Mesugaki Tank Enters The Academy-Chapter 343: Academy End Party (6)

Alsetine, disguised as a nobleman who could blend in anywhere in the city, weaved through the bustling crowds, making his way urgently toward Soul Academy. He had vital information to deliver immediately to Lucy Allen, his master’s most important client.

Why on earth would the First Queen of Soladin Kingdom be attending the academy’s end-of-term party?

The queen, who never left the capital due to her duties running the kingdom in place of the ailing king, had neither time nor reason to visit here. Even Alsetine, who constantly gathered and processed countless pieces of intelligence, hadn’t foreseen this turn of events.

During Prince Rene Soladin’s academy years, the First Queen had never attended the end-of-term celebrations, citing her duties. For her to suddenly use the excuse of her sons to appear now was entirely unexpected.

Alsetine’s entire network was thrown into chaos by the abrupt schedule change of one of the kingdom’s most critical figures.

Not to mention, if Lucy Allen, their principal client, happened to cross paths with the First Queen, the disaster that might unfold was beyond anyone’s prediction.

“My apprentice, remember, our employer once called His Majesty an ‘old, sick pig.’ Do you really think she’ll restrain herself when it comes to the First Queen?”

“...We’re about to witness quite the spectacle.”

“I’d be curious to see how much it’ll agitate Benedict’s stomach lining, but I can’t even imagine how that madwoman will react to our employer’s rudeness. It’s too risky to test.”

Receiving orders from his master to fetch Lucy and Benedict, Alsetine quickened his steps, hoping no incident would occur before he got there.

Following the traces left by the Allen family pair, Alsetine soon spotted Lucy Allen at the academy’s dungeon experience center.

It wasn’t difficult; Lucy was the type to stand out no matter where she was.

“Greetings, Lady Allen.”

Feigning noble decorum, Alsetine bowed his head, and Lucy scowled, reluctantly glancing up from the crystal orb.

Her face unmistakably showed her irritation at his presence, prompting Alsetine to quickly execute the pre-agreed signal between them.

Only after confirming this did Lucy ease the tension in one eyebrow—though her other eyebrow remained knit in annoyance.

“Are you blind? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“Lady, it’s urgent. Just a moment of your time.”

“Just wait a few minutes. I’ll even praise you for doing a good job afterward.”

The urge to object bubbled up within him, but Alsetine suppressed it with extraordinary patience. Drawing attention in an already conspicuous situation wasn’t an option.

What in the world was she watching so intently in that crystal orb?

His gaze drifted toward the screen, and he was stunned to see Benedict sprinting down a lengthy corridor in under a second.

So, Sir Benedict was tackling the dungeon.

Having attempted the dungeon Lucy designed at his master’s urging, Alsetine recognized exactly where Benedict was.

The hallway just before reaching the ground floor, right after waking from the dream.

At this rate, he’d reach the boss in no time.

“P-pardon...”

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BAM!

As the door swung open, Benedict’s fist landed squarely on the boss’s face.

With speed that even a fully prepared boss couldn’t counter and impact unimaginable for a human punch, the boss’s body was flung into the air, slammed against the wall, and then dropped to the floor.

“Sorry! I’m in a bit of a hurry!”

Offering a brief apology to the boss, who was choking on blood and couldn’t even respond, Benedict swung his arm again.

Another loud impact sounded through the crystal orb.

Though the boss’s techniques were straightforward, its stats were overwhelming. Yet, witnessing it being pummeled one-sidedly, Alsetine was left speechless.

He had heard tales of Sir Benedict’s incredible strength many times before.

And he knew that those who had fought alongside him held him in both awe and terror.

But seeing the reality, Alsetine realized just how limited his own imagination had been.

According to his master, this was Benedict in a much-weakened state. Just how powerful had he been at his peak?

...Perhaps that story of him splitting a dragon’s head in two was true after all.

“Damn you! Dieee!”

Not even a minute after their encounter, the boss scattered his crimson magic in a last-ditch effort.

The final desperate strike—the most difficult obstacle for anyone trying to break the dungeon’s record.

Facing the deathly magic meant to kill him, Benedict casually rolled his shoulders and infused his fist with mana.

“You’ve done well. Rest in peace.”

And with that, it was over.

Benedict’s punch shattered the boss’s crimson magic, and the exit door soon appeared.

From entry to defeating the boss, Benedict had taken only 2 minutes and 32 seconds.

