Damn Academy - Chapter 208

Chapter 208

Host (5)

When I signaled that it was safe, the members of the Art Department began to slowly exit the carriage.

I still had questions, so I continued probing.

“It would have been enough to just break the wheels. Why did Gale attack?”

Hubert pointed to Cecil, his tone filled with emotion.

“It wasn’t us they were after; it was that half-elf girl. Our Instrumental Department just got caught in the middle.”

Cecil retorted angrily.

“Yeah, instead of just causing some minor disruptions, you had to make those idiotic jokes about northern toilets and Sion, making things worse!”

“Well, whether we’re stranded here or killed by monsters, it’s all the same, since we can’t get home.”

“Can’t you use your legs? Will you die if the wheels break? Oh, right, you’re part of a short-legged species, so you probably can’t go far without wheels.”

“Do these look short to you? They’re quite long, actually.”

“But the cowardice unique to short-legged species remains.”

“Ah, I know you’re upset about getting rejected by a guy, but that’s not my fault. How about venting elsewhere?”

Cecil’s face grew increasingly furious.

“You were brought here to fight if a dispute arose, not for research. Understand? If you can’t do your job, just shut your mouth.”

“Now I see why your kin were driven out by the elves. Your personalities are just as nasty as hunting dogs.”

“But you’re a coward who can’t even play a hunting dog’s role. We should probably boil you alive.”

“I fought. I was just outnumbered.”

The members of the Art Department, including Damian, watched the fierce argument in stunned silence.

Sierra added a comment while watching them.

“…It’s always the pretty ones who end up fighting to the death only to catch feelings for each other.”

Tami, another member of the Art Department, chimed in.

“Uhm, I doubt it. Elves and dwarves can’t breed together.”

“What?”

“The only species that can mate with both of them is humans. It’s in ‘Species of Reproduction’.”

“Oh… really?”

“Half-elf and dwarf offspring are born with severe deformities. Their mutual hatred is almost an inherited instinct.”

Seeing no end to the bickering, I stepped in.
T h i s w a s co pi e d fr o m ki n gm t l . o r g

“If you’re going to block the road and argue, move aside. We’ve got places to be.”

Cecil cleared her throat and addressed me respectfully.

“Ah-hem, I apologize for blocking the road. We had no other choice.”

Speaking to Cecil here felt strange. I believed I had detached myself from her, but seeing her injured stirred strong feelings of sympathy.

“What do you need?”

“Supplies for treatment. We’ve been looted of everything. And… escort us to the nearest village.”

At this point, Lilith quietly approached and stared Cecil straight in the eyes as she spoke.

“So, what do we get in return?”

“I’ll reward you handsomely when the mission is over. We have plenty of money.”

“That’s the same for us. As you know, our supplies are now even more valuable. In this place, it’s hard to get any more provisions. You’ll need to repay us more than what we offer.”

Cecil bit her lip, visibly irritated. Lilith remained cold and aloof. The atmosphere between them was tense, as if they had a history of conflict. Lilith, who usually stumbled and was clumsy around me, transformed into a sharp and assertive woman before others.

Hubert interjected.

“We’d be grateful, but your resources will soon lose value. When the mission starts in earnest, Gale and his gang will plunder everything. Few can withstand that.”

Lilith immediately countered.

“Do you really think so? I assure you, what we’ve prepared isn’t lacking.”

“Oh, really? How many in the Art Department can actually fight? Gale has put together a cavalry unit with far more numbers.”

He looked us over, his warning clear. There was no guarantee we wouldn’t encounter Gale’s group. We wouldn’t just sit back and take it, but a clash would mean inevitable losses.

Avoiding them was the best option. Our goal was to complete the mission, not to fight.

Cecil proposed an idea.

“Why not join forces? Together, we’d have enough strength. And I know Gale’s movements. Help us, and I’ll help you avoid him.”

Lilith scowled at Cecil, then turned to me. As the leader, it was my decision.

It wasn’t a bad suggestion. But increasing our numbers would slow us down and double our resource consumption. We had to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

“Alright. But if we decide to disband, you have to accept it anytime, anywhere.”

***

As agreed, we treated the injured members of the Instrumental Department and set off together.

They abandoned their damaged carriage and organized their remaining supplies like tents and blankets.

Four members of the Instrumental Department rode their remaining horses, and the two leaders joined us in our carriage.

T h i s wa s c o p ie d f r o m k i ng mt l . o r g
Cecil, squeezed in the carriage with us, laid out a map and explained.

“I overheard them speaking in northern dialects. They thought I wouldn’t understand, but that was their mistake.”

She pointed to a spot on the map labeled Luden Village.

“You probably know the mission details. The incident sites are Luden, Marbas, and Quill. They skipped Luden and headed straight for Marbas. Anyone going to Marbas will likely encounter Gale’s group and get looted.”

“Why did they skip Luden?”

“I don’t know. The only special things about it are its strong defenses and many blacksmiths.”
T h i s w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n g m t l.o r g

“Hmm…”

“Given its unfavorable geography, it might have rich mineral veins. It seems to survive on metalworking and trade. We won’t know the specific problems until we visit.”

“Right.”

“But we can definitely avoid Gale’s group. We can regroup and counterattack if needed.”

Cecil’s desire for a counterattack was personal. My immediate choice was the safest route.

“Then, let’s head to Luden Village first.”

***

By early evening, we arrived at our first destination, Luden Village.

“Is that… a village?”

We were all taken aback by Luden Village, including the Instrumental Department members.

The village was backed by a steep gorge and surrounded by a semi-circular wall. For a peripheral village, it was large and expertly built. It resembled a fortress more than a village.

