Chapter 157
Chapter 157
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 157
Chapter Title: Are You Virtuous?
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“Unlike the stagnant field of demonology over the past few centuries, the confectionery industry has made astonishing advances. Behold this perfect harmony of crispiness and moistness. Combining such opposing elements is as challenging as it is brilliant. And then, these occasional bursts of intriguing texture… I see. Peanuts. A subtle nuttiness hidden within the sweetness. The pastry chef who crafted these cookies must possess exceptional talent and skill.”
“…….”
Lise finished devouring the cookies as if they might vanish into thin air, then turned to me with a satisfied expression.
Unable to withstand the pressure, I blurted out.
“…I’ll bring more next time.”
“For now, a mage’s closest friend and lifelong companion is sweets.”
“…….”
I couldn’t bring myself to say they were leftover cookies and quickly changed the subject.
“Then, may I ask my questions now?”
“First, explain the situation precisely. Where did you see this devil’s script and magic circle?”
“At Cartel Academy.”
Lise tilted her head slightly.
“Cartel Academy? That’s the educational institution in the capital, isn’t it?”
“Yes. So, here’s what happened…….”
I summarized the series of events at Cartel Academy as concisely as possible.
After hearing everything, Lise looked intrigued.
“The empire’s prestige has certainly faded over the years. A Demon King descending right in the heart of the capital. Well, it’s not a full descent, but something only possible because it’s Hardenaihar, ruler of the hidden world…….”
“…….”
“It would be amusing if the entire academy turned into a den of demons. Ahaha. Quite the delightful turn of events.”
From her tone, it seemed unlikely I could ask her to help my family through her.
“…Come to think of it, I used the magic tool you gave me before to meet you. I’m worried the headmaster’s doll might notice.”
Lise let out a light chuckle at my words.
“A doll can’t perfectly replicate the original, no matter what. The higher the original’s level, the harder the replication, and there will be gaps in memories too. Even a grand mage’s doll probably couldn’t exert half the original’s power.”
“Ah…….”
I thought she was omnipotent, but she had far more flaws than expected.
Actually, wasn’t that only natural?
There’s no way you could mass-produce such dolls without any penalties.
“Of course, even a flawless grand mage couldn’t pierce through this Lise Radigos’s magic tool, so you needn’t worry excessively.”
Hearing her speak so confidently made me feel a bit more secure.
If only her personality were a touch more rounded, she’d be the perfect ally.
Well, no one can be perfect in everything.
“Anyway… things seem to be unfolding in an interesting way. So, your goal is to enter the hidden world directly and defeat the Demon King.”
“For now, yes.”
“Very well. In that case, I can share a few insights.”
Lise chuckled darkly before continuing.
“The magic circle you showed means the formation and maintenance of the hidden world, along with the imposition of new rules. Thus, once you step into Hardenaihar’s domain, you must obey those rules without fail.”
“What happens if you break them?”
“You’ll be trapped forever. Your body bound to the world of the blood-red moon, your soul toyed with eternally in the Demon King’s grasp. Even death won’t bring release.”
Hearing that brought Alex to mind.
The voice of the expedition that left for Spirit Mountain, yearning for death.
‘Even death won’t bring release.’
Tangtata, the Demon King with the green tongue.
The image of him playing with Huan’s head like a ball flashed through my mind.
Even I, who harbored only ill will toward Huan back then, felt more pity than satisfaction……
A sudden thought struck me.
Perhaps dying like that was a mercy for Huan after all.
Lise glanced at the paper and continued.
“The devil’s script seems to outline the rules of the hidden world. I’ll explain once, so memorize it well.”
Was it because of the sweets putting her in a good mood?
Lise explained in a humming tone.
“First. If the doll catches you, it’s over. Second. Do not leave the designated area. Victory condition: find the ritual’s conductor and defeat the Demon King. Time limit: before the full moon. Hmm. The rules are simpler than expected.”
I pondered for a moment before asking.
“If defeating the ritual’s conductor is the victory condition, isn’t there no need to enter the hidden world at all?”
“Killing the conductor from outside won’t mean much. The Demon King’s power won’t grow further, but the descended Demon King won’t vanish either. It might even rampage for unknown reasons.”
“…….”
It matched what Evan said.
At least that meant he wasn’t lying about subjugating the Demon King.
‘For now, we don’t have to worry about that guy betraying us at the academy.’
Still, I doubted I could fully trust him, when Lise spoke.
“Here’s one piece of advice.”
“What is it?”
“Run away.”
Lise chuckled lightly before continuing.
“Everyone who understands the rules starts with hope. Maybe I can win. Maybe I can survive. They repeat it like brainwashing, unaware it’s just another device for the Demon King’s amusement. The deeper you go, the more you’ll realize: Hardenaihar’s game is structured to be unwinnable, utterly irrational.”
Lise extended her hand toward me.
“Of course, even a doll is a grand mage’s avatar, not easily tricked or escaped from……. But for me, Lise Radigos, it’s a simple matter.”
I recalled a similar offer.
It was during the first training session, when I met Asad.
A hollow laugh escaped me.
Now that I thought about it, the situation was somewhat similar.
The differences were that it was the Demon King of the black swamp then, now the one of the blood-red moon, and the offerer had changed from Asad to Lise.
