The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 183

“Ziggs.”

With a cold voice, Taylee was the first to speak.

Ziggs Eiffelstein, who was sitting in a corner of the hallway on the second floor, was quietly waiting for Taylee.

He was a pretty close friend of Taylee’s. From the start of Act 1, during the duel episode, they both came to recognize each other’s skills. He was a close friend of his who was happy to see Taylee grow at an insane speed.

He was both a master of dueling and a talented individual. He held the runner-up seat within the second-year magic department.

At the start of their first year, Ziggs was much stronger than Taylee—to the point that he couldn’t even land a scratch on him. However, Taylee had grown to be considered one of the strongest in their grades.

Nevertheless, there was still a gap between Taylee and Ziggs.

His Swordmaster’s Skills were not yet fully unlocked, and in terms of the amount of experience the two of them had with fighting before coming to Silvenia, Ziggs was overwhelmingly higher.

“Why are you here?”

“It’s just as you are thinking.”

Ziggs Eiffelstein was definitely working with Ed Rothstaylor.

He could easily tell just by looking at Ziggs, sitting quietly among the various weapons scattered around.

Ziggs Eiffelstein had no intention of letting Taylee go any further.

He was even ready to use force if necessary.

Ziggs Eiffelstein was someone who always acted on the basis of common sense. He had the image of a reliable student, as well.

So, Taylee couldn’t believe that someone like him was on the same side as Ed Rothstaylor… Taylee’s hand trembled as he grabbed his sword.

“Why?”

Seeing Taylee like that, Ziggs casually responded.

“At this point, does that even matter? I’m a member of the student council, thus I am in a position where I receive and follow the orders of the Student Council president, Tanya Rothstaylor.”

Even though he was a member of the student council, Ziggs Eiffelstein wasn’t a person who would do something he thought was wrong.

Despite Tanya Rothstaylor having authority as the student council president, she could never fully control Ziggs Eiffelstein.

So, the correct way to look at things was that, to some extent, Ziggs was willfully doing it.

“Is it all that strange for me to cooperate with her older brother, Ed Rothstaylor?”

“Ayla has been kidnapped.”

“I know.”

Hearing his short response, Taylee looked at him with wide eyes.

Ziggs continued to sit, without care. He wasn’t moving in the slightest.

Even though he knew that, he continued to sit there, staring back at Taylee. He could tell that Ziggs was set on stopping him.

Taylee took a deep breath as he gripped his sword’s hilt.

As he cooled his head, his sense of reason started to return. He had just finished crossing swords against Elvira and Clevius.

He had promised himself that he would no longer hesitate. After all, time wasn’t on his side.

Quite a lot of time had passed already since Taylee first entered the Elte Store. However, he still didn’t know what exactly was taking place inside.

“You’re pretty injured, Taylee.”

On the other hand, Ziggs was somewhat confused.

He knew that Taylee would have fought against Elvira on the first floor, but Taylee’s condition was much worse than expected.

Taylee was covered in injuries and blood after his duel against Clevius… It looked as if he had just come from a duel with his life on the line.

No matter how serious Elvira was, it was hard to imagine that he would get hurt to such an extent.

Seeing the situation unfold like that, Ziggs started to become hesitant. Judging from Taylee’s condition, it seemed unlikely that he would ever make it to Ed Rothstaylor’s camp.

He wondered if it would be better to let him pass after fighting him moderately… But then, he suddenly had a change of mind.

Once he made his way up to the third floor behind him, Yennekar Palerover would be waiting. And for some reason, she seemed especially angry.

It didn’t seem like she would hold back at all. Rather, it didn’t seem that she was even in her right mind.

With those injuries… Who knew what would happen if he met with Yennekar Palerover.

The reason Ed Rothstaylor schemed the entire thing up was to gauge Taylee’s abilities at his fullest.

Ziggs wasn’t sure why he would be curious about that, but there had to be a good reason, since he was actively working on it.

However, if the purpose was just to test his abilities… There was no real need for Taylee to make it through the entire store. All they needed to do was check Taylee’s strength.

