Chapter: 506
After the dragon fell, the Followers of the Void struggled, but their resistance was meaningless in front of the strong Sword Saint.
Yuden laughed as he watched Joy and Phoebe rebuilding Erginius’s magic circle after easily subduing all the opponents.
“Phoebe, this is right, isn’t it? I didn’t make any mistakes, right?”
“You don’t need to confirm with me every time you draw a line.”
“B-but…”
“If you have no faith in yourself, why did you completely collapse the magic circle?”
“I thought that was the best option at that time!”
Joy appeared so clumsy that even the extreme mercy of the Saintess felt frustration.
However, her hand drawing the magic circle was different.
Despite still being a student, Joy’s control of magic power overwhelmed even established wizards, causing Yuden to internally exclaim.
“Is she a descendant of Partlan? She seems like she’ll figure it out on her own if left alone.”
“Karia, you can hand over these trash to any place, church or kingdom.”
“Won’t you do it yourself? You established this achievement.”
“Haha, what have I done? I’ve just been playing with Lady Allen all day.”
Everything that happened today in Soul Academy was dancing on the palm of Lady Allen.
Both the Followers of the Void, himself, and everyone else were dancing on the stage set by Lady Allen, so how could this be claimed as his achievement?
Yuden needed no achievements handed to him in this way. If she had been someone obsessed with such honor, she wouldn’t be wandering like this now.
“It’s also quite amazing how she doesn’t seem to have any particular fondness for me, yet why did she give me an achievement?”
“Well, I don’t really know either.”
Hearing Karia’s sly tone, Yuden furrowed his brow and sighed heavily.
“I don’t know what she wanted, but please let her know I did my best as an actor and to keep her promise.”
“Wouldn’t saying it directly be more convincing?”
“…Talking to her gets me heated.”
“Hahaha, I understand. The employer does have a knack for getting on your nerves.”
Yuden, who had a strange expression from Karia’s laughter, sheathed his sword as he saw the sleeping students beginning to wake up one by one.
“Sword Saint, before you go, just one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Your friend will be waiting at the clock tower.”
A friend? Is he talking about Luca?
That guy. I wonder if he’s still alive. No matter what, he was quite strong, so the Followers of the Void would not have left him alone.
“Don’t worry. He’s not dead.”
“…Please don’t read my thoughts.”
“What can I do about what I see?”
“Sigh. Anyway, thanks for the information.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, Yuden jumped down to the ground.
The height of the place where the magic circle had been set was quite considerable, but to a monster like the Sword Saint, it was nothing.
“…Sword Saint?”
“Is it real?”
“Am I still dreaming?”
“What kind of stupid thing is that?”
Welcoming the silent landing of the Sword Saint were the gazes of the many students present. Oops, did I pick the wrong place to jump down?
“Sword Saint! Thank you for saving us!”
Just when Yuden was self-reproaching, one of the students conveyed their gratitude.
“Me too! Thank you!”
“Really, thank you!”
“If it weren’t for the Sword Saint, we would have!”
“How should we repay this grace?”
With gratitude pouring in from all directions, Yuden’s mouth stiffened.
After all, I’m just human; I don’t hate getting praised.
But still, the situation is different now. All I did was dance diligently on the stage, so receiving this much gratitude feels awkward!
But if I were to speak the truth, no one would believe me! Who would believe that the reckless and foul-mouthed Lady Allen is behind all this!
Aah, let’s just run away. That might be better.
“Sword Saint.”
At the sound of a deep middle-aged voice, Yuden flinched and turned his head slightly.
There stood the current head of the Academy’s Combat Studies, someone Yuden owed a debt of gratitude to during his more spirited days.
“On behalf of the Academy, I thank you. If it weren’t for the Sword Saint, there would have been countless casualties.”
“No, I… didn’t really do anything.”
“You needn’t be so humble. Everyone saw you bring down the dragon; who could deny your achievement?”
“That’s right, Sword Saint.”
Yuden, who found it difficult in front of the few people that made him uneasy, quickly turned his head at the next voice.
“As the headmaster of Soul Academy, I express my gratitude. Though it’s just this old man’s words for now, when things settle, I will show my proper appreciation.”
“No, really, you don’t have to! This time, it was really just…”
“Sword Saint, did you know? Excessive humility can be detrimental?”
At a voice that came from a distance, Yuden’s body momentarily froze. Soon after, he heard the hurried sound of everyone kneeling around him.
With a stiff movement like a wooden doll, Yuden turned his head to see one of the highest names in the kingdom standing in front of him.
“…First Queen?”
Kabati Soladin, the First Queen of the current kingdom.
