Ch.6565. Festival (4)

“Tch…!”

“Push with numbers! It’s just one person!”

In truth, I had anticipated they would attack since they had the numerical advantage, and that prediction was spot on.

However, facing multiple opponents puts a limit on my body. These people aren’t just greater in number.

They show an enormous difference compared to those who forcibly use long-range projectile magic.

There were plenty using emission-type magic, transformation-type, and even enhancement-type magic, and some were skilled with weapons, making it difficult to counter each one.

But before the damage could accumulate, someone suddenly intervened and ended this fight in an instant.

With a loud sound, compressed air spread through the void, ringing in their ears.

A single statement followed. All eyes naturally focused on one spot.

“That’s enough now.”

“Number 181…?”

What’s this? As soon as that person appeared, they all stopped attacking at once.

“If you wish to continue fighting, you’ll have to face me as well. Are you still going to charge in?”

Even with such words, most people consumed by madness would typically charge in regardless of consequences.

But they didn’t charge at Number 181.

I was confused, but I could sense a kind of fear in the way the others looked at her.

‘So that’s it.’

Those eyes were familiar—the eyes of the weak ones I’d seen before.

The eyes of those who had been severely beaten at the Academy, who knew the difference in power and had fallen into frustration and despair.

Eyes filled with the fear and sorrow of those who had once been trampled by the strong and couldn’t rise above their frustration.

They must be people who couldn’t endure the Academy any longer and left.

If that’s the case, I can say with certainty that Number 181, who just used an aero bomb, must be the strongest among them.

If Number 181 had been on the opposing side, I would have had no choice but to take a gamble, but at least she seemed to be a reasonable person.

She seemed to know this too, as she hit the mark by asking if they were taking out their frustrations on others after being mistreated themselves. After hearing such words, what else could follow but silence?

Whatever the case, this isn’t a bad situation.

Number 181 successfully subdued and took control of those who were about to turn into looters—there couldn’t be a better stroke of luck.

It might be coincidence, but I’d say fortune favored us. Thanks to that, I gained some time. Though my body might be somewhat injured.

Now that we’ve caught our breath, the priority is to reassure them.

“Soon, we’ll escape from this place. According to the officials, there is indeed a plan.”

“What plan? Is there actually a concrete plan?”

“Don’t lie! If there was such a thing, they would have tried it already!”

The murmuring doesn’t stop.

Full of defiance and resistance, gazes of distrust and suspicion poured out endlessly. But then.

“Let’s listen and then decide. Or do you intend to fight me, for better or worse?”

“”…””

At Number 181’s warning, their mouths closed once again.

I’m not sure why she’s taking our side, but for now, she was like a joker card that could quell this unrest.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I glanced at the two officials behind me and signaled with my eyes.

“That…”

“Haah…”

We don’t have time, people. This is no time to be sighing.

Soon, after my urging gaze, they scratched their heads vigorously, cleared their throats a couple of times, and then the middle-aged official spoke first.

“It may be somewhat extreme… but it’s true that there’s a plan to escape from here. It just took time to figure it out.”

“…Is that really true?”

“I think I heard them talking about something earlier…”

“Maybe we were being too sensitive. You never know…”

Then the elderly official followed up.

“Please calm down for now. I apologize for not being considerate enough of you all, but please forgive us with your generous understanding. And the food for the festival needs some time to be prepared for consumption. So I’d appreciate if you could give us a little more time.”

The murmuring crowd backed down for now. This was essentially our last chance.

After a while, there was some commotion, but those who had filled their stomachs regained their lost morale, and once again sought ways to escape this place.

Though we had nearly reached the point of division, now there are no signs of things worsening to that extent.

But not all problems were solved yet. Not until we escape from here.

“Thank you for helping earlier.”

“It’s only natural. It would be strange not to step in.”

“You’re not hiding your voice anymore?”

“Oh? Ah… that…”

“It’s alright. I’m sure you had your reasons.”

