Pasible Yep was lucky.
What Professor Sadako desired was his memories and experiences, not life itself.
“We missed the tail once.”
“Were you chasing the Foundation?”
“The Curse Storage Device that trapped Oknodie. The merchant who handed it over to Oknodie through a Primer student came from the Sebiche Family, which has already been completely destroyed. We searched thoroughly through the remaining assets, but in the end, the trail went cold.”
“So you’re saying you targeted me, the Butler and Director of the Foundation.”
When Pasible Yep arose with nothing but skinny bones, the memories buried in his physical organs were stored in Sadako’s crystal ball.
If it were according to Sadako’s nature, the undead Pasible Yep would be subjected to torment to verify the extracted information while trapped in a coffin.
However, she allowed Pasible Yep to reunite with her subordinates instead of oppressing him.
[You’ve retreated. Sadako.]
“That man is useful.”
He heard the Destroyer’s taunts from the communication magic tool at his ear, but she ignored it.
The retired Previous Hero.
He had experienced too many grand adventures.
Having witnessed firsthand what happens when evil is not eradicated root and branch.
Shink!
Clang!
Eradicate the root before it sprouts and eliminate the source completely.
The tragedy stemming from the failure of the warrior caused him a fixation to a relentless degree.
But that was his issue.
It wasn’t Sadako’s way.
“Above all, his mastery of combination magic is impressive.”
He knew how to achieve great results with little cost, adeptly creating numerous clones with clever deception, forcing the actions of enemies and allies alike with erosion, and boosting his own combat power.
In terms of espionage, he might as well be a born spy due to his highly efficient abilities.
“This opportunity to acquire such a high-level spy is rare. Even your Thief Guild couldn’t reach the level of the Foundation’s butlers, right?”
[…If things go wrong, it’s your responsibility.]
Ignoring the mundane comments, she brushed aside the Destroyer’s communication.
“The second semester midterms are over. Wednesday is a day off. Come to the lecture hall next Monday for the announcement regarding the Magic Watch.”
“What about our scores?”
“Your clear time was excellent. The solution was clever. So all three of you scored top marks.”
“Wow!”
“I’m astonished.”
“Ugh… Is it really okay to break it like this…?”
Feeling a surge of sadistic glee as the weak Titosso’s worried sounds poured out, Professor Sadako sensed a thrill of exhilaration.
It was like pouring fuel on a fire as the Foundation’s butler’s subordinates wailed and protested.
“Jukeong!”
“They asked what we should do about our Director.”
“The Director was ugly to begin with, but now he’s just bone and even uglier. Is the Academy planning to torment the opponents who come to collaborate in this way and take no responsibility?”
Professor Sadako silently gazed down at them.
Beastfolk weakened before the strong glared back, looking cowed and indecisive.
Just when regret for his rash involvement began to surge, Sadako finally spoke.
“If you give a broken horned beetle a steel horn, is that a disaster for the beetle, or a reversal of fortune?”
“Human lives are different from beetle horns.”
“Not at all. What is reaped is mere guise, and what is obtained is immortal life. For those who can create their own skin, only gains exist.”
With that remark, Kkamang shouted in realization.
“Alchemy magic!”
“That’s correct! Haha. I had planned to show you on the way home, but my insightful Director Assistant stole the thrill of surprise from me.”
“Is it true? Can we restore a human form?”
When Pasible Yep offered a sacrifice, his human form returned as if putting on clothes.
“Director.”
Kkamang, Jukeongmusae, and Silheongmusae hurriedly flew over and embraced him.
A look of utter joy spread across Pasible’s face.
“Professor!”
“Are you unsatisfied with your grades?”
“No. So, does that mean the Director is now your possession? Undead belong to the one who raised them, right?”
“Officially, yes. I hold dominion over them. If you cooperate willingly, I have no intention to abuse that power.”
“Then just lend him to me for a moment! I want to ask him something!”
Oknodie casually requested like asking to borrow a pen or notebook, causing the Beastfolk trio and Titosso to jump in shock.
Sadako stared down at the nonchalant Oknodie, but as time passed, sweat began to drip from Oknodie’s brow, yet the smile never left his lips.
Did he realize how interesting his blend of appropriate fear and warmth made him?
“Alright.”
Oknodie’s business became somewhat clear as he gathered the memories into the crystal.
The Director of the Wahyhiemhai Foundation.
The Butler of Lady Charlotte.
One of those identities would surely be necessary for her.
Not avoiding Sadako’s gaze, Oknodie boldly approached Pasible Yep to present his case.
“Pasible the Butler!”
“Do you have questions?”
