them.”

“Watching?” asked Ryozo, who had been waiting for the right moment.

“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.”

“What?”

Ryozo’s eyes sharpened like blades.

“Count, is that true?”

“T-that, I…”

“Don’t stammer. Just say yes or no.”

Though it didn’t sound entirely false…

“That’s all you have to say?”

I tried to keep my composure.

“I… I just wanted to give commoners a chance too!”

“Not even worth listening to.”

I didn’t even have to give a signal.

Pff!

A spike pierced through his stomach.

The man clutched his chest, scratching at his shirt as it soaked red.

“Gghhhk…!”

“You broke your oath. Die.”

Knox kicked him, pulled out his blade, and wiped it clean—an S-class Red Wheel Blade.

The Auditore family holds extralegal authority over corrupt nobles.

They show no mercy, even to high-ranking nobles in Europe.

It’s essentially a license to kill.

“What do we do with the body?” Knox asked, sheathing his sword.

“Decapitate him?”

“No.”

After a moment’s thought, I shook my head.

“Just take him and handle it discreetly.”

“Understood.”

Knox carried the ex-count and vanished into the shadows.

Only a few drops of blood remained, dripping in the corner of the desk.

Chaos erupted seconds later.

“E-eeek!”

“C-count!”

But it didn’t last.

“Silence.”

“……”

“You’re supposed to be nobles and heroes. Haven’t you ever seen someone die? What’s with all the noise?”

The nobles, who’d bolted like spooked horses, sank back into their seats in silence.

“Live with a little dignity.”

“At least within this Academy, where your children study.”

I’d warned them clearly.

The final decision was theirs.

Creak.

I stood up. Just before leaving the room, I glanced briefly at Ryozo.

Her expression seemed composed, but I could feel the emotion welling up inside her.

‘Thank you.’

I gave a barely noticeable smile and left the room.

I had to leave space for her to act.

Thanks to this, the director would now have the room to rein in the nobles.

And for a while, it would also reduce her overtime.

That was my way of showing Ryozo some consideration.

***

Later story.

When the marquis heard of the count’s death, he confessed to every crime he had committed.

He tried to use his noble status to reduce his sentence, so I contacted Knox directly.

I haven’t heard anything from him since. And probably never will.

At least, that’s what I believe.

***

Game Chat.

Saint_Ryu: Hello hellooo~

Zzon_Geomchwe: Hey, sir. Haha

A Pyujeok Sashimi: Wow, that guy’s here all day. Don’t you have a job?

Saint_Ryu: You’re A-rank in the chat too.

Pyujeok Sashimi: But there’s a huge gap between A and S, lol. What do you do in real life?

Ddatdatjwi: How do you have 1800 hours in a game that’s only been out 100 days?

Saint_Ryu: If you give up on life, it’s possible.

Gijon Geom: How do you give up on life? Don’t you work?

Saint_Ryu: I’m unemployed, but with money.

Pyujeok Sashimi: Money, huh? Yeah right, that’s obvious you don’t.

Saint_Ryu: Want to fight in real life?

Pyujeok 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.

Ddatdatjwi: Who are you?

Gijon Geomje: I’m curious too. Haha

Ddatdatjwi: I have no one to talk to. It’s been half a year without a social life.

Geuneun Shin-iya: Don’t be a kid, control your screen time. There are adults here who’ve lived longer than they have left.

Ddatdatjwi: What kind of existential slap was that?

Zzon Geomjeo: Hahahahahahaha

Laiyoung: The way you talk is on par with the Heavenly Sword himself, sashimi style.

Pyujeok Sashimi: Bitter old folks…

Pyujeok Sashimi: Ugh, I wasn’t gonna say it but…

Pyujeok Sashimi: I… I’m the Heav—ah, never mind.

Saint_Ryu: ?

Saint_Ryu: He’s here with me.

Jeok Sashimi: Seriously? Haha

Saint_Ryu: Want proof?

Pyujeok Sashimi: Try it.

Ding

Saint_Ryu: (photo)

Pyujeok Sashimi: …huh?

Cheongeom Sarang: WHAT THE HELL!?

Ddatdatjwi: Isn’t that edited?

Geuneun Shin-iya: Nope, I’m a video editor. I’d spot it instantly. It’s real.

Pyujeok Sashimi: Who the hell are you? Why are you with the Heavenly Sword?

Ding!

Saint_Ryu: Oh, it’s me, bro~