As a gathering place for the privileged in the continent, the three academies always have a high influx of people.
Thanks to this, the post town on the way to the Golden Triangle are always full of bustle and life.
Even the luxury accommodation where the Holy Land's Saintess stay wasn't free from the surrounding noise.
"…"
The Saintess, Lucien, rose from the bed with an exhale.
Her two-tone hair, a mix of gold and white, slid smoothly over her pristine white robe.
As she breathed out, a cloud of cigarette smoke rose into the air.
A Saintess and a cigarette. It was a bizarre combination that would make a devout believer's eyes roll. But she didn't seem to care and even took out a new one.
"Could you please close the window?"
"Eung? Ah, was I interrupting?"
The 'boy' who was sitting near the window turned his head towards her in response.
It was a young man in his late teens, clad in full body armor.
"I'm sorry. I was just watching the people This city is lively, it feels good."
"The sound is fine, but the light is annoying."
"Do the modern-day Saintesses find the light bothersome?"
"Just a personal habit. I've spent most of my life in a dark chapel."
"Don't suddenly delve into such dark topics. You're making me want to hit you."
"…You are, in name, my escort knight. Please choose your words."
It was a very disrespectful tone for speaking to the continent's Saintess, but Lucien showed no particular reaction other than that.
Because considering this man's personality, he would not do such a thing even if he died and came back to life.
"You're not even afraid anymore. You were so nervous when we first met."
"I would rather believe that the Emperor is a saintly man than you hitting women, Varkasus."
The boy chuckled as he closed the window.
"I must say, we have become too close."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, a bit much for a devil worshiper and a Saintess, no?"
Lucien raised her head and looked at the other person.
"…"
As soon as she did, she felt a suffocating pressure enveloping her entire body, causing her to grit her teeth.
Since the window had just been closed, blocking the only light source, she couldn't make out the boy's expression as it's dark.
However, his distorted 'form' was clearly evident.
Incomprehensible, repulsive, disgusting, terrible.
While it may be invisible in the light, but the moment darkness falls, the boy would reveal his 'true nature'.
An indescribably distorted, eon-old monster.
Even she, who has one of the most sacred powers in the church, can barely maintain her composure when facing this grotesque existence, let alone subdue it.
"…Don't worry."
She smiled wryly at the sight.
"You guys might be better than the human holding my leash."
Indeed, it was.
Since receiving the 'shackles' of being a Saintess of the Holy Land, Lucien had never once regretted having ties with these humans.
Compared to the demons disguised in human skin, the devil worshipers were far better.
"Thank you for that."
The boy responded with a smirk, yawning as he spoke.
"But in the end, you also have a purpose for cooperating with us, don't you? What was it again? You mentioned something about searching for someone?"
"Yes."
Lucien nodded slightly.
"…someone precious to me is in Elfante."
In a voice full of determination, she continued.
"There is something I must do."
"Is that so? Someone precious to you..."
The boy nodded in response.
A faint glimmer flickered within the darkness.
"I had those things once too."
Followed by the voice of someone buried in the depths of the memories of the past.
Simultaneously, a rotten energy began to surge from the boy's body.
Corruption overflowed.
Lucien took a deep breath without realising it.
Just by being near, it felt as though her body would break into pieces.
"…"
"There was a time like that. Like the humans outside the window right now; lively, laughing, chatting, and loving each other. The joys of ordinary people. The heart-full and positive days."
A breath filled with the energy of the dead dispersed into the air.
The miasma mixed in was dizzying.
It was flowing out.
The dead's mistakenly held obsession, the greed of the perished, oozed out like a sticky residue clinging to the floor, slowly creeping forth.
And above it.
A melancholic voice.
"…then my kingdom, where the hell is it now?"
"…Ah, geuheuk…!"
"Oh, this."
The boy smiled and said.
The flowing energy suddenly disappeared. At the same time, Lucien fell on the floor while gasping for breath.
She was sweating all over her body.
'I thought I was going to die…!'
