Chapter 341: It's Dangerous Outside the Blanket(1)

Chapter 341: It's Dangerous Outside the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Blanket(1)

The Demon Worshipper who had nearly ambushed me was immediately taken into custody and hauled off to the Temple. There is a law stating that any Demon Worshipper, once their identity is revealed, must be transferred to the Temple immediately.

Because of this, the people conducting the arrest were Paladins. Since Kate had completely suppressed him, he likely wouldn't be able to take any extreme measures like self-destruction, but caution was still essential.

Normally, the rule was summary execution, but an exception was made this time.

I considered him an extraordinary individual, given that he had used magic within the Academy and had completely masked his murderous intent until the very moment he approached me.

Above all, he was personnel sent specifically to assassinate me. There was a high probability that he held a position of significant trust among the Demon Worshippers.

Of course, they might have sent him just to test the waters, knowing it might fail. News that Kate was guarding me must have reached their ears by now.

However, seeing how he had paralyzed a passerby's heart, he was certainly skilled. If it hadn't been for that arrow flying in midway, I would have been in grave danger.

Thus, the Demon Worshipper was dragged to the Temple, and I was immediately escorted back to the dormitory, surrounded by Academy guards and my own detail.

Since a Demon Worshipper had used magic within the Academy—and worse, targeted my life—rumors were bound to fly.

"So, that's why you haven't stepped foot outside since then?"

"Yeah."

"And you've been asking other people, not Sister Adele, to run errands for you?"

"Yeah."

Three days had passed since then, and I hadn't moved a single step outside the dormitory.

Normally, I would have to go out for my teaching assistant duties and Elena's research, but my perspective changed after being directly threatened by a Demon Worshipper.

It’s dangerous outside the blanket—no, outside the house. The threat of a Demon Worshipper attack wasn't some story from a far-off land; it was a problem that could occur anytime, anywhere.

The thought that I would be safe just because I was inside the Academy was tossed into the trash the moment the incident happened. My mere existence could bring harm to innocent people.

"Good call. So, are you going to give up on graduating from the Academy?"

Marie, who had come to the dormitory since I refused to leave my room, asked.

She was supposed to be in class, but because she was my fiancée, her attendance was excused even if she didn't go.

Besides, with such an incident having occurred, she had more than enough justification.

"No. I have to graduate. This happened because I wasn't cautious enough, so I just need to be more careful from now on."

"Then why aren't you leaving the dormitory?"

"For peace of mind."

"..."

Marie looked at me with a subtle expression. It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the look of someone who wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

But I was serious. It had only been three days since the incident; I was wary of even stepping outside.

To put it bluntly, an arrow could have been fired the moment I stepped out of the dormitory. Of course, the possibility was extremely low, but there was always a 'what if.'

Therefore, I planned to live only inside the dormitory for the time being. As Marie just mentioned, if I simply asked the guards protecting the hallway, they would bring me all my meals and daily necessities.

Of course, I didn't plan to stay in the dormitory forever. I intended to go back out once the Academy strengthened its security.

Until then, I would only meet people who came to the dormitory. Since the news must have spread by now, many people would likely visit soon.

"Still, I'm glad. Honestly, I was really anxious. I wondered if you still hadn't realized what kind of person you are."

"I was aware. But I thought Demon Worshippers were a very distant problem."

I offered an excuse that wasn't really an excuse. You could say I was stupid, or perhaps complacent.

The root of the problem was that the concepts from my previous life were deeply ingrained. Furthermore, the capital of the Minerva Empire, and the Academy specifically, was considered a place with very high security.

Because of that, I couldn't help but think I'd be fine as long as I was a little careful. Especially since nothing had happened for a week after returning to the Academy.

People might call me stupid or ask why I was only realizing this now. I was willing to accept that criticism.

I knew from various reports that Demon Worshippers were bastards. But since they had never bitten me personally, I had been looking the other way.

A Demon Worshipper is a bastard—a bastard who will do anything to bite my throat.

Not only did he target my life, but he almost killed an innocent person. This alone made me clearly realize what kind of beings Demon Worshippers are.

