Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Unseen Observers
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A long procession made its way toward the destination.
No major incidents occurred during the journey from the academy.
Monsters that tried to attack the procession met a swift death at the hands of the professors. Whether due to the sheer number of people or the academy's reputation, not even a band of bandits appeared.
Aside from adding a new member to their group on the first night after leaving the academy, nothing eventful happened.
“Heeey, everyone. Nice to meet you.”
Milled Pseudo.
She was one of the student council members Allen had seen when he first met the second prince, and she was the third-year senior assigned to his group for the dungeon practical.
“This is our first formal introduction, right? I look forward to working with you on this practical.”
Magenta hair, a relaxed expression, and an incredibly friendly demeanor.
Allen turned his head to look at his group members, who were focused on her story.
“Does everyone know about the academy's history?”
Galshdin Academy's location was exquisitely strategic.
This wasn't just about the Holy Sword being in the city or the influx of artifacts from the ruins.
It was something more direct: the harsh environment that awaited just beyond the Holy Sword's domain.
The desert environment was unforgiving.
The Galshdin Great Desert, one of the largest demonic realms, was more than just a desert; it was vicious.
The scorching midday sun and the chilling cold that rose from the sand at night.
Add to that the countless monsters that appeared from nowhere and the traps of ruins buried in the sand.
The sandstorms that blew at regular intervals were just a bonus.
The temperature difference of dozens of degrees between day and night was too much for ordinary soldiers to bear, and any mercenary operating there would have to buy artifacts worth several gold pieces.
Exploring the great desert required taking on that many risks.
Elpis, surrounded by such an environment, could be said to have a natural fortress at its back.
“But... you know there are always idiots, right?”
In the past, there had been several attempts to attack the academy.
“There was a merchant union upset about the monopoly on artifacts... a noble dissatisfied with how their child was treated, and even the king of a fallen kingdom, blinded by greed.”
But no attack ever succeeded.
Not even once.
“As far as I know, the academy never even had to respond seriously.”
Not even an official statement, let alone a move to gather soldiers.
“Then what happened to the enemies who tried to attack the academy...”
At Evan's question, who had been engrossed in the story, Milled, sitting before him, gave a strange smile.
“What do you think happened?”
“I've never heard any stories about Elpis being attacked, so...”
They all failed.
Elpis.
Befitting its name, which means 'hope', those who rushed in like moths to a flame, driven by desire, met a similarly fiery and futile end.
“That's how the academy we know today was forged.”
“So the desert environment itself acted as a natural fortress wall, blocking them... That must also be why a culture where class and race can mix without distinction was created.”
No empire could invade, and no noble could flaunt their authority.
Yet, the academy wielded immense influence through the artifacts it excavated.
It was fair to say that half of the academy's special status, unswayed by any nation or race, was formed thanks to that geographical advantage and the Holy Sword.
“That's right, you're smart. William, my dear junior.”
Having blended in naturally with the group in just a few hours, she patted William's head as if to say, "Good job."
“Th-thank you!”
William blushed, seemingly embarrassed. Beside him, Erielle spoke up, her face uncertain.
“Then... is the student council president being a commoner not just symbolic, but a matter of real skill?”
“That's right too! The president's a real monster, you know? If I pat your head, it'll mess up your hair... Want a cookie?”
Before Erielle could refuse, Milled placed a crisp cookie in her mouth. Erielle nibbled on the cookie that had entered her mouth with a strange expression.
“Ahem, I...”
“Oh, Evan wants a cookie too!”
“No, that's not it...”
Evan shook his head as if to say that wasn't it, but a cookie flew into his mouth even faster.
“It's good, right?”
“...Yes.”
Judging by the faint satisfaction on Evan's face, it seemed he didn't dislike it.
Milled, having silenced Evan in an instant, turned her head to Allen, the only one not involved in the situation.
“You don't want one, Allen?”
“I'm fine, thank you.”
“I heard from the vice president that you helped out. For you, I'll even peel an apple specially.”
She took out an apple from a subspace, smiling freely as if she knew the whole story. Allen waved his hand in refusal.
“I'm really fine. Instead, I have a few questions, if that's alright.”
She looked sullen as if disappointed, then put the apple back.
“If you don't want it, I can't force you... Okay, ask away! I'll explain anything I can!”
Finding her personality, which had become lively again in an instant, unpredictable, Allen asked the question he had been holding in his heart.
“So... is it really true that you're joining our group, Milled?”
“That's right!”
“Weren't only second-year students allowed to apply for the practical?”
She wagged her index finger and shook her head.
“Nope, they made an exception to allow third-years to apply, considering the difficulty of this mega-ruin. You didn't know?”
When she turned her gaze to the others, they all shook their heads with expressions that said they hadn't heard.
“My sister didn't tell me either.”
“My club seniors didn't say anything either...”
“Hm? Really? The student council definitely requested approval from the Director, but, hmm...”
Tapping her lips with her index finger, she tilted her head.
“So that's why there were only application forms for second-years. I thought it was because of next year's exchange event.”
“Exchange event?”
“Ah. First-years wouldn't know yet. The academy holds an annual exchange event with the Magic Tower.”
“...I think my sister mentioned it. No, that's not what's important.”
Erielle steered the conversation back from the tangent about the exchange event and asked directly.
“Then, are you the only third-year senior who applied, Miss Milled...”
“Call me Milled!”
“Okay, Milled. Are you the only one?”
“Not exactly... but it's probably just a few of us from the student council who applied.”
