episode_0031

The entrance was higher than the central platform where I stood. The circular classroom had a structure that gradually rose from the platform to the entrance, so I could only look up.

Why did you come here?

I was anxious.

I was afraid you wouldn’t come.

The only person from the same world as me, I was afraid you might be just as cold-hearted without an ounce of sympathy.

That’s all.

There is no other reason.

It has to be that way…

You are looking down at me.

Looking down is familiar. I’ve become accustomed to this body, much smaller than my original one. With this body, I could only look down on most people, especially men. It’s always been that way.

Looking down feels unpleasant. Even though I’ve gotten used to it, the unpleasant feeling doesn’t change. But looking down at you doesn’t give me that feeling. It’s strange.

Between our intersecting gazes, others were conflicted about whom to look at.

A mysterious wizard suddenly appeared in a helmet and cloak?

Out of the blue, a student from the Imperial Department summoned a sword in the potion lecture hall?

Restless eyes wandering aimlessly could be felt. Even the professors and Fabian, who were protecting the students, were included. Our appearance even confused them.

-Rumble-!

The summoned creatures guarding the door approach with their swords. They were not the dog-shaped demons I faced, but golem-type summoned creatures. Solid as rock.

“It’s dangerous!!”

The frightened students shouted in concern for the sword. In their eyes, the sword was just an ordinary Imperial Department student. They probably thought he was the son of a high-ranking official, even if he had summoned a strange sword.

So… they probably didn’t imagine scenarios like the golem being torn to pieces in the blink of an eye, or disappearing without a trace, or exploding and disintegrating.

….

Just like what’s happening now.

Paaat-!

The Holy Sword emitted a bright light. It wasn’t the usual blue glow, but a dazzling white light. That was the Holy Sword, an artifact from the legendary war era that had only been passed down as a legend on the colonial island.

Until Karl Mayner touched it, it was nothing more than a piece of scrap metal. Only after it came into his hands did it regain its original form.

A smoothly crafted greatsword. It felt like looking at an elegant silver artifact. Karl could handle the greatsword freely.

The sword energy emitted from the Holy Sword repelled the golem rushing towards Karl. It was more like an explosion than a cut.

With a bang, a dazzling light poured out. The remaining golems also shattered and burst in all directions.

Watching that sight, the students could only shield their eyes. It was an incredibly intense light. Some were left shocked and speechless.

“There’s no such thing as controlling power. I could have quietly sliced through without the sword energy…”

I looked at that light, felt the mana he released, and let darkness flow from my helmet. A cloud-like darkness settled low. It was a characteristic of the artifact helmet, responsive to strong mana.

Zzing-

My eyes shone brighter. The darkness flowing from the helmet pierced through, and a turquoise light flickered.

Seeing the Holy Sword, I felt the noble blood within me boiling. Why…?

“T-That…?! Th-the H-Holy Swor—ugh!”

I covered Fabian’s mouth, not wanting to hear his startled voice.

I raised my hand, halting his movements. Now, his life depended on my will.

Excited by seeing the Holy Sword, the power of the nobility surged within me. I didn’t hold back either. The reason I didn’t kill Fabian was because there was much to ask.

The darkness flowing from the helmet had turned into magic once used to exterminate heretics, circling around me. The power of the nobility, my strongest ability. The power of the nobility fighting for humanity seemed very ominous at first glance.

Thud-

Thud-

Karl was slowly descending with the Holy Sword in one hand.

The eyes were still trembling. The usual calm and composed demeanor was nowhere to be found. Seeing that, something felt new.

“Unknown.”

“….”

I didn’t respond.

No, come to think of it, “Unknown” is the name given by the Imperial Information Bureau, isn’t it?

When he first appeared, he was just a mysterious magician. So I shouldn’t react to the name “Unknown.” I don’t want to reveal that I’m a reader who has been possessed into the novel like a sword.

“No… not yet, who are you?”

He seemed to grasp the situation soon and asked, setting aside the name “Unknown.” In response to his question, I smiled and said, “Aren’t you here to save people? My identity shouldn’t matter, right?”

“What…?”

“I’ll take that kid with me. Since you defeated the golem blocking the entrance, people should be able to evacuate.”

I pointed at Fabian. He must know who that kid is and what he’s done. That’s why he came here.

Having achieved my goal, we have no reason to fight. Although the sword might be curious about Unknown’s identity appearing earlier than in the original, I chose to conceal my appearance, so I don’t want to be exposed. If someday I am convinced that he is on my side, I am willing to take off my helmet.

