Light to Oppose the Approaching Darkness (3)
Audrey. I can’t believe what you told me. You were with Raphael? Could Raphael truly have come back to life? Even though you said she vanished into light, if we find a way, she might be able to stand with us once more. I will search for that method myself.
And I have decided to become a professor at the Hero Academy. I will personally train the boy named Ian. The moment you learn anything about Raphael, send word to me at once.
Also… is Cecilia still in seclusion? She must be drowning in despair…
— Your old friend, Baden
As expected, these two had something unusual about them. I could tell from the first moment I saw them that they weren’t ordinary. Still, Apostle is a class that never even appeared in the game. I’m dying to know what kind of traits it carries.
“…Through the Goddess’s authority of regression…”
…Regression? Did I hear that right? And they failed ninety-nine times? With a broken cheat ability like that?
“This time… is different. It is because of you, Statue-nim. Because you exist.”
So in the previous rounds, I didn’t exist? Yeah, that makes sense. If I had been there, I would’ve gotten so frustrated I would’ve gone myself.
“…The Saintess who was supposed to fall and become a witch in the original timeline did not fall into corruption.”
“Furthermore, the collapse of the Empire never occurred…”
Audrey… fell into corruption? Why? Don’t tell me it was because of the Fiend…? That insane bitch? And the Empire collapsed on top of it? Just what kind of dumpster-fire world is it without me in it? I actually want to see it now.
“Therefore, please… grant us the strength to move forward. Bestow peace upon us.”
…How pitiful. They must have suffered so much.
“We implore you… the side effects of regression have left our minds unstable.”
“I offer my insignificant life…”
Sein drew a dagger and moved to slit her own throat. Without thinking, I spoke.
Ah. I spoke out loud. I saw her about to kill herself and just… reacted.
“If it can save the world… I will not hesitate to sacrifice myself.”
“We will gladly offer them!”
“Is there a reason the aura I feel from you, Statue-nim, is similar to Ian’s?”
…! They already inferred my connection to Ian? As expected of regressors—they’re extremely interested in him. And being able to read my aura… that’s no small feat.
“…Who exactly are you, Statue-nim?”
I should give them the same answer I gave Ian. I can’t exactly say I’m a transmigrator.
“Ian must defeat not only the Demon King but even the Fiend… I feared a future where Ian would lose his will and submit…”
Ha. Ian? Did she never see the venom in those eyes? Or maybe this timeline’s Ian really is special. Ian is the possessor of an indomitable will. He will never break.
“By any chance… are you the woman in the white dress, Statue-nim?”
!!!!! How the hell did she know that? There’s no way she could unless she’s been stalking him… Wait. No way… right?
“Because I have a great deal of interest in Ian…”
Oh Goddess… Is this stalker seriously an Apostle? And one who’s regressed ninety-nine times? This is completely insane.
“Actually… I came here to see Ian.”
Oh my god. Two girls completely obsessed with Ian? There aren’t more, right? Was the Hero Academy secretly a harem game…?
“She… lost someone precious to her and has been in seclusion ever since.”
…She lost someone. She must be devastated. Still, she needs to return to herself soon.
“…The person standing before us is the ‘Nameless One.’”
…You idiot. You big dummy crybaby… Twenty whole years. Twenty years of seclusion—what are you doing?
“However, I am being pursued by the World Tree… How should I give it to her?”
Yeah… how should we do it? Do I have to go to the World Tree and let myself get caught?
Successor of the Divine Archer detected.
Please assist so the will of the Divine Archer may be inherited.
…! A sudden notification? Successor of the Divine Archer? Does that mean Cecilia is going to die? No, that can’t be… Unless… the Demon King’s resurrection…?
The Demon King is accelerating his resurrection with the help of an ally.
A new hero party is being formed.
Please guide them well.
…Haha, this is insane. I definitely killed him! Who the hell is helping him…? The Fiend? That damn bitch…
First I need to explain the succession of the Divine Archer. Huu… I can have her inherit it from Cecilia while passing the ring along.
