Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight - Chapter 137

[Mission Duration, Avilat Gambling House, Red Mission, Demon Slaying]

After mastering [Steps of Light – 1st Step].

Lunatic’s Chief. As Luna approached me, I checked the message again. Once again, the message was simple.

“During the mission period, hide in the gambling hall in Avilat and slay the demon……?”

The message was sparse, but not difficult to understand.

Moreover, I was pretty excited because it was the start of the much-anticipated second episode. This time, there’s surprisingly nothing life-threatening to do.

Of course, there are a lot of variables that could unleash some sort of catastrophe, but at least based on my knowledge of the game.

The chances of a variable happening in episode 2 are extremely slim.

‘Whew.’

I catch my breath.

I realize it’s finally here.

If one of the flowers of the Academy’s waters is the lessons and the catharsis that comes from learning them, shouldn’t we turn outward to capitalize on it?

To that end, the Inner Lunatic has a [Mission] system.

Not only in Lunatic, but it’s a system used throughout the Archheim Empire, with yellow being the least difficult.

Black is the highest difficulty mission.

The exact color and difficulty of each mission is as follows

Yellow < Red < Blue < White < Black

‘For example, previously, Grine’s Chasers was yellow.’

Even missions with griffins are considered yellow.

This is why you can’t just become a knight or mage.

They’re too hard.

In other words, my mission was a higher red than that.

However, I was beginning to think there was no reason to be nervous. It was for similar reasons as before.

The single easiest way to get through the second episode?

It’s in the money.

The corner of my mouth twitched.

“I’ve already made enough money to rot. As long as it’s not Eleanor, I’ll be right next to the imperial family, and I’ll be fine.”

Of course, that’s all thanks to the profits generated from the bulk sales of the demonic materials. It’s hard to believe that we’ve managed to stabilize our assets.

And with other merchant groups coming in, it’s hard to maintain this profit margin.

But I have a way.

It’s called winning money at gambling.{1}

Some may say.

Are you crazy? Gambling, what kind of gambling would Nox, who has been such an asshole, do?

(Minchin)

You might say.

But there’s a part of me that believes in it.

‘Luck stat 10!’

I have a Luck stat of 10, and it doesn’t work in gambling?

That can’t happen.

At least not according to my knowledge of the game!

* * *

“Finally, the freshmen are off on their first assignments.”

Lars announces, turning to the assembled instructors and professors. He looks at the dean.

They were in the middle of a faculty meeting.

Dean Noah, the brightest star, of course, doesn’t look too interested.

She looks like an underachiever who wants to go home right now. The lollipop in her hand was proof of that.

The other instructors coughed in vain, but Noah didn’t even seem to hear them. Hagiya, she’s such a free spirit, it can’t be helped.

By now, they were quite used to his behavior, so they weren’t surprised.

Lars, feeling the pressure of being the head professor, cleared his throat.

“I’m especially excited about this freshman class. There’s so much talent here.”

“Yeah, all those dirty handsome guys. And the beautiful girls… every single one of them.”

Vernon explained that only the men were ugly.

Girls were beautiful.

It’s blatant sexism, but no one calls it out.

“I was surprised that some people had already signed up for red missions.”

Professor Flitzel pushed up his glasses in shock at Lars’ comment.

“Eh… I mean… if that’s true… I mean… you’re saying… that there are some freshmen who have already received red missions instead of yellow…?”

“That’s right.”

Lars nodded, and Vernon blurted out.

“No, Professor Lars, you care about your students more than anyone else, what makes you think you can do such a crazy… no, insane thing! The difficulty levels of the yellow and red missions are supposed to be vastly different, and you’re asking a freshman to do that!”

“You don’t seem to have the courtesy to correct yourself.”

Lars cleared his throat, and Vernon felt his face flush with anger; after all, he hadn’t gotten along with the handsome fellows.

Nevertheless, Lars calmly explained his decision.

“First of all, the team is too unbalanced. It’s a bunch of students who don’t make sense together, and the only way they’re together is if they accept the mission.”

“And who the hell made them a team, anyway? You’d better slow down.”

Vernon growled.

Noah finished her lollipop with a curious glance, then turned to Lars. Lars continued with a slight bow.

“The five highest ranking cadets in attendance, Nox von Reinhafer, Paracelsus, Leon von Marvas, Eleanor de Rivalin, and Talia von Steiner. The following five will act as a team.”

“……Surely with names like that, it doesn’t make sense to not give them red missions.”

Vernon quickly calmed down, as if he’d lost his temper.

Hadn’t he recently watched these five cadets in action with his own two eyes?

It was safe to say that all of the elite cadets, except for the Imperial family, were in attendance, and there was no point in tackling the difficulty of the mission here.

Professor Flitchell voiced his agreement.

“Eh… I don’t think it’ll be too much of a problem, since, eh… Chief Professor Lars has a good reputation, and eh… he can be trusted to get things…… done.”

“Well, that’s…… true, though.”

Vernon bowed, and Lars continued lightly.

“I understand that red missions for freshmen have to be approved by Dean Noah. I’d like to ask your permission.”

