The Villains I Taught Became Heroes - Chapter 98



97 – Not Much Time Left – 2

It was strange that the Emperor suddenly announced a ball; he must have had this story in mind.

I looked directly at the Emperor.

“You know about the terror that the descendants of the Mage Empire caused last time, right?”

I had heard from Ludwig.

I knew that the descendants of the Mage Empire had infiltrated the academy and attempted to blow it up.

Not only did Ludwig and the students of Class A manage to stop them and protect the academy, but they also tracked down and wiped out the gathered descendants of the Mage Empire.

“In the process, I learned a few things. There are descendants of the Mage Empire who carry the bloodline of the imperial family.”

The bloodline of the Mage Empire, which had been preserved for a long time.

Information about the final boss of Ragnarok had emerged.

The Emperor looked quite displeased. It was understandable.

After all, they are the ones trying to overturn the world and recreate the Mage Empire.

It’s only natural that those who challenge the imperial authority would be bothersome.

“I cannot tolerate the descendants of the Mage Empire rising again.”

The Emperor’s voice was firm. That only shows how threatening the Mage Empire is.

Of course, I acknowledge that as well.

Anyone who knows even a little about the Mage Empire would feel the same.

The Mage Empire does not even treat those who cannot use magic as human beings.

They believe that those who can wield magic are blessed by the gods, thoroughly hiding the methods of magic use among themselves, and using that power to torment others.

Among the atrocities they committed, there was even a time when they turned everyone in a city into chimeras under the pretext of experimentation.

Is that all?

They are the ones who, without hesitation, commit massacres and extract the souls of the living to turn them into ghosts, all in the name of processing human souls.

It was a daily occurrence for a mother to make her child kill, and for a child to make his father die; dissecting the innocent while they were still alive was considered normal.

They are capable of such horrific acts.

If they were to rise again and establish the Mage Empire, it would truly be a disaster.

“I acknowledge that as well.”

“It’s always good to have a conversation with you. However… the technological prowess they possess cannot be underestimated.”

As long as I hold the Hall of Glory, they will not be able to control the massive claws.

But that does not mean their power is weak.

Having failed in their attempt to blow up the Academy and now that their location has been discovered, they will likely begin to move in earnest.

They will initiate a war, fully mobilizing the horrific technologies that the Mage Empire possesses.

“We are ready to attack the branches of the Mage Empire in each region. However, I would like to entrust the largest one, the main base, to you.”

“Understood.”

“I thought you would refuse.”

“Your Majesty entrusting me with this means you have faith in me and my disciples. I wish to respond to that trust.”

“You always say such nice things. Are you still being modest?”

“Are you referring to the position of Grand General? Or the position of Consort?”

I smiled at the Emperor.

Ever since I saved him from the grasp of the Great Demon, he had wanted me by his side.

As I met his gaze, which seemed to see me as a precious treasure he could not possess, I shook my head.

“That is not a place for me to sit.”

In this world, the place I should be is where my disciples are.

And that place, too, I will soon be leaving.

Perhaps displeased with my refusal, the Emperor’s thick eyebrows twitched, but he said nothing further.

“If you wish, I would also consider a marriage with another royal of age, aside from my daughter.”

“It is an honor.”

“The word that follows is ‘but,’ isn’t it?”

“It is ‘however,’ Your Majesty.”

“Haha. You are truly consistent. I understand. One cannot force someone who does not want to stay. Instead, do enjoy the ball.”

“It is an honor.”

After finishing my meeting with the Emperor and arriving at the Sun Palace, students and nobles of the Empire were waiting.

Thanks to the Emperor providing outfits, our kids were all dressed splendidly.

“Aren’t you going to change, Instructor?”

“I think this suits me best.”

I had no intention of stepping out of the Academy instructor’s uniform.

Patting the shoulder of a student in a tuxedo, I turned my gaze toward the women.

They were all in glamorous dresses.

“Um, um. M-Master.”

“Wow~. Who is this?”

Rena, who usually only wore a shadow robe, called out to me in a timid voice.

Her ivory skin was flushed with red.

“Isn’t it a bit too extravagant?”

“It suits you well.”

