Chapter 20
“Come to think of it, Student Martin von Targon Ulvhadin, you don’t fight alongside Sebastian.”
“Is there a problem?”
“Well, the Ulvhadin Family is famous for the partnership between handler and hound, you see.”
“It’s not a famous family.”
“Haha, it’s quite famous among families associated with animals.”
Honestly, it was a fact I didn't know. Detailed information about the Ulvhadin Family wasn't included in the original work or the setting book.
In the first place.
The creator of the Ulvhadin Family's setting was me.
Since it was a family created solely for the first-arc villain, Martin von Targon Ulvhadin, detailed settings weren't necessary. It was just a count family in name only, or so I thought.
“They say that those of Ulvhadin blood gain a partner connected by soul from birth, right? They’re famous as hounds that never betray their handler, no matter what.”
Soul partner. Similarly, it was the first I'd heard of it.
“And they’re strong too. The current Patriarch of Ulvhadin’s partner hound has lived for over 50 years and can grow up to 10m when enlarged, they say.”
I found the appropriate image from a fragment of the past. The day I woke up in bed with shackles on, the Patriarch of Ulvhadin had appeared with a giant dog that filled the hallway.
“Strong, loyal, fast, and quick-witted. A good hound is better than most people. The Ulvhadin Family’s German Shepherds are also famous as a bloodline with special abilities.”
‘So that’s what it was.’
I had no idea. I couldn't have known.
Because… when I created Martin von Targon Ulvhadin’s setting, I had clearly made him an animal abuser who starved, persecuted, and neglected his pet dog, Sebastian.
My heart throbbed with a sharp pain. It was guilt.
I turned my gaze to Sebastian, who was lying on his back with a full belly. As if sensing my gaze, he looked at me and panted with a smile.
“The loyalty and affection Sebastian has for Student Martin von Targon Ulvhadin seems more special than that of other pets.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes! With just a little practice, you’ll be able to execute excellent partnership combat!”
* * *
As soon as luncheon at the Animas manor ended, I went outside to visit the remaining courses.
Matthew von Yulha Animas, as if it were natural, trotted after me.
“It’s a nice place, isn’t it? The Petrak Kingdom.”
“Yes.”
My feelings about the Petrak Kingdom were just as they were in the original work. Trees grew on either side of the flowing river, and there were separate paths for walking and carriages. The brick houses gave a fresh feeling, and the smell of baking bread wafted from various places. If you turned your head just a little, you could see mountain birds and beasts playing with children without a care.
Truly a kingdom of peace and harmony.
‘….’
However, there was no thinner ice to tread on than peace without power.
A crown light in weight would be blown away instantly if the winds of adversity struck.
“Student Martin von Targon Ulvhadin! Where should we go next?!”
“…The Ecological Museum.”
“Yes!”
At the Ecological Museum, we could view flora and fauna from all over the world that were kept by the Petrak Kingdom.
Due to the museum’s circumstances, some specimens couldn't be exhibited and were replaced with photos, videos, and descriptions.
[Ulvhadin’s German Shepherd Dog]
[Habitat: Imperium Empire, Ulvhadin Count Family]
[There is a legend that they received a blessing for achieving excellent results in a hunting competition held by the gods long ago. They live the same lifespan as their soul partner, who is determined from birth, and assist their master with unique abilities such as gigantification or super speed. You can check which ability has blossomed at the pet care service of the Animas family, famous for animal communion.]
“…….”
In the example video, scenes of it becoming larger than a house or carrying its master and traversing the battlefield at high speed were repeatedly played.
It looked strong at a glance.
“…….”
After leaving the Ecological Museum, we visited the History Museum, which showed the Petrak Kingdom’s journey to the present, and also visited the National Cemetery for the patriotic martyrs who sacrificed themselves for the future.
‘Next is the last one.’
At the same time, it was the place where the incident occurred.
“The only place left now is the National Orphanage!”