The charisma that had been commanding people and warning hostile individuals just moments ago was gone, and she returned to the time when she was modulating her voice.

I understand her confusion, but my business comes first right now.

“More importantly, could you help me with one more thing? I really need your assistance.”

After all, the climax should always be spectacular.

***

Goden, Michelle, Senia, Charlotte, Erika, and Aris.

With all six members taking the test and securing spots in Class A, they were finally granted permission to form the team they had long awaited.

Of course, only Goden knew about this so far.

Therefore, today could be considered a day of commemoration, and since a festival was taking place, Goden planned to gather the members, inform them of this fact, and then toast to it.

“You said it was important. Why are you dragging it out so much?”

“It’s worth the wait. It only has meaning when we’re all together.”

And incidentally, he also planned to discuss other important matters.

Even without specifically pointing it out, most would probably already guess that it was related to the team.

“By the way, where did Aris go? Senia, don’t you know anything? I think you were the last one to see her.”

“Why are you asking me? We’re not even that close.”

“Come on. Didn’t you two make up back then? I heard girls become friends quickly and make up quickly too.”

“Goden, even if we made up, incompatible personalities remain the same. You should drop the prejudice that girls automatically have better social skills.”

At Senia’s sharp words, Goden sighed as if lamenting being the only male in the team.

The rest of the members just smiled, finding amusement in teasing the deflated Goden.

In non-combat situations, he was like a neighborhood punching bag with a warm impression, or a large-sized stress-relief doll.

“So really, where did she go? Does no one know?”

“After the test, I went to the guild, so I didn’t even run into her.”

“Similarly, I briefly visited the orphanage.”

After Michelle and Charlotte mentioned their respective schedules, the only one left was Senia, who had no schedule.

The gazes of the three naturally turned back to Senia.

“…After the test, I only saw her spacing out, and then I urged her to go to Goden. That’s all.”

“Hmm… She wasn’t much different when she met me either. I wonder if she’s locked herself in her room again like before…”

As Goden mentioned Aris from that time with concern, Charlotte immediately denied it.

“Hey, I checked on her then. She said not to worry!”

“That’s right. Our cute youngest had a tough time back then.”

Michelle smiled and stroked Charlotte’s head.

“But… in the end, does this mean no one knows where Aris went?”

“”…””

Everyone at the table was unable to answer.

“Don’t worry. I heard.”

“Erika?”

“Oh, welcome, Erika.”

Another person arrived and sat at the silent table, providing an answer.

“When I was hospitalized, Aris complained so much. She said she couldn’t earn her tuition because of the newspapers and reporters, since she became so famous for defending the Academy. So I think she’s probably taking on some simple requests or missions right now.”

“That makes sense. After the defense battle, Aris was cooped up in her room for a while, so she probably couldn’t prepare in advance.”

“Oh, so that’s what it was?”

“I tell you, Aris is always the one who’s late.”

“Then… I think I know where she might be.”

As the head of the Eshrelet Guild, Charlotte’s information network was reliable.

“Most jobs would be gone by this time… Aris is probably escorting a guild that’s preparing for this festival.”

“Wow. As expected of Charlotte.”

“So that means we can see Aris as soon as the festival starts, right?”

“Yes. The Lewen Guild, which is preparing for this festival, should be arriving at the Academy by now. But… they seem to be a bit late?”

“Late?”

“Well… the Lewen Guild isn’t typically slow in handling their business. By now, they should be showing up at the Academy…”

She added that it was strange that none of the festival opening items that should have arrived had shown up yet.

Charlotte expressed her puzzlement, saying there were more than a few suspicious things.

After hearing Charlotte’s words and as the team members were once again worrying about Aris, Senia suddenly stood up from the table.

“…Charlotte. The Lewen Guild is coming from Sirah Province, that is, from the northwest of Lebrant, crossing the Ripol Gorge, right?”

“Huh? Y-yes…”

“That, even though it’s night, doesn’t look like ordinary forest fire smoke or exhaust to me?”

Where was her fixed gaze directed?

