As mentioned in the previous chapter, it was only natural for the original protagonist to re-enter the demonic realm in the back mountain.
And since entering of one’s own volition is far more fitting for a ‘main character’ than being pushed in by others.
It’s not surprising that the original protagonist expressed his intention to re-enter first.
But the reason for it…
‘He says he’ll follow me just because I’m going?’
The professors might be too focused on the battle to keep an eye on me. It must be an expression of his intent to accompany me and guarantee my safety.
While I was asleep, he fought desperately, bleeding profusely.
So perhaps… no, surely Reysir, too, must have faced the fear of death within that demonic realm.
There’s no way it would be easy to say he’d go back to a place like that.
‘The sentiment is greatly appreciated, but…’
Still, it was rather troublesome.
A character who forces the protagonist to jump into danger without any gain is prime material for getting branded a ‘nuisance character’.
Since the majority of readers absolutely hate that kind of character.
Still, I did take the sleep-inducing powder on behalf of the original protagonist today, so.
Since this is the first time Reysir has expressed his intention to follow me into a dangerous place, I think special consideration is possible to some extent.
But if this keeps happening, I’ll eventually be treated as a nuisance character.
Therefore.
“Don’t make excuses using me. As long as you have a skill that can discern the location of the ‘Magic Core’, you were bound to enter the demonic realm anyway.”
-By saying this.
After clearly stating that the original protagonist was in a position where he had to re-enter the demonic realm regardless of my existence.
I shot a look at Fjodra, seeking her agreement.
“Indeed. A boss monster can be considered an enhanced version of a normal monster. So the plants grown from its seeds would possess sleep-inducing and poison components incomparably stronger than those from normal monsters. That’s why I was planning to recommend it to Reysir as well. It works out well since he wishes for the same.”
“……Yes.”
Reysir lowered his head slightly as if to hide an expression like he’d chewed on a persimmon, answering Fjodra.
He had said he would re-enter the demonic realm on his own initiative.
But seeing how it ended up with him moving according to her will must have left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Did she notice that dissatisfaction?
Or perhaps she felt a pang of conscience, knowing it was morally wrong to push students who had barely survived back into the demonic realm?
“I do not feel at ease sending you all into the demonic realm either. Therefore, I shall enter as well.”
Fjodra said these words.
Since a person in a high position was taking the lead by example, someone might be moved by her decision and offer praise.
But no such ‘someone’ existed among those gathered here.
“It’s dangerous, Your Highness the Imperial Princess.”
With everyone’s expressions hardened, the one who spoke was Caldrun, who held the title of Marquis.
As seen in Chapter 203, he had immediately accepted Fjodra’s request to be treated as a student.
Thus he had been calling her by name and speaking casually.
But now, Caldrun used the title ‘Your Highness the Imperial Princess’ again, raising his speech formality.
It was a piece of advice to remember her status and avoid risks that could be dodged.
And a request to understand that if she joined, everyone including himself would be too worried about her safety to fully focus on the battle.
‘Will Fjodra actually reverse her decision?’
What an ironic situation.
If Fjodra doesn’t participate in this demon realm conquest, both original readers and my readers might criticize her, regardless of who they are.
No, perhaps such comments have already been posted.
Saying things like, if it’s such a dangerous place, she should go herself, not push innocent others into it.
But even if she actually participates in the demon realm conquest, she won’t avoid criticism.
Instead, she’ll just be accused of butting in without considering her status and causing trouble for others.
If she gets seriously injured, the professors who participated in the conquest would have to bear the responsibility.
All the professors, including Caldrun who just spoke, were showing signs of difficulty.
For the same reason, Reysir was also visibly reluctant.
No matter how much of a direct descendant of the ducal house I am, I’m not as precious as Fjodra, a leading candidate for succession to the imperial throne.
So, if Fjodra and I end up in danger side by side, and he saves me, the petty imperial family would undoubtedly try to impose severe punishment.
“There is no need to worry. I can take care of my own life.”
No matter which choice she makes, it’s a situation where reader approval is bound to drop.
So, to at least reduce the resistance the characters within the work would feel, it would have been better to give Fjodra the option of ‘not accompanying’.
But the original author, for whatever reason, chose the opposite option.
“And in this demonic realm, the most dangerous thing is not the monsters themselves but the ‘pollen’. So there may come a moment when my ability to control the wind is needed, no?”
By saying this, Fjodra made it clear that she would not reverse her decision no matter what happened.
Even Caldrun gave up trying to persuade her.
“When do you plan to enter the demonic realm?”