Successor of the Saintess detected.
Please assist so the Saintess’s purity may be inherited.
…Sein. So you’re Audrey’s successor. Hehe… The Saintess of Obsession. It suits you perfectly. That said, can Apostles even join the hero party? They already have the Apostle class.
…Error occurred.
@#$%^$#$%^
Corrected by the Scales of Causality.
Apostle class has been changed to Divine Archer and Saintess.
A completely new causality that did not exist before has been generated.
The balance of good and evil has reached perfect equilibrium.
…#$%^
%^&*(
The Goddess acquires %^&&*.
What the hell is this? The Apostle class actually changed? And the Scales of Causality… {Sealed}. Well, the class change happened. Honestly, it’s for the best.
“I am an Apostle… How can I become a Saintess?”
Yeah… But isn’t this the will of the gods? Probably…
The light of dawn that drives away the night begins to rise. There isn’t much time left. The kids have classes soon. I should give them my blessings and send them off.
The Blessing of Wisdom will grant the Saintess the knowledge she lacks. She will become a sage who knows no bounds. The Blessing of Agility will let the wind accompany her always. It pairs perfectly with the Divine Archer’s traits.
Can bestow the Baptism of Divinity upon the Sa#$^$^do.
Will you bestow it?
…The notification window is glitching? What on earth is the Baptism of Divinity? Whatever, let’s just do it. These kids are the hero party now. I should invest everything I have.
30% of possessed faith will be consumed.
??????????? What the fuck? Not three hundred points—thirty percent? Are you kidding me, you bastards—
Due to the effects of the Baptism of Divinity, mental strength has increased, all stats have increased, immortality has been granted, and corruption immunity has been obtained.
…The effect is actually insane. I’ll allow it. Their hair and eyes have turned pure white… It’s beautiful. Please grow up strong and slaughter the Demon King and that Fiend trash. I’ll be cheering you on from here.
Having received the blessings, Sein and Eiron hurried back. They told the instructors and professors that the change in hair and eye color was a skill effect, and the matter was accepted without issue.
Meanwhile, after their final class, Ian, Sein, Eiron, and Belinda were chatting noisily.
“Ian. You’re really not connected to the princess at all, right?”
“I’m telling you, we’re not! And princess, say something already!”
“Hmm? Ian, is it really okay for me to say it? How you climbed into my bed and—”
Ian immediately clamped his hand over the princess’s mouth.
“Mmph! Mmph mmph!!”
Ian… your hands are surprisingly large. And warm…
Belinda absentmindedly licked Ian’s palm.
Nom—
“Hey, are you crazy?! Why are you licking my hand?!”
“Puhuhu… Ian, you’re kind of cute, you know?”
“…?! W-what…?”
Ian’s face flushed bright red at Belinda’s words. Watching him, Sein and Eiron began to spasm with jealousy.
“You… you! How dare you do something I haven’t even done!”
“Why did I have to be born a man… If only I were a woman…”
“Ahahaha! You two are so much fun. It’s on a completely different level from the kids who used to flatter me.”
“Yeah. This is what real friends are like, right?”
“We’ve never had friends like you before, you know?”
Sein and Eiron spoke with heated excitement.
“Hehe.”
Belinda quietly approached Eiron and whispered in her ear.
“First time seeing a High Elf. Especially one who ran away from the World Tree.”
“Eiron Wydegraesil. That’s your real name, isn’t it? Hehe.”
“I know you’re a woman, yet you disguised yourself as a man to enroll…”
Eiron whipped her head around and glared at Belinda.
“You…”
“Oh my? Eiron, why are you looking at me like that? Haha.”
“…You’d better keep quiet.”
“Hmm… Depends on what you do. So, as a friend, please take care of me?”
Belinda offered a handshake. Eiron gripped it tightly.
“Haa… Fine. As friends, please take care of me too.”
Ian paid them no attention and thought to himself.
Master. These kids are weird… Did I make friends with the wrong people…?