Chapter 509

Episode 509. A… cademy? (1)

Contanias looked bewildered by the sudden words of Alon Palatio.

—… Are you referring to the academy?

—That is correct. Is it possible?

Contanias fell silent for a moment. Alon, who had arrived unexpectedly, was asking him to enroll him in the Imperial Academy of the Empire. Contanias felt a genuine curiosity.

The Imperial Academy, currently located in the Eastern Empire and known among nobles as the ‘Saia Academy’, was a place that provided undeniable help to both aristocrats and citizens. For nobles, it was ideal for building networks and receiving lessons from the best instructors in the Empire. For the few common citizens lucky enough to enter, it was a golden opportunity to forge bonds that would secure their future after graduation. Even for members of the royal family, graduating from there was an inescapable duty.

However, those were advantages from the perspective of imperial nobles or citizens; at least in Contanias’s mind, no obvious benefit arose that a being like the one in front of him could obtain by attending such an institution.

—Well, in principle it is possible, but… —Even so, Contanias accepted—. Sending someone to the academy? It is not impossible.

Despite the fact that the Empire was divided and in conflict due to the Emperor’s absence, the academy functioned as well as ever. After all, it was not a total war, but a succession dispute between princes. Even 그 rivalry had turned into a temporary truce after the appearance of the Divine Blood, so the atmosphere at the academy was not as frigid as before.

—In that case, may I add an extra condition?

—… A condition?

—Yes.

—Could you tell me what it is about? —asked Contanias, who, despite sitting on his throne, kept his head bowed with utmost courtesy after having seen Alon’s true identity and his relationship with the Guardian Dragon.

—I wish to enter while hiding my identity.

—… Your identity?

—Exactly.

At Alon’s affirmation, Contanias’s doubt grew. This was also feasible; Alon’s face was not known in the Empire, and if he borrowed the name of some noble from the periphery, it would not be impossible. Nevertheless, the doubt persisted.

—If you don’t mind… may I ask why you wish to enter the academy?

—Are you familiar with the Religion of War?

—! —Upon hearing the question, Contanias’s expression hardened—. I know of it, but…

—How much do you know?

Contanias reflected for a moment and began to relate the reports he had received about said sect.

—Aside from that, those heretical madmen of the Religion of War have been causing uproars in the towns of various territories lately. The most problematic thing is that we cannot discover how their influence is expanding.

Alon stared at him after hearing the information and declared:

—… In short, in a few months, a Divine Blood will descend upon the Empire.

—What… are you saying?

Alon remembered his conversation with The Wanderer in Rosario.

‘Do you know anything about the Religion of War?’

‘… The Religion of War?’

‘Yes. If you have the chance to go to the Empire, could you verify what they are plotting and take care of them?’

‘Why?’

‘If that religion has spread through the Empire, the situation is not good. If they are allowed to continue, one of the ‘Apostles’, the ‘Apostle of Wrath’ of War, will descend very soon.’

‘… What?’

It was a brief dialogue, but impossible to ignore.

—… Is that true? Are you saying that the Religion of War plans to perform a ritual at the Imperial Academy?

At Contanias’s incredulous words, Alon nodded calmly.

—It is not certain yet. But it is necessary to confirm it.

Contanias showed a look of confusion for a moment.

—Fuu… —He let out a long sigh and asked slowly—: So it is not a confirmed situation yet?

—That is right.

—And the reason you wish to go personally is…

—Because if it is true that they plan to perform the ritual, I must stop it.

If it were something that could be solved simply by giving a warning, Alon would prefer to let it pass. Yes, if it were a problem that his advice could solve.

‘… Must I stop it myself?’

‘Yes. According to my predictions, the apostles of war possess a power superior to that of a common Divine Blood.’

‘… Humans stronger than a common Divine Blood…?’

‘Yes, without a doubt. Those who have reached the rank of Apostle can do much more than you imagine, both in strength and abilities. Furthermore, given their aversion to variables, there are probably many of them.’

While Alon sighed remembering the words of The Wanderer, Contanias, after meditating on it, seemed to understand the gravity of the situation.

—… I understand that it is not a simple matter and that it requires your direct intervention.

—True.

—And hiding your identity is a necessary measure in case the Religion of War has infiltrators.

—You are quick to understand.

Alon was internally surprised to confirm that Contanias was more intelligent than he thought. “Well, I guess that’s normal,” he thought, but after what he had seen so far, it was unexpected.

—Certainly, the Consecration Matrix protects us from external invasions, but if a Divine Blood appears from within…

Seeing Contanias frown, Alon wore a peculiar expression. He was surprised once more.

‘He is thinking more deeply than I believed.’