“Um… okay!”

“……Yes?”

A disembodied voice leaked out of Lars’ mouth.

He hadn’t expected her to say yes so easily.

He’d brought two dozen papers with him, trying to figure out how to convince her, but this was too easy.

Unfazed, Noah tore into a new lollipop.

“It doesn’t really matter anyway, does it? Talia, dear Nox, and Paracelsus are knights, and very good ones at that. Then there’s Leon and Eleanor, and again, Nox is an excellent mage, so the team is pretty much perfect!”

{TN: Spent way too long figuring out in/formal speech here and left with a headache}

An assurance that there was no reason to worry.

But in that brief moment, the students’ mission and their ability to accomplish it. {sic}

And the fact that Nox is a man who specializes in both magic and swordsmanship.

The instructors were surprised to realize that growth on both sides was possible. After all, she doesn’t receive reports on her students.

She only trusts her instincts and what she sees, and makes judgments based on that!

It was one of Noah’s specialties.

“Wow, you are amazing.”

Lars said, shuffling through two dozen useless papers.

There was a moment of silence as Noah looked at the professors and instructors.

“Uh, before we adjourn the meeting, I’d like to say something.”

At her words, the professor and the instructors exchanged a tired look, and then looked at each other, stunned by her next words.

What Noah said next.

It was one of shock.

“I don’t know how long you think you can stay hidden in here, but you’d better not show any signs of weakness, because you’re wearing a foul odor.”

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Noah’s mouth.

* * *

Before the second main episode.

I feel it is necessary to first explain the region called Avilat, the location of our new mission in Lunatic.

It is one of the most inhospitable and barren regions of the East, untouched by the imperial family.

‘The eastern part of Parakelsus’ homeland has been in turmoil for quite some time now, and in the midst of it all, the land has been ripped apart, and the playground of the well-fed nobility at its center is the gambling house of Avilat.’

In other words, it’s a place where the rotting materials of the nations flock to riches like moths to a flame.

It is in this city that money is spent and illegal slave trade is practiced.

I can’t help but feel the weight of being a Lunatic in a place like this.

It’s a dreadful thing, this place.

The five cadets sent here, of course.

That said, the mood of my party isn’t too bad.

It’s just that it’s too …… light.

“Noble Lord, why on earth should I follow you? Whatever, it’s a bother.”

“You know the geography of the East better than anyone.”

“That’s why I hate it so much, the peculiar atmosphere. Dark and dingy… and damp smelling. Do you understand that’s all there is to this place?”

“Come on, guys… let’s not fight so much and just take a look around. It’s kind of nice, isn’t it? It’s humid, but at least there’s open country all around.”

“Isn’t it…?”

Leon and Talia chatted as they rode in the carriage.

But they don’t realize it.

What does it really mean to have such an open terrain.

It was Eleanor who explained it to them.

“I’m sorry to say, but having a large perimeter and being able to see far into the distance is not a good thing. In other words, it means that you’re …… in a good position to become someone’s prey. That’s what it means.”

“Huh… Nox… is that what you’re saying?!”

Talia exclaims, clinging to me in horror… but I only nod.

“Yep. There’s a bunch coming now.”

The five of us, in a wagon that can hold six, head for Avilat.

As with most games, though, you shouldn’t expect the party to be left alone while traveling.

Bandits, whatever.

Someone with evil intentions is bound to attack.

-Bandits!

-Protect the students of Eldain!

-Damn it! Buy us some time! There must be at least twenty of them…….

“Hey, commoner.”

I couldn’t help but call out to Paracelsus.

Paracelsus replied dryly.

“My lord, can you stop calling me a commoner?”

“Sure. Commoner, go and help.”

“Why should I?”

“If something troublesome happens like this and my horse gets hurt, I’ll have to walk.”

Paracelsus was horrified by my arrogance.

But had I said the wrong thing, or was I just being judgmental?

He had no choice but to get up from his seat.

I’m proud to say that he’s starting to listen to me more these days.

Leon and Talia also stood up and looked outside.

They’re good-natured units, so they must be trying to help people.

I sit still and watch.

It’s not like they’re going to be attacked by a bunch of bandits anyway.

All I have to do is relax and everything will be fine.

I cross my arms and close my eyes.

Out of the corner of my eye, Eleanor’s wide-eyed gaze catches mine.

“Nox, aren’t you coming?”

“Why would I?”

“…….”

I should be proud.

Since I’m now Nox, it’s only right that I shouldn’t remorse.

I should get some rest.

With that thought, I closed my eyes.

Eleanor and her companion, Zitri, let out a small sigh as they realized they had finally failed to stop her master’s deviant behavior.

At first they glared at each other like they were going to kill each other. but now it seems like the distance between them has decreased considerably. Maybe it’s because they’re cursing the same person.

Maybe it was…….

The boar-like creature fighting out there. Most likely Paracelsus.

Definitely not Nox.

No, for the hundredth time, it’s not me.

Maybe…….

{1} : There’s a better name for this but can’t remember it.