The Academy’s Guide to Useless Students – Chapter 50

50.

Duchess Teresa’s younger brother was unexpectedly young. He had bright, innocent eyes like a baby bird and a cute little nose and mouth…

It made sense that the cold-blooded Duchess had a brother like him.

Even though she was the head of a territory, at this moment, she was just an older sister.

“Yuto, I really appreciate it. I don’t know how to repay you. If it weren’t for you, what would’ve happened to Bel…?”

“Th-thank you!”

Tears glistened in Duchess Teresa’s eyes. Beside her, the boy named Bel bowed his head modestly.

Well, if you’ve received a favor, you should repay it.

I did not hesitate to get straight to the point.

“What favor? I only helped for my own purpose.”

“Is that so? You were targeting Ice Dragon’s Castle.”

“I’ve heard that the Noella territory was betting their lives on this expedition, but I can’t afford to give way. Are you going to stop me even now?”

“…Of course not. It’s true that I’m putting everything on the line, but I’m not ungrateful enough to harm my benefactor. Instead, I will assist you. While it’s impossible to mobilize all the expedition’s forces, I can provide you with capable reinforcements.”

I knew it. If she were a villain, she would have been set up as a Named character. However, I didn’t recall her being infamous in my memory of the story. Therefore, it was only natural for her to show consideration for me, who had alleviated the critical situation in Noella.

“That’s reassuring! I was quite anxious about tackling this alone. If Your Grace joins, it’ll give me confidence.”

“Eh? M-me?”

I grabbed Duchess Teresa’s hand tightly. In truth, I wanted her company, setting aside other reinforcements. The magical energy Laura used for the freezing was mostly borrowed from her. Yet, she remained unfazed, not even changing color. Seriously, is she a magic tank?

“Y-yes! I will accept your request… ow!”

“Oh no, you bit your tongue! You always do that when you’re flustered?”

“Be quiet, Bel! I expected you to get scolded when we return to the mansion. Running around outside without saying anything could get you into dangerous situations!”

“Eh… but the really humorous guys invited me to play. They had golden hair and tanned skin, people you wouldn’t see in the city!”

“Hm? They have quite a unique appearance. Are they enemies?”

Golden tanned skin, perhaps?

The Caroline Principality had quite a typical tech style. Surely, uncharted territories like Ice Dragon’s Castle had treasures hiding around every corner. I understood the burning desire to dive in headfirst.

Laura Freeze was taking advantage of such a precious opportunity, as I was her ticket. It’d be a shame if I wasn’t cautious. I subtly looked at Laura, and she was also looking at me.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, I was just wondering if the seer has some snake-like abilities.”

“How rude!”

“Anyone would think that after seeing Yuto.”

Where’s a good-hearted person like me to spew such sarcasm?

Can I get one electric massage, please?

Just as I was about to reach for Insight’s Blade, the entrance’s tent flap flopped open.

“Th-the duke has fallen!”

Had the duration of ‘Freezing’ ended? Soldiers began to swarm in, causing a commotion.

“Let’s head back. They’ll be retreating.”

“Wait, does ‘returning’ mean we go back as we came…?”

“Is that an obvious question? Duchess.”

I hugged both of the ladies in my arms just as I had before. Then I told my younger brother Bel to wrap his arms around my neck and hop on.

“Hold on tight. It’ll be faster on the way back.”

I couldn’t hear the responses from the two ladies. All that reached my ears was Duchess Teresa’s barely audible sigh.

After immediately assembling a unit upon returning to the Noella main camp, I found Colonel Margaret and Sergeant Wendy, all familiar faces, including Duchess Teresa.

“Once we’re organized, we’ll set off.”

All of our gear and supplies for the expedition were sorted perfectly. I took the first step on behalf of all of us.

If it were up to me, I would have lifted everyone and rushed straight to the castle, but I chose a normal route to assess their strength.

Thanks to the Caroline Principality’s retreat, the path to Ice Dragon’s Castle was shortened. As planned, the expedition proceeded smoothly, and besides occasionally confronting Frost Wolves, we soon arrived.

“Looks like this is the entrance to the castle.”

“It has a spooky atmosphere.”

Colonel Margaret and Sergeant Wendy swallowed hard. The iron gate, about three meters high, was solidly shut and covered in sharp icicles.