What was Imperium Academy’s intention in showing the orphanage to the cadets? Perhaps they wanted to provide some character education to the talents who would lead the continent in the future.
But did they really not know? That a place that was moderately bright was also good for the minions of darkness to hide their bodies.
“Student Martin von Targon Ulvhadin! The National Orphanage is a national project promoted by the Petrak Kingdom. It currently protects over three thousand children. While it can’t be called excellent, they try to provide sufficient food, clothing, and shelter, so even though they run a considerable deficit every year, the kingdom is still trying to take in children from all over the world. Isn’t that amazing?”
“…Matthew von Yulha Animas, I’m sorry, but could I ask you a favor?”
“Yes? Yes! Of course! Tell me! Just tell me!”
This child didn't belong in a dark battlefield.
“Could you take Sebastian for a health check-up and grooming? And that partnership aptitude test or whatever you mentioned earlier.”
“Ah! You mean the pet care service?! Of course! You can do it right away if you go to the pet shop run by our family!”
“I’d appreciate it if you could go. I have something urgent I need to do. Then… let’s meet up at the National Orphanage.”
“Yes! Understood!”
Matthew von Yulha Animas led Sebastian like a new recruit entrusted with a grave mission.
[Kkeueung….]
Sebastian timidly resisted, not wanting to go, but I wanted to be left alone, and thanks to Matthew von Yulha Animas’ gentle persuasion, he followed Matthew von Yulha Animas, though he looked at me with longing eyes.
I didn't start acting until they disappeared from sight.
I just thought of a whetstone.
Elisha von Tresha Harmadun, who endlessly suspected me, Bord von Ludin Tauforos, who watched me, the Disciplinary Committee, which had connections to the Four Great Ducal Families and used all sorts of tricks to expel me.
And Recola.
More than anything, the resentment of Kim An-hyun, who had no talent more than anyone else, the decades of experience falling to rock bottom.
I sharpened my possibly dulled heart like a blade.
‘Now, it begins.’
I grabbed my hunting rifle and entered the National Orphanage area, which would be the place of origin.
‘The protagonist party will be here soon too.’
If it weren't for the sentence recorded in the original work, ‘It was only at 5 o’clock that they visited the National Orphanage, the final course,’ I would have ended up tailing the protagonist party all day.
‘They’re here.’
As I observed the main gate from a distance, it wasn't long before the protagonist party appeared.
The perfect protagonist Gilbert Offer Cosmos, the taciturn escort knight Lina von Tullin Ivlin, the haughty noble daughter Elisha von Tresha Harmadun, the friendly shield warrior Bord von Ludin Tauforos, and the timid magician Mary von Airi Deminiyan.
‘Just like the original work.’
The time was a little past 5 o’clock.
‘Mary von Airi Deminiyan will notice the traces when she sees the main gate, right?’
Sure enough, Mary von Airi Deminiyan’s complexion turned pale as she was about to pass through the main gate. Her gesture of hastily grabbing Gilbert Offer Cosmos’s sleeve was uncharacteristic of her timid self.
The five, including Gilbert Offer Cosmos, listened to Mary von Airi Deminiyan’s story with serious faces, then passed through the main gate with grim expressions, as if sensing a new incident.
‘…Knowing the original work is quite convenient.’
The protagonist party soon dispersed and began to search the National Orphanage.
The National Orphanage, operated under the Kingdom’s Ministry of Citizen Welfare, referred to the area itself where more than 10 large dormitories were built.
Including the playground, gymnasium, and cafeteria, it was an area of considerable size.
‘I hope there are no hitches in the tailing.’
I watched the protagonist party’s movements from the rooftop of a dormitory. If I just waited, the incident would occur on its own.
In fact, around the same time, an event like a side story involving someone other than the protagonist party was occurring, but it was fine to ignore it.
All I had to do was wait silently until the protagonist party followed the traces to the place where the incident occurred, just like in the original work.
However, I detected an interesting change.
For a moment, my vision focused on one person.
