Chapter 015. Uninvited Guest (3)

"...."

Gunther looked at the two women with anxious eyes.

The blonde woman with blue eyes was the one who had drawn the attention of many from the moment she entered the academy. With exceptional swordsmanship and magical abilities, she proudly enrolled in S-Class.

Moreover, the even more unique fact was that she was not an ordinary human. Anyone could tell she was an elf just by looking at her long, pointed ears.

And unlike that elven woman, the human woman sitting across from her was also far from ordinary.

"How is it? Does it suit your taste?"

"Yeah."

The Church of Light, revered as the official faith in all countries of the continent except for a few minority groups. She was the second highest authority after the Pope of that church.

Her green hair and eyes exuded a warmth that felt comforting just to behold.

It was said that her appearance was fitting for her noble status as a 'Saintess'...

However, the problem was that the two women were engaged in a peculiar psychological battle over one person.

"Forgive me for saying this, but Veris doesn't enjoy seafood."

"Oh my, but you seem to be eating it quite well? Could it be because I'm peeling it for you?"

"Well, that's not entirely untrue. One of the reasons I avoid fish is that it's a hassle to eat it off the bone."

Gulp.

Gunther swallowed hard at Veris's nonchalant demeanor. It was literally a situation on the brink of explosion.

Just moments ago, everyone had been thrown into a panic thanks to Cecilia, who had suddenly appeared and burrowed into Veris's embrace. Since then, Gunther had been in a state where he couldn't tell if the food was going into his mouth or his nose...

'Truly remarkable mental strength.'

Even though he could see the sparks flying from the eyes of the two women, Veris was calmly swallowing her food, which made Gunther feel a surge of respect just by watching.

"By the way, I thought it was strange."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

Creak.

At Veris's words, Cecilia widened her eyes as if being cute. In response to her, Arwen, who was holding a spoon, bent it in half with a show of skill.

It was a cruel scene that was hard to watch with both eyes open, but Gunther turned his gaze away, trying to ignore it.

"Back in the old territory, the person who came to fetch you from the church was a cardinal, right? A cardinal is the third highest person in the Holy Kingdom."

"Cardinal Rilol was quite surprised and rushed over. At that time, I hadn't yet become a Saintess. I was officially appointed shortly after, though."

"That's a relief."

"Thanks to those who 'worried' about me."

Creak.

It was clear who was the cause of that sound without needing to look away, but Gunther didn't show it and hurriedly began to eat. It felt like sitting on a bed of thorns, just like this moment.

"...Veris. By the way, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Can the clergy of the church that humans believe in marry?"

"Well, I'm not sure?"

In response to Arwen's biting question, Veris looked at Cecilia instead of answering. It was likely an action done without much thought, but Cecilia, with a triumphant expression at Veris's gaze, replied in a strangely elevated voice.

"Of course! Just look at the previous Saintess; she retired thanks to marriage and childbirth!"

"W-wait, marriage and ch-ch-childbirth?"

"Of course, it's not common for a Saintess to marry, but at least it's not legally prohibited."

"Is that so...?"

'This battle is a complete defeat for Lady Arwen.'

Though she seemed to have prepared a decisive blow, her opponent was a Saintess of the Holy Church. For a woman who had traveled the world since childhood spreading the will of the gods, conventional attacks would surely be ineffective.

Indeed, Arwen was sinking under Cecilia's biting voice. Gunther looked at her with pity.

Though he was as ignorant as a child when it came to relationships between men and women, it was all too clear who the winner and loser were in this situation.

"By the way, Arwen."

"...Yes."

"Even though you've entered the academy, I can still teach you swordsmanship, so drop by the dormitory when you have some free time."

"Yes, yes! I truly am foolish. I had forgotten that I have such a great teacher by my side."

"Ugh."

But was it that the heavens took pity on Arwen?

Soon, Arwen appeared oddly excited at Veris's casual remark. Cecilia, on the other hand, looked filled with dissatisfaction, but there was no way to separate the two without any justification.

'Having two competitors already is a big problem.'

Gunther couldn't help but feel sorry for his sister, who had postponed her enrollment to train magic at the tower. It felt as if Beatrice hadn't received special treatment at the academy but was instead suffering a loss of her own accord.

From what Gunther had heard around, it was a common story that students at the academy fell in love with someone of the opposite sex and broke off arranged marriages.

