If the looks of some could kill, Charles would have genocided the world several times.
That is how fed up he is with Babylonia's Headmaster currently.
Charles POV:
*Deep Breathing SFX*
Calm down, Charles. She's just messing with you.
Do not be tempted by flesh or the desire to punch her face. You've sworn to yourself long ago that in times of great turmoil when all manners, chivalry, reason and civilities were tossed away, you would uphold them yourself. You would be the sole defender of civilization against the evil that threatens to destroy The Art of Tea-making, Literature, Philosophy, Education, Advancement and all things that allow sentient, intelligent and reasonable beings like us to progress into an era of True Enlightenment and Advancement.
You are the representative of the High Goddess, Ishta. As such, you need to lead by example. If everyone back on Solaris saw you punching a woman in the face, you would be criticized by the public for your violent actions, and the teachings of the Goddess would be called into question.
Everyone would begin to sprout seeds of doubt in their hearts, and over time, if left as is, the commotion shall die and disappear. However, all it takes is for one madman to rant about how the Goddess is secretly evil incarnate and the whole world goes down a drain of war, conflict, greed, despair and self-interest/preservation.
Whatever you do, remain calm.
*Giggle!*
"My, my! What a fearsome and intense expression!"
"Normally, I would be the one doing the dominating, but I suppose I don't mind letting myself be handled roughly if the treatment was from someone like you."
*Wink!*
Instead of forcing myself to remain calm at this fox's antics, I decided to show her that while I may be a newcomer to this world. It doesn't mean she can behave, say or do whatever she wishes and get away with it without consequences.
*SHING!*
The sound of a sword drawn could be clearly heard in the room.
A large, black greatsword, to be exact.
Miss Medea nervously laughed as she asked.
"Umm, Sir Charles? Why did you draw out your sword?"
"You said you wanted me to be rough with you, correct?"
"I'm just giving you what you asked for."
"Oh! Could you be one of those dense serious types? If so, allow me to explain."
"When I said you can rough me up a little, I wasn't referring to you beating me up. Instead..."
"I know full well what you mean."
"Oh! Then perhaps this is just roleplay! If so, you are a convincing actor! I almost thought I was about to be beaten up!"
"And I still intend to do so."
I held my greatsword with both hands and went into a stance where I raised my sword next to my head with the point facing Miss Medea.
Although smoke covered her face, I sensed she was sweating bullets.
Which was reasonable since I have near-unfathomable powers that can allow me to wipe out an entire country with one attack back in my peak state.
But that power couldn't be compared to the Demon King's.
Speaking of the Demon King, I still remember nothing from my battle with him.
After the one-sided negotiations broke down, chaos ensued as the Coalition and Demon Armies duked it out with each other while the Saints and I were at the epicentre of the storm facing off against Notoros and his Generals.
Aside from the information I obtained from Ishta about how Notoros was only imprisoned and not killed due to the powers he absorbed from the previous heroes who failed to subjugate him and the deaths of my comrades, Restina and Arkises. I know next nothing of what happened.
Very suspicious.
Why is it suspicious, you ask?
I may be an old man, but that doesn't mean I have Dementia, Alzheimer's or Goddess, forbid, Lethe Syndrome.
In fact, being the Chosen of a High Goddess like Ishta grants me a variety of benefits like ridiculous mana capacity, legendary strength, increased lifespan, and a constitution resistant to many poisons, curses, toxins and diseases, which include ones that affect one's memories like the three memory-related diseases I mentioned previously, not to mention the fact that among the blessings given to me when I became the Goddess' Chosen was a near-perfect memory that has never failed me once.
I still remember the content of that thousand-page textbook, "The Arts And History Of The Way Of Tea And Culture."
Also, the textbook was from 40 years ago when I was still attending military school and first became enlightened about the Art of Tea. The day I read that book was the day it transformed my dull gray life forever from an uncouth, hot-headed and edgy teenager into the sophisticated and cultured wise man I am today.
Thanks to my memory, I also recall some interesting information Lady Ishta said.
Back in that-
Well, I don't think I can call it the afterlife. I guess I will go with something simple like the White World.
Back in the White World, I clearly remember Lady Ishta said Lunara's countries currently don't have the best relationships with each other and were all underdeveloped and housed weaker humans and races.
