Ch.1010. Angel…?

Ophelia, the dormitory supervisor for new students, is a gentle person in many ways.

With her perpetually squinted eyes and warm smile, she rarely gets angry, which especially contributes to that impression.

She’s also a beautiful woman with distinctive voluminous blonde hair, making her popular among students.

But that doesn’t mean she’s a pushover. As evident from her “Knight” title, she’s a proper active regular knight.

To the freshly enrolled chicks at the academy, she’s practically a godlike existence.

Regular knights are such coveted positions that one needs to reach at least the 5th academic corps, the minimum standard for talented individuals, to even receive career counseling.

“Is everyone here~?”

Of course, looking at her leading with that drawling voice, it’s hard to see her that way.

I follow Ophelia Knight, who’s commanding the new students from the front with a wry smile. The atmosphere reminds me of a mother duck leading her ducklings.

We’re currently at Grande Hill, the highest hill in Elphante Academy. All nearby facilities are clearly visible.

It’s the optimal place to introduce the overall structure of the academy to new students.

“Over there is the academic building, everyone’s familiar with it, right~? Each department uses different facilities inside~ Over there is the physical training room mainly used by the Knight Department, and that way is the Magic Department’s mana training hall…”

For me, the explanations that followed were already familiar.

Elphante’s curriculum is divided into a maximum of five fields. Each represents a department.

Knight, Magic, Practical, Production, and Theology.

This system operates the same way not only at Elphante but also at academies in the Tribal Union and Holy Empire.

New students will choose their major and minor from these subjects after the welcome ceremony in a few days, and the protagonist is no exception.

‘…Actually, they’re called departments, but.’

While they’re called “departments” and their facilities, each one could be considered a small city in terms of size.

Befitting its reputation as the continent’s finest educational institution, the land and budget allocated to each department are enormous.

The same goes for the academies of the adjacent Holy Empire and Tribal Union.

Elphante Academy, the Great Temple, and the Crucible of Struggle.

These are the continent’s top educational institutions located close to each other.

They’re called the Golden Triangle in this setting.

‘Well, that’s that.’

While listening to Ophelia Knight’s explanation with one ear and letting it go out the other, I check the items I brought.

An incense burner in my backpack, and various materials to burn incense inside.

And additionally, several “offerings” to use.

This tour event, which follows directly after the entrance exam, feels like a tutorial for players to learn about the world and academy functions, but there are definitely things that can only be done at this time.

“Excuse me, is that the famous Void Zone over there?”

Yes. Good question.

When one of the students asked that question, a troubled expression appeared on Ophelia Knight’s face.

Her squinted eyes turned toward the massive gray sphere that the student had just pointed at.

Despite being located much further away than it appears, its ominousness and foreboding can be clearly felt even from this distance.

“Well, yes~ but that area is off-limits~ Something terrible will happen if you enter~”

A massive dome-shaped sphere embedded right in the center of the three educational institutions forming the triangle. And the faint outline of a massive tower-like structure visible inside.

Ophelia Knight’s mention isn’t just idle talk. In fact, the expression “off-limits” itself seems too mild.

The Void Zone, a product of the God-Demon War, recorded in history as the worst war ever.

It’s where the messenger of God, and the hero who inherited that power, fought their final bloody battle against demons and sealed all their main bodies.

Even though hundreds of years have passed since it was first discovered, the clash of death energy and divine power lingering around it shows no signs of subsiding.

If you go near there, an average human will die 100 percent. Even humans with powerful abilities wouldn’t receive any good influence.

‘In the first place…’

The reason why the three academies, the Golden Triangle, are clustered so close to this area is because of that thing.

The “Great Accord” made after the God-Demon War by the three powers ruling the continent—the Empire, Holy Empire, and Tribal Union—contained a clause requiring each to dispatch a certain number of personnel to manage this Void Zone.

That promise remains valid even now, hundreds of years after the last demon showed itself.

They say all demons are currently sealed thanks to the sacrifices of past heroes, but if they were to be released, the place where it would start would definitely be there.

