Episode 246. Train Journey
An irregular soul stirred inside the capsule Grisha had placed on the table.
The owner of that soul is said to be the Demon King Machia, who took over the body of Emperor Charis.
Harkel still stared at the capsule as if it were a wonder.
While other collaborators got up and went out to do some business, he stayed and showed interest in the capsule.
“Are you still curious?”
Of course, Grisha, the person who brought the capsule, also remained in his seat.
A smile appeared on Grisha’s lips at the sight of him being so obsessed with something so peculiar.
“Is this really Machia’s soul? That person is definitely….”
I heard that the real Machia is currently locked up in the deepest part of the dungeon of the zodiac.
You can’t say that he lived in that state, but you can’t say that he died either.
How did they extract Machia’s soul from a place that was under such strict security and even guarded by Elder Enviel?
That was one of the puzzling parts.
“Yes, it is certainly not an easy method to extract another person’s soul. Even if it were possible, there is no way I could reach the prison with my own strength.”
So how did he extract this soul? The method wasn’t particularly complicated.
“Actually, I didn’t do much to save this soul. Should I say that the soul just came into the capsule on its own?”
Grisha was just holding this capsule from a distance.
Then, as if a soul was being drawn by something and swept away by the rapids, it all came into the capsule.
I don’t know if there’s something special about that capsule, but it makes me wonder one more thing.
“Then what happened to that guy, Machia, who’s in prison? Since his soul escaped, he’s probably as good as dead.”
“No, he’s not dead.”
“what?”
“You could call it his soul, but… it would only be half of it.”
Machia is definitely rotting in prison.
However, he is unconscious and collapses, desperately denying the reality of his downfall.
It wouldn’t make any difference anyway. What difference would it make if I were chained up in that cramped space?
Rather, it is good for surveillance that the noisy guy has become quiet.
“But no one will know! The moment he lost consciousness, a part of his soul left his body.”
The resentment towards the world that ‘does not acknowledge me’ was so strong.
Moreover, since Machia had already experienced astral projection through the possession of spirits, it was highly likely that her soul would escape.
Even if you don’t die, the mental shock alone can cause a part of your soul to escape.
“Actually, it’s a bit ambiguous to even call this a soul. It’s just a part of his soul that has left his body with a strong grudge.”
Since it was not a complete soul, there was no will in that soul.
It was a pity for Grisha that he could not talk to that spirit.
“Of course, this dregs of soul alone is more than enough to move the corpse of the God of Destruction.”
After hearing his words, Harkel looked at Grisha mysteriously.
What on earth is his true identity, knowing every bit of information that they don’t know?
It felt like there was an absolute being guiding them.
“It seems that you are not an ordinary being.”
“Hehehe. I’ll tell you about that when I get the chance. By the way, did you catch the boy I told you about?”
“boy?”
When asked who it was, Grisha took out a leaflet and said,
He was referring to none other than Alighieri’s cadet named ‘Radon Crowler’.
“Oh, that boy.”
“Hmm… Looks like you haven’t caught it yet.”
“It must be easy to catch him. Other nobles, including myself, are working together to spread out leaflets to catch this brat. But….”
“however?”
Harkel trailed off, as if he was embarrassed.
First of all, there is no public justification for capturing this boy, Radon Crowler.
It is an act that is close to crushing public sentiment, as it is simply an act of driving an innocent person into a wanted state.
This is an act that would be so shameful that it would result in dismissal if it were to reach the royal family’s ears, but fortunately, the royal family no longer exists.
There are currently few who can stop the influence of the Bayold family or the Papyas.
So, I was focused on catching this boy without any worries.
“It seems like Chain Silver and the religious group are constantly keeping us in check. They’re doing everything they can to stop us from spreading leaflets.”
“Hmm… those two?”
“If they had only criticized it publicly, then it would have been different. It was a bit unexpected that they were trying to block it so openly.”
Since these two groups are known for their good conduct, it is not surprising that they would try to prevent wrongdoing.
Harkel also expected that a group would come out to stop them, but he still did not hesitate to capture the boy.
Anyway, once the God of Destruction is resurrected, everything will be over.
Because then he will become the master of the new regime.
So that’s the question.
“But what does capturing this boy have to do with the advent of the God of Destruction?”
Grisha insisted that this boy be caught.
So they are enthusiastically cooperating in that work.
Clearly, I think this is also part of the process of summoning the god of destruction.
“Honestly, this boy is also suitable as a vessel, but he is inferior to the corpse of the evil spirit sleeping in this papyrus.”
“But why are you trying to catch it?”
Could this be a countermeasure in case the exhumation attempt fails?
As such speculations were circulating, Grisha said with a stern expression.
“Your Majesty, do you believe in the existence of Irregulars?”
* * * * *
The Kingdom of Papyrus, located at the edge of the Divine Empire’s border.
It has a rather closed atmosphere because there are always sword fights going on there.
Perhaps because it is an area that likes to hide, it does not support warp gates.
Still, the Magic Train was open, so we could get there within 24 hours.
We sat inside the train and enjoyed the scenery outside. The riverside under the moonlight seen through the window was truly beautiful.
It was nice outside, but there were some uncomfortable elements inside the train.
-An announcement will be made on the train to the Kingdom of Papyrus. Passengers will find a leaflet attached to their seats.
-If you catch the boy pictured on the flyer, you will be given 10,000,000 credits.
An instructional voice comes from a magic stone embedded in the ceiling of the train car.
Since all the crew members were Papiyas staff, they were openly showing their intention to catch me.
In the meantime, my price has been rising even more.
I sighed deeply, clutching the flyer stuck to my seat.
-That’s all. Have a nice trip.
