NOVEL NEXT Chapter 149
Hwangdo. Crow Pay Guild Headquarters.
With the deaths of Nicolseta Haisman and Caeran Hiss, the Mystic Island relocation plan has crumbled, leaving only the lion insignia symbolizing the Empire fluttering here.
“Turn back!”
The investigators dispatched from the royal palace were controlling the entry of civilians.
“What’s going on?”
“They tried to incite a rebellion by colluding with demons…”
“In this day and age??”
“That’s insane.”
…
Rezilus’s office.
Rustle!
Rezilus, having received the search warrant stamped with the royal seal, crumpled it with all his might.
He threw it at Sara’s face and said, “Yellody, what’s happening with Yellody Latashia right now?!”
“She’s currently unreachable.”
“What?!”
“…She’s currently unreachable.”
She was the last hope.
In recent days, bizarre and unbelievable events had transpired.
First, the three-headed dog summoned by Yellody broke through earlier than expected, leading to the demise of a disgrace from the Haisman family, which triggered the stoppage of Caeran Hiss’s Magic Tower activation.
As the Magic Tower became unstable, Markosias’s great legion could not set foot on Mystic Island, and even the Great Demon himself returned to Pandemonium, having lost his life.
Thus, the only remaining communication line was Yellody Latashia—just her.
“So where the hell did she go?! What are we supposed to do in this situation?!”
Rezilus began to rage, but Sara remained calm.
“Haisman family, do they show no signs of activity?!”
“Nicolseta’s demonization incident has led his brother, Maclead Haisman, to go missing. The rest seem to be under investigation as well, including related families.”
“What about Caeran’s family…?”
The Hiss family, who took in the orphan Caeran.
A family that only carried out secret missions directly for the royal palace, shrouded in mystery to the point that it was said their name ‘Hiss’ was an alias.
“…They say they severed ties after losing in the Claris ranking competition.”
“H-Haha…”
‘I’ve been played, played badly…’
Rezilus looked up at the ceiling with a laugh, then grabbed Sara’s shoulders with both hands.
“Sara, tell me. Do you think this makes any sense?!!”
“…”
“Lev Denec? Just a kid. Does it make sense that one little brat messes up this enormous plan!!”
“…Restrain yourself.”
“Do I seem calm to you right now? Huh? If you had just recruited that moron properly…”
“Disgraceful. You.”
“…What?”
Unlike Rezilus, Sara remained serene.
She continued in a calm tone, “It’s true I failed to fulfill my duties, but didn’t you do the same?”
“Sara, are you insane?!”
“The essence of the Jet-black Armor, the Ring of Induction left by the Pleasure Lord. You’ve never once directly sought anything out.”
“You little…!”
“It’s pathetic…”
Rezilus’s hand shot up.
And just as he was about to strike her,
Thump!
Someone grabbed his forearm.
“Senpai. Long time no see?”
“You…!”
“Don’t add more trouble to my already heavy day.”
A muscular figure with a refreshing face. It was Dustin, the war hero dispatched from the royal palace.
“Serves you right. Old man.”
“What did you just say…?!”
And at the door stood the Grand Magician Scarlet.
She bravely chimed in, “So you should have managed your subordinates better. That lady spilled everything.”
“…”
She was pointing at the serious-looking Sara Cervantes.
*
The fact that the major guild [Crow Pay] and the prestigious family [Haisman] sought to conspire with the demons spread like wildfire even to Claris Academy.
“Did you hear? That enormous demon dog that showed up in this selection test… It was all a planned deal.”
“Are the demons behind this?”
“Yup… I’m not sure, but I’ve heard Crow Pay was trying to activate the Magic Tower.”
“Oh, that’s why there’s such a big investigation going on…”
“By the way, Maclead Haisman has gone missing?”
“No matter how much of a magical department committee head he is, what face does he have to show now?”
“True.”
As the students stroll around the academy talking about the incident, the pure white girl, Yeriel, was walking alone in the campus after her lecture ended.
[Class Schedule]
[Grade A, Lev Denec]
‘…’
“…Lev, show me your enrollment.”
“…Am I supposed to endure all of that? Isn’t it too much?”
“I promised not to leave Lev alone… So this time, I’ll do as I please…”
The schedule they had forced together originally mattered little now.
Because he was no longer around.
‘Lev.’
Lev. Lev.
Swallowing his name in her heart.
It wouldn’t be easy to get used to, but somehow she had to adapt.
Ultimately, he had sacrificed for everyone again.
