I Got a Fake Job at the Academy
Chapter 445: Rescue Operation (2)

All preparations to rescue Sedina were completed in just 2 days.

Originally, it would have taken several more days however the vast amount of funds made it sufficiently possible.

"So we're departing now."

Vierano muttered while standing in the large courtyard of the Roschen mansion.

Rudger silently nodded in agreement.

"Are these four all who are departing?"

Bellaruna asked.

Currently gathered were Rudger, Vierano, and Alex and Bellaruna.

Looking at the gathered people's capabilities, they certainly weren't lacking in skill.

However, it seemed somewhat too few people to infiltrate a kingdom and rescue a kidnapped person.

"Don't worry. One more person will come."

"Who could it be......?"

What difference would one more person make?

Just as Bellaruna was thinking that, a steam vehicle approached from the distance.

When the car stopped and the back door opened, the final member appeared.

"Hans?"

Bellaruna's eyes widened at Hans's appearance.

Having seemingly heard all the news on his way, Hans' expression was quite serious.

"Brother."

"Yes. Hans. Is everything settled?"

"I've arranged things to run smoothly even without me there. Violetta's help was significant. Of course, it's still risky to be away from my post for too long."

"That won't be necessary. This matter shouldn't be dragged out any longer than needed."

"Sigh. Are we really going?"

He was referring to the Elf Kingdom.

He had heard everything about Sedina being kidnapped and what might happen but the idea of barging in recklessly was more than a little concerning.

He knew Rudger's abilities well however this matter was beyond common sense.

If things went wrong, they might have to fight an entire nation.

"For someone so worried, you still came instead of running away."

"Well...after hearing that, how could I just stay put?"

Especially since Sedina had her own significance to Hans.

"If that kid disappears, the work I have to handle will at least double."

Hans grumbled, deliberately hiding his true feelings and Rudger smiled inwardly at that sight.

‘How dishonest.’

"Besides, it doesn't seem entirely impossible."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. Anyway, I've finished all my preparations too, but are we leaving right now?"

"Yes. Soon."

Hans nodded in understanding and checked the other members.

Among those present, Vierano was the only one Hans hadn't met before but Hans immediately recognized who Vierano was.

He had already memorized the personal information of Theon's teachers.

Moreover, in Vierano's case, being an elf and having an extraordinary background in elven society made him impossible to forget.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Vierano Dentis."

"......I'm Hans."

Hans shook hands with Vierano.

Though he appeared as a youth much younger than himself, his lived years far exceeded Hans's by more than tenfold.

If anything was unexpected, it was that he showed none of the typical elven arrogance.

The rumors about him being kind and gentle to everyone were true.

'More surprising is that he's not even asking who I am.'

Hans couldn't contain his curiosity and asked.

"Aren't you curious about who I am?"

"If Professor Rudger called you, you must surely be someone helpful for this matter. That's enough."

Hans was left speechless at Vierano's answer.

That made sense, but he hadn't expected such deep trust in Rudger.

Of course, Vierano was also curious about Hans, Alex, and Bellaruna.

And about Rudger's identity, who knew these three well.

But the reason he didn't ask about it was due to the wisdom that comes with age.

At least in Vierano's judgment, Rudger was both an excellent mage and a great teacher.

Risking danger to rescue the kidnapped Sedina was something that ordinary people would find difficult to do, so he didn't need to ask.

This was a kind of consideration from an elder.

"I didn't expect things to turn out like this from the start of vacation."

Vierano spoke indirectly about their current situation.

"I thought it wouldn't be bad to take a vacation at this opportunity."

"Is it okay for the Planning Department Head to take a vacation?"

"I already spoke with the President."

"Hmm. Given President Elisa's personality, I wouldn't think she'd let you go easily."

"I recently achieved a major accomplishment, so I benefited from that. Rather, when I asked for some vacation time, she was incredibly relieved. She said I was finally acting more like a person."

"I-I see."

That was fortunate then.

Just then, Walter arrived at the scene.

He looked around at the five people who were departing and asked.

"Have you finished all preparations?"

