Chapter 77: Has This Guy Really Managed to Woo the Griffin Duke’s Daughter?
Chapter 77: Has This Guy Really Managed to Woo the Griffin Duke’s Daughter?
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Tsk. The most troublesome scenario really did come to pass after all.
Staring at the righteous and imposing Duke Ous before him, Lin Wei didn’t trust the man one bit.
He’d always worried that drawing the Empire’s attention could only spell trouble. But once the arrow was nocked, there was no turning back—he couldn’t just stand by and watch Nerinettestruggle alone, not when the entire supply operation was at risk of falling behind schedule.
Still, he hadn’t expected the so-called Duke himself to show up in person.
“My name is Lin Wei.”
No wonder Montoya had been running rampant all day without anyone stepping in to stop him.
So the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy people have all been tied up elsewhere, huh?
By now, even if he wanted to hide his identity, it was far too late for that.
Lin Wei lifted his gaze, decisively nudging the Little Saintess forward as a human shield at this critical moment.
“I’ve heard Miss Yalis mention the illustrious Duke Ous’s reputation among the capital’s nobility before,” he said with a faint smile. “Now that I’ve met you in person, I see the rumors hardly do you justice—you truly are the embodiment of justice.”
Truth be told, he’d never even heard of Duke Ous before. Back when he’d been leading troops across the frontlines, reclaiming lost territory, there had been too many enemy commanders to keep track of any names. The only one who’d ever left an impression—the one he’d actually clashed with face-to-face—was the Empire’s Marshal, famed as the Griffin Duke.
As for the man’s actual name... he’d forgotten!
All he remembered was that the guy was strong; it had taken him a full minute to break through that defense and come running.
“Yalis...”
Directly stating the name of the person behind him was as good as calmly announcing his own allegiance.
So this kid is actually with Perseus?
Duke Ous’s mind worked swiftly at that revelation.
At his level, every word he uttered was calculated, each laden with subtle meaning.
Especially when facing a young man who appeared so calm and composed, utterly unafraid of a duke—his thoughts couldn’t help but spin further.
That Griffin Duke, also hailed as a pillar of the Empire, was notorious among their circles for doting on his precious only daughter. If any unsavory character so much as approached her—no matter their status—he’d storm over in a fury and make sure everyone knew what happened to those who dared get close to an underage noble lady!
Even the wildest scions of the nobility never dared go near Yalis.
And yet now... Perseus was actually allowing his daughter to associate with this young man?
Could it be that he possessed some remarkable talent? Otherwise, what could possibly have made that old hardliner Perseus take notice?
“Lin Wei... Not bad, not bad. To stand tall and unyielding in the face of a corrupt noble—people like you are exactly what the Empire needs right now.”
Duke Ous maintained his smile and nodded. Now that things had come to this, the plan to capture the head of the alchemy department and sabotage the Holy See’s potion production had failed. There was no reason to linger.
Montoya, that useless fool... To think he couldn’t even handle such a minor task. And I, a duke, made a special trip to the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy for this!
“Well then, let’s leave it at that for today. I trust the Imperial Capital’s Magic Academy will dedicate itself to the task the Empire and the Holy See have assigned, and expedite the preparation of supplies.”
“As for Montoya’s abuse of his noble status to oppress you—though it has little to do with me—please accept, on behalf of the Empire’s nobility, my sincerest apologies.”
“Oh, not at all, Your Grace! You’re far too kind!”
The vice dean at Lin Wei’s side immediately jumped in, eager to smooth things over—who would dare let a duke actually bow and apologize?
Polite words like these were just for show—he’d much rather let the duke lower his head than risk losing his own position.
He still dreamed of climbing higher in his lifetime, not ending his career here and now.
“This was all the doing of Viscount Montoya alone! It had nothing whatsoever to do with you, Your Grace.”