If he hadn’t gone to District 3, Mystic Island would have become a stronghold for the demons.
Perhaps, everyone trapped inside the barrier might have met the worst possible ending.
‘Thank you for saving everyone…’
Another fortunate thing for Yeriel was that she had completely cut ties with the Haisman family.
If she hadn’t developed feelings for Lev…
The Artina family might have proceeded with marriage talks with the Haisman family, which would have drawn the royal family’s suspicion.
Her mother, who was already looked down upon as a mistress and had an unstable position, could have been shaken greatly by this incident.
In many ways, things had worked out well, but still…
‘Lev, I… I’m okay.’
The Circulation Train platform without him was… terribly lonely.
“Yeah, it’ll be okay…”
Unable to complete her words, Yeriel quietly sobbed.
*
Pandemonium, at the entrance.
A vast expanse of red land.
Goblin-like lower demons were working on unknown labor between the winding rocks, while orcs wearing rusted armor wandered around, overseeing them.
The surrounding area was dark and full of rocks, making it hard to stand out easily, but
Pew!
Not every eye could be avoided.
Thwack!
My arrow penetrated the rusted armor of a nearby orc, piercing through its green skin.
Aimed at its neck, it couldn’t utter a word and spun around before collapsing.
With my crossbow skill level rising to 9, I gained the extra technique: [Silent].
Meaning it makes no sound.
‘Yeriel, Aria.’
Thinking of those two,
I quickly turned back and commanded, “Now! Over here.”
“W-Wait a minute!”
“Shh!”
I put my hand to her mouth and pulled her body along.
“!”
She was effortlessly dragged along, her delicate body comparable to Yeriel’s or Aria’s.
“Senpai, how’s the area around?”
“Two? If we go around to the east and west, we’ll be fine.”
Time was running short.
Of course, if Psyche resurrected, the best course would be to return immediately using spatial movement magic, but that was not an option.
Due to Aria’s awakening, her power was divided, so to successfully warp, I had to find a place where the demon’s magic power wouldn’t reach, or somewhere beneath a lamp.
“Haah, haah. I’m sorry. I’m still not used to moving my body…”
With thin wrists and ankles, she looked at me, breathing heavily.
‘This is bad.’
Psyche’s condition didn’t look good, likely due to prolonged slumber.
“It’s okay. Let’s take a short rest.”
I approached her and offered her water.
…
‘How is this…?’
The gray man’s pack seemed enchanted.
Of course, it must be under an expansion spell allowing for various items to be stored…
Water, food, potions, even simple traps.
At times, what was needed would come out right away.
As if predicting every situation.
“…”
The warmth from the wrist I grabbed when he pulled me up still lingered.
‘Was he really just here to pick me up?’
If it weren’t for him, the weakened Psyche might have become a plaything for the demons.
‘…If that happens, I won’t be able to fulfill Kroon’s request either…’
Psyche began to closely observe the face of the man who would become her benefactor.
His sharp gaze seemed to represent his personality without him needing to utter a word.
*!
At that moment, our eyes met as he was drinking.
?
He raised an eyebrow as if to ask what was wrong.
“…”
In general, being a Saint meant having a strong image as the God’s spokesperson, making those who served her uncomfortable to the point they couldn’t even meet her gaze.
Yet he treated her comfortably, like a foreigner unaware she was a Saint.
Psyche, over here!
‘Perhaps even more than Kroon…’
It was a familiar sensation after a long time.
Anyway, the request he made to Psyche was to take him back to the Empire.
That shouldn’t be too difficult.
After all, her method of using spatial movement magic is somewhat different from ordinary magic.
By [Miracle of Rest], it costs sacred power to return to a place where there’s a sanctuary—classified as divine revelation.
So if he were a human and not a demon, there wouldn’t be any issues in returning together.
However, isn’t the situation too contrived?
Psyche, the Saint must take care of her body… There are many who seek her out.
As Kroon’s advice lingered in Psyche’s mind…
“Hmm~. Looks like we’re almost there, right?”
At the demon girl’s remark, the gray man opened his mouth once more.
“Just a bit more. If we can get past this last ridge, we should be able to use sacred magic.”
“…”
“Saint?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Can we move on now?”
“Uh, that’s…”
At this rate, I’d be swept up in his pace.
My wrist would be pulled along once more.
‘The power that must be passed on to my successor… Aria…’
So, Psyche built up her courage and spoke.
“W-Would you mind telling me why you two are here?!”
After all, she was the Saint.
If these people were to lie, she would definitely catch on.