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195th Chapter: Festival Day 1 (3)

The place I was led to by Lyman was deep within the Purgatory Volcano.

Usually, within a volcano, there are memorial elements like national parks or museums.

Going underground, you can see caves adorned with ancient murals or the tombstones of distinguished individuals who contributed to the founding of the Academy.

However, the thing that people would be most interested in isn’t visible.

That is the remains of the Thousand-Year Fox, buried deep beneath Aligieri.

No one, not even any of the former principals, has ever seen these remains.

It seems that security was tightly enforced just before the Thousand-Year Fox went to rest, ensuring that no one could touch it.

This can easily be understood by recalling the previous Nine-Tailed Fox Incident.

“You know, this place is absolutely inaccessible to anyone but me. It’s a secret training ground where my master taught me when I was young.”

Lyman, who had been here several times before, could come and go as he pleased.

If he were to disappear, this space would fade from the world’s memory.

But, perhaps it was better this way.

“Don’t you feel something here? The tremendous mana emanating from my master’s corpse.”

“….”

I felt the mana while gazing at the massive skeleton of what used to be a fox.

Especially since I possess ‘Mana Eyes,’ I could tell just how extraordinary its power was.

It became clear why that Enviel chap attempted to harness the might of the Purgatory Volcano.

Considering that the original owner of the Mana Eyes was him, it made even more sense.

“Speaking of which, we’re surrounded by so much lava, but it’s not hot at all, huh?”

“It’s all thanks to the protective aura emanating from my master’s remains. This space was created by him in the first place.”

It’s said that meeting the Thousand-Year Fox grants you a wish; it seems that might not be just a fairy tale.

It wouldn’t be surprising if no one had desired any of this.

“Even in this eternal slumber, it contains enough power to destroy an entire nation. If it were to fall into the hands of someone else, it’s easy to imagine the chaos that would ensue.”

To prevent this, the Thousand-Year Fox divided its power and shared it with its offspring and followers.

Thus, the nine-tailed divine beasts and creatures like Luska were born.

“They’re probably after more than just the Archive. They likely aim to obliterate all of Aligieri and seize both the Archive and my master’s remains.”

From Lyman’s perspective, it’s the worst sort of desecration.

It would be remarkable if he could endure the simultaneous insult of his mother’s legacy and his master’s remains without rage.

Though, if it leads to a bad ending, it will all turn to dust.

“To prevent that, you are absolutely essential. You have the abilities I lack.”

That was why Lyman wanted to give me 30% of his power.

This was a chance to acquire a portion of the power of the strongest being in this world. Such an opportunity wouldn’t come again.

Of course, there was the risk of Lyman losing a significant portion of his fighting strength.

Even so, he needed my help, and it wouldn’t be a permanent transfer to me.

“Of course, even if you do receive it, don’t get arrogant. It won’t be permanent. Moreover, it will take some time after the injection for it to manifest.”

Even if I received it, I could only use it for a single day. Moreover, after the time limit, the power would return to its original owner.

The process would even be quite painful. It would require considerable effort to accept Lyman’s power, unlike any other.

And after receiving it, it would take several days for the power to manifest.

“With this, can we truly… reach the outcome that you and I desire?”

Lyman suddenly asked me.

In fact, I was the one who initially suggested taking 30% of his power.

“Your desired outcome is that you die, and everyone else survives.”

“That’s right.”

“But from the future I’ve seen, that won’t be easy. Even if you were to die.”

Defeating the final boss and sacrificing himself—Lyman’s ultimate fate is quite touching but leaves a lingering discomfort each time it’s completed.

Certainly, everyone else survives except him. The villains meet their ends, and justice is served.

Yet, there’s always one crucial element that gets missed in those endings.

“During the Magical Banquet, they will resort to political maneuvering to put pressure on us. Eventually, all of Aligieri will become a public enemy.”

The source of that political maneuvering is none other than Enviel.

Right now, he’s dead at my hands, but he wouldn’t die until Chapter 5 in the main story.

Of course, he dies there too, but before that, he discovers Lyman’s true identity and spreads the word.

Moreover, the situation worsens due to forged evidence prepared by other members of the Seven Stars.

– In truth, the true worshippers of the Demon God are not them but those from Aligieri.

– Among the students of Aligieri, there was indeed a ‘Demon.’

– Elder Enviel merely utilized the power of the volcano to thwart that demon.

– The appearance of the Nine-Tailed Fox was also because of that demon.

– Aligieri, which blamed all of it on the Elder, is the real traitor.

All of these were absurd fallacies.

Furthermore, considering that we might have testimony from Angela, the Nine-Tailed Fox herself, it wouldn’t hold water at all.

They might produce photos or research materials on black magic from Aligieri as evidence, but… it would be easy to tell that they are all perjuries.

However, Enviel had already brainwashed his followers.

Even after seeing that nonsensical material, they would still hammer down on Aligieri.

– They would claim that they were right, and Enviel’s intentions were indeed true.

– To avenge the Elder who lost his life unjustly.

– By doing this, they would engrave their definitions of justice and those of the Elder into the minds of the world.

It was sheer bullying akin to that of a child.

And as the enemy ranks grew… even protagonists like Jenny, who had been Lyman’s classmate, became targets.

In that frenzied scene, even the principal lost his life, provoking Lyman’s fury.

“Of course, right now, it’s scaled down since Enviel is dead. Without him, his followers are likely back to the state before the brainwashing… but that doesn’t mean we can relax.”

They were titles cultivated by Enviel. Even if they are at Heidern’s level, it’s highly likely they’ve also lost their minds.

Thus, if someone high up stirs their loyalty in Enviel’s name, they could easily flip.

At this point, it’s practically a cult. Just that the Holy Cross Sect’s shine has been muted.

