Ch.80Concert (1)

“Meanwhile.

As students were returning to the academy after finishing their field trip, terrible screams echoed through a cathedral located on the outskirts of the Empire.

“Ugh, kek, urk, gurk…!”

“AAAAHH!!”

“G-God, oh God…!”

“We, we need to escape… *cough*”

Liszt.

A gathering of clergy who protected the region.

Originally composed of devout believers tasked with guarding their city, they were now engulfed in darkness that made their former light seem meaningless.

Unconscious priests lay scattered across the wide corridor.

All of them were covered in blood, twitching slightly.

“Haa, haa…!”

A woman runs, gasping for breath.

She appeared to be fleeing from something.

The air was tainted with a terrible stench. The woman moved her legs with an expression of absolute terror.

A faint music echoed in her ears.

“Ungh…!”

Her consciousness grew hazy from the entrancing melody.

It felt as if her brain was melting.

The woman clutched the rosary in her bosom tightly, trying to regain her senses.

Following the subtle glow of holy power, her blurry focus gradually returned to clarity.

But even that was only temporary.

“Ugh, haa…!”

Despite her groans, the woman didn’t stop her tired legs.

She had to alert the outside world about this situation.

Liszt had met with catastrophe.

Mutilated corpses rolled across the floor, bright red blood filled every direction, and pitch darkness shrouded the cathedral, obscuring vision.

The priests exposed to the music had all strangely transformed.

Their white clerical robes turned black, and they became monsters that devoured human flesh.

Now only this woman remained sane.

“I must tell someone…!”

She ran with her ears covered.

Her determination to somehow alert the outside world about this danger.

But despite her resolve, before long, the woman had no choice but to stop.

A shadow stood before her.

“Ah.”

Immediately after.

Assailants hidden in the surrounding darkness revealed themselves one by one.

All of them were wearing robes.

They appeared as if they had been waiting for her.

The woman unknowingly lost strength in her legs.

*Thud*

“Oh God.”

The woman knelt down.

With trembling hands, she grasped her rosary, closed her eyes, and offered a prayer.

It was her final meditation.

“Please… deliver us from evil.”

The next moment.

A rushing melody swallowed the woman whole.

***

The field trip had been eventful in many ways.

Several days had already passed since returning from the somewhat boisterous vacation.

The students seemed to be preparing to return to their intense daily routines.

-Time really flies.

-I know, right? It feels like the entrance ceremony was just yesterday… and now we’re already facing final exams?

-I’m already feeling overwhelmed. Looking at the announced scope, it’s no joke.

-I want to go back to the field trip…

Perhaps it was because of the final exams approaching in just a month.

Library, training grounds, classrooms… the students were busily moving around the academy, picking up their studies that they had briefly set aside.

I wasn’t particularly different.

Of course, I was confident in my grades, but academy life wasn’t just about doing well on exams.

At the very least, I needed to fulfill my responsibilities in my assigned position.

While other students were studying, I spent my time in the research lab.

“Hmm.”

*Scratch scratch*

A clear sound rings out each time the pen tip brushes against the paper.

Following the trajectory, I draw lines, and the black ink remains as elegant handwriting.

I push aside the mountain of documents piled next to me.

“Master? Here are documents that need review.”

“Thank you, Judas Snakus.”

I was helping Selena with her paperwork.

I sorted through the stacks of documents, separating and organizing the less important content.

This was a basic duty that came with being a head assistant.

“If there’s any remaining administrative work, please pass it to me.”

“I appreciate the help, but… you really don’t need to do this.”

“I don’t mind.”

Although we had previously agreed that I didn’t need to be bound by duties, I still felt I should provide this minimal assistance.

After all, enjoying power without responsibility would weigh on my conscience.

Moreover, Selena had neatly filled in my three days of absence during the field trip, so this was also meant as repayment.

‘When you receive something, you should always give something in return.’

That’s how interactions between adults work.

I casually twirl my pen.

As I continue writing, a voice suddenly calls out from beside me.

It was a voice devoid of even a hint of emotion.

