241 The Jester's Stage

I was listening to the report from Argnar.

Regarding the investigation into the elf's movements I had entrusted.

But my awareness was actually directed elsewhere.

At the human academy, a field trip was underway.

Called "exploration" as an extracurricular activity, but to me, it appeared as nothing more than a safely secured outing.

A matter of no real consequence, normally.

Yet I had gathered my fragments in excessive numbers at the small mountain where the extracurricular activity was taking place.

The reason: Yagyū-kun.

He seemed to be planning something.

I had observed for long enough to know, with unpleasant clarity, that Yagyū-kun harbored intense rivalry toward Yamada-kun.

From prior surveillance, I knew that Yagyū-kun had, upon reincarnation, been granted significantly higher status and enhanced abilities—enough to make him appear overconfident.

Then Yamada-kun appeared.

Frankly, Yamada-kun was a cheat even beyond Natsume-kun.

Possessed near-equal strength to Natsume-kun, diligent, and kind—without arrogance.

Moreover, he was the younger brother of the Hero.

Given that his current level is only one, his future prospects are promising.

They are currently matched, but it was clear that Yamada-kun would eventually leave Natsume-kun behind.

Natsume-kun himself likely realized this.

That is why he turned hostile toward Yamada-kun and pursued extreme measures to eliminate him.

It was his inability to fail that caused the issue.

The unfounded belief that he could do anything without consequence drove Natsume-kun to reckless actions.

Assassins hiding in the mountains.

Not numerous.

Easy to eliminate if one chooses to.

Not just surveillance clones, as usual—this time, combat-ready clones are also prepared.

Still, moving too actively on my part may not be advisable.

Ideally, they should resolve it themselves.

The issue, if any, lies with the monster brought by the assassins.

I don’t know how they tamed something like that, but the assassins had one monster under their control.

A earth dragon.

It does not reach the level of a true dragon.

Yet it is a high-tier earth dragon, close to that threshold.

If I could perform a proper鉴定, the specifics would be clear. As it stands, I can only estimate its strength approximately.

Likely comparable to the fire dragon I defeated in the middle layer of the Elro Great Labyrinth in the past.

Honestly, how did they bring it here?

The earth dragon is contained within a cage, behaving calmly.

But should it choose to, it could destroy such a cage with ease.

Hmm?

Something unusual about it?

Well, whatever.

If the earth dragon stands before the master, I will not hesitate.

That is all.

As I pondered this, the situation began to shift.

Yamada-kun was ambushed the moment he was alone.

T- that’s…?

What kind of reckless, arbitrary attack is this?

Is this not a bit too careless?

He’s acting all smug, declaring “This is my world”—

Is his head not clear?

No, not a question. A statement.

This one’s head is not clear.

Ah.

He’s always been like that, but being born a prince with an unfair advantage has made him completely delusional—now he’s gone completely off the rails.

I’d sensed it while monitoring him, but this is beyond repair.

And weak.

He boasts about being the strongest, but he’s not that strong at all.

The first hero I encountered was stronger than this.

Well, admittedly, considering age and such, they might be strong enough—yet no matter how they struggle, our Vampire Child cannot be defeated.

Yamada-kun should be level one, yet he's holding his own just as well.

The other assassins, as well.

Hmm.

Perfectly countered by the master.

Master is strong.

Could handle something the size of an eel alone, couldn't you?

The anxious assassin attempted to release the earth dragon, but it was quietly prevented.

Even a teacher finds the earth dragon a formidable opponent.

I will intervene if necessary, but I prefer to limit my support to covert assistance.

The instructor casts a spell at Natsume.

Sent flying, Natsume.

She attempts to face the teacher without yielding, but is struck down to the ground once more by magic.

Hmm.

You will not surpass the teacher, not like this.

Differences in elemental affinity. Differences in experience.

Not without reason did the teacher operate in the Demon Realm with war experience.

The teacher manipulated events within the Demon Realm.

This was covert work aimed at preventing war among the Demons.

At times, the teacher contacted Demons directly to persuade them against conflict. At other times, physical sabotage was carried out. The goal was always to delay the Demon war preparations.

And that is precisely why the Vampire Child, given to the Demons, was not drawn into the war.

For some reason, Vampire Children die when war breaks out.

I do not understand it myself, but the teacher is certain of this.

The basis for this certainty remains unclear. What matters is that the teacher believes it.

Otherwise, no one would attempt such an absurd act—stopping a war solely to save one student.

There could be another interpretation—preventing other students from being caught in the war, aside from the Vampire Child.

A teacher who has fought the Demon Clan in secret for so long would not lose to a child immersed in lukewarm water, misjudging the situation.

Even I had difficulty handling the teacher.

Eliminating the teacher safely was a challenge.

We manipulated information through Argner, gradually tightening the noose.

We restricted the Demon Clan’s operations to near zero, then spread a false report of unrest in Yamada-kun’s country, diverting attention there—only then managing to push the teacher in that direction.

It took a long time.

The fact that the bastard Po joined forces was unforeseen.

The arrival of so many reincarnated individuals at the academy was also unforeseen.

That every single one of those reincarnated individuals turned out to be a problem was unforeseen as well.

It’s fine. There’s no issue.

There’s absolutely no issue.

Besides, one troublemaker has already faded out.

Given the teacher’s nature, I don’t think they’d kill.

But they’ll certainly take appropriate action.

No matter how lenient the teacher is toward students, what Natsume did this time isn’t something they can overlook.

Now, how will the teacher handle it?

Lose an arm or two?

………huh?

What are you doing?

Dominion Authority?

!?

The cup shattered in my hand.

Liquid spilled onto my body—but I can’t spare attention.

“Emergency call.”

I said that to Argner and vanished.

Even a single word of farewell was a success.

I hesitated just enough to show how frantic I was.

A fragment can’t handle this.

Only the main body’s specifications can process this.

And I arrive at the destination through teleportation.

The lowest level of the Elro Great Labyrinth.

Deeper still—the goddess’s sealed chamber.