Page 247

Nikita’s interrogation didn’t take long.

This was Arcadium—who had faced the fearsome power, Fear, of an ancient dragon head-on with nothing but his own body.

His mind had long since shattered, and he answered all questions effortlessly.

All except one.

When it came to Duke Robliage, he refused to say a word.

“Looks like a mental seal has been placed directly on his brain.”

Xenia, who had been observing from the side, picked up on Arcadium’s condition.

A mental seal.

Definitely the power of the Demon Sovereign.

“Can you undo it?”

“It’ll take time.”

Not something that could be solved overnight.

It was frustrating—it was the perfect opportunity to confirm Duke Robliage’s connection to the Demon Sovereign.

‘They probably planned to cut him off from the beginning if it came to this.’

Even so, Arcadium’s testimony proved useful.

He admitted that he himself had provoked the ancient dragon.

Offering him up might quell the dragon’s wrath.

And since the dragon had agreed to a deal, it wouldn’t go berserk just yet.

We could hand him over after extracting all the necessary information.

Moreover, Arcadium gave one more key piece of testimony.

The remnants of the Mysticism faction.

He revealed the location of their new base and the place where they’d gathered the resurrected as Mystic Vampires.

Arcadium had obtained his new draconic magic through the help of those very remnants.

We’d expected everything to vanish with Vulcan’s disappearance—but instead, the remnants had rebuilt stronger than ever.

‘They’re the final key to getting Duke Robliage.’

Duke Robliage was clearly making moves in the shadows, but so were they.

Duke Robliage’s influence within the Empire was overwhelming.

Using this Mystic Vampire incident, he’d no doubt expanded his faction even further.

If we were to attack him recklessly now, half the Empire—those loyal to him—could rise up in civil war.

That must be avoided.

‘Just like in the Bad Ending—the Final Villainess route.’

That was why I hadn’t touched Duke Robliage directly until now.

But the situation had changed.

We lacked the justification and evidence to investigate him through his Demon Sovereign connections.

But Mysticism was a different story.

Investigating that would allow Duke of Whitewood to personally pressure Duke Robliage.

‘This is the final piece to corner him.’

I decided to quickly relay the news to Duke of Whitewood and the White Wolf Knights.

And I would accompany them.

To bring in Lucas Fernando—the protagonist of the Flame Butterfly arc.

“Isabel.”

“Yeah, I’m absolutely going with you.”

Isabel clenched her fists as she answered.

She was more furious than anyone about Lucas’s death.

Of course she’d come.

“Me toooo.”

Sharin decided to join as well.

She had personally killed her mother, who had been resurrected as a Mystic Vampire.

She had every reason to bear a grudge against those who used such abominable magic.

She wanted to sever the chain that mocked death.

“After seeing what Dad did, I can’t just let it slideee.”

Though she hadn’t known until now, Arcadium was her half-brother.

His fall into darkness didn’t sit well with her.

If Sharin had been in his shoes, she might’ve turned out the same way.

She didn’t want to see anyone else suffer the same fate.

“Honestly, I’d like to go too.”

Nikita glanced over at me before deciding to stay back.

“But I guess I should study like a proper first-year.”

After all, the Academy had just recently suffered a terrorist attack.

Adding further instability to the Academy had to be avoided.

“Hey, where’s everyone going?”

Just then, Seron appeared, having returned from the dorms since there was nothing she could do about Arcadium.

When I filled her in, she crossed her arms and nodded.

“Got it. Go on ahead, Prince Sweet Potato. I’ll hold down the fort here at the Academy.”

Whatever she meant by “hold down the fort.”

Still, I understood it was her way of showing consideration.

To Isabel and Sharin, she was a deeply resented figure.

By removing herself from their presence, she avoided provoking them further, placing the mission above personal emotions.

‘She’s grown up.’

She now had the maturity to put her friends’ pain before her own desires.

I raised a hand and gently patted Seron’s head.

She complained not to treat her like a kid, but stayed still, secretly pleased.

“Xenia. I need to speak with you separately.”

“With me?”

I discreetly called Xenia aside.

“Xenia, beneath the Zerion Academy lies Zerion’s Grimoire.”

The very grimoire that Arcadium and the Mysticism faction had tried to destroy.

Arcadium might have acted on personal resentment, but Mysticism had a clear purpose.

