"Well then, please take care."
The principal left behind a message filled with burden.
Alone, Rudger pondered over the conversation that had just taken place.
'A class on summoning magic beasts, huh?'
Principal Elisa had suggested that Rudger teach the students about summoning magic beasts.
It sounded good in theory, but in reality, it meant that Rudger was officially designated as the responsible teacher.
Of course, Elisa had kindly explained the reasons in detail.
-Teacher Rudger, you know that the actual class on summoning magic beasts is offered starting from the third year, right?
-In that case, wouldn't it be better to assign that task to the appropriate teacher?
-They are busy, you know.
-I am busy too.
-Until recently, that may have been the case, but due to recent changes in the academic curriculum, the number of classes taught by Teacher Rudger has decreased significantly.
That was true.
The classes taught by Rudger, which were based on theory, had actually diminished due to the recent changes in the academic curriculum.
Rudger's classes were theory-based, but they also included some practical content that was quite popular among the students.
However, on the surface, the subjects taught by Rudger were strictly focused on 'theory'.
Thanks to that, Rudger had unexpected free time, and Elisa had suggested assigning him a new class to make good use of that spare time.
-Don't I also have to handle the duties of the planning department director?
-Of course, that's true. But don't worry. We have hired many additional staff for the planning department this time!
Indeed. Even though he wasn't there, the work had been carried out smoothly, and perhaps it was due to such reasons.
-Instead of hiring new staff, couldn't we have utilized that time to recruit a new teacher?
-Are you kidding? Even if we searched for a hundred individuals to handle administrative tasks, finding a single person capable of teaching summoning magic beasts would be challenging. It would be more advantageous to select a suitable candidate from the current teachers.
Seron did not casually hire teachers.
There was a designated hiring period, and the process itself was complicated.
The position of a teacher at Seron had a certain level of recognition in the industry, thanks to such rigorous distinctions.
'Of course, it doesn't mean that we can completely filter out people who intentionally hide their identity or those who have personal issues.'
Even after the announcement was made, the recruitment process took a long time, and during that process, there was a possibility of suspicious individuals slipping through.
Taking that into consideration, it was much better to assign someone from the available staff to a new class.
Of course, the teachers had their own expertise and fields, so it couldn't be done recklessly.
-But Mr.Rudger, you can do it, can you?
Elisa asked, her eyes shining with a wistful expression, inquiring about his intentions.
Given that she went so far as to ask, it was clear that she already knew.
'That's why I can't refuse.'
In fact, it was Rudger himself who had initially suggested the class on summoning magic beasts.
In a way, it was his own doing that caused the trouble.
Moreover, he couldn't entirely blame the principal either.
Elisa was doing her best in her role, and she also possessed qualities befitting a manager.
It was all about squeezing the most out of the available resources and maximizing work efficiency.
Instead of becoming more comfortable after ascending to a higher position, he found himself having to work even harder.
The situation itself was quite ironic, but Rudger didn't particularly dislike it.
Instead, he had one condition of his own.
-What about the teaching method?
Elisa, as if waiting for that question, gave a prepared answer.
-That's up to you, Mr.Rudger.
In a way, it could be seen as shifting the responsibility, sounding somewhat evasive.
However, there was no greater gift for Rudger than this.
-Thats good then.
With those words, the principal left, and Rudger's consciousness returned to the present.
A class on summoning magic beasts.
It wasn't originally planned, but it wasn't entirely unreasonable given the circumstances.
Elisa suggested it, expecting Rudger to handle it.
'She's a truly challenging person to have as a superior.'
If Eileen, the first princess, used her innate charisma to overpower her opponent, Elisa was more of a subtle oppressor, blocking every possible escape route.
'What I'm grateful for is that I have complete autonomy over the content of the class.'
Rudger had also believed that the students needed instruction in practical magic.
However, if Seron had made an announcement regarding the teaching method, it would have put him in a difficult position.
Some people might prefer that, but when it came to matters related to the class, Rudger always wanted to have the final say.
Knowing this, the principal fully delegated this aspect to Rudger.
There were three days left until the next class.
Since he had been entrusted with the class, Rudger was determined to do his best.
* * *
"Ugh. I'm dying."
Hans returned to Ledervelk and collapsed onto his bed for over half a day.
Even after he regained his composure and came to the hideout, Hans was still overwhelmed by fatigue.
Nevertheless, being in the same hideout, with the source of that stress, didn't help.
'But at least this time she's staying calm.'
After returning to Ledervelk, Grander stayed quietly in her room.
She didn't insist on bringing something or demand to transform into an animal.
'Well, when compared to the hastily arranged hideout in the capital, there's no place quite like this.'
Where Grander was currently staying was the top floor of the hideout, equipped with the best facilities.
The room was spacious and decorated with various luxurious items.
Hans judged that at least there wouldn't be any boredom or irritations like before.
At that moment, someone entered Hans's office, and he hurriedly hid behind his desk.
"...What are you doing?"
The person who entered through the door was Violetta, dressed in a comfortably outfit.
Codename 'Mary Poppins'.
She widened her eyes at the sight of Hans, who was clearly visible despite his attempts to hide.
He seemed to be hiding something, but it was too obvious, so it stood out.
Hans awkwardly cleared his throat, feeling relieved that the person who had entered was not Grander.
"Ah, I was just feeling a bit tired. So, what brings you here?"
