How to Survive at the Academy
Chapter 264

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

『Side Story』 The Balance Scales (5)

“Should I rejoice or worry that the head of the Elte Trading Company personally visits the Rothtaylor Estate?”

One tends to forget, but after all, Tanya rules over this vast domain as its lord. For an outsider with no connections to meet Tanya, it isn’t a matter of scheduling an appointment or making an inquiry—it requires an audience. In short, there are times when one must establish authority and save face. The same applies to the visit of Slog Keldrucks, who has no connections with the Rothtaylor estate. Sitting on the reception sofa with legs crossed and chin propped on a hand, he embodies the arrogant nobility. Fitting of her duty, Tanya is flawless in her demeanor, twirling a strand of her golden hair with one hand, seemingly uninterested in Slog’s presence. Though, in reality, she’s probably very curious about why Slog has come this far.

“I am honored to meet both rulers of the Rothtaylor Duchy,” says Slog Keldrucks, bowing deeply with his many company employees kneeling and bowing their heads behind him.

As Tanya prepares to respond…

“Ahchoo.”

…

…

Silence lingers momentarily, and I quickly assess Slog’s appearance. I can see why Lortelle always called him an old fox just by looking at his face—he’s a seasoned veteran of many battles. Surviving decades in the commercial city of Oldech earns one a medal in itself. Oldech has seen many changes over the years, but one constant remains: you must strike before you’re hit from behind. This man is the type capable of selling out family, friends, and lovers if necessary.

I stand, arms crossed, leaned against the wall in a secluded corner of the audience room. As Tanya’s elder brother, there’s no need for me to observe formalities here.

“I have come all the way to the Rothtaylor mansion to merely express my gratitude,” says the merchant from Oldech, who never wastes time.

No one would think he traveled all this distance just for that.

“Oh? Quite an amusing story you tell, slog Keldr… Keldrucks.”

“Belle’s advice flowed naturally, correcting the lord’s pronunciation.

Nevertheless, can Tanya really maintain her authority until the end?

“What, precisely, should I be thankful for?”

Tanya challenges.

“I’ve heard that Lortelle Keheln, a key member of our Elte Trading Company and acting as my proxy, incurred much debt to the Rothtaylor main house. Considering the talent you’ve introduced us to and the authority you’ve lent, the profits have been astronomical.”

“It seems the merchants of Oldech do know gratitude. But you came all this way for such a trivial matter?”

Tanya taps her toes arrogantly while sitting with crossed legs, her eyes cold, and her smile chilling.

“Surely you don’t expect me to believe that tale. What’s the real reason for your visit?”

“The mansion hides a fox, or so I’ve heard,” Slog replies with sincerity.

Matching Tanya’s impressed “Oh?” with a smile, slog casually continues the conversation.

“That escaped fox needs to be returned to us, wouldn’t you say?”

“Well, to my eyes, you’re the one who looks like an old, sick fox.”

“People like us, making a living off money, house a fox in our chest. But it’s important we don’t let them escape.”

Slog straightens up, now speaking directly to Tanya, who sneers down on him patronizingly.

“If you assist me in placing a leash on our escaped fox, I’ll make sure the favor you’ve done for us is repaid so handsomely you’ll realize just how valuable it has been.”

“Presumptuous words, slog Ke… Keldru… Keldrucks.”

Slog indeed has an unfamiliar name.

“So to you, our Rothtaylor house appears as a mere refuge for lost wild animals?”

“It’s what I’ve heard.”

“Then you’ve been misinformed.”

“I wished that to be the case, but it’s unlikely.”

Listening and maintaining my crossed-arms stance, I furrow my brow. Slog’s visit here, bringing so many guards, shows he’s certain.

Lortelle’s whereabouts were being kept in strict confidence. The fact Slog is aware of this suggests a possibility I’d rather not consider.

“Our exceptional and talented secretary, Lien, personally informed me.”

Torture or betrayal? Either option leaves a bitter taste. Though the latter seems more likely.

Compared to the influential Lortelle, a mere employee like Lien would have been easier for Slog to handle. But what does he plan for the aftermath? After all, Lien is a core member of the company.

Quietly observing Slog, I toss out a remark.

“It seems as if you act without concern for consequences, like once becoming a head, nothing else matters.”

“A head? Lord Ed Rothtaylor, there’s a misconception in your words.”

His benign smile now seems cunning.

As I ponder this, slog continues, “I am already the head of the Elte Trading Company.”

“Brother, this feeling… could be addictive.” Tanya mumbles, amused.

Slog had indeed come and gone with just that—his busy persona making such a grand visit for just that seemed off. There’s an uneasy feeling, but lacking solid evidence, judgments can’t be rushed.

“How about this, more of a sneering, cold demeanor… it seems a bit… cold, doesn’t it…?”

