Chapter 38: Academy Exchange Meeting — Turn (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 38: Academy Exchange Meeting — Turn (2)
Skoll and Hati.
The twin wolves that swallow the sun and the moon.
In mythology, it is said that because those two devoured the light of the world, the universe was plunged into pitch-black darkness.
And in Asgard, stripped of its light, a war erupted among gods, giants, and monsters.
An omen, the prelude to war.
That is what Skoll and Hati symbolize.
Thus, those twin wolves are well-suited to occupy the grand climax—the "Turn"—in the narrative structure of a magnificent apocalypse.
Episode: Academy Exchange Meeting
It was the day before the second event was set to begin.
The Hero Association summoned the faculty of both Joaquin and Parsi to a private meeting under the pretense of announcing important details before the main competition.
"It's been a while, Heavenly Sword!"
Greeting me with open arms at the rendezvous was Spear Saint Richard de Myura. His rugged, bulging muscles were as intimidating as ever.
The buttons somehow managing to hold his shirt together looked almost pitiable.
The Overwhelming Sword Emperor Siegfried von Nibelung. The Explosive Spear Saint Richard de Myura.
'Why does it feel like these old guys are aging in reverse?'
Veterans aging backwards seems to be all the rage these days. Whether I should be happy about it or not... I've lost count of how many times I've pondered this.
"Now, now, let's take a seat first."
The Spear Saint personally pressed down on our shoulders to seat us. He then sat next to me and crossed his arms.
The Parsi faculty sitting a distance away grew restless. It was a different reaction from how they treated me.
To them, I was fear personified. An unknowable entity beyond their comprehension.
However, the Spear Saint was within the bounds of their imagination—one of the strongest beings within common sense. Practically speaking, the one who made their knees knock in visceral terror was likely the Spear Saint.
Middle schoolers aren't inherently terrified of adults; they bow and scrape far more before a senior just one grade above them. It was a similar psychological phenomenon.
On a side note, I don't have the confidence to subdue them with measured force like the Spear Saint. If I were to step in even slightly, they would instantly die. Even a sliver of my killing intent would give them a heart attack.
'Inviting the Spear Saint was a wise move, Weapon.'
Moments later.
"I apologize for calling such distinguished guests on short notice. I offer my sincere apologies in the name of the Association President."
Association President Seong Yu-chang made his entrance. Weapon stood close by as his escort, glaring fiercely.
"The reason for this gathering is that we intend to introduce a slight variation to the upcoming 'Skoll and Hati' event."
"—What? All of a sudden?!"
Predictably, outbursts of discontent erupted from the Parsi side. Well, that was as far as it went.
"Listen further."
"……."
A single stern word from the Spear Saint made them shrink back like moles.
Former Association President Spear Saint squelched the commotion early on. The current Association President proceeded to the main point without hesitation.
"The previous 'Flag War' has drawn global attention—far exceeding the Association's initial expectations."
"Isn't that good news?"
Parsi's principal spoke softly.
"It is good news. However, that also means people of all ages are watching. Let me ask you, Principal: was the Flag War suitable for audiences of all ages?"
"No, it was not."
"And why is that?"
"Because it isn't viewed solely by heroes."
Normally, the academy curriculum is kept strictly confidential. The exchange meeting revealed a glimpse of it, which sparked global interest—and equal parts shock proportional to that attention.
To heroes, bloody battles are second nature. The roars of battle are like pop music, and the scent of blood is like air freshener.
From the perspective of ordinary citizens? It was stomach-churning.
'Even I found it hard to adapt at first.'
Witnessing the harsh reality of heroes for the first time in their lives, some viewers undoubtedly shuddered in horror.
"Complaints have been pouring in from viewers. In particular, parents with school-aged children are expressing overwhelming outrage."
The moment they faced reality, vague admiration and romance were bound to shatter. A wave of antipathy born of terror arose against the hero candidates' brutal methods.
Violence among humans was an implicit taboo. Broadcasting it so explicitly meant the Association, which managed the hero realm as a whole, had to formulate countermeasures.
"Which brings me to my point."
Seong Yu-chang brought his lips closer to the microphone.
"For this 'Skoll and Hati' event, we would like the faculty members to participate as well."
"……?!"
Everyone was stunned. Chairs scraped against the floor, sending a jolt through the room.
Immediately, all eyes locked onto me. In an instant, I became a human dartboard.
—If the Heavenly Sword participates, doesn't that completely break the game balance?!
The Parsi side glared at Seong Yu-chang with accusatory eyes. Seong Yu-chang casually shrugged his shoulders.