“Do you remember a lady of the Foundation named Alice?”
“I do. She was the first lady nurtured by the influential Jonnas Wahyhiemhai as a butler.”
“Who sent the order that caused Alice’s death?”
Pasible gasped in realization.
“That was the reason you summoned me to the Academy.”
“Exactly!”
“Not me.”
“Do you really not know?”
“Let me clarify the origins of the order. Orders sent to the Academy generally fall into three categories: those sent by educational staff, those sent by the Director, and those from the Foundation Headquarters.”
Pasible extended three fingers, folding one down.
“First off, it’s unlikely that it was an order from Jonnas. That man treasures his lady too much.”
He folded another finger down.
“As for the retired Director who used to employ Clo from the Eastern Empire, he is a strong candidate. Cruel, easily discarding people, and despised Jonnas for being significantly stronger than himself.”
“But why are you folding your fingers?”
“I don’t think he would risk being killed by Jonnas to send a directive. Therefore, my deduction points to an order from the Foundation Headquarters, which possesses both cruelty and strength.”
Pasible shook his last remaining finger.
“I believe the direct order from the Foundation Headquarters caused the death of Jonnas’s lady.”
“Who issues commands from the Headquarters?”
“There exists a person known as the Butler of Butlers above all the butlers. Like the Secretary and Maid Heads, he’s one of the three direct aides to the Director.”
Sadako, who had been listening quietly, interjected.
“Why isn’t the Butler’s memory stored in the crystal?”
“Because I have never seen him directly.”
If he were to take the time and look for it, there might be some clues. However, the fact that there was no information, even as a light surface memory, about his superior felt unnatural to Sadako.
“You, as a butler of the Foundation, don’t know the Butler of Butlers?”
“It’s because he is of such high stature. If I were to attend a special executive meeting open to the status of the Director, maybe I could learn something, but I’ll have to wait until next year.”
“Is it possible you’ve already met him but had your memory erased or information controlled?”
“That might be true. All I can promise is that even if I recheck my memories, I don’t recall anything substantial.”
“The true upper echelons of the Foundation. One of the Director’s three direct aides. It’s no wonder genuine influences are so hard to access. If only I had the brain that wasn’t made into an undead, the locking mechanism for memories might have been recognizable, yet rushing to obtain a subject after a long time went to waste.”
“…”
“But there’s enough gain.”
Sadako had a hunch about someone.
“Is the Butler at least 2.3 meters tall?”
“Yes?”
“A muscular man that might call into question the existence of a giant race?”
“I truly don’t know. I’ve never seen him myself, and he’s just an overly speculated figure…”
“A rumor that claims he can subdue a giant monster that brings about calamity with just his bare hands?”
“I suppose being the leader of the butlers suggests he must be strong… but that’s all I can provide as an answer.”
Such ambiguous responses instead granted more certainty.
The day she had entered the nightmare to rescue Oknodie from the curse of Death Experience, she had seen a giant’s strength in the hundredth nightmare, which was enough to instill fear even in her professor level self.
‘The inner circle of the Foundation. The strong hidden in darkness that does not surface. The mentor of Oknodie and the one who bestowed the nightmare, inexplicable knowledge, and extraordinary strength upon her.’
The figure she had seen in the nightmare was the Foundation’s Butler of Butlers.
Arriving at that conclusion brought every piece into alignment like a puzzle fitting perfectly into a hole.
“Oknodie. What’s the reason you’re searching for the one issuing the orders from the Foundation Headquarters?”
“Do I have to tell you?”
Professor Sadako nodded.
This time, she couldn’t let it slide.
Faced with her strong will, Oknodie reluctantly confessed.
“I’ll find them and kill them!”
“…!”
“I won’t allow the person who caused my butler and Senior Alice to be sad to live.”
Upon hearing those words, Pasible was taken aback as if he recognized something.
“Next Butler!”
“Yes?”
“A rumor circulated among the butlers that with Jonnas Wahyhiemhai’s strength, he could easily inherit the position of the next Butler.”
“!”
“But because of the foolishness of being attached to a single lady, he lost the place among the three direct aides. If the existing Butler pressed Jonnas out to preserve his own position… Oknodie, you intend to fight for your butler’s revenge against the Butler who unjustly persecuted him!”
Is it really so?
As Oknodie paused in response to everyone’s gazes, including Professor Sadako, he let out a chuckle.
“…Amazing! You figured out my plot!”
He boldly claimed, puffing out his chest as if he had successfully conveyed his intention, but there was an underlying insecurity—a somewhat unnerved demeanor lurking beneath.
