Chapter 65
For a while, I enjoyed a peaceful vacation life. No incidents, no accidents. Like the vibrant blue filling the sky.
That didn’t mean I wasn’t busy. Café marketing, new menu development, tax payments, and Imperium Academy tuition fees kept me occupied.
‘It was close.’
The café’s income fell slightly short, but thankfully, Nerjin had some hidden valuables to help out.
Oh, and Savo was adapting well to the café. I didn’t expect his dried-up emotions to recover quickly. He was still a child, so I believed he’d heal on his own.
Thanks to that, I could prepare with peace of mind.
‘When vacation ends, a new villain will appear.’
In games, you face villains sequentially, not all at once.
If Martin was the villain of Chapter 1, Dr. Keren was EP2’s, Helaine was EP3’s. The villain I was preparing for was EP4’s.
I was meticulously preparing to avoid nasty surprises like the Vistavern Marquis incident, an unexpected EP6 villain.
My original plan was to live quietly until vacation ended, strike before the protagonist’s party noticed, kill the EP4 villain, and collect their items—a perfect plan… or so it was.
‘…Why am I here?’
It was early morning, with mist still lingering in the cool air. Things that would soon vanish under the hot summer sun.
“Cadet Martin.”
A noblewoman with a different elegance from Princess Adela. The renowned red bow, the legitimate daughter of the Harmadun Ducal Family.
Turning, I saw Elisha von Tresha Harmadun waiting, dressed in adventurer’s leather armor with a large backpack.
“I didn’t think you’d actually come.”
“You invited me, and now you say that?”
Through various incidents, the rift between me and the protagonist Gilbert had deepened. The Vistavern Marquis incident during the Café Exploration Club activities had crossed an irreversible river. Yet Elisha, clearly on Gilbert’s side, had invited me.
“Let’s go.”
“They won’t welcome me.”
“Whatever, just stick behind me.”
If it was to meet the protagonist’s party, I’d never have come. But at the teleport gate we arrived at, the ‘Shooting Club’ cadets were gathered in a huddle.
“Oh, look! Miss Elisha is here!”
“Cadet Elisha!”
They cheered for Elisha but froze upon seeing me.
“That’s…”
“It’s fine. I vouch for him.”
“If Cadet Elisha says so…”
With Elisha’s defense, the cadets reluctantly agreed.
So why did I accept Elisha’s invitation to come here?
***
One morning, we were preparing to open the coffee wagon as usual. Nerjin was restocking ingredients, Bianca and Savo were wiping dishes with towels. I was reviewing the ledger when…
“Master, a letter arrived.”
“A letter?”
Few people would send me letters. Checking the envelope, it wasn’t from the Academy. Perhaps disaster relief funds from the Helaine incident?
“Master, use this.”
“Oh, thanks.”
I used the letter opener Lilac brought to break the seal and pulled out the letter.
[To the esteemed Cadet Martin von Targon Ulvhadin.
Even with summer’s scorching sun, we remain dignified Academy cadets. How have you been? It’s already been two weeks since vacation began. We are the Academy’s ‘Shooting Club.’ The reason for this letter is…]
In summary, they were holding an event to invite skilled shooters or close friends to volunteer, showcase shooting skills, and spend a fun day, urging me to participate.
‘A club. A shooting club, no less.’
Clubs weren’t just for fun. They were created for cadets to pursue learning even during vacation if desired.
But why would the Shooting Club invite me?
[We invite Cadet Martin on the recommendation of Cadet Elisha, a member of the Shooting Club.]
It was Elisha, of all people. The haughty noblewoman who always looked at me with disapproval. Not Gilbert, Mary, or Bord—she invited me. Why? I had no clue. Did she even have a reason?
‘Nothing to see here.’
There was no reason to go. That was my conclusion until I read the final part of the letter.
[Location: Eudialyte Desert Kingdom, Volunteer Corps Camp]
[Inviter: Elisha von Tresha Harmadun]
[Club Advisor: Faris von Lui Quesharow]
[Club President: Nelson von Lui Quesharow]
Because the stage was set. The EP4 villain I planned to target after vacation was there.
‘If I can nip it in the bud early, there’s no harm.’
And the Eudialyte Desert held a hidden piece I couldn’t pass up.
***
The Shooting Club members rushed to greet Elisha.
‘A scion of the Four Great Ducal Families.’
Regardless of my relationship with her, Elisha was a righteous noblewoman admired by all. That made me more curious. Why did she bring me? That remained a mystery.
Then, a strikingly handsome man stood out among the cadets. His outward demeanor seemed gentle, but beneath it was a sharpness like an arrow piercing space.
“Good morning, Cadet Elisha.”
“Teacher Faris! Hello.”
Faris, with curly blond hair, was the Shooting Club’s advisor. A master archer, consulted by Academy teachers for shooting assessments and exams.