Despite being a Saintess, facing the opponent who only revealed a hint of their energy, put her in a life-threatening situation.
This boy is a monster at that level of 'stature'.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?"
"…I'm fine, as you can see…!"
"Well, I sincerely apologize. I sometimes forget how fragile of a creature humans are. I tend to get worked up without realising it, when discussing serious matters."
"…Aren't you the one who said something dark?"
"Uh, didn't I apologise already?"
Scratching his head, the boy stood up and opened the window again.
Then, as soon as the sun came in, his face regained its human form.
As the boy wore a cheerful smile, complementing his sharp features, he immediately got hit by a remark.
"I just asked you to close it."
"You're being loud. Why don't you take the opportunity to pray while basking in the sunlight? Considering your usual conduct, you should be more faithful to your role as a Saintess."
"…"
"Hell, I will even join you. I memorize prayers better than you, wouldn't you agree?"
"…"
Lucien's eyes narrowed after hearing a suggestion that shouldn't come from a devil worshiper. Seeing this, Varkasus chuckled and changed the subject.
"Anyway, I, like you, have something to accomplish in this academy."
Having said that, the boy looked at the building nestled in the horizon, Elfante Academy.
It was a place full of vitality, just what he needs to achieve his 'goal.'
"Until then, let's take good care of each other, understand?"
"…"
Lucien let out another wry smile.
If even a single person knew this fact, the entire continent would be completely turned upside down.
A devil worshiper and a Saintess collaborating together was simply outrageous.
"…Yes."
However.
"Let's do our best, Varkasus."
This is her answer.
●
「 My Dear Son,
It's almost summer. I heard that summer around there is especially hot. I sent a freeze stone and some fruits produced in the territory to add to your diet. Share it with your friends.
.
.
.
I heard that around this time of year, Elfante holds a visit event. Unfortunately, it will be harvest season soon and it would be difficult for me to attend myself.
So I will send Butler Herman instead. He can accompany you to the official events and be there if you need anything.
Don't worry about the estate; it's peaceful. You've always been a clever child, so we're not overly worried.
That's all for now.
P.S.
If you have any close female friend, bring her over during your vacation and introduce her. Isn't it time for this old man to see his grandson's face?
From Armin Campbell. 」
"…"
With a dull expression, I folded the letter while holding a bunch of grapes.
Yes, grapes. They're from our territory and their quality is excellent.
However, I feel so depressed right now.
'A close female friend.'
Knowing his personality, it's probably just a joke.
Well, I can think of a few names that I can take with me.
Like Elnore, or maybe Elijah.
But if I were to bring either of them to the estate during the vacation, well.
"…"
I don't even want to imagine. Who knows what kind of disaster they'll bring.
The problem is, considering my current situation, the likelihood of it ending with just these two is extremely low.
'Please save humanity.'
I sighed, recalling the 'mission' Atalante entrusted to me not long ago.
And that is, to seduce all of the devil vessel candidates.
"…"
I massaged my throbbing head.
The president called it a 'request', when in fact, there was never an option to 'decline'.
If it is inevitable that I will get entangled with the devil vessels one way or the other, and they become obsessed with me, there would be no way I can survive other than turning them favorably towards me.
I'm sorry, Father.
The promise I made when I first set out, to never attract attention, was becoming increasingly impossible to keep as time passes.
'…I don't know.'
Well, the more I brood about this, the more complicated it will get.
So right now, let's just focus on solving what's in front of us one by one.
< Gift-related Character Notification >
♥ Elnore Elinalise La Tristan
[ Love Level 1 ]
[ Exclusive Quest 'Curse Inheritance' has been created! ]
[ D-7 until Exclusive Quest-related events occur ]
▼ Gideon Galestead La Tristan
[ Curiosity Level 1 ]
[ Exclusive Quest 'Curse Inheritance' has been created! ]
[ D-7 until Exclusive Quest-related events occur ]
Starting with this.
[ Main Quest ]〖 Chapter 2 – Ruined Boy King 〗
[ Related events will occur soon! ]
I've been waiting for this.
