The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 96

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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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Chapter 96
“Lucas, what are you planning to do?”
Rachel asked carefully. Now that the Emperor had given his command, there was no possibility of defiance. Which meant Lucas had to obtain the First Emperor’s Sword and take it to the battlefield by whatever means necessary.
“Are you thinking of going alone to retrieve the First Emperor’s Sword?”
At Rachel’s words, Lucas simply looked at her without responding.
“If that’s the case, please let me help.”
“Rachel.”
“Even if it’s not much, I’m certain I can be of use.”
Rachel spoke with conviction in her voice.
There was only one reason the First Emperor’s Sword had been cursed. Before the empire was founded, the First Emperor, blessed by the Sun God, found himself in battle with an Ancient Demon.
The Ancient Demon was no trivial foe. As the First Emperor fought it, he poured his final strength into a single sword strike. That blow obliterated the Ancient Demon entirely.
The First Emperor’s Sword, having absorbed the Ancient Demon’s Dark Magic directly, shattered into pieces. The demonic aura remained entirely unpurified, reaching a state where ordinary people could be harmed merely by drawing near.
Because of this, the First Emperor sealed the sword deep underground and built the Mage Tower above it. That was the Origin of the Mage Tower.
Rachel, knowing all these facts, could easily grasp how dangerous the First Emperor’s Sword was. More than that, she had immediately understood that the Emperor’s words were forced—a pretense.
‘There must be something I can do.’
If the sword was saturated with demonic aura, perhaps she could somehow purify it with the Protective Stone she possessed. It wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
‘But it’s not even a proper sword—it’s full of dark magic. And he wants to take it to the battlefield in that broken state!’
The First Emperor’s Sword had another reason it was unsuitable for battlefield use: it had been shattered into fragments. Who would take a broken sword to war?
‘How could he do this to his own son? I can’t comprehend it.’
The narrow-minded Emperor had envied his son, whose reputation far exceeded his own. This task clearly stemmed from that jealousy.
Rachel clicked her tongue inwardly, studying Lucas’s face. He wore an expression of profound dismay.
“Rachel. I don’t want to see you fall into danger too,”
“No. I have no intention of letting you go alone, so please yield on this occasion.”
A tense standoff unfolded between them—Rachel wanting to go, Lucas trying to dissuade her. Time stretched long. And at the end of that struggle, impossibly, Rachel emerged victorious.
“I think this is the first time I’ve lost an argument.”
Lucas exhaled a shallow sigh. He looked at Rachel with worried eyes, as if resigned to his fate.
Rachel, meanwhile, bore a confident expression suggesting this was nothing at all.
“When will you go to the Underground Chamber of the Mage Tower?”
“Whenever you are ready.”
At Lucas’s words, Rachel nodded. Her mind was prepared even now, but practically speaking, gathering supplies would require some time.
“Tomorrow morning should be sufficient.”
Rachel calculated the remaining time, then deliberately adopted a brighter demeanor. She was worried too, after all.
* * *
“Teacher!”
“Teacher! Is it really true?!”
The moment Rachel returned to the Imperial Palace, Theo and Noah came rushing toward her, tears glistening in their eyes.
“We heard you have to go and retrieve the First Emperor’s Sword.”
“Is it true?!”
The news had clearly reached the children’s ears already. Theo and Noah each grabbed one of Rachel’s arms and clung to her desperately.
Rachel could not find an answer. She could neither lie nor tell them the truth.
The children quickly grasped the meaning of her silence. Their expressions hardened by degrees.
“Father, that’s too much, isn’t it?!”
“How could he ask this—and for the First Emperor’s Sword at that!”
Rachel too felt the burning surge of outrage. Yet practically speaking, she had to accept it, and so she resolved to calm the children.
“Theo, Noah.”
The two children still huffed and puffed with indignation.
“I understand your concern for Lucas and me. But this is a crucial matter that simply must be resolved.”
“Teacher….”
Theo and Noah’s faces crumpled with sorrow.
“I appreciate your worry, truly. But Lucas and I won’t crumble so easily.”
Rachel spoke with firmness.
“So will you trust us?”
Her voice carried a steady strength. Rachel offered them a smile, deliberate and warm—she refused to falter before them.
“…Yes, we will.”
“We’ll trust you and big brother.”
Theo and Noah finally managed to nod, and Rachel squeezed both their hands gently.
Would they have shown such maturity in the past? She gazed at the children with eyes warm and full of affection, marveling at how much they had grown.
Theo and Noah lingered at Rachel’s side for a time before returning to the Imperial Palace.
Once the children had gone, Rachel headed straight for the Imperial Library. There might be information about the First Emperor’s Sword that she didn’t know—information that could prove vital.
As she made her way to the library, she felt the weight of watching eyes. The attendants and servants who had heard that Lucas, the Crown Prince, was going to retrieve the First Emperor’s Sword regarded her with compassionate gazes.
It wasn’t only the silk-clad servants and ladies-in-waiting. The nobles who visited the Imperial Palace cast sympathetic glances her way as well.
‘Would I have looked at her any differently?’
Rachel let out a long sigh, then shook her head firmly.
Now was not the time for such thoughts. She had to find more information in the Imperial Library, whatever she could uncover.
After entering the Imperial Library, she walked quietly between the shelves. The library was empty of people. Reassured that she could browse in peace, she began searching for books related to the First Emperor’s Sword.
How much time had passed? Her arms now held several volumes. It was time to read them. She was about to set the books on a table and begin when—
“Swan.”
Rachel jumped and turned her head. There stood none other than the Mage Tower Master.
“Master…?”
“Come here for a moment.”
The Mage Tower Master beckoned Rachel to a corner of the library.
“What brings you here, sir?”
“I expected you might come to this place. There’s something I wanted to give you.”
“Something to give me?”
“Swan, do you know what this is?”
The Mage Tower Master drew her palm toward himself and placed something into it.
“Is this… a bracelet?”
Rachel answered carefully, looking at the two bracelets resting in her hand.
“This is no ordinary bracelet. Unlike the Empress’s Protective Stone, which guards against Black Magic, this is a special Protective Stone that shields against the demonic aura of the Ancient Demon.”
“My goodness…”
Rachel gasped and covered her mouth with her other hand. The Mage Tower Master raised a finger and placed it gently against her lips.
“Hush—this is a gift I’m giving you in secret, Rachel. The Emperor knows nothing of this Protective Stone’s existence, so I ask that you use it discreetly.”
“Master…”
Rachel had never imagined the Mage Tower Master would help her to this extent. She didn’t know how to convey her gratitude. All she could do was repeat her thanks again and again.
“I sincerely wish that neither the Crown Prince nor you comes to harm.”
The Mage Tower Master smiled gently as he spoke.
“I have always held gratitude in my heart for the Crown Prince, who labors for the prosperity of the Mage Tower, and for you, who have worked tirelessly on our behalf. If I can convey even a fraction of my feelings through this opportunity, there could be no greater joy.”
“…I will never forget this kindness.”
“Then I must take my leave, before anyone discovers my presence here.”
The Mage Tower Master bowed lightly and turned to walk away. Rachel watched him fade into the distance, her expression caught between tears and laughter.
The world had not yet abandoned her and Lucas, she thought.

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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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