Preparing for Pandemonium
The Reynolds Academy invasion was the event featured in volume three of the novel Heroes Who Erase Sorrow. It was the chapter where the Demon King’s army, which had remained hidden until then, finally stepped onto the main stage. Strong enemies began to appear before Allen, who had previously faced no real rivals within the academy.
In the original story, Allen’s efforts brought the raid to a close. Even so, a considerable number of students were injured or lost their lives.
“The Academy invasion, huh…”
I sat on a bench in the training hall, muttering to myself as I rested my chin on my hand. The invasion was like a massive event that wrapped up the entire semester. In other words, once this incident passed, nothing else would happen until winter break was over.
I idly fiddled with the wooden sword in my grip. The main quest I had received a few days ago had come to mind.
I moved my lips silently and called up the status window.
“Status window.”
Status window opened.
A familiar mechanical chime rang out, and a blue window floated before my eyes. I manipulated it with practiced indifference, pulling up the information on the main quest.
In Order Not to Be Broken
The Demon King’s army is launching an assault on the Academy. Protect Reynolds Academy from the cruel shadows.
Enemy Scale: Will be revealed in 5 days, 4 hours, and 27 minutes.
Failure Penalty:
1. Weakening of Reynolds Academy’s forces
2. 328 deaths
“Well… it looks like things are still flowing roughly the same as the original for now.”
I let out a low groan as I stared at the text box labeled Failure Penalty. In the original story, the Academy invasion had resulted in around three hundred deaths. It seemed this event would proceed exactly as written unless I intervened.
Typical for a misery novel—killing off that many students in an early event. The thought that it was a bit much crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly shook it off.
“Well… I just have to stop it.”
The deaths of countless students. In any case, such a tragedy would not be allowed to happen. I had already resolved to twist the Academy’s fate.
After staring at the penalty with a quiet sigh, I scrolled upward to the next section. This time it was the part labeled Success Rewards.
1. Favorability with Academy students (+1500)
2. 3000 points
3. Acquire title: Hero of ■■
4. Acquire skill: Sanctuary
“The rewards are insanely good, aren’t they?”
The quality of the rewards was top-tier, exactly as one would expect from such harsh penalties. A massive amount of favorability, a huge sum of points, plus a title and a skill. It was a comprehensive gift package, solid in every way.
“The skill is pretty useful for something given in an early quest, too.”
The Sanctuary offered as a success reward was an A-rank buff-type ability. It was a skill Allen had relied on heavily even into the middle and latter parts of the story. It created a domain infused with purifying energy around the caster, restoring allies—a kind of healing barrier.
“It’s one of the best among buff skills.”
If I could obtain this skill, I would be able to respond more smoothly to the dangers that lay ahead. Of course, I would have to succeed in the quest first…
“Hoo… There’s so much I need to prepare…”
I would have to move busily for a while. Muttering to myself, I rose from the bench. Three days remained until the invasion arrived. I began walking forward to prevent the tragedy that was scheduled to come.
. . .
From what I remembered, two mid-bosses would appear during this invasion. Twin demons with red skin. Lakious of the left arm, and Tenebrius of the right arm. Both held the rank of mid-level executives in the Demon King’s army.
According to the descriptions, they were quite powerful. I recalled the appearance of the twin demons in my mind and fell into thought for a moment.
In the original work, Allen had dealt with Lakious while Professor Aaron and the rest of the faculty subdued Tenebrius. Many casualties had occurred during that battle, but…
“This time will be different.”
Unlike the original story, Korn currently existed at the Academy. Originally, she should have been expelled from the Empire for failing to prevent the princess’s death. However, because I had saved Lucy from the Seekers, she had been able to remain as the Academy’s principal.
Korn Ronesia, the woman called the strongest in humanity. With her here, she would be able to control the situation so that no students were harmed even amid fierce chaos.
“I don’t need to worry about the twins.”
With Korn present, mere mid-level executives of the Demon King’s army could do nothing. While it might take a little effort, the future in which she beat them down was practically set in stone.
“Then the real problem lies elsewhere.”
I erased my concerns about the twins and lit a new fire of worry. This event was literally an invasion. Not only the twins, but waves of thousands of monsters would strike the Academy. An uncontrollable pandemonium would unfold.
