With an uneasy feeling, I walked quickly, trying to track down Rocks.
However, I couldn’t find him. I thought he might be attending class, but when Strauss asked around, it seemed he wasn’t even in the academy.
He’s probably somewhere in the academy city, but I have no idea where. Would asking a few people help? With that in mind, I tried asking Court and Felter, but all I got was that his whereabouts were unknown. Left with no choice, I headed into town.
Still, I had no clues to work with.
As a result, I ended up wandering endlessly through the streets and returned without finding Rocks.
The next day, after confirming Rocks’ absence at the academy, I immediately tried to head into town again.
However, someone appeared to stop me.
“Ah, Teacher Aoi! Are you going to look for Senior Rocks?”
It was Shenley who emerged from the shadows. I nodded at Shenley’s words and looked towards the town.
“Yes. It seems he’s in town somewhere, so I’m going to search for him.”
After replying, I suddenly looked at Shenley, who was also a student.
“Come to think of it, Shenley, have you heard anything about where Rocks might be? I heard he’s been going into town a lot lately.”
When I asked, Shenley nodded with a serious face.
“…Yes. It seems Senior Rocks is in the market in the northern part of town. There are even rumors that Senior Rocks is running some kind of shady business there…”
“The northern market?”
As I tilted my head at the unfamiliar term, Shenley hurriedly added an explanation.
“The south is full of merchant shops, so in the north, there’s a street called the northern market where peddlers and non-merchants set up stalls. It’s a bit unsafe, but some of the boys say they go there for thrills…”
Shenley answered, seeming reluctant to say more.
Well, maybe it feels like tattling and makes them uncomfortable. But if there are students who have gone astray or are engaging in dangerous activities, it’s time for a teacher to step in.
“Thank you. It’s dangerous, so you stay at the academy.”
Saying that, I immediately left the academy.
Shenley looked like she wanted to say something, but she saw me off in silence.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
I hadn’t been to the northern side of the academy city much, but it seemed quite different from the southern side.
Compared to the bright and refined atmosphere with many shops in the south, the north had a rougher feel. However, it wasn’t like a dimly lit back alley; it was full of energy, like a flea market or produce market.
To me, who liked places like Chinatown, it looked quite interesting.
However, among the stall vendors, there were also people who didn’t look like ordinary citizens.
Come to think of it, I’d heard there were underground casinos on this side of town. Given this streetscape, it made sense.
Between the gaps of the stalls, narrow alleys could be seen. Unlike the lively main street, they were dim and deserted.
The narrow alleys stretched straight back, giving an eerie impression.
If there were casinos in these back alleys, there must be lookouts somewhere. I should be able to find them if I walk around.
Thinking this, I stepped into the back alley.
Just like the main street where various smells mingled, the back alley seemed to be a mix of countless odors. However, the crucial difference was that the smells in the back alley were damper and more unpleasant.
Moreover, the ground was partly missing cobblestones or strangely dented with muddy water pooling, lacking cleanliness.
I endured and kept going, but gradually the amount of garbage strewn along the edges of the road increased, and I reached my limit.
“…Fly.”
I activated the flying magic. Floating up like a balloon with its string cut, I quickly reached a position higher than the roofs of the buildings.
Whether it should be unexpected or as expected, the back alleys were quite extensive. I should narrow down my search somewhat.
Quickly surveying the surroundings, I noticed several large buildings that appeared to be three stories high scattered among the back alleys.
Why would such large buildings be necessary when they don’t face the main street? They’re unlikely to house large families, so these buildings are decidedly suspicious.
I decided to try continuing my search while looking down at the alleys from the rooftops.
Then, I discovered a corner where several people had gathered.
I quietly landed on a roof and listened carefully. I hadn’t dressed warmly today, so it was a bit chilly, but I endured silently.
Although the sound of the wind and the bustle from the main street mixed in, I could still somehow hear the voices from the alley.
It seemed that multiple individuals were arguing. All the voices were male.
“…You bastard, do you understand? If you lie to me, I could have you executed for insulting the royal family.”
“N-no, that’s not my intention… It’s hard on me too, being suspected of lying when I’m not…”
“Oh? Do you have a complaint against me? Who do you think I am? Say it.”
In response to the hoarse male voice, a haughty voice could be heard spitting out words, and I recognized it.
I descended silently from the sky, and after glaring at the group who had frozen at my sudden appearance, I approached the person I was looking for.
“…Rocks?”
When I called his name, the man beside Rocks glared at me and lowered his stance. Meanwhile, Rocks stepped back, sweating profusely.
“A-A-Aoi, Teacher…!? W-why are you here…!”
I drew closer to the greatly flustered Rocks and looked up at him.
“I’ve been looking for you, Rocks.”
I said this in a low voice, conveying my anger, but for some reason, Rocks turned to me with furrowed brows and moist eyes.
“…Looking for me? You, Teacher Aoi, were looking for… me?”
What’s wrong?
I almost said that out loud in response to his unexpected reaction, but I swallowed the words.
“You shouldn’t be doing this.”
When I clearly admonished him, Rocks’ face suddenly changed, and he averted his gaze.
“T-that’s… you’re telling me not to do dangerous things… No, but even so, for Teacher Aoi, a woman, to do dangerous things… I mean, if I continue like this, my father and mother will kill me… I need to show some kind of visible results…”
For some reason, Rocks began to struggle internally.
Why should I be the one doing dangerous things? Surely he doesn’t think I would assist in bullying?
I sighed and narrowed my eyes.
“I can’t believe Rocks is still using his royal authority to bully the weak…”
When I said this with a cold gaze, Rocks opened his eyes wide in surprise.
“B-bullying!? N-no, that’s not it! I, as a member of the royal family, should…!”
“As a member of the royal family, you were intimidating ordinary people?”
“That’s not it! This man is involved with an underground casino! When I heard that some students from the academy had become addicted to gambling and were drowning in debt, I started investigating…”
Rocks desperately pleaded his innocence.
Although the Fidic Academy is funded by the six major countries, territorially it’s under the jurisdiction of the Verted Kingdom. It’s certainly convincing that a member of the Verted royal family would investigate criminal activities within their territory.
However, why isn’t he doing this more openly? Looking around, there are only two men carrying swords who seem to be on Rocks’ side. I’m not sure if they’re magicians, but their stance and eyes, clearly wary of my movements, undoubtedly come from rich combat experience.
Thinking that far, I realized Rocks’ circumstances.
The magic academy has many royals and nobles from various countries enrolled as students and faculty.
In such a situation, if rumors spread that there’s a large underground casino in the academy city where students are racking up debts, it would be a stain on the Verted royal family’s reputation.
That’s why Rocks was acting secretly and discreetly.
He must be trying to ensure that only vague rumors reach the other countries.
“…I see. In that case, let me assist you. But still, to lead the investigation yourself… isn’t that dangerous for a member of the royal family?”
When I asked this, Rocks looked away with a complicated expression.
“No, I need to achieve something as a member of the royal family, or I’m in trouble…”
“Huh?”
I asked him to repeat because his voice was so low, but Rocks kept his mouth shut and didn’t answer.
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