Instructor Han Doyun 5

“What’s this?”

He has evidence?

The Mage Instructor felt a prick of unease as he questioned incredulously.

‘Evidence, you say? Impossible.’

No matter how serpentine Toshiko was, there’s no way they would actually resort to curses! That would be a grave crime potentially punishable by execution if discovered.

‘Th, That can’t be…!’

No, he mustn’t entertain such thoughts.

The Mage Instructor forcibly denied it, raising his voice defiantly.

“What evidence is there! If it’s fabricated or flimsy evidence, you’ll be the one facing consequences!”

His slightly trembling hand pointed accusingly at Doyun.

“You too must receive World Tree’s sponsorship! With just a word from me to Lord Millaine, an assistant instructor like you would be…”

Doyun paid no heed to the instructor, slightly lifting the dark gray cloak draped over his back.

“This cloak is a treasure I long-term leased from the Alliance around a month ago – the ‘Fenrir’s Shroud’.”

The legendary spirit beast, the Black Wolf Fenrir’s pelt fashioned into a treasure – Fenrir’s Shroud.

Being among the absolute pinnacles of defensive wearable treasures, some instructors present had heard of its renowned name.

“…!”

The Mage Instructor was no exception.

‘If the evidence is Fenrir’s Shroud, then could it be…’

His trembling gaze fell upon the cloak’s hem, spotting the white stain.

‘Ah…’

His face paled.

“This shroud, imbued with Fenrir’s spirit energy, protects its wearer from curses. If the cloak absorbs a curse, the dark gray fur discolors to white.”

Everyone confirmed the stain, their eyes widening.

“Examine me and the shroud. Although proof of the shroud being cursed, no curse traces will be detected on me.”

He continued as he eyed Toshiko.

“Just like the inability to detect any curses on Rosinante’s ailing body some time ago.”

“…!”

Murmurs arose.

The evidence Doyun presented stirred the crowd.

Soon, the Healer Instructor emerged from the crowd and examined Doyun.

She shook her head to the Headmaster – as Doyun claimed, no curse traces were detected.

“Then, does that imply someone used a special undetectable curse on both you and the student Rosinante?”

“Precisely.”

And the culprit’s identity was glaringly obvious without needing to specify.

‘Just what is this…?’

The Mage Instructor and Toshiko trembled violently.

And soon, someone muttered,

“But how does an assistant instructor possess a Muspelheim treasure…?”

“Wait! That person’s name was definitely…!”

Han Doyun. Everyone repeated those four syllables.

“Could it really be… the Apostle Han Doyun…?”

The Mage Instructor mumbled in dismay as the realization dawned, all eyes turning towards Doyun in shock.

The name Apostle Han Doyun.

Not just the instructors, but even the students were well-acquainted with that name.

Despite being recent history from just weeks ago, it had already become a significant part of the regular curriculum, invariably mentioned whenever instructors shared intriguing tales.

The students too greatly admired his vivid, miraculous exploits from just weeks prior.

Rosinante was no exception.

Having been released from restraint, he could only gaze up at Doyun, unable to even rise.

‘The instructor is…?’

The one finding Doyun’s identity most unbelievable was Rosinante himself, having directly received his protection and tutelage for weeks.

Doyun continued,

“Rosinante’s condition has rapidly deteriorated as of late. Without further measures, he will perish within a few months.”

“What!?”

“No, that can’t be…!”

Everyone cried out in shock, their expressions vastly different from before.

An attempted murder case within the Cradle!

In particular, the Mage Instructor, unable to conceal his expression, stared at Toshiko with his mouth agape.

‘To resort to curses… to try killing a student…?’

Goodness gracious.

‘That insane fiend!’

This had crossed far beyond the line.

If found guilty? Execution without a doubt – no possibility of escape.

This was no longer a case of petty student conflicts but outright terrorism.

‘Should I confess…?’

No, that would truly be digging his own grave.

Retirement pensions were no longer a concern. He might even face execution under suspicion of condoning terrorism by favoring Toshiko.

No, not merely condoning – his willful negligence was tantamount to abetting her misdeeds.

Apostle Han Doyun or not, whether life or death.

To survive, he had to absolve himself of suspicion here and now.

“B, B, But even so…!”

The instructor opened his mouth with great difficulty, his voice trembling. As all attention focused on him, his aged body, drenched in terror, involuntarily flinched again.

