I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

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It was evident, even without being a genius, that there was something peculiar about the atmosphere.

The two women scrutinized each other coldly, as if measuring one another up, but maintaining a level of politeness. Rose wore an expression that hinted she had a rough idea of what was happening, while Jeongjae couldn’t comprehend why Margaret, who typically avoided any impolite behavior towards someone she had just met, suddenly provoked his disciple by calling her “young.”

If we consider the hypothesis that Margaret had feelings for him, this could perhaps be a display of jealousy, but why would it be directed at Jenis Harker of all people?

Was it because Jenis had chimed in during their conversation, acting sweetly towards Jeongjae? Surely, a little sweetness could happen between a teacher and a student, right? What could Margaret possibly know about Jenis that would lead her to jump straight to jealousy?

It just didn’t add up unless Margaret was a bothersome woman who was jealous of every girl Jeongjae interacted with. And even if Margaret did have feelings for Jeongjae, he was certain she was not the type to act out of jealousy.

“I’ve heard the House of Harker regards its only daughter as a family pride, and indeed you’ve raised a commendable child. From her demeanor, she’s certainly a pup destined for greatness.”

“You’re too kind. I never expected to receive such praise from the greatest fairy princess in Eramenia, who has revealed her majesty to the world after thousands of years.”

They appeared to be exchanging pleasantries, but the atmosphere was tense. Jeongjae felt as though he was expected to interject between the two, but Rose tapped his shoulder and signaled for him to wait just a bit longer.

Although Rose had a playful nature, she wasn’t one to let things drift into seriousness, so Jeongjae decided to quietly follow her lead.

“Is it common in the House of Counts to use a messenger to address the young lady? I find it quite peculiar that you came personally just to relay the news, without any hidden intentions.”

“How could that possibly be? I volunteered for this. Considering the future, it would be beneficial to build more rapport with Baron Harriet.”

“Isn’t the student-teacher relationship over? Why is there a need for further interactions for future matters?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention. Starting the day after tomorrow, I’m appointed as the lord’s advisor in Harriet’s Territory.”

“What?”

This time, Jeongjae couldn’t hold back and chimed into the conversation. Margaret swiftly turned her head to suppress Jeongjae’s urge to speak further and looked at Jenis.

“Are you saying the only daughter of Count Harker is going to be an advisor in a small territory?”

“It’s a good opportunity, Princess. My father is getting old, and House Harker’s assets are vast. I’ve already met the graduation requirements, so I no longer need to attend the academy.”

“When did you meet all your graduation requirements, young lady?”

“Three months ago, Your Highness.”

“Did you really stay at school for an additional three months?”

“I thought it would still be helpful back then.”

Margaret put her hand to her forehead, stunned. Walter had once evaluated Jenis Harker as “a fox with the spirit of a tiger.”

Margaret could easily guess the reasoning behind that assessment. This little brat was a fox, indeed, raised under the watchful eye of her tiger father!

“In any case, I understand. Don’t get too full of yourself. We’ll meet again soon.”

“I look forward to seeing you again, Your Highness.”

Margaret, seemingly out of words, turned sharply and headed towards Rose. Jeongjae observed Margaret’s demeanor and thought it didn’t seem like the right moment for farewells, so he lingered awkwardly.

At that moment, Margaret, who briefly seemed like she would disappear along with Rose, turned her head and pointed at Jeongjae and Jenis.

“I’ll come find you soon, so wait for me!”

“O-Okay. Take care. See you later.”

Jeongjae waved his hand in a daze, while Jenis politely bowed her head in respect to the Elf Army.

It appeared Margaret led Rose away but then turned again as if suddenly remembering something.

“Always be prepared. I’ll visit often without notice!”

“Margaret, come on, let’s go. This is a fiasco.”

Unable to bear it any longer, Rose took Margaret away, lightly waving goodbye to Jeongjae. Jeongjae returned the gesture while Jenis offered a respectful nod towards the princess.

“By the way, I ran into Her Highness the princess but couldn’t say a word. I hope you don’t think of me as an impolite young lady for not greeting her.”

Jenis said. Jeongjae shook his head and smiled.

“Rose? She wouldn’t care about such things. Besides, the atmosphere wasn’t conducive for Margaret to shift her attention away… In fact, I’m more curious about why Margaret reacted the way she did. Were you surprised?”

“No, she was quite entertaining. Exceptionally… amusing…”

Jenis muttered softly, as if trying to retract her own words. Margaret had previously referred to this girl as “a pup destined for greatness.” Jeongjae knew Margaret wasn’t the type to so easily evaluate someone like that.

To Jeongjae, Jenis was just a commendable student who passionately engaged with his lessons and understood them well.

Certainly, it was surprising that she had met the graduation requirements three months prior, but it wasn’t entirely unheard of for students to postpone their graduation due to feeling unprepared or desiring to achieve more during their schooling.

What truly piqued Jeongjae’s interest was what Margaret knew or had observed about Jenis.

Of course, while Margaret could approach assertively without backing down, her heart was strong, but could that alone justify such an assessment?

“By the way, what’s this about you being my advisor?”

Jeongjae asked Jenis, who had been on his mind. Jenis nodded, unable to hide her smile.

“As you heard, professor. No, I should call you Baron or lord now, right? Which one do you prefer?”

“Either one is fine by me… But did Count Harker decide you should come to be my advisor?”

“Of course. But not quite. Because I volunteered for this.”