'…Surely, in a week.'
As mentioned in the letter, there is an event that always happens in Elfante around this time of year.
It's a class observation event with the house representatives of the students.
Simply judging by the name, it's really not a big deal. However, if it's a place where a lot of privileged people gather, such an event is bound to get twisted from all the varying interests clashing.
Their presence is to intimidate, not be intimidated. And the more privileged they are, the more they care not to be looked down upon.
Now, the event has been blown out of proportions with considerably increased significance. So much so that people, who don't even understand why they are there, sometimes appear.
And since Elnore and Gideon's Exclusive Quests were created at the same time, well...
It's obvious how things will unfold.
'…I will finally see his face.'
Gideon Galestead La Tristan.
Originally, there wouldn't even be a chance to make contact with such a person.
Because in most of the main scenario, he always appear as dead.
"…"
Ah, but that doesn't mean that Elnore is going to slit his throat.
While she does dislike him, she wouldn't commit patricide.
However, it's true that their relationship is complicated.
Gideon... for 'certain reasons,' has been cold towards Elnore ever since she was a child. And Elnore, influenced by that, also hasn't been particularly fond of him either.
Rooted from a certain event involving Elnore's 'mother,' their relationship completely shifted.
But in all the storylines, the trigger for the complete collapse of Elnore's mental state and awaken as the Gray Devil's vessel always starts with Gideon's death. So it's not like they're blood enemies.
Remembering what happens, I couldn't hold in my sigh.
Right, so I know all this.
'What's certain is that…'
If I ever come face to face with this person, there will definitely be something to "take away" there.
It would be of great help in confronting the main antagonist of Chapter 2, the 'Boy King'.
"…"
It might be rude to think of the Empire's strongest knight like that, but it can't be helped.
The danger I am in is in the extreme, where I could die at any given moment. I can't do nothing.
Even more so from Chapter 2 onwards.
'The Enlightened.'
Executives of the devil worshippers, the main villains of the scenario.
They start appearing prominently from Chapter 2, and the Boy King is one of them.
They possess power that far surpasses that of the Purifier who have consumed the Devil's Essence, reducing him to a speck of dust.
"…"
In the first place, it's not a boss battle designed to be won through conventional means.
If you think about what kind of character the Boy King is, it becomes even more apparent.
'So, that's that.'
In the end, solving it will start with Gideon's event that is just around the corner.
If I can exactly get what I need, the progress will be much smoother.
'For now, he's classified as a villain.'
Considering the way his character is setup and how he's portrayed in the scenario, it does align to some extent.
With his background, how you treat him is key.
Now what does this mean?
'I don't know how much effect Fatal Charm will have.'
My gift becomes stronger the more extremely aligned to evil the other person is. In that case, with someone like Gideon, who is hard to read, it's uncertain to what extent it will be effective.
'And, well…'
I have a plan.
So that even if I cannot rely on Fatal Charm on this one, I have a backup to still get the thing I need to help myself.
However, in order to do that, I have to improve.
< Status Info >
「Dowd Campbell」
Strength: F
Agility: F
Endurance: F
Luck: F
Power: F
< Mastery Info >
[ Attribute: Tristan Style Swordsmanship ] [ Grade: Basic ]
[ Current Proficiency: 58% ]
[ Master Sword Technique of the Tristan Duke Family. ]
[ ■ Can exert a certain level of power regardless of weapon. ]
[ Attribute: Breathing Technique – Duckweed ] [ Grade: Basic ]
[ Current Proficiency: 67% ]
[ ■ A breathing method that dramatically increases the body's endurance and strength when trained for a long time. It has a high compatibility with the Tristan Style Swordsmanship. ]
I have to train this.
In my plan, there is only one way to establish a direct connection with Gideon, and that is through "swordsmanship."
I don't need to suddenly display a genius-like talent. I just need to show decent-enough proficiency in Tristan Style Swordsmanship.
The problem is that I have to achieve it without using Desperation. Meaning, I need to have my stats and attribute level at a certain point to accomplish it.