"You asked me to investigate those who secretly monitor our streets before we leave for the capital."
"Oh, right."
Naturally, it was Rudger who was the founder and leader of Owens.
Here, Rudger used the name 'Oliver'.
However, as Rudger had various identities, he couldn't continue acting solely as the owner Oliver.
So he had to frequently leave the position vacant, and Hans took over in his absence.
Among Owens, Hans was the only one capable of handling matters in this direction.
And before leaving for the capital, Hans had made a request to Violetta, who was the most skilled in handling tasks after himself.
"Well, it seems like you've gathered everything properly."
Hans quickly skimmed through the documents Violetta had brought.
He didn't have high expectations, but Violetta had organized and brought quite detailed information.
It was thanks to the information network that Rudger had intended to establish beforehand.
The organization composed of children and the elderly, called [Old Kids].
The organization consisting solely of women, [Black Roses].
Both organizations had been specializing in gathering information for some time.
As these organizations merged, they became even more systematic.
Beggars on the streets.
Workers commuting to factories.
Waitstaff working in restaurants.
Female employees in clothing stores.
Elderly individuals sitting on rocking chairs.
Impoverished artists.
Laundry shop staffs.
The information network that started on one street spread throughout the entire city of Ledervelk like a spider's web.
Now, all the city's news are heard and collected by them.
"There are indeed many suspicious guys involved."
Hans clicked his tongue as he looked through the information Violetta brought.
As Royal Street grew, there was an increase in those who tried to pull off schemes in this area.
Those individuals were still manageable. We could suppress them with our power and influence.
"However, it becomes troublesome when noble families get involved."
Violetta asked with a slightly worried expression in her eyes at Hans's words.
"Will it be okay?"
"Huh? Oh, it's fine. I can handle it without worry."
"But the opponents..."
Violetta swallowed her words.
Some of the people who settled near Royal Street were sent by the Pablo family.
Since Hans knew how Violetta was involved with the Pablo family, he casually replied without paying much attention.
"Did you forget?"
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't brother say he would turn this place into his fortress? You must have heard that too."
"Yes, I heard it as well. I remember the words spoken on that day."
"But you still worry?"
"Well, they are from a noble family..."
she felt grateful for what Rudger had done to Albert for them.
However, looking back now, she couldn't help but worry that it might have been a dangerous choice.
Hans snorted, as if he could clearly see Violetta's hidden thoughts.
"Hmph. You may be the late to join us and not know much, but listen closely."
"...What is it?"
"Even someone like me, a low-life thug, knows how to survive and navigate my own territory. But what about brother? He declared this place his fortress. Do you understand the implications?"
Violetta couldn't answer.
Hans smoothly continued as if he had expected that.
"On this street, it signifies that we won't be intimidated by anyone, be it the Pablo family or anyone else. This place is an impenetrable fortress that remains invulnerable. If that's what brother said, then our task is to uphold that meaning."
Hans's voice was filled with trust towards Rudger.
At the same time, it subtly revealed his pride in his position and responsibilities.
"You came here because you were curious about what to do with the people mentioned in these documents, right?"
Violetta unknowingly nodded her head.
In contrast to his previous demeanor, Hans appeared very solemn and exuded a heavy atmosphere.
"Then let me show you. What our brother created this place for."
Hans immediately gave instructions to the mice lurking nearby.
It was time to show how terrifying this Royal Street really was.
* * *
The people sent by the Pablo family moved in separate teams.
One of the teams gathered in a nearby pub, sitting at a secluded table and quietly conversing.
"Have you found the whereabouts of the owner? That man named Oliver."
"Not yet. It's not easy since he wears a mask and conceals his identity."
"Continue to inquire about his whereabouts. He's the one who dared to touch the bloodline of the Pablo family. We must warn him about the consequences."
"Yes."
At that moment, the dishes they had ordered along with their drinks were placed on the table.
They casually smiled and handed tips to the owner with faces that couldn't be recognized as the ones who had just engaged in a serious conversation.
As everyone raised their beer glasses to drink.
"Phew!"
"Cough!"
They coughed and spat out beer mixed with blood, slumping down in their seats.
"S-Save us...!"
The man who had only taken a sip of the drink managed to survive.
He gasped for breath and sought help from those around him.
However, his face soon turned to despair.
Everyone who had been noisy moments ago now stared at him in silence.
It was surprising that people weren't shocked by someone spewing blood and collapsing.
The hostile gazes directed towards him were waiting for him to die.
"T-This... damn it."
With those words, the person from the Pablo family lowered his head deeply.
The people inside the pub naturally stood up from their seats and carried the corpse wrapped in a shroud outside.
The bloodstains on the floor vanished without a trace.
In no time, the pub returned to its original state.
No one would know that someone had died here, as if it had disappeared.
And as if they had been waiting, similar incidents occurred one after another throughout the city.
A blade pierced through the blanket on a person peacefully sleeping in a hotel bed.
Someone walking down an alleyway was pierced by iron balls flying from all directions.
A person who felt the sense of crisis and tried to escape fell into the raging River and drowned.
However, this news did not reach the ears of the people.
Instead, Royal Street exuded a brilliant light like never before, forming a constant flow of footsteps from unending customers.
The crowded masses gathered on the Royal Street emitted a fervent vitality and vigor, creating a stage.
Behind the curtain and heaps of props, a tranquil death settled.