Episode 77
Tristan, with a sly grin, glanced at the stone in Lucius’s hand.
[Oh my, isn’t that the mana measurement stone I made? I gave it to Sister Noah. Why do you have it, Brother Lucius?]
“…I found it on the ground.”
Tristan sighed at Lucius’s blatant lie.
[Oh dear, I told her to be careful with it since there aren’t many. As His Highness said, she’s quite reckless.]
As expected, it was Tristan’s creation.
Felix, kissing Tristan’s hand comfortingly, asked Lucius,
[So, what will happen to Dianne Rossi?]
“Considering the crime of insulting royalty, execution would be appropriate. But considering her age, she’ll probably just be expelled from the academy.”
[Ravanta is too lenient.]
“…Are you going to kill her?”
Lucius asked.
The answer was obvious.
Felix’s green eyes gleamed with malice.
[No, killing her now would be too suspicious. We’ll drive her insane first, then slowly cut off her tail.]
“I’ll take care of it.”
[There’s no need for you to get your hands dirty. We can send someone else. Focus on your mission.]
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Felix smiled, satisfied with Lucius’s obedience.
[By the way, is Simon doing well?]
“With all due respect—”
[Tsk, I didn’t expect much from him anyway. Dolce was the perfect pawn for this kind of thing. It’s a shame he’s gone.]
Felix clicked his tongue, interrupting Lucius.
Lucius couldn’t agree.
Dolce had been the one who insulted Chelon.
He replied evasively,
“…It’s my fault. I failed to guide the prince and princesses properly—”
[You only have two eyes. It’s understandable. I’m generous. I can forgive this much.]
Felix smiled magnanimously.
But his smile quickly vanished, his gaze turning cold.
[As long as you succeed in your most important mission.]
Lucius lowered his head.
[But it seems Noah did some good work before she messed up. Tristan’s power has grown, albeit slightly.]
“…Yes. It seems the personality quiz Noah created, the one that rebranded the Calamity God’s image, was quite effective.”
[Personality quiz?]
“Yes. She portrayed the Calamity God as a romantic.”
Lucius hadn’t understood why it had become so popular, but now it made sense.
Religious power stemmed from faith.
The Theology Department students might have created the quiz, but it was Noah who had added the Calamity God option.
Felix burst into laughter.
[Ahahaha! What a waste. She could have been a useful pawn for a few more years if she wasn’t so reckless.]
“I agree, Your Highness.”
[But relying solely on the Calamity God’s name isn’t enough. It’s time to move on to the next phase.]
“Which means…?”
[Prepare for the next prayer meeting with extra care, Lucius.]
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lucius replied, his gaze unwavering.
Felix glanced at the mana measurement stone still in Lucius’s hand.
[Oh, and since you have Tristan’s mana measurement stone, why don’t you use it? Finding a sacrifice isn’t your job, but since you have it, might as well. Lucius, would you mind using your power, Tristan?]
[Of course not. It’s a special occasion. It’s a one-time opportunity, so please use it wisely, Brother.]
“…I’m honored.”
The communication ended with their satisfied laughter.
Lucius sighed, fiddling with the mana measurement stone.
“A one-time opportunity, huh…?”
Dianne, or rather, Noah Anglores, had been quite perceptive.
Lucius, with his strong Holy Power, could instantly sense Elonia’s immense mana.
But Noah, despite her weaker mana, had also recognized Elonia’s potential.
Her perceptiveness was commendable, but she had been too hasty.
The princess wasn’t a suitable sacrifice because of her status.
‘Well, at least for now.’
If they couldn’t find a suitable candidate, they might have to consider the princess as a last resort, but it was too risky for now.
‘It’s a good thing Noah Anglores self-destructed.’
Noah Anglores was from the Delan Kingdom, Heilan’s ally, a nation that had been safe from the war.
And now she had lost everything to Ravanta.
A person driven by rage was unpredictable, and an opponent with nothing to lose was the most dangerous.
It was fortunate that she had self-destructed.
If she had been more cautious, less greedy, she could have become a significant threat.
‘What am I even thinking…?’
He was supposed to be working for Heilan, so why was he thinking like this?
Just as he was about to question his own motives, a voice echoed in his mind.
[Lucius, you must never use that stone!]
Again.
He hadn’t heard the Calamity God’s voice since he was chosen as an apostle. Instead, he kept hearing this strange voice.
It had started…
‘When I first encountered the princess.’
Right, that was it.
He had started hearing this voice since the entrance ceremony.
[Lucius, are you listening?]
The voice urged him on, as if he was ignoring her.
‘…I’m listening, so please be quiet.’
He couldn’t think straight with her constant chatter.
Lucius put the mana measurement stone in his pocket, his thoughts racing.
The owner of the voice could somehow read his mind.
It was convenient, preventing him from talking to himself out loud, but it was also unsettling to have his thoughts exposed.