I don't know what circumstances led them to join the Demon Worshippers, but even setting that aside, they are unforgivable.

However, there was one thing that bothered me. The words the Demon Worshipper uttered just before he tried to kill himself.

'The Father of All Things is a bit concerning, but...'

Let's let that slide for now. What matters now is how to return to my daily life.

Such a disgrace had occurred at Halo Academy, which is famous for its ironclad security. What would happen to the prestige of the Minerva Empire?

Even without reading the newspapers, I could roughly picture it. From the Academy President to those even higher up, they were surely being publicly pilloried.

From their perspective, it might feel a bit unfair, but that's politics. Once you provide an opening, people come at you from all sides.

Of course, as long as Marie was officially announced as my fiancée, they would remain steadfast and unshaken for now. I myself have no plans to leave the Empire anytime soon.

'It'll be different once Cecile and Arwen arrive.'

I thought as I popped a cookie baked by Adelia into my mouth. Cecile and Arwen. Unlike Marie, these two were unofficial lovers.

There were more women besides them, but I set them aside as exceptions since there was no plan to 'officially announce' them like the others.

Especially seeing the 'gift' Arwen had indirectly hinted at, these two were planning to make a move soon under the pretext of 'Repaying Gratitude and Grudges.'

'I wonder when that will be.'

I thought Cecile would have made an announcement sooner than Arwen, but she's surprisingly quiet. However, not announcing it is also a strategy.

Even if they don't announce it and get caught later, everyone will just accept it and move on. The race saved by the Xenon Biography is the Demon race, and Cecile is set to ascend as the next Queen.

In the first place, Helium has expressed infinite gratitude toward me on a national level. Not only that, but Cecile even dropped a bombshell during her speech, claiming to be Xenon's woman.

With that one speech, the perception that Cecile is Xenon's woman must be firmly established, so it should be fine even if we date openly. I've already laid enough groundwork that anyone who needs to know, knows.

'As for Arwen...'

Then, when will Arwen reveal the identity of her 'gift'? I'm quite curious about that.

Since Elven Communism is so prevalent, I have a rough idea of what the gift might be, but you never know until you open it.

I won't go outside until the Academy strengthens its security, but if she gives me the gift, I'm willing to go to Albenheim.

"So, when do you plan on going out? A week? Or a month?"

"At least a week. The Academy probably wants me to stay put, too. By the way, how is Lina lately? She must have a massive headache."

"Actually, she hasn't been coming to class. She's probably busy with meetings right about now."

"Hmm..."

I nodded. Since such an unpleasant incident occurred within her own country, Lina must be troubled.

I felt even more apologetic knowing that the people around me were suffering because of my poor judgment and complacency.

Vowing that such a thing would never happen again, I brought up another topic.

This time, it wasn't for Marie, but for Adelia, who had suppressed the Demon Worshipper three days ago.

"Sister Adele."

"Yes. Please, speak."

Perhaps because Marie was there, Adelia answered formally. She was the woman who would always be my reliable shield.

This incident made me realize it. Adelia is a shield that will block external attacks at any time.

But what if that shield breaks, or a situation arises where it can't be used? I will do my best to prevent such a thing from ever happening, but one never knows what life may bring.

"You said it before, didn't you? That it would be better for me to learn more than just simple self-defense—that I should learn how to handle small weapons."

So, even if the moment comes when the shield breaks, let's build enough martial strength to offer at least a minimum of resistance.

If I die, the people left behind will go beyond sadness and fall into despair. So, let's develop the power to at least 'survive' a threat.

It doesn't matter if both my hands are cut off. The most important thing is my life.

Above all, as long as I live, everything can be restored through Divine Power. According to Luminous, even regression is possible, albeit for a short time.

"So, could you start teaching me today?"

"...It will be very difficult."

"Better than being hurt or dying."

Adelia gazed intently into my eyes, which were filled with determination. I also met her azure eyes, which were full of seriousness.

I didn't expect to learn the secret martial arts passed down through the family. It was a bit late to start learning, and what I wanted to learn wasn't combat, but self-defense.

