1-Second Invincible Player in the Game

151. The Outside World (2)

Gedgar swept his gaze over the red carpet of the chapel and looked up at the dais.

As he raised his eyes further, the statue of the goddess hanging on the wall smiled benevolently.

“For something made to resemble a harlot, it’s quite well-crafted.”

At Gedgar’s scoff, a rotund man in lavish attire spoke up.

“Ah, let’s refrain from calling her a harlot, shall we? She was a woman as pure as alabaster.”

Gedgar stared at the rotund man with a piercing gaze.

The real power behind the empire that had made his sister a queen, Gillum.

It was clear that this statue reflected his grotesque taste.

“Then what? It must have all rotted away in there.”

At Gedgar’s sneer, Gillum clicked his tongue in disdain.

“Beauty leaves its original form before it is forgotten in memory. That is the essence of aesthetics.”

“I cannot fathom your taste at all.”

“That is something I should be saying, Gedgar.”

As the words hung in the air for a few seconds, Gillum stepped up onto the platform.

“The greetings have been long. Now that everyone seems gathered, shall we get to the point?”

Gedgar scanned the room.

People sat with eyes that seemed to drift, as if detached from life itself.

Only six of them, including himself.

“Didn’t someone mention that one of them is missing?”

“Given the recent silence, it’s likely a predictable circumstance.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Gedgar understood immediately.

There were only two reasons for not attending the gathering.

Either one had been born not long ago, or was too old to even move.

‘Of all times… They must have known about the meeting; perhaps they couldn’t even align their life cycle properly.’

All present were reincarnates.

Beings worn down by the endless cycle of human life, repeating it for what felt like an eternity.

Before such beings, Gillum uttered words meant to prick the ears.

“As you all know, the Day of Rest is approaching.”

Reincarnation was akin to a curse.

Even if one was forcibly born and formed new connections, they were all experiences already lived.

There was likely nothing they hadn’t done in their lifetimes.

Whether it was a noble act or a repugnant deed, anything possible as a human had been done.

Thus, what they most desired was eternal rest, a perfect death, never to be reborn.

“But.”

Gillum suddenly looked down with a displeased expression.

“What have you all been doing? I was born a vagabond and created this wretched cult. Born into a pitiful family, I turned vermin into nobility, even placing a creature that might not even have a brain upon a throne. Why? Because if anything went awry, I would be trapped in the cycle of eternity.”

The others seemed disinterested in participating in the conversation.

Gedgar had no choice but to indulge the ramblings of Gloom.

“Destruction is inevitable. The world is destined to perish. You’re the only one here overreacting. And to think you’re acting all high and mighty after doing something no one asked you to do. It’s laughable.”

Gedgar slumped back in his chair.

Perhaps he found that posture distasteful.

Gloom erupted, his voice a thunderclap.

“Be vigilant, Gedgar! No, it’s not just you. It’s all of you!!”

Having poured out his heart, Gloom exhaled sharply, as if he had emptied a well of despair.

Gedgar couldn’t fathom where such strength came from.

‘You’ve lived this long, yet you’re brimming with zeal. All for nothing, really.’

Creating some nonsensical religion, whatever the Order of the Sun was, and seizing the reins of the imperial power.

That man had delayed the world’s demise at the cost of his own life.

Gloom must have been lost in delusions, ever wary that the man might return.

‘If a sane person were here, that one has gone utterly mad.’

To silence Gloom’s incessant droning, Gedgar spoke up.

“The arrogant immortal, he does not exist. He has vanished completely. So stop your pointless fuss and just shut your mouth, will you?”

“Don’t be foolish, Gedgar. Do you truly believe that the immortal has perished?”

Gedgar let out a deep sigh.

“So, did you find any trace of him in the relic you sought?”

This was why Gloom had grown powerful in the Empire.

The suspicion that the heart of the immortal might still be intact.

It was not impossible that his minions had hidden it somewhere.

If it existed, the world’s end might be postponed indefinitely.

Yet, even after searching for thousands of years, it had not been found.

Of course, with only seven of them wandering that vast wasteland, there were many places they hadn’t searched, but even so, Gloom’s obsession had crossed a line.

