Chapter: 486
“Well, this isn’t the real deal.”
Arthur, who had come to the training grounds early in the morning to ponder the things Yuden had told him yesterday, remained calm despite suddenly falling into wasteland.
There were several pieces of evidence indicating that this place was not real, but the one Arthur trusted the most was that Lucy was quiet.
Everyone at the academy had been kidnapped to such a bizarre place, yet the girl, drawing the Lord Jushin’s attention, was silent?
No way. If that thing had actually happened, Lucy would’ve been causing all sorts of trouble for days now.
She might seem strong on the outside, but she’s a softy inside. The Lucy Allen who would rather throw herself in harm’s way than see others get hurt would never sacrifice anyone to further her own plans.
Hmm. It’s good that I’ve figured out it’s fake, but how do I get out of here now?
I think the best way to wake up from a dream is to die, but that might be an exception in this case.
There wouldn’t be illusions where I could escape through death set against students, after all.
Ah, right. Maybe I should try what I learned from Lord Erginius last time.
I was present in class when the Great Wizard modified Joy’s magic, so it should be possible.
Just as Arthur contemplated this, he heard footsteps coming from a distance.
Instinctively drawing his sword, Arthur turned toward the sound while conjuring several magic circles around him.
“Geez. This is just terrible.”
And the moment he confirmed the face of the person standing there, he lowered his sword with a hollow laugh.
“Arthur. How have you been?”
It was his mother.
The person who had passed away when Arthur was too young to even distinguish the world. That face, still vivid enough to recognize at a glance.
“You look lovely today.”
“Huh?”
“The mother I meet in my dreams always has a pained expression.”
That day had been a perfectly ordinary day.
The sky wasn’t too clear or cloudy. The atmosphere of the palace was like any other, and Arthur’s mother had praised him with her bright smile, just like always.
Delighted by his mother’s praise, Arthur excitedly rambled on about everything he had studied alone that day, and his mother had genuinely admired him, ruffling his hair.
Then, at some moment…
When Arthur’s mother brought the teacup to her lips…
The sound of the cup shattering on the floor interrupted young Arthur’s voice.
And his mother made a dying sound, clutching her throat like a choking chicken.
By the time the palace doctor arrived, it was already too late.
Even if the doctor was esteemed in foreign lands, there was no way to bring the dead back to life.
The investigation into the death of the Third Queen proceeded rapidly.
Fortunately, a maid who was jealous of Arthur’s mother becoming a queen confessed to her crime, and the incident ended with her head rolling.
Naturally, no one in the world believed the maid was the true culprit.
Not even young Arthur, back then.
“Whenever you appeared in my dreams, you always wore the face of someone dying and resented me. If only you hadn’t been noticeable. If only you weren’t foolish. If only you were a talentless idiot…”
Arthur knows that his mother never actually said those things.
The words that came from his mother in the dream were merely his thoughts, spoken using his mother’s voice.
But knowing that won’t change anything. Even if he comforts himself that his mother wouldn’t blame him, it only makes Arthur feel more miserable.
“I hope you still think that way now. It makes it easier on my heart.”
“Arthur?”
“Or would you like to sever my neck? I think testing death like that might not be a bad option…”
“…”
“Do it however you like. I’m used to dying in various ways in other dreams…”
Suddenly, as Arthur was bewildered by the surrounding scenery turning dark, he soon realized it was just because his eyelids were closed.
How did I escape the illusion? I hadn’t even tried anything yet!
While pondering this, Arthur opened his eyes and realized he was looking at Lucy, her gaze regarding him with disdain.
“You woke me up, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Of course. I couldn’t stand watching the pitiful prince sleep like a lazy bum, so I woke you up.”
“…Did I say something ridiculous?”
“Of course you did. You were begging for insults, begging for death. I see that’s your taste? No wonder you seemed to enjoy it every time I cursed you.”
“When did I ever enjoy that?! Don’t make up nonsense!”
“What then? If you’re so confident, why not tell me, Prince Masochist?”
With Lucy’s narrowed eyes, Arthur could only chew on his lips.
