Chapter 139 (1/2)
Volume 2
Atelier Tanaka Volume 3 Chapter 3 Part 2
Witch
We returned to the dormitory after our meal.
After opening the door, a maid came rushing towards us. Sweat ran down her brow and she looked flustered. It was my personal maid, Sophia. She looked really tired and was holding out something with both of her hands.
“Umm, Tanaksan, a letter arrived for you.”
“For me?”
Y-Yes. It’s from the deputy director of the school.”
I grabbed the letter from her hands. The words ‘deputy director’ had caused her body to stiffen.
She wasn’t the only one feeling nervous. I remembered the conversation I overheard in the restaurant and the fact that I had made myself known amongst several powerful people in this country.
“Thank you.”
I broke the wax seal on the back of the envelope and removed the paper from inside. As Sophichan and Ester-chan looked on, I scanned through the contents of the letter.
“.”
The letter’s text was straightforward.
A large jailbreak had occurred at a prison in the capital city of Kalis. The government is currently recruiting people from all across the country to help capture the escapees. The school had received an order from the government requesting the aid of only those exceptionally skilled in magic. They were requesting the aid of Tanaksan and Fahren-sama.
The last line told me that I should visit the Deputy Director’s office the moment I got the letter.
What a timely letter.
“What does it say?”
Ester-chan tried to peer over my shoulder to get a look at the letter.
But this soy sauce faced guy won’t allow that. I took a small step away from her.
“I’m sorry but I’ll be leaving for a while.
“Eh? Ah, sure.”
“W-Wait, where are you going!?”
This letter is truly a godsend.
If any of the escapees were caught, it wouldn’t be long before they started talking about this one-of-kind soy sauce face. This would be the end of my peaceful life living with Sophichan.
I can’t just sit on the sidelines.
I should do whatever I can to keep an eye on how the investigation is progressing.
“I will return soon. I’m sorry, but, please, wait for my return.”
“T-Then, I’ll join you! I-I can come with!”
“I’m sorry, but I need to do this alone.”
“Eh, but.”
“If you’ll excuse me.”
I left Ester-chan in the room and ran down the corridor to the Deputy Director’s office.
***
I arrived at the corner of one of the buildings filled with offices of the academy’s most important people.
I stopped abruptly to catch my breath in front of one of the office doors. I took a few deep breaths to settle my nerves. I can’t mess up here. I must protect my life with Sophichan.
“all right.”
I prepared myself and knocked on the door.
Knock Knock
A flat sound echoed through the corridor.
After only a brief moment, I could hear a voice inside.
“Who is it?”
It was a woman’s voice.
The voice was dignified. It made me think of a career woman in her mid-thirties. She was accepted to a good university, went straight to work after graduating, and knew nothing but work for most of her life. She must have a mature body that’s never felt the touch of a man.
Eventually, she gave up on the idea of ever finding a man and now feels that no man would actually look at her as a woman.
How nice.
I could become a gold digger.
“It’s Tanaka.”
“enter.”
“Yes. Pardon my intrusion.”
I opened the door as instructed and entered the office.
There were already several people inside the ten tatami mat sized room. There was an equal split between men and women and their ages ranged between the early twenties and middle-aged. It was most likely the faculty of the academy. They all stood lined up in front of the Deputy Director’s desk.
Everyone’s attention was focused on me.
I’m already very nervous.
“You’ve got great timing, Tanakdono.”
The only person sitting was a woman on the opposite side of the desk. Based on the voice, there’s no doubt that it’s the same person that called out to me when I was outside. She was in her mid-thirties just as I expected. Her slightly long hair looked beautiful and her eyes had a sharp look about them.
She must be the deputy director that wrote to me.
“I came here after receiving your letter.”
I held out the letter I had received from Sophichan.
“Yes. We were actually just discussing that matter.”
“I see.”
I see what she meant by ‘great timing.’
She really is a beautiful woman. I bowed to the woman that was carefully studying me. I then bowed to each member of the staff.
Once she confirmed that I was finished, she spoke again.
“Because you weren’t here for our earlier discussions, I’ll briefly go over everything once more.”
Apparently, she was going to repeat herself just for this soy sauce face.
What a nice person.
“As you already know, the great thief managed to break everyone out of the capital city prison. Most of the escapees were already infamous throughout the country. The average soldier wouldn’t be capable of capturing these prisoners. It seems the government has decided to recruit from the academy once again.”
This was all covered in the letter already.
I waited for her next words as my heartbeat increased.
“The Royal Academy was asked to provide assistance to this investigation. However, our students aren’t mercenaries, much less military. After holding negotiations with those involved, I was able to get them to allow us to investigate on our own.”
Oh, as expected of the deputy director.
She’s able to start her own investigation now.
How much trust must the government have in her?
“For those willing to assist in what I consider to be an honourable endeavour, please step forward.”
The mature woman declared this loudly.
What should I do?
I’m at a loss.
If I step forward, in a sense, I won’t be able to act freely. If I consider my social status and position as a student, it’s possible she might send someone to investigate with me.
I had planned on investigating on my own without drawing attention to myself. However, by agreeing to help, I’ll gain position within the academy, but I don’t want to put myself in a disadvantageous spot.
However, the others in the room didn’t allow me much time to consider what I should do.
The sound of several people taking a step sounded in the room.
Once I heard this, I looked around at the others. Wait, what happened? When did they all move back? Without moving a muscle, I was now the only one standing forward.
“Oh, are you feeling up to it, Tanakdono?”
“.”
Seriously.
I didn’t expect to see such a classic action like that in this world.
These people are good.
And the Deputy Director seemed perfectly fine with the result.
“I’ve heard many good things about you from Fahren-sama.”
“great.”
“On your own with no weapon, you were able to stand against a dragon. I’m confident that you’d be able to handle any criminal, no matter how strong, with your abilities.”
“.”
Apparently, the noble mage has told her all about me.
However, it didn’t look as if the Deputy Director believed her own words. I looked at the others in the room to see that they all had the same looks on their faces. Thanks to the pointless flattery by the noble mage, these people don’t seem to have the best opinion of me.
Is everyone here a member of the aristocracy? They’re all wearing fine clothing. There’s a good chance that they’ve already heard about me potentially becoming a baron. I’m getting an overwhelming feeling of jealousy and disgust coming from them.
“So? What will it be?”
The Deputy Director gave me a look that said I couldn’t refuse.
“I accept.”
If nobody else has accepted, it’s virtually the same as working on my own.
Since I don’t have to worry about someone accompanying me, I can look into this without anyone getting suspicious. I’m just acting on behalf of the academy to apprehend the escapees.
It’s easier if I just accept obediently.
As I thought about this, I heard a familiar voice.
“Wait a moment!”
The office door was slammed open with a loud bang!
The person that appeared was none other than the loli bitch.
Based on her timing, there’s no doubt she followed me and has been listening since I entered.
“Fi-FitzClarence-sama.”
The Deputy Director, who had remained seated in front of everyone else, stood straight up with a look of astonishment on her face. The rest of her staff showed similar expressions.