Ch.3333. Training

●

As befitting a place where all sorts of privileged classes from across the continent gather, the three academies always have many people coming and going.

Thanks to this, the post town at the entrance to the Golden Triangle is always busy and lively.

Even the high-class lodging where the Holy Empire’s Saint stays isn’t free from the surrounding noise of daily life.

“…”

The Saint, Lucien, sighed as she rose from her bed.

Her gold and white two-tone hair slid smoothly over her pure white clerical robes.

As she exhaled, cigarette smoke billowed into the air.

A Saint and cigarettes. It would be a combination that would make devout believers roll their eyes and charge at her, but she paid no mind and pulled out another cigarette.

“Would you mind closing the window?”

“Hm? Oh, am I disturbing you?”

The “boy” sitting near the window turned his head at her words.

He was a man who appeared to be barely in his late teens, wearing full armor.

“I apologize. I was watching the people. This city is lively, which puts me in a good mood.”

“The noise is fine, but the light coming in is a bit bothersome.”

“Do Saints these days find light disturbing?”

“It’s my personal habit. I’ve spent most of my life in dark chapels.”

“Don’t suddenly turn the conversation so gloomy. It makes me want to smack you.”

“…You are, at least nominally, my guardian knight. Mind your words.”

It was an extremely impure tone for speaking to the continent’s Saint, but Lucien showed no other reaction.

Considering this man’s character, he wasn’t someone who would do such a thing even if he died and came back to life.

“You’re not even scared anymore. When we first met, you were at least nervous.”

“I’d sooner believe the Pope is a virtuous man than believe you would hit a woman, Valkarsus.”

The boy chuckled and closed the window.

“I’m suddenly thinking we’ve become too close.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Isn’t it too informal for a Cultist of the Demon and a Saint?”

Lucien raised her head to look at her counterpart.

“…”

Immediately, she gritted her teeth against the pressure constricting her entire body.

Having just closed the window, cutting off the only light source, the boy’s expression wasn’t visible in the dark room.

But his distorted “form” was clearly visible.

Incomprehensible, disgusting, abhorrent, terrible.

Invisible in the light, but the moment darkness falls, this boy inevitably reveals his “true nature.”

A monster, distorted beyond description, aged for eons.

Even she, with one of the strongest holy powers in the church, could barely remain conscious in its presence, let alone subdue it.

“…Don’t worry.”

She smiled bitterly at the sight.

“You might be better than the humans who hold my leash.”

Indeed, that was true.

Since receiving the “restraint” of being a Saint from the Holy Empire, Lucien had never once regretted forming ties with these people.

The demon cultists were far better than that demon wearing a human mask.

“I appreciate that.”

The boy chuckled and asked with a yawn:

“But you’re also cooperating with us because you have a purpose, right? What was it again? You said you were looking for someone?”

“Yes.”

Lucien nodded slightly.

“…Someone precious to me is at Elphante Academy.”

With a voice filled with firm resolve, she continued:

“There’s something I absolutely must do for them.”

“I see. Someone precious.”

The boy nodded at her words.

A faint gleam flickered in his eyes several times in the darkness.

“I once had such things too.”

What followed was the voice of someone buried in memories of the past.

At the same time, a rotten energy began to overflow from the boy’s body.

Wrongness floods forth.

Lucien involuntarily drew in a breath.

Just being nearby…

It felt like her body was being shattered to pieces.

“…”

“There was such a time. Like those humans outside the window, lively, laughing, chattering, loving each other. A time when I wholeheartedly, with all my might, affirmed such ordinary people.”

The breath full of dead energy spread hazily into the air.

The poison mixed within made her head spin.

It flows out.

The obsessions of the dead, the cravings of the annihilated, creep out like sticky soot melted and spread on the floor.

And over it all…

A lonely voice covered it.

“…Where is my kingdom now?”

“…Ah, ugh…!”

“Oh dear.”

The boy smiled and said.

At the same time, the energy flowing from him disappeared instantly. Simultaneously, Lucien collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.

Sweat poured down her entire body like rain.

