The Transmigrator Doesn’t Dream of Being the Protagonist – Chapter 28

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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The dinner party was held at a restaurant near the academy.

Everyone was thrilled when Tia Erze announced she was treating them.

“So, Arthur will be the president, and Ethan will be the vice president?”

Tia asked, and I nodded.

Why was I the vice president?

Because I hated dealing with tedious tasks.

Although it seemed like I was already stuck with most of them.

“Then we need to elect a treasurer.”

A treasurer for a student club…

Tia’s question implied that she was willing to take on the role.

“Treasurer? What’s a treasurer?”

Anya tilted her head, confused, while Tesha quietly observed the situation.

“The treasurer handles all the administrative tasks and manages the club’s finances.”

“Oh, I see!”

Anya claimed to understand, but I doubted she did.

“What do you think, Arthur and Ethan? Should we elect a treasurer and accountant?”

Honestly, I wanted to hand over the vice president position as well.

Tia Erze as vice president, treasurer, and accountant. Plus, she was a rich heiress. She was the epitome of a powerful heroine.

“Oh, yeah! That’s a great idea!”

Our protagonist enthusiastically agreed.

“Would anyone like to volunteer as treasurer?”

Tia’s gaze swept over the group. Everyone avoided her eyes.

“Well then, I suppose I’ll take on the role of treasurer. Despite my appearance, I’m Tia Erze, the only daughter of the Erze Trading Company. I have plenty of experience managing finances.”

No one dared to object. We applauded, congratulating her.

“Since we have a treasurer cum accountant, perhaps we should appoint an auditor?”

Tesha raised her hand timidly and asked.

“Then Tesha can be the auditor!”

“Huh? Me?”

Tia, like a crocodile waiting for its prey, pounced on Tesha. And so, Tia became the treasurer and accountant, while Tesha was appointed as the auditor.

Anya was the only one who benefited from the situation.

The club meeting continued smoothly.

We decided to name the club “Hunter.” Our activities would include dungeon exploration, hunting, and other adventures. Arthur and Tia took the lead in the discussion, while I stayed in the background.

I slipped out of the restaurant as they were talking. I couldn’t focus with Vivian’s message weighing on my mind. I needed some fresh air.

I checked my communication crystal in a nearby alley.

“[The meeting is almost over.]”

I sent a message to Vivian, who was probably waiting patiently.

Vivian was innocent.

I had only cut off ties with Sepia.

I hoped Vivian would end up with Arthur, becoming his reliable mental support.

“Are you waiting for someone?”

I turned around. Tesha stood there.

“Your girlfriend?”

“No, I just need to contact one of the servants from the Logness family.”

“Sepia is from the Logness family, right? And Ethan is her servant.”

“Yes, I was her servant.”

Tesha tilted her head, her expression curious.

“You left the Logness family?”

“Yes… It just happened.”

I was vague, avoiding details. Our princess seemed intrigued, but she didn’t pry.

Yes, the princess was a normal human being.

“Hey, Ethan, do you need a job?”

“A job?”

“Yes… Professor Cassia is looking for an assistant.”

Professor Cassia’s assistant…

It sounded like a tough gig.

But even though Professor Cassia made students drink poison, she was a responsible and capable instructor.

It wouldn’t hurt to build a good relationship with Neydia’s professors. Besides, there were no graduate schools in this world, so I wouldn’t have to worry about becoming a teaching assistant.

“Professor Cassia’s assistant…”

I pretended to consider her offer.

My income had been abruptly cut off.

“I heard the pay is better than other assistant positions.”

“I’m interested.”

“Oh! Then you should visit her and inquire about the position.”

Tesha was secretly attending the academy, her identity as a princess concealed.

But not all professors were unaware of her true identity.

Some professors, who had close ties to the imperial family, had probably figured it out.

And Tesha was undeniably beautiful, drawing attention wherever she went.

Spies weren’t supposed to stand out.

It would be difficult to forget her appearance after seeing her even once.

Despite the artifact concealing her identity, her changed name, her short hairstyle, and her different makeup…

Was this the power of the princess coin?

“Thank you for looking out for me.”

“Heehee, don’t mention it. Friends help each other.”

How could someone be so kind and thoughtful?

I was impressed by her genuine concern for others.

Why was I praising the princess, while Arthur, who was also a good person, was ignored?

Well, if Arthur was so desperate for attention, he could always undergo a gender transformation and become Artoria Pendragon.

“What are you two doing here?”

Tia’s voice interrupted our conversation.

She stood there, her red hair styled in a ponytail, her eyes narrowed.

“I was just asking Ethan if he’s interested in becoming Professor Cassia’s assistant.”