It was an overwhelming time, cutting several minutes off Lucy Allen’s previously unchallenged record.

If he’d achieved that without even drawing his weapon, just how powerful would he be with the greatsword Alsetine had seen him wield in Menestail?

“...But no. This won’t do.”

Hmm? What did Lady Allen mean by “won’t do”?

“Why is this rotting meatbag so annoyingly tough? Tch. Can’t decayed flesh be a bit easier to rip apart?”

Alsetine, hearing Lucy’s muttering, realized what she was getting at.

Was she already planning a way to break Sir Benedict’s record?

A record that looked insurmountable?

What astonished Alsetine most was that her muttering wasn’t some vague whim—she was seriously plotting a way to beat Benedict’s record.

Despite the physical gap between them, she was determined to bridge it with her own skill.

Hah. Like father, like daughter, it seems.

No wonder people say only monsters are born in the Allen bloodline.

As Alsetine mused over thoughts that would likely horrify Lucy, he heard the rapid approach of heavy footsteps from a distance.

There was no need to guess who it was.

There was only one person in the world with such a bold, loud voice.

“Luuuucy! Did you see your papa’s amazing feat?! Isn’t papa incredible? Right?”

“Papa♡”

“Eh?!”

“Bragging to your own daughter after going all out is just so embarrassing. It’s enough to make me ashamed to call you my papa♡”

“Th-that’s...”

“Stay back♡ It’s disgusting♡”

“Luuuucy...”

Watching this man, who had just displayed overwhelming strength, now begging for forgiveness from his daughter, Alsetine found himself once again at a loss for words.

It probably shouldn’t be said, but perhaps Lady Allen’s twisted nature had something to do with Sir Benedict.

“...Hmm? And who might you be?”

After pleading with his daughter for a while, Benedict finally turned his attention to Alsetine.

The warm gaze he’d directed at his daughter turned into a cold, intimidating aura.

Having dealt with all kinds of people as an informant, Alsetine was still struck by the oppressive aura Benedict exuded.

“Judging by your physique, you don’t appear to be a student at the academy.”

“He’s one of my loyal dogs.”

“...A dog?”

The moment Lucy spoke, mana flared up around Benedict.

Under the pressure that felt as if it might crush him, Alsetine barely managed to speak.

“Count Allen, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding, you say? How amusing.”

Benedict’s massive hand brushed past Alsetine’s ear and landed on his shoulder with a weight that felt as though it could easily crush a man’s skull.

“Let’s hear this explanation, then.”

“Well... you see...”

That familiar sense of impending death he’d felt upon meeting his master in Menestail.

He couldn’t breathe. Sweat poured down his face. His mind went blank.

Damn it. I can’t seem to pull myself togeth—

“Papa!♡”

Thankfully, Lucy’s sharp voice rang out just before Alsetine’s legs could buckle.

“What are you doing?♡ Do you really think I’d associate with someone this worthless?♡ Seriously?♡”

“Ah, no, Lucy. It’s just that, well...”

“It’s already annoying enough that you’re ordering my dog around, but to think you’d equate a noble, beautiful young lady like me with this trash!♡”

“I was only worried about you.”

“I’m completely disappointed♡ I’m leaving♡ Don’t follow me, annoying papa♡”

“Luuuucy! I was wrongggg!”

Watching the same man who had just threatened him now kneeling and begging his daughter for forgiveness, Alsetine was once again at a loss for words.

As he blankly observed the scene, feeling the curious eyes of onlookers, he quickly stepped between Lucy and Benedict.

Fortunately, the signal his master had taught him worked even on Benedict.

After parting ways with Alsetine and taking Benedict to the designated meeting place, Karia greeted them.

“Hello, it’s been so long... uh, boss, what’s wrong with him?”

‘Don’t ask.’

“How should I know? My fool of a father is acting like a fool again.”

Sniff.

Hearing the sound of a man three times her size sniffling, Lucy couldn’t help but sigh.

She’d scolded him sharply in front of Alsetine to stop him from escalating things, but she hadn’t expected the aftermath to drag on this long.

<Why are you leaving out the part about your pride being scratched over the dungeon record?>

Ignoring her master’s teasing, Lucy stepped up in front of Benedict, who was sneaking frequent glances her way.

If she left things like this, they’d never get anything done.

‘Father.’

“Foolish father.”

Sniff.

...Is he pretending he didn’t hear me?

Is he sulking?

Argh! Fine! I get it!

I’ll call you what you want to hear!

“Papa♡”