Episode 152
I sighed deeply, and Evan’s expression changed.
“Surely you won’t talk about trivial things like morals or anything like that?”
“I’m sorry, but I have to bring it up. And I’ll swear a little too. Hey, you crazy bastard. “I’m not sure about anything yet, so does it make sense to kill him and see?”
“I just explained why.”
Evan was rather puzzled.
“Currently, Cartel Academy has over 1,000 students. “If we add other faculty and staff, the number of people will increase by half, if not double.”
“know.”
“We are going to kill two people to save 1,500 people. Is there any reason not to do this? ah. It’s unlikely, but if you’re an ardent follower of the imperial family… … .”
I cut off Evan’s nonsense with a sigh.
“What if both of us are not church members?”
“Those two are priority 0 suspects, and below that, there is a list prepared starting from priority 1. “You can go down sequentially.”
“Keep killing people?”
Evan raised his hands with a bored expression.
“I admit that it is a radical method. But in the time left, it’s the only way to definitely save everyone.”
I burst out laughing at this part.
“There are more than one or two things I want to point out, but let’s ask this first.”
“say.”
“If that’s the end of the situation, why do you want my help?”
“what?”
“The prince and the princess. “If you want to kill those two, you can do it by yourself.”
“… … .”
Evan closed his muzzle.
“Shall I tell you my prediction? Killing the prince and princess is only step 1, or step 0, of your plan. “That’s when you’ll need my help.”
“… … .”
“In addition, if you share the crime of murdering the royal family, no one will believe you even if I tell you about your identity, and I can exploit your weaknesses, so I’ll kill two birds with one stone.”
“Tsk.”
Evan licked his lips and scratched his cheek.
I felt strange because he seemed somewhat caught off guard and embarrassed, similar to the Evan I knew.
After a while, I shrugged my shoulders.
It is an unspoken affirmation.
For a moment, I was so annoyed that I thought about hitting my head, but first I asked what I was curious about.
“What is the next step?”
“After you kill the priest, right?”
“What a priest.”
“ah. That’s what I wanted to call the guy who temporarily brought down the Demon Lord. In any case, it seems clear that a sacrificial ritual was held here.”
“… “Sure.”
I was tired of arguing further, so I decided to move on.
“Strictly speaking, killing the priest after the Demon King descends is a follow-up measure. “If a forest fire has already broken out, even if the extinguishing work is completed, what was burned out will not come back, right?”
“so.”
“But we can prevent the fire from spreading further. In a similar vein, if you kill the priest, at least the devil won’t get stronger.”
“… “Getting stronger?”
“okay. Of course, offerings must be provided periodically… … .”
Evan continued.
“Honestly, even at this stage, the chances of defeating the Demon King are close to zero. This means that if you kill the priest as quickly as possible, you can have even the slightest chance of winning. “You understand up to this point, right?”
“okay.”
“Then are you following what I say?”
“no.”
As I shook my head, Evan also sighed as if he were exhausted.
“good. Well then, let’s hear your opinion. “Is there another alternative?”
“First of all, I want to ask you one thing.”
“say.”
“What exactly happened to you in the research wing?”
“hmm.”
Evan also nodded, probably thinking it was a valid question.
“To put it simply… It is correct to say that the twelve research buildings are already religious territory. It’s not that dangerous during the day, but when the sun goes down, it’s a different story. “There is a high probability of being sucked into the other side of the world.”
“I’m getting sucked in?”
“huh. But from there on, my memories are a bit blurry. As I said before, it’s a vague feeling like a dream world… … . “First, I’ll tell you everything I remember.”
Evan’s next words were absurd.
They say that when you wake up after losing consciousness, you wake up in the middle of the night at the academy with a blood-red moon rising.
It seems that that place is the other side of the world.
“I remember there were a lot of people besides me. “I even forgot their faces, but most of the academy students were also professors.”
“that… “It’s a bit strange.”
When I say there were a lot, I mean there were at least a dozen people… … .
As I said before, the academy is a place that is much easier to track people than other places.
If you are absent even once from a class you signed up for, it will be immediately recorded in your attendance record.
If that frequency becomes alarming, the instructor will naturally feel strange.
Evan, who can survive even if he dies once, is a special case.
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“Hadeneihar is a demon lord who likes games, so there are probably rules even in the behind-the-scenes world. “It means that although he is irrational, there is no chance of him returning to the original world.”
“Uhm… … .”
“anyway. There are three keywords that I clearly remember in that world. [Doll], [Search], and finally [Blood Moon]”
“… “It’s a doll.”
Somehow it reminded me of Princess Perist holding a doll… It’s strangely uncomfortable.
What should I say?