“The key is how to stop the monsters…”
I stroked my chin, lost in thought. In the end, it seemed I would have to step forward here. The twins would rampage at the main gate, while the monsters would pour in through the rear gate. If I left the main gate to Allen and Korn and blocked the rear gate myself, the picture would be perfect.
“Hmm…”
While I was lost in thought, tapping idly on the desk, a knock suddenly sounded from outside the door.
Knock, knock…
“Young Master, may I enter?”
It was Rachel. I pushed my scattered thoughts aside at the voice ringing in my ear and answered.
“Come in.”
Click. Creeeak…
The faint sound of hinges squeaking spread, and a brown-haired girl entered. Her clear brown eyes met mine and she broke into a bright smile. It was a smile that warmed a corner of my heart.
As I returned a faint smile, Rachel approached and placed something on the desk.
“Here you go! The item you requested, Young Master!”
“You brought it faster than I expected. Thank you.”
What Rachel handed me was a crystal orb the size of a palm. The bluish light it emitted marked it as what people called a communication magic tool. Judging by the strong flow of mana, it appeared to be quite a high-quality item. These were not easy to obtain. As expected, Rachel was an excellent servant.
“How long have I been competent? You don’t need to look at me with such deep eyes~”
I gave Rachel a thumbs-up, then turned my gaze back to the crystal orb. Now… how did I operate this again?
I fumbled through my hazy memories and manipulated my mana. Before long, the orb’s communication line began connecting somewhere.
“Young Master…? Who are you suddenly calling…?”
“You’ll see once it connects.”
Beep beep beep… Beep beep beep…
While the sharp ringing tone flowed into my ears, I organized my thoughts. The single most important thing in this quest was that the people around me must not get hurt. Stopping the invasion and saving the Academy came after that.
I absolutely cannot let my people get hurt…
I muttered inwardly and bit my nails. There was no guarantee that people like Ariel, Lucy, or Rachel would be safe in the hell that would break loose in three days. Someone could get injured… or even die.
Beep beep beep… Beep beep beep…
The call I was making now was a precaution to prevent that. The best way to protect the safety of those around me from the coming pandemonium was simple.
“Rachel, you and Ariel will probably have to return to the main house for a few days.”
“Pardon…? Suddenly?”
“Yes. Something came up.”
To remove the people close to me from the situation entirely.
Beep beep beep… Click.
The long ringing tone finally cut off as the line connected. A gentle elderly voice flowed out from the crystal orb.
“It’s been a while, old man.”
“Yes, it’s me.”
Perhaps because it had been so long since I last heard his voice, a wave of fondness tried to rise, but I pushed it down. I didn’t have time to leisurely exchange pleasantries.
“Old man, this is urgent.”
“So, could you connect me to my father right away?”
. . .
The conversation with my father after nearly half a year was incredibly awkward. I had to fidget with my hands several times as the discomfort washed over me.
“Yes, that is correct…”
My tongue stiffened on its own. Was it because of the instinctive aversion the word “father” carried for me? It felt strangely difficult to speak with him.
“……”
“Thank you for understanding.”
I tried my best to answer as neutrally as possible. The cold sweat running down my back felt vividly real. I should have contacted him at least once. I had kept putting it off, thinking I would do it later, and now this awkwardness was the result.
“Thank you… Father.”
I received permission more easily than expected. He didn’t even ask why I wanted to send the two of them to the main house.
Come to think of it… before he became a good-for-nothing, Raiden had received unlimited trust from Stener.
Thanks to my recently improving reputation and the rumors circulating outside the Academy, it seemed I had regained some of that old trust.
I sat holding the now-silent crystal orb, wrapped in a strange emotion. But I soon came to my senses. I didn’t have the luxury of spacing out. Since Rachel and Ariel’s safety was secured, the only one left was Lucy. The next place I needed to contact was…
“It’s been a while, Bella.”
“I’d like to exchange proper greetings, but there’s no time… Could you connect me to His Imperial Majesty?”
“That’s fine. If you tell him it’s me calling, he will probably take it.”
Right, then. Shall we ask our Majesty for a little help?