122. orb (2)
Cigarette smoke is particularly toxic today.
I don’t know if it’s because the cigarettes are strong or if it’s because I’m sick to my stomach.
It was just that the cigarette smoke that was thick on the ceiling seemed to represent what Eins was feeling inside.
“Whoa… … .”
Eins let out a long, shallow smoke like a sigh. White smoke rises to the ceiling and stays there.
If you move your gaze along the smoke that blooms, you can see the spire at the top of the building in the central building of the academy.
Even in the middle of the night, the spire radiates blue light and radiates mysterious magic. The ‘Orb’ that guards the academy is right there.
That orb is the cause of everything.
Even when she published a magic thesis that would shock the world, and when she was being judged for the position of principal. Orbs have always been a problem.
In proportion to his hatred for the Orb, Eins’ desire also grew. I want to defeat Pompey as if showing off this time.
But will fate prevent Eins from becoming principal? Even Aren failed.
‘It’s not exactly a failure… … .’
In addition to Lena and Xylon, Eins already knew everything, thanks to having another person attached to follow them.
During the contract, the Windswallow Mercenary Corps betrayed them, and everyone, including Aren, almost died. Up to the fact that Ackerman and Siana also appeared here.
If things went wrong, I expected Aren’s betrayal to be the cause, but the intervention of a third party was unexpected.
Was it aimed at Cain Abella?
If things go wrong, they tried to set up an unreasonable number to take Abella hostage, but it’s like the wrong person has touched the beehive.
‘What… … I wasn’t too keen on it either.’
Touching the scepter of a great aristocrat was really the worst-case scenario.
In the distance, I see two wagons coming in from the front gate of the academy.
Judging from the exterior of the carriage, it belonged to the ‘Abela’ family.
“You are here.”
Eins lights the tenth cigarette.
“Aren, Blackfire.”
Eins’ eyes sank deeply.
He’s a character I don’t like either way. He is cleverly riding the line.
It doesn’t side with it, but it doesn’t betray it either.
Literally, keep your stance just long enough not to cross the line. Even Eins couldn’t find fault with that.
“… … I still have to make a decision.”
Having such a lukewarm attitude in itself must mean that he lacks the ‘will’ to help Eins.
Pompey’s impeachment trial is coming soon.
Eins did not want to miss this opportunity. He was prepared to use somewhat dirty tricks.
The future to come is bleak.
I know the horrors of the past, when the demon king and the demon tribe reigned, through tiresome listening and research. In order to stop ‘Evil’, warriors are needed in this land once again.
“By any means.”
She was determined to be the villain herself, if need be.
Eins smiled forlornly and removed the cloth from the shelf that was stored on one side. There are treasured items that she used when she was in the middle of making a name for herself as a wizard.
Eins stretched out her slender hand to break the seal on the shelf.
What she brought was a top-notch magic crystal based on a cedar tree and a staff with the feathers of the Duke of Frost. Eins held his old friend tightly in his arms.
Still not enough. to make sure the work is done.
“I can’t do it alone.”
At the same time, he searches for people who will give him strength through contact marbles.
—Lena
—Xylon
—Magien
“The future of the kingdom is at stake.”
* * *
“Haaa. I want to see Princess.”
Ackerman, who had just returned to the dormitory after training all day, lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.
When I close my eyes, all I see is black drawing paper. What is drawn is Ellace’s beautiful face.
Because it is Ackerman who affirmed that he would train while dating, even if he wants to see it, he cannot ask to see it first.
So Ackerman was spending his time trying to suppress his outbursts of emotion.
-Titling.
At that time, the contact bead suddenly rings.
“Princess!?”
In case it was a message from Elise, Ackerman bounced off the bed like a spring and checked the contact orb.
– Ackerman? Shall we eat dinner together? Do you have time?
“Wow!!!”
She was a real princess. Ackerman’s mouth caught on his ears. Ackerman jumps up, takes off his clothes, and smells his body.
“I have to wash, I have to wash… … !”
It was at this moment that Ackerman forgot to reply and even took off his pants.
-Titling.
“ah! Reply, reply!”
Thinking that the princess is pushing for a reply, Ackerman swallows at the ominous message as he picks up the contact marble again.
It was an urgent message from Principal Pompey.
* * *
Time goes on.
After a warm spring day, I suddenly opened my eyes on one weekend when early summer was approaching.
“… … .”
I want something strange, so I roll my eyes and check my watch.
‘6 am?’
no wonder. I woke up a little earlier than usual.
I wake up at 7 o’clock every day and get ready to go to the gym. Even if there are days when I sleep late, the time to wake up is fixed like a knife.
So I couldn’t help but wonder.
Why are you so light?
As time passed, the dark circles under the eyes got darker and the skin became pale.
In fact, my physical condition became the best condition as the days went by.
Really full of energy and not tired at all. Normally, this would be news to be delighted with as ‘honey’, but in my case it’s different.
‘Is it because of the contract?’
The fate of my characteristic demon cult. Thanks to this special ability, the force overflows, but in the end it is only deadly Germany.
So I neither thanked nor rejoiced at this power.