"I anticipated this reaction. But do not worry. We have prepared a complete alternative."
That middle-aged man who used to cry and laugh while watching soap operas has really turned into a snake in more ways than one.
* * *
Located in Switzerland, Parsi Academy still held a lingering chill despite it being May or June. Red magnolias, harboring winter's lingering cold, bowed their heads.
Drip, drip.
Dropping a few tears of dawn, they then hung limply down.
"……."
From her hospital bed, Chloe Auditore watched that pale instant of dawn. Her eyes were endlessly dazed.
"I... lost consciousness... again."
Chloe bit her lower lip so hard it twitched.
It was always like this. At the crucial moment, her brain switched off as if a fuse had blown. As this repeated, she kept missing her chances. She was merely running in place.
"…Do not blame yourself, Chloe."
Said Nox, who had come to visit his younger sister. He was peeling an apple for Chloe. Though a sense of deja vu washed over him, he consciously turned away from it.
"Do you think that brings me any comfort?"
Chloe turned her head away, her gaze cold and desolate.
"…I did not say it to comfort you. I merely stated the reality……."
"You always……, sigh. No, forget it. What's the use of throwing a tantrum at you, Brother?"
"You are allowed to whine to me."
Nox placed the apple on a plate. The pale flesh bloomed like wings spread into eight slices.
"Isn't that what family is for?"
"Fa... mily."
Chloe lowered her head, her eyes hollow.
"It would have been so much better if Geomma were our family too……."
"……."
"If only I were Geomma's family."
Nox let out a silent groan. The atmospheric pressure grew heavy.
'It isn't your fault. You did your best.'
In the middle of an Auditore mission, Chloe had rushed to Parsi Academy, claiming she felt something amiss with Kang Geomma. For reasons unknown, she had fainted afterward.
Weapon, who brought Chloe to the hospital, also claimed not to know the details. Nox was troubled, but he didn't pry. Kang Geomma had instructed him to keep quiet. How could the Auditore question the actions of the Heavenly Sword?
'You are a good girl.'
If there was any fault...
It was the sin of being born into a shadow family and staining her hands with too much blood...
After the 2nd Human-Demon War ended, the siblings publicly ran a restaurant business—specifically, a raw fish restaurant. It had started with a recommendation Kang Geomma gave them in his teens: "Why don't you try working part-time?"
Yet, unexpectedly, it suited Chloe and Nox's aptitudes remarkably well. Furthermore, thanks to Al'tair Auditore holding nothing back in investment capital, they reached the pinnacle of the global culinary industry.
Meanwhile, they didn't neglect their true calling. Entrepreneurs under aliases by day; agents fulfilling the shadow family's duties by night. Living lives closely intertwined with corruption as business figures, the darkness of the world—unseen in their youth—became far more visible.
'That must be why the Head of the Family invested so wholeheartedly in us.'
A bitter smile formed beneath Nox's mask.
The tumors were endless no matter how many times they gouged them out. It was as if they were proliferating.
'Even so, I have no regrets.'
Rooting out those who embezzled and abused power within the peace forged by Kang Geomma—Nox felt a sense of pride in that, and Chloe willingly assisted with the same mindset.
All recovered funds were returned to society. Even the name of the donor and foundation was "Heavenly Sword." It was something Chloe had adamantly insisted on. His younger sister had dedicated her whole life to Kang Geomma.
—"This world isn't giving back anywhere near what Geomma has done for them. Even if it's like this, I want to repay Geomma."
"Brother."
Nox opened his closed eyes.
"Am I someone Geomma actually needs?"
"……."
"I feel like I'm always causing trouble. Unlike me, Abel and Ryozo are so capable and dependable. I'm the exact opposite."
Chloe spoke almost sobbing. Nox raised a hand, then clutched his fingers into a fist on his knee.
"Listen closely. I am not saying this just because I am your brother."
Attempting to say words he had never spoken in his whole life made his jaw tremble. Calm down. This was something you definitely wanted to say one day, Nox.
"You are better than those two—"
Right at that moment.
Ssssh-click.
At the sound of the opening door, the silence shattered like a thin sheet of sugar glass. The siblings simultaneously turned toward the door, their expressions completely contrasting.
"G-Geomma!"
Chloe's face expressed surprise coupled with delight, if not outright jubilation.
"You, at a time like this?!"
Nox was practically screaming in utter shock.
"I didn't realize you two were together. I'll come back later."
Kang Geomma scratched near his eyebrow with his thumb, looking awkward. Chloe flipped her blanket aside like a table and bolted straight over.
"No, don't go!"