How could he possibly talk about what he had done in his dreams in front of the person who had cried miserably until she fainted on her mother’s death anniversary?
Damn it. That narrowed gaze is really pissing me off. Does she even know I’m being considerate?
“Hah. Well, since the pitiful prince insists he’s not, I’ll choose to believe you.”
“Alright. But first, tell me what’s happening right now.”
“Are you forgetting already, Prince? Just recently, I cheerfully spoke to you.”
“Just say the Followers of the Void are causing trouble or something.”
Arthur, annoyed, clicked his tongue while standing up, looking at Lucy’s playful expression.
“Has the barrier been compromised?”
“Yes. The fact that you need to say what anyone could figure out shows just how clever you are. Really impressive, honestly.”
“…What about the others?”
“Everyone else is much lower than the prince and much more diligent. They’ve long since gotten up and moved. Meanwhile, the lazy pitiful prince is still snoozing.”
Is this for real? Is Lucy Allen really messing with me like this?
With Arthur’s irritation peaking, he shot his eyes open, but Lucy just chuckled mischievously.
Tch. I’ve received so much already, and with more to come, I can’t say anything.
“Oh, you’re awake, Prince?”
Just as Arthur was cooling off his indignation, Frey appeared.
“When did you wake up?”
“Just now.”
“How?”
“I woke up.”
“So… sigh. Never mind. Don’t say anything. It’s obvious it’ll just give me a headache.”
I don’t even need to hear it. I bet he’ll be rambling about how he sliced through the illusion to wake himself.
It wouldn’t be strange if he applied what he learned from the Sword Saint right after learning it yesterday.
“You two slobs. Got time to waste talking nonsense while contributing neither? Why are you even living like this?”
“What do you plan to do? Will you join the others? Or will you seek salvation outside?”
“It seems the pitiful prince can only think of getting help from others, stuck in that mindset of defeat. It fits you well.”
“…So, what do you want me to do?!”
Losing his cool, Arthur shouted, prompting Lucy to grin mockingly.
“You seem to be having trouble thinking. Just shut up and follow me. There are things even the incompetent, lazy, sloppy pitiful prince can do.”
“…Me?”
“Yes. You might be a royal, after all?”
*
Leading the Followers of the Void, Luca opened the door at the very top level of the Soul Academy’s main building.
Inside the room was an incomprehensibly complex tangle of magic circles, mixed with several spells, surrounded by a group of followers.
Observing those who were deforming the magic circle using the Power of Void, Luca gradually turned his gaze toward the increasingly darkening magic circle.
“There’s still quite a bit left.”
“We can’t help it. The magic circle protecting the academy is far too complex.”
“I understand. I myself turned white when I first saw this magic circle.”
Two years had passed since Luca became a professor at the Soul Academy. He had entered this room by following another professor.
The first thought Luca had the moment he encountered the magic circle protecting the barrier was admiration for the Great Wizard Erginius.
Could the hero who had saved the world long ago possess such overwhelming and beautiful talent?
Standing before the legacy left by a hero from centuries past, Luca felt relief that Yuden’s emitted light was not absolute and began to wish he could one day surpass that light.
“Truly an impressive magic. This one magic circle established the educational institution known as the Soul Academy.”
The magic circle left by the Great Wizard Erginius was not merely meant to protect the Soul Academy.
It guided those who entered it to develop their talents. It quickly restored tired bodies. Additionally, countless supplementary effects resided within the magic circle.
Among them, the most prominent was the immense magic power provided by the magic circle.
Not only did it create dungeons that spanned up to the hundredth floor, but it also maintained them for months, serving as the driving force for hundreds to strategize against the same dungeon.
This magic circle was truly the embodiment of a miracle.
“I doubt the hero ever thought this would be dedicated to the Void Evil God.”
As Luca gazed upon the darkening magic circle, he smiled softly.
“Just so you know, Lady Allen, I hope you will gladly accept the gift I’m about to present.”
I certainly don’t expect you to refuse.
You, who are loved by the Lord Jushin, would never give up facing the Evil God.
Isn’t that right?
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