“About the recent field trip. I’ve taken care of the records. I reported that you went to procure research materials under my instructions, so if other professors ask, you can answer accordingly.”

“Thank you for your consideration, Master.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Hmm… I thought you might ask about why I was absent then, but you seem less interested than I expected.”

“Even if I’m curious, I don’t intend to ask. That was our condition from the beginning.”

Selena answers with an indifferent face.

Her red eyes blink.

As always, she was holding a bottle of alcohol.

The woman takes a few sips of alcohol, then brushes back her purple hair.

Her red lips leave one piece of advice.

“I don’t intend to interfere. But I would like to tell you not to play too dangerously.”

“I appreciate your concern.”

“You are my student, after all.”

“You’re very kind, Master.”

“…That’s enough paperwork for today. You should go now.”

Selena makes an ambiguous expression.

The woman remains silent as she tilts her bottle.

She seemed lost in thought.

With the subtle scent of alcohol in the air, I turn and walk out of the research lab.

Feeling the passing breeze, I mull over my thoughts.

‘I guess it’s not easy to get close to her after all.’

Selena consistently maintained her distance.

Considering future events, it would be more convenient to reduce this distance now, but there hadn’t been much progress yet.

‘It should be fine… there’s still plenty of time left.’

I shake off the lingering thoughts.

As I continue walking, I notice several people standing in front of the research building.

“Young master…!”

“Finally, you’re out.”

“Good work.”

In order: Lezia, Ameila, and Irene.

The three who had been waiting for me to finish work wave lightly as our eyes meet.

I approach them with a gentle smile.

“I’m a bit late.”

“You’re a whole 10 minutes late! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?”

“T-that’s because we left the library too early. We could have stayed longer, but Lady Amelia kept insisting we leave quickly…”

“Commoner! Stop saying unnecessary things!”

“Eep… I-I’m sorry.”

Lezia shrinks back at the glaring eyes.

As the villainess subdues the protagonist, the fox who had been standing quietly slips in a comment.

It was a calm voice.

“Pink hair is right.”

“Miss Irene?”

“Blue hair was the one who suggested waiting first. She dragged us out too.”

“Y-you be quiet too! Don’t speak up when you’re just a servant! And I told you to use honorifics! I am the rightful heir of the great Venatti family…!”

“Yes, rightful heir. I’ve heard enough of that today, so stop.”

“Eeeek!! That attitude is disrespectful!”

Amelia reacts intensely.

She seemed properly provoked.

Perhaps they had built a connection while spending time together after the field trip?

It would be an exaggeration to say they were close, but at least it wasn’t the awkward silence from before.

I speak with a pleased smile.

“It’s nice to see everyone getting closer.”

“How on earth do you see that?!”

“…I don’t need that. One human is enough in my life.”

“W-weren’t we getting closer? Or was it… just my imagination? Uuuu.”

The responses were colorful.

The vain girl aghast.

The indifferent fox.

The dejected pilot.

It was truly a lively atmosphere.

We continued our conversation as we crossed the wide plaza.

Suddenly, a question tugs at my sleeve.

“You… said you won’t be going to the research lab starting tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, since exams are approaching.”

“Then how about studying together? I think the commoner and I will be at the library.”

“You’re all so diligent. Preparing so intensely for exams.”

“Hmm… if you want, I could include you.”

“Y-yes, Young Master! Lady Amelia said she would teach us the difficult parts too!”

“Hmm.”

It was an appealing offer.

Since I already knew all the academic content taught at the academy, studying alone would just be boring.

Gathering together like we usually did for assignments seemed like it would be fun.

But there was one problem.

“I gladly accept your offer.”

“Then…”

“However, I won’t be able to join tomorrow. I’ll join you starting this weekend.”

“Do as you please. I suppose you have other plans for tomorrow?”

“That’s right.”

I nod.

Taking Irene’s hand beside me, I intertwine our fingers and swing them for show.

The other two girls were watching us.

“We’re planning to go out together. You could call it a date.”

A casually delivered statement.

Following those words, the eyes of the two listeners widened.