episode_0091

000

A dark space where light doesn’t enter from the outside. Decorating it are the three stone tablets, as always.

These ancient beings, called the Black Convocation, which have existed since the academy was founded, or rather, even long before the academy was built.

Speak to a man standing between them – Rail.

The man’s left arm, from the shoulder, was replaced with a steel one made of machinery.

The blue stone tablet speaks.

“How is the new arm? It’s an item slumbering in the `Vault of Vytoos`, so it should be more useful than the previous, fragile one.”

The encroachment of black magic rising from the shoulder sometimes caused Rail pain, but he clenched and unclenched his fist as if satisfied.

“I am fully accustomed to it. Thank you for your consideration, Master.”

“There is still work left for you to do using that arm. You are aware, aren’t you?”

The female voice flowing from the green stone tablet sounded as if it was accusing Rail.

“The Demiourgos factor you brought is at best 20%… and you still haven’t obtained the Vessel of God. Spreading your influence in the academy doesn’t end the story.”

“…I know. I am tracking the escaped magic swordsmen using automata, so there will be a response soon.”

“Do you have any measures for the Vessel of God?”

At the voice from the red stone tablet, Rail paused before answering.

“Regarding the Vessel of God, I am still looking for opportunities… but there are still many hands protecting her.”

“Ha. The reason you spread your brainwashing domain in a way that maintains the present state of the academy for your own personal gain is the cause.”

As the green stone tablet once again criticized Rail, the red stone tablet defended Rail.

“A grand plan needs an unwavering motive of conviction. This child has done well for a human. He followed us even knowing that his actions betrayed everything up to now.”

“…Thank you. Master.”

“But if your conviction becomes a problem for the plan, we will take back all the grace we have bestowed upon you.”

As the red stone tablet finishes speaking, the stone tablets lose all color again and become silent.

Standing in the middle of them, Rail clenches his fist as he looks at the blue glass sword, which is stuck in the ground as if dead and shows no reaction, and

The skein of yarn floating in the air, waiting for its master.

001

`Damn it.`

Cursing inwardly, Cleon thinks to himself.

To think he would have to do this again.

He recalls the story he heard from Beatrix before coming here.

[The boundary of the academy now has Demiourgos’s domain spread over it. Those who enter are fine, but who knows what kind of effect it will have on the mind when going out… I guess they’re trying to prevent people from going out and asking for help. Also, involving the kingdom’s affairs in the academy is not a wise decision. Afterwards, the kingdom’s influence may interfere with the academy’s intentions-]

`We have to do something about it ourselves.`

“E-, today we have `Leona-san` visiting the swordsmanship department. I heard she’s an adventurer with plenty of experience, so everyone, please be respectful to her.”

A tall female swordsman with black hair, black eyes, and white skin.

Iona smiles cheerfully next to Cleon as he uses Polymorph magic to transform into her.

As Iona returned and merged with her body, some of Cleon’s domination marks that had been scattered returned to Cleon.

Thanks to this, by borrowing Lute’s magic through Iona, she can exert high-level magic when she is close to her, without as much consumption as when she is with Galatea.

Using Polymorph magic reduces the risk of being exposed as Cleon, so he came with Iona to check on the whereabouts of Rail and Aruru.

However, no matter how necessary it is, Cleon feels uncomfortable taking on the appearance of a woman.

Above all, the greasy gaze Eustace used to send him comes to mind, sending shivers down his spine.

Taking advantage of the fact that Iona was originally a royal knight, they easily entered the swordsmanship department’s training grounds under the pretext of a tour, but

Neither Rail nor the Aruru that Cleon remembered could be seen.

When he asked a passerby about Rail, the first response he got was that they didn’t know any such student, causing his face to stiffen for a moment.

More than that-

“Hey! Where did you adventure, Leona-san?”

“Leona-san, were you also aiming to be a knight?”

It seems that the catchphrase “skilled female adventurer swordsman” struck a chord with the female students.

Cleon was struggling to fend off the questions from the students who were actively asking him questions.

The male students, watching the scene from afar with envy, had no choice but to stay away, overwhelmed by Iona’s spirit, who smiled and sent unspoken pressure whenever they looked at Leona (Cleon).

“Sorry, but there’s someone I’m looking for… Aruru, her name is.”

“Aruru? If it’s Aruru, she’s over there….”

The female student who was talking to Cleon points her finger at a girl who is practicing her sword skills, wielding her sword with enjoyment, a little away from the group.

There stood a blonde, blue-eyed girl wearing a training uniform that was no different from the other students.

