192nd Chapter: The Moment of Reception (3)

After explaining everything to Gerard, Lyman was feeling quite down.

Despite looking at the scenic sky, comfort was nowhere to be found in his heart.

He finally had told the truth to an old comrade, but there was no way that he would take it well. The explanation included the fact that his wife died because of him.

Naturally, Gerard’s reaction was predictable. When asked if he would take revenge, Gerard couldn’t respond at all.

He looked as if he had been stabbed in the back by someone he trusted. Seeing that, Lyman couldn’t help but continue to self-deprecate.

Was this really the right thing to do?

Wouldn’t it have been better to hide it for a lifetime?

However, if he had remained silent, it was evident that Gerard would have hunted him down until his dying breath.

That was because he knew all too well how the ends of the blindly faithful turned out.

So, Lyman said,

– I am not the paragon you think I am.

– So stop clinging to me.

He wasn’t sure why he was in a position to say such things, but Lyman didn’t look back.

The more he looked back, the more he only saw the dirty past.

In this world, where festering infections were everywhere, he didn’t particularly want to live.

In the meantime, all that remained was a miserable and ridiculous tale of meaningless slaughter and regret.

Even if the “back” looked like this, at least the “front” must show something different.

Though he couldn’t fix the past, he could lay the groundwork for the path ahead.

That was the role he had played in staying alive until now.

Meeting a long-lost friend there was unexpected.

“Have you become even more depressed than before?”

“You…”

Lyman could tell who the woman speaking to him was.

It was Spirit King Shaikar, who had always used the form of a woman to talk to him before, even during their earlier interactions.

“How did you get here?”

Slightly flustered, Lyman regained his composure and asked.

It was thirty years ago that she severed her ties, not only with humans but also with him.

She wouldn’t suddenly appear without reason now.

“Though it’s a large-scale festival made by humans… you didn’t come here because of just that, did you?”

“….”

“The story is long. The reason I’m here is this brat.”

She pointed at Radon Crawler.

Did that scammer manage to trick even the Spirit King?

He had previously ventured into the Spirit King’s Realm, but he never imagined that the Spirit King herself would come to this place.

However, considering that this scammer could be quite the character, it might somehow be possible.

The fact that Radon had managed to pull out Shaikar from her closed-off self was already a great achievement.

“Haha… What on earth is the true nature of that guy?”

He was someone who seemed to know the ending of this world roughly. Even Lyman, who had lived for 300 years, was utterly clueless about certain things.

But aside from that, he knew nothing else about him. He couldn’t even grasp how that fellow knew what the future held.

He thought he had ripped off the mask in that day by the lake, but it seemed like there were still layers of masks underneath.

However, one thing remained unchanged: he was an excellent ally.

Currently, it was Radon Crawler that had created the moment for him to reunite with Shaikar.

“Did that fellow tempt you in any way?”

“Not to that extent. He just made me happy by doing what he did.”

“Was it so delightful that you came out of your Realm to see him?”

“This is not my real self, but an avatar. From the moment I turned that Realm into the Netherworld, I can’t leave there.”

Having directly experienced the Spirit King’s Realm that day, Lyman understood.

A chilling aura lurked where life ought to breathe.

It was a vibe that didn’t suit one who bore the title of Spirit King of Life at all.

Naturally, Shaikar had acted against her own nature, and she had to pay a huge price for it.

“I couldn’t let go of that child, and ended up turning the surroundings into a realm of death. Because I broke the Law of Life, I’m bound to that Realm for life.”

The only thing she could do was roam around as an avatar, unable to see the outside world. In terms of this world, it was as if she had lost her original powers.

And it was only recently she realized how futile it was to have broken those Laws.

“Right from the start, that child was never in the Netherworld.”

A very sorrowful aura surrounded Shaikar as she sat next to Lyman.

Because of the regrets from the past, she covered her face with one hand.

“I was able to see the princess who was sticking by your side while wandering through the village for a bit. Unlike other emperor’s offspring, she possessed a rather pure spirit.”

“….”

“And… it was the soul of that child I was searching for.”

Shaikar could only deeply regret.

