Chapter 44 : The Appearance of a High-Ranking Devil Doll

Instructor Han Seongryeong must have sensed the danger as well, as she wrapped her body with steel wings.

However, she was too close to the Vulcanic Turtle, and just when it seemed dangerous—Iris dashed out like a comet.

She picked up Instructor Han Seongryeong and moved dozens of meters away, in the opposite direction of the barrier.

Thanks to her, Instructor Han Seongryeong avoided injury entirely.

But instead of thanking her, she scolded Iris.

“Iris, get back up on the barrier.

This is a fight for Earthlings.

Do you think the Pantheon Peacekeeping Forces are cowards for not subjugating the Demonic Gate?

That’s not it.

It’s because simply protecting them forever isn’t a solution.

It’s a measure to help them build self-reliance.

Just the fact that we’re temporarily guarding them until a Peacemaker rises to drive out the Devil Dolls from Earth is something they should be grateful for.

Anything more than that would only be harmful.”

“Then can’t I become that Peacemaker?”

“Don’t talk nonsense. You’re not even from Earth. You’re a promising student—how could it make any sense for you to become Earth’s Peacemaker…”

“Oh ho, so the future Peacemaker candidate just so happened to be nearby? Then I suppose we’ll have to eliminate you quickly if we want to conquer Earth smoothly.”

The second Vulcanic Eruption must have drained a huge amount of vitality even from the Vulcanic Turtle itself, because it suddenly collapsed and sprawled across the ground.

However, the more the Vulcanic Turtle’s life force diminished, the more violent demonic energy surged from the Demonic Gate.

A thick tentacle burst out and struck at Iris.

Instructor Han Seongryeong quickly shielded Iris with her steel wings, but the tentacle tore the steel wing out—shoulder and all.

It all happened so quickly that it took a moment to fully grasp the situation.

But seasoned Lieutenant Colonel Anderson dropped the hammer in his hand and said:

“For a high-ranking Devil Doll to appear already… Korea is finished.

I told them over and over—we need to deal with the Demonic Gate regularly.

It’s been quiet for a while, and I guess they were gathering energy to summon a high-ranking Devil Doll.

From here on, you’re the commander.

Get the kids together and prepare for evacuation aboard the Albatross.”

“Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, why are you handing command over to me? What about you?”

“If Neo Seoul City is in this state, the other cities likely aren’t any better. Still, I need to buy enough time to get the refugees onto the transport ship. Or are you going to disobey my orders now, too?”

“Of course not, sir. I only hope we’ll meet again. You two, come with me. Staying here will only get in Lieutenant Colonel Anderson’s way.”

“I’m sorry. I was born in this city, so I’ll share its fate, even in death.”

“Same here… My strength is small, but I’ll lend it.”

The mage lieutenant looked between Park Minwoo and me with a surprised expression.

But only briefly—The situation was too urgent.

She teleported away with only the slumbering Priestess Marianne in tow.

And so, only Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, Park Minwoo, and I remained.

Anderson lit another cigar and said:

“You little brats, don’t get yourselves killed trying to act cool. It’s not too late—go after the lieutenant. Unlike ordinary civilians, academy students with Stigmas have priority boarding rights on the Albatross.”

“Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, shouldn’t you be preserving yourself instead? Someone of your caliber dying on a backwater planet like this would be a huge loss to the entire Pantheon Peacekeeping Force.”

“What did you just say!? You arrogant little punk, what the hell did you just say to me?”

“I apologize for deceiving you until now.

Allow me to introduce myself properly.

I am code named ‘Green,’ a member of the Dragon Knights—Headmaster Lyn Dragos’s personal guard.

Under his orders, I infiltrated this site while posing as a student named Park Minwoo.

Headmaster Dragos instructed me to remain undercover unless an exceptional situation occurred during the field study.

But under the current circumstances, I must ensure the safe return of Lady Iris Lunai to the academy at all costs.

That is my top priority.

I regret that I won’t be able to assist in defending this city.”

“Keh keh keh! I feel like I just got whacked on the back of the head with a hammer. But that young lady… she’s ridiculously stubborn. Do you think you can really get her to go with you?”

Just as Lieutenant Colonel Anderson said, Iris was preparing to fight, not even realizing how terrifying a high-ranking Devil Doll truly was.

