Episode 171. Apostle of Justice (2)
Kugugugugu-
The ground completely collapses and the town itself is split in half.
This is what would happen if a giant deliberately put his hand into the ground and spread it wide open.
A large ravine had formed between the villages that had been split in half. The end was far away and hard to see, but something unpleasant was rumbling about.
“Top-tier spirit… Tritan!”
Heidern’s expression distorted as he looked at the culprit who had caused the disaster.
A giant tree, hundreds of meters tall at least, gazes at us with its huge green eyes.
A superior tree spirit from Shaikar’s retinue who governs life. Its overwhelming power causes disaster just by moving.
Kwaaaaaaa-
Following the earthquake, a gust of wind came. All Tritan had to do to start it was a light hand movement.
The tree branches all bent like taffy, and even Ruthie and the soldiers who were controlling him were staggering, unable to keep their balance.
“As expected, the power of the highest spirit is amazing! The fog that was obstructing my vision has all cleared away!”
Ruthie still admired with a face full of alignment.
It was as if he was a warrior praising his partner’s servant horse.
“I have no intention of killing them all! I had orders to spare those prisoners! Of course, if you surrender now and free those students, I will give you a chance to live!”
As the fog completely cleared, the vibrant sight of Rutis came into view.
From what you say, it seems like you really think the Alighieri cadets are being dragged around, but there is one thing you shouldn’t be mistaken about.
The guy attacked and tried to kill our cadets a little while ago.
If the Mercenary Light prisoners were truly evil, we would be no better than hostages.
“You’ll let them live if you free them? Who was the one who tried to kill them first?”
“Calm down. Commander Tariel, let’s just let the students live. Our plan has already been ruined since they’ve already found out. Also, look around.”
“Ugh…!”
Before I knew it, spirits had spread out all around me. It seemed that the other spirits were moving according to the will of the highest-level spirit.
You can easily deal with lower or middle-level enemies, but from the upper level up, it takes quite a while to defeat even Heidern or Tariel.
The situation is such that these guys are completely filling up this area.
Even if Mary, who has natural power, is the only one who can deal with it, if she awakens her full power, her true identity will be revealed.
“Tch! If only I could manifest perfectly, I could have dealt with it a little.”
`Don’t brag. Even if it were possible, you wouldn’t be able to do it alone…`
『… .』
Although he silenced the annoying Muto, it cannot be seen as entirely wrong.
I have been fighting using Muto’s power so far, but that is only one aspect.
The spirits and lords that originally belonged to the upper class were so powerful that even professors had difficulty dealing with them.
It’s not for nothing that Muto from the main story appears as a hidden boss at the Alighieri Tower.
However, Muto has never displayed such overwhelming power since he made a contract with me.
To unleash that power, you have to manifest it perfectly, but what I’ve done so far is only a partial manifestation.
Just because you make a contract doesn’t mean you’ll gain full control of the spirit’s power.
Currently, he can manifest around 70% of Muto’s power, but reaching 100% requires greater capabilities.
If it was an intermediate level or lower spirit, it would have been a piece of cake, but from the upper level onwards, the level is completely different.
Therefore, it is not easy to even have a conversation with a higher-level person unless you are on the same page.
`Muto, when I absorbed you, it was possible because your power was sealed. Furthermore, when I faced Aisha, I was able to defeat her because the two saints’ powers were advantageous to me.`
『Especially that crow named Aisha, even though you made a contract with her, is so powerful that you can only manifest feathers. If you try to manifest the two of us completely by mistake, your bodies won’t be able to survive.』
In the worst case scenario, you may have to put your life on the line.
Even if that were possible, it would be difficult to break through the situation where we are surrounded by higher-level spirits.
However, it is difficult to expect the same from those around you.
Although not as skilled as Heidern, the prisoners are also comprised of skilled magicians and warriors.
However, they too are likely to struggle in vain due to similar circumstances to Heidern.
“How is it, Prince Totema?”
“You’re wrong. The power of that holy sword is overwhelmingly superior to my sensitivity. I guess it’s because it’s the sword used by the daughter of the Spirit King.”
Even the power of the totema, which had a sensitivity that surpassed even Mary’s, was of no use.
It was not an exaggeration to say that it was hopeless, considering that it was thanks to his power that he was able to use this town as a garrison.
“Is the plan a lost cause…?”
“There’s nothing I can do.”
Eventually, Tariel decided to surrender.
Even if they don’t know what will happen to them, they must protect Alighieri’s cadets.
Tariel threw the spear he was holding onto the ground. The mercenaries, who understood what he meant, also threw away their weapons.
