Ch.5555. The Boy King

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“Ah- ah- another day done-“

As Elia said with an exhausted look, Trisha, who was walking beside her, gave a bitter smile and said.

“Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard these days?”

That was actually true.

While Elphante’s Knight Department classes were famously strict, the training course Elia had been taking lately had a notorious reputation for being absolutely murderous.

The news that she was even visiting the dean after school for additional one-on-one training sessions had reached the ears of Trisha from the Holy Department.

It was enough to make people wonder if this was what it took to be a hero candidate.

“…Well, you know.”

Elia pouted her lips and spoke.

“I’ve been feeling inadequate lately.”

“…Inadequate?”

Trisha responded with disbelief in her voice.

Inadequate? What inadequacy could she possibly mean?

It had long been determined that among the freshmen, there wasn’t a single person who could even reach half of Elia’s level.

Even Talion, who had shown promise, was completely destroyed the moment he faced Elia.

“…Trisha. Do you know about the celestial automatons?”

“Huh? Why bring that up suddenly?”

Well, she did know about them.

They were weapons occasionally used by the celestial realm within the Otherworld when they needed to intervene in the material world.

She’d heard they were difficult to deal with because of their extremely durable outer shells, making them troublesome opponents for almost all humans in the material world.

There shouldn’t be any chance for academy students to encounter such things, right?

“There’s a freshman who cut one of those in half with a single strike.”

“…”

What kind of monster is that person?

“And they also have connections with the teacher… I don’t know where that man keeps finding such women…”

Trisha was startled again when she saw the ‘color of emotion’ rising in Elia’s heart as she spoke.

It’s black again. And here I thought she’d been maintaining the white color for quite a while lately!

“…R-really? But I’m sure there’s nothing special between them and Darwood. I heard he’s already caught by the student council president.”

“No, that’s the strange part.”

Elia sighed and said.

“That guy has plenty of women running after him saying they like him, but he himself has never once said he likes anyone.”

“…”

Isn’t that just a womanizing trash?

That thought naturally crossed Trisha’s mind, but she deliberately swallowed those words.

No matter what, this was someone Elia cared about deeply. She shouldn’t speak carelessly.

“So I’m worried. I’m afraid he might completely cut me off at some point.”

“Huh?”

Elia’s expression suddenly darkened.

As if recalling an unpleasant memory.

“Even during the last battle, he told me to stay out of it completely. Isn’t that a dangerous sign?”

“…Huh?”

Trisha blinked her eyes for a moment.

No, this is, how should I put it.

The conversation has strangely gone off track.

Why does the topic keep shifting to combat power?

“…Um, Elia.”

“Hmm?”

“Weren’t we talking about what type of person Darwood pays more attention to…?”

A moment of silence passed between them.

“…No. He’s stronger than me. So isn’t it more likely that the teacher will pay more attention to them than to me?”

“…”

Hmm.

Her friend always makes statements that strangely deviate from common sense in odd ways.

Since when did youthful romance become a fighting arena where rankings are determined by who’s stronger?

“Why do you think that?”

“That part is, well, isn’t that the only competitive advantage I have?”

“…And why do you think that?”

Elia pressed her lips tightly together.

She kicked the ground a few times, then scratched her nape awkwardly before speaking.

“I, I don’t know what’s left of me if you take away my fighting ability…”

Watching Elia fidget as she said this, Trisha silently pressed her forehead.

We have a long way to go.

Seriously.

“…Have some confidence. You’re actually quite popular among the boys too, you know?”

“That can’t be true.”

“…”

I don’t understand why she firmly denies it at times like this.

It’s true.

‘…She’s pretty, incredibly skilled, gets along well with everyone…’

Honestly, as her friend, Trisha even thought Elia was too good for someone like Darwood with his suspiciously extensive female connections.

I wish she would realize why there’s even a fan club for her.

“…Well, anyway. That’s why I’m training hard these days! Then maybe the teacher will, um, spend more time with me…?”

“…”

But her whole approach is fundamentally wrong.

Trisha gave up trying to persuade her and turned her gaze upward.

“…Huh?”

It was because of this that she discovered a ‘pillar of light’ stretching upward, seemingly shattering the entire sky.

“What is that?”

“I-I don’t know?”

-…

While they were having this conversation.

The pillar of light directly struck the barrier spread across the entire academy.

Spider web-like cracks appeared on the protective barrier that the Lightbearer had deployed to envelop the entire academy.

“…!”

Elia and Trisha’s faces turned pale simultaneously.

Though they might not fully understand the current situation.

No one at this academy would be unaware of what would happen if that protective barrier disappeared.

That there is a void zone nearby where the ‘main bodies’ of demons are buried.

If that protective barrier were gone, disaster would certainly unfold here.

Then.

In less than a few seconds.

In the distant void zone, a massive dark mist rose up, contrasting with the pillar of light.

As if it had immediately detected the damaged barrier.

Then.

