The Villain Bought the Heroine chapter 53

Chapter 53

After a brief research society activity, it was time for the afternoon class.

Professor Louisa, the instructor, was teaching about Altif, the public enemy.

“…So, as you may know, Altif following the Goddess Religion uses the same name as the church. Although the Yggdrasil Church doesn’t particularly like it, it’s the easiest classification, so it is mainly referred to as such. X-Fal, I’m not very fond of it either.”

Louisa spoke as if she was uncomfortable, clicking her tongue. The use of inappropriate terms that still didn’t seem like a teacher was frequent.

“First of all, Altif is divided into Sapientia and Insipientia. Insipientia, as the name suggests, does not think much. They move according to instinct. The only thing they follow is the ‘Sapientia’ belonging to a higher rank than themselves.”

Alicia’s red chunks made up of muscles she fought with to overcome trauma. They were the most common form among the mindless bodies.

“Uniting such mindless bodies, the Goddess Sect refers to themselves as ‘priests.’ Although, in most cases, they are simply called priests, in principle, they should be called mindless bodies or the 4th danger class.”

Through visual magic, various forms of ‘priests’ were shown. Guys with tentacle-like things stuck on their backs, guys with claws in their hands and capable of underwater breathing, guys with developed jaws…

The common point was that their bodies were red and muscular.

Interestingly, their faces were as white as if wearing a mask.

At the bottom of the illustration, it was written in small letters that they were the only beings capable of reproduction through their mothers?

Huh?!

Louisa hit the podium to focus everyone.

The students, who were somewhat relaxed, straightened their backs and opened their eyes wide.

Louisa, too, became more serious.

“From now on, look straight ahead with your eyes wide open.”

Louisa turned on the next video.

It was written in the video like this.

“Bishop: 3rd Danger Class”

“From here on, they are all intelligent beings. Pay attention and remember properly.”

Louisa’s eyes gathered as she warned everyone. It was such an important matter that it should not be forgotten.

“Bishops are truly dangerous beings. Even the weakest bishop class identified so far easily slaughtered a thousand ordinary soldiers. No… It was just a matter of time, they played around like toys. It’s not comparable to ordinary people. Let me give you an example with the heroes you like.”

To safely hunt the bishop class, there need to be at least three rookie heroes. Naturally, more personnel are needed for capture.

Similar to the priests, there was a small inscription below the video, stating that it was possible to fulfill the number through propagation?

“They can communicate through language. However, don’t even think about talking to them just because they can speak. They are not human. They are fundamentally different from us in their way of thinking.”

Louisa said.

They act cunningly and intelligently as fast as their heads turn. The moment you let your guard down because you can communicate?.

“Your heart will be ripped out and thrust into the ground as it is.”

Or, they could be used as the mothers for creating priests.

Louisa’s remarks left everyone with a deep impression.

It was too dreadful to even imagine.

It was much more horrifying to be used as a tool for reproduction after being violated by them.

“They have no gender. Therefore, the gender of the person used as the mother is not important either. Because their way of reproduction deviates from that of typical organisms.”

As the atmosphere in the classroom became darker and filled with tension more than expected, Louisa slightly lightened her tone to control the situation.

“Since you’re still rookies, you’ll hardly encounter anything above the bishop class. You’ll only see priest class during the practical exam at the end of the 1st semester. Well, even so… it won’t happen….”

Louisa said.

To protect the rookies.

She seemed to have forgotten that she was supposed to keep a lighter tone for control.

“If you see anything above the bishop class, run away immediately and ask for help. They are not opponents you can handle right now.”

***

“They really look creepy. Why do all Altepf look so grotesque? It was so hard to look at.”

After the last class of the day.

In the same group, Emily shivered and said. Serena, as always, showed no particular reaction, and Alicia nodded in agreement.

“Yes, they’re so creepy….”

“Right?! I’m already worried about the practical exam at the end of the 1st semester… They look like they won’t go down easily even with good swordsmanship….”

When you wear a stable aura, it’s attractive. With well-defined muscles, it’s easier to see where to cut. If you don’t get too tense, you’ll easily catch up with Emily’s skills.

“…Alicia is like a pro. I suspected it, but did you really fight those guys?”

“Yes, only once.”

As we chatted like that, Louisa, who locked eyes with me, walked over. Perhaps because she was tall, her stride was wider than that of an average adult male.

