45 – Determination
I walk confidently without using concealment. As soon as I step outside the door, I meet the guard’s gaze, but upon verifying my mask, the guard lets me pass.
I continue down the stairs towards the underground. I know the way to the secret meeting place, where I will confront Cobsen and Jade.
Creak…
I open the door to the warehouse and cautiously scan my surroundings, as if I were a sorcerer. Confirming that no one is there, I push aside a shelf.
I must be careful not to arouse suspicion if my behavior is different from usual. I walk confidently, trying my best to appear like Cobsen.
It took quite some time to reach the door when I used concealment and walked stealthily, but as I walk quickly, I arrive in no time.
As soon as I turn the corner, I see a massive building and overwhelming dark magic seeping through the closed door crack.
And in front of it, a dark sorcerer is still standing guard.
“Show me the relic.”
“Here it is.”
In response to the request to show the relic, I present the relic that Cobsen had. After briefly examining the relic, the dark sorcerer returns it to me.
Just as he turns around to open the door, he suddenly freezes in place.
“….Wait. Why are you wearing a different robe?”
Oh no. The robe I’m wearing now is just a plain black robe, not the one with the distinctive pattern of the dark sorcerers.
The dark sorcerer looks at the robe that is different from usual and starts to approach me suspiciously.
“….My robe got torn. So, I had no choice but to wear a similar one.”
“I see. Then why are you using polite language today? You, who usually speaks disrespectfully in casual language.”
Damn it. It seemed strange to him that I was using polite language because of the influence of the doppelgänger. No matter how hard I tried to speak casually, the polite language just came out and I couldn’t fix it.
The dark sorcerer lowers his hand, which was reaching behind him, and lowers his posture. Seeing a gathering of some dark magic, he seems to be preparing to attack at any moment.
“Now, finally, I have come to know the greatness of the Dark Mage. If I were to say that, would it be an answer?”
“…..What?”
“Isn’t that right? Just me… speaking informally to a senior like the sky.”
Someone in this situation would handle the Dark Mage in front of them however they could. But that is truly the worst judgment among the worst.
Because there is a very high possibility that another Dark Mage could pass through this space, and if that happens, it’s only a matter of time before I’m exposed.
I saw something like a diary on Copson’s desk. The diary had been written with the words “I finally joined.”
What does that mean? It means that Copson and Jade haven’t been with the Dark Mage for long, and that they are Dark Mages who keep strict secrets and fulfill their missions.
It’s only natural that the guard in front of the door would have a lower rank than a Dark Mage who can set up a guard.
And the words the Dark Mage just said. “You, who always spoke impolitely.” There is a high possibility that the Dark Mage has always looked down on Copson.
Since speaking impolitely to a senior like the sky didn’t please him, it’s likely that he said it in a mocking manner.
“Heh…hahahahaha!! That’s right! I finally came to my senses!”
As a result, the Dark Mage, who was extremely suspicious, burst into laughter and lightly tapped my shoulder. I no longer feel any signs of an attack from him. It means my plan was successful.
“I am so pathetic for being so foolish and immature until now…!”
“Yeah. Let’s continue to do well. Junior. Go inside now! The great one is waiting!”
As if sympathizing with my truly regretful voice, the Dark Mage finally opens the door and accepts it. There is no trace of mockery.
Kugugung…!
Finally, the door opens, and as the gap in the door widens, my heart beats faster.
“Stay calm. If they find out that it’s not Copson, I’ll die.”
My death is not a big problem. At most, the death of a clone doesn’t even cause pain.
However, the real problem is that once I am discovered here, no one can predict or prevent what will happen next.
If that happens, it would not only leave a great scar on the Academy but also on the Empire. I cannot just stand by and watch that happen.
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Taking slow, deep breaths and considering the potential damage, my heart steadies and calms down. My heart no longer races.
I must concentrate. If I fail here, my peaceful daily life will be crushed.
[Overwhelming dark magic is detected! The total amount of dark magic increases!]
Finally, the door opens completely, and dark magic flows out, slowly accumulating within me.
I enter the revealed room, pretending to feel nothing.
“….You’ve arrived. Take a seat.”
The purple torches barely light the dark room, just enough to make out each other’s position. In that room, the one seated in the darkest corner spoke to me in a deep voice.
….This being is of a different class compared to the dark wizards I’ve encountered before. The gap is so vast that I can’t even think of confronting him right now.
I cleverly follow his gaze and casually sit in an empty chair.
“…………”
Silence dominates the room, and after a while, a few dark wizards enter through the door, each taking a seat.