[Right. You must never let anyone use that stone, especially not Princess Elonia. Tristan’s power is dangerous and unstable. You don’t know what kind of consequences it might have, and in the worst-case scenario, you might lose your status as the Calamity God’s apostle.]
The voice warned him sternly, but to Lucius, it was just nonsense.
‘I’m not even a proper apostle anymore. I only heard his voice once, when I was chosen.’
[…I can’t explain the details, but you’re still the Calamity God’s apostle. I guarantee it.]
‘How can you be so sure? And who are you, anyway?’
[Someone in the same situation as you.]
‘…Same situation? Ha, I never thought I would go crazy.’
[Oh dear, don’t say that. You’re not crazy.]
Lucius felt like he was already on the verge of insanity.
He was constantly walking on eggshells, how could he not be crazy?
The voice warned him again.
[Remember, never use that stone, especially not on Princess Elonia.]
‘I’m not planning on using it right now.’
[Not just now, but never!]
‘If my life is in danger, I’ll use this stone and sacrifice the princess to save myself.’
[…]
The voice fell silent at his cold refusal, then muttered,
[Lying at such a young age.]
What a condescending tone.
It was true that he was lying.
But he didn’t want to admit it, so he snapped at her,
‘Stop reading my mind.’
[I have the right to. You’re the Calamity God’s apostle.]
‘Are you saying you’re the Calamity God?’
[Not exactly.]
What kind of wordplay was this?
But he didn’t want the princess to be sacrificed, just like she had said.
But his reasons had changed.
The more he interacted with her, the more he hesitated.
Ever since he saw Chelon in her, his path had become unclear.
He didn’t know how many more spies, like Noah Anglores, were lurking in the shadows.
He might be a valuable pawn, not easily discarded.
But a hesitant pawn, no matter how valuable, would eventually be eliminated.
‘I need to be more careful.’
Lucius steeled his resolve.
He couldn’t throw away the life Chelon had saved him.
Dianne Rossi had been expelled.
Not just expelled, but expelled for insulting royalty.
And the Theology Department students who had participated in spreading the rumor were quickly identified, and the rumor died down as quickly as it had appeared.
And he had no overdue assignments this week.
It was a perfect week.
Elonia, remembering her promise to Artius, decided to visit the palace.
She really intended to.
“Sorry, I ruined your honor.”
[…]
But she was still in her dormitory.
It couldn’t be helped.
“Come on, cheer up. I told you the midterm exams are coming up.”
[…]
That’s right.
Time had flown by, and the midterm exams were just around the corner.
That was why she had no overdue assignments.
Her desk was covered with study materials.
“Just wait a little longer. I’ll bring my report card home after the midterm exams. I promise. I’ll get the highest score.”
[No, you won’t. You’ll keep your promise about the highest score, but you’ll break your promise about coming home.]
Artius grumbled, his lips jutting out in a pout.
Elonia almost retorted, but then she realized he was right. He had always been fooled by her empty promises.
She chose to flee.
“I don’t have time to comfort you. I have to study. I’m hanging up.”
[W-wait, Elonia!]
“I’ll really visit after the exams! Bye!”
Elonia quickly ended the call, ignoring Artius’s protests.
‘Ugh, he’s getting more and more whiny with age.’
She didn’t dislike his clinginess. It meant he missed her.
But comforting him was a chore.
He would cheer up instantly if she just showed her face, so she decided to prioritize studying.
The only sound in the quiet room was the scratching of her pen against the parchment.
After a while,
Elonia finally set down her pen and stretched, her body stiff from sitting for so long.
“Maybe I should go practice my swordsmanship.”
The swordsmanship exam was a practical exam.
Elonia, wanting to loosen up her muscles, strapped on the sword Artius had given her and headed outside.
On her way to the training grounds, someone called out to her.
“Elonia.”
“…Professor Caroline?”
She had run into Professor Caroline.
She had never encountered a professor outside of class, especially on a weekend, so Elonia looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Caroline, however, approached her with a bright smile.
“I enjoyed reading your reports, especially the one on Chelon Heilan theories. It was quite insightful, a perspective I had never considered before.”
“Thank you, Professor…”
Caroline never wavered, no matter how unenthusiastic Elonia’s responses were.
But even her praise for Elonia’s knowledge of Chelon Heilan’s magic didn’t impress her.
It would be embarrassing if she didn’t remember her own magic.
“Where are you headed?”
“To practice my swordsmanship.”
Elonia gestured to the sword at her waist.
Caroline’s eyes sparkled.
“You’re diligent in your swordsmanship training as well. It’s rare to see a mage aspiring to be a Sword Mage… And you have a deep understanding of Chelon Heilan. Do you admire her?”
“No, not at all.”
“You don’t have to hide it.”
“Why would I admire the War Demon?”
“I admire her.”
“What?”