—————–!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Through the cracks in the barrier, black darkness began to rush in, screaming.

●

[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 2 – Boy King 〗

[ !!Alert!! ] [ Emergency event in progress! ]

[ Repel the ‘Academy Assault’! ]

[ Game over if too many casualties occur! ]

[ This quest route has been altered by the emergency event. ]

[ Additional rewards will be provided upon completion! ]

[ Reward: 1 Hero Fragment ]

[ Reward: 1 Essence of Evil ]

[ Reward: Special interaction with the ‘Heresy Inquisition’ ]

[ Reward: 10,000pt ]

I grit my teeth as I look at the sky turned pitch black, without even time to read the window that appeared.

“…”

Looking around, the Luminary is nowhere to be seen.

It seems he vanished the moment he activated the Sky Splitting Device.

With ear-splitting shrieks, mists filled with evil spirits and demons gather at the cracks in the barrier, continuously ramming against it to break through.

Each time they collide, screams from nearby students continue to erupt. They must have instinctively realized that something terrible would happen if that barrier broke.

It’s not for nothing that the Lightbearer emerged to place a barrier around this area. The death energy of demons remaining in this area harbors blind hatred toward living beings.

“…”

Normally, they wouldn’t go this far.

However, this phenomenon occurs because there are things inside that ‘tempt’ them.

Fragments of demons. And the vessels containing those fragments.

These are the pieces that Atalante gathered through me, intending to seal all fragments.

“…”

This damn thing is also a butterfly effect.

Originally, they wouldn’t have tried to break through the barrier to enter like this.

This phenomenon is occurring because of my existence as a human.

-!

However, Elphante Academy is a place with personnel stationed who can respond instantly to any threat.

One figure leaps up there immediately.

It’s a person who instantly assembled the ‘flight’ technique, which is considered highly complex by any type of ability.

The Eternal One Atalante. Befitting her thousand-year lifespan, the academy’s principal with thousands of skills instantly reached the crack in the barrier.

Then white light erupted from her hands. Her intention to reinforce the cracked section was clear.

Following that, more human figures arrived one after another to support Atalante.

They were clearly professors from the Holy Department and Magic Department. I caught glimpses of Percy, the dean of the Magic Department, and Walter, the dean of the Holy Department.

-!

And as that much manpower gathered, the darkness that had been trying to squeeze through the barrier’s cracks screamed and retreated again, seemingly effective as a temporary measure.

It must be a remarkable achievement. Even with several extraordinary humans working together, controlling the Lightbearer’s barrier, even temporarily, should be impossible.

Cheers and sighs of relief flowed from the surroundings. They must have gained confidence that even such an accident could be prevented.

But.

‘…This is bad.’

As far as I know, that’s not the main part of the Boy King boss battle.

The very fact that ‘all’ those personnel are gathering there is a danger signal.

While all the high-level personnel within the academy are focused there, another massive energy began to gather in one place.

“W-what is that?!”

“The clock tower…!”

The clock tower embedded in the center of the academy. The ‘tallest’ building in the academy. Several giant ‘hieroglyphs’ began to embed themselves at the top of it.

Sorcery in ancient language. Forgotten arts. Valkarsus’s alchemy.

Then those hieroglyphs began to emit sinister energy, creating all kinds of ‘formations’ around them.

What crawled out from inside were clearly hordes of giant monsters made of rot and decay.

And among them, most notably, a monster tens of meters in size. A massive golem that looked as if it had been created by haphazardly stitching together several pieces of flesh, molded into a form straight out of hell.

Flesh Tearer.

According to the Empire’s Adventurer Guild classification, it’s a ‘special type’ monster that causes city-wide emergencies just by appearing.

To defeat it without casualties, you’d need someone like Gideon or Count Kendrid of the border.

‘This is seriously messed up…!’

My head spins as soon as I see it.

Are they expecting me to defeat this now?

Undead assembled through alchemy.

Excluding the Flesh Tearer, in terms of strength, they might be similar to the medium-sized monsters I’ve dealt with before, but these are far more vicious.

Those things don’t die.

It’s impossible to kill them from the start. How can you kill something that’s already dead?

There’s only one solution.

Dealing with Valkarsus, who is controlling them through alchemy.

-!!!

-!!!!!!!!

The undead that emerged from the formation all roared at once.

Perhaps due to their vocal cords decaying along with their bodies, the sound was a mix of deflating air and terrible metallic noise. And because of that, it was even more grotesque.

“Hiiieeeek…!”

“Run away!”

Students’ faces turn pale at the sight and they begin to flee.

The more level-headed upperclassmen and staff are trying to control the situation, but it would be stranger if anyone could maintain their sanity after seeing that.

Chaos unfolded around them.

“…!”

Atalante in the air finally gritted her teeth and gestured to the professors around her.

She must be indicating that she’ll hold this place alone, so they should go to the ground and control the situation to prevent casualties.