'…Let's find a way.'
Fortunately, I have quite a few people around me whom I can rely on in times like this.
●
"You want me to teach you swordsmanship?"
Elnore asked with wide eyes.
This was the response I got when I asked on the way out of the classroom after class.
'…But how long is she going to take classes with the freshmen?'
As soon as Elnore fully recovered from her injuries, the first thing she did was cut in my class.
Even as the Student Council President, shouldn't she eventually return to her original class?
Isn't this breaking the rules?
"Eung. There is no such thing."
"…"
"I think we'll probably take classes together until you graduate. So you don't need to worry about that part."
Is this what a Student Council President should say?
Elnore then nodded, as she puffed her chest out like she's proud of what she said.
Her face was still expressionless.
"…"
But this is abuse of power.
What are you so proud of?
"Anyway, I'd like to ask for some guidance on swordsmanship."
"By the way, didn't you say that you wanted to study Theology? You'll soon start your major classes, so why invest time in something like this?"
"I don't intend on doing it for that long. For now, I need to achieve results in a short period of time. In that respect, the one I can trust the most is Elnore."
Whatever the case may be, she's the first person to consider in this field.
She's the most familiar with it, and there's no doubt about her swordsmanship skills.
Above all, there is no better teacher in learning 'Tristan Style Swordsmanship' than her.
So I asked again, and Elnore's eyes widened as she looked at me for a moment.
Then, she suddenly turned her back to me.
"…What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I'm just in a good mood knowing that you trust me."
"If you're in a good mood, why are you turning your back to me?"
"Hmm. I practiced my happy face for times like these. Wait and see."
"…"
After fidgeting for a while, Elnore finally looked back at me.
Her eyebrows were slightly raised more than normal.
"…How is it?"
"…"
So, are you going to teach me swordsmanship or not?
You still didn't give me an answer.
"Ora, quite the interesting topic you got over there."
Hearing the newcomer's voice, Elnore's 'happy' expression immediately crumpled.
"…You have no business interfering. Step aside."
"Ehei, is learning swordsmanship limited to one teacher?"
Elijah replied with a smile, which made Elnore's eyebrows grow fiercer.
"…Dowd asked me, not you. This is unrelated to you-"
"Oh, but before entering the academy, I had good experience as a swordsmanship instructor. While the Princess probably haven't taught anyone before, right?"
"…"
Despite her menacing demeanor, it seems that Elnore's personality is still the same. She didn't lie to have taught someone to just counter Elijah, and simply stayed silent.
She can be quite stubborn in peculiar ways.
I smiled and suggested to Elijah.
"How about we learn together? I do think that Elnore can provide us some great insights."
Well, this is the truth.
As far as skill is concerned, there is still a clear gap between the two. If Elnore were to teach her, Elijah would have a lot to learn.
Anyway, considering the scenario, Elijah's growth is essential. In that sense, this is a good opportunity to foster her development.
"…"
Elijah pouted at my words, while Elnore's expression relaxed.
"Um, is that so?"
However, Elijah grinned as if she remembered something.
"Then she'll be the 'lone' instructor, while we learn 'together'?"
Hearing this, Elnore's expression darkened again.
"…"
Don't fall for these childish provocations. Please.
"…Since you insist, be an instructor yourself, then."
Saying so with a sigh, Elnore's expression relaxed again.
But as soon as she heard that, Elijah grinned.
As if this was what she's been aiming for all along.
"Oh, is that so? It's a competition then?"
"What?"
"Me or the Princess, who is the better teacher?"
"…"
Why does it have to be like that?
As I squinted at that thought, Elijah continued.
"Naturally, whoever is better should be the one 'regularly' teaching in the future, don't you think so?"
"…"
What is she talking about now?
I didn't say anything.
"…Ha."
Elnore laughed as she brushed her hair.
"Looks like the fledgling freshman has a big ambition. Are you challenging me now?"
"Oh, but I don't think Princess would be good at teaching?"
"Can you take responsibility for that statement?"
No.
Hello, I'm here too.
Hey!