The reason her deceased daughter’s soul was missing from the Netherworld was that she was scheduled for a hasty reincarnation.

Due to external factors forcing the reincarnation, no matter how hard Shaikar searched the river of death, she could never find her.

In the end, changing her Realm into one of death was in vain.

It merely resulted in her casting away the powers of the Spirit King.

“If I had known she would reincarnate like this, I should have just stayed still.”

“You had no idea at all.”

“Then did you know and not tell me?”

The former Saint Maria was reincarnated in a very short time.

She was born again as a princess from the union of an emperor and a concubine, living under the name ‘Mirona Kirien Divine.’

She was currently 16 years old. A nonsensical result of reincarnation only after 14 years, not decades or centuries.

Even Shaikar was speechless over such abnormality.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

However, as tends to happen with bad assumptions, Lyman already knew that fact.

Feeling betrayal, Shaikar pressed Lyman with her questions.

“If I had told you, you would certainly have caused a ruckus. At that time, your distrust of humans was at its peak.”

“….”

“That said, I wasn’t completely lacking in consideration either. I did ponder whether to inform you or not.”

“And?”

“During that time, you had already opened the gates to the Netherworld.”

Thus, their connection was completely severed, and they had to live in solitude as lonely outcasts.

It was a responsibility they couldn’t blame on anyone.

“So, is the princess who was by your side doing well?”

That princess was, in fact, his own daughter that he had raised. Having maternal feelings, he couldn’t help but worry for her well-being.

“She is doing well right now. At this moment.”

“Then you’re saying there’s a possibility of her ending up like that again in the future.”

Hearing that undertone, Shaikar realized what might happen in the future.

It suggested that the situation where Maria had died thirty years ago could recur.

“Originally, I was supposed to be cooped up in my Realm for life… but it was a good thing I came out.”

Shaikar turned to him as she spoke. On her previously cynical face, a smile had formed.

“Thanks to you. I’m truly grateful.”

The sudden expression of thanks made Lyman tremble involuntarily.

It was rare to hear such words from a great being like a Spirit King.

In fact, a situation like this didn’t exist in the main story.

This moment highlighted just how significant the butterfly effect was from when he had taken on that mission.

“Anyway, you must have anticipated what might happen at the festival, right?”

When Shaikar asked Lyman, he opened his eyes slightly as if to imply he wouldn’t deny it.

“It’s exactly as you said. After sending my subordinates to infiltrate the royal family, I learned they’ve devised an absurd plan.”

“I thought you had turned into a shut-in, but you were surprisingly active.”

“Shut up!”

Shaikar briefly lost her temper but continued.

“Anyway, I received a report from my subordinates, and to sum it up…”

Her voice lowered.

“It’s going to be an absolute mess. Even for you, it’s going to be too much to handle.”

Upon hearing that, Lyman’s eyes widened. It was a natural reaction for someone who understood their own power.

Even as a Spirit King, Shaikar wouldn’t be able to match Lyman.

Even if other beings popped up, they couldn’t stand against Lyman, the strongest in the world.

Something that would challenge Lyman like that?

Just hearing it would send chills akin to cosmic horror down one’s spine.

“Just how many are we talking about?”

“First off, a massive army will come. They are survivors fueled by resentment towards Great Sage Dantia from the past.”

Many of the dark forces had fallen, thanks to the great deeds of Great Sage Dantia, who performed countless charitable acts.

Dark Spirit Krogiri, Black Dragon King Barbatos, and the leader of the corrupted Beastmen, Baryah.

Each one of them was a monster out of legends, and it was Great Sage Dantia who had defeated them all single-handedly.

Even someone as jaded as Lyman would recognize that achievement.

“And the enemies won’t just show up on the land.”

Lyman frowned at what Shaikar said.

She suddenly pointed toward the sky as she responded.

“They’re also expected to fall from the sky.”

Not just the blue sky, but the shining black universe.

What could possibly fall from there… Lyman clicked his tongue upon realizing.

“Truly hopeless.”

“And it’s not just the living among the foes.”

This time, with easy prediction, Lyman snickered and said, “Are you telling me there’s going to be an undead army added to this mess?”

“Who knows?”

