Chapter 147: Practical Exam (4)
Practical Exam (4)
The path leading to the entrance was a gentle slope that stretched down under a hill.
On our way down, an awkward silence loomed between Seras and Faenol.
Well, they barely knew each other, so this wasnt exactly a surprise. If anything,this was a common occurrence between two people that were merely acquaintances.
But, both of them were aware.
That the current flowing between them was not so soft and mellow.
Perhaps I should be frank.
Seras was the first to break the silence.
Her next words flowed out of her mouth casually.
Youre affiliated with the Heretic Inquisition, arent you?
And youre someone from the Holy Land.
As soon as that exchange happened, Seras sighed, holding her forehead.
The Heretic Inquisition and the Holy Land. At a glance, the former sounded like an organization of the latter, but that wasnt the case.
In truth, they couldnt stand each other.
Because the way they dealt with Devils was utterly different.
The Heretic Inquisition saw Devils as an inimical force to humanity and seeked to ostracize them at all costs. While the Holy Land believed it was better to use Devils to their advantage.
Furthermore, the Pope, especially, invested an astronomical amount of money in research related to Devils every year, which was an open secret among the superpowers.
You recognized me so quickly, huh?
Ive heard rumors about a Grand Assassin that serves under the Pope.
And, since those two were parts of such organizations
Ive heard youre quite adept at creating corpses out of the innocents.
Them hurling such words, laden with poison, was quite a natural development.
Hearing her words, Seras eyebrows twitched.
One had to admit that the other womans insult was a refined one.
It was one thing for the Pope to manipulate her like a pawn, leading to peoples deaths
But it would be a whole different story if she was insinuating that the very cause she was loyal to was utterly meaningless.
Ive heard a bit of a rumor too.
Seras responded with a sharp voice.
About a Devils Vessel being raised like a pet in the Heretic Inquisition.
Its origin is also quite contemptible too, or so I heard.
Faenol quietly closed her eyes.
It didnt seem like she was that affected by those words.
And theres another thing that Ive heard.
Seras proceeded to go a step further, probably because
Faenols nonchalant appearance made her blood boil.
About how you even stabbed your Master in the back. The same person who took you into the Magic Tower, a place the likes of you should have never been able to set foot in
Right as Seras was about to continue, she immediately drew her dagger.
She sensed a killing intent emanating from Faenols body. The aura rose immensely even before she could finish her sentence.
?
But the absurd thing here was
The fact that the source of such killing intent, Faenol herself, seemed utterly bewildered by her own actions.
I felt it.
She muttered in a dumbfounded voice.
Ifelt it. Rage. Thiswhat is thiswhat kind of
What in the world?
Has she gone mad?
Seras watched Faenol muttering like a lunatic with an incredulous look.
Its because of that man, isnt it? Good Imtruly glad that I met him
What was more baffling than that was the words that she uttered.
Instead of the rage that shouldve erupted, she let out what sounded like a sigh of relief.
While watching Faenol place her hands over her chest with a slightly flushed voice, Seras added to her words in an incredulous voice.
Are you Heretic Inquisitors all out of your minds?
Who knows.
Faenol shrugged as she responded.
By the way, theres one thing youve mistaken, Grand Assassin. I dont really belong to the Heretic Inquisition. Rather, I detest them.
What?
Then, whats the point of us engaging in this war of nerves in the first place?
Seras glared at her with that thought, while Faenol continued her words with a faint smile on her face.
I can see it on you.
What are you talking
Youll become one of those people rubbing themselves against that man. Its so obvious.
Seras looked at Faenol with a dumbfounded expression.
Before she could get angry, no, before she could even react, she realized the absurdity of those words.
To insinuate that she would be fussing over that man. What on earth was that supposed to mean?
What kind of nonsense are you
She tried to retort, but
Despite her words, she could feel her heart throbbed painfully.
Please.
Just stay quiet, whatever you are.
With those thoughts in her mind, a blush appeared on her face. Meanwhile, Faenol threw her a knowing smile.
That expression only twisted Seras already uncomfortable mood even further.
Consider this as an advanced warning from a future competitor. Its your fate to fall for him deeply, after all.
What nonsense.
Think what you wish for now.
Faenol replied in an even tone.
After all, itll be fun to watch how deeply you fall for him eventually.
At the very least, no one had managed to escape such a fate so far.
And
One day, perhaps I will too.
As Faenol thought that with a faint smile
What an utterly pointless conversation.
Seras grumbled and swept her hair back.