Since all the circumstances point to the princess as the culprit, on the contrary, I feel reluctant.
Of course, as Seren said, this world is not a novel.
A suspicious person is suspicious because he or she acts suspiciously.
But apart from that, I decided not to ignore the feeling of discomfort I was feeling right now.
“I roughly understand what you mean. Then your real purpose is-.”
“After killing the priest, we went back to the other side and tried to defeat the Demon King together.”
“hmm.”
I nodded.
“I think I understand the general idea. But doesn’t it seem daunting for the two of us to solve it together?”
“I agree. The more colleagues you have, the better. Personally, I think five people would be appropriate… … .”
Evan suddenly looked at my face and asked.
“What’s wrong with your expression?”
“… no.”
I shook my head.
For some reason, when I just heard Evan’s words, Seren’s words passed through my head.
– anyway. The princess wants to secure up to five of her assistants. I don’t know the exact reason, though.
A princess who wants to secure five members.
Evan said that at least five people are needed to defeat the Demon King.
Is this just a coincidence?
“Is there anyone you can attract? First of all, he has to be a trustworthy guy. However, your skills should not be poor. First of all, it means that Hector and Charon are not allowed to hang out with you.”
Hector and Charon are, of course, excellent forces at the level of the Youngdo, but they are clearly still lacking to be mobilized in battle against the Demon King.
The first thing that came to mind was Seren Good Spring, but… … .
Right now, a person who could be much more helpful than that guy crossed my mind.
“there is.”
“who?”
“Dean Alderson.”
The owner of the academy.
You must share your current situation with the Grand Wizard of Seven Colors and receive help.
* * *
“The Dean is currently at the [Pagoda of Asceticism]. In fact, he is there most of the time rather than in the dean’s office.”
I ran all the way to the dean’s office in the main building, but a man who appeared to be a secretary responded like that.
Originally, they said they wouldn’t reveal the whereabouts, but after adding a special student ID card to spice things up, that’s what came out.
Thanks to this, Evan and I were able to immediately leave the main building and head to the [Tower of Training].
As I walked through the dark academy, I got the feeling that the street lights were unusually dark today.
I thought as I glanced at Evan, who was following me without saying a word.
‘I wonder if I can arrange a meeting with Leone.’
Obviously, Leone said that she would share more information if she brought Sogyoju with her, but… … .
I do not know yet.
In the first place, I don’t even know why Leone sought out another small religious leader.
You never know.
That guy might also have an insidious purpose.
For example, hijacking the body of So Jyoju?
‘hmm… … .’
Actually, if you think about it that way, I can’t even completely trust Evan, who is following me right now.
‘… Ah-oh. ‘It’s the head.’
I sighed, wondering what kind of nonsense this was.
They say that even if an ordinary person lives their whole life, it is difficult to see a church member, let alone a priest… … .
Somehow, I am now stuck between the small religious leaders and I feel like I am dying.
However, it is also ambiguous to throw it away carelessly.
Anyway, the Demon King has descended, and Evan’s help is essential to overcome the current situation.
“Do you know about Dean Alderson?”
I asked, hiding these thoughts.
Evan also responded indifferently.
“You’re the Purple Grand Wizard. Of course I know. “But I’m skeptical that someone like that would easily believe the words of a single young leader.”
Certainly, the saying that the devil has descended in the middle of the system is a truth that is difficult for any sane person to believe.
still.
“If I told you, you would probably believe me.”
“Badniker’s name is worth it.”
Evan let out a nervous voice.
‘… For now, let’s put the two together without saying anything.’
Then I thought that if I looked at the attitude of the two leaders, I might be able to know something I didn’t know.
We soon arrived at the Pagoda of Asceticism.
The sight of the tower rising high in the middle of the night was somehow reminiscent of a lighthouse standing on the coast.
What floor is the dean on?
If I’m at the top, do I really have to go up to the first floor?
The moment an embarrassing thought crossed my mind… … .
Hwioo-.
Dean Alderson appeared with a light breeze.
“You guys, what business do you have here at this time of night?”
I said, ‘You guys,’ but Dean Alderson’s eyes were only focused on me.
I spoke naturally, looking at someone who might seem a bit burdensome.
“I want to tell you something.”
“Something?”
“… “Could you please call Leone first?”
Regardless of Evan, I would also like to ask Leone about what is currently happening at the Academy.
“Hmm… … . “Just follow me.”
The moment Alderson waved his hand, the surrounding scenery changed.
I thought it was somewhere and it turned out to be a treasure trove.
Alderson asked, looking at me.
“As for asking me to call Leone… Can we understand that something has been harvested?”
“For now.”
“Hmm… … .”