The reason why there are suspiciously many high-level personnel among the academy staff is because their main job is to monitor and guard the Void Zone. It seems they serve as teachers concurrently because it would be too wasteful to just have them standing around.

“…”

But considering the main scenario, the possibility of demons actually being released isn’t that far-fetched.

That makes me feel dirty all over again.

“This is a famous place even in mythology. Couldn’t we go closer for a look?”

“Hmm~”

When several students with burning academic curiosity made that request while their eyes sparkled, Ophelia Knight scratched her cheek with her lips slightly pursed.

Watching her, I calmly tied up my backpack.

Ophelia Knight, called “Mom” by users in various senses, usually grants most student requests. What she’ll say next is definitely…

“Well, let’s go as far as the Lightbearer’s protective barrier reaches~? It’s safe inside that~”

Right.

Another term for the messenger of God appearing in mythology is an angel.

They are beings who appeared when demons awoke and began wreaking havoc on the world, and they delivered various blessings and knowledge to humans.

It’s said that their power was such that a single angel could boil the sea and overturn mountains.

The title “Lightbearer” is only given to those among angels who possess exceptionally different powers.

In this world, they have a status almost equivalent to demigods.

“We’ll have lunch around here~”

And when talking about a protective barrier spread by such a being, it means it’s stable enough to comfortably have a meal near the Void Zone.

After all, the very reason these academies can exist in this area is thanks to this barrier.

The white light clusters floating around in clumps are a sight to behold in themselves. All the students were expressing their admiration.

Soon, as students spread out their mats and took out their packed lunches, one of them asked Ophelia Knight another question.

“I heard priests often come here for field trips too. This is one of the few pieces of evidence where angelic power can be directly observed and studied, right?”

“That’s right~?”

“Has there ever been a case where someone actually saw an angel?”

The student continued with sparkling eyes.

Well, I understand that curiosity. There’s a tradition that angels, who normally reside in the Otherworld before descending to the human world, always gave a “blessing” or “gift” to the humans they revealed themselves to.

Each one was extremely powerful, and blessings or gifts bestowed by angels were said to be items worthy of historical record.

Probably a significant reason why theologians and priests try so hard to see an angel.

As far as I know, that tradition is based on fact.

There are just some conditions.

“Well~ During my shifts, I’ve often seen elaborate rituals and ceremonies~ But there’s never been a case where an angel directly revealed itself~”

The student who asked the question nodded in understanding at Ophelia Knight’s answer.

Well, we’re talking about angels here. How could such beings be easily seen?

That seems to be the sentiment, but.

‘…Actually, that’s easier than you think.’

I mutter inwardly as I approach Ophelia Knight.

“Excuse me, would it be alright if I eat a bit further away?”

“Hmm~?”

Ophelia Knight tilted her head. A gesture wondering why I would need to do that.

“I find it a bit uncomfortable to eat here.”

“…Ah~”

But after hearing my words and looking around, she nodded in understanding.

I’m the one who knocked out Elia in one blow and was present during the Tristan Duchess assassination incident. My recognition was bound to skyrocket one way or another.

Of course, judging by the unfriendly glances directed my way, it seems most of that recognition is negative.

During the entrance exam, my subduing and releasing Hasmed could potentially cause many problems, so both Elia and Elnore who witnessed it have remained silent.

In other words, the public perception of me is that I’m a cheater who not only subdued the next hero candidate but also did nothing while the Tristan Duchess was being assassinated—a freeloader.

While rumors might be exaggerated in a negative direction, those who spread such gossip are people who decided from the start not to like me.

They probably resent a nobody from a barony getting attention.

“Don’t go too far~ Something terrible might happen~”

“Yes.”

But whether they feel that way or not isn’t my concern.

Rather, I’m grateful that Ophelia Knight left me alone thanks to their obvious displeasure.

‘Let’s see…’

I move far enough away that I’m completely out of sight of others.

What I’m about to do isn’t something I want to show to others.

Yeah.

Mainly for theological reasons.

“Good.”

I set up the items I brought from my backpack.

