Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Destruction
Cappy spilled everything she'd seen to me afterward.
Of course, even as she spoke, I could feel her glancing at me, wondering if I'd truly believe her. But there was no reason for me not to.
'Because it's true.'
As someone possessed into this world, I knew from the original story that Cappy witnesses the true culprit's identity and approaches the most trustworthy person—the protagonist—near the end to reveal it.
Of course, that most trustworthy person was me now, and she was telling me earlier than expected, but still.
"I see, Miss Cappy. I understand."
"Y-You really believe me...?"
"Of course. You're my friend, aren't you?"
"Friend..."
"So, I trust you."
"Th-Thank you..."
After hearing her out, I tried to send her off kindly.
-Grab.
"...?"
"U-Um, I'm really sorry, but..."
Cappy clung to my sleeve, looking even more anxious than before.
She seemed tormented by her inability to voice what she wanted, furrowing her brow for a long moment before...
"C-Can I... stay over tonight...? I-I'm scared they might have seen me witness what just happened..."
"...Hmm."
Was this okay?
"...Sure, why not."
Yeah, she said she was scared.
A Holy Knight's duty was to protect those trembling in fear, so no problem there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next morning, I woke up early as usual, roused Cappy, and snuck her out of the dormitory before anyone noticed.
Then I trained, bathed, and headed to class like normal.
Maybe because I'd woken her up, Cappy arrived at school earlier than usual too.
She checked that the classroom was empty, then cautiously stood by my side.
And then.
-Scrape.
"...Hmm? You two seem even closer now?"
"Ahaha... Do we?"
"Eek, sorry...! I was too close...!"
Dreania suddenly appeared, making her back off immediately.
'...This is fun.'
How long had it been since I'd lived so leisurely in this world?
Probably the last time was when Sister Stella took me in and I stayed at the cathedral.
"...Haha."
"Hm? Why are you laughing?"
"Oh, nothing. Just... feeling happy."
"...? You're a strange one."
"I-I don't think he's strange!"
"...Are you defying me right now?"
"Eek! N-No, that's not—"
Dreania seemed to be joking, but Cappy took it seriously and trembled like a small animal.
It was so funny that as I tried to calm her down...
"!! Everyone, get down!"
"Pardon? What do you— Kyaa!"
Dreania suddenly grabbed me and Cappy, forcing us to duck.
We were flung to the floor.
As Cappy panicked, Dreania extended her left arm upward, creating a barrier.
"It's coming!!"
-Crash!!
With Dreania's shout, the academy's upper section shattered, and a massive beast's paw slammed down on her barrier.
"Nngh, what strength...!"
"Kyaaak!"
Struggling to hold it, she grimaced in pain.
Leaving the screaming Cappy behind, I snatched the shotel from beside the desk.
'Damn, I didn't expect trouble this soon...!'
I had no idea what was happening, but the academy event had come early.
And.
-Crunch, cruuunch...!
The culprit behind this incident was Dreania's hard counter.
A monster crushing her dragon barrier with just one paw.
"Damn it, run!"
Dreania tried to push me and Cappy away as she stood.
But if she did, she'd get badly hurt.
"Faith Shield!"
-Hummm!
No point hiding anymore with the monster here—I channeled Holy Power into a shield and stood.
"!! You said you couldn't use Holy Power—"
"Explanations later! Leave it to me and take Miss Cappy and run!"
"But—"
"Go! Hurry!!"
"!!"
-Crash!
Dreania's barrier shattered, and the monster's paw struck my Holy Power shield directly.
"Nngh! A Holy Knight exists to protect others! Take Miss Cappy and get outside...!"
"...F-Fine!"
Whether my shout worked or not, Dreania finally scooped Cappy into her arms and spread her wings.
"I'll bring the professors!"
"Ace-nim!!"
-Whoosh!
With Cappy's desperate cry, Dreania soared off swiftly.
Now it was just me, pinned under the monster's massive paw.
Through the collapsed ceiling, the monster's true form came into view.
A body like ink-black wool, with four pole-like legs.
[Creaaaaaaaah!!]
Eyes embedded all over its body glared down only at me, while mouths scattered everywhere emitted grotesque cries.
"The Devourer..."
The final boss of the academy episode.
The culprit tormenting Dreania.
"Nngh... Hup!"
-Thud!
I cloaked my body in Holy Power and surged forward, shoving the Devourer's paw off in a surprise push.
[Creeee!!]
The creature lost its balance and tilted.
I rolled desperately and charged another leg.
-Thud!
[Creeee!]
Having struck two legs, the long-legged Devourer finally toppled.
-Boom!
'Gotta go now.'
The moment I confirmed it was down, I bolted outside.
I'd sent Dreania off with Cappy, but...
'Things I hoped wouldn't happen from the original always do.'
Something like the original story was about to unfold.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ [Creeeeee!!]
"Kyaaaa! It's a mad monster!"
"Demon! The demon has descended!!"
"Save us!!"
"Run!"
Right after the calamity called the Devourer arrived at the academy.
Cadets fled in panic, while professors tried to calm them and evacuate.
True to their title, the professors unleashed their strongest attacks in their fields on the Devourer.
[Creeeeee!!]
But none landed.
Not even when someone attacked while it was down.
"Professor Emel, what is this...?"
"Instructor Rune, it seems like a mana barrier... No, similar but broader and stronger."
"What do you mean?"
"That monster's body is covered in a transparent mana film. Any magic touching it gets absorbed immediately."
The magic professor called Emel wiped sweat from his brow and removed his glasses.
"But unlike normal mana barriers, this one absorbs even physical attacks, converting them to mana—an utterly cheat-like trait. In short..."
No hope.
At Professor Emel's words, the other professors and instructors fell silent.
As they all wore grim expressions, unsure what to say...
"Everyone! I found a way!"
"Vice Principal Virian?"
Vice Principal Virian panted, pulling a book from his arm.
"An ancient tome from the principal's shelf! It describes that entity!"
"Ooh! As expected of the vice principal!"
"The principal's away, but we have you...!"
The faculty brightened at his solution.
But their expressions turned awkward at his next words.
"The witch! Feed that wicked witch to the monster!"
"The witch...?"
"Feed the witch...?"
Feed the witch to the monster.
There was only one witch in the academy, so he meant sacrificing Cappy.
Most faculty didn't think highly of Cappy, but not enough to feed her to a monster—they could only look conflicted.
But.
"That witch bitch? For real, Vice Principal?!"
The cadets were different.
At some point, their dispositions had grown more violent and vile.
"You heard! Sacrifice that witch bitch and we all live! Right, Vice Principal?"
"Y-Yes! That monster devours all mana into itself—a true calamity. Feed it the witch brimming with massive mana, and its body won't handle the overload and explode!"
"Heard that? Sacrifice the witch!!"
With the vice principal's approval, they planned to toss Cappy to the monster immediately.
And right then.
"Huff... Huff... Ace is fighting it alone in there! We need to help—!"
Dreania appeared before them, carrying the 'witch' on her back.
"""Found her!!"""
Countless gazes turned to the witch.