"Yes."

"I understand. Anything more I say here would just be nagging. This is the last thing I can do for you now."

As soon as Walter finished speaking, a sound came from thin air.

Should it be called the sound of an engine running?

Simultaneously, a huge shadow was cast over the sky.

The expressions of those who looked up thinking it was a cloud showed slight surprise.

"An airship?"

It was a massive transport vessel that could fly through the sky using buoyancy.

Everyone was amazed at the airship's appearance.

"This will take you to the elven forest."

The airship that slowly descended from the sky landed on the ground.

Seen up close, it wasn't an ordinary airship.

It was a specially manufactured vessel with magical treatments throughout, one that could be used for military purposes.

This was Walter's final card.

The group all boarded the airship and as the mana engine activated, the airship slowly began to rise toward the sky.

Walter stood alone in the courtyard, looking up at that sight.

The airship, moving at a speed that didn't match its massive size, crossed through the air and disappeared beyond the sky.

* * *

"Good heavens. An airship, and this model is......"

Hans muttered while looking down at the scenery outside the airship.

Though used for military purposes, the interior was fully equipped with everything needed for comfortable living.

It was truly like a premium hotel room flying through the sky.

Moreover, beyond the door in the rear storage area, artifacts needed for this operation were piled high.

As expected of the Roschen family. They had an endless amount of money if nothing else.

"With this, we can reach the kingdom much faster than expected."

Vierano expressed admiration at the scenery flowing beneath the clouds.

Even taking a train to the Elf Kingdom would take at least several days, especially since there weren't any railways or roads near the forest, they would have had to move on foot from there, which would have been inconvenient.

Considering the luggage they needed to move, it would have required significant manpower but with this airship, all those processes could be eliminated at once.

"D-does this mean we're going straight to the kingdom?"

"Considering the forest, we'll need a landing spot, so we can't enter the kingdom directly. But even accounting for that, we've definitely saved time. At this speed, we should reach our destination within two days at the latest."

They might even arrive faster than the Shadewarden who kidnapped Sedina, though that might be too optimistic an observation.

"Won't such a large object be detected just by approaching the forest?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

Hans answered instead of responding to Bellaruna's worried words.

"This model it's the Zeppelin model used by the military and it's in a different league from regular transport airships. It's made with magical engineering and one of its main features is the ability to move stealthily."

In fact, when this airship first appeared at the Roschen mansion, the group didn't notice it until they saw its shadow.

Not only was it fast, but it was also quiet.

This was possible because of all sorts of magical treatments.

"Of course, if we approach in broad daylight, we might be spotted by the keen-eyed elves, but there's no worry about that at night."

Just then, the door to the cockpit opened and the airship's pilot entered.

He appeared to be a handsome man in his 40s.

"Are these five all who are going? What a splendid squad."

"You are......"

"Ah. My introduction is late. I'm Robert, the captain of this airship. I'm also the errand boy who will transport you safely to your destination."

Robert's cheerful personality was evident in how he humbly referred to himself as an errand boy.

"Were you in the military?"

"Oh, was it that obvious?"

Robert didn't try to hide it when Rudger asked.

Perhaps he thought there was no need to hide anything when they were all heading out on a secret journey together.

"I once served in the air force. Flew some biplanes. Though they're now obsolete relics gathering dust."

"For someone with that background, you're doing well piloting a cutting-edge airship while working for a major corporation. I suppose you must have been an ace pilot in the air force."

"Well, people did call me Top Gun back in the day. Now I work as a test pilot for Roschen."

A test pilot is someone who pilots and checks the condition of newly developed aircraft.

Though he spoke modestly, the position of test pilot was only available to veterans with long flight experience and diverse expertise.

This was because piloting aircraft without guaranteed stability was only possible by putting one's life on the line.

"As you all know, this mission involves crossing the Elf Kingdom's border, so it absolutely cannot be revealed to the outside. Even this conversation we're having now never happened. Once I drop you off, I'll withdraw for now. I don't want to cause trouble for my employer as an employee. Please keep that in mind."

