C269: An Unexpected Gift (2)
Elisa, who escaped from Rudger's teacher's office as if she were running away, confirmed that she was far enough and walked slowly again and saw Wilford approaching her.
Wilford asked Elisa in his usual polite tone.
"President, did you give the present properly?"
"Yes, of course. Who do you think I am?"
Elisa answered confidently, completely erasing the fact that she had been nervous in front of Rudger a while ago.
Usually, if she says this, he would have moved on, but Wilford felt something suspicious and asked a question to confirm.
"What did you give him as a gift? I said I would recommend something that day, but didn't the president say she would take care of it herself?"
"Why do you ask me that?"
"A person like Mr. Rudger might not be easily convinced by a normal gift."
Of course this was Wilford's lie. Rather, he wouldn't care what kind of gift she actually gave. Nevertheless, it was because of old age that he was worried.
"So what did you give him as a present?"
"Don't be surprised when you hear it. I gave him a personal meal ticket."
"……What?"
Wilford asked back in surprise.
"Are you serious?"
"What's wrong with you? It's a chance to eat with me, there's no way there's anyone who wouldn't like it, right?"
"……."
Wilford sighed a little when he realized that something disturbing had happened. In fact, he vaguely expected this to happen.
Elisa Willow has received gifts from others since she was a student, but she has never given anyone a gift.
A gift is, after all, a means to look good to someone. If you don't need to look good, you don't need to give gifts.
Beauty, family, talent, she had everything so she never needed to give anyone gifts.
Nevertheless, she wanted to take the position of the President of Theon and obtain an equal education for all students so she walked towards her goal.
Even if the means were not entirely clean, it was undeniable that at first sight just Elisa Willow looked like a perfect superman.
However, Elisa was also a person, and she lacked some things.
Just like now.
'She is used to receiving gifts but feels awkward to give them.'
It was possible to give a reward as a senior, but she never gave a sincere gift because of an equal relationship.
She couldn't help it because of the growing environment.
A person is a social animal after all, and the environment was the most important factor in completing that person. This is why she was nervous when she gave Rudger a present this time.
Elisa Willow as president was perfect, but not enough as an ordinary person.
"It seems that the president needs to learn some common sense."
"Wilford, that's a rude joke."
"I mean it."
"……."
Elisa glared at Wilford with a sullen look on her face.
Wilford was already worried that he had a lot to teach her in the future.
* * *
"Sedina Rosen."
"Yes, sir."
In the teacher's office, where no more guests came, Rudger called Sedina's name, placing the last organized document on the table.
"You probably know that we're going on a field trip this time."
"Yes."
Sedina would also go, so she couldn't help but know.
Because of that, students around her were noisy because it was a day away, so she had no choice but to listen even if she didn't want to.
"But why is that……?"
"If Theon moves, the Black Dawn Society will not stay still. Have you heard anything?"
"Oh, that's…."
Sedina was thinking about what to say, but soon she pulled herself together and honestly said what she knew.
"You may not believe it, but the Black Dawn Society is currently showing no movement."
"……."
Rudger raised one eyebrow unexpectedly and soon stroked his chin with his finger.
"That's strange. I thought they'd take this opportunity to do something. Any orders or orders from above?"
"Yes. They are just telling you to stand by."
"Stand by…."
Sedina is a Second Order of the Black Dawn Society, but recently, she has gained a considerable position while working exclusively for Rudger.
Although she is still a Second Order in terms of status, John Doe, the First Order she works for, has a great reputation.
Thanks to this, Sedina was able to contact higher-level information than before, and she knew pretty much everything about what was going on at the Black Dawn Society.
Even Sedina said she had no orders from the Black Dawn Society for this field trip.
'It's not like they've been given a separate order.'
Of course, there was nothing strange about it even if additional instructions were not given because the orders might've already been given.
He didn't know that Zero Order cared more about contacting information because he knew Rudger wasn't the original John Doe.
Rudger shook his head while thinking that far.
'Because of Zero Order's nature, he wouldn't do such a bothersome thing.'
He didn't know much about Zero Order, but there was good reason to think so. If Zero Order even cared about that, he wouldn't have let him participate in the Order Synod.
Nevertheless, Zero Order remained still at the meeting even though he knew an unknown guy took the place of one of his executives.
He just chose to let it go.
'Then, will the Black Dawn Society really not move during this field trip?'
As he was thinking an idea hit Rudger.
"Sedina, you said you knew some of the movements of the Black Dawn Society."
"Yes."
"But you don't know everything. Is that right?"
"……."
Sedina hesitated a little to answer because it was quite painful to have to admit her lack in front of Rudger.
"I'm not trying to blame you. It's impossible for you to know everything. In the case of information you don't have access to……Is Nikolai involved?"
First Order Nikolai seemed to be able to control the flow of information and he had the ability to handle information.
Indeed, as Rudger guessed, Sedina nodded slightly stiffly.
"Yes, that's right."
"I see. Unless you completely know what they're going to do, the Black Dawn Society may or may not move."
He hoped it would go as smoothly as possible, but he should assume the worst.
'I've got more work to do.'
Originally, he was going to have an opportunity to go to the capital and steal the Relic fragment.
Considering the iron security of the imperial family, it would be unthinkable, but it was not something that could not be challenged because students were allowed to look around the inside of the imperial palace only for this field trip.