It will help me right now, but I must never be seduced. The end of this power is only ‘death’.
“I have to find a way.”
We need to find a way to offset the side effects of this power. I have a way to do it in my head.
If you look at the ‘Curse’ part of ＜Necrotula＞, you can get a hint.
Of course, there is no time for that right now.
This is because a barrier that was not visible until yesterday was placed over the spire.
“That’s Eins’ unique illusion magic.”
Show illusions to other targets with magic. Then, in the eyes of others, the spire would still be shining bright blue.
In the meantime, Eins will take the orb and head for Mount Privit.
It takes a lot of time to spread the influence of illusion magic throughout the academy. This is because a large amount of mana had to be injected and an illusion had to be formed.
The highlight of Act 3 has begun.
“You have plenty of time.”
What Eins wants to do by stealing the orb is to permanently stop the operation of the orb.
Because it is such a precise and strong object, it is difficult for even the most advanced mage to break through the barrier ceremony.
Eins knew Orb better than anyone else. I knew at least that I couldn’t touch the orb with clumsy methods.
So, the plan is to destroy the orb by dropping a lightning bolt created by nature. It must be a power that is on a different level from the one artificially created.
As evidence of that, dark clouds were gradually gathering at the top of Pribit Mountain.
If a wizard the size of Eins manipulated the surrounding environment appropriately, forming a lightning cloud would not be difficult.
Ackerman’s job is to block that lightning.
“then… … Shall we move slowly?”
.
.
.
.
.
Take out the contact marble and send a message to the two.
―Would you like to go hiking to the mountain behind the dormitory together around 7pm?
– Candidate Saint. How have you been? I want to treat you to a meal that I have been putting off. Do you have time after the weekend service?
“Hmm… … Will this be enough?”
I don’t know if my comment is appropriate because I have no experience in this area.
―Your comment is copper.
Then Acheron, the self-proclaimed love doctor, intervened.
“really?”
-Yes. What happened to you, and your comments are more old-fashioned than those of a thousand years ago?
“… … .”
Am embarrassed. I didn’t know anything, so it was difficult to refute easily. Compared to a thousand years ago, there was no humiliation like this dog humiliation.
“Well, then how should I send it?”
I asked, expecting an incredibly sensible comment.
―It’s not mountain climbing, it’s a ‘date’. date! this guy
As expected, it would be good for my mental health to sell this damn sealing sword quickly.
I ignored Acheron’s advice and sent the message as it is. A reply came in less than 10 seconds.
It was a message to know.
All that was left was Bell’s reply.
It was 2:30 after about 30 minutes when I got a reply from her.
It seemed that he replied just in time for the service to be over.
―Bell: You don’t have to.
What? look at this guy
Is it bouncing now… … ? Thinking of images?
Anyway, Bell is Bell.
He said he would still be proud of himself and eat only bread and soup, saying he would not go into debt.
I respect Belle’s choice, but can I resist the temptation of delicious food? Bell is the most gluttonous character in the world.
If you taste ‘Warrior’s Pizza’, it’s obvious that you’ll lose your senses and drool.
―Is it really not necessary?
—… … Having said that, I can’t bear to say no. Okay. Where shall we meet?
I laughed out loud and laughed. She must have wished for one more request from the bottom of her heart, but it was cute how she grabbed me right away when I gave off a nuance of refusal.
―Do you know the Warriors Pizza store?
-I’ve heard the name.
Again, knowing everything.
Anyway, the position of a saint makes people like that.
―Yes, then. Shall we see you there at 6? can you come over?
-All right. see you there
For me, who knew Bell’s true self, her polite and trembling text messages were just ridiculous.
-You guys. Two are not enough, now even the saintess?
Acheron bursts in.
“Please shut up.”
You really are going to sell it to Ackerman today.
After changing into appropriately comfortable clothes, I went to Pitzza’s house on time.
There, Bell Yirushi stood firm, catching everyone’s gaze.
The fact that the saintess came out to eat in a place like this in plain clothes seemed very strange to the eyes of the members of the Church of Light and ordinary students.
‘Although I don’t really like drawing attention.’
Now is the time to prioritize the story rather than the eyes of others.
I’m used to being stared at while having a meal with a woman, thanks to Siana.
I approached the saintess who was waiting alone with an iron plate on her face.
“Hello, Candidate Saint? Sorry for the long wait.”
Bell swept her light purple hair to one side and answered calmly.
“no. I just arrived too.”
I could hardly contain the laughter that erupted. Originally, Bell’s personality would have been the one who would have yelled at me for making people wait, but he couldn’t do that because he was managing his image with so many people.
“Ah, candidate saint.”
“yes… … ?”
That’s it. Gradually, the magic power of the spire and the dark clouds of Pribit Mountain covered the sky as if the time had come.
“It looks like it will rain soon. How about a warm foreign soup instead of pitzza?”
Act 3 begins.
It must be time for Ackerman to move slowly. I remembered his route.
I’ll pick up Ponte from the dormitory, meet Cain on the first floor and head to Mount Privit.