“I won’t resist. For now, I’ll do whatever you want.”
“You’re admitting your guilt? Fine! I’ll accept it! I’ll take those poor cadets first.”
Rutis happily accepts Tariel’s declaration.
This is the first time in my life that I’ve felt so uncomfortable seeing someone’s bright face.
“And we will definitely capture the prisoners and dispose of your Saint Arrow Guild.”
“They’re no different from escaped prisoners, so you’re saying you’re going to capture them unconditionally?”
“Prisoners are protected! Even though you wear that number because of your wrongdoings, don’t worry! Your sins can be fixed! Therefore, you have the right to live!”
So does that mean that just saying sorry will excuse murder?
There is no dog barking as much as that.
My head is getting dizzy more and more.
Not only me, but everyone on our side was so dumbfounded that they remained silent.
『Every word that guy says is a `famous line`. Isn’t it so admirable?』
Even Muto is expressing sarcasm mixed with praise. Jason and the knight commanders of this empire are out of their minds.
That’s when the soldiers came running to protect us.
“Hey, brown hair! I don’t know who you are, but come here for a sec!”
Ruthys suddenly calls me.
“why?”
“I just wanted to ask you something!”
We don’t even know each other, so what can I ask?
But considering his personality, it’s likely he’ll consider refusing his request as ‘evil’.
I feel anxious whether I go or not.
But the guy was throwing away the weapon he was carrying.
“I won’t do anything, so hurry!”
Lutis drops the greatsword on his back, the arrows on the bracelet on his left arm, and the holy sword Rosaria all in one place.
It’s reassuring to hear that the guy means no harm.
“Wait a minute, buddy.”
Just as I was about to leave, Mary grabbed my arm and stopped me.
“what’s the matter?”
“There’s something ominous about it. I still feel ominous about that person. It’s a sickening evil.”
Mary, who has awakened to the power of the Demon King, can see the evil of humans.
This is because the Demon King of this world is a being born to feed on that evil.
“Name, Ruthie St. Lee. I’m sure it’s in the list of people our family has researched…”
Bayman, who suddenly became curious, took out a magic tool that looked like a pad and started to search for information, while Mary was trying to stop me with an impatient expression.
It was so sad to see that face. That kid who was so confident could end up like this.
“Come quickly! You’re not doing anything suspicious, are you?”
I’m going to die. I’m already whining and lying down.
He’s ready to take up arms and cut us down right now.
“Don’t worry, Mary. If I don’t go, we’ll all be in danger.”
“….”
I hugged Mary, who was shaking with evil energy. Because of the difference in their sizes, it seemed like a high school girl was hugging a younger junior.
Then Mary’s expression improved significantly.
“The guy threw away his weapon anyway. Don’t worry, Muto will protect me when the time comes.”
“huh.”
Mary said as I pulled away from her body.
“If you see anything suspicious, you have to come out right away. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I could feel a strong sense of urgency in hoping that I would be safe.
I could tell the spirit just by looking at the voice and the eyes.
After awakening to the power of the Demon King, Mary’s mental state has become unstable.
It will take a long time to regain the freedom that we once had.
During that time, he was unable to find someone to rely on and held on to evil, which is why he was reborn as the final boss of Chapter 5… But he can’t leave it like that.
“You’re finally here!”
Ruthys starts waving her arms and getting excited just because I approached her.
Those exaggerated movements are so freaking hilarious to watch. It makes you want to punch him in the face.
The guy didn’t really have any special feelings for me. It wasn’t likes or dislikes, it was just ‘nothing’.
Even the weapon was thrown on the floor. Eventually, I stood in front of the guy, but nothing happened.
“What are you trying to tell me?”
I asked because I was curious.
Then, Ruthie patted my shoulder with an expression on her face as if she was going to comfort me.
Swish swish-
“You can rest assured now.”
His voice was also like that of a considerate priest, so he was a man who could easily be mistaken for a saint.
I don’t know about other areas, but I think he’s really good at worldly skills.
Is this how you got promoted to the position of Knight Commander?
Push!-
But I was shocked to see that there was a hole in my chest. Something had definitely come flying in.
Since it was shot from an invisible place, it could not be seen with the eyes, and even if other sense skills were to be activated, it was too fast.
If so, what did Muto do instead of stopping it?
『Damn it…!』
No, Muto protected me with his entire body.
But Muto’s body is also pierced.
Judging from the holy aura, it seemed to be an arrow filled with holy magic, and I could barely see where it had come from and the path it had taken.
The top of the head of the highest-level spirit Tritan. Even if you want to feel the energy around it, you will be buried in the energy of the giant monster that is the size of a mountain.
