Chapter 180

Thus began the donation parade.

After walking around the nearby Fangju and having heartfelt conversations with various council members, we returned to the Academy Dean’s office.

“…Hold on a moment, Edu, are you telling me you managed to extract all this money from the council members?”

“Extract? Please call it voluntary donations.”

The collaboration requested by myself and Simonia was just that—collaboration.

It was the council members, who felt indebted and thus gave away a lot of favors, feeling uneasy about it afterward.

Of course, we did employ any means necessary to obtain voluntary cooperation, but ultimately, it was those people who decided to contribute themselves, so I have nothing to feel guilty about.

“It doesn’t feel voluntary at all…”

“Still, it’s money they hoarded just to fill their own bellies, isn’t it? No matter the method, as long as we take it and put it to good use, it’s not a bad thing.”

Said Simonia, adding legitimacy to our actions.

“Hmm…”

The Dean, who had been silent for a moment, slowly nodded.

“That’s not entirely incorrect, but I’m worried about potential unnecessary problems.”

“Given how they lost their heads and only think of their own preservation, they’ll probably not cause trouble, right? Those bat-like creatures wouldn’t risk themselves unnecessarily.”

The definitive response was from Simonia.

On this point, I also agreed with her and nodded in affirmation.

“That makes sense. And pondering what has already happened won’t yield much meaning. Then, I’ll take this money, and I’ll pass it on to Freya.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Leave it to me.”

The Dean nodded.

“And what do you plan to do from here?”

“I aim to trace black money further.”

“Black money? You’re planning to investigate the underworld?”

“Yes, and while doing so, I also intend to chase the President’s trail.”

Although targeting the council members to seize their money was partly to quickly secure funds, there was also the intention to keep an eye on the President.

At my words, the Dean opened his eyes wide.

“Did you already know?”

“Yes.”

I nodded in agreement.

With that, the Dean, after carefully observing my reactions, cautiously spoke up.

“Hmm, Edu. Though it may sound like an excuse, we concealed information about the President for a reason.”

“Ah, it’s fine. I already know it was because you and others were considering my well-being.”

The route that led to battling the President was one of the most blood-soaked and dark within the AOE community, even notorious enough to polarize opinions heavily within the community filled with old-timers.

A fight against an entity that, despite being human, felt most alien and distant from humanity.

Additionally, it was undeniable that my appearance was far closer to a child than an adult.

Thus, it was only natural that dragging me into a battle against such a monstrous being wasn’t to anyone’s preference.

“…So you understood all that, already.”

“Everyone’s been so considerate of me; it was hard not to notice.”

“Hmm. To be honest, I would prefer that you not get involved with that matter… But…”

After glancing at me briefly,

“…Judging from your expression, even if I say this, you won’t listen, right?”

“Anyway, I going would make it end much quicker.”

“I don’t deny that… Nevertheless, it’s embarrassing to have to rely so heavily on Edu for every single thing.”

The Dean let out a small sigh.

Then he turned his gaze back to me.

“By the way, Edu, though you’ve been tracking him continuously, there doesn’t seem to be much significant information coming up. Do you know anything about that?”

“That’s true, it’s strangely devoid of leads?”

Added Simonia, responding to the Dean’s words.

“You don’t need to worry about that. It’s supposed to be that way.”

“Supposed to be?”

“Yes.”

The President, despite pretending to have died and fleeing, was not pursued by me for a simple reason: even if I did, I couldn’t catch him.

Once the President becomes an enemy, they hide randomly among various Fangju, quietly building up their power while continuously disrupting the protagonist. In the early stages of the event, they’re absolutely impossible to catch.

Therefore, rather than futilely chasing after them, I focused on other tasks first.

“Hmm, ‘obviously supposed to be.’ That feels like chasing after nothing but whims.”

“That’s quite understandable; I felt the same way at first too.”

Another reason I hadn’t fully informed the Dean and Freya about the President situation was the intense randomness in the events related to him.

While the general flow remains the same, the range of actions the President might take varies wildly.

Sometimes during large battles, they might use Automaton to incite rebellion, or sometimes they could spread drugs to disrupt the security within Fangju.

Whether employing criminals or underworld elements directly to obstruct the protagonist or indirectly stirring troubles by agitating social activists and dismantling solidarity among people.

Given the vast array of possible behaviors the President might exhibit, preemptive responses are nearly impossible.