Whether it could truly be called undead… even Spirit King Shaikar couldn’t truly ascertain that.

*

A few days later, the magical banquet kicked off on the first day.

It was the moment where the happiness built up during the preparations was unveiled to everyone.

Aligieri Town overflowed with a lively atmosphere from the morning.

If it was this vibrant on the first day, just how excited would they be for the remaining days?

Especially since the Tactical Banquet, the main focus of every event, hadn’t even begun yet.

“The Tactical Banquet starts tomorrow, right?”

“Yup. People from other academies will also participate along with ours.”

Jenny and Crona were strolling through the cheerful town as they talked.

They still had ample time until the Tactical Banquet began.

The banquet that would start tomorrow would unfold over six days until the last day.

Jenny was already prepared for the competition.

She had the leisure to see what kind of events her close friend Crona had planned for the festival.

“I efficiently distributed the finances for the events prepared by the students while serving as the student council treasurer. It’s to optimize the repair expenses for the buildings.”

“Got it.”

“Um… are you listening to me?”

Poke poke—

Crona playfully poked Jenny’s face. Startled, Jenny’s surprised expression made Crona grin.

“You’re still adorable.”

“That’s true.”

“But why are you suddenly spacing out? That’s not like you.”

“Ah… I have a lot to think about because of the Tactical Banquet.”

That response suggested she wasn’t just making excuses.

Not wishing to disrupt Crona’s thoughts any further, she finally showed her destination.

“Honestly, I was a bit worried about showing it to you, but it’s right here.”

“The, The House of Ghosts.”

A staple element in every festival.

And it was an event that Jenny absolutely despised, following every aspect of it without fail.

However, this House of Ghosts had a rather different twist.

“…No, wait. Isn’t this Aligieri Tower?”

“That’s right. It’s the scariest horror spot in this town.”

“Are you kidding me? You’re turning it into an event space?”

“There were no other buildings left in the town. But thanks to Radon Crawler’s help, the spirits have become calmer and won’t cause harm. Of course, they will try to spook us.”

While it was more efficient to convert an existing structure rather than build one, it allowed for adjustment for safety and could naturally set the horror atmosphere, killing two birds with one stone.

“It’s true. When I’m involved, places that get ruined never stand idle. Hohoho!”

“….”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

Suddenly, Jenny began to walk.

Crona’s face turned pale at her entering the Aligieri Tower.

“Wait! That’s a place Jenny absolutely finds terrifying! Hey!”

Crona rushed into the tower to stop Jenny.

However, by the time they entered, the horror experience had already begun.

“W-Why did you suddenly come in! Jenny, you’re not cut out for things like this!”

“Crona.”

“What is it?”

“Behind you.”

A bad presence was lingering behind them.

With wide eyes, Crona turned to look…

Kuoohhh!—

“Ahhhhhh!”

Seeing the grotesque face of a child-like monster with terrifying teeth, she was horrified.

That monster even started to chase, forcing Crona and Jenny to flee for their lives.

“Ahhhh! What the heck is that?!”

“….”

Just when they tried to escape through a narrow hallway… there stood another identical monster, but this one was just a different color.

Craaaashhh!—

“Ahhh! Mommy! Daddy!!”

“….”

The attack of the evil spirits continued until they managed to escape.

Every time Crona marveled at the astonishing production of the House of Ghosts, she cried out looking for her parents.

When Crona finally escaped and sat down outside, she was squeezing out tears and snot.

“Wuuuh… Uuhhh… I’ll never enter a House of Ghosts again!”

“Wasn’t that your plan?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, that’s true.”

But then Crona suddenly had a question.

It was shocking enough to stop her tears.

“But Jenny, why weren’t you scared?”

It was strange.

If Crona was crying in despair, how terrified would Jenny be?

But Jenny seemed unfazed.

The girl who would typically hide behind someone at the first sight of a ghost.

“I’m not in a position to be surprised by such things anymore.”

What Jenny said was like a proclamation.

“You’re going to witness things far more terrifying than this in the future.”

The coldly spoken words from Jenny’s lips came with trembling hands.

Surviving as the Academy Scammer.

 

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