[Name: Elisha von Tresha Harmadun]
[Age: 17]
[Gender: Female]
[Personality: Confident, Proud, Full of Self-Esteem]
[User Perception: Contempt, Wariness, Question, Interest]
[Kingsbow Archery Lv 5]
[Archery Comprehension Lv 8]
[Mana Cultivation Lv 7]
[Information Analysis Lv 5]
[Movement Lv 1]
Turning my head, I happened to discover Elisha von Tresha Harmadun’s status window and confirmed the Movement skill that wasn't there before.
‘Looks like what happened in the slime cave left an impression on her.’
I could clearly picture her training with grim determination as soon as she returned to her ducal family.
Even the way she turned her head here and there searching for traces looked stable.
A chuckle escaped me. It was a little amusing.
“Martin von Targon Ulvhadin.”
Startled, my heart lurched.
‘Oh no.’
I was caught from behind. I felt dejected by the absurd mistake.
And then, fear suddenly struck me. The immense power of the children of the Four Great Ducal Families that Gilbert Offer Cosmos possessed, their authority. It was a symptom close to PTSD, but I suppressed it.
It was possible because I didn't have Martin von Targon Ulvhadin’s memories.
‘Calm down.’
It was alright. I cut my agitated heart with the pre-sharpened blade, drawing blood. As the sharp blade touched it, my heart grew cold.
Then, this time, Martin von Targon Ulvhadin’s dislike for protagonist Gilbert Offer Cosmos boiled up explicitly. While suppressing it, I guided that emotion to bring me composure.
I stood up from my seat as if nothing was wrong. Facing the wind blowing over the tall building, I turned around and looked at Gilbert Offer Cosmos.
“…What is it, Student Gilbert Offer Cosmos.”
“Why are you watching us?”
So, I was found out after all.
“…….”
“Are you not going to talk?”
Since I hadn't even considered the possibility of being caught, my response was delayed.
‘How did they notice me tailing them? The traces the protagonist party is looking for should be closely related to the ground.’
To address the traces, I had to go back to right after the trash extra villain Martin von Targon Ulvhadin made his exit.
After finishing off Martin von Targon Ulvhadin, the protagonist party went on to crush even the illegal cartel that Martin von Targon Ulvhadin had ties with. While searching the cartel headquarters, they discovered a ‘bundle of illegal letters,’ a novelistic device leading to the next chapter.
[If you secure and send live orphans from the cartel to Petrak, we will supply you with no small amount of drugs, aphrodisiacs, and poisons. For security reasons, the location will be replaced with a hint.]
Protagonist Gilbert Offer Cosmos was naturally enraged and resolved with his companions to root out the evil organization in the capital of the Petrak Kingdom, their upcoming field trip destination.
The ‘problematic trace’ mentioned above was precisely the hint about the location enclosed in the letter. It was a photo of the lower part of a wall with a symbol drawn on it… but how could they have spotted me on the roof while looking at the lower part of a wall?
- Know-It-All (Lv 2) analyzed that there is a high probability it was the work of Gilbert Offer Cosmos’s skill, Protagonist Correction (Lv Max).
‘Ha, damn it.’
It made sense. As a novelist, I knew painfully well how powerful that skill was.
Whether he knew my complicated feelings or not, Gilbert Offer Cosmos, who clearly didn't know, took out the trace from his pocket.
It was a photo of a strange symbol drawn on the lower part of a wall.
“The reason you returned to school shortly before the field trip was, as expected, for drug trafficking.”
“…….”
Taking my silence as affirmation, Gilbert Offer Cosmos gradually began to get angry.
“To have come this far means you’ve brought the children to be used in the transaction too! Where did you hide them?! You haven’t already completed the transaction, have you?!”
“…….”
I felt suffocated.
“Am I wrong, Student Martin von Targon Ulvhadin!”
“Yes, you’re wrong.”
Gilbert Offer Cosmos, who had opened his mouth to say something more, firmly closed it. Then he mulled over the word he had just heard.
“Wrong?”