Chapter 111: Barking Dogs

The interval bell rang, its echo rolling through the private room. Lucion rose from his seat, his tea still untouched.

“If you don’t have anything else to say, I should be going now.”

Vionette smiled and gestured towards the door. “Go ahead.”

Perhaps so as not to anger her, and because she was royalty, he gave her a light bow before opening the door and heading towards the cafeteria.

Vionette stared at his retreating back, her smile curling into something more mischievous. Yes. Go ahead and collect all that Authority for me, fellow transmigrator.

She glanced at the flipped table and the shattered teacup, which had left a stain of tea on the wall and the floor below. She sighed.

I should clean this up.

Standing, she set the table upright, then looked at the ruined cup lying a little way off.

Let’s see… the system must’ve been trolling me, right?

[An Unwritten Story]

At her will, the teacup and its scattered shards rose from the floor and drifted towards her. Activating [Reserve], she tucked them away inside the pocket dimension. She also didn’t forget to close the door.

Then she looked at her hands, examining the flow of her Aether.

Seems the influence is actually not much. And [An Unwritten Story] doesn’t use Aether. So the skills of mine that don’t need any energy type to activate are now [Mind Fortress], [Presence Override], [Sovereign], [Crown of Accumulation], [An Unwritten Story], [Mindrift], [A Match Made in Hell], and [Vacant Eye]… which makes it every skill I own, except for the ones that come from Blackie?

Actually, system, get rid of [Mind Fortress]. No one can scratch me in the Astral World anyway. I only kept it for Noa because of [Echo Reclamation], and now that’s unnecessary.

[Understood!]

[Notice! Mind Fortress has been consumed by Crown of Accumulation!]

[Notice! The Host received 302.333 Accumulation Points!]

[Accumulation Points: 322.637]

Two knocks sounded from outside, followed by a voice that drew Vionette’s attention. “May I enter?”

Vionette sank back onto the couch. About time.

“Yes, come in.”

The door opened and Castil stepped inside, her long, cascading black hair stirring in the breeze of the door closing behind her. Her amber eyes locked onto Vionette as she advanced and stopped behind the seat opposite her.

“What did you mean by ‘doing something that’ll help Lucion’? And why did you make me come here?”

“Why so flustered?” Vionette extended a hand towards the seat. “Let’s sit down and talk slowly.”

Castil drew in a breath and exhaled. She walked around and took the seat.

“My apologies, Lady Vionette. I was hasty.” She smiled softly. “So?”

“Lucion’s matter has already been dealt with. The reason I wanted to talk to you privately is that I want something from you.”

Castil’s eyes sharpened. “Something from me? Like a favor?”

“Well, yes, but not quite.” Vionette stretched her hand across the table, a predatory smile on her face as her crimson eyes locked onto Castil’s. “After the upcoming trip is over, give me your position as a professor.”

Give her my position as a professor? Where did this suddenly come from? Castil studied Vionette. I heard from the Headmaster that the Princess of Crimvane is dangerous… What is this woman planning behind those eyes?

Castil shook her head lightly. “Absolutely no—”

“I’ll teach your class things that you, or any other professor, will never be able to.” Castil’s eyes widened as the next words slipped from those pink lips. “Changing the script by making them more powerful.”

“Someday, Lady Vionette will ask you for a favor. When that time comes, I need you to accept it.”

“You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?” Vionette asked, her eyes curving in amusement. “I’m your key to finishing everything perfectly… No. One. Else.”

Castil felt the weight on her back lighten, if only a little. Does she know too?

She raised her hand and clasped Vionette’s. “I don’t want to make the same mistake as last time.”

Vionette tilted her head. “Good.”

“I will have to discuss this with the Headmaster first.” Castil rose and walked towards the door. “I can’t give you my whole position as a professor. I can only give you my class.”

As she was leaving, Vionette added, “Oh, don’t worry. There will be an empty position after the trip anyway.”

Castil halted in her tracks, staring ahead with confused eyes. A professor will… disappear?

***

A hand adorned with golden, diamond-studded rings slammed onto the table, rattling the wood.

“I won’t take this anymore!” Duke Vaelthorn barked. “My son has been dead for more than three days, and there’s nothing!”

“As I said, calm yourself first, Vaelthorn!” Kaimon ordered.

They were in Sinia’s office. Sinia sat in her usual seat with Kaimon on a chair beside her, while the Duke sat opposite them, wrathful.

Sinia closed her eyes. “As we informed you, Duke Vaelthorn, we haven’t found any evidence regarding the case.”

“I’m not talking about information!” He threw up his hands, his brows tight. “Didn’t you boast about protecting every student? So how come my son, a noble of no small standing, was not protected? Does the academy hold a personal grudge against my dukedom?”

Kaimon narrowed his eyes, disgust written across his face. Your family members don’t even care about each other. You’re just using your son’s death as a tool to ruin the academy’s reputation, and mine, so you can seize the throne.

“The murder happened after the academy’s hours had ended, so we cannot take full responsibility for this,” Sinia stated.

“What do you mean you can’t take responsibility?! He’s the heir of my family!” After shouting, a smile curved on his lips. “Or is it that the academy killed him and wants to hide it?”

“We were also stunned by the sudden murder, and we feel your grief as a father.” Sinia interlocked her fingers. “But to find any evidence of who did it, we need to wait for the Lantern Gravers to accept our commission.”

She glanced at a document on the desk, her eyes uncertain. Something’s amiss… even though they’re busy investigating the royals’ murder, they should have more than enough members to spare… So why are the Gravers delaying their acceptance of our commission?