“Seuseok, your outing request has been approved. You can take the shuttle at 3 p.m. next Tuesday.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Alright then. It’s a hassle, but it’s the responsibility of the assigned professor… More importantly, a date with your fiancée… I don’t think there’ll be any unnecessary trouble, but make sure nothing untoward happens. Got it?”

“I have no idea what kind of mishap you’re imagining, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

“Anyway, your personality hasn’t really changed.”

Louisa chuckled lightly as she expressed her concerns. She didn’t seem genuinely worried, but my reaction might have sparked some defiance in her.

“s*x. s*x. I won’t stop you from doing it, but it’s troublesome if you’re still burning with desire after curfew.”

??!!

I heard the words, but Alicia, who had been nearby, was startled and gaped in surprise. Emily, too, blushed and covered her mouth with both hands.

Their reactions were so exaggerated that Serena, who was usually quiet, stood out even more.

“You don’t need to worry.”

“I hope not. It’s not just talk; some students have been late for quite some time now because of this.”

Even if they were aspiring warriors, they were still young and full of vigor, so it wasn’t uncommon for young men and women to spend the night together. I wasn’t particularly interested in that setting, but still…

“For that reason, you shouldn’t be late. One… Life is full of uncertainties, isn’t it? What if due to unavoidable circumstances, you can’t take the final shuttle?”

“…That’s a rather unsettling statement.”

Louisa added, urging me to come back on time without any strange thoughts.

“If students don’t return, we’ll have to search for them. Even if you are talented fighters against Altiph, you’re still kids, kids. If anything happens to you while you’re out there, the guardians who entrusted you to us won’t be happy.”

“Oh, you’re quite mature.”

“You’re an adult, you cheeky senior.”

Louisa poked fun at Alicia like she was scolding her, pushing her finger out as she let out a light sigh.

“Well, I’ve caused trouble too, so I have nothing to say.”

“….”

I remember seeing a setting about her causing a lot of trouble during her school days while receiving instruction under the current principal with Paula.

The reason Louisa was making such a nostalgic expression now was probably because of that.

Turning away, Louisa left the classroom.

Waving her arm casually, she bid farewell in advance.

“Have fun. No need for souvenirs.”

“I wasn’t planning on buying any, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

From Noble mtl dot com

“You cheeky brat… You always talk like that until the end.”

With a faint smile, she completely hid herself. Emily, looking curious and excited without revealing her excitement, asked me.

“What’s up! It’s weird, right? No wonder there was no research club schedule that day; were you going on a date? Wow, that’s amazing.”

I’ve been having trouble understanding since earlier.

Why are they making such a fuss when it’s not even their business?

“It couldn’t be helped; it was our engagement anniversary.”

“I see, I see~. How sweet.”

Emily chuckled playfully.

It seems like this person wants to undergo intense training through club activities after a long time.

“Why don’t you take Liam out for a walk? Of course, I’d have to clear my schedule for club activities to make it possible.”

“Why would Liam be there…! And as you said, you’re attending the club every day, when would you find time for that!”

Emily, about to get angry, restrained herself. Alicia, standing beside her, spoke with a gentle smile. Her appearance was subtly different from her usual demeanor.

“I will take care of the tasks without any issues even when the young master is out.”

“Yes, prepare for my return.”

“…Yes, young master.”

Hm.

What should I say about this?

“I will be waiting for your return, young master.”

It didn’t seem intentional, but Alicia’s last words conveyed a hint of affection and longing.

I can’t explain it.

I just felt that way.

***

Returning to the room, I had to go through the usual routine of training, but there was something to check before that today.

A letter from Diphyllia.

The level of fear she showed today was alarming.

She chose to write a document instead of speaking.

As Diphyllia was always cautious, I refrained from opening it until I was alone. A peculiar symptom of the saint.

It might have a significant impact on the future development.

Hm.

I cut the seal with a small knife and took out the letter.

There was a single letter inside the envelope.

The content of the letter was in verse.

“I had a dream.

I dreamt of the third star in the center of the brilliant empire losing its light. I mourned that death so deeply and recited a eulogy. However, my mourning never reached an end, and I soon became a phantom wandering around nameless graves.”

“…I see.”

So, that’s why you were so frightened, Diphyllia.

As soon as I finished reading the letter, a golden flame ignited, burning the letter to ashes in no time.

The envelope I had placed on the desk disappeared without a trace.

Instead of the crackling of flames, I heard Diphyllia’s voice from the burning envelope. This time, it was her usual tone, not a metaphorical poem.