No.

Even if she had known the full extent of a high-ranking Devil Doll’s power, Iris likely wouldn’t have backed down.

But Agent Green—formerly Park Minwoo—didn’t seem to intend to convince her with words.

Suddenly, his skeleton twisted grotesquely, and he transformed into a draconian with green scales.

I had always thought it was strange how calm and composed Park Minwoo was, considering his supposed skill level—But now, seeing his true identity, I felt oddly deflated.

Come to think of it, even if Headmaster Lyn Dragos had used a wish ticket, he had approved the field study way too easily.

“If she doesn’t comply, I’ll just have to take her by force.”

The high-ranking Devil Doll continued extending its tentacles—one, then two, then three—as it focused on expanding the Demonic Gate.

It hadn’t even begun to fight in earnest yet.

Agent Green, believing this was the perfect opportunity, spread his wings and dove down below the barrier, grabbing hold of Iris.

“W-Who are you?! Let me go! Instructor Han Seongryeong has suffered a critical injury!”

“Iris Lunai, please stop being so stubborn. I’m an agent sent by Headmaster Dragos. He gave strict orders to ensure you, above all else, return safely to the academy. I’m simply following that command.”

“You were sent by Headmaster Dragos? Don’t lie to me! He would never abandon Instructor Han or the other students just to protect me!”

“You can only say something so naive because you don’t realize just how great a burden Headmaster Dragos has placed on you… Aaaagh!”

Wolseom Step, First Form — Crescent Kick .

In the brief moment of distraction during their argument, Iris twisted her body mid-air and delivered a sharp upward kick to Green’s chin.

Regaining control of her body, Iris began to fall freely through the air—

But a tentacle was already targeting her.

The tentacle’s owner had finally completed the expansion of the Demonic Gate: a high-ranking Devil Doll known as Baron Squid.

Realizing the dire situation, I instantly activated my Constellation’s Ritual, and without even asking for permission, I seized control of Iris’s index finger.

I used her nail to carve Orin language into her thigh, even drawing blood in the process.

Titanium .

Baron Squid had originally intended to coil around Iris’s leg in a spiral and crush it completely.

But when her leg refused to break, no matter how hard he tried, he angrily flung her away.

She flew like a broken doll and slammed into the barrier.

It had only been a single exchange—But unlike the Vulcanic Turtle, this revealed an entirely different, overwhelming gap in power.

Iris, are you okay?

“Ugh…! I-I’m okay. Just before hitting the barrier, I extended the leg blessed by the Nameless King, so I avoided any major injuries. Thank you so much.”

Iris, I’m sorry, but this time you’ll have to concede.

We’re not in a situation where everyone can be saved.

That is a Lieutenant-class Devil Doll, known as Baron Squid.

He can absorb human life force through the suction cups on his tentacles.

Even if the entire Pantheon Peacekeeping Force stationed here rushed in, it would only result in pointless deaths.

That’s why Lieutenant Colonel Anderson chose to retreat.

We must evacuate with a minimum number of people using either the Albatross or the Rift Raptor.

I can pilot the Rift Raptor for you by borrowing your body, if necessary.

“Are you saying I should leave Instructor Han Seongryeong behind? But that’s…”

Don’t you want to save your little sister?

Continuing to resist here won’t change anything—you won’t be able to defeat Baron Squid.

“Then I will offer part of my lifespan as a sacrifice. Even so… is it still impossible?”

Her resolute tone made my mind reel for a moment.

There was Professor Shiroko, who lost her body to a wicked god’s curse, and Bellomont, who offered her life force to the Witch of the Underworld—those who sacrificed their own bodies or lives never met a good end.

And now, Iris was willing to burn her lifespan for the sake of Earth—a planet she had no real ties to.

Her conviction went beyond mere righteousness.

It was a madness more terrifying than any demon.

Convinced that further persuasion was meaningless, I deactivated the Constellation’s Ritual for the moment.

When I returned to my main body, Lieutenant Colonel Anderson had already leapt into battle, wielding his hammer.

In other words—no one was watching me now.

So, I pulled out the Moon Glaive from the subspace pouch I received earlier from Anemoa Dallant (the silver coins inside had already been deposited in the Academy bank).