Pitzza House is the exact opposite of that road. A Chinese restaurant that sells oriental-style jjamppong was a good choice to get Bell to run into Ackerman’s group heading to Pribit Mountain.
“Is that so?”
Bell’s eyes widened. She must have desperately wanted to eat the academy specialty, pitzza, but unfortunately, today is not the day.
“I’ll serve the pitzza next time.”
“… … Yes. I don’t care.”
Even Bell had no right to speak.
“Let’s go.”
“yes.”
I took the first step, and Bell cautiously followed me.
At that time, as if to announce an ominous portent,
Curling –
In the distance, Mount Pribit began to weep low.
.
.
.
.
.
I spread the shadow across the academy to check Ackerman’s location in real time.
As expected, Ackerman gathered his colleagues and was running to Mount Pribit.
‘I’ll just meet you in front of the store.’
I was deliberately adjusting my walking speed to arrive at the shop at the perfect timing.
“excuse me.”
Then Bell asks.
The atmosphere has changed, perhaps thanks to the lack of people and the need to manage the image.
“why.”
“Why did you call me all of a sudden? No contact yet.”
There was a mix of words that sounded a bit sad.
“I hope you didn’t contact me first.”
After all, she said she would contact me first, so it was an appropriate answer.
“Hmm. Yes.”
Bell nodded as if agreeing.
“there. Does the restaurant you are going to now taste good?”
Then talk about what to eat. When you don’t notice, you become honest in your words and actions to the point where you can see that you are swallowing your saliva.
“It’s a restaurant.”
I’m sorry Belle, but I probably can’t eat today. When it’s all over, it’ll be pretty late at night.
I’ll buy it next time
“Hmm. I’m looking forward to it. I hope it tastes good… … .”
Belle is more shy than anyone else when it comes to food. How hungry he must have been, compassion filled him, and then he stopped.
Because I felt a group running behind me.
“Oh, where are those people running like that?”
Bell also noticed their presence and spoke.
“Ugh! no way! Aren’t we without seats!?”
That said, there is a possibility. A restaurant like that would be packed with people even on weekends.
“Hurry up, we jump too!”
Belle changed her attitude. Now I really don’t care about other people’s notice, and I pull my sleeves.
“Oh, wait a minute. Candidate Saint.”
Leaving such a bell, I stand still and look at them.
“Like the kids I know.”
“yes?!”
At my words, Bell knocked down the sleeves of her clothes. At the same time, he ran his hand through his light purple hair and straightened his back.
“What are you doing?”
“I-what am I?”
Belle, who quickly transformed back into a saintess, put on a mask with a benevolent smile.
Bell is really holding back laughter Lv. It’s a 99 level boss mob.
“uh?”
Ackerman and the others finally reached me.
“Ohhhh! It’s Aren!”
The first to speak was the loud Hoya.
“Aren, you join me too. It is an emergency.”
Now, the muscular macho Ponte added that it would be less burdensome to take off his top at all.
“What is it?”
I replied pretending not to know.
“Aren. Like you said, something really happened.”
Ackerman told me, omitting many things. Ackerman and I were sharing information, so there was no need for long words.
“As expected.”
I also sympathized with them in their critical situation. Seeing the main characters do this, it was fun and proud for no reason.
“Help me.”
Ackerman said with a serious face.
“okay.”
As planned, I joined them. Of course, all of this was intended to get Bell to join Ackerman’s group.
“by the way… … Who is behind you?”
Hoya shook her head and asked.
Belle, who is unrealistically pretty, piqued Hoya’s curiosity.
“It’s a saintess candidate. Say hello.”
“Ugh! Oh hello! Candidate Saint!”
“ah.”
“this.”
Ackerman and his party belatedly bowed their heads to Bell.
It was a natural attitude because it was a saintess who was respected by everyone.
“Ah yes. nice to meet you everyone.”
“I-I’m sorry, but the saintess candidate! Will you help us!?”
yes this is it!
It is Ackerman who makes such an unanswered request. Seeing him reciting the lines from the game, the feeling of pleasure rose up to his throat.
“Uh, yes?! what the hell… … .”
“I’ll explain as I go! I need the saint’s prayers!”
“Oh, oh, there… … .”
Bell looks at me.
I came to eat, but I’m sure you’ll wonder what kind of bonbyeon this is. On top of that, she’s still in a situation where she can’t handle her power properly, so she’ll lack confidence.
“Please.”
Right now, I’m the only one with whom the saintess is friendly. I also persuaded her.
“… … All right.”
As her image and her saintly duty, this cannot be ignored. Bell was forced to join the Ackerman party.
Now it’s like half a success.
“Guys, let’s go! There is no time to delay!”
Ackerman urged on and began to lead.
I’m trying to stop him because I have something to say, but the back of my head hurts.
‘Ah, Cain.’
I stop and turn my head to look at Cain, and Cain passes by. Without a word, just throwing a cold gaze at me.
‘Kuhm… … .’
this is true
Let’s put aside the urgent matter for now.
“Hey, boys!”
The party that went ahead of me looked back.
“You guys go up first. I will bring reinforcements.”
“Reinforcements?”
yes. Incredible support group.