It was a white dress that perfectly matched Lena’s delicate appearance.

Could it be because of my compliment?

Lena, feeling even more bashful, lightly grasped the hem of my clothing.

“I-I don’t know how to dance…”

“Then it’s time for me to step in as your teacher.”

What would someone who only studied in the ivory tower know about balls?

As a light waltz began to play, I took Lena’s hand and led her to the center of the ballroom.

Whether it was because she was holding my hand or due to the gazes of the crowd, Lena was trembling.

“Okay. Slowly. Just follow my lead.”

“What if I step on your foot?”

“What do you mean, what if? You just step on it.”

With Lena’s weight, it wouldn’t hurt at all.

Instead, I made my steps a bit more pronounced as I guided her.

“Ahhh…”

Her ears, peeking out from her silver hair, were flushed.

She was quite the shy one.

I tightened my grip around Lena’s slender waist.

“There will be many more occasions like this in the future. So get used to it.”

“If you stay with me, Master, then it’s fine, right?”

“I can’t always be by your side.”

After defeating the heir of the Mage Empire, some time would pass before I could see the true ending.

And when that happens, I would be able to return to my original world.

That would truly be their graduation, wouldn’t it?

“Master. I-I…”

“I can’t express how grateful I am to have you here.”

I meant it.

Lena was filled with fears and felt awkward around others, but she was also someone who thought deeply.

When it came to making judgments about what was right, she was perhaps the best at it.

As the smoothly flowing waltz gradually came to an end, I took a step back.

After sending a reluctant Lena away, I looked at the other students.

“Alright. Who’s next?”

“Nananananana!”

“Me too, please!”

Arisha and Sowol stepped forward with excited expressions, raising their hands.

Was it because they never changed, no matter when I saw them? I couldn’t help but smile as I reached out my hand.

I danced with each of the students once before heading to the terrace.

It seemed the Emperor had put a lot of thought into this ball.

I watched the students mingling with the nobles of the empire through the window of the terrace.

“Master.”

As I sipped my wine in the chilly breeze, Sowol came out.

She, being a saint of the church, had garnered quite a bit of favor from the imperial nobles, and I could see those who were disappointed to see her come here through the window.

“Many people want to talk to you. Aren’t you going to join them?”

“Rather, I want to talk to the person I desire.”

“But you can talk to me anytime, can’t you?”

“…Just because.”

Sowol, standing next to me with a glass of wine in hand, spoke without even looking my way.

“You always seem like someone who could just up and leave at any moment.”

“Haha. Where would I go?”

“You’ve done that before, haven’t you?”

“Hmm…”

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“It’s always been like that. You leave without a second thought once you’ve achieved your goal.”

“Me?”

“It was the same with me, and with Lena, and with Arisha too. No, it’s not just them. You’ve formed connections with many, but you never truly invested your heart in any of them, did you?”

It seems she had done her homework on me.

It wasn’t particularly bothersome, so I simply sipped my wine.

“Is it something you can’t tell me?”

“Tell.”

“…I’m not joking.”

She looked serious.

I placed my hand on Sowol’s forehead.

She didn’t shy away from my touch, gazing at me intently, and I smiled at her.

“What’s with the seriousness? Smile for me.”

“…Hah. You always try to brush it off like this.”

With a deep sigh, Sowol downed her wine in one go.

Perhaps it was the high alcohol content? Her face turned slightly red.

“But you should know this.”

Sowol slowly reached out and caressed my cheek. The touch held affection, and obsession.

“Master, you are mine.”

“I know two people who would be angry to hear that.”

“Heh. I was the first to meet you, and the first to like you.”

“Just because you were first doesn’t mean everything.”

“Well then, shall I say it’s because I’m pretty?”

Sowol chuckled softly and turned her body.

Then, slowly turning her head, she spoke to me in a sweet voice.

“I’ll just let you know that there isn’t much time left for you to act freely like this.”

“Oh. That’s quite something. It sounds like you’re planning to kidnap me or something.”

“If necessary, that is.”

So-wol smiled softly and went inside. I sipped my wine, recalling the words she had left behind.

“I’m not long for this world either.”