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The headmaster’s magic was nothing short of terrifying.

The forest was utterly devastated. The presence of the shaman seemed to have never existed in the kingdom, leaving no trace behind as if obliterated. It was a testament to the sheer power of the kingdom’s top-tier magician.

With the headmaster’s remarkable efforts, we began to clear the valley at a rapid pace. Even in these troubled times, the talents of the kingdom remained strong. Thanks to the combat troops that entered the valley from various directions besides us, rescuing cadets and cutting down demons, we finally put a major crisis to rest.

“Ray, do you have any mana potions left?”

“…Did you not just drink one a moment ago?”

“But I’ve cast quite a bit of magic, so I’m still feeling a bit off. I don’t know how to put it… I could really use a little more.”

Shione’s magic had been quite impressive.

She protected the exhausted cadets and the surviving supervisors from the threats of magic.

Thanks to her, their healing and regrouping went smoothly, along with the battle.

“I have one left that isn’t fully consumed… if that would work for you.”

“Really? I thought one bottle would be too much to drink. That’s actually perfect.”

“However, there’s one issue.”

“…?”

“I was drinking it and had it in my mouth while shooting my bow.”

It’s a bit unsettling. I really want to drink it all myself if I can.

At that, Shione surprisingly approached me slowly and whispered softly in my ear.

“We’ve already kissed, so what’s the big deal?”

“Ugh.”

“In that case… I’ll take it.”

The shy Shione was nowhere to be seen. Without any hesitation, she snatched the potion from my hand.

Shione poured the potion into her mouth and stared at the empty bottle for a moment, though I couldn’t quite understand why.

Still, during that brief moment, I checked my status window.

[Quest completed.]

[The reward for the quest ‘Rescue of Cadets’ will delay the disaster in the North.]

Unfortunately, there were cadets who lost their lives, but they didn’t appear to be individuals of significant historical impact to the kingdom. It was quite regrettable, but what mattered was preventing the kingdom from collapsing.

After a solemn moment of mourning, I focused on recapping the events with everyone.

“Though there are some cadets and a few supervisors we could not save… it seems we’ve at least figured out the cultists hiding in the valley.”

“My head is already pounding. We need to inform the families about the damages. Epheana, could you help me out?”

“…I’ll help as much as I can.”

“We’ll assist with the report to the royal family as well.”

The royal staff joined the headmaster and Epheana in their sorrowful endeavors.

While their matters were quite intriguing… what concerned Shione and me was the unusual magic we had encountered in the valley.

Unlike those discussing administrative matters, Shione and I concentrated on the urgent experiences we had faced.

“As the number of shamans decreases, the magic grows denser… and some of the remaining cultist’s spells became even more potent. The magician who joined us earlier mentioned there was a magic circle drawn in blood inside a small cave.”

“Yes, it seemed they had sacrificed the previously missing individuals.”

A magician who had explored the area with scouts had found the cave. I heard that there appeared to be a victim inside. If we hadn’t saved Sion while he was under attack, that victim could have very well been him.

Shione’s gaze grew heavy.

“It seems they took some care in magically handling the mountains beforehand—”

But then, a deep sense of doubt began to settle within her.

“It’s strange that such minor magic could penetrate my spells. My magic barely broke through the more formidable illusions of the marquis family.”

“Indeed, it is odd.”

Though the magic that devours mana was threatening, compared to Allen’s, it wasn’t truly remarkable, and as long as there was a sufficient amount of pure mana, it shouldn’t have posed a considerable problem.

As we discussed this, the headmaster and Epheana conveniently joined our conversation.

“Certainly… the shaman I encountered also utilized unusual dark magic. No matter how adept one is at dark magic, I’ve never seen a shaman immediately turn my magic against me—it was a skill I’d never seen before.”

The headmaster, like Shione, seemed perplexed by their dark magic.

“We have a few captured demons, so if we interrogate them in the underground prison, we might glean valuable information. We’ll check that while searching for any remaining remnants.”