‘Because Zerion’s magic is powerful enough to fight the Demon Sovereign.’

Zerion wasn’t called the Transcendent Great Sage for nothing.

Her magic was absurdly powerful—even the Demon Sovereign found it intolerable.

“Xenia, I believe you can learn it.”

Because Xenia is Zerion’s reincarnation.

If it’s her, she can inherit Zerion’s magic.

Xenia had a dazed expression.

She probably never imagined she’d come into possession of Zerion’s grimoire.

But soon, determination filled her eyes.

“Yes, I’ll learn it all. Because I want to be helpful to you, too, Oppa.”

Xenia was already more than helpful.

But there was no need to dampen her resolve.

“I’ll be counting on you. If there’s anything you don’t understand about the grimoire—”

A certain person flashed through my mind.

“Midra Fenin. He’s the second-ranked student in the second-year martial arts course. Try going to him.”

Even when I’m not around, Midra could give her advice.

He seemed to have some sort of connection with Zerion.

He wouldn’t just sit by and let Zerion’s reincarnation be neglected.

I had laid the foundation for Xenia’s growth.

“Professor Vega.”

“Yes, I’ll authorize it.”

Vega didn’t particularly try to stop me.

“But this time, make sure to bring back Lucas.”

I will.

No matter what, I’ll bring him back.

With that promise exchanged with Vega, I turned immediately.

The Mystics likely already knew we had secured Arcadium.

We had to act before they could respond.

“Isabel, Sharin, let’s go.”

This time, we’re going to retrieve Lucas.

* * *

Under the lush greenery.

The White Wolves, knights under the command of the Duke of Whitewood, had their encampment spread out.

Right after I contacted the Duke of Whitewood,

I received a message telling me to come here, and I arrived immediately.

All the way here, Isabel remained silent.

Sharin, too, quietly followed her lead for once.

Thanks to that, the three of us were able to move quickly without wasting time.

It showed how seriously all three of us were taking this mission.

“We’re here.”

As we safely arrived at the White Wolf Knights' camp, a knight who recognized us greeted us.

We had joined the White Wolves several times in the search for the vampire Mystics.

Because of that, there were quite a few people here who were familiar with me.

“I’ll escort you to the Duke.”

As expected, she came in person.

She had deeply regretted not being able to fully deal with the Mystics during the Vulcan incident.

I knew she would move personally this time.

As I followed the knight, I suddenly came face to face with an unexpected person.

“Solvas.”

He was with the White Wolf Knights.

Solvas Umbra.

One of the Seven Stars—he was now operating with the White Wolf Knights.

“Hannon. It’s been a while.”

Solvas greeted me.

Back during the Apostle’s Leap, he had realized that Hannon and I were not the same person.

Because of that, he treated me differently than the Hannon he had built rapport with.

“You joined the White Wolves?”

“Just recently. Or rather, I was caught and brought here.”

Solvas gave a slightly bitter smile.

As expected from someone from House Umbra—he was a master of stealth and subtlety.

I could already guess who he had likely been caught by.

“Boy, you’ve come.”

A familiar voice followed.

And right then, a figure confidently stepped out from a tent.

The Duke of Whitewood.

Raksid Anubecia.

She appeared with her usual one-eyed attendant beside her.

Wearing a long cloak with the Whitewood emblem, she smiled as she saw me.

“It seems you’ve freed yourself from the curse you once wore.”

She noticed immediately.

As expected of an expert in mystical matters.

“Yes, there are still some lingering effects, but it’s mostly resolved.”

“Good. Then you must have had a hard time.”

Why would she say that now that the curse was lifted?

As I gave her a puzzled look, she turned her gaze to the women beside me—

Isabel and Sharin.

Both of them noticed the intent behind her gaze and quietly stared at me.

The Duke chuckled.

“You’re quite the troublemaker, aren’t you?”

How did I end up being treated like this?

It was a bit bitter, but I had no right to complain—I’d brought it on myself.

“The battlefield is second only to love when it comes to sparks flying. Be careful.”

For some reason, that advice sounded suggestive.

“...Have you ever experienced love on the battlefield, Your Grace?”

Her attendant glared at me, but the Duke simply burst into hearty laughter.

“Who hasn’t harbored feelings for someone? But at my age, it all feels meaningless.”

To someone who had lived alongside the history of the Empire, love was now a trivial matter.

