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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 144 - The Academy Visit of Lormane (10)
"Of course, that's true."
Despite Lormane's sharp response, I continued to speak.
"But this isn't an interview to recruit a new elven priest, is it? I suggest you refrain from asking personal questions."
"Do you have any hereditary diseases?"
Lormane completely ignored me, directing another question at Ismera.
"No, I don’t."
"Are you good at cooking and cleaning?"
"Elves don’t eat cooked food, so… I’m not very skilled at cooking."
At this point, Lormane’s questions were becoming absurd, to the point where I couldn’t help but chuckle.
"That could be a problem. Now that you’re living in a human city, you should adapt to their way of life."
Lormane spoke in a condescending tone.
"It will take a very long time to restore your Great Forest. In the meantime, you’ll be staying in the city, so it’s important that you get accustomed to human culture, don’t you think?"
This wasn’t even a question—it was more of a reprimand.
"I’ll keep that in mind."
For now, Ismera responded compliantly. After all, the Chief Administrator was not someone you could risk offending without reason.
"That said, I imagine whoever ends up marrying you will have quite a hard time."
"Excuse me?"
"Considering you can’t cook or do basic household chores. What do you think?"
Ismera, who had been calmly playing along until now, suddenly changed her expression.
It was the same look she’d given me at the start of the semester, when she’d been openly hostile toward me.
It was a subtle shift, one that most people wouldn’t notice—but having spent time with Ismera, I recognized it instantly.
"I’ll take your advice to heart, Chief Administrator. Of course, if I’m going to live among humans, I should embrace their culture."
Ismera smiled faintly.
"As for marriage, yes, I am planning to wed soon. I’ve found someone worthy of being my life partner, and I’m sure that when I marry and take on my husband’s care, I’ll be grateful for the advice and concerns you’ve shared today."
"Marriage, you say?"
Lormane’s smile didn’t falter.
"If you don’t mind me asking, who is the lucky man fortunate enough to wed such a beautiful, pure-blooded elven Vice-Headmaster?"
"I thought you already knew."
Lormane’s eyes twitched slightly.
"Well, I tend to be a bit slow on the uptake… I can’t quite guess."
"Then I’ll tell you. The person I’m going to marry is—"
"Why don’t we get up now, Chief Administrator?"
I stood from my seat, cutting off Ismera’s words.
"You must have a busy schedule, and leaving the Church unattended for too long must be a burden."
Lormane looked up at me, smiling.
"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
"You’ve been asking nothing but inappropriate questions."
"I am part of the Church."
Lormane said.
"I have no vested interest in this Academy or anything related to it. Since I have no stake in its operation, I see no harm in asking personal questions to satisfy my curiosity."
"Likewise, since you're not in a position of authority over us, nor do you have any interest here, I believe I’m within my rights to ask you to refrain from such questions."
Lormane didn’t respond, instead staring directly at me. I didn’t avert my gaze either.
"Very well, let’s leave it at that."
After a pause, Lormane flashed a faint smile.
"Thank you."
"My apologies for the sudden visit and any trouble it caused."
Lormane said, turning to Kirrin and Ismera.
"I came because I was curious about the environment in which Priestess Maya works. Seeing that the Academy is far more impressive than I expected, I’m relieved."
"Thank you…"
Kirrin stammered, bowing her head.
"Before I leave, I’d like to make one request."
"Wh-What is it?"
"I’d like to have some private time to speak with my old friend, Professor Dian."
Lormane had no idea that Kirrin and Ismera knew about my past.
Still, the way she openly declared her intentions showed that in the last ten years, some things about Lormane hadn’t changed at all.
While she had mastered the art of maintaining social grace in her high position, deep down, she was still the same person.
In any case, I was also curious about what Lormane wanted, so I nodded.
"Headmaster, Vice-Headmaster, if you wouldn’t mind excusing us for a moment."
At my request, Kirrin stood up immediately.
"Ismera! Come on!"
She hurriedly dragged Ismera, who was still glaring at Lormane, out of the office, practically fleeing in the process.
Once we were alone, I sat back down and asked.
"Lormane, what’s this about?"
"What do you mean?"
"Why are you here?"
"I came because I wanted to see you."
Lormane answered lightly, as if there could be no other reason.
"I’ve missed you so much I could hardly stand it. But a position like mine doesn’t allow for personal visits. So, I needed a reason—something grand like a tour and official encouragement for the Imperial Academy."