Like most Academy teachers, his Gem Knight rank was ‘Gold Knight.’
“And beside you… Cadet Ulvhadin.”
Faris looked at me with a surprised expression, as if saying, ‘I didn’t think you’d actually come.’ The wariness beneath his surprise was a burden I, as Martin, had to bear.
“Martin is fine. I assure you, the bad things you’re thinking won’t happen.”
“Good. Let’s get along today, Cadet Martin.”
Faris was fundamentally a good character. Look at him smiling even at a trash extra villain like Martin.
“If you have any issues or questions, feel free to ask.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Faris was a ‘curly-haired,’ ‘smiling-to-everyone,’ ‘kind,’ ‘narrow-eyed,’ ‘Academy teacher’ character.
A walking cliché.
“Now, everyone’s here.”
Faris took the lead.
“As you’ve been informed, we’re heading to the Volunteer Corps Camp in the Eudialyte Desert Kingdom, where a reforestation project is underway. For two days and one night, we’ll assist the corps and hold a shooting demonstration.”
It sounded like pure volunteer work. Yet the Shooting Club members and invitees were all smiling. A gathering of morally upright people.
It also showed how respected Faris was.
“Club President, Cadet Nelson?”
“Yes, Teacher Faris.”
Giggles erupted here and there.
Faris, the teacher, and Nelson, the cadet, were brothers. From the prestigious Quesharow family, among the top of the 126 earldoms, Nelson was 19, and Faris was 27.
“As the club president, I’m counting on you.”
“Leave it to me.”
The elder brother Faris was the club advisor, the younger Nelson the president. Both were blond, handsome men. Faris had narrow eyes, while Nelson had large ones, making him even more striking.
The young ladies were swooning.
“Oh, what do I do? My eyes are being purified.”
“Teacher Faris and Senior Nelson are so cool.”
“Senior Nelson is the top shooter in the club, right?”
“Yes, yes. And Teacher Faris is the youngest Academy teacher.”
“Let’s go!”
At Faris' shout, we all stepped onto the teleport gate. A waiting mage announced,
“We’re departing for the Eudialyte Desert Kingdom.”
The magic circle flashed, and the scenery changed. Even the time. From the misty dawn of the Imperium Empire’s capital to the desert kingdom under a high noon sun.
“Ugh, it’s hot.”
“I need to take off my coat.”
Cadets shed their thin outerwear, stowing it in their backpacks. Those who didn’t had temperature-regulating enchanted clothing. Elisha’s adventurer-style leather armor was one such item. I had a magic patch made by Manager Nerjin attached to my body.
Once prepared for the desert kingdom, Faris led the way.
“Outside the teleport gate, a caravan to the Volunteer Corps Camp will be waiting. None of you have ridden camels before, right? Haha.”
He lightened the mood cheerfully but then turned serious.
“But don’t get too excited. Just so you know, the camp leader, Willow, is very strict.”
After brief instructions, we exited the teleport gate, where an impressively long caravan seized our attention. Camels pulling carts and turbaned desert people felt unfamiliar. The exotic scenery, down to the smallest details, was a feast for the eyes.
A bold shout pierced through to the Shooting Club from afar.
“You’re late, Gold Knight Faris!”
“Ah, haha, Camp Leader Willow.”
Faris cautiously approached a woman. With green hair and sharp eyes, she looked resolute.
They spoke quietly to avoid being overheard, but the mood was palpable.
“Sorry. I accounted for the time difference, but we’re a bit late.”
“Do you know how many times I had to apologize to the caravan? Time is trust to these people. Lucky there’s no further schedule.”
“Ugh, I have no excuse.”
Thanks to Wild Instinct, I heard every word vividly.
Faris was helpless before the camp leader with her arms crossed. It was surprising. An Imperium Academy teacher would be treated as a VIP anywhere.
“Anyway, get on. I don’t want to ruin the mood.”
“Thank you. I’ll compensate the caravan later.”
Faris scratched his head and returned to the Shooting Club.
“Haha, sorry. I miscalculated the time difference. But we’re not too late, so it’s fine. Shall we join the caravan?”
The camel carts had ample space for the Shooting Club.
Faris, with President Nelson, seated the cadets comfortably across the carts. Each small, canopied cart held two to four people.
It looked spacious. This would be a comfortable trip.
“Cadet Martin and Cadet Elisha, over here.”
We were in a two-seater. As I moved to board the cart—
“…Wait. Are you Ulvhadin?”
Faris and Elisha flinched.
The voice belonged to the camp leader. Her green bob swayed as she approached.
“That’s right.”
My heart pounded. This woman was one of those people. Someone who overwhelmed their surroundings just by existing. Born with the presence of a lion.
“Martin of Ulvhadin, correct?”