“Don’t worry, I’ll also look into this myself,” Kaimon added. “All we ask is that the Vaelthorn family stay calm for now.”

“But Your Majesty—”

Without so much as a knock, the door of the office swung open.

Staring at the Duke’s back with glowing crimson eyes, Vionette said in a soft hum, “Sorry to interrupt, but I don’t really care.”

“Vionette Crimvane…?” Sinia muttered, looking at her.

The Duke rolled his eyes to the side. The ruler of Crimvane?

“It seems your Duke is quite furious about losing his son, isn’t he, Kaimon?” She walked towards them.

Kaimon said nothing, simply watching her stop before Duke Vaelthorn’s seat.

The Duke lifted his head slightly in her direction. “Crimvane has nothing to do with this. Why don’t you—”

“Alright, I admit it. I’m the one who killed your son.” Vionette leaned down towards his head, a hollow smile on her face, her eyes wide. “So what are you going to do to me?”

“You—!”

She wrapped a hand around his neck, her fingers curling to the front, their long red nails biting into the skin of his throat, and leaned towards his ear.

‘Don’t get ahead of yourself now. You can’t do anything to me. You know it. Everyone knows it. You work with the cult underneath the academy, don’t you?’

His eyes widened, sweat beading at his temple as he stared at her fingers. ‘How do you…’

‘You’ll find out very soon.’ She leaned her mouth closer, her smile widening. ‘So now, get up and fuck off like a good puppy, will you?’

While Kaimon and Sinia stared in confusion, Duke Vaelthorn rose from his chair and walked to the door. 

Kaimon caught the uneasy, terrified expression on his face. What did she tell him?

After the door clicked shut, Vionette took the seat.

“You weren’t actually the one who killed his son, right?” Sinia asked, leaning back in her chair.

“Why are you asking? You know I wouldn’t do such a half-assed job.” Vionette looked at Kaimon with a helpful smile. “I can kill him if you want me to. When a dog barks too much, you just have to get rid of it.”

Kaimon raised a hand, sighing. “Let’s… not do that.”

Sinia looked at Kaimon, then at Vionette. “From what I’ve heard, you don’t run your kingdom that way, though.”

“That’s because my people are loyal to me.” She glanced at the papers on Sinia’s desk. “The dukes are in competition, but I’ve shown them enough that they can never do anything to me. I don’t mind them fighting among themselves, as long as they don’t kill anyone. They should have their little fun too.”

“...Fun?” Sinia muttered.

“Anyway, have you thought about the proposal I gave you that day?”

Kaimon looked at Sinia, confused. “Proposal?”

Sinia turned back to him and explained, “The day that dragon almost killed Professor Alicia, Vionette told me that she would like to help with the investigation of the Duke’s son’s murder in return for the damage they’ve caused.”

Vionette nodded proudly.

Help with the investigation? Why? Kaimon gazed at Vionette.

“What do you think, Kaimon?” Vionette asked, smiling innocently. “With the Gravers not responding, aren’t we supeeeeer helpful? Surely you should know by now that we’re more capable than them.”

So she did read them that fast. Sinia looked at the documents, then at Vionette. Is it a coincidence that the Gravers won’t accept our commission and Crimvane is offering help?

“I have no doubt that Crimvane is more capable, but…” Kaimon’s voice deepened. “Let’s be honest, Vionette Crimvane, you Crimvaners are the least trustworthy.”

“I had the same thought…” Sinia stated.

“Fine, fine!” Vionette pouted and raised her hands. “Then I’ll give you some information.” Her eyes locked onto Sinia’s asymmetrically colored ones. “There’s a cult trying to summon a monster on the island the academy is going to.”

Kaimon and Sinia locked eyes, both wide. “A cult…?”

“Not to worry, though, because I have this proposal:” Vionette raised a finger. “If we find their plans, stop whatever summoning they’re doing, and destroy them while handing all the evidence over to the academy, would you accept my request?”

I don’t know how a cult got involved or how she knows about it, but she seems confident.

Sinia sighed. “If the Lantern Gravers haven’t responded by the end of the trip, and you’ve solved all the problems with the cult, I’ll consider it.”

“Sinia…” Kaimon snapped his head towards her. “Are you sure?”

Sinia didn’t reply and stayed silent.

…

After a short talk, Vionette left the room, leaving Kaimon and Sinia behind.

“Kaimon,” Sinia began, and Kaimon looked at her seriously. “We should start looking for this cult too.”

***

By the time the sun rose, all the students had been transferred to the island without incident. The royals, some of whom had stayed in Gergrain while others had returned from their homes, were escorted to the spectator stands as well.

The students were arranged in neat lines, with Professor Alicia tasked with monitoring them. All the other professors, Sinia included, stood before them on a raised platform.

Seems nothing has changed here, except for Cedric’s absence. The academy said he’s at his household for internal affairs, Lucion thought, narrowing his eyes. But strangely, Duke Vaelthorn hasn’t tried to let the truth out to the public. How? It’s the best opportunity for him.

“It might seem similar to your first event,” Sinia began, her voice echoing through sound magic. “But you will not be revived from death anymore. Use the knowledge you’ve received so far to survive. But you won’t only be fighting monsters… you’ll also be fighting yourselves.”

“Ourselves…?” a girl muttered, looking around.

“We can’t kill each other like last time, can we?”

“All of you will be divided into groups of four…” Sinia stopped herself as she remembered something. “Oh, right… we’re missing one person, so one team will be incomplete.”