“Enough chit-chat.”

The Duke re-entered the command tent.

“Preparations for the breakthrough and annihilation operation are complete. Do you want to see it?”

She didn’t look down on me for being a student.

Here, everyone was an ally, a comrade in the mission to annihilate the enemy.

So it was merely a matter of using the power efficiently.

"I'll take a look."

Accepting Duke of Whitewood's proposal, I stepped into the tent.

The operation briefing was handled by an aide and lasted about an hour.

From time to time, I offered advice based on my existing knowledge and intelligence.

This purge operation must succeed.

We can no longer allow the deaths of our loved ones to be mocked.

Above all, both Lucas and Iris are involved.

‘If I want to free Iris from being bound to Celestial Grace any longer…’

I must seize the Vampire Relic.

"Then, let's move to the operation site immediately."

The briefing was over.

Without delay, Duke of Whitewood issued a sortie command to the White Wolf Knights and set things in motion.

There were two operation sites.

One was the hideout of the remnants of the Mysticism faction.

The other was the place where victims of the Vampire Relic were being gathered.

Duke of Whitewood and the vice-captain of the White Wolf Knights headed toward the Mysticism hideout.

I and my group decided to go with the Knight Captain of the White Wolf to the Vampire Relic site.

Isabel, Sharin, and I boarded the same carriage.

In addition, Solvas also joined us.

Inside the carriage, a heavy silence lingered.

Maybe it was because the atmosphere had sunk considerably compared to before.

Solvas, seemingly uncomfortable with the tension, cleared his throat several times.

A battle with the Mysticism remnants was imminent.

We couldn’t stay sunk in gloom forever.

"Solvas, how is Prince Maron doing?"

As I broke the silence, Solvas responded to the slightly eased atmosphere.

"He's doing well. Though he does flinch a little whenever he sees a fist."

"Why fists?"

Solvas looked at me silently.

What?

Why?

"Still, he’s changed for the better since that day."

"What do you mean by better?"

"Prince Maron became so weak because he had to watch the former king—his father—gradually turn into a tyrant, helplessly unable to push through good policies due to noble opposition."

The aristocrats had long held significant power in Panisys.

So no matter how good the previous king’s policies were, the nobles strongly opposed them to prevent the king from gaining power.

Over time, the previous king mentally deteriorated, eventually becoming both incompetent and a tyrant.

Witnessing this, Prince Maron feared he would become like his father.

And so, he chose the path of becoming powerless on his own.

"But things have changed a lot now."

"Because Prince Maron now holds power."

Though it came through the intervention of another nation—the Empire—Prince Maron finally had a chance to drive out the noble faction.

Not a predetermined future, but one that could be changed.

From the moment he realized this, he began to slowly transform.

"To reclaim Panisys from the noble faction, he’s recently been visiting other kingdoms actively."

And the Empire must be directly arranging his security.

It’s already well known that the Panisys nobles neglected both the Apostles and the Demon Dungeon and attacked the students of Zerion Academy.

The noble faction wouldn’t dare touch Prince Maron carelessly.

There’s been much talk even within Panisys about how recklessly the nobles have acted.

There must be growing internal division as well.

"Panisys is going to change a lot from now on."

"A tiger that had pulled out its own fangs has now found them again?"

"He won’t hesitate to bite back."

And Solvas will be the one supporting him.

He played a major role in rescuing Prince Maron.

"You hitched your wagon to the right star."

"Haha."

Solvas laughed lightly without denying it.

It had been a gamble, but one that paid off big.

"If you recover the Vampire Relic too, you'll be a hero of Panisys."

It’s likely Solvas was aware of this when he actively sought the Vampire Relic.

Instead of replying, Solvas simply smiled.

He really is a sly one.

"You."

At that moment, Isabel called out to me.

Sharin, who had been leaning against me, quietly sat up.

I, too, was ready to end the conversation here.

I threw open the carriage door.

From beyond the forest we had passed, an ominous aura typical of the Relics crept in.

"Ambush. Everyone, prepare for battle."

As the White Wolf vice-captain finished speaking, a thick fog spread through the trees.

Then came the grotesque, twisting sounds from within the mist.

Several bloodshot red eyes moved just beyond the haze.

Reanimated corpses empowered by the Vampire Relic.

They were the first to charge at us.