Chapter 91
“Did it really have to be me? You could’ve just gone straight to the Emperor, or reached out to other powerhouses you’re connected with. I’m sure there were plenty of people more qualified than a guy like me……”
Of course, no one’s quite the monster this man is, but there were more than enough people who could’ve filled in for me. He could’ve easily delegated it to other continental powerhouses he’s on good terms with, and it would’ve been wrapped up in no time.
“The timing wasn’t right. The Emperor was mentally exhausted after losing his Empress, and the others are wanderers who are impossible to track down. Contacting the nations they belong to could’ve sparked international conflicts. Plus, my constraint prevented me from doing anything that directly harmed their interests.”
“I see……”
“Then you showed up.”
A boy about the same age as his son, arriving alongside a longtime friend’s visit. At first, he didn’t pay much attention, but then he caught sight of the tremendous talent dwelling in that child’s sword—and the dark heart demon proportional to it. He said his initial reaction upon seeing me for the first time wasn’t joy or shock, but fear.
But soon, convinced I’d grow to rival him, he decided to take me on as his direct disciple. Even as a mere child back then, if I could shatter that brilliant talent and overcome the heart demon, I’d sweep away the Heaven God Cult with ease. He said the emergence of a sprout who could fulfill his own goals filled my master with great joy at the time.
“That’s what I thought, anyway…… but now, I’m not so sure.”
“Huh?”
As I looked at him puzzled, my master gazed at me with distant eyes, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he spoke.
“I’m a hopeless man. I nearly sacrificed my own son to a demon’s temptation, and now I’m throwing someone else’s kid into the fire just because of his talent.”
“That’s not—”
“I don’t regret teaching you. It’s just…… it saddens me that you all have to bear the full weight of my incompetence and failings.”
With those words, my master glanced around. His awkward gaze halted, stumbling, in front of Polo. The already distant father-son bond felt even more strained now.
“I never imagined you’d get tangled up with the Heaven God Cult first. If it’s fate, then so be it…… but you don’t have to be the hero who stands against them.”
“He was already on par with me several years ago. Who knows how much stronger he’s grown by now…… or what kind of monster his subordinates have become. It’s impossible to guess.”
“You’re already deeply involved with them, so you’ll cross paths again…… but you’ve done more than enough so far. No one can fault you for it.”
“You don’t need to atone for my sins of inaction just because of my mistakes. You’re a kind boy at heart, even if you don’t show it, so I know you won’t just stand by and watch your ties with them fray.”
“But you’re still young and weak, for all that you’re a Lord. I hope you won’t crumble under the expectations and pressure from those around you.”
A few days had passed since the end of the non-combat tournament. Though much had happened in that time, the academy, once buzzing with crowds, swiftly returned to its orderly calm. The place had smelled of people all day back then, and it wasn’t bad…… but this serene version felt most like an academy.
“Oh? Mars, you’re here?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
I greeted Polo cheerfully as he entered the physical training room. The one change was that I’d thrown myself back into training. Maybe because of what my master had told me the other day, lounging around—which I’d always loved—now felt uncomfortably off.
“The Heaven God Cult’s ultimate goal…… is probably the reincarnation of the Demon King.”
“The Demon King? Isn’t that just a myth?”
“No. He really existed. There’s no direct proof, but countless ancient texts confirm his existence. The king of the demons, the Demon King. A mythical being who once challenged the gods and vanished with his kin. He’s been whispered about since antiquity, but nowadays, he’s just a bogeyman to scare crying kids with.”
“I investigated them after he approached me and after the incident, using my personal forces. They’re elusive and masters of concealment, so I didn’t uncover much.”
“But doesn’t your constraint stop you from interfering with them?”
“Investigation isn’t interference. They told me not to hinder their plans, not to snoop.”
“……”
Anyway, they worship the mythical Demon King like a religious pontiff of the highest order. The one who serves as his right hand and the cult’s de facto leader is a figure called the Sub-Cult Leader. He’s the man who made that shady proposal to my master.
I don’t know what they aim to achieve by reincarnating the Demon King. World domination, maybe?
“That’s threat enough, isn’t it?”
“Regardless, that’s the kind of group they are. A bunch of crazies bold enough to recruit an Aura Lord, so who knows what insane schemes they’ll pull next.”
My master had warned of his danger before heading back to the count’s estate.
Looking back, getting entangled with the Heaven God Cult was pure coincidence stacked on coincidence. I stepped up to help Polo’s heroine candidates, got dragged into their ritual, couldn’t abandon the new connections I’d made, and honor followed. Subconsciously, I’d come to think I had to take them down…… but my master’s words gave me pause for reflection.
If this talent of mine wasn’t a perk of possession, but granted specifically to eradicate the Heaven God Cult……
Could I really settle for the status quo? Did I truly not have to face them? Could I just…… live the peaceful life I’d wanted from the start?
Lost in those endless swirling thoughts, I’d finally dragged myself here to train just to move my body.
“……Aren’t you going back?”
“Nope. Not going.”
Damn it. Prazia had flat-out refused to return to her academy. She preferred sticking with me, and even when Bellum Academy’s headmaster clung desperately, she didn’t budge. Now she was staying here as an exchange student.
The problem? She’d become a sparring fiend tailing me everywhere, yelling for duels, and I was dying every day because of it. She was strong, so it definitely helped my growth…… but the mental fatigue was brutal.
“But seriously, you okay just staying like this? The academy’s fine with it, but won’t your parents worry about their daughter holing up in another country?”
“It’s fine. I sent a letter.”
According to her, her dad was a total daughter-con who’d die without her, so he’d grant any request. Even attending the academy had only been possible after the Northern Grand Duke—her father—agonized over it for sleepless nights.
“I wrote all the details about my situation and added some aegyo for Dad, so he’ll approve. Plus, this is the Empire with Count Helios, so it’s way safer than other countries.”
“Fair point.”
The Empire’s status as a superpower owed much to my master’s influence. No sane nation would pick a fight with a country boasting a living Aura Lord, hermit or not.
Knock knock.
A knock echoed from the training room door. Odd for a public space, but as I watched curiously, a woman who looked like an academy clerk peeked in.
“Um…… is Mars Noctus here? I heard he came this way……”
“Yeah, that’s me. What’s up?”
Me? I hadn’t done anything official enough to warrant a summons.
“Ah, there you are.”
“Yes. What is it?”
“Well…… it’s not really about you, Mars. It’s Princess Prazia Auros…… oh, there she is!”
“……?”
“We’ve heard she’s always with you, so when we couldn’t find her for an urgent letter, we came looking through you instead!”
I’m not her guardian. Does it make sense to hunt for someone by tracking me?
“Oh. A letter from Dad.”
Ignoring my exasperation—which perfectly illustrated my treatment around the academy—she tore open the letter from her father.
But Prazia’s expression as she read didn’t look pleased at all.
To my dearest Prazia,
I’m extremely angry. Return to the North immediately.
— And bring Mars with you.
Your Father,
Duke Auros
“What’s it say? Bet it’s telling you to come home. Don’t be a nuisance at someone else’s academy.”
“Yeah…… Dad’s really mad…… Come home to the North right now.”
Boom! My gut unclenched. The pressure from club members glaring daggers at my back had been intensifying with her tagging along, but this might ease it.
“With Mars.”
“?”
Why the hell is my name in there?