It’s a reasonable choice, but dealing with the death energy from the void zone that continues to pound on the barrier alone is too much. The professors hesitated as they made this judgment, but Atalante gestured urgently again.

If they let those undead attack the uncontrolled students, the barrier won’t be the issue. A massacre will occur right here.

Finally, the professors, convinced of this, returned to the ground with grim expressions.

“…”

Someone of Atalante’s caliber could hold out alone for about 30 minutes.

30 minutes.

Within that time, I need to break through those monsters and strike Valkarsus at the top of the clock tower.

Otherwise, the barrier will be breached, many people will be swept away by that darkness, and the main quest will fail. Game over.

In the current situation, without allies or properly prepared ‘means’ gathered. Can I do it?

“…”

I bite my lip until it bleeds.

In the original progression, there shouldn’t be a ‘time limit’.

To gather forces that haven’t properly assembled, break through immortal monsters, advance to the clock tower, and deal with the Boy King at the very top.

If I had time, I could manage somehow. If I had just one night.

But to do all that within 30 minutes.

“…”

My teeth grind.

The time is too tight. My composure is shaken by this massive variable that has intruded beyond my plans.

‘…I need to think of an appropriate method…’

I grit my teeth and rack my brain.

The situation has been compressed too extremely compared to the original plan.

If I can’t figure it out here, what follows is naturally determined.

Game over. Darwood Campbell’s death.

“You!”

I turn my head at the familiar voice.

Elnore was running towards me with her sword drawn.

Did this person search the academy to find me first rather than seeking shelter in this chaos?

“Are you alright! You must evacuate quickly…!”

“Elnore.”

Our eyes meet as I say this.

But.

“…We can’t run away. We need to resolve this first.”

I have no choice but to say this now.

Elnore’s eyes widened as soon as she heard my words.

“Resolve this? What nonsense…! This is not something students should be involved in!”

“…We can do it if I can think of a way.”

More precisely, we must do it.

Otherwise.

“If we don’t, I’ll die.”

“…”

This is actually just the conclusion without any context, but it’s the best explanation I can give right now.

I clench my teeth.

If I look, I’ll find it. It will surely come to me.

But my concentration keeps getting disrupted. My head keeps spinning.

At that moment.

Elnore gripped my shoulder firmly.

“You.”

“…”

“I won’t ask for your reasons. You must have your circumstances for saying so. But know this one thing for certain.”

Elnore looked straight into my eyes and continued.

“If you die, I will die too.”

“…What?”

“Think of it as two lives at stake. A way to survive. I’ll do whatever I can to help.”

“Elnore, what…”

“Don’t die, I say! Whatever the matter is!”

The passionate voice hits me like a hammer to the back of my head.

I didn’t know this person could make such a voice.

Only then do I notice Elnore’s face.

There are slight tears in her eyes.

It’s a face that contrasts too much with her usual expressionlessness.

I must be that important to her.

“…”

But, despite such a serious demeanor, I’m sorry.

I’m truly sorry.

I almost burst out laughing reflexively.

She doesn’t seem to know how to use all her facial muscles. This must be her first time making such an expression.

“…Hmm.”

Elnore looks at me curiously as I suddenly cover my face and bow my head.

“…Darwood?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Given the situation, I barely manage to kick the laughter down my throat.

But thanks to the shift in consciousness.

My vision returns.

My mind becomes clear again.

I regain my composure.

“Just a moment, Elnore.”

I give her a slight smile filled with gratitude.

After that, I close my eyes and calm my consciousness. I accelerate my thoughts to their limit.

I check the ‘cards’ I have. Apply them to the current situation.

“…”

A spark flashes in my mind.

There is a way.

A move flashed.

And seeing my face, Elnore slowly nodded.

“You look like you’ve organized your thoughts.”

“…Yes. It’s nearly impossible to resolve the situation immediately, as expected.”

“Then, will we flee?”

“No.”

I look at Elnore with a sigh.

Who’s running away?

They deliberately prepared this to deal me a blow.

Then what I need to do is simple.

“I said it’s nearly impossible, not that it’s impossible.”

I’ll crush it head-on.

Conflict with the Luminary is inevitable in the future.

And I can’t show weakness from the start by being swayed by such tricks.

“Elnore. Do you trust me?”

“What?”

“I asked if you trust me. I need your help.”

“…”

We’ve had this conversation before.

It’s exactly the same as what I said when confronting the Purifier.

“…”

“…”

And the response was exactly the same as before.

Elnore looked straight into my eyes and spoke.

“What would you have me do?”

Hearing those words, I grin.

Time.

In the end, time is what matters.

If that guy had given me 10 minutes, I would have died. Even with 20 minutes, I would have perished.

But, coincidentally.

30 minutes.

“…Let’s go, Elnore.”

I open my mouth with a sigh.

“We need to take the head of a monster thousands of years old within 30 minutes.”

I’ve been given just the right amount of time to sort out this situation.

●