“And those followers are right above us.”

I pointed upward.

This place is deep beneath Aligieri, and by now, a massive crowd would be swarming in due to the festival.

Among the invited groups, there would be numerous organizations secretly founded by Enviel.

“They’re hiding everywhere. You should even be suspicious of someone casually passing by us. If those guys gather, it’ll be quite a sight.”

A nearly united swarm would emerge.

The thought that those intoxicated by madness could gather in droves sent shivers down my spine.

“Then you have the power to brainwash them, so… that’s why I asked you.”

While I had that power, I couldn’t manage it alone.

I needed overwhelming power, even if just temporarily.

That’s why I entrusted this to this protagonist.

“Is there anyone else you can trust besides me?”

At those words, a smile crept onto Lyman’s face.

Then the magic circle spread across the floor began to glow… at the same time, the eyes of the Thousand-Year Fox’s remains lit up.

“Turn around and gaze into the eyes of my master.”

The ritual had finally begun.

As instructed, I turned my body, and Lyman grasped my shoulder.

Lyman wasn’t the kind of guy to readily fulfill such requests from anyone.

Though there had been many ups and downs, he didn’t want the academy created by his mother to perish.

That was likely because it was his mother’s legacy, but numerous other meanings were intertwined as well.

“If it were the old me, I would not only refuse this request… I would probably have killed you.”

“….”

“But I decided to trust humans just this once. It’s all thanks to this academy.”

The academy shaped by his mother nearly faced destruction.

Three hundred years ago, due to the Demon King’s stigma.

When he was despairing over being deceived by humans… incredibly, the academy was in the midst of a revival.

It was rebuilt by those whom his mother had saved through her benevolence.

“I don’t want to admit it, but… faith is quite remarkable.”

Seeing that scene began to crack open Lyman’s heart, which had been distrustful of humans.

It continues to suppress his anger to this day.

[Erosion Rate Decreasing: -40%]

[+4000 Credits]

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the erosion rate started to decrease.

[Erosion Rate Decreasing: -30%]

[+3000 Credits]

[Erosion Rate Decreasing: -20%]

[+2000 Credits]

It continued to decrease in succession.

A drop in the tens indicates that the other party has received quite a shock.

Not only had I not lied yet, but it was also a time when club activities were impossible.

Even so, that it became a reality means…

Someone must be reading the novel I wrote.

[Erosion Rate Decreasing: -50%]

[+5000 Credits]

Just how shocking must it be to elicit such a response?

I only wished I could hear their impressions.

*

Meanwhile, in a bookstore in Aligieri Town.

It was an event that would typically be run by the library club, but it was surprisingly hosted by the Newspaper Department.

They were displaying newspapers issued by the academy or Nobel records requested by the literature club for appreciation.

However, there was one unsettling aspect.

“Is this really okay?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Look at the design of this bookstore. It obviously seems like something kids would like.”

Trisha was skeptical looking at the brightly colored interior of the bookstore.

Though she had received a heads-up from Crona, seeing it in person felt… how should I put it…

While it looks cute, it didn’t give off a good vibe.

“Hmm… this is truly a strange place. Is this really a bookstore?”

“Yes, it is, but.”

At that moment, people wearing magical hats approached, examining the bookstore.

They looked interested, but it wasn’t stimulating their tastes.

It merely evoked a sense of nostalgia.

“The appearance of these toys was quite similar to what was popular when we were kids. Stepping inside here feels like going back to that time.”

“Thank you.”

The adults who found this seemingly childish place might only seek nostalgia.

It was clear that Crona hadn’t just changed the exterior haphazardly.

Thanks to that, just as Trisha was about to express her gratitude, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

“Is there a book written by Elder Enviel among these?”

“Elder Enviel?”

As soon as Trisha heard that, her mind began racing.

Seeing that they wore magical hats, they seemed to be from a certain academic circle, and that place might be more dangerous than it appeared.

As long as they didn’t speak ill of Elder Enviel.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t. Our academy has banned bringing in his works.”

“Tch.”

The mages clicked their tongues in disappointment at Trisha’s words.

It was indeed correct to speak as humbly as possible.

Enviel was said to have an angelic image, gathering orphans to nurture them.

It seemed these folks had received teachings from him too.

“I wanted to introduce him to our children.”

“Looks like there’s nothing we can do about it.”

They too appeared to be from an academic faction dedicated to teaching children.

Perhaps due to painful memories of being orphans, they were likely sensitive about all things related to children.

So, had they come to this nostalgic place for that reason?

Just as I was pondering that, suddenly… kids began to swarm in.

Behind them, Mary walked leading the children, as if she naturally fit in with them.

“Hey, everyone! Shall we go read a storybook together?”

“Yes!”

Despite being treated as a little kid, compared to the children, Mary was still relatively tall.

Thanks to that, she wouldn’t be treated as a peer by them.

Seeing the rush of children made not just Trisha, but the mages too smile warmly.

Everyone had such childhood memories.

And thus, they cherished the dreams of the children.

“Oh, this looks fun!”

At that moment, the kids spotted a record.

– Absolutely fun. Probably.

Seeing that phrase piqued their curiosity.

Ultimately, clueless children started using the record right away.

They had no suspicions at all.

The kids were merely instinctively acting to satisfy their interests.

‘Speaking of which, wasn’t that written by Radon?’

Trisha confirmed it just to be sure.

As a result… it didn’t really seem like anything significant.

In fact, it was so fun and interesting that it could stand without issue in that spot.

“Hey, kids! You have to read books to grow up quickly!”

Mary shouted at the children from outside.

Although there’s a superstition among adults that losing a book makes one grow faster… today, that turned out to be true.

And the number of kids who chose ‘Ninja’ as their future dream surged.

 

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