The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 102

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 102
A considerable crowd had gathered for the departure ceremony. The confluence of two facts — Sinclair, who had kept to himself until now, standing at the center of this grand send-off, and the Commoner Mages heading toward the Dekisyon River — had drawn them all in.
Rachel mounted her horse dressed in the same garb as the Commoner Mages.
‘This should be fine, shouldn’t it?’
If she told Lucas she was leaving, he would object without hesitation. That was precisely why she kept it secret from him and slipped in among the Commoner Mages.
‘It’ll be all right.’
Having steadied herself, Rachel observed the tense Commoner Mages around her. Even though they themselves had volunteered to go to the battlefield, the anxiety was plainly written on their faces.
“The Crown Prince is with us. You needn’t worry so much.”
At Rachel’s gentle words, the Commoner Mages managed a smile, if only briefly.
“Will we be engaging in battle immediately upon reaching the Dekisyon River?”
“Most likely, yes.”
The Commoner Mages pressed their lips together tightly. They too had heard tales of the Ancient Monster, and it was clear they could scarcely hide their fear.
“Anareо possesses an Ancient Monster, but we have a strength that matches it. Set your minds at ease.”
“A strength that matches it?”
“Yes. We certainly do.”
Rachel answered with confidence and nodded. The others exchanged glances, their expressions suggesting they wanted to ask what that strength might be.
“You’ll understand once we reach the Dekisyon River.”
In truth, Rachel herself did not know what it was. Yet one thing remained certain: the Emperor had not sent Sinclair to the battlefield unprepared.
Three days and nights of travel. The continent was vast, and the Dekisyon River lay far beyond. Even before reaching the battlefield, exhaustion was beginning to set in.
Yet the thought of seeing Lucas filled one corner of Rachel’s heart with hope.
‘Please let it not be a serious wound.’
She had not heard the specific details of his injury, and her mind refused to rest easy.
“There! Our encampment is in sight!”
Someone cried out. Rachel, whose breath had grown increasingly labored, quickly lifted her head at the shout.
Just as they said, the Imperial Military Camp came into view. Given the full-scale confrontation with Anareо that lay ahead, the camp was enormous. Rachel managed a faint smile and urged her horse forward.
“Reinforcements from the Capital have arrived!”
A booming voice rang out across the encampment. The gates opened, and soldiers moved to receive them.
“The Crown Prince is emerging!”
Lucas appeared. The Commoner Mages removed their robes and bowed in respect. Rachel did the same.
Lucas passed directly in front of Rachel.
‘…Lucas.’
Yet he passed by without seeming to see her. Then he climbed onto the platform visible to all and opened his mouth to speak.
“Thank you for your difficult journey. Return to your units and rest well.”
Everyone bowed their heads in acknowledgment. So did Rachel.
“And Rachel Swan.”
…….
“Follow me.”
Lucas spoke in a cold voice, one she had never heard from him before.
Startled, Rachel steadied her racing heart and followed Lucas.
“Rachel Swan.”
The moment they entered the tent, he called her by her full name. His voice was heavy with anger.
“What were you thinking, coming here?”
Lucas Maxim was genuinely furious.
“Lucas….”
“This is a battlefield where people die! Enemy arrows, Mana — you could lose your life to either!”
“That’s precisely why I came.”
“What?”
“I heard that you were injured by the Ancient Monster’s attack! How could I have remained in the Capital after hearing such a thing!”
“Rachel!”
“You cherish me as I cherish you! I don’t want to lose someone I love!”
She had not meant to cry, but the moment the words “someone I love” left her lips, tears came pouring down.
Lucas said nothing. He stepped toward her and held her close.
“Rachel.”
“…Lucas.”
“You won’t be hurt again. Don’t worry.”
Lucas soothed her as he brought his lips to her forehead. In that warmth, Rachel found a moment of peace.
* * *
She learned the reason for Lucas’s injury.
To rescue a young soldier who had been seized by Anareо’s Ancient Monster, he had thrown himself directly into danger. The young soldier’s life had been saved, and in exchange, Lucas had sustained some bruising.
‘It’s a mercy it was only bruising….’
Fortunately, the wound wasn’t severe. Rachel could afford a sigh of relief.
‘But there’s no guarantee the same thing won’t happen again.’
Besides, given Lucas’s nature, he would rush headlong into danger the moment his allies were threatened.
‘Which means, in the end, our forces have to be safe for Lucas to be safe.’
Rachel, turning the problem over in her mind, pushed her hair back from her forehead.
‘Our people need strength to survive. The kind of strength Sinclair received from the Emperor.’
Rachel was certain that Sinclair had been granted a powerful force by the Emperor. And so she sought out the Duke’s tent.
“Good afternoon.”
Rachel greeted Sinclair. Though he had been a knight in his youth, everything about him—the delicate hands untouched by war, the soft belly protruding beneath his clothes—spoke of a man who had no business being here.
“What brings you?”
“I am Rachel Swan, overseeing the Commoner Mages.”
She introduced herself politely, though he surely knew who she was. The Empress had certainly passed along her request.
“So, why have you come to see me?”
“I believe you, as the father of Her Majesty the Empress, should not be here.”
Rachel cut straight to the point. Sinclair’s brow furrowed as though he didn’t understand.
“Speak plainly. Stop dancing around it.”
“Is there not something His Majesty the Emperor gave you?”
Rachel tested him. He laughed, a hollow sound, and leaned back in his chair.
“If I had such a thing, I’d have marched straight to Anareо and faced them myself.”
“After the Crown Prince was gravely wounded, aren’t you planning to use the power the Emperor gave you to turn the tide of war?”
It was the only way to make sense of it. The Emperor did not want Lucas to become a war hero. So when Lucas was attacked by the Ancient Monster of Anareо and his life hung in the balance, the Emperor would want someone to turn the situation around in his name.
“Even if that were true, it would serve little purpose.”
“What do you mean?”
“Everyone in Tirnes knows that His Majesty disfavors the Crown Prince.”
She was right. Not a soul in the Empire of Tirnes was unaware of the Emperor’s contempt for Lucas.
“But if the Crown Prince drags out the war until the situation becomes dire, how many will die? If you hold back your strength for a last-minute reversal, the people of Tirnes will turn their blame upon His Majesty and you.”
At Rachel’s words, Sinclair’s eyes narrowed.
“If you begin to be hated, it will have grave consequences for Her Majesty the Empress as well. Is that what you wish?”
Rachel met his gaze squarely and spoke without inflection.
“I ask that you assist the Crown Prince at once.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m saving you from danger.”
Rachel smiled slightly and continued.
“Most of Tirnes’s forces are here. A war won after all these soldiers are gone cannot be called a victory. Think carefully on that.”
Rachel turned and left, hoping that in this final weighing of fates, she would emerge the victor.

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