Demian.A name that somehow felt familiar—among the NPCs who appear in the story, Demian belongs to a rather unusual category.By ordinary means, you can’t raise favorability or recruit as an ally.Only by commissioning and completing a specific construction quest can you recruit.Entrusting Demian with the design of Izelin Academy’s dormitory this time is for that very reason.'Tricky personality, but the skill is the real deal.'I cast Demian a sidelong glance and thought.If I recruited Demian with this opportunity, I could say I’d never have to worry again when it came to designing or constructing certain buildings.Which in turn meant it would greatly help me develop undeveloped regions and pioneer land of my own.We were only just now putting shovel to dirt, but it was undeniably a groundwork for the future.I sat down on the sofa and held out the commission letter for this build to Demian.“You’ve heard the gist, right? I want to entrust you with designing Izelin Academy’s new dormitory.”But instead of looking at the commission, Demian looked at me and asked a question.“Why me?”“What do you mean?”“Exactly that. Why choose me as the designer? Tullei Academy has plenty of capable people besides me. I heard Klimt’s been going back and forth too, so why pick me over Klimt?”“Why else. Because you’re the most suitable for this job.”“Hmph, words that say nothing. If you can’t properly explain why you chose me, I won’t accept this commission.”What a prickly guy.I shrugged and opened my mouth.“Because I figured you’d find this one interesting. For you, fun comes before the fee or the design intent. I also know you’re not showing your full skill and are keeping a moderate rank inside the academy. Your academy sets commission fees by grade rank anyway. In other words, the cost-performance is good.”Demian’s rank inside the academy is low compared to the design ability possessed.That makes the commission fee small, so you can expect high efficiency even with a small sum.At my explanation, Demian looked at me with a face that said this was unexpected.“So you looked into me at least a little. That I can accept. But if it doesn’t pique my interest, all of that is useless. As you know, if it’s not fun, I don’t do it. Confident?”“Of course. I guarantee the fun. In return, you’ll have to promise confidentiality about this job.”“That goes without saying.”Demian may be someone who moves by interest, but not the sort to blab a client’s information around.I nodded and held up three fingers.“There are three objectives to this build. First is, naturally, expanding the dormitory.”We will rebuild Izelin Academy’s old dormitory and cafeteria to improve student welfare.This is the most visible change felt at the academy since the Territorial War victory, and from Illeina’s standpoint, it’s an accomplishment that would earn student support.“Second is searching for the relic hidden on Izelin Academy grounds.”“A relic?”Demian tilted the head, and I explained.“Yeah, a ruin hidden beneath Izelin Academy grounds. Secretary, you likely know of its existence at least roughly, yes?”When I glanced over, Illeina answered.“Yes. I was told that the reason the early Izelin Student Council President—also my distant ancestor—settled here was because of that. Though for various reasons we’ve never been able to conduct a relic search until now, we intend to excavate it this time.”“We want to search for the relic without letting this information out to the public.”“…A decoy, in other words.”“Right.”Of course, even this relic search is a decoy to find one of the Academy’s Three Great Divine Tools, the “Cognition Acceleration Stone,” but there’s no need to reveal that here.“Interesting. But if that’s all, it’s a bit lacking.”“No, there’s one more.”Folding down the last finger, I spoke evenly.“Third, we’ll create a passage connecting to the Underworld.”The massive Underworld located beneath Union grounds.We plan to create a new passage that connects there under Izelin’s dormitory.At my declaration, Demian’s face hardened and the question came.“…Do you know what that means?”“Of course. We’re already in talks with the folks below.”In truth, we are not.But I’ll be visiting the Underworld soon, so it won’t matter.It’s better to prepare the design and construction plan in advance. It’s a matter of order.When I said we were already in talks with the Underworld side, Demian narrowed the eyes at me.“You. You’re scarier than you look. No—are you insane?”“I’ll take that as a compliment.”“…And now I see why you specifically came to me. Another designer wouldn’t even accept something like this, and it wouldn’t be easy for them to do.”Swipe-.Only then did Demian pick up the commission I’d set on the table and unfold it.After carefully reading the commission, Demian soon nodded along with a bizarre chuckle.“Kukuku, fine. I accept your commission. I’ll even do it for free. I like it.”Taking out a pen, Demian sketched something across the commission and asked me,“Can I do the dormitory’s design to my taste?”“No, keep it a standard design.”Knowing this one’s taste, I have absolutely no intention of leaving it to free rein.One misstep and the dorm could end up built like some Demon King’s castle, leaving students to have nightmares every night.“What a shame.”Clicking the tongue, Demian was met by my question.“Can you execute the work so the laborers don’t catch on?”“Execution and supervision aren’t my field… but it should be possible. For particularly sensitive spots that would rouse suspicion, I can use earth spirits. Some sharp laborers might feel something is a bit odd, but they won’t grasp the exact intent.”“That will do. Then sign.”“Mm.”Happily, Demian raised the pen and wrote a signature on the commission.Watching Demian sign the papers, I allowed myself a small smile.With this, I had turned the first shovel to obtain the Cognition Acceleration Stone—and to recruit a new talent.***Ding-dong-.Eredor’s dormitory.Yulina frowned at the doorbell ringing from outside and rose from bed.'Who is it at this early evening?'I’d taken leave over this incident and was resting for a few days, and now an uninvited guest shows up. If it’s nothing serious, I won’t let it slide.Dragging my sluggish body up, I checked the peephole on the front door, and beyond it I saw Beatrice in casual clothes.“!”She sprang up and hurried to open the door to receive Beatrice.