‘I could have… died!’

She, a Saint, felt the threat of death just by facing someone who had merely revealed a bit of their energy.

This boy is a monster of that caliber.

“I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

“…Do I look… alright…!”

“Hmm, I sincerely apologize. I sometimes forget how fragile human beings are. When I get into serious conversations, this happens without me realizing it.”

“…Weren’t you just scolding me for being gloomy?”

“Hey, I said I was sorry.”

The boy scratched his head as he got up and reopened the window.

As sunlight entered, his face regained its human form.

With a cheerful smile befitting his straightforward features, he received another complaint.

“I just asked you to close it.”

“Be quiet. Get some prayer time in the sunlight. Considering your usual conduct, you need to be more faithful to your position as a Saint.”

“…”

“I could even join you if you want. Don’t I know some prayers better than you do?”

“…”

At this suggestion, which should never come from a Cultist of the Demon, Lucien narrowed her eyes, and Valkarsus changed the subject with a chuckle.

“Anyway, like you, I also have something to accomplish inside that academy.”

Having said that, the boy looked at the building beyond his view. Elphante Academy.

A place full of life energy. Suitable enough for achieving his “purpose.”

“Until then, let’s get along well. Understand?”

“…”

Lucien smiled bitterly again.

If even one person knew this fact, the entire continent would be turned upside down.

A Cultist of the Demon and a Saint cooperating to achieve something together.

“…Yes.”

But.

“Let’s get along, Valkarsus.”

She…

Just answered like that.

●

「 My dear son,

It’s getting to be summer. I’ve heard it’s especially hot in that area. I’ve sent some cooling stones and fruits produced in our territory to remind you to take care of your health. Share them with your friends.

…

I’ve heard that around this time, Elphante always holds an event where they allow observers sent from the family homes to participate, but unfortunately, harvest season is approaching, so it will be difficult for me to move in person.

Instead, I’ll send Butler Hermann, so you can accompany him to official events. If you need anything, ask him.

The territory is peaceful, so don’t worry. You’ve always been a clever child, so we’re not too concerned.

I’ll end here.

P.S.

If you happen to have a close female classmate, bring her home during vacation and introduce her. Shouldn’t this father get to see his grandchild’s face?

From Armin Campbell 」

“…”

I fold the letter with a gloomy expression while munching on grapes.

These are indeed grapes from our region. The quality is excellent.

Though right now, not even that can improve my mood.

‘A close female classmate, huh.’

Knowing my father’s personality, it’s probably meant as a joke.

Well, a few people do come to mind who I could bring.

Like Elnore. Or Elia.

But if I brought either one of them to the estate during vacation, well…

“…”

I don’t even want to imagine it. That would be a disaster like no other.

The problem is, considering my current situation, the chances of it ending with just those two are extremely low.

‘Please save humanity.’

I sigh as I recall the “task” Atalante recently asked of me.

To seduce all the Demonic Vessel candidates, that is.

All of them.

“…”

I clutch my throbbing head.

Our Chancellor called it a “request,” but it’s essentially mandatory from my perspective too.

If it’s inevitable that vessels containing demons will become entangled with me and develop an obsession, I have no way to survive unless I somehow make them favorable toward me.

I’m sorry, Father.

I promised when I first left that I wouldn’t stand out, but that will probably be difficult to keep from now on.

‘…I’m not sure what to do.’

Originally, if you overthink things, even simple tasks become difficult.

For now, I should solve what’s right in front of me one by one.

< Gift-Related Person Alert >

♥ Elnore Erinarise la Tristan

[ Affection Level 1 ]

[ Exclusive Quest ‘Inheritance of the Curse’ has been generated! ]

[ D-7 until quest-related event occurs ]

▼ Gideon Gaelstard La Tristan

[ Curiosity Level 1 ]

[ Exclusive Quest ‘Inheritance of the Curse’ has been generated! ]

[ D-7 until quest-related event occurs ]

Starting with this first…

[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 2 – The Boy King of the Forgotten Kingdom 〗

[ Related event will occur soon! ]

And this is waiting in line too.