'The imperial family would have intended to make a good impression on the children who will become important members of society in the future.'
He understood the point.
Thanks to this, he would be able to enter the palace, which he thought was the highest wall, using the identity of a leading teacher. However, if the Black Dawn Society intervenes, the story will be different.
'He's the type of person who likes to make things up behind the scenes, given the behavior Nikolai showed.'
In addition, Nikolai was greatly humiliated by Rudger in front of everyone at the last meeting.
Considering his personality, it wouldn't be unusual for him to take revenge.
'Zero Order doesn't deter competition among executives at all.'
From Nikolai's point of view, if his foe, John Doe, and one of his targets, the Theon Academy, go on a field trip to the capital he won't stay still, of course he won't cross the line either.
To openly say that he is an executive of the Dawn Society is nothing short of simply betraying the organization. Nikolai must be aware of that, and he must be working within the limits of not crossing that line.
Because that would be competition within the limits allowed by Zero Order.
'Whatever it may be, it's going to be a special field trip.'
* * *
Looking at the scenery outside the window that began to flow rapidly while sitting in the train the students made a fuss.
"Finally, the field trip!"
"I'm already looking forward to it!"
"Who will be the mentors?"
If Leathervelk is adjacent to Theon, a metropolis where magic engineering and science have developed, Lindebrugne was a famous tourist destination with historical records engraved with the footsteps of the Empire.
Students who had not yet been to the capital could not sit still with excitement.
"Who's making so much noise on the train?"
At that time, a cold voice cooled down the heated atmosphere.
The noisy students recognized the owner of the voice and immediately closed their mouths.
Rudger Chelici, the leading teacher, overpowered the students who were running wild in their seats with his cold voice and a glance.
The noisy wagon became quiet in an instant when Rudger passed by and the students started whispering.
"I know. I think Mr. Rudger is too strict."
"Mr. Rudger was involved in a train attack when he came to Theon."
"Oh, so what?"
Once quiet, the train arrived safely in the capital.
Under the leadership of teachers, the students stormed out of the capital's train station.
"Wow."
"This is the capital."
"It's really pretty."
Lindebrugne, the capital of the Empire, was a city that naturally made people say that it was white and beautiful at a glance.
Stepping out of the train station and onto the square was like looking at a giant work of art.
If the similarly sized metropolis of Leathervelk was a bit dark and stiff, Lindebrugne was sunny and warm in color, and had a more idyllic feel than Leathervelk.
The students constantly uttered exclamations, and although he did not show it on the surface, Rudger also felt nostalgic.
'It's been a long time since I've been here, too.'
It was here, in Lindebrugne, that Rudger first came after leaving his master's arms. It was still a very large and beautiful city, but now it was much more developed than it had been then.
'No wonder, it's been more than seven years.'
In a world where magic and science are advancing every day, seven years were enough time to change. Still, not everything has changed, and as he walks down the street, he sees glimpses of the past.
'Come to think of it, that happened back then.'
Rudger was just stepping out into the world and looking for work when walking on a dark night street, bumped into someone at the corner of an alleyway.
The robe was pulled over her head to conceal her identity, but her distinctive aura and golden hair were clearly visible in the darkness.
– What are you?
-Who are you?
The two asked each other at the same time.
No matter how dark the alleyway was, Rudger had a feeling that someone might come after him. And yet, I didn't know anyone was coming until he bumped into her. It was the same with his opponent.
That was the first meeting between the First Princess of the Empire and Jack the Ripper.
'The person who did that is now called the next emperor and is the heir to the throne.'
The fact that the previous emperor had been so helpless and weak-minded made it even more so.
'Is she still stuck in the palace, working hard? Given her personality, I wonder what else she's up to behind the scenes.'
The public perception of First Princess Eileen is that she is an iron-blooded princess who is compassionate, beautiful, and capable.
The rumors are not inaccurate. In fact, Eileen has enough ability to be called that. However, rumors do not fully describe her.
'Considering her temper, I don't want to see her.'
Rudger thought that First Princess Eileen was similar to President Elisa and Zero Order. Someone who's hard to get to know and schemes behind the scenes. But she's also proud and high-minded, never humbling herself or bending over backwards.
'I respect her.'
But Rudger would rather bite his tongue than say that to her.
He was tired of First Princess Eileen, otherwise he wouldn't have fled in disguise and would have a strong ally known as the next emperor.
'But they're the same blood, why the hell…….'
Rudger's eyes turned to Erendir, who diligently explained the capital to her juniors.
He thought that she wanted to use her knowledge of the capital to preserve her dignity as a senior but she talked too much so the freshmen were getting fed up rather than admiring her.
Seeing that Erendir didn't notice anything and kept explaining, Rudger wondered if she was the sister of the First Princess he knew.
Naturally, Rudger's gaze at Erendir was as cold as seeing something pitiful and pathetic.
'She took after her dad?'
Then there was nothing he could do.
Rudger shook his head and examined the city.
'I'm back again.'
Originally, I should have come here as Gerard. He would have met Hans, who was waiting here, and slowly settled down and created his own force. However, his status changed to a teacher from Theon Academy.
"So this is the central square."
"It's huge."
When he arrived at the square that seemed far away, he began to see familiar images.
The mentor wizards greeted the students and joined the group.