Ch.273Chapter 273 – The Last Day of the Year

Rumors of a demon appearing in the Kingdom of Oberon spread across the continent in an instant.

“As of this moment, all connection routes to the Kingdom of Oberon are hereby blocked.”

“Gather all available forces and surround the Kingdom of Oberon!”

Even all countries sharing borders with Oberon simultaneously declared a complete blockade.

I heard that our Empire had also allocated budget to cover the costs of supplies needed for Oberon’s blockade.

The appearance of a demon had raised alarm among many countries on the continent.

The fear that their own countries might fall into the hands of the demon cult had mobilized the southern kingdoms of the continent that had remained passive until now.

However… despite the bustling activity in the southern kingdoms of the continent, the Empire remained utterly peaceful.

Why? Obviously because the distance between our Empire and the Kingdom of Oberon, located at the southernmost part of the continent, was thousands of kilometers.

Even by ship, it would take several months, and traveling by land would take at least a year.

Of course, wealthy individuals could shorten that time using teleport stations, but not every country had well-established road networks like our Empire.

Anyway, perhaps because of this, our Empire was in an extremely tranquil state.

The only way for them to approach was by ship.

And even then, the Empire had implemented a hardline policy of arrest and sinking for any unauthorized vessels detected.

So currently, all ships floating in imperial waters were authorized and safe vessels.

“Finally, it’s the end of the year.”

Meanwhile, I had finally welcomed the long-awaited year-end.

The current time is 9 AM. After today, tomorrow will be the new year.

“What did everyone do for the year-end?”

I was curious about what Regina and Cheon Hyeryeong had done during the year-end.

Considering their usual behavior, I imagined Regina might have taken some time off to rest after being busy managing students.

As for Cheon Hyeryeong, being the leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect, I suspected she might have gathered her followers for a lengthy speech.

“I… locked myself in my room doing magic research and then watched the New Year’s bell ring with Shannon.”

Regina’s answer was surprisingly modest.

True to her nature as a mage, she had devoted her free time to magical research and ended the year with her secretary, Shannon.

“This master commemorated the last sunset of the year by challenging various martial arts schools in a single day.”

Cheon Hyeryeong… I had somewhat expected it, but she had openly gone around challenging dojos.

Wait, does it make sense for the leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect to go around challenging dojos?

Wouldn’t she normally send her subordinates to do such things?

“Everyone spent the end of the year as they wished.”

But this year is different.

I have these two unbelievable individuals by my side—a magician who could be called the strongest in human history and the leader of the Cheonma Divine Sect.

And now we’re living together under the same roof.

“Next year I’ll be a third-year student, and the year after that, I’ll graduate.”

“That means we only have two years left together here.”

Regina spoke while sitting in a chair by the window, gazing at the academy grounds.

“As you know, I’ll step down from the chancellor position as soon as you graduate.”

“Is the chancellor position something you can relinquish so easily?”

“I took on the role at the previous Emperor’s request anyway, and I’ve done it for too long. Now it’s time for me to live my own life.”

Regina seemed genuinely intent on stepping down from her position.

“After all, I became chancellor because of my title as the strongest magician… My successor will probably be the current Archmage, Viscount Ielron Sandrios.”

“Viscount Sandrios would certainly be capable of fulfilling the chancellor’s duties.”

“Indeed. The chancellor’s job isn’t more difficult than that of a court magician anyway.”

I didn’t know much about it, but I agreed with Regina’s words nonetheless.

When you don’t know much, it’s better to just go along with what’s being said.

“Then, will you hold the wedding ceremony right after graduation?”

“Uh… yes?”

I answered affirmatively to Cheon Hyeryeong’s sudden question about the wedding timing.

It had already been decided that I would marry Regina right after graduation.

Now that Cheon Hyeryeong had been added to the equation, I would need to hold a wedding ceremony with her as well.

“How are wedding ceremonies conducted here?”

It seemed Cheon Hyeryeong was interested in the wedding ceremony.

To be honest, I was curious about it too.

The only wedding ceremonies I knew were the ones I had attended in my previous life.

The groom wearing a tuxedo, the bride in a wedding dress, everything rushing by in a hurried sequence—the officiant’s speech, taking photos, eating, and then parting ways.

Ugh, just thinking about it is dreadful.

But this is a different world, so the procedure must be somewhat different, right?

“…Actually, I’ve never been to a wedding venue either.”

“Huh?”

“Is that true?”

“I couldn’t help it. Before the curse was resolved, I couldn’t go outside at all.”

…Come to think of it, Regina was right.

I had forgotten that she couldn’t go outside at all because of the curse.

If not for the curse, she would have been invited to various family weddings as an Archmage…

So who would know the most about wedding ceremonies?

“We can ask a professor at the academy who is knowledgeable about marriage customs and traditions.”

“Are there such professors?”

“Of course. The academy is a place to nurture talent, and people who will become workers in society shouldn’t be ignorant about major life events.”

Hmm. Is that so? But even Regina doesn’t really know much about wedding ceremonies…

“You’re not thinking anything strange, are you?”

“Of course not.”

Phew, that was close. Next time, I must not get caught.

Anyway, it was decided that we would invite a professor later to discuss wedding ceremonies.

Apparently, all students, both male and female, who are interested in marriage take that professor’s class.

After bringing up the topic of weddings, thoughts about the demon cult resurfaced.

“The demon cult. We really need to wipe them out.”

“Indeed… if we could eliminate the demon cult, we could live without worrying about anything…”

“This master agrees with that opinion.”

It was a rare moment when Regina, Cheon Hyeryeong, and I were all in agreement.

Thinking about it, all three of us had suffered greatly, directly or indirectly, because of the demon cult.

That’s why we all believed that only the complete annihilation of the demon cult could protect our peaceful daily lives.

“It shouldn’t end with just wiping out the demon cult in the Kingdom of Oberon.”

“I think so too. All the priests and high-ranking members of the demon cult must be eliminated. The demon cult is like a plague; unless you completely uproot it, it will keep coming back.”

I agree with Regina’s comparison of the demon cult to a plague.

They are persistent. They can only be eradicated by ruthlessly pursuing them until they’re completely uprooted.

In fact, the Gelebrio Empire had thoroughly eradicated the demon cult, which is why they haven’t shown themselves until now.

“Can other kingdoms do the same?”

“It would be difficult.”

Regina spoke in a resolute tone.

“The Gelebrio Empire is relatively large compared to other kingdoms. Despite that, its central control reaches all the way to the distant borders. Can other countries do the same?”

“Hmm…”

My answer to Regina’s question was ‘no.’

“Other countries don’t have as much capacity as the Empire, so it would be difficult for them to wipe out the cult.”

“Of course, it would be difficult if they tried to do it with their own strength. But if they had a reliable ally, the story would be different.”

“An ally…”

I momentarily thought of Eterna’s face in response to Regina’s words.

As the chief inquisitor and saint of the Sun Order, wouldn’t she be capable?

“After the battle with the Kingdom of Oberon ends, we should start a holy war to wipe out the demon cult.”

“The world will fall into chaos, but after the chaos ends, a new era of peace will dawn.”

An era of peace.

An era of true peace where the demon cult has completely disappeared.

“I hope that day comes soon.”

“Me too.”

As we were chatting about various things, a message suddenly appeared on Regina’s student management window.

“What’s this?”

Regina opened the student management window to check the message, and her face immediately hardened.

“What’s wrong?”

“…It seems our departure date will be moved up.”

Behind Regina’s hardened expression, I checked her student management window.

And there, the words [Demon Appearance at the Kingdom of Oberon’s Border!] were written.

They have begun to move.