Chapter 156: Chapter 157

“Over the past few centuries,” said Lise, “the confectionery industry has made astonishing advancements, unlike the endlessly tedious field of magical studies. Just look at this blend of ‘moist’ and ‘crisp.’ It is as complex as combining opposing elements—a brilliant accomplishment. And then there’s this interesting texture... ah, it must be peanuts. They’ve hidden a touch of nuttiness within the sweetness. The confectioner who crafted this cookie possesses extraordinary creativity and skill.”

“...”

Lise, who had devoured the cookies as if someone were about to steal them, looked at me with a satisfied expression.

Unable to withstand the pressure, I blurted out, “...I’ll bring more next time.”

“Sugar is a mage’s closest friend and lifelong companion.”

“...”

I couldn’t bring myself to mention that the bags of cookies had already been half eaten, so I chose to change the subject. “May I ask you a question now?”

“First, explain the situation clearly. Where did you come across the demon tongue and magic circle?”

“At Kartell Academy.”

Lise cocked her head slightly. “Kartell Academy? That is an educational institution in the capital, is it not?”

“Yes, it is. What happened is...”

I summarized the series of events occurring at Kartell Academy as concisely as I could.

When I finished telling the story, Lise looked intrigued. “It is clear the Empire’s power has waned significantly over the years,” she said. “A demon lord being summoned right in the heart of the capital? It is not a complete manifestation, but that is only possible because it is Hadenaihar, the ruler of the Veiled Side...”

“...”

“It would be interesting to see the entire academy turn into a demon lair. Ahaha, that would be rather amusing.”

...Judging from the way she was speaking, I didn't think I could ask for help from House Bednicker through Lise.

“...Speaking of which,” I said. “I used the magic item you gave me to meet with you, but I’m worried the puppet headmaster might notice.”

At my words, Lise gave a small laugh. “Puppets cannot achieve perfect replication. The higher the level of the original, the harder that level is to reproduce. It will suffer from partial memory gaps as well. The puppet of an archmage likely wields less than half of the original’s power.”

“I see...”

So it was more flawed than I’d initially thought.

Then again, wasn’t that obvious? There was no way one could churn out puppets of that caliber without having to give up something significant.

“Of course, even the most skilled archmage wouldn’t be able to see through this Lise Ladygoth’s magic item, so you needn’t worry overly.”

Her assurance was comforting. If only her personality were a bit softer, she would make the perfect ally.

Then again, no one is perfect.

“Anyway... things seem to be getting interesting. So your goal is to directly enter the Veiled Side and defeat the demon lord, yes?”

“That’s the current plan, yes.”

Lise laughed. “Very well. In that case, I can share a few things with you. The magic circle you showed me signifies the creation and maintenance of the Veiled Side as well as the enforcement of new laws. Once you step into Hadenaihar’s domain, you will have no choice but to adhere to its rules.” ℞

“What happens if I break them?”

“You will be trapped forever, your body bound to the world of the blood-lit moon and your soul endlessly toyed with in the clutches of the demon lord. Not even death will set you free.”

Her words reminded me of Alec’s description of the expedition team to Spirit Mountain, longing for death.

Not even death can liberate you.

The Demon Lord of the Green Tongue, Tangtata...

The image of that fiend playing with Juan's severed head like a ball flashed through my mind.

Back then, even with all the animosity I’d held toward Juan, I’d felt more pity than satisfaction, but...

I was suddenly struck by a thought.

Perhaps, in the end, death had been a blessing for Juan.

Lise glanced at the note and continued, “It seems the text written in the demon tongue lays out the rules of the Veiled Side. I will only say this once, so memorize it well.” Maybe it was the sugar, but Lise seemed exceptionally happy right now. Her voice was light, almost singsong. “First, if you get caught by a puppet, it’s over. Second, you must not leave the designated area. To win, you must find the ritual officiant and defeat the demon lord. The time limit is until the full moon rises. Hmm, the rules are simpler than I expected.”

I pondered for a moment before asking, “If defeating the officiant is the victory condition, isn’t there no need to enter the Veiled Side?”

“Killing the officiant outside holds little to no meaning. The demon lord’s power won’t grow further, but nor will the manifested demon lord disappear. Rather, there’s a strong likelihood the demon lord will go on a rampage.”

“...”

That was exactly what Evan had said.

At least it confirmed he wasn’t lying about how to subjugate the demon lord.

At least in the academy, I don’t think I will need to worry about him betraying us.

Still, I didn’t think I could fully trust him. Or perhaps I should say that fully trusting him felt impossible?

As I was wrestling with these thoughts, Lise said, “Let me give you one piece of advice.”

“What is it?”

“Run away,” Lise said, offering me a slight grin. “All those who understand the rules are hopeful at first, thinking ‘Maybe I can win,’ ‘Maybe I can survive.’ They chant it like a mantra, almost as if they’ve been brainwashed—unaware that even that hope is nothing more than a vehicle for the Demon King’s amusement. The deeper you delve, the more you’ll realize: From the beginning, the game was structured to favor Hadenaihar to an absurd degree.” Lise extended a hand toward me. “Of course, it might be a puppet, but it is still an archmage’s doppelganger. It won’t be easy for you to deceive or escape from... but for me, Lise Ladygoth, it would hardly be a challenge.”

I suddenly remembered being told something similar. It must’ve been in the first training camp, when I met Asad.

I almost let out a dry laugh.

Come to think of it, this situation was surprisingly similar.

The only differences were that it was the Demon Lord of the Blood-Lit Moon, not the Demon Lord of the Black Swamp, and that was Lise the one giving me that advice, not Asad.

But still...