“Don’t be such a perfectionist, Gloom. If you’ve deployed that many people over such a long time and still haven’t found it, it means the heart of the immortal no longer exists.”

Perhaps Gloom had calmed down a bit, as he relaxed his shoulders and spoke.

“Well, that would be good news, but… there’s something else that’s been bothering me.”

Gedgar felt no irritation now.

He closed his eyes, as if to say he could listen to Gloom’s new worries.

“Surely you’ve all heard of it? The scoundrel of the Tenest family who survived the breath of the monstrous bird.”

Though it was already a topic long past its prime, my ears perked up.

“Surely you don’t think he’s the arrogant rebirth of an immortal, do you?”

Gedgar asked, surprise lacing his voice, and Gilrum nodded slowly.

“Of course, the odds are low. Yet, the possibility isn’t entirely absent.”

A soft chuckle escaped from the others who had been silent until now.

It seemed this was somewhat amusing.

“That arrogant immortal is merely a ruffian, you say?”

Gilrum averted his gaze as he replied.

“…There is a chance of that.”

“Seems we’ve lost our perspective by belittling him among ourselves. Let me ask again: the man who was called the immortal king, unifier of our kind, is just a ruffian?”

This time, Gilrum fell completely silent.

Gerger let out a scoff, as if in disdain.

“It was Aol who struck down the beast, wasn’t it? And such tales are often exaggerated to bolster a family’s prestige. They likely wanted to dress up the ruffian a bit more humanely. After living so long, one would think he’d have seen enough, yet it seems he’s lost his wits.”

Everyone but Gilrum nodded in agreement.

Gedgar looked at him with pity and offered a heartfelt suggestion.

“Why not just die and be reborn? Get a new brain while you’re at it.”

This had once been a common jest among the reincarnators, but this time, it came from a place of sincerity.

* * *

Clouds drifted along the currents.

An endlessly clear sky and pleasant weather.

I lay on the sunbed of the Shulafe Pavilion’s terrace, staring blankly into space.

After a few minutes of clearing my mind, thoughts began to rise like smoke.

Given that Professor Gomon was silent, it seemed Luon had survived and successfully retreated.

It was entirely plausible.

With Peldira, who possessed the grimoire of the red jewel, providing support.

Hmm, should I just ask directly?

I turned to look at Professor Gomon, who lay on the sunbed beside me.

“Professor, did you miss it again?”

“Uh? Huh, what?”

The drowsy Professor Gomon bent forward, his face still caught in the haze of sleep.

“Ah, I dozed off for a moment. Ugh, this spot is quite nice. Sleep comes easily here. Oh, right. Are you talking about that thing we missed, the Ruon?”

“Exactly.”

“From the lack of news, it must be that, right? Anyway, it’s better if it remains elusive. We should spread the word that it’s an uncontrollable beast; that way, we won’t look so foolish.”

The management was diligent, but it seems they failed against a creature that offered no answers.

A cowardly excuse.

“But is there no news from outside? I heard there have been many happenings lately.”

I subtly probed whether the playable characters far away were faring well.

By now, a significant portion of the early scenario must have unfolded.

Given the weight of the events, Professor Gomon would likely be aware.

“Oh, there’s plenty. They say a mirage fortress has appeared in the sky over Wisdom.”

The magic-focused academy, Wisdom.

The key figures there must be unraveling the secrets of the fortress.

The pretext was likely that the professors had deemed it suitable for educational purposes after prior investigation.

Then they would find themselves trapped, struggling to escape.

“What else is there?”

“Valiant has had its own troubles. There was an earthquake, and then strange, gigantic trees sprouted up, or so they say.”

The knightly academy, Valiant, must be undergoing a jungle transformation by now.

Soon, they would become the natives of the wilderness.

Professor Gomon shared news of the other two academies as well.

“In Ever Blight, a professor has gone mad and is trying to kill students. As for Scarlet, being near the coast, they’re mobilized to hunt down sea monsters.”

Ever Blight and Scarlet had a rather mundane difficulty level, so nothing particularly striking there.