“Still, you don’t need to worry too much; we do have ways.”

A human, even in the worst situations, always finds a way through.

What I’m about to undertake is the classical strategy, developed by a veteran player, called the Golden Time Play, to counter President events.

It involves waiting deliberately after the President goes into hiding, then systematically turning Fangju completely upside down, uncovering triggers for President events, and neutralizing the President and his associates in one go.

“Do we have a way?”

“Yes, first we need to check the Outlands.”

Outlands, beyond Fangju, are always high-risk crime zones due to the constant disputes over interests among various criminal organizations, where the exploitation of the weak by the strong frequently occurs.

In other words, it’s the perfect environment for figures like the President to hide.

“Do you need any additional help? I could join you if necessary.”

“No, that won’t be necessary.”

In such a secretive operation, the Dean’s reputation could actually be detrimental.

Although I’ve gained somewhat of a name for myself as well, it’s not on the same scale as the Dean’s.

Moreover, the President, rather than being a powerful fighter, is more akin to a cunning strategist.

Which is to say, their combat ability is relatively low.

“Still, moving in small numbers will be advantageous. But just in case… hmm, could I ask you to contact the Fangju Defense Army?”

“The Fangju Defense Army?”

“Yes, since they are the ones who know the most about the dynamics ofOutlands and Fangju’s security. They can provide information first, and when necessary, offer assistance.”

“I understand. Should I be the one to reach out and relay information, or should you communicate directly with the Fangju Defense Army, Edu?”

The Dean, asking me this way.

After pondering momentarily, I spoke.

“It would be better if you handled it directly, sir, since I don’t know much about them.”

The extent of what I knew about the Fangju Defense Army was based solely on AOE depictions and information found in the setting collections.

Thus, it’s only fitting that an experienced person like the Dean handles interactions with other organizations.

“I see. Then allow me to converse with the Fangju Defense Army. How much preparation should we have?”

“Since we may end up wiping out some organizations, it would be good if we maintained enough public security.”

“Hmm, alright.”

The Dean nodded.

Then he shifted his gaze toward Simonia.

“Simonia, care to join?”

“Of course.”

Simonia smiled, picked me up, and held me tight.

“Then, Dean, we’ll be on our way.”

“Hmm, absolutely do not let your guard down, be careful. Simonia? I leave Edu in your care.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

After exchanging pleasantries with the Dean, we headed toward the Outlands, making a pit stop at Rises’ Boutique for disguises.

“Nice, it’s perfect.”

Simonia, transformed into a striking career woman in a form-fitting black suit that highlighted her voluptuous figure, with oversized sunglasses perched on her forehead, looked down at me.

And she sighed involuntarily.

Grasping the pacifier that Seri had stuck in her mouth—affectionately called “Suckle-suckle or Teats” by some, often seen hanging from children’s mouths—she questioned.

“…Seri.”

“Edu, did you need something?”

“…Why am I wearing something like this?”

Round hat on my head, and a fluffy baby outfit covering my body.

And in place of Bungbungi, I lay in an overwhelmingly soft baby stroller.

One of these things was enough to make me feel dizzy, but here I was, hit with both.

“Because, it suits you the best, doesn’t it?”

“No, aside from whether it suits, this is way too babyish! I feel so embarrassed I could die!”

A reasonable rebuttal.

But Seri shook her head while answering.

“Edu, reflect on this.”

“What? Reflect on what?”

“You’re a child, right?”

“…Yes.”

So, nodding, since outwardly I am indeed a child,

“Then, do you think it’s wrong for a child to act like a child or to wear clothes appropriate for a child?”

“Hmm…?”

Though this conversation seemed to be veering off-topic, Seri’s eyes were intently focused on me, so I provided an answer.

“That’s not wrong…”

“Exactly? Besides, you are a well-known figure, having modeled children’s clothing at the boutique, so your face is fairly recognizable.”

Seri continued listing her facts.

“So…?”

“And that’s why I dressed you this way. If it’s about disguise, wouldn’t it be better to choose something that you haven’t worn before?”

“Hmm…”

A sense of falling into a trap.

But looking into Seri’s eyes, which showed no signs of deceit,

“…Is this real?”

“It’s absolutely real. I can stake my conscience on it.”

“Hmm…”

Edu contemplating.

Seri smiled looking at Edu, but inside her, her conscience quietly dropped down.

—

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