That’s why the sniper’s presence could not be detected.
“Now you can rest forever.”
The guy still had a kind expression on his face, as if he was sure that there was nothing wrong with his actions.
Everyone was shocked at what he meant, but Ruthie spoke passionately.
“I know the truth! You students also participated in their plan! That’s why you are ‘evil’! This student in particular is handling the spirits ominously! Therefore, you are subject to punishment!”
“What the hell… I fell over.”
“uh?”
It must have been heartbreaking.
Ruthie’s eyes widened at the sight of me, surprisingly alive.
And I was surprised once again when the ‘fake’ that had pierced my heart disappeared and the ‘real’ me appeared.
-Swap Lv10
It’s been a while since I used a swap skill. I thought it would be perfect since it leveled up…
“Ugh…!”
“I couldn’t avoid it completely.”
I was able to avoid the heart, but it went through my thigh. It was the fastest projectile I’ve ever faced.
Meanwhile, Bayman was focused on finding information about Ruthie.
“Found him. Lutis Saintly, he was appointed as the 2nd captain of the Divine Imperial Knights a year ago. With a righteous and thorough personality, he subdued various demon tribes and monster armies in a short period of time.”
“Are you in a position to see that now?”
Trisha pressed Bayman, annoyed, but Bayman didn’t stop reciting the information.
Among them, I was able to find something quite shocking.
“However, it is written that he was unable to save them in operations involving hostages, perhaps because he was still immature as a knight commander.”
“what…?”
“In short… none of the hostages survived the operation that gentleman commanded.”
It probably wasn’t revealed to the public that he killed her himself.
It will probably be covered up by saying that it was due to unavoidable operational circumstances or that he is still immature since he has only been in office for a year.
“Then that human… was planning to kill us from the beginning?”
It wasn’t for nothing that he attacked us from the beginning.
Realizing that fact and seeing that cartoon character-like face made me cringe even more.
“That kid!”
“The promises are different!”
As Tariel and Heidern were about to step forward in anger, the spirits blocked their path.
Lutece, who had picked up Rosaria again and dropped it on the floor, quickly charged and cut me down.
Chomp!-
“this…!”
Although Muto managed to block it with his tail, it was ultimately too strong and his tail was cut off.
Thanks to that, it was only possible to cut the upper body skin, otherwise it would have been a more horrifying sight.
Blood is flowing. I’m dizzy from the pain.
Behind it, there was a cliff with an ominous atmosphere.
“There is no mercy for evil that threatens citizens.”
“Yeah, you too.”
“what?”
This was actually an opportunity.
As I pulled my arm with all my remaining strength, the guy was dragged along with me.
“Whoa!”
Suddenly, Ruthy’s body is pushed towards me.
The guy who hit his chin on the floor with a thud only then realized that his wrists were tied.
“Is this real?”
Something was tied up.
There was a tiny string wrapped around my wrist like a bracelet.
I laughed and jumped down the cliff, shouting.
“It’s a fishing line, kid!”
“How dare you!”
Bam!-
“Ugh!”
A black feather struck Lutece’s shoulder like an arrow as he tried to struggle.
As soon as he hit a part of Aisha that had barely manifested, the guy lost the strength in his arms.
Ruthie and I fell straight down the cliff.
* * * * *
“Hey friend!!”
A chilling atmosphere permeates the air as Mary’s screams echo.
While we were grieving over our friend’s sacrifice, the soldiers on the other side were rushing to attack us.
Besides, the spirits haven’t disappeared yet.
“Hey buddy… Radon…”
At the bottom of the cliff, the opposite of life, the energy of death, lurked.
If you fall into a place like that, there’s no way you’ll survive.
That was when Mary was driven to despair.
“How dare you, Captain!”
But there is no mercy in this situation.
One of the archers among the soldiers fired an arrow at Mary.
“My junior friend. You’d better come to your senses.”
The arrow stopped between Mary’s eyebrows.
Trisha catches the projectile with her hand and looks down at her, saying:
“It’s not over yet. There’s no way he’d die that easily.”
“….”
Mary didn’t answer as if she couldn’t believe it, but Trisha paid no attention and turned around.
“You don’t plan on just sitting there, do you?”
“….”
They also had no answer.
But his eyes changed when he saw her standing proudly in front of him to protect Mary, who was now helpless.
“It’s just as she said. Come to your senses, Mary.”
“but…”
Even when the wind spirit Dolkan, who took the form of a cheetah, appeared and urged him, he only received negative responses.
“That boy isn’t dead yet.”
But the eyes that had lost focus wavered at the single word that contained hope.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