Beyond the iron door was obscured by fierce snow. Only a long, winding corridor vaguely connected to the castle could be made out.

Creak!

As I pushed the door open, a horrendous grinding sound echoed, and it swung wide. As we approached the corridor, the true layout was revealed.

Seeing this, Duchess Teresa let out a weary chuckle.

“It’s like a cliff.”

What appeared to be a pathway was more like a precarious tightrope. Besides the winding path, it was filled with dark shadows below. The fact that falling meant no return was certain.

“I’ll go first.”

“Yuto, are you sure?”

“Not a problem.”

After all, it had to be me leading the way. In Ice Dragon’s Castle, ‘failure’ translated directly to ‘death.’ It was inevitable for me to take the lead.

“The snowstorm is too harsh… If caught off guard, it could become hard to retreat.”

“In this case, retreating is even riskier. It’d be better to advance with everything we have.”

Why waste time retreating?

If that was the case, there was no reason for me to lead.

“Keek! Keek!”

“What is it? A monster?”

“Yes, it seems to be airborne.”

Though I gave a vague answer to Duchess Teresa, I knew what they were. Judging by the presence of Frost Bats lurking in Ice Dragon’s Castle, there seemed to be about four of them.

In a precarious location where all sides were blocked, an ambush by flying monsters was a problem for anyone, but not for me.

[“Insight’s Blade” releases fire-type Ether.]

Swish!

I swung my sword in a wide arc, and the Frost Bats crumbled into ash as they plummeted.

“One strike…? An adventurer using elemental Ether? Yuto, are you of Platinum rank?”

Duchess Teresa, standing right behind me, couldn’t contain her admiration as she asked.

It wouldn’t be a problem to reveal my rank, but I thought it might become a hassle, so I opted not to explain.

“I don’t have a rank. I haven’t registered as an adventurer.”

“Why not? If you became an adventurer, you could surely acquire wealth and fame?”

“Not really interested.”

I’ve been hearing that a lot lately.

Am I becoming more bothersome?

I’d better be careful next time.

Anyway, as we passed through the corridor and entered the castle, we came upon a long hallway.

This hallway had several doors along its side.

“Hmm… Checking each one seems inefficient. Dungeons usually end up having powerful monsters at the very back, so how about we head straight in?”

Duchess Teresa’s suggestion made sense.

But that would negate the reason for bringing Margaret and Wendy, including the Duchess.

There was a plan in bringing them along.

I had come to Ice Dragon’s Castle to acquire Laura’s beloved beast, but I also had my eyes set on a hidden piece.

In short, to obtain that, I needed to activate a mechanism hidden within the castle. I explained the principle behind activating that mechanism to them.

“It seems something is written above the door.”

“Oh, really? Numbers 1 and 3… but what could they signify?”

“Who knows? It wouldn’t be bad to check it out. There are various treasures hidden in dungeons, including artifacts. While Laura and I aren’t after treasure, whatever we find will be donated to the north of Noella.”

“Is that true, Yuto?!”

“Since you’ve provided such valuable support, I’d like to give you at least that.”

So that you can move according to your own intentions.

If you just act as I hope, you can take all the treasures you want, no problem.

“If I go by my intuition, it seems like entering through numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7 would be good.”

“Oh? What’s your basis?”

“It’s just a hunch.”

In reality, they needed to enter just that way for the conditions to be fulfilled. After I mentioned my hunch, Laura headed directly into door number 1. Duchess Teresa immediately grabbed Laura’s arm.

“Wait! Isn’t it too reckless to go in just like that?”

“You won’t regret listening to Yuto.”

“Really? You have quite a bit of trust from your companions, Yuto?”

Haha, my early training has paid off.

Based on Laura, Duchess Teresa, Colonel Margaret, and Sergeant Wendy entered the remaining numbered rooms.

Now, only number 7 was left.

I didn’t follow them in.

Numbers 1, 3, and 6 were the conditions.

As I quietly waited, another room appeared at the end of the corridor.

「Ж」

The seal engraved on the door indicated that it was a hidden room. I took a deep breath before entering.

It was the first time I would confront “Majin” since being dropped into this world.

And also a high-ranking member of the demon race.

I couldn’t help but feel a bit tense.