"That’s not the whole story."
Lormane tilted her head, smiling exaggeratedly.
"What do you mean?"
"You came because of Maya’s ‘patient ledger,’ didn’t you?"
Lormane smiled but didn’t confirm or deny it.
"Did you really think I wouldn’t figure it out?"
"Did Celine mislead you? Maybe she claimed I sent Maya to spy on you. She’s always been like that, always jumping to conclusions with her so-called hunter’s instincts, accusing people of things they haven’t done…."
"Just a few days ago, I found evidence that Maya had snuck into my house. And you grilling Ismera today—it’s all because of what was written in those records, isn’t it?"
Lormane’s smile wavered for the first time.
"I’m sure those records include notes on all the women I’ve been associated with. You read those and got so worked up you had to come here, didn’t you?"
"Dian, what kind of person do you think I am?"
"Do I really need to spell it out?"
"I see."
Lormane slowly nodded.
"You must think I’m some crazed woman, obsessed beyond reason."
"Look at your behavior right now."
"You’re right, Dian. I am obsessed with you."
Lormane smiled as she spoke.
"But is that such a problem? Have I committed any crimes in doing so? Have I acted against basic human decency? I’m simply a woman in love with you. Is that really something I should be despised or rejected for?"
"You said it yourself: you haven’t broken the law or gone against morality?"
I pointed directly at Lormane.
"During the war, you did plenty of things that were far from normal. You killed a succubus we’d captured as a prisoner of war, drugged me so I’d rely on you for help, and caused no end of small but serious problems."
"Are you really bringing up things that happened ten years ago?"
"I could talk about something more recent. Like how you had Maya spy on me. Do you think that was the right thing to do? Lormane, you need to snap out of it."
"Snap out of it?"
Lormane laughed.
"Dian, do you truly think I’ve lost my mind?"
"I don’t think you’re completely insane, but in certain matters, yes, you’re acting irrationally."
"I see. But as usual, there’s a big misunderstanding here."
"If you’re going to try the same old excuse you used ten years ago, don’t bother."
I raised my hand to stop her from continuing.
"Lormane, let’s be clear. You have no right to interfere in my life."
"Of course not, Dian."
"It doesn’t matter who I spend time with or what I do—that’s my decision. You don’t get to control that. Consider this a warning."
"That’s a bit scary."
"And you’re not a low-ranking trainee priestess anymore; you’re the Chief Administrator of the Church. You know how to act appropriately for your position, don’t you?"
"Of course I do."
With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair.
She wasn’t listening at all, was she?
"Why haven’t you changed at all?"
"You haven’t either, Dian."
Lormane smiled brightly.
"I noticed earlier—those combat professors you had standing right behind the headmaster and vice-headmaster during the tour. You had them guard them, didn’t you?"
"Yes."
"Were you worried I’d pull another stunt like I did with the succubus? Maybe stab that pure-blooded elf to death?"
"I couldn’t think of any other reason for you to come here."
"I see. But unfortunately, you’re wrong. Well, half wrong. I was curious about Vice-Headmaster Ismera, so I came to find out more about her."
Lormane glanced toward the chair where Ismera had been sitting.
"As for Maya’s patient ledger, yes, I ordered it. I told her to record everything about you and report it to me. But I wasn’t spying on you."
"Was there some noble purpose behind it, then?"
"I was curious."
Lormane’s smile widened.
"I wanted to know how you were doing at the Academy. Since I couldn’t be there myself, I thought I’d observe through someone else. Maya was just following my orders."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"What difference does it make whether you believe me or not?"
Lormane spread her arms slightly.
"Whether you believe me or not, nothing changes. Even when we were in the Special Forces 10 years ago, you never trusted me, did you?"
"That’s true. I’ve never been able to trust you."
"Then that’s settled. But coming here was the right decision—I feel much more at ease now."
Lormane abruptly changed the subject.
"As for that elf Ismera, I like her. She’s beautiful, capable, and intelligent."
"What are you talking about now, Lormane?"
"She has spirit, too. I didn’t expect her to stand up to the Chief Administrator of the Church."
Lormane’s smile deepened.
"I, Lormane, have concluded that Vice-Headmaster Ismera is fully qualified to be the partner of, you, the true unsung hero, who was overshadowed by Linus."
????????????
Where the hell did that come from?
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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