“Ethan working for Professor Cassia? But Ethan is a servant of the Logness…”

“I left the Logness family yesterday.”

Tia let out a soft gasp.

Her blue eyes trembled with unease.

“Ethan, if you need a job, I can write you a recommendation. As you know, the Erze Trading Company is a prominent trading company in the eastern region. We can help you find a job near the academy.”

Tia was quick-witted.

She must have assumed I was fired because of her.

My conflict with Sepia was related to her, after all.

“But I can’t work for the Erze Trading Company so soon after leaving the Logness family.”

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

“Wait a moment. Tia, Ethan, I want to know what happened between the two of you.”

“I don’t remember much because I was drunk, but Ethan took care of me on our way back to the dormitory from the social gathering.”

Even now, Tia claimed to have blacked out.

Wow, she was really committed to this act.

“And?”

“I vaguely remember running into Lady Sepia, and I’m worried that I might have caused a rift between the two of you.”

“Wow, you two went to the social gathering together?”

Tesha clapped her hands together, her expression genuinely impressed.

“Tesha, please don’t misunderstand. It was just a coincidence that we met at the ball.”

Tia stated firmly. Don’t misunderstand? I don’t want to be involved with you either.

“Oh, is that so? I’ve never been to a social gathering. I’m a commoner, you see… I’m curious about what they’re like.”

It was obviously a lie.

The princess was lying so casually.

One was pretending to have amnesia, the other was pretending to be a commoner. It was like watching two heroines compete for the Best Actress award.

I could understand why Arthur had chosen Vivian.

The meeting finally ended after an hour.

I contacted Vivian, as promised.

“[Vivian, the meeting just ended.]”

“[Ah, yes, Ethan. Can you come here?]”

I headed to the address she provided.

It was a bar and cafe.

The fact that it was empty suggested they had rented out the entire place.

I entered and Sepia waved at me. Vivian stood behind her, her hands clasped respectfully.

“Ethan, over here.”

We were no longer bound by the formalities of master and servant.

But old habits died hard.

I instinctively spoke formally.

“What is it?”

“Come and sit.”

Sepia patted the seat beside her. Her cheerful smile made me uneasy.

I quickly scanned the surroundings.

I had a bad feeling this was a trap.

“I said come and sit.”

I sat across from her.

Two glasses of beer were placed on the table.

Sepia slid one towards me.

“Here, Ethan, have a drink. I’ve been a bit harsh on you, haven’t I?”

“……”

What was going on?

Her behavior was unsettling.

Sepia’s eyes narrowed as I hesitated.

“Why aren’t you drinking? You’re such a heavy drinker. You were drinking all night at the ball.”

“My lady.”

Vivian gently placed a hand on Sepia’s shoulder.

“Ah… I didn’t mean it like that.”

“……”

“I called you here because… I want to rehire you.”

Sepia continued, her voice smooth and practiced.

“I thought the Logness family paid their servants generously, but I realized that might be just from our perspective. Hmm… So, I wanted to renegotiate your contract and offer you a better salary.”

The content of her speech didn’t matter.

Her tone was condescending.

I stopped paying attention halfway through.

“So, what do you say? It’s a good offer, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Then you’ll come back?”

Sepia asked eagerly.

“No, thank you.”

“What? Why not?”

“I have no intention of returning to the Logness family.”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold.

“Why? Did the Erze Trading Company offer you a better deal?”

“……”

“Ethan, wake up. Why would the Erze family hire you? They’re making an investment. Do you think there’s such a thing as loyalty among merchants? They’ll discard you the moment you’re no longer profitable.”

Sepia’s words came out in a torrent.

Vivian tried to calm her down, but Sepia shrugged off her hand.

“Think carefully. You might feel like you’re a hero now, just because you’re attending the academy and you defeated a demon. But you’re still just a first-year student.”

I wanted to sigh.

This was practically a threat.

“…You really don’t understand anything, do you?”

“What? What did you just say?”

“I said you don’t understand anything, Sepia.”

“I don’t understand? Ethan, are you crazy? You dared to call me by my name? Are you trying to provoke me? You say I don’t understand? Then what do you know? What do you know about me?!”

I was tired of this.

I had no intention of working for Sepia any longer.

“Tell me, Ethan. What do you know about me?”

“Nothing. I don’t know anything. I don’t even know who I am.”

Who was this Ethan?

Why was I stuck in a fictional world, dealing with these characters?

I didn’t understand.

“What?”

“The negotiations are over, Sepia.”

I stood up.

Sepia’s shoulders trembled in frustration.

Her blue eyes glared at me.

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