“Let’s see, besides that, the Shadow Watchers have been assassinating key figures, and many monsters have been crossing over. You know the Tenest territory? They say they frequently appear on your family’s land. It’s absurd, really, as if the end times are upon us.”

The world is now plunged into chaos.

Strange phenomena occurring simultaneously.

For many, it would be a disaster, yet for some, it was an opportunity to stand out.

“Still, it’s not entirely hopeless. Isn’t it said that heroes emerge in troubled times? There are more and more who step forward. New names are popping up from various regions. After all, dedication ultimately leaves a mark as achievement.”

I worried inwardly that things might go awry, but it seems everyone is managing well enough.

To savor this moment of leisure, I took a refreshing drink from the side table.

Professor Gomon spoke with a troubled expression.

“I wonder if we should be doing this. Outside is a complete mess, yet here, it feels too peaceful.”

“Professor. Consider it from the other side. What was it like here when they were at peace?”

As I spoke, Professor Gomon cleared his throat.

“Ahem. That’s true. There were all sorts of things happening, even before the first semester of our first year had fully settled.”

The tragedy of the Peldira incident.

The wandering troupe that erupted during practical magic.

The occupation of the academy by Luon.

And the Monma, Irte, disguised as a research blunder.

Even excluding the chaos I caused—like the extermination of the dual beings, the slave revolution, the fierce competition for the Ten Points, and the surprise visit from the Pathfinder elder, Arental—this was the extent of it.

“We deserve a break, Professor.”

“Yes, you’re right. We can afford to have some fun.”

Professor Gomon took a drink from the side table.

After emptying his cup, he brought forth a heart-wrenching question.

“But, Hessel. How did you fare in the practical exam?”

“…Did you not check?”

“You could just ask me, you know. No need to make it a hassle.”

I let out a deep sigh.

To say my efforts bore no fruit would be untrue.

Moreover, by some stroke of luck, this time the practical problems were ones I could manage, even if just barely.

The score I received was…

“B minus.”

Compared to the very first day of school, it was a remarkable improvement.

Still, a sense of disappointment lingered, unavoidable.

This was a matter of my own values.

“Wow, that’s impressive! You really worked hard, didn’t you?”

“Not much comfort in that. I’m someone who doesn’t think of a score unless it’s an A.”

My efforts still felt lacking.

My skills were at the level of a mere novice, freshly admitted to this place.

To prove myself as a wizard, I had to work twice as hard as everyone else.

Yet, for today, let’s just rest.

As I began to close my eyes, perhaps something forgotten stirred in Professor Gomon, and he spoke with a lively tone.

“Ah, right. Speaking of which, you. I heard you’ve been assigned to the Adel Hall?”

“…What?”

“Why the surprise? Did you think it wouldn’t happen again because of Professor Rockefeller?”

Well, that’s not entirely wrong.

“Did that man even stay quiet this time?”

“You received the Three-Paw Wolf Medal, didn’t you? That alone is enough, you fool.”

Professor Gomon didn’t need to say it, but it seemed Rockefeller wasn’t pleased, as expected.

Still, being assigned to Adel Hall was thanks to the medal.

A student recognized by the elders—what could they do but treat him well, even if they disliked it?

“But why the face? I thought you’d be jumping for joy, yet here you are, so bland.”

“Who knows?”

Why is that?

I had clearly set my sights on Adel Hall from the very first day of enrollment, yet I didn’t feel particularly joyful.

I already had plenty of money to move to a place with better facilities, but I should be happy if they offered more.

Even so, a sense of rejection stirred within me.

The cause was probably…

I glanced down at the terrace.

There, Rix and Belman were chattering away, heading toward the citadel.

Soon after, Shila and Leana joined them.

If I went to Adel Hall, there would be Riamon, and Edina would be there too.

Would I really be attending classes with those lot?

I felt the need to weigh my options a bit.

“Is it true that Dorothian will remain in Shulafe Hall?”

“Oh, that. They’ll probably send him along with you… Ahem. Let’s pretend you didn’t hear that.”

Goodness.

The thought of being in the same space as Dorothian made my heart race and a chill creep over me.

Could I truly survive among those cactus-like creatures?

At that moment, the door to Adel Hall began to resemble the gates of hell.