What fun is that? Is it fun to drive an innocent person as if he’s wanted?
These kids definitely can’t be left alone.
I think it would be a great relief to go there and destroy the guys who planned this, one by one.
“Now you’re blatantly crossing the line.”
“But why did our friend become famous enough to be on a flyer?”
“I think so too, Mary.”
The women who rode the train with me also felt uncomfortable.
I couldn’t help but feel outraged at the act of treating an innocent person like a criminal, let alone being photographed in such a public way.
Both the Papyrus and the Bayolds are crazy.
“Are you just going to leave because the imperial palace is empty? Like a runaway calf.”
“This is why it will be difficult for Radon to even lead a normal bachelor’s life. I have to go and find out the truth myself.”
This fact will probably be relayed to the Academy.
Moreover, through the totema, Shaikar and even Spryke, who is disguised as Enviel, are known to me, so I can see that I have many allies around me.
Still, the reason I headed to Papiyas without any particular plan was because of that dream.
The mysterious woman from that dream spoke to me.
-You can’t afford to be complacent.
-There’s no time to go back to the academy.
-We must hurry to Papiyas and stop them.
Then he showed me an incredible sight.
This is what happens if I don’t follow those words.
It was as if a giant demon was awakening from the ground of Papyrus, engulfed in an explosion, while a black crack opened in the sky and the god of destruction descended.
Then, everyone disappeared before the power of the God of Destruction, which turned everything back to nothing.
Even Lyman was defeated without being able to use his power properly.
If that were true, it would not be a good time to return to the Academy.
“Guys! But this picture. Doesn’t it look a little weird?”
While I was dazed, Mary called out to us with a surprised expression.
What on earth is so strange? It’s just my face.
Then Mary compares my face to the one in the photo and says:
“They don’t look alike at all.”
“Of course! I was blatantly cross-dressing!”
My face is now known.
In order to hide his original face, he was transformed into a woman again through a flash ritual.
“Ugh… How many times is this happening?”
“It’s okay though! The way I look now isn’t as bad as I thought, right?”
Jenny wiggles her eyebrows curiously.
That alluring expression made me feel somehow afraid, as if it were making a strange gesture towards me.
“Honestly, I like the way you look now better….”
“What, Inma?”
This time, Ruska said something blatantly creepy.
Are you saying that this is a pierced mouth?
“Radon, can you do this more often in the future?”
“That’s right. If you go like this, you won’t have to feel the burden of being with a bunch of women and one man.”
“Doesn’t it feel burdensome to hear what you guys are saying now?”
Anyway, I’m sick of this cross-dressing.
I’m full of desire to finish this quickly and restore everything to its original state.
But even so… why do I keep feeling regretful?
But Mary, who was standing next to me, said excitedly.
“Hey buddy! Be honest with me. You don’t really want to go back, do you?”
“Stop talking nonsense! Do you think my lower body and chest will be swapped just because I’m doing this?”
“But my chest is small too….”
“Shut up! No matter what anyone says, I’m a man. You guys, remember that too. Got it?”
They nodded slightly at my shout.
In the meantime, Mary admitted that she was small. It was truly moving to see that she had finally come to terms with reality.
“By the way, Mary.”
“huh?”
“Time is up.”
“Eek… I want to be with my friends a little longer.”
“You have to keep your promises.”
Mary stood up, pouting.
I swapped seats with Jenny, feeling very sorry for leaving her.
“Hehehe~ It’s my turn now.”
“….”
This time, Jenny sat next to me like Mary did earlier.
Next was Ruska, then Mary… They decided to take turns sitting in the same seats.
I knew their hearts well.
I absolutely love how they share their time so equally with each other.
however….
“But guys, it’s time to go to bed now. Aren’t you starting to feel sleepy now?”
“I’m fine. I was trained to be nocturnal as a child.”
“Ruska, are you going to hurt yourself doing that? I’m thinking of just going to sleep.”
Jenny leaned against my shoulder, using it as a pillow.
He was openly appealing to me that he wanted to spend the night by my side.
“Hahaha… Is that so? Then I can just switch while you’re sleeping.”
Ruska responded with a look of suppressed anger.
Since she usually sleeps for more than 6 hours, it is not to her liking that Jenny is taking up those 6 hours.
“I can’t take responsibility if you fall on the floor while you’re sleeping.”
“Why are you being so deadly? You already share a room with Radon.”
Sparks were flying seriously from both of their eyes.
It feels like a tense psychological battle is unfolding where the one who closes their eyes first is the loser.
What the hell is fairness. This is what these guys do every day.
Since I didn’t feel any discomfort, I fell asleep first.
And the next day.
.
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As soon as I woke up, the train had arrived at its destination.
Mary and I got off the train to the refreshing sunlight.
But the other two were growling and going down, pinching each other’s cheeks.
“This kid! How dare you throw me in the cargo hold? I thought I’d suffocate to death in my sleep!”
“Then you were the one who froze my entire seat? I almost caught a cold while I was sleeping!”
As expected, the thing I was worried about happened while I was sleeping.
Jenny and Ruska now start pulling each other’s hair. At this point, they were a duo that was like Tom and Jerry.
I tried to hit them with a chestnut to calm them down.
“Kiyaaaaah!!”
At that moment, a scream was heard coming from somewhere in the station.
Not only me, but even the women who were arguing turned their heads to follow the scream.
A boy who looked familiar was running wild, screaming like an animal, and we couldn’t help but be surprised at the sight of him.
“You dare to take my brother-in-law away?! Kkeeeeek!!!”
The boy was using the golem he had summoned to defeat a group of mercenaries.
Surviving as an Academy Fraudster