However, if there was anything different from the Aruru in Cleon’s memory, it was that the dignified spirit and confident posture that overwhelmed male swordsmen were nowhere to be found.

She showed a girlish smile appropriate for her age, with a posture as if she had been holding a sword for less than a year.

Cleon realizes that the reason he couldn’t find her was because of his preconceived notions about her previous appearance.

[Aruru Tromeia. It’s definitely her, it matches the description in my memory.]

Even before coming to Elresia, it wouldn’t be strange if Iona, who was active in the royal capital, had met her.

Cleon quietly nods at her telepathy, but it seems that even the recognition of Aruru as someone else, like Cleon, has been rewritten.

“I heard she’s the top of the swordsmanship department….”

“Aruru? No way. The position of the top of the swordsmanship department has been vacant for a long time. It seems like there’s no one skilled enough for it….”

Cleon paused for a moment at the students’ words.

`This world is a world where Rail’s wishes are reflected. Is her current appearance what he wanted…?`

“Aruru~! Leona-san seems to want to talk to Aruru?”

“No, wait. Such words are….”

Was it a manifestation of a girl’s unique meddling, or did she want to look good to her?

In any case, Aruru stops wielding her sword at the voice calling her and approaches with small steps, wiping away sweat.

When seen up close, she was just an ordinary girl, making one wonder if she was really the hero Aruru.

Just as Cleon was wondering what to say to her,

Iona seized the opportunity and spoke to her instead.

“You’re Aruru-yang, right?”

“Yes! I’m Aruru Omnia!”

[Omnia is her mother’s main family. It’s a noble family, but not one with a very high title.]

Cleon nodded at Iona’s voice and opened his mouth.

One of the biggest purposes of coming here was to have Aruru sense the Holy Sword in order to find out the location of the Black Convocation and Rail’s whereabouts.

But looking at her condition, Cleon thought it would be difficult.

So he decides to ask something else.

“…Is Aruru also satisfied with her current life at the academy?”

“…? Yes. Of course. I have friends, and the instructors are kind. There are many interesting things in the free market too. When I lived in the royal capital, my mother was strict and wouldn’t let me go to the market.”

Looking at Aruru answering with a smile, Cleon closed his mouth and smiled bitterly.

[Cleon…]

[Sorry, I know.]

Cleon didn’t look at where Iona was, but Iona must have read some of Cleon’s thoughts as well.

She, who was special from birth, gained ordinary happiness by forgetting her specialness, which was difficult for her to obtain due to her origins.

An everyday life that she could not achieve as long as she existed as `Aruru Tromeia`.

But Cleon thinks that even knowing that, he must destroy the distorted world.

Surely, the current Aruru might be happy, and satisfied with her current life.

But that is an illusion created by a selfish person who ignored the will of the previous Aruru and ignored the thoughts she had.

Cleon thinks that even this might be his selfishness.

But Cleon also has comrades he must retrieve.

He promised Beatrix that he would do anything for that.

“Aruru. Sorry for the sudden question, but do you know anything about the Holy Sword?”

Cleon speaks to Aruru, hoping that she will remember something, even a little.

“The Holy Sword… you mean? Other than the fact that it’s a sacred sword used by heroes… not really.”

“In my eyes, you look like a hero too.”

“M-me? I’m just an ordinary swordsman! I even promised my friend Cecil that I’d become an adventurer after graduating from the academy…”

Really, does she not know anything?

The Holy Sword and the Demon Sword are not affected by Demiourgos’s brainwashing.

And they are connected to their masters, the hero and the demon swordsman.

Even in special situations like Galatea, who is surrounded by a barrier, the connection of souls is not severed.

Therefore, Cleon speculated that the connection with the Holy Sword Arondight would remain in Aruru as well.

Aruru, who had been looking Cleon in the eye, paused for a moment, then slightly turned her gaze away and opened her mouth again.

“…Well… I don’t know if it’s related, but. Recently, I’ve been hearing a voice calling me in my dreams….”

Aruru continues to speak as if she is embarrassed.

Certainly, if she told someone that she had such a dream, she would be treated as a slightly sick child… a type of delusion that boys often have during their turbulent puberty.

But Cleon grabs Aruru’s shoulders after hearing that story.

“Really? Where were you in the dream?”

“W-well, I don’t really know where. It’s always in a dark space… maybe somewhere underground….”

Listening to her story, Cleon organizes his thoughts for a moment.