Chloe buried her face in Kang Geomma's chest and shook her head repeatedly. Kang Geomma broke out in a cold sweat with Chloe clinging to his body.
"What brings you here?!"
"Uh, well. Hospital food sucks, so I packed a lunch box. Chloe, you like fish, right? I made freshwater spicy fish stew to help get your appetite back."
"My mouth is already watering!"
"It's an insulated container, so it shouldn't smell though?"
"Still!"
Nox watched the two of them getting along harmoniously, feeling left out.
'Chloe, the value of the Heavenly Sword's existence to you is greater than anything else.'
It felt somewhat hollow, though.
Heh.
Seeing Chloe so genuinely happy brought a smile to Nox's face. Still, it left a bitter taste.
Crunch, crunch.
To soothe his aching heart, he lowered his mask and placed a slice of apple into his mouth.
However...
'He's a married man, is it really fine for him to act like that?'
And his wives are the Sword Princess and the Immortal Archer, no less.
'...You're hopeless, Kang Geomma...'
On the other hand, he wondered if perhaps this was a privilege only the hero who saved the world was allowed to enjoy.
* * *
Even without Yoo Se-in's words, I had planned to visit Chloe at least once.
Chloe had established a charitable foundation under my name. She wanted to keep it a secret, but Nox confessed it to me about a month ago.
What a simple-hearted guy. What am I to her that she pours her heart and soul out like this? A heavy weight of debt pressed down on my chest like lead, yet I was deeply grateful.
Therefore, I intended to spend time with Chloe multiple times from now on. Visiting her at the hospital was the first step.
'I can't just keep avoiding her forever just because she's a yandere.'
At any rate, today was a success. Chloe was overjoyed beyond belief. We talked until she cleared every last grain of rice from the lunch box.
However, because my workload had just increased due to the 'Skoll and Hati rule change,' I promised we'd meet again next time. Using quite a bit of strength, I coaxed Chloe back into bed despite her insistence on seeing me out. Running into Ryozo or Abel would lead to a troublesome scene.
"You must promise, okay?!"
"Yeah. Get some good rest."
I said goodbye and walked out into the hallway. Nox quickly followed and called out to stop me.
"Wait a moment, Heavenly Sword."
I turned around.
Morning was dawning outside the window. Sunlight glittered dynamically on the leaves. The halo of light reflected off the fresh greenery drew a warm, crimson horizon over the Alps and seeped onto our shoulders.
"...There is something I have been wanting to say for a while now..."
Nox took a considerable amount of time choosing his words. After a moment of silence, as if making up his mind, he spoke again.
"Heavenly Sword, I feel that you have been having difficulty controlling your killing intent lately. Is my guess correct?"
It was an abrupt question, but he hit the mark. My power was continuing to expand. Without my realizing it, my aura was affecting the external environment.
Even right now. The vibrant green foliage standing parallel to me was withering into ash gray.
The environment couldn't handle my aura. That was the primary cause of my anxiety. If this happened to people instead of trees, I might end up harming those around me.
"You're scratching right where I itch out of nowhere. You're right."
Nox paused for a moment. He hadn't expected me to admit it so matter-of-factly.
He wrestled with a subtle, complex expression before half-closing his eyes.
"Would you allow me to teach you how to control your aura?"
...What?
"Are you saying you'll teach me Raven's Blessing? No, wait, more importantly, blessings can't be transferred unless..."
…….
'Wait, but I...'
Have that, don't I?
"Heavenly Sword, I noticed long ago that you possess the 'Blessing of Transfer.' Having stayed by your side for nearly ten years, there was no way I wouldn't know. If I have been impudent, say the word and I shall cut out my tongue."
Crazy bastard. You haven't changed a bit.
"I wasn't particularly trying to hide it. Anyway, are you saying you're going to teach me—no, transfer—the treasure of the Auditore family all of a sudden?"
Though I phrased it lightly, it was a truly timely stroke of fortune. I was just wringing my brain over the 'Skoll and Hati' event rule change, so acquiring Raven's Blessing was the best news imaginable. I hadn't even dared to dream of it; even if I had, the value of the blessing was far too immense to shamelessly ask for.
"I am not offering to transfer mine."
"Then whose?"
"Who else could it be?"
Chloe?
"My Raven's Blessing pales in comparison to Chloe's. Didn't I tell you before? Chloe's potential is easily the greatest in Auditore history."
"Hey, my friend. This is way too sudden, so I think I need a bit of context first."
"I want to..."
Nox barely squeezed out his voice.
"...lift the shackles of the Auditore from my sister."
Nox, her older brother, channeled the guilt choking his throat into a single-minded devotion to do what was best for his sister, Chloe.