However, after seeing the Arena, the course subjects taught at Babylonia Academy and the information I received from Lady Vera. I'm beginning to have doubts. Of course, it isn't heretical, like Lady Ishta is secretly a manipulative evil god. Good heavens, no! Although her recent behaviour was shocking. She still possesses the same disposition of helping and guiding everyone onto the path of light.
But I have the feeling she's hiding something.
This world is by no means underdeveloped as I clearly witnessed the architectural style of the Arena, which shared an uncanny similarity to the Roman-style architecture I know.
The Roman-style designs may be ancient, but they were still incredibly prevalent architectural styles in many noble properties, public spaces and government buildings/properties.
Many subjects taught in Solaris' curriculum were also in Babylonia's curriculum, such as Divination, Spellcasting, Potions and Alchemy. The only courses they didn't have were Artificing and Automatons. Just because they didn't teach these subjects doesn't mean the world of Lunara is underdeveloped. From Miss Medea, I learned that Doral, The Kingdom of Dwarves, is home to blacksmiths, artificers, artisans and other production jobs capable of making artificial magical artifacts.
Then, there was the last thing I found suspicious about Lady Ishta's information.
On Lunara, there was supposed to be a threat that even a Saint could take care of, and the inhabitants were weak. Then, Lady Vera inadvertently told me (after I summoned to Lunara) that there existed individuals close to or on the level of Saints called the Eighth Circle and Miss Medea was one of them.
The information these two Goddesses told me contradicted each other.
So who was telling the truth?
After meeting Miss Medea, I gauged her power and was surprised to find she was roughly on par with Arkises.
This meant that Lady Ishta was hiding something from me.
The only thing the Goddesses' said that didn't contradict each other was Lunara's countries are in a state of tension with each other, and this was backed up by Miss Medea's previous statements about how she'd receive international criticism if she hired me.
Great, not only do I have to unravel what Lady Ishta is hiding. I also have to learn about the politics in another world that may be hostile to me. It also doesn't help that I have no possessions other than my sword and the clothes on my back (meaning I'm dirt-poor), and I'm currently in a weakened state.
It's as though I'm playing one of those fighting video games Mina likes on nightmare mode, with the added disadvantage of only being allowed to use one hand.
[Author's Note: Mina Asami is a mechanic from an advanced technological world featured in the three-part prologue.]
Although hard to win, it can still be done.
The first step to winning this game/saving this world is becoming an educator at Babylonia.
Right now, I am ignorant of the history, culture and politics of Lunara. By becoming an educator, I'll gain access to the Academy's archives and libraries containing knowledge about all three subjects that I seek.
Babylonia Academy will also be a good starting place for me to build up influence and power in this world. After I get my first paycheck, that is. Without money, one could never expect to start a business or gain followers.
Also, as a neutral ground for all races and those of different ethnicities to learn together with to promote diversity and acceptance, it'll be hard for any one nation to force their demands on me without receiving resistance from their rivals in their little quiet game to accumulate more power for themselves.
Soon enough, I'll join in on their little game, and before they could realize I'm a threat and decide to team up to go against me, it'll be too late.
I sounded a lot like a villain at the end of that last bit.
Hopefully, people don't get misunderstand me for that. I'm just tired of dealing with selfish nobles and megalomaniac leaders all the time.
The mere sight of those kinds of people makes me want to split them right in half. One less selfish, egotistical b*stard walking the world would do society some good.
Unfortunately, knowing the reality of the cruel world, the moment I lay a hand even on a single hair of theirs, the corrupt leaders, nobles and politicians in power would immediately pounce on me and declare me a tyrant abusing my powers.
*Sigh!*
Oh, how the innocent are preyed on by the wicked and the righteous condemned by the masses for bringing down tyrants.
Truly a cruel world for good people to live in.
Before I could go deeper into my inner monologue, the voice of a certain Headmaster ignited my rage.
"Umm, are you going to attack? Not that I'm asking you to attack me mind you, but you have been standing still for a while."
"Actually, I feel like you standing still with that gaze of yours on me isn't so bad either."
"That fierce look in your eyes that desires to ravage my body, that unyielding and firm stance and the restraint and calmness you show..."
"Oh! How marvellous! It makes my whole body tingle!"
My patience with this woman finally ran out.