Since Yennekar looked rather dangerous for some reason, it might be better that he didn’t go there at all.

Thus, Ziggs started to think that it would be better for him to personally take down Taylee.

At least Ziggs Eiffelstein… was ready to drop his weapon if Taylee was in too much danger.

With that in mind, he picked up the spear with one hand. And the moment he stood up from the wooden chair…

Clang!

There was no hesitation in Taylee’s attack, because there was nothing good about wasting anymore time.

With instantaneous reflexes, Ziggs blocked Taylee’s sword. Taylee’s sword, which was blocked by his spear, trembled as he put more force behind it.

Taylee had his eyes wide open as he glared at Ziggs in front of him.

Hwaaak!

Clang!

Ziggs kicked the lower end of his spear as Taylee’s sword got caught up in the rotation, starting to slip away.

Ziggs then moved around to try and smash the spear into Taylee’s back, but he wasn’t there.

“……?”

Ziggs flipped the spear back around, grabbing ahold of it. However, Taylee was nowhere to be seen.

Ziggs glanced around quickly and frowned. In that brief moment, he had lost sight of Taylee.

The direction Ziggs didn’t look… was over his head.

Hwaaaaaaak!

Crash!

Claaaaaaang!

It was hard to follow Taylee’s sudden change in position, but Ziggs was still able to somehow respond to his attack with his animal-like senses.

He pulled out a longsword from his waist, managing to block Taylee’s sword.

However, that speed went beyond Taylee’s previous limits… It wasn’t something he should have been able to do with his abilities.

Whoooosh.

Ziggs held the spear in one hand as he held the longsword in the other… He looked into the rising dust.

That speed, which transcended a human’s cognitive abilities… It wasn’t the level of power Taylee had in Ziggs’ memory.

Rather, that level of speed… was like he was someone else entirely.

Crunch.

He felt a sense of incongruity seeing Taylee stand up on the cracked floor.

It was as if a dead body had been resurrected… With his body leaning forward, he breathed heavily.

The way he looked… It was just like the Blade Demon of House Nortondale, who used Blood Swordsmanship.

Ziggs frowned as he adjusted his stance. Ziggs was now able to properly judge the situation.

“Ha…”

The primordial swordsman, Luden McLaure, was known as a monster who had mastered the way of the sword.

His skills in swordsmanship were above all else, and Taylee McLaure’s ability to learn at such extreme speed… It isn’t something that could be considered at a normal human’s level.

Blood Swordsmanship was a technique that drew out one’s innate physical abilities by using one’s own flowing blood as magic power. It was also a skill that couldn’t even be imitated by those who were born without the blood of House Nortondale.

And yet, even without that blood magic power, he was still moving nearly identically to Clevius… It gave Ziggs goosebumps.

The more he was driven to the extreme through hardship, the more powerful he became… He was someone who always managed to overcome what was in front of him, reaching the next level.

Living the life of the protagonist, he was a swordsman who could overcome any ordeal.

Clang!

Ziggs threw the longsword he was holding down onto the floor.

Against Taylee McLaure, I can’t use a sword. He’s just going to quickly defeat me if I do.

Of the various types of weapons that were placed around him, almost half of them were useless. Ziggs swung his spear around once more, fixing his stance… He then waited for Taylee’s next attack.

Taylee rose from the dust, determined as he ran straight towards Ziggs.

Clang!

The sound of their spear and sword clashing.

Up close, Taylee stared right back at Ziggs’ eyes.

“Tell me.”

He spoke as if he was grinding his teeth.

“Where is Ed Rothstaylor?”

* * *

“Quickly drive the carriage towards Mexes Bridge!”

Dune Grex escaped through the back door of the Elte Store as he ran out in the middle of the night towards the commercial district.

The situation inside the Elte Store was already out of Dune’s hands. The moment the swordsman Taylee broke in, it was impossible for him to calm him down unless he could secure Ayla. He was being placed in checkmate.

Now that things had changed, he needed to set his priorities.