The Sacred Ultima. Materials to burn and create incense.

I fill the incense burner with unicorn horn powder, place a phoenix feather on top, and light a match.

Then, adjusting the heat appropriately with a coral fan, thick smoke begins to spread around.

The smoke immediately reaches the light clusters floating nearby, and soon they begin to mix and clump together.

The function of Ultima is simple. As I previously compared it to a telephone, it allows communication with beings that would otherwise be impossible to reach.

Materializing beings from the Otherworld that’s overlaid behind the real world. That’s the ability of Ultima.

‘Come to think of it…’

Theologians and priests coming here and making all sorts of fuss—it’s not entirely a wrong approach.

The presence of angels is definitely strongly manifested around here. After all, this is a barrier directly spread by a Lightbearer.

The problem is that they misunderstand the essence of angels.

They tend to assume that beings appearing in mythology must be “noble” and “dignified.”

Beings of elegance who set an example for others.

But.

That’s not it.

Really.

-….

The smoke combined with light clusters soon materializes, revealing several robust men.

On their backs are white wings. Above their heads float golden halos.

They’re the stereotypical image of angels by anyone’s standards.

However.

“What kind of fucking bastards did the preliminary work like this? Which unit was responsible for this quarter’s fortification construction?”

“Um, Archangel sir. Probably Gerion’s men, sir.”

“Their rank is lower than mine and they do work like this? Should I smash their heads to make them come to their senses? Hey, contact those bastards. If the Lightbearer sees this, we’re all dead. Understand?”

The ongoing conversation is by no means noble or dignified from any perspective.

There’s nothing elegant about the hammers and shovels they’re each holding.

“…”

The atmosphere among angels is similar to a kind of… “military.”

Yeah.

An extremely male-dominated society. A strict hierarchical system. A rigid command structure where you do as you’re told. A stiff and rough atmosphere.

If the Lightbearer has directly created something, subordinates have to run around maintaining it.

“We’re short on holy water mixture to fill the barrier gap over there! May I ask if we could borrow some?”

“You idiot, can’t you even do that properly? Give me the brush. I’ll do it myself. These ninth-rank angels these days can’t do anything right. Back in my day—”

“…”

Listening to the conversations nearby, I’m glad I came alone.

Devout believers would foam at the mouth and faint if they saw this.

“Um, squad leader. That human over there?”

“Yeah, what about him?”

“He’s been staring at us for a while, sir?”

“Must be a coincidence. At least he’s quiet, which is nice. Those bastards who come periodically and make a fuss, every time I see them…”

Now, let’s think about this.

What meaning would elaborate rituals or ceremonies have in front of such beings?

They’re already dragged out to do hard labor they don’t want to do, feeling like they’re dying from exhaustion. They’re in such a sensitive state that they’d want to kill anyone who just talks to them.

What if dozens or hundreds of humans gather right next to them, continuously reciting scriptures or chanting biblical verses?

There’s a reason angels don’t descend. It’s because the interests align for both parties.

It’s fortunate that calamity hasn’t been brought down.

What they want is actually very simple and primal.

I sigh and take out the “offerings” I brought from my backpack.

Standard liquor. High alcohol content, not a trace of sophistication, but characterized by its uniquely intense flavor.

And meats bought from the market. Rough and coarse flavors enjoyed by common people. But nothing beats this as an accompaniment to such drinks.

It’s a kind of construction worker’s special set.

Nothing better for recovering energy during intense labor.

A glass of makgeolli with sliced boiled meat after sweating profusely.

Can’t resist that, can you?

“…That guy brought exactly what I’d want to eat. Did he pick all my favorites?”

“Should we ask for a little…”

“We can’t materialize in the physical world unless permitted by a human who recognizes us. Without meeting the descent conditions, how can we ask…”

“Gentlemen.”

When I quietly uttered those words, the angels who had been chattering among themselves suddenly fell silent.

They seem to have realized that I can perceive them.

And on top of that, I continue with a slight smile.

“Eat well and work hard. You’ll hurt your body otherwise.”

The angels’ eyes widened.