‘But…….’
Blindly refusing like before might not be the best move.
I could leave the academy first and seek outside help.
‘For instance, if I could summon the Iron-Blooded Duke?’
Of course, he was the busiest man on the continent… but this was about a Demon King.
He’d probably come running at full speed.
“How can I escape?”
“It’s not difficult. The Demon King’s true descent is six days away. Hide here until then.”
Her unexpected answer left me momentarily stunned.
“…What do you mean?”
“The moment the Demon King fully descends, everyone caught in the hidden world will be offered as sacrifices. At least half the academy’s people will end up that way. Those lucky enough to survive will have the seed of malice planted in them.”
“What’s the seed of malice?”
“An instinct of darkness that will inevitably sprout someday……. When it blooms, they’ll strangle loved ones, destroy cherished treasures without reason, and harbor unending hatred for parents and children.”
“…….”
“Stay here, and you’ll avoid that influence. Afterward, leave the academy and leave the cleanup to the imperial knights, other grand mages, or Delac. For something involving a Demon King, they’d rush over even from the other side of the continent.”
Her last remark aligned with my thoughts, but I kept my mouth shut.
Lise peered at me curiously, receiving no reply.
“Over two hundred people at the academy have already been replaced by dolls.”
“You said that.”
“I thought they’d already been sacrificed to the Demon King as offerings, but from what you’re saying, that doesn’t seem right.”
Lise laughed.
“Those replaced by dolls are still trapped in the hidden world. Clinging to fleeting hope, trembling in fear and terror, yearning for a sun that won’t rise under the blood-red moon.”
“Then, can’t we still save them?”
“Do you want to save them?”
“If we can, we should.”
Lise snorted derisively.
“How? By stepping into the Demon King’s unwinnable game? Are you an idiot walking into hell of your own accord?”
“…….”
“They’re as good as dead already. Jumping into the sea for someone swept away by the storm isn’t called kindness. It’s a matter of intelligence— not rescue, but joint suicide.”
Lise’s eyes turned to me.
Yet strangely, in that moment, her eerie violet eyes held no usual malice.
Instead, they brimmed only with a curiosity sparkling like starlight.
“But, Ruan Bednicker, before all this criticism, I want to ask you one thing.”
Lise gazed at me as if facing something utterly novel and asked.
“Are you a good person?”
* * *
I left the underground library, leaving Lise behind.
I hadn’t rejected her offer outright.
Somehow, our conversation left my heart unsettled…….
Whenever I felt like this, I sorted out my thoughts alone.
In a quiet place, facing my inner self.
Fortunately, the food storage room was silent, and the moonlight streaming through the window created a serene atmosphere.
I sat on a crate and sank into thought.
Cartel Academy.
To me, this place wasn’t a cradle of knowledge but a labyrinth shrouded in fog on all sides.
The unease I’d felt since first stepping in, Seren Goodspring, the two imperial family members, Professor Alex, the ghost stories, Spirit Mountain, the Demon King, Vice Sect Leader Evan, the massive conspiracy revealed in the process, Headmaster Olderson being a doll—
I thought I was observing from afar, but when I came to, I was already swept up in the current.
Wandering blindly, directionless. Days when confusion overshadowed helplessness.
And finally, the fog lifted… but seeing the monster’s true form made me laugh bitterly.
Ignorance is bliss, they say. That fit perfectly.
If only I hadn’t known.
That the innocent two hundred students were still alive, suffering in the hidden world.
‘A cowardly thought.’
I let out a chuckle.
- Are you a good person?
So my answer to that question is “No.”
Lise Radigos didn’t understand my true nature at all.
How many truly good and profound people are there in the world? Take Seren Goodspring, who threw herself into the Bednicker training session to save strangers.
I’m different from Seren. I can’t be like that.
But that doesn’t mean I think I’m a bad person.
‘Relatively conscientious.’
That’s my self-assessment.
Shing-.
I drew the Seven Sins Sword.
Its characteristically crude blade didn’t reflect me, not even accepting the moonlight……
Yet in this moment, I felt as if my gaze met that of the Martial God I’d never seen.
“You heard everything, I presume.”
[Indeed.]
“Am I making a reckless choice?”
[Hard to deny.]
The Martial God’s solemn voice continued.
[Your lives aren’t enough, even if you had several. No one would blame you for fleeing, and at your age, biding time for the future would be wise.]
“…….”
[But you don’t want to do that.]
I burst into laughter at the Martial God’s words.
[If you don’t want to, then don’t.]
It probably wasn’t comfort or encouragement.
But his words hit home perfectly.
“Will you join me?”
The Martial God replied with a laugh.
[A world where the moon never sets is one where the sun never rises. How much terror those pitiful, fragile children must have felt. How many nights they must have endured in fear.]
“…….”
[Soon, no one may even hope for dawn. They might have forgotten the feel of sunlight on their skin. But I believe that in such a world, dawn must come all the more. We must prove the sun will rise without fail.]
“…….”
[Let us go, successor.]
I rose from my seat at the Martial God’s words.
[Even if you walk the path to hell, I’ll walk it with you.]
It was just before leaving the storage room.
At that moment, a hazy beam of light poured through the window.
Right before stepping out, I blinked, adjusting to the unusually brilliant light today.
It was a sunrise.