If the elves discover the airship, it would become a national-level problem.

If the airship is detected by the elves, Roschen would surely be made an example of and destroyed.

Walter was well aware of this danger, yet he still provided this much support.

"It doesn't matter. Getting this much help just for the journey is enough."

Robert's eyes flickered with interest at Rudger's words.

"I heard you're going to rescue the family's young lady."

"You knew?"

"Despite how I look, I'm quite close with my employer, Mr. Walter. The destination is the Elf Kingdom. But only five people are going. Moreover, two of them are actually elves. This is the most suspicious and secretive mission I've ever had in my life."

Robert said this and then grinned.

"So I'll do my best to support you. At least until you reach your destination, you won't experience any inconvenience."

"I like that."

"And this is something I'm saying because my employer isn't here. I think a few days' grace period is possible."

"A few days' grace period......"

"Originally, I'm supposed to return after dropping you off at your destination. But there's no need to return right away, right? I plan to hover around the area at high altitude before returning."

Though Robert spoke indirectly, his meaning was clear.

If the operation went better than expected and they quickly rescued Sedina and returned, he would come pick them up.

"Isn't that against orders?"

"I'm guaranteed some autonomy."

"Staying on standby at high altitude without landing, that won't be an easy task."

Even if all the food is prepared, the important thing is that there's no day or night.

Since air currents could change at any time, it would be hard to sleep, and they couldn't let go of the controls for long while continuously circling the area.

Of course, an airship like this would have a sub-pilot.

When the main pilot leaves his post like now, that person would be handling the controls instead.

But even so, for two people to maintain high altitude for days without landing would be impossible even with considerable mental and physical strength.

Moreover, they had to consider the return journey as well.

There was absolutely no reason to voluntarily take on such a difficult task.

Perhaps sensing Rudger's questioning gaze, Robert smiled and said.

"It's about the young lady, isn't it? I can't just sit by and do nothing."

"But isn't it someone else's business?"

"True. But well, as someone with a wife and kids myself, I can fully understand my employer's feelings. Our employer, despite appearing cold and pretending otherwise, is actually quite tender-hearted inside. Almost foolishly so."

Robert, who had been giggling, suddenly looked at Rudger with serious eyes.

"So please. He's just clumsy with these things. As a father, he doesn't know what to do for his daughter."

"Are you making excuses on behalf of your employer?"

"If that's how it sounds, I can't help it."

Robert shrugged his shoulders.

"But you know, even people who become fathers don't always make the right and great choices. Rather, being a father for the first time means making many mistakes. I fought with my wife several times because of that, and even faced the crisis of family breakdown. Some things I was right about, but there were many things I was wrong about too. My wife was the one who corrected those mistakes."

Robert sighed deeply after saying this.

"But that person has lost the one who could correct his mistakes. He's been alone all this time."

His expression showed sympathy and compassion.

"Trying not to collapse, pretending to be strong, always wearing a mask. Who could teach anything to someone like that?"

"So you're saying it's too late for regrets?"

"I'm not saying he shouldn't regret but shouldn't he at least be given a chance? Whether he kneels down or cries his eyes out afterward, that's my employer's choice. At least I don't want this situation to end in vain. That's why I'm ignoring the order to return and staying at my own discretion."

After saying this, Robert bowed his head to Rudger.

"So please bring the young lady back safely. You're the only one we can trust."

"Do you know who I am?"

"I don't know who you are. But if my employer entrusted this task to you, you must surely be an outstanding person."

"......You're impossible to deal with."

Robert lifted his head slightly with a playful smile.

"I'm originally good at this kind of flattery."

"Why didn't you do it when your employer was present?"

"Oh my. It would have been nice if I could have recorded this scene."

"Enough. Anyway, just taking us to our destination is sufficient."

"I'll escort you to the nearby forest area."

Rudger shook his head at those words.

"No. That's not necessary. Just drop us off right above the forest."

"......But won't they detect us immediately then? Besides, there's no suitable landing spot..."

"We don't need to land."

Rudger glanced at the scenery outside while speaking.

"We'll get down on our own."