Chapter 376

A heavy silence filled the room.

I broke the silence.

“So the reason you’re like this is…”

“Yes, you’re right. My body has become too old and weak to withstand it any longer. I’ve reached my limit.”

“…”

I understood.

I understood everything.

And I realized one thing.

‘It was impossible to rely on a legendary being from the start.’

The Saint was a legendary hero who had saved the world a thousand years ago.

This game wasn’t lenient enough to allow me to rely on such a being.

So there was no need to be discouraged or shocked.

It all depended on what I did.

I had to do as much as I could, just like I had been doing.

That was the only way to save this world and survive.

“You look determined.”

The Saint said, blinking.

“I realized how dangerous the situation is after hearing your story.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have to do what I can. More than ever.”

A pleased smile appeared on her lips.

“As expected. You’re qualified.”

“I’ll live up to your expectations until the day the world is at peace.”

I said with determination, no longer being humble.

“Good. That’s a good attitude.”

She patted my shoulder approvingly.

It felt awkward.

Like an elementary school student being praised by their teacher…

My cheeks flushed slightly.

“…Saint.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t think we’re done yet…”

“Oh, are we? I thought I told you everything.”

She tilted her head.

“If there’s anything you’re curious about, feel free to ask.”

She was a teacher, after all.

And I was a student, so I asked a question.

“The fact that the last fragment is inside you means that your enemies will definitely target you, right?”

It shouldn’t have been possible.

It was a secret that no one knew.

But there was one person in Red Rain who knew.

The Heavenly Lord, the Great Sage.

Because he knew her secret, he was the most dangerous person in the world.

“That’s right.”

She agreed calmly.

Her calm and composed demeanor showed why she was a legendary hero.

So I didn’t hesitate to ask a more sensitive question.

“This might be a rude question, but…”

“It’s alright. Ask away.”

“Can your condition improve?”

“Phew.”

She let out a short, meaningful sigh.

“Temporarily? Maybe. But it’ll most likely keep getting worse.”

“…I see.”

I thought for a moment.

“By ‘keep getting worse,’ you mean…”

“I’ll die, eventually.”

“…”

“Why that look? It’s a natural death.”

“Cough, cough, cough!”

“Ah, it’s not a natural death? It’s a bad thing for the world.”

“Y-Yes. Please don’t say things like ‘natural death’ when we’re talking about something serious.”

“Hehe, you’re such a good student.”

“…”

I stared at her blankly.

She was so nonchalant, even in her condition. She was definitely not an ordinary person.

“…Anyway, I don’t know what to say about your condition. But I can’t ignore the future.”

“That’s a good attitude.”

“You must have a plan, right…?”

“Yes, I do. I’ve done what I can.”

She nodded.

“But I’m not sure if it’s enough. And then you came along at the perfect time.”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you were going to build a force in the Holy City, right?”

“Ah, yes. I did say that.”

“Do your best. I’ll help you, as I promised.”

“Thank you, Saint.”

“I believe that your actions will be of great help in the future.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Anyway, this visit had solved one problem.

I had gained valuable information, including the hidden truth.

My choice had been right.

“Good, then…”

“Wait, Saint.”

I stopped her as she seemed about to end the conversation.

I still had one more question.

“Hehe, I’m a bit tired, but I’ll answer any questions you have.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.”

“…”

Her words made me feel even more guilty.

Normally, I would have taken the hint and left, but I couldn’t do that now.

This was a valuable opportunity to learn more from her.

“Well… If you’re in this condition, does that mean that the Heavenly Lord of Red Rain is in a similar condition…?”

According to her, the Great Sage also had a Seed of Calamity embedded in his body.

Assuming that the two legendary heroes had similar abilities, it was reasonable to assume that he was experiencing similar symptoms.

But,

“No, he’s not.”

She shook her head immediately.

My mind raced.

“Does that mean he’s stronger than you?”

“No, honestly, I’m a bit stronger than him.”

She shrugged, looking like a first-place winner who had been told she was weaker than the runner-up.

“Huh?”

But that didn’t make sense.

“Listen carefully. I’ll explain the difference. He couldn’t resist the Seed of Calamity’s power and embraced it, while I’m still resisting it. Do you understand now?”

“Ah.”

My eyes widened in realization.

I finally understood.

And I understood why the Great Sage had become the leader of an evil organization and was trying to destroy the world.

The destructive power of the Seed of Calamity…

The Great Sage had succumbed to it.

He had been corrupted.