‘…In a week, surely.’

As mentioned in the letter, there’s an event that always happens at Elphante around this time.

The observation class event with personnel sent from the family homes.

As the name suggests, it’s originally nothing special, but when it happens in a place where so many privileged people gather, such events tend to take on different intentions.

To avoid being looked down upon by others. Especially among the privileged, who consider it important not to be underestimated.

So now it’s become such a large-scale event that even people whose reasons for attending are incomprehensible occasionally show up.

And if Elnore and Gideon’s exclusive quests are generated at the same time, well.

It’s obvious how things will unfold.

‘…I’ll get to meet him face to face.’

Gideon Gaelstard La Tristan.

Normally, I wouldn’t even have a chance to contact someone like him.

In the main scenario, he mostly appears as someone who’s already deceased.

“…”

Ah, that’s not to say Elnore will take his head or anything.

Although Elnore dislikes him, she wouldn’t commit such a filial impiety.

However, their relationship is indeed complicated.

Gideon probably gave Elnore the cold shoulder since she was young due to… “circumstances,” and Elnore, influenced by that, probably doesn’t like him much either.

Their relationship completely soured after a certain incident involving Elnore’s “mother.”

But the trigger for her mental breakdown and awakening as the Grey Demon’s vessel always begins with Gideon’s death in every branch. So she doesn’t completely think of him as a stranger.

I sigh as all this information comes to mind.

Yes, I understand all that.

‘What’s certain is…’

If I have a chance to meet this person, there’s definitely something I need to “extract” from him.

It will be a great help in dealing with the “Boy King,” the main antagonist of Chapter 2.

“…”

It might seem a bit disrespectful to think this way about the Empire’s strongest knight, but I can’t help it.

Right now, I’m in a dangerous state where I could die at any moment if I just let time pass peacefully.

Especially from Chapter 2 onward.

‘The Enlightened Ones.’

The executives of the Cultists of the Demon, the main villains of the scenario.

They start appearing in earnest from Chapter 2. The Boy King is one of them.

Their combat power makes the Purifier who consumed the essence look like nothing.

“…”

It’s not a boss fight designed to be won through direct methods anyway.

Especially considering what the Boy King does.

‘So, that aside.’

To solve this, I need to start with Gideon’s event that’s right in front of me.

If I can properly get what I want from him, progress will be much easier.

‘He’s classified as a villain, but…’

Considering his character settings and what he shows in the scenario, that’s somewhat accurate.

But thinking about his full background, I can’t just treat him that way.

Which means…

‘I’m not sure how strongly my fatal charm will activate.’

My gift works more strongly the more extreme the other person’s tendencies are. So I’m not confident about how effective it will be on someone as ambiguous as Gideon.

‘So, what now…’

I do have a plan.

A plan to somehow score points and extract something helpful even without fatal charm.

However, to do that, there’s something I need to develop.

< Status Info >

「Darwood Campbell」

Strength: F

Agility: F

Endurance: F

Luck: F

Authority: F

< Mastery Info >

[ Trait: Tristan-style Swordsmanship ] [ Rank: Basic ]

[ Current Proficiency: 58% ]

[ This is the sword technique of the Tristan Dukedom, a renowned swordsmanship family. ]

[ ■ You can achieve a certain level of power regardless of weapon type. ]

[ Trait: Breathing Technique – Fucho ] [ Rank: Basic ]

[ Current Proficiency: 67% ]

[ ■ With long-term training, this breathing method dramatically increases physical endurance and stamina. It has especially good compatibility with Tristan-style swordsmanship. ]

I need to train this.

In my plan, the only direct way to connect with Gideon is through “swordsmanship.”

I don’t need to suddenly show genius-level skills. It’s enough to demonstrate some proficiency with Tristan-style swordsmanship.

The problem is that I need to do this ‘without’ my desperate skill. My stats and trait levels need to be high enough to support it.

‘…Let me find a way.’

Fortunately, there are quite a few people around me I can rely on in times like this.

●

“You want me to teach you swordsmanship?”