“Lord, such arrogance doesn’t become your small frame. It’s rather counterproductive,” says Belle, diplomatically steering her back.

After Slog leaves the audience room, Tanya stretches out in her opulent chair.

“Was he provoking? To come all this way for something he could have said in writing?”

“Maybe… Slog seems to know we’re hiding Lortelle.”

“There’s no way we’d hand Lortelle over to him. Slog would have guessed as much, so why make the trip?”

“Just checking, perhaps?”

Belle offers her opinion as we discuss, as always standing behind Tanya with clasped hands and a dignified posture.

“Considering Miss Lortelle’s temperament, it’s unlikely she’d remain hidden during Slog Keldrucks’ visit. She’d confront him directly, negotiate or deceive.”

Indeed, it’s like Lortelle to handle such matters personally rather than sending a proxy.

“But, since she remained unseen to the end… Slog must have felt certain.”

“That Lortelle is unable to handle her affairs normally?”

I suggest.

“Yes. Otherwise, why would such a busy merchant come here?”

Belle’s reasoning is sound. Through torture or persuasion, slog had gotten information from Lien. However, the details gleaned wouldn’t have been enough to act on with certainty.

Questions linger: How effective was the curse? To what extent did it take hold, and for how long has the recipient been incapacitated?

Slog likely wanted to see for himself, to be certain before acting.

Being someone who can only relax when on the move, it was certain that he had become convinced of Lortelle’s dire situation after seeing how we took care to hide his presence until the very end.

“If he goes back to Oldec, he’ll definitely start making moves…”

“That’s likely, brother. From Slog’s standpoint… it’s as if the last element of uncertainty has just vanished.”

“At this point, I too can’t just sit idly by. Above all, I’m worried about Secretary Lien in Oldec.”

The fact that Lortelle’s closest aide had opened up was no trivial matter.

She was a loyal confidante who stood by Lortelle even in extreme situations when she was betrayed by the trade guild.

The means that made Lien speak up are likely to not be ordinary.

“I guess there’s a need to visit Oldec once more.”

“You’re not someone who gets hurt easily but still, take care of yourself, brother.”

“Well, I’m not leaving right away… There are various things to prepare.”

After pondering for a moment with my chin resting on my hand, I spoke to Tanya.

“How long would it take for a letter to reach the capital Carpea if it were sent now?”

* * *

After coming to a rough conclusion, I returned to my room.

With no clue of Slog’s plans, it was challenging to devise a concrete strategy.

However, wanting to be prepared, I collected several magic engineering materials from the storage.

It was during this moment, while using magic engineering tools in my personal room, that I sensed a strange presence from the wardrobe in the corner.

“…”

Tanya’s odd habits never seemed to change.

In fact, lately, she’s been doing things like hiding inside attic boxes, covering herself with spare curtains inside the wine cellar… her escapades becoming increasingly bizarre, considering a wardrobe to be relatively tame in comparison.

But at this point, thinking this is tame might already be crossing a line… Anyway, it’s a relief that I can find her easily.

I sighed and opened the wardrobe door.

“What’s so urgent that you’ve fled all the way to here…”

As I was about to speak, I realized that the person inside the wardrobe wasn’t Tanya, but someone else.

– Wheeze… sigh…

Asleep with deep breaths, Lortelle lay holding a notebook tightly to her chest.

Certainly having become slighter in stature, she now fit easily inside such a wardrobe.

I knew all too well how she would run around the estate playing hide-and-seek with Lucy.

For Lucy who entertained her, it seemed troublesome, but as there was no one better than her to monitor the progress of the curse magic, I trusted and left it to her.

Of course, looking after such an energetic child wasn’t easy. Having no magic to contend with Lortelle who was being bossy every day, has Lucy finally given up on searching for her?

It was easy to imagine Lucy, exhausted from running through the hallways of the mansion, finally collapsing. What a hard worker you are… Lucy…

My gaze then fell onto the large notebook clutched by Lortelle.

That notebook was used for work purposes by Lortelle before she lost her memory.

Naturally, it’s a job that involves a lot of note-taking. Even though most of her schedule could be managed through her secretaries, could there be others things she needed to note down personally?

She must be aware of many secret matters within the corporation, so it would make sense for her to have her personal notes.

Thinking about it, the curse-stricken Lortelle always had the notebook with her.

It seemed like a precious treasure as she hid it from others and always read its contents alone in a corner.

While it seemed awkward for her to read the still difficult letters and her reading speed was slow, her gaze remained intently on the notebook, as if determined to eventually interpret it all.

I could have forcibly taken the notebook to examine its contents, but it felt like tearing out a child’s innocence, so I let it be for now.

However, not knowing what’s written inside… I couldn’t delay any longer.

There might be important clues inside, so perhaps I should check it out while Lortelle was asleep…