“Y-Your Highness.”Wearing a flustered expression, Yulina ushered Beatrice into the room.But the moment after, she froze at the sight of her own messy room.Dorms were originally two to a room, but thanks to Beatrice’s consideration and her position as chief secretary, Yulina was using this one alone. No excuse like a roommate having made the mess would fly.Yulina hastily apologized to Beatrice stepping into the room.“I-I’m sorry it’s so messy.”“It’s fine.”Judging by her impression and usual manner of speech, you wouldn’t think so, but Yulina’s room was quite in disarray.Beatrice stepped over books and clothes that bumped against her feet and went to sit in a chair.“Th-then… I’ll bring some tea.”Looking over the cluttered sink and the dust-laden dishes and cups in the cupboard, Beatrice soon shook her head.“I’ll accept the sentiment.”“Y-yes…”If I’d known, I would’ve tidied up a bit. I’ve been too busy lately to pay attention.Yulina awkwardly scratched her cheek and sat across from Beatrice.Setting down the get-well gift she’d brought on the floor, Beatrice looked at Yulina with worried eyes and spoke.“I hear you weren’t injured, but you suffered considerable mental shock from the recent incident. Are you all right?”“Y-yes. I’m fine now.”When I ran into the pack of Dire Wolves I was prepared to die, but now it’s in the past.“I feel heavy-hearted, as if I sent you into the jaws of death. I apologize.”When Beatrice bowed her head, Yulina jumped up from her seat and shouted,“No, Your Highness! If I had kept on me only the artifacts you gifted me, ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) there would’ve been no danger at all. It was purely my lapse in judgment, so please don’t think that!”“……”Beatrice seemed taken aback by the sudden outcry.Soon she nodded with a gentle smile.“Thank you for putting it that way. From now on, be sure to carry protective artifacts with you.”“Understood.”I’d already contacted my family home to have all the artifacts I’d been keeping safe there sent to the dorm.When you chase the traces of the Dark Magic Stones, more dangerous things can happen.With that, even if the same kind of thing happens again, I can rest easy.After that, Beatrice and Yulina exchanged regards and shared what had happened of late. And soon the two moved on to the main point.With a hardened expression, Beatrice conveyed one piece of information to Yulina.“You may not have heard—there’s word that Teaching Assistant Demer has gone missing.”“No way…?”Sensing something, Yulina asked, and Beatrice nodded.“Yes. Demer’s laboratory was included in the map of anticipated Dark Magic Stone locations that Loen handed me. I believe his disappearance is connected to the Dark Magic Stones.”“……”“It may even be connected to the events that occurred during this practical exam. The timing is most uncanny.”Demer’s disappearance and the bizarre phenomenon that happened during this practical exam occurred at exactly the same time.The connecting link between the two incidents is clearly the Dark Magic Stones.After mulling over this, Yulina soon asked a question.“Your Highness, do you think an imperial inspector will be dispatched over this?”“Given the seriousness, I expected as much. But from what I hear, the Chairman cleaned it up at his level.”“The Chairman?”Hengarde Ubellon, Chairman of the Union. The fact that he’s a figurehead is something most at the academy know.And that such a person took steps to block the dispatch of an imperial inspector in advance. Hard to believe.“Yes. That person may be unexpectedly competent.”After thinking something over for a moment, Beatrice continued.“And Loen as well. I’d thought of him as a man of no consequence until now, but lately it’s become difficult to grasp his true colors. Come to think of it, Yulina, I also heard you were saved by him this time.”“H-how did you…?”“A reporter put that in an article. The reporter is Chloe. In addition, there was an editorial defending Professor Verdandi, which I found quite interesting. Read it when you have time.”Beneath the table, Yulina quietly clenched a fist.To put my disgrace in an article. Chloe or whatever—won’t let it pass.Beatrice went on.“Yulina. I know you still harbor hard feelings toward Loen, but use this incident as an opportunity to find out from him the source of the Dark Magic Stone information. I think he knows something more. This is important, so make sure you accomplish it.”“……”Beatrice’s tone was firm and cold.It was quite different from when she’d been exchanging pleasantries and worrying over her condition just now.Yulina swallowed and looked into Beatrice’s eyes, burning red.'As expected of Your Highness.'Injury and mission accomplishment are separate matters.Whatever the circumstances, the result is that I failed to accomplish the mission of recovering and locating the Dark Magic Stones, and this was an order to make amends, at the very least, in this way.Beatrice is as warm and embracing as one could wish, but also cold and merciless.That is the virtue of a ruler. Fitting for the liege I have chosen.Smiling in quiet satisfaction inwardly, Yulina slowly bowed her head.“I accept the order, Your Highness.”***A weekend evening on which darkness had fallen.Traum 9th Street, once again.After changing into casual clothes, I slipped a black card into my wallet and walked the street.Because I could no longer put off heading to the Underworld.Leaving the boisterous, lively street for a secluded alley, I saw a shop shining by itself deeper within.Avoiding the trash and baggage set along the alley, I made my way to the front of an old shop.Standing still, I took in the place, but there was no notable sign of human presence.Jingle-.When I opened the door and stepped in, a subdued light illuminating the dark interior greeted me.The shop wasn’t large.With a faint musty smell of mold and the scent of old wood, this was an antique shop that sold various curios and odds and ends.Swipe-.When I ran a finger along the shelves where well-worn items lay in a jumble, it came away thick with dust.As expected, this place was not a typical shop with any management to speak of.I flicked off the dust from my hands and looked toward the back of the shop.After waiting like that for a moment.Shuffle-.Soon, with the sign of someone’s presence, a girl slowly walked out from the back.

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