The place Senia’s eyes were fixed on was a dark smoke slowly rising beyond the window.

The location was clearly the Ripol Gorge just described, where Aris would undoubtedly be on her escort mission.

It didn’t take long for the other members to stand up from the table.

“…I think Senia’s right.”

“A splash out… Let’s hurry.”

“I’ll inform the professors and follow you!”

Convinced that something had happened at the place where Aris would be, they immediately headed for the Ripol Gorge.

***

It wasn’t just the students who confirmed the splash out, but the professors as well.

Additionally, reports from residents led to the situation being contained before it developed into a larger disaster.

─It seems to have occurred inside the entrance of the gorge!

─Disperse the magical energy so it doesn’t condense. However, since the stratum here doesn’t look very safe, explosive magic is prohibited.

─Yes!

Upon hearing their voices, those trapped in the gorge shot up fireworks to signal their location.

“Looks like the imperial standing army. I can also see support from the Academy. That’s a relief.”

“Then… we…”

“Can we escape now…?”

“Of course.”

Only now do they show relieved faces and stroke their anxious chests.

Faces that had been pale as if about to vomit everything they’d eaten now regained their color as blood flowed again, and some people collapsed as their legs gave way.

At this moment, as their collective wish to escape the gorge was confirmed, they began to cry out loud.

Tears wouldn’t stop, and they continued their sobbing with choked voices.

“Thank you for your hard work, Miss 181.”

“Ah, yes…”

The porter from Room 229 approached and said so.

“Haah. The plan seemed so daunting that I wondered what to do midway. But thanks to your help in persuading the remaining people, it proceeded smoothly. It’s all thanks to you.”

That can’t be.

It absolutely can’t be, she wanted to refute him immediately.

All she had done was belatedly intimidate them and use magic on the carriage where the magic stones were gathered, at the timing he signaled.

At most, she had used force to balance things so they could unite as much as possible.

“…It wasn’t me.”

“What? What did you say?”

“It wasn’t me who did it, it was you. It wasn’t devised by the officials, but proven by you directly!”

She couldn’t just let it slide. He was clearly different.

Successfully executing this absurd plan, persuading these people, and uniting them—it was all him.

Not herself, who had only shown inadequacy in a similar situation not long ago.

“You’re the one who made this plan successful based on complex theories, so why are you giving me credit?!”

He sent a bewildered look, as if he hadn’t expected such a reaction.

It was said in the heat of the moment, but seeing his dumbfounded response, she now realized her mistake and tried to calm her anger.

‘I’ve done it again… another mistake like this…’

Her hands were already gripping the cloth covering her face as if about to tear it. If it had torn, her face might have been revealed.

Someone’s remark about her being emotional was spot on.

She had even spoken informally to him, so she worried whether he had recognized her voice.

Fortunately, it seemed the worst was avoided, as he didn’t question or probe into it.

“…I’m sorry. With everything that’s happened, I guess I’ve become sensitive too.”

“Uh… um… it’s alright. It happens.”

After that, an awkwardness hung in the air for a while, preventing any further conversation.

By now, the rescue personnel outside had finished cleaning up, and light began to appear from the entrance that had been completely blocked.

It meant the time to part with him was approaching.

‘If only I hadn’t made that mistake, we could have parted on good terms…’

Nevertheless, he approached first and extended his hand again. To help her up from her crouched position.

…He really was a kind person. So much that it made her heart ache.

“…Thank you.”

“You’ve been through a lot being trapped here. I hear there’s a festival at the Academy, so it might be good to lift your spirits there.”

“I will.”

Almost everyone had already exited.

He too, wearing the Room 229 work clothes, was slowly walking out.

“Excuse me!”

“Yes?”

“May I… ask you one thing?”

Originally, she should not have stopped him here and let him go on his way.

But… she really wanted to ask. And if not now, there wouldn’t be another chance.

“…I’d like to borrow your brilliance. I won’t have another opportunity to ask if not now.”

Because she would never be able to meet and talk with him like this again.