Jeongjae wore a more perplexed expression. Count Harker was aging, and it was reasonable to believe it was time for the only heir, Jenis, to start receiving lessons on governance.

However, wouldn’t it be more appropriate to assign her as regent to one of the large castles within House Harker’s vast territory? There wouldn’t be a reason to send her as an advisor to a smaller fief like Harriet.

“Maybe it’s because I have no experience, and they want to help me?”

“That’s about it. Harriet’s Territory has a castle and a village, so it has its things, but honestly, aside from the castle and the village, there’s nothing much. My father said it’s all for experience.”

“Experience, huh…”

“Oh, and this isn’t so much a secret as it is a non-secret…”

Jenis drew close to Jeongjae as she spoke. Jeongjae realized she wanted to whisper and leaned in closer to her.

“My father seems curious about the Hero’s intentions.”

“Curious about Walter’s intentions?”

Jeongjae instinctively whispered back. Jenis nodded slightly and continued to whisper.

“Harriet’s Territory is small, but it carries a significant meaning. After all, it’s the land where Simon Harriet once resided. The key to solving the mystery of the previous Hero’s disappearance might be found there…”

“The mystery of Harriet’s disappearance…”

Indeed, he had heard tales of Walter’s ancestors living in Harriet’s Territory after defeating the Demon King and then vanishing without a trace one day like the wind.

Now, one might wonder what significance there would be in approaching such mysteries. Jeongjae had only recently arrived in this world, and when he first heard that story, he thought, “Did the goddess who reincarnated me into this world grant me a reward for helping defeat the Demon King?”

Of course, as far as Jeongjae knew, there were no goddesses or helpers reincarnating people in this world. It’s painful to say it, but there certainly weren’t any other gods either.

“Anyway, would a Hero appoint a foreigner to manage the remnants of a world their kind once inhabited?”

“That is, you have a dual role in watching over what I do in the territory.”

At Jeongjae’s words, Jenis pulled her face away, casting a gloomy expression.

“You make it sound cold. I didn’t volunteer just to spy on you.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I just simply…”

“What? It’s okay! What I do in Harriet’s Territory is my own matter!”

Jenis suddenly changed her expression, her face lighting up. Following her lively steps, her silken hair danced in the wind.

“In any case, having an advisor educated in a noble household brings a sense of relief. Honestly, I was feeling a bit lost.”

“You’ll do just fine without me, Baron. You’d do better with me around, of course. How do you find the title ‘Baron’? Are you adjusting to it?”

Jeongjae shook his head vigorously.

“Not a bit. I almost turned around thinking someone else was being called.”

“Honestly, I’m not used to it either. Even if I’m dismissed, I’m still a professor.”

“Thanks. You’re the only one who acknowledges my teaching career.”

Jeongjae said sincerely. Enrolling in ‘Professor Park Jeongjae’s lectures’ was popular, but the actual ‘content of Professor Park Jeongjae’s lectures’ wasn’t so well-received.

He had preferred the academy over the Magic Tower, but would he not have been left restlessly pondering the better path between the two? The fact that most of the top students attended his lectures was treated as a trophy, and if Jenis hadn’t engaged so thoroughly, he might have seriously considered which side, the Magic Tower or the academy, was better.

“Um, by the way, professor, there’s something I’ve been curious about.”

“What is it? If it’s something I can answer, I will.”

“Could you share the circumstances that led to you being dismissed? Something like summoning ancient demons, or maybe a curse turning all the relatives of the target bald? I wouldn’t be surprised by anything weird.”

It was unforeseeable how Jenis came to think of such horrific curses, but that was one question Jeongjae simply couldn’t answer. With his eyes shut tight, he pondered how to sidestep the issue until he finally decided to pretend he hadn’t heard the question.

“Oh, I think it’s best if I head back to the Magic Tower now. By now, the person next door is likely passed out from their research. That moment when they don’t scream—now that’s the only time I can wash without feeling a shiver down my spine…”

“Honestly, professor. If you don’t want to talk, just say so. You don’t have to worry about what I say! So… um… I hope you don’t feel overly burdened! I’m not going to dissect you or anything like that, okay? Yes!”

“I never thought that. It’s just that there are issues I find difficult to talk about, and the reasons for those difficulties are also hard to convey, so it puts me in a bind.”

“Such things exist! Do you know what country’s tune is that song my father hums sometimes?”

“I wouldn’t know. What is it?”

“It’s difficult to talk about.”

Jeongjae momentarily lost his words, dumbfounded. Upon seeing Jeongjae’s fool-like expression, Jenis hurriedly waved her hands.

“I’m sorry! That was an excessively strange metaphor, wasn’t it?”

“No, it’s fine. That could happen…”

With that, the two’s conversation seemed to be nearing its conclusion. Just before parting, Jenis spoke to Jeongjae as if asking for a favor.

“Well then, tomorrow morning, a carriage will head towards the Magic Tower. My father and I will be on it, so since we’re going anyway, let’s ride together. Understand?”

“That’s a kind suggestion. I’ll go with that.”

“I’ll provide lunch and dinner from this side, so just have a hearty breakfast and bring your luggage. I’ll share the detailed schedule with you tomorrow. See you then!”

With that, Jenis finished her brief explanation and waved as she disappeared down the road.

Baron! Yes, now he was a Baron. Baron Park Jeongjae of Harriet. It was truly a moment filled with curiosity about where his destiny would flow in the future.