“If possible, it would be best to launch the conquest when you can join, Professor Caldrun.”
She means to conquer the demonic realm today.
“We need to find and eliminate the boss monster before dark, so we should depart right after the meal.”
“I was thinking the same thing.”
Fjodra answered with a light nod to Caldrun’s words.
Then, with a face full of anxiety and worry, she spoke to Dyuf, who hadn’t even touched his meal.
“Professor Dyuf. Although your specialty isn’t combat, since the monsters that appeared this time are plant-based, I think having you come along would be a great help.”
I’ll tell my dear readers this before they get their hopes up too high.
Even though Dyuf’s Aether attribute ability is to control plants, it is impossible for him to control plant-type monsters.
It’s not because his skills are lacking; it’s simply ‘impossible according to the original work’s setting’.
Around the middle to late stages of the original work.
A daughter of the Sudri Ducal House, possessing both plant control and healing abilities, appeared.
She was a rare genius with the most powerful abilities in Sudri family history, yet even she couldn’t control plant-type monsters.
‘But at present, that fact hasn’t been revealed yet!’
So it’s understandable that Fjodra has expectations placed on Dyuf’s abilities.
Furthermore, there’s the issue of the thorn thickets blocking passage.
“Understood. But in return, I’d like to ask that Helly not be brought along. There’s a widespread misconception that plants burn easily, but the reality is quite different. If the stems are thick enough to be swung like a whip for attacks, the epidermis is not only thick but also contains a large amount of water. So Helly’s ability wouldn’t be of much help.”
Fjodra’s proposal is a ‘proposal’ in name only; in reality, it’s an undeniable coercion.
Whether aware of this or not, Dyuf expressed his acceptance while also quickly listing the professional reasons why she shouldn’t bring along his daughter, in case she brought that up.
He might have accepted that Reysir volunteered to go himself, but he didn’t want to drag Hailga into danger as well.
Fjodra’s emotions weren’t so barren as to not notice Dyuf’s feelings.
Moreover, his explanation was quite reasonable.
“I was planning that Miss Hailga would not be going.”
-Fjodra answered thus, easing Dyuf’s worries somewhat.
Only Hailga was left feeling sorry, having to watch her father and a childhood friend who was like family step into a dangerous place.
Still, Hailga didn’t stubbornly insist on going into the demonic realm.
She simply bit her lip quietly.
It was probably because she knew best that, as her father said, she would be no help and would only be a burden.
And what was also not helpful for this demon realm conquest was Vigdis’s ability, which only hardened her body.
Fjodra didn’t even mention Vigdis’s name.
Vigdis’s face revealed everything—worry, relief, and frustration—without hiding any of it.
“You don’t need to worry too much. This dawn, we hadn’t properly figured out the monsters’ abilities, and there were only three of us—me, Karbaldr, and Yor. But this time, the professors are coming with us.”
Hailga and Vigdis’s expressions eased somewhat at Reysir’s gentle words, but worries aren’t so easily dispelled.
Since all the professors currently here are entering the demonic realm, there’s no one to help with training.
Still, I knew the two would devote themselves to training without rest.
“Yeeeah~! Have some faith in us professors, right~?”
Skadi, who had been rolling her eyes quietly and gauging the atmosphere, finally opened her mouth, chiming in with Reysir’s words in a deliberately lively voice.
But it wasn’t enough to change the mood.
‘It’s probably because everyone saw the original protagonist come back covered in blood.’
Since they know Reysir is strong, their fear of the monster that turned him into that state is bound to grow.
On the other hand, the level of the professors’ skills was not well demonstrated.
‘We did get a glimpse of Caldrun’s skills through the spar, but we didn’t see his full power.’
Hailga, out of courtesy, forced a smile and said she trusted them. Vigdis couldn’t even muster that expression.
With such reactions.
Skadi rolled her eyes again, then quietly lowered her head and focused on her meal.
And until the meal ended, no one spoke again.
Meaningful conversation resumed only after we left the dormitory lobby and headed toward the academy’s back mountain.
“Ah…! Now that I think about it, Rei. How many potions did you drink today?”
“I personally drank three bottles. One Healing Potion, one Antidote Potion, and one Aether Potion each. And I think I might have had one more Healing Potion and one more Antidote Potion after I fell asleep…”
Reysir answered Dyuf’s question and looked toward Yor.
Yor nodded and made an OK sign with his thumb and index finger.
It was quite adorable and cute, but the problem was that the situation wasn’t conducive to watching it fondly.
Adventure part 2!