My father must be busy with his duties, so for now, it seemed better to learn from Adelia.

"Then I will ask the Baron first and obtain his permission. That is the proper procedure."

"Alright. That sounds fair."

Father would surely give his permission. There was no way my father, a warrior to the bone, would refuse his youngest son's request to train himself in the martial arts.

Communication could be exchanged quickly through the teleportation device installed in the dormitory. If things went well, I could start receiving lessons as early as today.

Afterward, I wrote a letter in my flowing cursive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and sent it immediately to the mansion. And the reply that came back was...

"The Baron says he will come in person."

"...What?"

Father was coming himself. I asked back, my eyes widening at the completely unexpected reply.

Adelia also seemed quite flustered as she handed me the letter and replied blankly.

"He said if you're going to learn, it's better to learn properly."

"What about you? Does he not trust you?"

"I'm not sure. The letter only says that he will come himself..."

"..."

He's not just using this as an excuse because he doesn't want to work, is he?

*

The news that Isaac had been ambushed by a Demon Worshipper spread across the world in an instant.

Since Isaac had nearly been attacked, it was only natural for chaos to ensue. In particular, as Isaac had expected, the Minerva Empire was forced to endure a great deal of humiliation.

They had built Halo Academy by luring the craftsmen of the Ters Republic with money, yet the incident had exposed its vulnerabilities to the entire world.

In such a situation, the person currently in the most difficult position was...

"Ugh. These damn bastards..."

It was Arwen, who had missed the timing for her announcement because of the Demon Worshipper.

She had originally planned to announce it today, but it had to be scrapped when the Demon Worshipper attacked Isaac.

When she first heard the news, she was worried that something had happened to Isaac's safety, but after hearing he was safe, her relief was immediately followed by irritation.

"I want to show him soon..."

With a slightly gloomy face, she looked at the 'gift' nestled carefully inside a box.

She felt quite embarrassed about wearing this and showing it to him, but at the same time, she was filled with anticipation.

How would Isaac react? Just imagining it made her heart throb and her lips curl into a smile.

"...I can't wait any longer."

At this rate, she would miss the timing again. Even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠if she had to take some heat for it, she had to announce it within a week at the latest.

With a look of decision on her face, she quietly closed the box containing the gift.

Tap. Tap.

Next, after ensuring no one was around, she tapped her finger on the crystal ball sitting on her desk.

The crystal ball was none other than a communication orb. Naturally, it was an item used for communication.

An Elf, especially someone in Arwen's position, could usually call someone via telepathy, but if the distance was too great, even she would find it difficult.

Therefore, she borrowed the power of the communication orb to contact someone far away.

"Ah. Ah. Can you hear me?"

[Yes. I hear you, Queen. What is the matter?]

As Arwen spoke, the alluring voice of a woman flowed from the other side of the orb. It was a voice that would have been more than just familiar to Isaac.

Arwen checked once more to make sure no one was around, then cleared her throat with a light cough.

Her face was noticeably flushed, and her ears were twitching aimlessly up and down—one could tell at a glance what she was feeling.

"I... I have made a decision, so I am contacting you."

[Oh my. Finally? But the timing right now is...]

"I am aware of that. But I felt that if I kept delaying it, it would never happen..."

[Hmm... I see. So, what are you asking of me today?]

The woman on the other side of the orb asked in a voice that sounded intrigued. Arwen paused for a moment after hearing the question.

Usually, she was a woman Arwen found bothersome in a negative sense, but for this matter, she had no choice but to swallow her pride and ask.

The woman in the orb was far ahead of her, who knew nothing about the relationship between a man and a woman. In fact, that woman had been intimate with the man Arwen wanted multiple times.

"T-Tell me what Isaac likes... and what kind of acts he enjoys."

[Hehe~ That's easy. I'll let you know later along with the others, so just wait a little bit.]

"I... I shall be waiting."

Click.

With that, the orb went dark. Arwen stared blankly at the lightless orb for a moment before letting out a long sigh.

"...Because a gift should make the recipient happy."

She could easily set aside something like pride for that.