Everyone passing through the gate was a trader with carts loaded with sharp weapons.

We parked the carriage near the fortress walls and held a meeting.

Tami and Cecil provided an analysis of Luden Village.

“According to a passing trader, most people here are blacksmiths and are hostile to outsiders. Recent incidents have made them even more wary.”

Hubert boldly declared.

“Why are we standing around? Let’s just go in and talk. We’re here to investigate the disappearances, not to steal.”

Hubert’s statement was supported by members of both the Instrumental and Art Departments.

“Won’t it be enough to say we’re an Eternia investigation team?”

“Just mentioning our family names would scare them.”

Everyone was optimistic about gaining entry, but I disagreed.

They might have sent a request to a big city like Rigved out of desperation, but seeing a bunch of novices would not be well received. And being a remote village without a lord or state, they were unlikely to be friendly to nobles.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Everyone started moving en masse, except for Pavela and me.

Hubert shot us a glare.

T h is w a s c o p ied f r o m k i ng m t l .o r g
“Why are you two just standing there?”

“Someone needs to guard the carriage, don’t they?”

“What are you planning to do, stay behind? Do you want to be left out?”
T h i s was c opi e d f r om k i n gmt l.o r g

“Just go ahead.”

Hubert, dissatisfied with my attitude, led the group to the gate.

And my prediction was spot on.

“This is infuriating. They said they never invited kids.”

Shortly after, those who had confidently approached the gate returned looking deeply insulted.

Cecil and Lilith’s faces were especially red.

“They said they’d let us in if we worked as prostitutes…”

“Bastards…”

The problem I anticipated had arisen. We looked too young and noble to be entrusted with investigating serious disappearances. Our refined appearance clashed with the harsh reality of those who toiled with hot iron for survival.

As my companions fumed over the insult, a thought struck me. I turned to Pavela, who had not shown her face to the gatekeeper.

“Pavela.”

“Yes?”

“Can you help me with something?”

“…What is it?”

“It’s a bit dirty work.”

After a brief hesitation, she agreed.

“…As long as it’s not painful.”

I instructed the group.

“Everyone, wait in the carriage.”

I then gathered discarded clothes from around the area. Travelers and traders had left them behind. I picked up a set of women’s clothes and a set of men’s clothes, dusted them off, and handed them to Pavela.

“Put these on.”

“These…?”

“I’ll wear them too.”

Her puzzled expression changed to understanding as she nodded.

“Alright.”

We quickly changed into the ragged clothes and faced each other again, now looking like complete beggars. The clothes reeked of dust and mold.

Cecil and the others watched our actions with curious eyes.

I handed a rolled cloth to Pavela.

“Stuff this under your belly and secure it well.”

“Okay.”
Th is w a s cop i e d f r o m k i ngm t l. o r g

When she did as told, her belly protruded like a pregnant woman’s. I extended my hand to her.

“Hold my hand and waddle.”

“Okay.”

I carried a bundle on my back like a migrant and walked with her to the gate.
T h is w a s c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l.o r g

The gatekeeper opened a peephole and looked out at us.

“No refugees. Go back.”

I spoke urgently.

“I’m here looking for work. Monsters destroyed our home, and we have nowhere to go.”

A brief silence.

“Where are you from?”

“We originally lived in Barvisia. Monsters destroyed our home, and the principality scum didn’t even consider us citizens. We have no country, king, or lord. All we have is our craftsmanship, and nowhere to go.”

T hi s w a s co pi ed f r o m k i n g m t l . o rg
“That’s true, but a skilled worker doesn’t come without tools.”

A seasoned craftsman would treat his tools like his children. Addressing this, I showed my palms.

“We fought off some rat-like monsters on the way and lost our tools. But these hands are the most important tools for a craftsman, aren’t they?”

Burn scars, calluses, and slightly twisted finger joints. Only someone who had worked a hammer would have such marks. They had faded since I came to Eternia, but they were not completely gone.

“You’ve been without tools for a while.”

“As you can see, my wife is pregnant… I’ve been doing odd jobs to get by.”

Pavela gripped her protruding belly and spoke without prompting.

“Honey… can we rest for a bit…?”

She clutched her belly in convincing discomfort, as if she had practiced for it.

The gatekeeper’s gaze turned to me, glaring as if I were the worst scoundrel.

Another moment of silence.

Finally, the sound of the lock being released, and the gate opened.

The gatekeeper gestured us in silently.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Yan. And my wife is…”

T his w a s c op i e d f r o m ki n g m t l . or g
“Pavela.”

“Alright, at dawn, go to the house with the hawthorn tree, and see old man Dickens. He needs an assistant.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

I bowed deeply in gratitude.

The gatekeeper clicked his tongue as we walked off.

“A young lad like you… Tsk. Feed your wife well!”

The gorge quickly darkened with the setting sun, and torches were already lit in the village.

I turned to Pavela.

“Let’s find an inn first.”

Pavela lowered her gaze, lost in thought. She seemed dejected, so I asked.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“….”

“Aren’t you revealing our real names too easily?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow; they won’t remember.”

“….”

“Damian, you might have fit better in the Drama Club.”

“Yeah, I got lucky.”

“It felt… real.”

“….”

It wasn’t a perfect method, but it achieved the goal.

I released her hand, which I had held as if we were a married couple.
T hi s w as c o pi ed f ro m k i n g mt l .or g

The situation coincidentally aligned, making it easy to immerse in the role.

These were the kinds of imaginings I entertained countless times when I struggled to sleep.

If I hadn’t come to Eternia.

If I had stayed at the Temple of Acates.

This might have been the future I could have faced.

End of Chapter