All of the stolen assets he had stolen over the years were brought over to Lortel’s villa back in the camp. That would be enough to paint Lortel as a criminal.

He also forged all the documents to explain the embezzlement.

From Dune’s point of view, all he needed to do was show the scene of the crime back in the camp to the imperial convoy. Then, they would arrest Lortel and take her to the imperial court.

The original plan was to have Lortel be arrested back in her office at the Elte Store, unable to do anything. However, with Ed intervening and Taylee breaking in, the situation had become completely skewed.

Nevertheless, the main goal hadn’t changed.

No matter where Lortel might be or what the situation back at the store was, all of that could be dealt with later.

The most important thing was to bring Lortel’s embezzlement crimes to the public so that he could bring her down.

He had already made contact with the imperial family. Princess Persica had used her authority to have the Imperial Knights join the escort group of Princess Penia, who was returning to school.

Once Lortel’s crimes were revealed, the imperial convoy would show up and arrest her. It was so simple, to the point it might feel a bit forged, but still… it would work.

Either way, the evidence was clear. As long as he managed to strip Lortel of her power within the Elte Company, everything else would work out.

So, the most urgent thing was to contact the imperial convoy and explain the situation. He needed them to head straight towards the camp.

Once Lortel’s crimes were evident, everything else would fall into place.

“Quickly! Head to Mexes Bridge, now!”

Dune shouted to the employees in the carriage.

The driver quickly got into the driver’s seat as he grabbed the reins. Dune poked his head out the window as he shouted to the remaining employees.

“Brison, the one in charge of supplies! Close the warehouse doors! Make sure our inventory doesn’t get ruined! Poel, the one in charge of the ledger! Gather all of the books to use as evidence and hold onto them! You must never lose them! And… Chief Secretary Lienna!”

Secretary Lienna was startled as she responded quickly.

“Y-Yes…!”

“Get it together! We need to minimize damage to the store, so lock down all the doors that lead to the outside facilities!”

“Y-Yes…!”

“Everyone, steel yourselves! We have already gone too far to back down now!”

With his head outside the window of the departing carriage, Dune shouted out, determined.

“If Lortel Kehelland takes control again, we are all dead! We have to finish everything by the end of the night! Got it?! Not just me, but all of our lives are at stake tonight!”

All the employees swallowed dry saliva as they nodded their heads. Dune slammed the window shut as he anxiously bit his nails.

Hwaaak!

The entrance of Silvenia Academy, which was connected to Mexes Bridge, was located inside the commercial district. By horse-drawn carriage, one could arrive there shortly.

After telling everyone else back at the store what to do, Dune traveled all the way to the entrance before he quickly got off the carriage.

It was nearly dawn. The sky was cloudy, as if it were going to rain a bit, though it didn’t seem like it would rain for all that long.

Either way, soon the sun would rise. Before that happened, he needed to fix the situation.

The building near the entrance had a neat brick floor with rows of trees decorating it. The street was usually full of students, but since it was late at night, it simply looked dreary.

Dune jumped down as he looked at a carriage of magnificent size near the entrance connected to Mexes Bridge. It looked as if they were currently going through the formalities to enter Acken Island.

They’re here…! Princess Penia’s carriage…!

Silvenia Academy normally restricted soldiers from entering.

Even children of noble families couldn’t bring their private soldiers with them to the school. That was because, if they allowed it, the entire school would be filled with them.

The only exceptions to that were Princess Penia and Saint Clarice. In the end, they couldn’t put restrictions on the princess of the country and one of the holy saints.

However, even those two did their best to minimize the number of escorts they had in consideration of the school’s rules. At most, the largest number of soldiers was when the Princess brought along her escort team when she returned to school.

However, the size of her escort team this time was something rarely ever seen at Silvenia.

Even if they were the escorts of the princess, the number of them was much too large. That was because they also consisted of the convoy team sent by Princess Persica to capture Lortel.

Dune smiled as he quickly ran towards the convoy.

“Stop! The third princess of the Kroel Empire, Penia Elias Kroel, is currently riding this carriage!”

One of the escorts guarding the carriage shouted out at Dune.