“You’ve already worked so hard for the Empire, handling all the logistics and supplies—everyone is grateful; we couldn’t thank you enough… We’ll take our leave now. And if Your Grace would care to, please enjoy a stroll through our Imperial Capital Magic Academy’s campus on your way.”
“We’ve recently also…”
The procession of nobles, surrounded by the academy’s upper echelons, quickly swept out of sight.
The unconscious soldiers were dragged away as well, along with the gravely injured and near-death Viscount Montoya.
A hush fell over the courtyard, cold air seeping in. If not for a few lingering bloodstains on the ground, it would be as if nothing had happened at all.
“Forgive me, Mr. Lin Wei. I truly didn’t expect Viscount Montoya to come looking for trouble in the alchemy department,” said Parkson, who had deliberately stayed behind, practically wiping cold sweat from his brow as he approached.
“Honestly, I thought he was just one of Duke Ous’s guards, running a security sweep in advance… Their visit was so sudden, we had no time to prepare at all.”
Like the vice dean from the magic faculty earlier, Parkson was deeply aware of the gravity of nearly having a direct confrontation between Lin Wei and Duke Ous.
Knowing Lin Wei’s background only made him more nervous—this was a young man favored by both Saintess Yalis and the Holy See, not to mention his dazzling achievements at the Lotai border!
For all he knew, even that famed mage Miss Iresha from the allied hero party might have some connection to him.
If things had truly escalated between Lin Wei and the nobles present, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Thankfully, both sides kept their cool and didn’t let matters spiral out of control. Parkson felt so grateful he could have dropped to his knees in thanks.
“Haha, don’t worry about it, Mr. Parkson. It was just a routine inspection—nothing to lose sleep over.”
“Besides, didn’t Viscount Montoya receive the punishment he deserved? He’ll soon be executed and made an example of… None of that reflects on you.”
Back when he’d first arrived at the academy, Mr. Parkson had actually been quite a decent fellow.
Seeing the man now, so anxious and deferential, Lin Wei simply waved it off with a smile, unconcerned.
“Even so, I truly apologize!” Parkson insisted. “I’ll make sure to tighten security—no one will be allowed to disrupt your alchemy work again.”
Parkson was well aware of the alchemy department’s frantic rush to fill orders. That was exactly why even the perpetually busy Director Nerinettehad been disturbed today.
It made him feel even guiltier… Even if, strictly speaking, campus security wasn’t really part of his job as recruitment officer.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. By the way, do you know if Miss Yalis came to class today?” Lin Wei asked, grinning as he scratched his head. “I should probably give her a heads-up later—you know how it is, Duke Ous is a noble after all… If I accidentally offended him, that’d be bad, haha~”
With his bright, easygoing demeanor, Lin Wei looked every bit the ordinary adventurer fresh off the frontier, newly arrived in the capital—except for the unmistakable confidence in his eyes, which showed not the slightest trace of fear.
“As far as I know, Yalis took a temporary leave these past couple days for Holy See coursework,” Parkson replied. “However, she didn’t apply for leave from her afternoon classes, so she should be coming in after lunch.”
“I see… Thanks, Mr. Parkson.”
Lin Wei nodded thoughtfully, having gotten the information he needed.
Still, before he went looking for her, there was one last thing he had to take care of.
“I’d like to take a little leave, Director Nienilit.”
Lin Wei looked up and made his request without hesitation.
“I’ll also grab the materials I need for today’s work while I’m at it. If I hand you the finished potions when I get back this afternoon, that’s alright, isn’t it?”
“Eh? You’re asking for time off right after clocking in? That’s not how things work around here!” Nerinettereplied with a grin, hands on her hips—though there was a hint of gratitude in her tone.
“But if it’s for the sake of inspiration or improving your craft, I can always approve an off-site assignment. No pay deductions!” she added cheerfully.
Recruitment Officer Parkson, pretending not to have heard a thing, promptly turned and walked away.
Ah… She really is the academy’s most seasoned slacker, that department head, Lin Wei thought wryly.
Guess I’ll thank her in advance.