* * *

"Elder, the barrier has been completed."

"...What about securing the items?"

"I have narrowed down the candidates."

The red-haired man, known as the Sword Demon, nodded at Theon's quicker-than-expected handling of the task.

Though they had joined forces to fulfill his wish, the minions of the Demon Cult carried a sense of unease. Yet, unexpectedly, he was pleased with their efficiency.

Among them, the one grinning slyly in front of him was also cooperating with him to rise to a higher position within the Cult.

"...Not bad."

As the Sword Demon muttered quietly while skimming through the documents handed over by Theon, Theon bowed his head as if he had expected this.

Even though they were cooperating, the clear difference in power and age made it so that even Theon could not act recklessly. Though he appeared to be middle-aged, he was actually an old master, aged by the influence of mana.

"When will the operation begin?"

"It will take a few days as the branch's forces need to infiltrate the academy."

"Be careful not to let any information leak. I don't want you to be suspected."

"I will keep that in mind. However, there is a problem that needs to be addressed before we proceed."

"A problem?"

The Sword Demon frowned.

Wasn't that a bold statement for someone who was under his power? "...Yes, there have been evaluations that the new student's abilities are quite extraordinary."

"Ha."

The Sword Demon let out a deep sigh.

Who was he?

A man obsessed with the sword, known as the Sword Demon for his ghostly swordsmanship.

He had committed his first murder at the tender age of seventeen. At that time, he had not even trained in mana and had effortlessly cut down a knight who had confronted him.

What kind of confidence did one have to compare a mere academy freshman to him?

"Are you questioning me?"

"Th-that's not it! I'm just being cautious for safety's sake…"

─ Thud!

Crash!

"Cough!"

"It seems the bug-like minions of the Demon Cult have gotten a bit too comfortable. Do you dare to evaluate me?"

As the sudden kick sent Theon tumbling, he gritted his teeth.

It was obvious that this insane monster would react this way, but that didn't mean it was something to be brushed aside.

Thanks to his peculiar and vile personality, he had no one left around him even at seventy!

"...I-I'm sorry."

"Did my warning not to irritate me sound like a joke?"

"I-I will absolutely ensure this doesn't happen again!"

"...I'll be watching."

─ Rattle, bang!

Leaving behind those brief words, the Sword Demon vanished as usual.

"...That bastard."

Gritting his teeth, Theon stared at the door through which the infuriating Sword Demon had left.

Sticky anger welled up inside him, but for the sake of the operation, it was time to swallow his rage with great patience. After all, the current power dynamics favored the Sword Demon, leaving him with no means to retaliate.

"Don't indulge in foolish delusions."

What the Sword Demon and Theon were planning was, in a way, quite simple.

The western district of the academy was where classrooms and dormitories for students were located. Their plan was to cast a massive barrier over the first-year dormitory, which was the most vulnerable to magical attacks, and abduct a useful sacrifice.

The abducted sacrifice would be transported to the Demon Cult's secret laboratory. If that sacrifice could wield pure white mana, which was evidence of highly compressed mana, it would be even better.

And their goal was to summon a being of despair, a lich, who would be alive yet dead.

The soul that would become the core of the lich was already prepared. With a body containing usable mana and a bit more time, the resurrection of the lich would not be a dream.

"If only the princess hadn't disappeared!"

The highest grade of sacrifice was undoubtedly Princess Maria, born of the imperial bloodline.

But after the princess had vanished shortly after arriving at the academy, they found themselves at a moment where they had to settle for a lesser substitute.

"Cough, to think of resurrecting my dead daughter's soul as a lich. It's not something a sane person would do."

Why was the Sword Demon cooperating with Theon's plan?

It was a simple matter. He was trying to resurrect his daughter, who had fallen victim to a childhood epidemic, even if it meant using the body of a lich.

It was something unimaginable for a sane person. To think of resurrecting his daughter as the soul of a lich, known as the king of the undead, was absurd!

If this plan went as intended, he would be more than happy to mock the Sword Demon.

No, even before that, what would his daughter say when she saw her father, who had pulled his own soul from hell to become an immortal undead?

"Ha ha ha!"

A thrilling shiver coursed through his entire body. His twisted paternal love was unintentionally becoming a great strength for Theon.

How much effort had he put into infiltrating the academy, how much time had he spent?

Now it was time for the curtain to rise on the stage.