Looking into the headmaster’s fiery gaze gave me a sturdy belief that we would indeed extract any information needed. Along with the determination to eradicate the remnants completely.

Unlike the quest to rescue the cadets, the quest to eradicate the cultist hadn’t yet been completed. Since a massive incident had been thwarted, perhaps one day that quest would also conclude successfully.

As our strange discussions about this matter continued, we eventually arrived at the most crucial topic.

“How on earth were the cultists able to wield divine power? I can’t even begin to guess.”

A shaman that controlled divine power.

Though there was only one shaman who commanded pure white energy, the fact that such a being emerged to shatter the rules of this world is significant, isn’t it?

Only two individuals can question the entities that have held the role of absolute good, the angels and the god of the church. Only us who were told by the World Tree to doubt the angels of the church, right? Some might view it as just a huge tree, but that filthy enormous tree is a being imbued with divinity.

“We should also keep open the possibility that it’s a highly advanced magic resembling divine power.”

Epheana chimed in.

“Recently, the empire’s magicians have conducted numerous experiments to create magic to catch up to divine power… given that the cultists wander across borders, they might be influenced by it.”

As soon as the topic of divine power arose, the royal magician who was present with us focused solely on uncovering whatever deceit was at play, without the slightest intention of doubting the deities.

‘That was pure divine power.’

The issue lies in, no matter how I think back, it was indeed divine power.

The knights and magicians here have likely caught on, sensing that it was divine power as well.

‘Is there really no way around this?’

The kingdom is a land that has wielded the power to strike down demons and turn their lands into a foundation for survival.

It’s a nation with a deeply-rooted trust in the church, which had been the greatest aid in slaying demons.

It might be different in an empire filled with many ethnicities and folk beliefs, but within the kingdom, where the church has held a firm position and symbolism, perhaps there’s a desire among the citizens to deny this truth.

‘I want to deny it too.’

Dealing with the crazy antics of demons and cultists is already more than enough trouble, but must I also be concerned about the church?

But just then, the person at the heart of the divine power controversy appeared before us.

‘Evan Feiosha. Looks like he finally regained consciousness.’

If he had been a moment late, he would have been dragged off by the shaman and Yelin.

Having awakened shortly after manifesting divine powers, he stood before us, his figure slightly smaller and more frail than others, catching our attention immediately.

‘…He seems to be in worse shape than when he woke up.’

Of course, not in a good way.

From his bloodstained clothes to the state of being unable to tell when he might collapse again, even after chugging potions and receiving multiple healings from the priests, it was inevitable our anxiety gathered in unison.

Yet it seemed he had something he urgently wanted to say.

He cautiously approached where the professors and royal knights were gathered.

“Feiosha cadet, it seems you’ve regained consciousness. I was quite worried. Shouldn’t you rest a bit more?”

“Thank you for your concern. My body feels much better thanks to my brothers and sisters’ care. By the way, there’s something very important I must tell the headmaster and everyone here…”

“…Go ahead.”

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Evan began.

“…The divine power used by the traitor is real. If it hadn’t been that warm power, I would have already become a cold corpse, a meal for the monsters. And they told me in front of my eyes—”

A moment of silence gripped the atmosphere.

Seeing that everyone listened intently, Evan shut his eyes tightly and continued.

“They said that the entity they worship is neither a demon nor an angel. Therefore, it’s only natural that they wield divine power bestowed upon them…”

“The cultists wielding that magic don’t worship demons?”

The headmaster’s face twisted in an instant.

Immediately afterward, she spoke up with a relaxed expression, but Evan, noticing that brief shift, spoke up with a trembling voice.

“More accurately, they’re trying to create demons… I heard it from the shaman and Professor Yelin.”

Artificial demons.

The concept he presented left us all surrounding Evan in shock.

“……!”

Until we withdrew from the valley, he had to endure a flurry of questions.

 

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