Finally, all seats are filled except for one. An old man with prominent wrinkles and a bald head, sporting a long white beard, looked around and spoke.
“….It seems everyone is here except for one. Copson. Where is Jade?”
“Jade has other commitments and couldn’t attend,” I say, pretending to be Copson.
“Hmm… I see. If he fails to attend next time, he will be killed. Remember that.”
“….Yes.”
Suddenly, he calls out ‘Copson’ and looks at me. I am startled but manage not to show it and continue to pretend.
‘But still… Just by speaking, such a murderous intent can be felt?’
The gaze of the old man, who threatened, “I’ll kill you,” made me want to run away without realizing it. It was overwhelming, and I felt a different kind of terror.
…This. I really need to be careful. And quickly strengthen myself to deal with that old man too.
“Let’s begin today’s assembly. Carmen. You’ll start the report.”
“Yes. Throughout this week, a total of 15 lives have been taken. Also, to lay the groundwork for the grand undertaking….”
The black magician called Carmen began to enumerate exactly what he had done. Without even hearing the sound, I let out a bitter laugh inwardly.
Ha. Carmen? If my memory serves me right, she was a quiet student in class 3-A where Eriel was.
Just in case, I memorized the names of the students in Eriel’s class. It’s probably correct.
…Where on earth did this academy start to rot? I really can’t grasp it at all.
“Next. Vent.”
“Yes. I have taken 8 lives….”
…Vent this time? The one who used to taunt Eriel as soon as he came to the academy, Karl Vent?
At this point, my mind is becoming vague. Even those who were pointed out by the old man began to report their actions.
“…And finally, Cobson.”
“I…”
“You probably didn’t do anything. If there’s nothing special, keep quiet.”
“…..Yes.”
It’s really fortunate that my turn is coming to an end, but whether Cobson was a scavenger even when he was a black magician, the old man looked at me with contempt and then averted his gaze.
“Hmm. Except for a few, it seems to be progressing smoothly. The day our grand undertaking… will be realized is not far off.”
Grand undertaking. The old man and the black magicians have been emphasizing this ‘grand undertaking’ since earlier.
What on earth are they up to?
“I’ll say it again, in case there are scavengers who can’t understand a word and can’t even remember.”
Saying so, an old man looked in my direction. I avoided the old man’s gaze, sensing a certain discomfort.
“….Tsk. Our grand venture. That’s nothing but bringing down the Sunrise Empire. That’s it.”
…Ha. As I suspected. These little bugs were planning to destroy the entire empire.
However, no matter how strong and cunning they are, it seems a bit insufficient to bring down the entire empire.
“Of course, there needs to be preparation for that. The first step towards our grand venture begins with the collapse of the Sunset Academy.”
Academy. A place where precious talents and nobles from across the continent gather. If this place receives a near-collapse blow, and numerous people die, naturally, the empire will fall into chaos.
No matter how clever and skillful the Sunrise Emperor is, he won’t be able to completely block the anger of parents who have lost their children.
Taking advantage of the confusion in the empire, the bugs will infiltrate, multiply from within, and eventually bring down the empire.
In the end, they will succeed in destroying the empire. Simple but a sure and effective plan.
‘…Your grand venture. I won’t let it happen.’
Scavengers who proudly boast about killing people and taking lives as if harming others is natural.
Crushing this place, filled with everyone’s youth and hope, and aiming to destroy the empire – it’s a grand plan. I won’t let these bug bastards get away with it.
My teeth grind in repulsion, my body trembles with anger, but now is not the time to express it.
Rather, in times like these, one must remain calm and cool.
Petty anger blinds your vision and makes it difficult to find the path you should take. Remember this emotion. Let it turn into a cold blade forged with anger and cut off your breath.
“Hmm… By the way, we can’t just blindly attack the academy. We need to disperse their attention.”
“……..In that case, Snowfield Village. It’s a good place to start. Burn Snowfield Village, focus their attention, and gradually infiltrate.”
Pfft-!
“…No. I correct myself. I will make you feel a pain akin to hell until the very moment of your death.”
Snowfield Village. My home and the considerate residents. The orphanage and the children more precious than my own life.
Dare to touch that place?
My will inside grows stronger, and my goal becomes clearer.
[You have absorbed enough dark magic. The total amount of dark magic increases!]
[Dark Magic Proficiency Lv.4 —＞ Lv.5]
[A new skill has been unlocked!]
I will use everything at my disposal. By any means necessary, I will crush those vermin.
Even if, that flame burns me as well.