Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Pioneer
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A massive palace sat in a long, stretched-out canyon between the central and northern regions.
This place had transformed into a center for disseminating knowledge after the kingdom's fall.
Modern people had given this grand edifice, passed down from antiquity, a new name.
Pablosa Ruines.
The sole remaining relic preserving the knowledge of the legendary city 'Babylonia.'
An ultra-elite academy attended only by the children of the uppermost echelons of nobility.
It was a prestigious institution where scions of powerful continental houses and even imperial bloodlines gathered to enroll.
Of course.
Attendance here wasn't a mandatory course. My second brother, Hysteria, had dropped out after just a week.
No.
Since he ended up killing a classmate, it was expulsion, not a dropout.
Hiiiiiing!
The horse neighed, and the carriage came to a halt. The academy was still nowhere in sight out the window, so why had it stopped midway up the mountain?
"Young Master."
The knight pulling the carriage suddenly drew his sword. The hunter guarding his side nocked an arrow, aiming into the forest as if sensing something.
But I don't feel anything?
Thud, thud, thud.
From the shadows emerged a beast slightly larger than the carriage.
At first glance, it looked like a lion, but it had a goat's head sprouting from its side as well.
Not only that—its tail was shaped like a snake. It reminded me of the 'chimera' created by someone who'd climbed the tower with me in my past life.
That's why I couldn't sense its presence.
Chimeras were advanced lifeforms that not just anyone could create. Was that guy here, by any chance?
The supreme alchemist expelled from the Alchemists' Guild for attempting to create the taboo 'soft stone.'
The knight and hunter kept the chimera at bay without relaxing their guard. Unlike our reactions, the creature slowly scanned its surroundings impassively before vanishing back into the forest.
As if a superior being had merely glanced at insignificant lifeforms.
"...Phew!"
Once the chimera disappeared, the knight let out a sigh of relief. The hunter beside him was drenched in sweat.
"G-Good thing. Who would've thought that thing would show itself."
From their reactions, they knew what the chimera was.
"Lucky we got the warning about it beforehand. If we'd attacked unknowingly, it could've been a disaster."
"Exactly. If word got out that the carriage carrying Young Master Berddin was attacked..."
The hunter swallowed hard.
Fair enough. If that happened, Father would turn the area into a sea of flames.
Not for me, but for the honor of the Strange Family.
"My apologies, Young Master. We'll depart right away."
"No need. We have plenty of time, so feel free to scout the surroundings thoroughly before moving."
The three brothers would still be in class until evening, so as long as I arrived before sunset, it was fine.
I didn't know why Katarina wanted me to meet them, but since I already knew the academy's layout, it wouldn't take long.
The continent's foremost academy, Pablosa Ruines.
A sacred monument where legendary warriors, mages, priests, alchemists, and practitioners of all professions gathered to pursue endless knowledge.
Upon arrival, I was questioned by the massive statue guarding the entrance.
Rumble rumble rumble.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose here?"
Such a straightforward question.
"I am Berddin de Strange. I've come to see my brothers studying here."
The statue thrust its head right up to my face, mimicking a thoughtful expression before continuing.
"Strange?"
"Yes."
The statue paused briefly after hearing my answer, then blocked the carriage with its enormous legs and declared,
"Carriages may not enter."
I knew that.
The academy strictly regulated what vehicles and people could enter.
This was Ruines' rule, designed to prevent fights among students from across the continent and ensure fair education.
"Understood."
The knight and hunter dismounted. As they flanked me warily, the statue parted the way and cautioned,
"Follow the path straight ahead. No matter what happens, do not veer off or look back."
"Yes."
Its instructions were exceedingly simple. Anyone but a fool could follow them.
I walked forward, instructing the knight and hunter escorting me,
"Absolutely do not look back."
We could all die if they did.
"Understood."
"Yes, Young Master."
They obeyed well.
Reaching the path's end, we finally entered Ruines Academy.
Creeeak—
I didn't knock or call out, yet the academy doors swung open creakily, as if welcoming us.
As extravagant as ever.