“Next Tuesday, when the evening moon rises. I will be waiting at the small botanical garden near the dormitory.”

I sat on the comfortable chair, deeply lost in thought.

I understand clearly what Diphyllia is trying to convey through her cryptic verse. Knowing it makes my mind restless.

“The time for trust has accelerated. The content has changed.”

The dream is a trust.

The third star in the center of the brilliant empire is me.

The speaker of the verse ‘I’ also refers to me.

The reason I could identify the speaker of the verse was the part about reciting a eulogy. Baragan’s final words were indeed a eulogy for the deceased.

Let’s interpret the front part like this.

“I received a divine revelation.”

It was a future where the three sons of Troa Empire’s Shugenharz would die. You recited a eulogy, grieving deeply for their deaths.

At first glance, the term ‘their deaths’ might seem to refer to Bargan’s death, but it’s not. Bargan did not mourn his own death.

However, Diphelia, who received the divine revelation, didn’t know whom Bargan was mourning, so she interpreted it as ‘their deaths.’ It was a metaphor indicating that the mourning did not reach its subject, wandering as a ghost, unaware of the nameless grave it circles.

“Sigh.”

She is pressuring me. With a small, fragile voice that seems like it could easily crumble, she extends the Silver Moon toward my neck.

The divine revelation is not about our future.

The play with Artellion as the protagonist is the backdrop.

Originally, the divine revelation should have emphasized the gap left by Liam, who did not appear in the original work. It should have dealt with the tragedy of Academia instead of Bargan’s death and arrived four months earlier.

According to Diphelia, the divine revelation she received was the moment Bargan dies in the original work. The event where Bargan, who had given up everything and gone mad, borrowed the power of the goddesses to bring disaster upon everyone.

Despite knowing that she is the antagonist of that event, she still sent me a letter. In other words, it was a warning not to entertain futile thoughts, as she could foresee the future and intervene if I harbored any intentions to realize it.

It was also to extract information I might possess through direct contact, to prepare countermeasures against unpredictable catastrophes.

Diphelia is trying to capture me in accordance with the divine command, which only reveals a part of the original work.

“….”

However, the fact that divine revelations can change has already been confirmed through Liam’s case. What was troubling me now was not her threats but the upcoming Tuesday.

Strange.

Mysterious.

It’s not entirely impossible, but…

“Next Tuesday….”

I flicked my finger on the doorknob.

There’s a need to organize.

Tap. Tap.

Diphelia pointed out the exact date.

She probably doesn’t know that I have plans with Erika.

Before her, Frida had suggested going out next week. Although the precise date wasn’t set, recalling the original work, there was a precedent of it coinciding with Erika.

Tap. Tap.

As if trying to prevent me from meeting Erika…

Could this be a coincidence?

Could it be just a simple alignment of probabilities?

Tap. Tap.

In the original work, Erika and Bargan didn’t meet at the agreed place. What did Erika do alone? There’s no description to ascertain, but one could guess that she ended up watching the play alone after waiting.

Tap. Tap.

Erika. Divine revelation. Next Tuesday. The play.

Were there events that encompassed all of this, or at least the possibility?

Let’s reconsider who Erika was.

Bargan’s fiancée. A high-level user of ice and warp magic. Daughter of the prestigious Portretga family. Petite stature. Strong exterior, gentle interior. An antagonist character. Fond of sweets, likes dolls… and.

A figure who becomes the “Bishop” of the goddesses.

At the same time, a long-held question.

When did she start showing signs of that nature?

The finger stopped.

Hastily, Erica checked the concert ticket handed to her.

It was mentioned only once in the novel. Erica mentioned it once, saying that she should see Bargan, who did not show up at the meeting place. There was a mention of the play’s name.

Truly, just once.

A few thousand characters in one episode.

Among the total 628 episodes of the novel, she remembered the name of the play that appeared only once. It was a title so famous that it couldn’t be forgotten.

And.

A line of text that she had overlooked, simply considering it the writer’s background knowledge.

“Love is like a fire that burns hotter when it’s suppressed. Just like a flowing stream, the more you block it, the more forcefully it flows.”

I knew exactly.

But I was indifferent.

I noticed that it had a connection, but I just glossed over it.

That sentence was a quote from one of the greatest playwrights, Shakespeare.

“Play: Romeo and Juliet”

Also, a character immersed in Shakespeare.

It was a line uttered carelessly by a “follower of the goddess” who was assimilated into society.