30 Years After Reincarnating, It Turns Out This World Was A Rofan?! novel Chapter 186

“You’ve been captured too? Kunta is happy to have more comrades!”

“......”

The cadets hesitated, eyeing the barbarian dressed in a yellow safety helmet and construction gear. They subtly began preparing to flee, wondering if they had stumbled upon an illegal labor site.

But then—

“Oh, those guys? Yeah, I dragged them here by force. But as for you lot, you’re here as part of today’s outdoor lesson, so just sit tight and observe.”

“Th-that’s allowed?”

“Didn’t you enroll in the academy to study, not to work? If there’s work to be done, I’ll handle it. Why would I make you do it?”

“......”

Surprisingly kind and considerate. Despite his eccentricities, the instructor occasionally displayed the qualities of a proper mentor.

“Uh, aren’t we cadets too?”

“Instructor, did we do something wrong to deserve this?”

Arno and Garland, both clad in construction gear like Kunta, voiced their grievances as they worked on reinforcing the tunnels.

This felt unfair.

After all, they were cadets too—why were they being forced into construction work?

To their complaint, Ihan responded, furrowing his brow:

“You two were out hunting criminals while I was gone, weren’t you?”

“......”

“Cadets, sneaking around at night like vigilantes. Tsk, tsk.”

“Well, it was... practical experience...”

“So, you’re saying it was a good thing?”

“...No, sir.”

“Then what should you be doing now?”

Faced with Ihan’s glare, they immediately replied to save themselves.

“Where should we start working?”

“We’ll get right to it.”

They surrendered, and Ihan clicked his tongue.

Honestly.

‘Who did they take after to act like this— ...Wait.’

...Was it me?

For a moment, a tiny shred of his conscience nagged him, whispering, Own up to it. Ihan fell silent.

*****

The reason Ihan had dug a tunnel from his home to the academy after narrowly surviving in the Empire and spending two days unconscious wasn’t because he had gone mad or merely wanted to stretch his body.

“—As I see it, the academy and the royal capital aren’t exactly safe right now. You could even call it a ‘wartime state,’ in my opinion.”

“......”

“This isn’t just me trying to scare you. It’s based on the facts. And because of that, I believe we need a plan.”

“Um... is that tunnel part of the plan?”

“It’s one part of it.”

Though the mention of a wartime state caused some tension, the cadets remained resolute.

After all, they had already endured an unprecedented monster terror attack.

For those who had experienced it firsthand, Ihan’s words weren’t baseless.

‘If what that damned mage said is true, another attack isn’t far off.’

It was now an undeniable fact that the fanatics were targeting Pendragon. While Ihan could deal with whoever came his way, he doubted his cadets or the other students could act as decisively.

This wasn’t a matter of resolve but one of experience—of living through war or not.

That’s why Ihan had been deep in thought the moment he regained consciousness.

About how to better protect the cadets. Or...

“Create a contingency plan.”

“A contingency plan?”

“Specifically, a shelter. In a crisis, there might be times when you need a place to hide. A shelter for the cadets would be invaluable.”

“Well, that makes sense, but the higher-ups haven’t issued any orders yet, have they?”

He meant the academy headmaster, or even the royal family.

“When do you think they’ll issue orders? Let me tell you, if you don’t prepare ahead of time, it’ll be too late. Those at the top only move when things go wrong. That’s a universal truth.”

“I can’t say if that’s entirely true, but... it’s clear you’ve been through a lot, Instructor.”

At some point, the cadets began to take Ihan’s words seriously.

It was evident that his actions weren’t impulsive but the result of careful consideration.

“Still, it’s surprising to see you putting in this much effort for the cadets’ safety, sir.”

“Hmm?”

“Oh, I mean, we know you’re not a bad person. But to go as far as building something like this for us... it’s incredible!”

Perhaps it was a student from a noble family that valued noblesse oblige.

They looked at Ihan with a face full of admiration, and Ihan felt a twinge of guilt.

After all, the real reason he had built the shelter was...

‘So I wouldn’t be interrupted while fighting.’

...Hmm.

‘Better to keep that to myself.’

Sometimes, saying less was key to preserving your reputation.

*****

‘Master probably built this shelter to avoid distractions during battle.’

Hehe.

Levy, watching quietly, smirked faintly to herself.

It wasn’t mind-reading, but her keen understanding of her beloved master allowed her to deduce his motives.

And sure enough—

The moment others began showering him with respect, Ihan’s smile stiffened for a fraction of a second before returning to normal.

To Levy, it was obvious.

‘His pupils dilated by 0.03 millimeters more than usual. He must’ve been quite flustered.’

At times like this, it was clear he wasn’t great at hiding his true feelings.

“Such a cute man,” she murmured.

Her sharp, almost frightening observational skills came from a lifetime of survival and reading others’ expressions. What some might call a talent was, in truth, a coping mechanism born of hardship.

But thanks to the one person who had extended her a hand, Levy’s abilities were now being put to better use.

...Though—

‘Huh? Something seems a bit different.’

Was her talent developing faster, or was it her determination?

As Levy observed Ihan, she couldn’t shake the sense of something peculiar, though not in a harmful way.

It wasn’t that he was injured.

Rather...

‘He seems uncomfortable.’

It was as if he were wearing clothes that didn’t fit—too tight and restrictive.