“How could a human possibly…”
“Tsk. And this is the man who claims to be the Dean of the Continental Academy? He doesn’t even know what’s being taught in the Swordsmanship Department?”
Jade clicked his tongue. They say ignorance and incompetence are two sides of the same coin, but judging by the actions of the dean and King Pavan, even that paper-thin difference seemed nonexistent.
“The title of Swordmaster is given to someone who has surpassed the limits of human ability. It doesn’t just mean they’re good at swinging a sword.”
Not knowing that, they must’ve thought it was fine to plot harm against Cherrya and Enoch, even after being informed by a knight from the Emblem family.
Jade was utterly dumbfounded when he heard about it. If it had been him, he would never have concocted such a clumsy plan to harm another noble.
He would have been more thorough. He’d make sure there wasn’t even the slightest trace pointing toward the Gray Duchy and would have handled it in a place completely unrelated to Lutinas, using someone else’s hands.
“They probably didn’t want to get caught like this, but they have only themselves to blame for rushing and handling things so sloppily.”
It was over. Done before it even truly began.
All the while Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray returned safely to the academy, the dean had been fraternizing with King Pavan and scheming away.
“P-please, spare me! Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray are perfectly fine, aren’t they?!”
The dean dropped to his knees and pressed his forehead to the floor. Pride, loyalty to King Pavan—he cast all of it aside.
More than anything, he just wanted to keep his position as dean.
“You… you have no idea what sacrifices I made to climb my way up to become Dean of the Continental Academy. Please, just once—if you spare me, I’ll tell you everything I know about King Pavan!”
But the dean’s desperate pleas only snapped the last fragile threads of reason holding Jade Gray and Benedict Emblem back.
“You think I don’t know?”
Jade Gray gave a signal to the Gray knight standing beside him. The knight responded by tossing a stack of documents in front of the dean.
“That’s a list of the bribes you offered King Pavan to become Dean of the Continental Academy. I also have proof that you assassinated your rightful heir of the family—your own brother—and banished his family to the wilderness one by one before killing them.”
“H-how do you have that?!”
The dean’s face turned ghostly pale. He had thought that those sins, committed decades ago, had been buried forever. Yet now the evidence was somehow in the hands of a noble from another country—Jade Gray.
“You thought the Gray family was like the Emblems, only good for swinging swords? Ever since we decided to send Enoch to this academy, we’ve already gathered every bit of information on the key personnel.”
“…Then, what about me?”
“Step down from your position as Dean of the Continental Academy quietly. If you do that, we won’t pursue this matter publicly.”
Jade Gray made an offer that couldn’t have been more generous. If this were officially brought to light, the dean’s downfall would be absolute.
“If word of this spreads, you’ll die a pitiful death—and I’d rather not let it come to that.”
Jade’s words implied that stepping down would be a mercy compared to what awaited otherwise.
But for the dean, the immediate loss of glory stung more than the distant threat of ruin.
He was sinking into despair at the thought of relinquishing his title—when he suddenly realized that Benedict had yet to say a single word, still wearing that calm, smiling face.
And just then, he saw Jade glance at Benedict and give a slight nod, as if leaving the rest to him.
“Then I suppose the business of House Gray is finished. It’s time I deliver the Emblem family’s message.”
“For merely failing to refuse King Pavan’s offer, how much more must I be punished? I’m about to lose my position—what am I supposed to do now?!”
At the dean’s outburst, Benedict’s elegant brows furrowed ever so slightly.
“Why should I care?”
A gaze filled with undisguised contempt pierced the dean like a blade.
Just that look alone made the dean feel as though his entire body was turning to stone.
“All the wealth you illegally accumulated will be seized. Your estate will be bought by the trade guild I operate. And no one in the Kingdom of Pavan will sell you or your family another home. You’d best find a place to live elsewhere.”
“…….!”
“Oh, and make sure to stock up on food before you go. Because wherever you go—whichever inn, tavern, or merchant you visit—if they deal with my trade guild, they won’t sell you a single thing.”
“W-what are you saying…?!”
“If you understand the influence of the Chemelt Trade Guild, this should all make perfect sense.”
“Gasp…”
The Chemelt Trade Guild—one of the five largest trade guilds on the continent, which began in Lutinas and swiftly spread its influence across the lands.
At that level, it was connected with nearly every other trade network, whether directly or indirectly. In short, the dean wouldn’t just be homeless—he wouldn’t even be able to buy food.
“N-no… please…”
The dean, unable to bear the overwhelming situation any longer, lost consciousness on the spot.
“Tsk. With that tiny excuse of a spine, he actually dared to target someone?”
Jade stood abruptly, unable to contain his disgust.
“Starting today, he’s no longer fit to call himself human. Throw him out of the academy.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that, Jade concluded the matter of the dean and turned to Benedict.
“While I’m here, I should go check on my grandson. Would you care to join me?”
“Ah, of course. It’s a good opportunity to clear up the rumors spreading throughout the academy.”
Benedict gave a bright smile and stepped up beside Jade.
Sensing something unsettling behind that smile, Jade narrowed his eyes and asked,
“Still not over it, are you?”
“There was someone who claimed Cherrya and Enoch got into a fight.”
“Tch.”
Jade shook his head, clearly exasperated.
How did someone so ruthless end up in the Emblem family?
In the past, even when exacting revenge, the Emblems had simply dished out a beating and moved on. But now, they had learned how to systematically crush their enemies into dust.
Jade realized exactly where that change had come from—this man standing right beside him.
“Save your rage for after you see your daughter. I hear she’s already up and about.”
“What? She should still be resting—why is she already…?”
The chill in Benedict’s expression melted in an instant.
He began fidgeting anxiously, clearly agitated, and quickly turned to Jade.
“Please excuse me—I’ll go ahead first.”
“By all means.”
“Then I’ll be off.”
Without another word, Benedict dashed out of the dean’s office.
Watching him go, Jade clicked his tongue, and a knight of House Gray stepped forward.
“My lord, we still haven’t confirmed Cherrya Emblem’s whereabouts.”
“Don’t you think I know that child? She should be awake by now. And knowing her, she wouldn’t stay put in bed—she’s definitely wandering around.”
“…..…”
The knight gave Jade a curious look. He seemed to know Cherrya Emblem better than even her own family.
“Our young master must be awake by now too.”
“So what.”
“Isn’t he probably roaming around with Cherrya Emblem right now?”
“………!”
Jade’s eyes went wide.
“Oh no, my baby! Where in the world do you think you’re going in that condition?!”
With that, Jade too shot off in the direction Benedict had taken, a blur of worry and urgency.