The Saint, on the other hand, was still desperately resisting it, even though she was old and weak.

Her current condition was inevitable.

“So the Great Sage is now…”

“A powerful agent of evil. Someone I can’t defeat in my current state.”

…W-Wait, wasn’t that a big problem?

“That’s why I have high hopes for you.”

…Too much pressure!

“Any more questions?”

“No, I think…”

I was about to say that I was done, but then a thought suddenly occurred to me.

There was one more thorn I had to pull out.

Armin, the second-in-command of Red Rain.

An enemy who had infiltrated our ranks was far more dangerous than an external enemy.

And,

‘It’ll be much harder to build a force secretly if he’s in the Holy City.’

I had no idea how far his reach extended.

It would be difficult to avoid his attention.

So it was better to eliminate him.

I had to either get rid of him or at least drive him out of the Holy City.

But it was a difficult task for me to do alone.

He was one of the strongest members of Red Rain, and he was also a student at the academy.

So I had just been keeping an eye on him…

‘This is my chance.’

The Saint had promised to cooperate with me fully.

With her help, it would be possible to eliminate him.

“Is there something else?”

The Saint asked, noticing my change in expression.

“Well, yes, there is.”

I said, my expression turning serious.

“I see. Tell me.”

“Do you know Armin?”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“You mean the one I just mentioned…”

“No, not him. I’m talking about Armin, the student.”

“Hmm? Is there such a student?”

…She didn’t even know the top student in the entrance exam?

I was speechless, but then I remembered that she hadn’t been at the academy much.

Was she just a slacker who was collecting a paycheck…?

She knew the truth of life.

But that wasn’t important right now!

I quickly snapped back to reality.

“Yes, there is. But what’s important isn’t that he’s a student, but his true identity.”

“His true identity?”

“He’s an executive of Red Rain. A high-ranking one.”

Her eyes blinked rapidly in surprise.

“A student? An executive of Red Rain? Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m absolutely certain.”

I didn’t hesitate.

Because I knew it was true.

“You’re that confident?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

She fell into thought.

Her expression was cold.

“So a rat has infiltrated the Holy City.”

Her voice was icy.

Her words reminded me of the Saint who had been a grim reaper to heretics.

It was her ruthlessness that had kept the world safe.

And we needed that ruthlessness now.

Her usual compassion was meaningless in this situation.

“That’s right. We need to take action before he does.”

“Indeed.”

She looked at me.

“You’re telling me this because you want my help, right?”

“Yes. But I’m not going to just rely on you. He’s a very cautious person. If he senses anything suspicious, he’ll run away before we can catch him.”

“Hmm, that’s understandable for an executive of Red Rain.”

She nodded.

“Then how about this? I’ll summon him to my office and then ambush him with my men. We’ll set a trap.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I replied immediately.

“Why not?”

“How often does the principal summon a student to her office? It’ll be too suspicious.”

“Ah, you’re right.”

“…”

“Then?”

“That’s why I said I wasn’t going to just rely on you. I’ll lure him out.”

“You, Max?”

“Well, not me, exactly. My friend…”

“That’s a bit shameless, don’t you think?”

“…You must be mistaken.”

I averted my gaze and continued, “He’s an executive of the student council.”

It was the perfect position to gain trust and gather information.

There was a reason why an enemy agent was active in the student council.

“An enemy agent in the student council? They’re shameless too.”

…Please don’t include me in that.

“Ahem, anyway, one of my best friends is the current student council president, so I can use her to lure him out without arousing suspicion.”

“I know Elaine, the student council president. You’re close to her?”

…At least she knew the student council president.

Elaine, the model student who had been the top student for three years straight.

She had been elected student council president without any problems in her fourth year.

And I was planning to ask her for a favor.

She wouldn’t refuse, since she had feelings for me.

…Honestly, I felt a bit guilty about using her feelings, but it couldn’t be helped.

This was an important matter that couldn’t be messed up.

“Yes, we’re close friends. And I can trust her. She’s discreet and won’t make any mistakes. What do you think, Saint?”

“Alright, you can handle the luring part. I’ll prepare my men.”

“Thank you for trusting me. I’ll contact you as soon as I have a plan.”

“Heh, do that.”

The elimination of the biggest obstacle to my plan to secretly build a force in the Holy City…

I had finally taken the first step.

* * *

“Sorry, I’m a bit late. I had to visit the principal at the hospital.”

“M-Max…?!”

Huh?

“Max!”

*Squeeze*

…I was suddenly embraced tightly the moment I saw Elaine again.