It wasn’t that it was strange in itself; even if the Empire could repel the new forms, there would always be damage. And if something like that broke out in one of the capitals, the disaster would be incalculable. However, what Alon found curious was that the academy was in the Eastern Empire.

Even though they had joined forces to install the Matrix, the three empires were still technically in a war of succession. From that perspective, if a disaster occurred in the Eastern Empire, Contanias would gain an indirect benefit from his rival’s weakness.

… Of course, Alon had already considered this and had secretly asked Ar to keep Contanias in check if he tried anything stupid, but he did not expect this reaction from him.

—… I understand. I will take the necessary measures to make it so, but… why are you looking at me with those eyes?

Contanias felt bewildered seeing that Alon was observing him with a strange gaze. After hesitating, Alon spoke:

—It’s just that you seem to care more than I expected.

—… Pardon me, but isn’t that only natural? —asked Contanias, still confused.

—But, aren’t you all fighting among yourselves for the throne?

Contanias let out an exclamation and replied:

—… My brothers and I are fighting for a single seat, yes. But that is our personal problem; I do not believe it should entail the sacrifice of our subjects.

Alon still found the answer extremely curious. It was a very noble and correct argument, but it came from Contanias.

‘Clearly in the game he was the traitor of the Empire, wasn’t he…?’

Suddenly, Alon felt curious about the original content of Psychedelia.

The day after his private audience with Contanias.

—… Are you saying you’re going to enter the academy while hiding your identity?

Alon told his companions about his plan.

—That’s right.

—… Because of that Religion of War thing?

—Exactly. But I don’t plan on staying long.

—So, it’s strictly to catch the Religion of War.

—Yes. So there’s no reason to delay, right?

—Wow, and here I thought Alon-nim wanted to enjoy himself again with young friends and…

Evan, who was joking and laughing, gradually lowered the volume of his voice. For some reason, he felt several unsettling gazes piercing into him.

—I will go with you —said Deus.

—I will too —added Rine.

As soon as Evan flinched under the terrifying gazes, Deus and Rine spoke as if they had been waiting for it.

—I appreciate it. In fact, I was planning to ask you… But are you alright, Deus? I heard you had pending matters.

Deus nodded.

—Yes, I have already taken care of the related matters, so do not worry.

—I’m glad to hear it.

Then Penia, with a thoughtful expression, intervened:

—But if you are going to hide your identity, how exactly do you plan to do it?

—I’ll probably enter using the name of some noble from the periphery.

—Hmm… it’s true that Alon-nim’s face is not very well known in the Empire, so it could work.

—Even so, I plan to use a simple disguise.

—I will also need something like that —Penia nodded and continued—: Of course, we cannot let it be noticed that Alon-nim has been absent for a long time, so we should put a double in his place…

—A double…

—Yes. Will there be someone suitable to be your double? Appearance can be easily changed with an artifact.

—… Isn’t there a risk of them being discovered?

—Hmm… if they behave perfectly and under the premise that they do not use their powers, there is an artifact that would prevent them from being discovered. Of course, I would need the collaboration of the Tower Master… but that is guaranteed.

Alon stroked his chin after hearing Penia.

—A double…

—Yes. Ideally, it would be someone who knows Alon-nim very well.

—Someone who knows me well?

—Yes. If they act strangely, they will be easily discovered. And if possible, someone whose current whereabouts are unknown.

While Alon reflected on who that “someone of unknown whereabouts” could be, Deus spoke:

—… Alon-nim, if you allow me, could I look for that person?

—Do you know someone suitable?

—Yes. I think there is someone who fits quite well with what was just mentioned.

—Hum. Then I’ll leave it to you.

After accepting Deus‘s proposal, Rine took the floor:

—Hmm. Then we will also have to disguise ourselves.

—I suppose so.

—We’ll have to think a lot about the details.

—… Oh, really?

—Of course. So that it doesn’t seem strange that we enter and act together in the academy, we will need a previously established relationship. Setting that up will be very important.

Alon nodded in admiration at Rine‘s words.

—… You’re right.

—True. If we all appear together out of nowhere upon entering, it will be suspicious. It would be better to receive names of nobles who have some prior friendship or adjust our relationships —Deus added in agreement.

Hearing this, Penia and Rine…

—… Hmm, a relationship in which it doesn’t feel strange to be together right upon entering…

—A relationship… a relationship with the Godfather… Hmm~?

Both seemed to sink into their thoughts with peculiar expressions.

—… Ah.

—Hmm?

Suddenly, they let out a low exclamation as if they had had a revelation.

—Did you think of something good? —asked Alon.

However:

—Ahem… it’s nothing, Godfather.

—Y-yes, nothing.

Despite their extremely significant faces, both shook their heads. Alon couldn’t help but make a bewildered face.