Lets quickly go and stop all the attackers from coming. Since weve come this war, lets try not to be a nuisance to each
Seras sentence ended abruptly.
I looked around.
Because of the Chancellor, this test particularly had many watching eyes.
Based on the reaction that Eleanor showed when I kissed her before
Eleanor was very likely to be extremely concerned about those watching.
[Are you trying to do some gigolo bullshit again?]
Sir?
Language, please.
[Youre not denying it, huh.]
[What did I tell you? I like the fact that youre honest.]
Shut up.
It was often difficult to understand the thoughts of those in high positions.
This was especially true for Chancellor Sullivan.
Conrad looked at her with a puzzled expression, as if unable to understand what she was thinking.
The amiable smile that she always wore was still on her face.
In fact, even though the Student Council President of Elfante was up to such selfish mischief, she didnt even bat an eye.
Well, I do understand, but
Such pranks between seniors and juniors were not uncommon in the past.
However, the problem now was that a figure comparable to the Empress was attending this event incognito.
I apologize, Your Excellency. This exam has turned a bit chaotic.
No, its fine. Its good to see them being so lively.
The problem is that they are a little too lively.
Conrad awkwardly smiled as he watched Eleanor sweeping around the area like a human-shaped typhoon.
She had always been a promising individual, but now she seemed like a walking weapon of mass destruction.
Among the knights on the frontlines, only someone like Margrave Kendride could even come close to handling such power. If not him, there was only the Sword Saint in the Imperial Palace.
As such, though Dowd, despite being just a student, was showing incredible resilience, it was a clearly visible fact that he was barely avoiding death by a hairs breadth.
In fact, one individual seemed quite pleased with this spectacle.
Ha, HAHA-!
A male student, watching Dowd Campbell being pushed into a corner, burst into triumphant laughter.
He was clearly delighted by that mans misfortune.
Look at him scurrying away? And he dares to call himself a man? What a pathetic retard!
Hearing this, the Chancellor tilted her head and asked Conrad.
Sir Conrad. Who is that man?
That is Brix Chester The eldest son of the Chester County. He is the leader of the attack team for this exam.
Ah, near Cornwall? Its not that large of a county, so I forgot they had a son.
Right. For someone of her stature, the Chester County might as well not exist.
Though why such a person would show this level of interest in a mere barons son was beyond understanding.
I dont know. His atmosphere seems a bitfrivolous. I might need to mention this to Count Chester later.
With that, Sullivans golden eyes momentarily filled with a chill.
Conrad observed such a sight without a word.
Of course, the behavior of that punk might not look good objectively.
But there was something that he had noticed since earlier.
The fact that this woman seemed to overtly favor Dowd Campbell despite coming here to inspect him?
What is she really here for then?
As he pondered this, Dowd Campbell was increasingly getting cornered.
He had barely managed to stay near the flag, but now that he was being pushed back, Brix was approaching in that gap to seize it.
If the leader of the attack team captured the flag, the exam would immediately end. The defense team would receive harsh deductions.
Yes, thats it! Smash that bastard completely! Look at this freshman! How useful! I thought you were just some weird lunatic when you suddenly asked to join my attack team!
But
As soon as Brix reached the vicinity while saying such words
Hey.
He was abruptly floored.
It was because Dowd had seemingly appeared out of nowhere and immediately sent his jaw flying.
Dont speak like that. If you dont want to die.
Conrad couldnt help but let out a burst of laughter when he saw that.
Just now, that punk
Didnt it kind of feel like he was waiting for just the right moment to strike?
It seemed like he could have done it so much earlier, though.
Conrad sighed inwardly at this thought.
Speak like that about my woman again and youll die. Got it?
Such words followed.
Conrad knew Dowds usual behavior well enough to find this act laughably atrocious.
But upon hearing those words, even the fierce attack of the Student Council President halted stiffly.
Dowd?
Yes.
My woman? W-What are you saying when t-there are o-other people looking-
Conrad internally sighed at the flow of this new conversation.
Was that what he was aiming for?
Had he left Brix alone until now just to set the perfect stage for a dramatic confrontation?
This guy was like a professional gigolo. How was he able to prepare something like that in such a situation?
He chuckled inwardly at the thought.
However
Sir Conrad.
A voice that sent a shiver down his spine came from beside him.
The warm smile that had always adorned Sullivans face
Had vanished in an instant.
What exactly does he mean by my woman?
Such a question trickled out of her lips in a low voice.
And the moment he heard that, Conrad realized.
Ah.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
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