“In, Instructor…”

Among those gazes was Toshiko’s pleading look, begging him to save her by any means.

Restraining his murderous impulse towards Toshiko, the instructor gulped heavily.

“But even so! That cannot be considered evidence!”

His speech had unconsciously shifted to respectful honorifics.

Even as he spoke, he lacked conviction.

‘Is this the right approach?’

Was challenging the authority of Han Doyun truly the answer?

Questioning the one backed by the Headmaster, World Tree, the Heroes, and even the entire Alliance?

‘Should I kneel now…?’

Amid endless turmoil, he blurted out recklessly.

“I cannot accept it! I refuse to accept that as evidence!! While Apostle Han Doyun being cursed and leaving no traces could imply someone concealed the curse, there is no proof that the perpetrator was Toshiko! The Cradle has other curse-wielders besides her!”

“Y, Y, Yeah! I’m really… in, innocent, I tell you!”

Shut up and let me handle this, you damned fool! You’re only complicating the situation!

The instructor shot Toshiko a fierce glare.

Yet he noticed her suspicious movements.

‘…Hm?’

Toshiko was unnaturally rubbing the area below her left wrist.

‘What is that wretch up to…?’

The instructor agonized over whether to intervene or if this might provide their salvation.

However, his hesitation cost him the final opportunity.

“Ahh!”

Doyun’s arm moved with blinding speed, seizing Toshiko’s fidgeting left arm.

“Let, let go!”

A tattoo.

An ominous black tattoo pulsed with sinister energy below her wrist.

Doyun activated [The Seventh Sense] to access the item’s information.

[(Tainted) Mischievous Scribbles]

Scribbles the age-old Trickster once drew upon a human’s body long ago.

These scribbles possess the ability to conceal ‘anything’. However, be wary. If you abuse the scribbles excessively, you will become ensnared in the Trickster’s ‘pranks’.

This scribble has become severely tainted from excessive curse abuse. Beware the Trickster’s mischievous tricks.

“So this was it.”

He murmured softly.

The myriad mystical forces transferred from other dimensions – this was one of them.

‘…A far more formidable item than I expected.’

Possessing an incredibly broad concealment effect, its versatile utility was immense.

Although penalties accumulated with use, it was nonetheless extraordinary.

Now rendered unusable, Doyun could envision its boundless applications in that brief moment.

“That’s…!”

Upon witnessing the tattoo, everyone present could sense it –

An unfamiliar, ominous power. Undoubtedly, it had been used to conceal the curses.

“I’ll fetch the investigative team!”

Just as someone rushed to leave,

“I said let go!!”

As Toshiko thrashed about, the ominously wriggling tattoo sprang into motion.

Like a living creature, it instantly transferred onto Doyun’s arm, affixing itself below his left wrist.

The tattoo emanated a vile aura as it rapidly swelled in size, reminiscent of a deranged jester preparing a mischievous prank with an eerie grin.

However, as Doyun channeled mana infused with dense spiritual energy, the tattoo began writhing like a trampled worm.

[Kieeehhck-!]

A strange scream echoed from somewhere as it ceased moving and emitting its ominous aura.

Reexamining it with [The Seventh Sense], Doyun inwardly smiled in satisfaction.

‘This is…’

An unexpectedly tremendous harvest.

“I refuse to accept it! I absolutely refuse!!”

Yet Doyun’s gratification was short-lived as Toshiko began ranting hysterically.

As Doyun released her flailing hand, Toshiko screamed in a frenzy,

“The evidence is insufficient! I’m innocent, I tell you!!”

Doyun nodded calmly.

“Then…”

He reached into his bosom.

“Perhaps this will satisfy you.”

Doyun retrieved an item.

An ornately crafted ceremonial dagger with the blade and hilt length equal, forming a cross.

“Wh, What is that…?”

The Curse Mage Toshiko instinctively recoiled in trepidation.

“This item’s name is ‘Banshee’s Pox’.”

It was a cursed object serving as a curse medium, yet anathema to curses – an incredibly dire and hazardous item.

And it was Doyun’s prepared counter.

“If one afflicted by a curse is stabbed with this, the curse will be completely dispelled, and the same curse will be inflicted upon the original caster as retribution.”

An exceedingly sharp blade of vengeance.