Elnore asked with wide eyes.

That was her response to what I said after class, on our way out of the classroom.

‘…How long is she going to keep attending classes with freshmen anyway?’

The first thing Elnore did as soon as she recovered from all her injuries was to join the classes I attend.

Even so, shouldn’t the student council president return to her original grade level for classes by now?

Isn’t she concerned about appearances?

“No. I don’t care about that.”

“…”

“I’ll probably attend classes with you until you graduate. Don’t worry about that part.”

She’s not wearing the student council president title just for show.

Elnore nodded as she said that.

She lifted her head and thrust her chest forward as if saying “ahem” with pride.

Though her face remained expressionless.

“…”

But that’s an abuse of authority.

What are you so proudly talking about?

“Anyway, I’d like to request your guidance in swordsmanship.”

“But didn’t you say you were aiming for the Holy Magic Department? Your major classes will start soon too, so why invest time in this?”

“I need quick results in a short time, so I don’t plan to do it for long. In that regard, Elnore is the most reliable person I know.”

Despite everything, she’s the first person I’d rely on for this.

She’s the most familiar, and there’s no doubt about her swordsmanship skills.

Above all, for the “Tristan swordsmanship” I’m trying to learn, there’s no better teacher than her.

When I asked again, Elnore stared at me with round eyes for a moment.

Then she suddenly turned her back on me.

“…What are you doing?”

“No, I’m just happy. That you’re relying on me.”

“If you’re happy, why are you showing me your back?”

“Hmm. I’ve practiced a happy expression for times like this. Wait a moment.”

“…”

After fidgeting for a while, Elnore finally turned back to me.

Her eyebrows were slightly drawn together, just barely noticeable.

“…How is it?”

“…”

So are you going to teach me swordsmanship or not?

Answer me.

“Oh, you’re having an interesting conversation.”

As that voice suddenly came from the side, Elnore’s expression turned hostile.

“…This is not something for you to interfere with. Step back.”

“Hey now, how can you say that when it’s the teacher wanting to learn swordsmanship?”

When Elia responded with a bright smile, Elnore’s eyebrows gathered even more hostility.

“…Darwood asked me. Not you. This has nothing to do with you—”

“Oh, but I’ve worked as a part-time swordsmanship instructor several times before entering the academy. The Grand Duchess probably has no experience teaching others, right?”

“…”

But even amid such hostility, she couldn’t lie and just pressed her lips shut, which shows her character is still the same.

This person is innocently stubborn in strange ways.

I smile slightly and say to Elia:

“Then you can come and learn together. Honestly, Elnore is more skilled than you.”

Well, that’s probably true in reality.

In terms of skill, there’s still a clear gap between the two, so Elia would have a lot to learn if Elnore were to instruct.

Anyway, considering the scenario, Elia’s growth is absolutely essential. In that sense, this might be a good opportunity.

“…”

At my words, Elia pouted her lips, and Elnore’s expression relaxed.

“Oh, is that so?”

But Elia grinned as if she had thought of something.

“So she’s the ‘solo’ instructor, and we’re ‘together’ as disciples?”

Elnore’s mood darkened again.

“…”

Please don’t fall for such childish provocation.

“…Fine, you can be an instructor too.”

When I sighed and said that, Elnore’s expression relaxed again.

But as soon as she heard those words, Elia grinned.

As if something she had been aiming for had been caught.

“Oh, really? Then it’s a competition?”

“What?”

“Between me and the Grand Duchess, who can teach the teacher better?”

“…”

How did it turn into that?

While I was narrowing my eyes at that thought, Elia continued:

“The better one should ‘regularly’ guide the teacher from now on. Don’t you think?”

“…”

What are you saying?

I didn’t say anything.

“…Ha.”

Elnore let out a hollow laugh and brushed back her hair.

“You’re quite bold for a rookie freshman. Are you picking a fight with me?”

“Well, I don’t think the Grand Duchess would be that good at teaching anyway.”

“Can you take responsibility for those words?”

No.

Listen to my opinion.

Hey.

●