“My name is Dune Grex of the Elte Store! I have something to tell the imperial guards who are escorting this carriage!”

“What? A merchant? What would a merchant have to say to an Imperial Guard…”

“He’s on our side.”

Holding back the strict-looking guard, another soldier appeared with a different color of armor.

“I heard about the situation beforehand. My name is Tune, a knight directly under Princess Persica within the Rose Palace.”

A woman not wearing a helmet spoke with her red hair hanging down. It was the imperial convoy that Dune had been waiting for.

The escort guard who was trying to stop Dune widened his eyes when he saw Tune with her helmet removed. It seemed that he didn’t know she was among the group of guards, as if she had been hiding her identity the entire time.

Within the Imperial Knights Templar, Tune was the fourth highest in rank after the knight commander, the vice commander, and the senior training officer.

“I was contacted in advance. Princess Persica has ordered us to go to Acken Island and find a merchant named Dune Grex.”

“That would be me.”

“I see. However, I didn’t realize that you would be meeting us at the entrance at such a late hour.”

“The situation is urgent. Currently, the Elte Store is in turmoil. We must arrest Lortel Kehelland immediately.”

Dune spoke to Tune in a dire tone.

“If you head to the camp in the North Forest, there is evidence of her embezzlement. If you don’t arrest Lortel Kehelland right now, she’ll run away. The store tried to keep her contained, but she managed to escape due to an unforeseen incident!”

Whatever the case, handing Lortel over to the convoy team was his top priority.

Dune tried to convey the fact of just how dire this situation was as quickly as possible.

“By the sound of it… This is definitely urgent. But in order to catch her, we must first look at the situation.”

“Then you should first head straight to the camp! Things have already become quite complicated. Ed Rothstaylor, of House Rothstaylor, was the one who helped her escape. He’s also… likely working alongside her! If we don’t quickly do something…”

The moment Dune shouted that out.

Creak.

Dune’s goal wasn’t Princess Penia, but rather the imperial convoy team that had accompanied her.

Princess Penia, who was returning to school, had nothing to do with this incident.

However… things started to turn in a completely different direction from Dune’s expectations.

“Who are you?”

The name that came out of Dune’s mouth… it had entered the ears of the third Princess of the Kroel Empire, Penia Elias Kroel.

The door of the carriage, which he thought was tightly closed, had opened as one of the empire’s princesses stepped out…

The employees of the school who were taking care of the procedures and the nearby knights all knelt at once, bowing their heads.

The authority of Princess Penia, who slowly descended from her majestic carriage… It was so great that all nearby commoners couldn’t dare raise their heads.

“We are currently on Acken Island. So, I am now just a regular student at Silvenia.”

Princess Penia spoke in a calm voice.

“So, there is no need to show such etiquette towards me.”

In Silvenia, the land of study, the rules of etiquette towards people of status were simplified.

Nevertheless, the knights and employees did not raise their heads. Even though they weren’t forced to, it would still be a discourteous act. After all, they were mere servants under her.

Princess Penia exhaled softly as she looked straight at Dune. The summer night’s air blew by as her pale skin shone under the moonlight.

Dune quickly bowed his head and knelt.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Penia.”

“I heard a familiar name. Did you say Lortel Kehelland and… Ed Rothstaylor?”

He didn’t expect Princess Penia to get involved. He thought that the third princess of the empire wouldn’t bother interfering in a lowly conversation between a merchant and her guards.

“Lortel Kehelland…”

Hearing that name, Princess Penia’s eyes darkened noticeably.

At that moment, Dune realized that this current situation was an opportunity, rather than a crisis.

He didn’t know why, but Princess Penia and Lortel Kehelland had a terrible relationship.

The differences between those two were so severe that it could be seen as emotional hatred rather than a logical one.

In addition, Princess Penia had clearly seen Lortel side with Selah back at the Rothstaylor Mansion.

Then that meant Penia would be in support of arresting Lortel. She wouldn’t be someone trying to stop him.

That was a chance. He had that intuition.