The de facto supreme power of the kingdom, managing the country on behalf of the king, who had fallen ill.
“Yes, it’s been a while, Sword Saint. How should I thank you for protecting the future of the Soladin Kingdom?”
Hearing the First Queen’s thanks, Yuden completely gave up on sneaking away.
Even someone like Yuden, who cared little for etiquette and dignity, couldn’t help but feel the pressure in front of a person leading a nation.
“If it wouldn’t be rude, could we have a moment to talk?”
“Ah, um, of course.”
Thinking he might choke with discomfort, Yuden was saved by someone who could dignifiedly step forward even in front of the ruler of a nation.
“Excuse me for interrupting, First Queen. But there’s something I must convey.”
“What is it, Apostle of the Arts?”
Prete wore a smile as usual, even in front of the cold gaze of the queen.
“Just now, the Sword Saint fought against the Followers of the Evil God. I don’t know what influence it may have had on her.”
“That is true. I lacked consideration. Please forgive me.”
“No, it’s just a customary procedure. On the contrary, I feel more sorry.”
Using his characteristic eloquence, Prete ushered Yuden away from all the gazes of the crowd toward a predesignated location.
“Thank you, Apostle. You certainly have a keen sense.”
“You don’t have to thank me. It’s not so much consideration as it was following another’s wishes.”
“…What?”
The place Prete brought Yuden to was the clock tower located at one corner of the Academy.
Naturally opening a hidden passage, Prete strode up the dusty stairs.
Following behind him, Yuden soon understood the meaning of Prete’s words.
At the top of the clock tower sat Lucy, who had planned all of this.
And beside her was Luca, whom she thought of as a friend and benefactor.
Startled by her friend’s terrible state, Yuden rushed over, reaching out her hand, then hesitated as she sensed the ominous energy emanating from him.
“…Luca?”
From Luca emanated the energy of the Evil God.
*
Luca had never doubted that he would become a star since the day he was born.
He had always lived with the title of genius.
Even when he was born into a mediocre commoner’s family.
Even when he proved his abilities and learned under a famous adventurer.
Even when, at a young age, he became a high-ranking adventurer after outpacing numerous competitors.
Even when he stepped into the Academy where all the kingdom’s talents converged, Luca was called a genius.
How could such talent come from the blood of commoners?
Even in these circumstances, Luca did not remain in a state of self-obsession.
He knew well that his path ahead was still long.
And believing that as long as he continued forward, he would reach the highest place, he rushed forward, leaving behind numerous dimwits around him.
This was also the reason he rejected the nobles’ offers to join their ranks.
In Luca’s view, their proposals seemed like a consolation.
Believing that he was a star that could shine brighter, Luca threw himself back into hardship to sharpen himself.
And then he met something.
A talent that made Luca, who considered himself a genius, feel worthless.
A light brightly shining in the sky, climbing higher with each passing day.
An overwhelming talent that didn’t even allow him the chance to catch up.
After meeting Yuden, Luca nurtured darkness in his heart day by day.
And yet, the reason Luca could not leave Yuden’s side was that he held a glimmer of hope.
He thought that all his so-called genius talent, which so many had praised him for, couldn’t be a lie.
He thought that if he could just bring down the star in front of him, he could become the brightest star.
Luca struggled to pull down the star from the muck.
“Thank you! Luca! Thanks to you, I’ve gained another insight! I’m so glad you’re my friend!”
However, the moment Luca reconciled with his fate was when every strategy he presented to her turned into trials, causing the star to shine even brighter.
On seeing Yuden smiling with gratitude, unaware that she was ruining him, Luca gave up on becoming a star.
He acknowledged that he couldn’t shine as brightly as she did.
Instead, Luca resolved to carve another jewel.
To create another star.
To create one that shone brighter than her.
To present that star before her.
To witness her collapse from such bright light.
To make Yuden feel the emotions he felt.
However, everything he had planned failed at the hands of a single individual.
The actions he took to create a star brighter than Yuden only led to the elevation of Yuden’s reputation.
The hero who single-handedly defeated the Followers of the Evil God that occupied Soul Academy.
Hahaha.
Damn it.
I’ve been doing nothing but helping that b*tch from the beginning.
“…Luca?”
Hearing the confused voice, Luca bit his lips as he bowed his head.
What kind of emotions are in the gaze looking down at him from above?
Contempt? Pity? Disbelief?
Ha, whatever.
Anything is better than this stupid b*tch laughing unaware.
“Are you alright?”
The gaze that Luca finally lifted was far from what he expected.
Yuden was genuinely worried about him.
“…Fuck.”
Even after going through countless trials, she still considered him a friend.
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