Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 3: The Strongest Onmyoji, Reunites
We were supposed to have a peaceful time in the imperial capital until spring arrived.
That was the plan—provided the Emperor didn’t interfere.
But our expectations were shattered in less than a fortnight.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Lamprogue?”
In one of the private rooms of Fiona’s residence, I found myself face-to-face with an old dwarven woman—the headmistress of Rodonia Imperial Academy of Magic.
“Oh my… Your expression seems to have matured a bit. The growth of the young is always a marvel.”
She smiled slyly as she spoke. It had been about a year and a half since I last saw this old dwarven headmistress.
I stiffened my expression.
“…It’s been a while, Headmistress. What business brings you to a former student who left the academy?”
“No need to be so defensive.”
She replied as if she had seen right through me.
“I don’t hold any grudges over your rudeness when you left. Young people are always like that.”
Her words made me grimace in discomfort.
The last time I spoke to this old dwarf was the day after Amu had been abducted. I recalled saying some harsh words before abruptly leaving the academy on the back of Mizuchi, my summoned serpent.
At the time, I was blinded by anger over Amu’s situation, and my behavior was almost like taking it out on her.
Despite that, the headmistress had later explained the situation to Ifa and Mabel, ensured our enrollment status was marked as “on leave,” and helped us in many other ways.
Because of all this, I felt guilty and found it difficult to face her.
Yet, there was another reason I felt tense.
I didn’t understand why the headmistress had come to see me now.
Surely she hadn’t traveled all the way to the imperial capital simply to visit a former student.
The fact that she requested to meet me alone, without Amu or the others, seemed odd.
“It’s not comfortable standing around talking. Please have a seat, Seika-sama.”
Fiona suggested, urging me to sit.
She had not informed me of the headmistress’s purpose in coming.
Apparently, it was a sudden visit even for Fiona, and not something she could discern through her foresight.
Following her lead, I took a seat on the long sofa in the reception room.
The headmistress smirked as she began speaking.
“You certainly lead a peculiar life, don’t you?”
“…”
“In all my years at the academy, I’ve never had students like you. A talented slave, a former mercenary, a hero, and—a demon king who fled the demon territories.”
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
The headmistress seemed to know the secret about the demon king.
Judging from the circumstances, Fiona must have been the one to inform her.
The old dwarf smiled faintly and continued.
“Still, a student is a student. I’m glad to see you’re doing well. It’s a shame you’re not returning to the academy, but I suppose the place has grown too confining for you all.”
“…Did you come all this way just to see a former student’s face, Headmistress?”
“That’s part of it. But no, not entirely. Whether this news is good or bad for you, I can’t say…”
Ignoring my furrowed brows, the headmistress continued.
“I was born in the independent territories. Among the elves and dwarves, there are still many who remain in the demon territories. By some twist of fate, I happened to be born in such a place. For me, it was always a tense and unpleasant environment. Children born there are taught to handle weapons or learn offensive magic from their parents… though I didn’t realize that wasn’t normal until I came to the empire.”
She was talking about the independent territories of elves and dwarves.
During the previous great war, the elves and dwarves had refused to fight against humans, breaking away from the demon king’s army. They had migrated to an area on the border between the demon territories and the empire, declaring independence.
Now, the region served as a buffer zone between the demon and human realms, with the elves and dwarves acting as valuable intermediaries for both sides.
While no major conflicts over the independent territories had occurred on either the empire’s or the demon territories’ sides, the location undoubtedly saw its share of minor skirmishes.
Teaching children the art of combat must have been a direct result of that.
“It’s not a place I’d want to return to now, but a homeland is still a homeland. I still have some connections there. I assume that’s why this princess here approached me with this matter. Though I can’t say how much faith she had in me.”
Fiona, suddenly addressed, slightly tensed her expression.
It seemed there had been some exchanges between these two that I wasn’t privy to.
However, the main topic of the conversation still wasn’t clear.
“…I’d appreciate it if we could get to the point already.”
The headmistress smirked, raising the corner of her mouth.
“Ah, my apologies. Old age makes one prone to rambling. Well then, let me get straight to the conclusion, Lamprogue.”
The headmistress fixed her gaze on me and spoke.
“We’ve found your mother.”