A colossal chandelier hung from the ceiling to the floor, visible the moment we stepped inside.
Flanking it were the two academy attendants, 'Nana' and 'Nunu.'
Nana with her long golden straight hair, and Nunu with her bob cut. They spoke in unison upon seeing me.
"Welcome. We've been expecting you."
"Are you Berddin? We'll escort you inside."
They knew I was coming? Of course—Divery must have contacted the academy when we left the estate.
Announcing a visit from Strange blood.
I followed their guidance deeper into the academy. Familiar sights along the way held my gaze.
Events had unfolded here, incidents there. Memories from my past life replayed in sequence, stirring nostalgia.
Right.
Though my time here was brief, too much had happened to forget.
I miss it.
Back then, I had a few guys I could call friends.
...No.
This wasn't the time for sentimentalism. I needed to erase those glorious days from my mind and soar even higher this time.
Thud!
Nana and Nunu pushed open the door at the corridor's end.
Inside this door, inscribed with a language none could read now, only academy students were permitted.
"...You've finally arrived, Berddin."
Tony greeted me from within the wide-open door.
A black-haired elder in black training garb stroked his long beard.
"Monestier is dead."
In response, Albus—one of the Pontifical Court's five cardinals, with short white hair and a white coat—gently stroked the snake coiled around his neck.
"I've already heard about that. However, as a member of the Pontifical Court, I cannot offer any assistance. You know that, right?"
"I do. That's why I'm here. You can't act directly, but you can still help, can't you?"
The two sat across a round table, eyeing each other like a battle of wills.
"Why the silence?"
"Just to confirm—are you planning to avenge Monestier?"
"Yes."
"In that case, I can't participate in this operation. No matter that Monestier was my teacher—"
Bam!
The black-haired elder slammed his fist on the table.
Albus used mana to push away the spilled tea, sighing.
Whew—
"Let's talk it out. How can someone as learned and long-lived as you resort to barbarism?"
"Shut it, Albus. Do you know how long it took us to put you in that position?"
Albus shrugged.
"Let's keep our words straight, even if your mouth's twisted. I earned this seat through my own efforts. No one helped me except Teacher Monestier."
"That's why I'm saying avenge the one who helped you."
"......"
"No matter how ungrateful you are, you owe a debt to your benefactor, don't you?"
"Debt?"
"Yes, debt. Who picked up a heaven-forsaken orphan like you and taught you swordsmanship and alchemy? Monestier, that's who!"
The black-haired elder rose abruptly, unable to contain his rage.
His flushed face and clenched fists made it seem like he'd strike Albus any moment.
"I'm grateful for that. But do you think I don't know that tangling with the Stranges now could get me killed?"
"That's why I'm telling you not to step forward—just support us from behind."
"How?"
"...You have a disciple at Ruines Academy, don't you? What was his name—Philip?"
Albus raised an eyebrow intriguingly.
"Correct."
"There are currently three Stranges at Ruines Academy."
"Ah—yes, I've heard. The three brothers Tony, Jony, and Rony? Their mother is the Alchemists' Guild Master, right?"
A man wrapped head to toe in bandages like a mummy waved a finger in front of Albus and interjected.
"Don't call that wench 'Master.' It's just a temporary spot under the emperor's halo. I'll claim it soon enough."
"Count Freddie will?"
"Yes! I'm lying low now because of the war with the Glazers... But our family will rise to the surface again someday."
"Yes, yes, you've repeated that for years. About restoring the Medici family's glory someday."
"Soon. Once I avenge Monestier and resume climbing the tower! I'll regain my power in no time."
Albus nodded emphatically, then turned to the black-haired elder.
"So, what do you want me to do with those three brothers?"
The black-haired elder drew a large brush from his back. As he sketched a monkey onto a big sheet of paper, he replied,
Swoosh—
"Strange's youngest, Berddin, is heading to the academy now."
"Berddin..."
"He'll arrive before evening. Take this paper to your disciple."
The elder held up the finished paper with a grin, continuing smugly.
"If you just get this paper inside the academy, I'll handle the rest."