First of All, I’m Drinking - Chapter 81

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 81

Raeseya Welton.

I had no doubt that she was Baal’s agent.

‘It would be stranger if she wasn’t.’

How could someone who wasn’t even a demon lord’s pope harbor such massive dark clouds within themselves?

Moreover, this time it wasn’t simply about distinguishing between good and evil.

Through my insight, I received a clear intuition.

The certainty that she was connected to the Demon Cult.

“I’ll begin the lesson. Everyone please open to the first page of your textbooks.”

I listened to the lecture in silence while paying attention to Leisia’s every action.

“In the current era, there are a total of 8 Demon Lords.”

Leisia held up eight fingers.

Vergil, Lucifer, Baal, Nevilos, Aderzhen, Asmodeus, Zagan, Pluton.

Each time she listed a Demon Lord’s name, one of her fingers folded down.

“Among these, the first to obtain a Demon Lord’s Seat was Vergil, who holds the first throne. Vergil’s characteristics include…”

Hearing stories I already knew was also torturous.

How humans in the Mortal Realm interpreted the Demon Lords.

I already vaguely knew this from lessons I’d received in the Imperial Capital as a child.

Of course, I hadn’t paid close attention to those lessons either.

“The fifth throne, Aderzhen, is also called by the alias Dragon Lord, and commands dragon demons under his command. What kind of reaction would occur if he made contact with dragons in the Mortal Realm remains unknown…”

Since this was the first lesson, she seemed intent on explaining basic information about the Eight Demons in order.

“Boring.”

Irin grumbled beside me, shaking her leg.

I deeply empathized since I was feeling the same way.

“Finally, content regarding the eighth throne, Pluton.”

At this part, my ears perked up.

Anyone would naturally have deep interest in how others think of them.

“Pluton is unique among the Eight Demons as the only one who comes from the demon race, a subjugated species, rather than being a devil. For students who don’t understand the power structure of the Demon Realm, let me briefly explain what this means…”

A tedious explanation about the relationship between devils and demons flowed from Leisia’s mouth.

How demons were usually treated by devils.

How impoverished and difficult their lives were in the Demon Realm.

It was a very interesting experience to hear the experiences I had personally lived through before ascending to the throne flowing from a human’s lips.

“Therefore, this professor thinks Pluton, who ascended to a throne despite being from the demon race, is quite remarkable. Setting aside the fact that he is a Demon Lord.”

Murmur murmur.

Buzzing noise spread among the students.

She had given a positive evaluation of a Demon Lord.

It was a statement dangerous enough that if caught by a harsh inquisitor, she wouldn’t be surprised to be referred to a religious tribunal.

Of course, regardless of that, my mood improved.

‘She knows something, this one.’

If only she weren’t Baal’s agent, I might have developed favorable feelings toward her.

However, thinking of what the Baal Sect had done to me, I just wanted to rush out right now and tear out her entrails.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not trying to affirm the Demon Lords.”

Perhaps sensing the ominous atmosphere, Leisia hurriedly waved her hands.

“Actually, demon realm society has many similarities to our human culture. Devils and demons are divided, and demons have a hard time holding their heads up. Much like the relationship between nobles and commoners.”

Leisia was a commoner.

The statement she just made was dangerous enough to be criticized in noble society even if a noble had mentioned it.

Let alone a commoner saying such things.

“As someone from a commoner background, I faced many difficulties reaching this position. So perhaps I felt deeper inspiration from Pluton’s narrative while reading theological texts. Though he is a detestable Demon Lord, I believe we should acknowledge what deserves acknowledgment.”

Leisia continued with increasingly dangerous statements without stopping.

“Crazy bitch.”

“Is she only living for today?”

I could feel contemptuous glares from among the students.

They were mainly from noble students.

“Isn’t that lady going to get in trouble if she keeps this up?”

Irin clicked her tongue as if worried about Leisia.

Even someone as reckless and aggressive as Irin sensed something strange about Leisia.

‘Isn’t she afraid of being fired?’

Leisia’s current attitude had clearly crossed dangerous lines.

She was speaking without thinking of the consequences.

At that moment.

Words I’d heard from Ordo Pereira, Zagan’s agent, flashed through my mind.

[He said there was something he was looking for. I don’t know what it was either…]

The reason Baal’s agent had infiltrated Millennium Academy.

To find something.

My eyes widened.

‘Could she have already achieved her purpose?’

Because she had already found what she was looking for.

There was no longer any need to remain at Millennium Academy.

“You may feel resistance to my words that Demon Lords are remarkable. However, this lecture is called ‘Understanding Demon Lords.’ I believe the purpose of this lecture is to understand them and strictly divide and interpret their good and bad points.”

A subtle madness gleamed in Leisia’s eyes as she expounded her theories.

Dangerous.

She was currently in a state where she couldn’t see anything around her.

‘Whether I kill or capture her, I need to prepare countermeasures as quickly as possible.’

As soon as the lecture ended, I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the lecture hall.

“…”

Meirei stared intently at me.

I ignored her and ran.

My destination was naturally Garcia’s private research room.

* * *

“Hmm, is that so?”

We sat facing each other across the table.