`Is the Holy Sword sending a vision of the space where its owner is to its owner? But that alone is not enough….`

“Ah, and. I saw three large stone tablets around me. Red, blue, and green….”

Certainly, it was not a scene that could be found anywhere.

Aruru was still blushing, as if she was feeling embarrassed for telling someone else about her delusions.

[Do you have any idea?]

[…No. But I know where there are guys who know where that place is.]

Cleon quietly answers Iona and then speaks to Aruru.

Cleon’s expression was gentle, but his eyes were filled with firm trust in Aruru.

It was because Cleon had felt to the bone the time he had spent with her and the humanity that Aruru possessed.

She was the hero herself, standing proudly as the ideal of people, more than any other human Cleon had ever seen.

Even if we were to talk only about “heroism,” she was more heroic than Cleon’s object of admiration, “Lecia.”

It was not a false appearance born from pretense or expectations directed from the surroundings.

It was because she humbly accepted her role herself,

Protected people as a hero,

Became a role model for others as the top student,

And had pride in fulfilling her duties as a nobleman.

And- Cleon knew that there was a girl hidden behind that.

“…That dream is not a delusion, Aruru. You have… the power you were proud of.”

“…Leona-san, who on earth are you….”

Aruru answers, bewildered as if she doesn’t understand. But she was shaken by the words that were being given to her.

The pounding in her chest that she had felt since the first time she saw her, even though it was their first meeting, and the feeling that she was forgetting something she shouldn’t forget.

When the beating became so loud that she couldn’t stand it, Aruru turned around and ran away from Leona.

It was a defensive act, as if her body, unable to bear the unbearable truth, was trying to protect itself from danger.

Demiourgos’s brainwashing was restricting her will to that extent.

The students, Cleon, and Iona watch such Aruru.

Cleon quietly clenches his fist and casually deals with the students before leaving the swordsmanship department building.

002

A giant structure made of white marble, like a temple.

At the entrance, a giant golem created with the motif of an ancient guardian stands guard.

Everyone who passes by the front feels a small amount of fear from the oppressive scenery and passes by carefully.

The highest authority in the academy, and the actual rulers who have the right to decide everything in this educational facility.

The `Hall of Monad`, where the 12 Elders reside, was the most secretive space in the academy, where not only ordinary students but also any person other than professors who had received special permission could not enter at will.

It simply exists in the center of the academy, showing its presence to everything around it and collecting information about everything that happens within the academy.

Some fearless students often went close to the entrance in order to directly confront the Elders, but were unable to do anything about the golem blocking their path.

They often had a bitter experience and trudged back.

And a woman stands at the entrance to such a Hall of Monad.

She was not armed, but the armor she wore showed that she was a warrior from outside the academy, not a student.

The golem did not allow intrusion even by outsiders and blocked her path.

They repeated fixed words and sent visitors back.

[The visit of an unpermitted one cannot be tolerated.]

Looking at the golems, which were about three times the size of the fairly tall woman, surrounding her and speaking.

The woman quietly opens her mouth.

“In the name of God, I forge this, so there is no sin in you.”

As the woman’s calm voice echoed among the golems, the golems stopped in their tracks for a moment.

They moved away from the woman and cleared the way for her to proceed through the entrance.

The people who had been expecting the visitor to be kicked out as always approached the golem with surprised eyes and asked about the woman.

However, as soon as the woman passed by, the golems returned to their original state and blocked them, emitting a sense of oppression and driving out the disorderly ones.

In the meantime, the woman passes through the marble corridor and heads to an inorganic space with no decorations.

The huge space was like the stands of a colosseum around it, and the white walls reflected the sunlight coming in from the sky in all directions.

A veil was installed in the stands to prevent people beyond from being seen.

And a shadow appears from beyond that veil.

“What is the meaning of this?”

The man’s voice sounded a little flustered. It was rare for someone who was an Elder of the academy to be flustered.

This was because the visitor who had come to them was a different person than expected.

One by one, the figures of the Elders appear as silhouettes beyond the veil surrounding Cleon.

Feminine silhouettes, as well as very young-looking silhouettes, could be seen.

“That password was prepared and handed over to `Lyla Flamewatch` in the past.”

“Why does an outsider like you know that phrase?”

Is it a characteristic of such a group that multiple people divide up the words that one person could say?

A woman standing among them with a smile on her face. Leona.

No- Cleon looks up at them and opens his mouth.

“I have come to talk to the incompetent, tumorous old men of the academy on behalf of Lyla Flamewatch.”

And the effect of the transformation magic that had been covering her body disappeared, revealing her original appearance.