Yes, Unknown was an enemy of the sword, but in the new story we are going to write, we don’t have to be adversaries. Somehow, I will twist things to make him join my side—

Swoosh—

The sword suddenly aimed at me.

Is this guy crazy?

“Answer the question. Who are you?”

“…Why?”

“You think you can just let me go despite seeing this ominous mana?”

“….”

He gestured around me with his eyes, indicating the dark magic enveloping me.

“Besides, that’s the power of the Royal Family, isn’t it?”

For a moment, a suffocating silence passed.

This bastard…! Making a scene when everyone is listening!!

Even Fabian, who was sweating profusely as he tried to move his frozen body, blinked in shock. Not to mention the reactions of the professor and the students.

The power of the royal family, which almost no one has seen in reality. A mysterious power that seems to belong in myths. It is said that there were few who could handle that power. It’s been almost 10 years since the disappearance of the royal family. But now, a member of the royal family… It’s unbelievable.

“I’ve always been curious about who’s hidden inside the helmet. Whether it’s someone I know.”

“…I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Now that it’s come to this, since it’s already revealed… I should find out their identity. Why did they appear so early?”

“….”

Suddenly, Karl’s trembling eyes returned to their usual steady gaze.

No, on closer inspection, they still trembled. Intense anger surged like a typhoon. Enough to calm his confusion.

Anyway… it seems he has no intention of letting me off lightly. Perhaps this kid needs someone to vent his frustration on due to the change in the original plot.

“Haah… Should I go out and talk at least…?”

!!!

Kwang-!

In an instant, Karl swung his greatsword where I had been standing. Instinctively dodging, my position became the place where I had been.

Instinct shouted at me to avoid his sword rather than block it. The marble floor where I had been shattered into pieces as fragments flew.

This crazy bastard..! What if people got caught in this..!

I stared at him dumbfounded. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to see my expression. Even though I wanted to convey this absurd feeling through my eyes, all he could see was the glowing turquoise light within the darkness of the helmet.

“Professor, take the students and flee. We can’t let this person stay here.”

“Y-yes, I understand! I’ll evacuate the students immediately and call the professors! Until then, keep that person under control, Meiner!”

The professor seemed more suspicious of me, who appeared dubious at first glance, than the imperial studies student who unexpectedly displayed a show of force. As soon as he heard Kal’s words, he tried to take the students and escape from the building. Even though it was I who saved them, not that tardy fellow.

Ha.

It’s annoying.

I looked at Leticia among the students heading towards the entrance in a line.

She also felt my gaze and turned around. Even in a chaotic situation, she seemed to be trying to maintain composure. When I think back to when we first met at the dormitory, she seems to have transformed into someone befitting of the second class.

Back then, I would have been frozen and unable to do anything… I’m really relieved that everyone is safe.

…

I turn my head back to look at Kal. His flustered and trembling appearance was somewhat cute, but now he has returned to his usual relaxed demeanor, which was rather unfortunate. Moreover, thinking that his intention to oppose and subdue me came from that appearance made me feel a little choked up.

What did I do so wrong?

“Surprising, isn’t it? You just stood still while everyone else evacuated.”

“What exactly do you think of me in your head?”

“Even if I tear you apart, it won’t be satisfying, trash.”

“…What?”

Bang!

Before the words could finish, Kal rushed at me again. This time, I dodged without facing him.

Once again, the ground where I had been standing shattered into pieces.

!

This time, a sword flew towards me as I tried to create distance. With a sound cutting through the wind, a dazzling light sword was unleashed.

I hastily gathered mana and deployed a shield. Magic is not allowed.

I firmly held my stance to avoid being knocked down by the shockwaves and the roar created by the clash between the shield and the sword.

Ugh.

As the flashing light disappeared, I saw Kal looking at me from a distance. His head had just been thrown by the shockwave created a moment ago.

He was different from the heretical inquisition I had faced until now. He is the protagonist of the novel and the owner of the holy sword. One could really die if they let their guard down. For some reason, the guy was full of hatred towards the unknown in the novel.

Sizzle-

The magic that surrounded me is weakening. Just as I saw in the novel. The jet-black magic is suppressed by the power of the holy sword. Part of the magic that was trying to block the sword that pierced through the shield made of mana has vanished.

If there had been a follow-up attack, it would have been really dangerous.

Damn it. I was too careless. I shouldn’t have appeared in front of him in the form of an Unknown…

But there was no time for regret. The sword began to approach me.

He is the protagonist of the novel, the chosen one of the holy sword, a prominent swordsman in the world, and a loyal subject dedicated to the disappeared empire and church.

In other words, he is the enemy of Princess Trixie Green.

An opponent I wanted to avoid even if I had to distort the original work.