Garcia dipped a teaspoon into his teacup and stirred it round and round.

“First, are you certain that Raeseya Welton is Baal’s agent?”

“Strictly speaking, not 100%. But if it’s not her, that would be stranger.”

“What’s your evidence?”

“It’s the same ability that allowed me to realize you were suspicious, Professor.”

“Hmm…”

Garcia took a sip of tea before continuing.

“So to summarize what you’re saying, Baal’s agent infiltrated Millennium Academy to find something, and now Leisia seems to have already achieved her purpose?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have evidence for this too?”

“Someone who needs to continue staying at the school wouldn’t make such reckless statements.”

Garcia leaned back against his chair and let out a deep breath.

“Right. Both you and I are new this semester, so we might not have known well. But according to my separate investigation, Raeseya Welton has always been firm in her convictions and didn’t hesitate to make controversial statements.”

Garcia lit a cigar.

“I recommend watching a bit longer. I find it hard to agree with your statement that immediate action is necessary.”

Garcia’s opinion was to approach cautiously.

Through his investigation results and my cross-verification, it was almost certain that Raeseya Welton was Baal’s agent.

So let’s wait while watching for an opportunity.

Garcia’s point was that rushing might cause us to lose the fish we’d already caught.

“Right now, Leisia is in a state where it wouldn’t be strange if she acted unpredictably at any moment.”

I stubbornly voiced my assertion.

I remember the madness that flowed in her eyes.

Reflecting on thousands of years of experience.

It was always the ones who were somewhere insane that caused problems.

“We need to prepare countermeasures as quickly as possible. Students could get hurt.”

“Are you worried about the students?”

“And you, calling yourself a professor, seem to not care at all what happens to the students.”

“Well, I’d feel about as sad as when a pet I was raising dies.”

I didn’t expect empathy from a murderer who made a living from assassination.

Come to think of it, maybe it’s stranger that I, a former Demon Lord, worry about children.

I don’t care.

I’ll just move as my heart desires, as always.

“Let’s say we plan an operation as you suggest. How many people do we need?”

“First, we two must participate without question, and reinforcements should be as strong as possible. A small elite force.”

“I haven’t grasped Raeseya Welton’s military power yet either. Do you know anything?”

“At minimum, she’ll be at the level of our combined strength.”

If I unleashed all my available abilities, I might be able to handle her alone.

However, this is the middle of a school.

I can’t use magic, so I have to fight with only the 5-star achievements I’ve made with a human body.

“Ah, if we could subdue her when she leaves the school grounds…”

“Raeseya Welton hasn’t left outside the school gates in nearly 3 years. She eats, sleeps, and does everything within the premises.”

Doesn’t she feel suffocated?

No matter how well the infrastructure is equipped, staying only inside the school would be stifling.

“Phew.”

Garcia blew out smoke.

The acrid scent of cigars stimulated my nostrils.

After pondering alone for a while, Garcia opened his mouth.

“I’ll trust you.”

Garcia’s calm eyes looked at me.

“With your insight that immediately saw through my identity, it’s probably the right judgment.”

“Thank you for trusting me. When can we begin the operation?”

“I’ll request reinforcements from headquarters. Even at the fastest, we’ll have to wait a week. Surely nothing will happen within a week.”

“A week…”

That should be fine.

“You said reinforcements should be as strong as possible, right? It would be good if you had available forces on your side too.”

The only force I can deploy is the Pluton Sect.

Merry, Kise, Diago.

Naturally, their faces came to mind first.

‘No. That’s rejected.’

Though their faces weren’t exposed.

I read in the newspaper that due to the Order of the Sword’s consecration ceremony incident, a combination of a swordsman, spearman, and mage had been put on the investigation network.

I didn’t want to burden them again when not even a few months had passed.

“I can somehow obtain reinforcements too.”

Fortunately, there was one more force that came to mind.

He wouldn’t refuse my request.

“One week from now. Nighttime would be good. We’ll target the timing when Raeseya Welton is alone in her dormitory.”

“Good.”

All preparations must be perfect.

Absolutely.

* * *

The next day after classes ended.

I left the school and headed to the city center.

Though it was a distance that took a full hour even riding the carriage Hisan pulled.

Running at full speed, I arrived at the city center faster than expected.

I entered a cathedral built of pure white marble.

A man in white priestly robes greeted me.

“Have you come to pray?”

“Yes.”

“Since it’s not mass time right now, the Grand Cathedral is empty. Shall I guide you there?”

“No, that’s fine. A small chapel will be sufficient.”

“Please come this way.”

The priest guided me to a sliding door painted with a scene from doctrine.

“May Gabriel’s grace be with you.”

“Thank you for guiding me.”

I opened the door without delay.

After sitting on a wooden chair, I called out to him aloud.

“Gabriel.”

There was no response.

Come to think of it, when I came 4 years ago, he didn’t respond immediately either.

What did I do then?

“Answer quickly before I tear down the whole building.”

Only then did a voice echo in my head.

[…Coming after so long and still with that filthy temper.]

A voice on the boundary between male and female.

[What were you doing that you’re only coming now?]

I grinned.

“Good to see you, Gabriel.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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