Dune quickly took notice of it as he started to talk skillfully.

“Lortel Kehelland and Ed Rothstaylor are working together.”

Lortel Kehelland must have been thinking of taking advantage of Ed Rothstaylor, then planned to throw him away.

Princess Penia had that thought as she frowned.

“Ed Rothstaylor helped Lortel Kehelland, who had been imprisoned, escape… and then he proceeded to scheme a situation where the Elte Company would be thrown into chaos. Which is why I currently ask for the assistance of your escorts! Please… lend us your help, Princess Penia!”

After saying that, Dune lowered his head.

Princess Penia quietly looked down as she fell into deep thought. She already felt that something was strange just from looking at the size of her escort team.

And then, the moment she arrived at the school, the Elte Store had come to her, asking for help.

It felt as if a strange power structure had been formed around Lortel Kehelland. She needed to be careful with her decision… but her emotional conflict with Lortel continued to interfere with her rational judgment.

Most of all, it was hard to believe that Ed Rothstaylor was working with Lortel Kehelland.

Did Lortel deceive him with that sly tongue of hers?

However, Ed Rothstaylor wasn’t a person who would be easily deceived like that. That wasn’t possible.

“Princess Penia!”

Confused in her thoughts for a moment, Dune quickly said something else.

Now was his chance. Whatever the circumstances, if he could bring Princess Penia to his side, even if only temporarily, things would be much easier.

“Right now, we need to arrest Ed Rothstaylor and Lortel Kehelland!”

Princess Penia was presently a relatively neutral figure.

Dune, who screamed out, trying to trick Princess Penia to join his side…

…Was unaware that he had just made the worst possible mistake.

“Who do you want to arrest?”

Weren’t the only people permitted to be in imperial escort carriage members of the imperial family?

However, from the carriage that Princess Penia exited from, another girl stepped out.

Stepping out through the open carriage door, a petite girl jumped down the stairs… She fixed her witch hat, which was the size of her upper body, and brushed off her fluttering skirt.

Dune Grex doubted what he was seeing.

Unlike Princess Penia, who was relatively neutral…

That small girl was undisputedly a close ally of Ed Rothstaylor. To the point that she had little to no interest in anyone else.

Her existence was like a joker card. A horrific variable that could flip the entire board upside down at her will. Completely out of anyone’s control, she was like a natural disaster.

Arrest Ed Rothstaylor and Lortel Kehelland.

Dune had clearly said that.

For the girl wearing the witch hat, she couldn’t care less about the second name.

Her only concern was the first name that was said.

The stars in the night sky shone brightly around the carriage near the entrance of the school.

Under the starry night, Lucy Mayreel crouched down as she spoke in a dazed voice in front of Dune, who had his head bowed down.

“Explain the situation to me one more time.”

He broke into a cold sweat, which dripped from the tip of his nose to the floor.

“But you’re going to have to choose your words carefully.”

* * *

Ed brought over a hammer and saw as he fixed the basement door.

The broken lock was past the point of saving, so he brought another lock he had originally used for the outdoor shed. He installed it as he brought over a few more planks, nailing them in.

He then pushed the bookcase over to cover the entrance to the basement. He also moved around the arrangement of the furniture to completely hide the entrance.

Ed took the key from Bell as he locked the door.

“What should I do? Should I go back to Ophelis Hall?”

“That would be best. There is nothing good about staying here.”

He then sat down by the campfire, taking in the warmth.

The Elte Store would be in complete turmoil and the princess’s carriage should have been entering from Mexes Bridge right about then.

At both locations, both of their goals were none other than Ed Rothstaylor. He was the key behind the entire situation.

Ed took a quick breath in as he exhaled heavily.

And as he sat by the campfire… he quietly waited for a change in the situation.

* * *

Bell bowed her head as she said farewell, leaving the camp.

On the way out, she turned around for a moment and looked at Ed, who was—as usual—sitting quietly by the campfire with his head lowered.

Buried in the darkness of the night, Ed Rothstaylor quietly stared at the campfire.

The school was full of people who were chasing after him.