Perhaps blindly refusing, like I had back then, was not the best course of action right now. If I left the academy, I could try to seek outside help.

What if I can get the Lord of Blood and Iron to help?

Granted, the duke was the busiest man on the continent... but this wasn’t some random matter. This was a demon lord.

Wouldn’t he rush over without hesitation?

“Let’s say I take your advice. How can I escape?”

“It’s not difficult. There are six days left until the summoning of the demon lord is complete. Stay hidden here until then.”

* * * * *

* * * * *

The unexpected answer left me momentarily stunned.

“What kind of...?”

“The moment the demon lord completely descends, everyone trapped on the Veiled Side will be offered as a sacrifice. At least half of the people in the academy will meet that fate, and those lucky enough to survive will have seeds of evil planted within them.”

“Seeds of evil? What are those?”

“Think of them as dark instincts destined to eventually sprout... Once a seed of evil blooms, you will strangle the ones you once loved, destroy the treasures you once cherished, and harbor unending hatred toward your parents and children alike.”

“...”

“If you stay here, you can avoid being affected by it. Afterward, you can leave the academy and leave the cleanup to the Imperial Guard Unit, another archmage, or even Dellark. Considering this matter involves a demon lord, that guy would rush here even from the far side of the continent.”

I’d had the same thought about Dellark, but I kept my mouth shut.

Lise looked at me, questioning my lack of response.

“Over two hundred people in the academy have already been replaced by puppets,” I said.

“Yes, you told me that previously.”

“I thought they had already been sacrificed to the demon lord, but you're saying that’s not the case.”

Lise smiled. “Those who were replaced by puppets are still trapped on the Veiled Side, clinging to fleeting hopes, trembling in fear and terror, longing for a sun that will never rise under the blood moon.”

“Then isn't it still possible to save them?”

“Do you desire to save them?”

“If they can be saved, it is only right to try.”

Lise gave an unlady-like snort. “And how do you plan to do that? By stepping into the demon’s game with no chance of victory? Walking into hell on your own two feet... isn’t that what a fool would do?”

“...”

“They are as good as dead. Jumping into the sea for someone swept away by the storm is not kindness. It's a matter of intelligence, and that, Luan, is not a rescue. That is a joint suicide.”

Lise's gaze fell upon me from above.

Yet strangely, in this moment, her piercing violet eyes lacked their usual wickedness.

Instead, they were filled with a starry, inquisitive gaze.

“However, Luan Bednicker, before my judgment, I wish to ask you one thing.” Lise looked at me like I was something she had never encountered before. “Are you a virtuous person?”

***

I left the underground library, leaving Lise behind.

I still had not responded to her proposal.

For some reason, talking to her made me grow restless... Whenever I was in this state, I had to take time to sort out my thoughts alone.

In a quiet place, facing my inner self.

Fortunately, the pantry was quiet, and the moonlit window added to the solitary atmosphere.

I sat down on a crate and lost myself in thought.

Kartell Academy.

To me, this was not a place of learning but a fog-filled labyrinth.

The discomfort I'd felt from the moment I'd first set foot in this place... Sellen Goodspring, the prince and princess, Professor Alec, the ghost stories, Spirit Mountain, the demon lord, the vice-cult leader Evan and the big conspiracy I’d uncovered from him, and Headmaster Alderson, who it turned out was a puppet—

I’d thought I was observing from a distance, but before I knew it, I’d been swept up in the current.

I had wandered aimlessly, not knowing where I was going. On many days, confusion had weighed heavier than helplessness.

And though the fog had finally lifted... seeing the monster revealed within it made me let out a breathless, hollow chuckle.

They say ignorance is bliss. That felt more true now than ever.

If only I hadn't known.

If only I hadn't known that two hundred innocent cadets were still alive and suffering on the Veiled Side.

I chuckled bitterly.

What a despicable thought.

—Are you virtuous?

The answer to that question was “No.”

Lise Ladygoth did not understand the nature of people like me in the slightest.

There were many people in the world who were good deep down. Take Sellen Goodspring, for example. She rushed into the Bednicker training camp to save young heroes who were no better than strangers.

I was not like Sellen. I could not be.

But that didn’t mean I saw myself as a bad person either.

A relatively conscientious guy.

That was how I’d describe myself.

Shiiing.

I drew the Sword of Seven Sins.

Its rough, unpolished blade neither reflected me nor caught the moonlight...

Yet somehow, in this moment, I felt as though I was staring into the eyes of the Martial God, whom I had never seen before.

You heard everything, right?

[Indeed.]

Am I making a reckless choice?

[It is hard to deny that.]

The Martial God’s voice was solemn.

[No matter how many lives you have, it will not be enough. No one would blame you for running away. In fact, at your age, that decision would make sense if you were thinking of your future].

“...”

[But you don't want to, do you?]

I chuckled at the Martial God’s comment.

[Don't do what you don't want to do].

He probably wasn’t saying that to comfort or encourage me, but his words deeply resonated with me nonetheless.

“Will you join me?” I asked.

The Martial God smiled.

[A world where the moon never sets is, in other words, a world where the sun never rises. How terrified those poor, fragile children must be. How many nights they must have spent in fear.]

“...”

[Perhaps no one still hopes to see the sunrise. Perhaps they have forgotten the feeling of sunlight on their skin. But I think, in a world like that, the dawn must come. It must be proven that the sun will rise.]

“...”

[Let us go, Inheritor.]

At the Martial God’s words, I rose from my seat.

[Even if you walk the path of Hell, I will walk beside you.]

Just as I was about to leave the pantry...

A faint beam of light poured in through the window.

I blinked, adjusting to the unusually bright light.

The sun was rising.

____