Alderson looked at me for a moment, shook his head to himself, and then opened one arm like last time.
Alright… … .
Then, a wooden doll tied with thread appears under the arm.
“oh… … .”
The moment Evan let out his voice of admiration, Dean Alderson’s mana was injected into the doll.
The appearance of the blocky wooden doll changes.
It’s an amazing sight to see again.
Immediately eyebrows, bridge of the nose, and lips were created on a face that had no curves, let alone facial features… … .
After a while, the [Leone doll], which was much more detailed and realistic than the princess’s doll and was seemingly indistinguishable from a human, appeared.
“… … .”
I paid attention to Evan’s expression at this moment.
This is so as not to miss the subtle changes that will occur in this guy’s expression the moment he first sees Leone’s face.
Contrary to expectations, there was no particular reaction.
Do you really not know?
Is Evan more intelligent than I thought?
“… Hmm.”
Leone snorted.
Looking at her still eye-catching appearance, impressive eyes, and vague smile half confident and half vague, she didn’t look like a doll.
Leone didn’t even look at the dean. He opened his eyes and immediately glanced at me, then glanced at Evan standing behind him.
“… … .”
It’s a moment when the smile on my face seems to have become slightly stronger.
Kurrrr… … .
“hmm… … ?”
Suddenly the entire tower trembled slightly.
It wasn’t a big tremor, but it wasn’t small enough to be ignored.
“This… Looks like the cavalry is causing trouble again.”
“Are you a cavalry soldier?”
“The trials of the 5th floor, and another masterpiece I created. I’ll check on you for a moment and then we can talk. “I’ll leave Leone behind.”
Fit-.
And Alderson disappeared as if evaporating on the spot.
As soon as the three of them were left in the treasure trove, Leone burst out laughing.
“It’s been a while. “It came sooner than I thought.”
“Do you feel the passage of time?”
“of course. “It will be a little different from your time.”
Leone smiled and walked towards me.
It’s not easy to feel dignity even in a simple gait, but this guy’s gait was like that.
Leone lightly walked around me and said with a smile on her face.
“Looking at your expression, I think I’m finally understanding the situation… … .”
“… … .”
“Badniker’s kid. “Do you know?”
“what.”
“How to distinguish between people and dolls.”
What is that noise all of a sudden?
The moment I looked at him in confusion, Leone came right in front of me.
So close that your breath can touch.
Spectacular red eyes looked directly at me, and soon the corners of their eyes curved like a half moon.
“… … .”
At that moment, I realized.
‘This guy… … .’
Not breathing.
Actually, it’s natural.
There is no reason for a doll without a heart, blood vessels, or respiratory organs to breathe.
“… Not only insects crawling on the ground, but also aquatic animals swimming under the sea and even weeds on the roadside know how to breathe. In other words, breathing is the most certain evidence of life.”
Leone put her mouth to my ear.
“Among dolls, people like me are quite rare. Because other dolls don’t even realize that they are dolls. A subject that moves while tied by a thread. I often mistake it for my own will, but oh, how ridiculous it is… … .”
“… … .”
“Young Badniker and Sogyoju… … . I’m excited about this old-fashioned combination. I feel it. “Let me give you some advice.”
A cold, breathless whisper reached my ears like ice.
“Doubt everything. Get rid of useless preconceptions. Nevertheless, if a curtain of deception and suspicion hangs over you, you too can close your eyes and contemplate endlessly.”
“what?”
This is the nonsense phrase I hate the most.
When I glared at him slightly, Leone smiled and widened the distance between me and him again.
There was no malice visible in the bright smile.
“What did you say?”
Evan asked, tilting his head as if he hadn’t heard Leone’s whisper, but instead of answering… … .
‘Evan Helvin’ was confirmed in its entirety.
Of course, no one would normally check to see if others are breathing.
Unless you are seriously injured.
“… … .”
The slight heaving of the chest, the pulse, the flow of air near the airways… … .
Evan is breathing.
Pot-.
At that moment, Dean Alderson returned.
“I’m sorry for leaving suddenly. “The job was done well.”
“… … .”
“But how far did we talk?”
Dean Alderson asked with a warm smile.
“ah.”
I looked at his face for a moment and counted the seconds in my mind as if I was trying to organize my words.
“therefore… … .”
Alderson comes back in and now it’s 5 seconds.
10 seconds.
15 seconds.
… 20 seconds.
“… … .”
I can’t feel any inhalation or exhalation.
The chest beyond the beard did not even move.
I saw Leone standing next to the Dean, smiling softly… … .
Goosebumps spread down my spine.
There was no need for adverbs like ‘no way’.
The point was already clear.
Dean Alderson is a doll.
fantasy,