At her answer, William, his anxiety seemingly resurfacing, asked in a trembling voice.
“Th-then, isn't it dangerous?”
“Perhaps...”
She gazed out the carriage window with a meaningful smile.
“That won't happen. Absolutely not.”
“What!? Did you get some information from the student council or...”
“A woman's intuition~”
Milled replied, flashing that free smile of hers again.
“But, what does that even mean...”
Despite William's deflated voice, she didn't stop her cheerful smiling.
“It's fine! It's fine! This isn't my first time in a mega-ruin! So you can relax!”
“...That's so reassuring.”
“Right?”
The group's tension eased at her cheerfulness.
Allen narrowed his eyes at the sight.
The others didn't seem to notice, but Allen could see it.
The fact that her gaze had momentarily landed on one of the carriages in the procession.
Allen's sensitivity had developed his five senses more meticulously than before. So, what was a fleeting moment for others was enough time for Allen to identify where her gaze had landed.
‘If nothing unexpected happens, the safety measures should be sufficient.’
Sensing a wave that covered the area, Allen loosened the thread of tension he had been holding taut since arriving at the academy.
Their destination was drawing near.
***
“Is there anything making you uncomfortable?”
“I'm fine.”
“If the food is not to your liking...”
“It's edible, so there's no need to worry.”
“If you have any other orders...”
“I will handle things myself, so you may leave now.”
Zaqnir watched them leave the carriage with reverent faces.
Each of them was a professor, of which there were only a few dozen at the academy, yet in front of him, they were clamoring for even a moment of conversation.
“I don't think it's as high a position as they make it out to be.”
Zaqnir gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
One of only eight positions in the world.
It sounded incredible, but that was just for show.
Zaqnir knew that besides the eight, countless powerful individuals were hidden in the world.
And that his own skills were a step behind theirs.
He had only managed to claim a spot among the Eight Strongest because he knew his opponent, the former member, was weak in prolonged battles.
If that hadn't been the case, the fight would have lasted for years, and he would have been the one to fall first.
“...Still, I didn't plan on staying quietly at the academy.”
Zaqnir let his body sway with the moving carriage, sinking into his thoughts.
Shield of the Heavens.
The youngest of the Eight Strongest.
The sole successor to the now-lost divine magic.
And.
“...heir to a fallen kingdom.”
Not many knew of this identity.
The world wasn't idle enough to remember the heir of a kingdom that had fallen over a hundred years ago.
That was why, even now that he was one of the Eight Strongest, few knew of his other identity.
It was only natural.
They say ten years is enough to change rivers and mountains, but this was a hundred years.
Enough time for those who were boys to have died and returned to dust.
Yet, some things were not forgotten and continued on. Even if it was just a useless obsession.
Zaqnir recalled his father from his childhood.
‘You must have your revenge.’
‘Against whom?’
‘Against those bastards at the damn academy, of course.’
‘...Why?’
‘Did they not bring down our country, our royal family?!’
Yet, his father who said such things had never experienced those times himself.
He longed for an era he had never lived through and was obsessed with revenge for a kingdom he had never held, claiming it had fallen.
Zaqnir had been raised with such teachings, and through his family's devoted support, combined with his own talent and luck, he had risen to become one of the Eight Strongest.
After that, he was invited to the academy and entrusted with the city's protection...
‘He cut ties with his family.’
Because his perspective had broadened.
He, who had strived his entire life to achieve his family's goal, only realized its futility after coming to the academy.
And so, after spending a few months aimlessly at the academy, he had arrived at the present.
“Sigh, I should just do my job.”
Perhaps because it was his first time out of the city in a while, his thoughts were running wild.
Zaqnir closed his eyes and slowly extended his senses.
The students wouldn't be able to detect his perception at their level.
Though a few among them were skilled enough that even he had to be wary...
‘They're still just students.’
100m, 200m, 300m...
As he gradually expanded his range and scanned the entire area, he twitched an eyebrow.
“Hm?”
At the edge of his perception, something had been caught for a moment before vanishing instantly.
“Was I mistaken...?”
***
A few kilometers away from the carriage procession.
A woman of indeterminate age stared at the carriage where Zaqnir would be, a smile on her face.
“Lady Bionna, it would be best not to get any closer...”
The man beside her was sweating profusely as he watched her reactions.
“If we get any closer, he might notice.”
She ignored his words. At her attitude, the man cautiously added another word.
“If you don't follow our plan, your own affairs will also run into trouble... Gak.”
“I know, I know... Why are you nagging so much?”
“I-I apologize...”
“I'll handle it, so shut up.”
He wet himself a little at the sudden surge of killing intent and retreated with a pale face.
“Tch. Those who are already ruined have nothing but their pride...”
She knew it too.
That she had to retreat now.
According to the information they'd extracted from the academy, the mega-ruin was about to change.
It was amazing how they'd found out such information.
She supposed that even a ruined family could manage that much if they mobilized all their resources.
“But... what a shame.”
It was a grudge that had built up for three years.
Even if she could resolve her grudge in just a few days by being patient, it wasn't easy.
“Still, it'll be soon.”
Not much longer now.
There was far more unknown about the ruins than what had been discovered.
So, it wouldn't be surprising if even one of the Eight Strongest were to lose their life inside to a dangerous 'trap', would it?
She hid herself, avoiding the formless wave pulsing from afar. Soon, a wave of perception swept past the area.
This happened when they were two days away from the ruins.