Chapter 63

Chapter 63

< Glast Conquest War (12) >

We need to keep heading in this direction. It should be there if we walk a bit further, right?

Uh-huh~. The further we go, the more secluded it gets.

Lortelle already had his hands full with having to restrain Elte and to keep a vigilant eye on him.

Despite being told he could return to the trading company to work, Lortelle insisted on joining the party as if possessed.Rêạd new chapters at novelhall.com

A hint of unease was nothing new, but this time there was a different air about it.

Unlike the fiery glares he usually directed at Yenika, today Lortelles odd gaze seemed fixated on Lucy.

Lucy clung to my sleeve and followed closely behind, making Lortelle uncomfortable enough to insist on not returning to the company. Well, even if Elte managed to escape at this point, there were no mercenary troops left to assist him. He likely wouldnt make it off the island before being recaptured, so there wasnt much to worry about

Eventually, Yenika continued to lead the way with an almost enlightened expression.

The celestial magic circle that the high spirits found in the northern forest. Not knowing the method to undo it and originally unaware of its purpose, they had merely kept it under observation. There had been no reaction for several days and nights, so it wasnt deemed particularly dangerous.

If one wanted to construct several magic towers, it made sense to have celestial circles drawn here and there throughout the academy. They didnt pay much mind, thinking it was one of Glasts pre-arrangements The problem was that not a single power tower had risen in the inner part of the northern forest.

If it was a circle meant for something other than the construction of magic towers It could mean that Professor Glast still had some other plan in mind.

Looking up, the numerous magic towers were cracking and crumbling.

By now, the conquest of Glast should be wrapping up, and Taelys party must be carrying out their final escape from the magic tower with Aila.

There was no need to delve deeper into Glasts intentions now, but being thorough wouldnt hurt

Upon reaching deep into the northern forest, a celestial circle lay drawn, modest in size but of unmistakable form.

Looks like it has been activated recently. The spirits must have missed it with all the commotion going on around the academy.

Yenika said this and began to look around the circle.

Despite everything, it would be unlikely that one could easily decipher such an enigmatic celestial circle.

This is a transport magic. It uses celestial power to maximize the efficiency of the mana consumption for engraving. The efficiency is even better than whats been put in by the elemental formula, making it ideal for emergency escapes.

Lucy explained this in a calm voice. I looked at her still gripping my sleeve and cocked my head.

Really?

Yeah.

Then, she let out a big yawn.

With that just as I was about to ask why she was holding onto the cuff and to take her time talking about it

There are bloodstains.

Yenika had discovered a curious trace.

A thick trail of blood led from the outer edge of the circle heading towards the periphery of the forest.

It seemed someone severely injured had walked out of the transport circle into the interior of the forest.

We exchanged glances and nodded.

It was needless to say whose work this celestial circle bore the mark of.

I closed my eyes, picturing the final scene of Act 2 in my mind.

The final moments of Professor Glast who broke taboos in his attempt to revive a great individual who could realize his ideals for the worlds advancement.

His last form, a bloodied mess, having leaped, leaving behind an undecipherable will. I thought that was the end of Professor Glast, but he had left this escape route in place.

Feigning a dive, he must have summoned the celestial circle with the last of his magic power and fled. It was a wise choice, as overt escape would lead to pursuit.

Though I wondered if hed cause more trouble after his escape considering that there were no further disturbances reported, it seemed there might be no need for intervention but perhaps it was still worth checking

Following the blood trail in contemplation, we found Professor Glast, and I then understood why there had been no further incidents.

Under a bright moon on a late night.

Professor Glast, propped up against an old tree and breathing shallowly, was already on deaths door.

*

His faculty robe was torn. Hair matted with blood. His visage gaunt. Dark red blood seeping into the surrounding soil.

The wounds on his body went beyond mere injuries to being thoroughly punctured. At this point, fussing and attempting to transport him would be futile; his fate was sealed. He was barely extending his life using the remnant mana for hemostasis, but no other benefit was to be expected.

Hoo.

Theres something more valuable in there?

Beneath the desk guarded by Banshee Reyna lies a secret safe. Take your time and open it later. After all, that library now belongs to you. Having made quite a spectacle, youll have to clean up after yourself, a fitting outcome.

I looked at Glast bewildered. His hidden research facilities were unofficial and never publicized within the Academy. Although mostly dedicated to demonic creature experimentation and with little research material usable by me, the Soul Library was a different story.

If I could set up a simple ladder and conceal the entrance that Lucy had blasted open, Id have access to my own secret hideout and treasure trove.Peering through the shattered library would reveal a vast array of magical artifacts and formulas, all of which could become my property.

Just make sure to navigate through the Academys inspections smoothly.

The destruction Lucy induced ironically worked to my advantage, leaving behind hidden treasures unknown to Academy staff. As I approached Glast carefully, I lifted the key hesitantly.

Why give this to me?

Is there a problem with receiving it?

Werent you the type to value talented students more?

At that, Glast grimaced sourly and retorted, Talented students are a dime a dozen in this Sylvania.

Those were words I never expected to hear from him.

I have a feeling I would be scolded if I met my deceased daughter as I am now.

Yes, Ive lived a rather ruthless life. In my youth, I scornfully preached that talent and ability should not determine a students worth. Such romantic notions now make me shudder with embarrassment, though its been a long time since. Reflecting on the past, its rather skin-crawling.

Wiping blood away, Glast cynically mused once more.

Yet I wasnt wrong. At least, I was certain of that while my daughter was still alive.

I thought losing blood would feel cold, but its warm instead.

After uttering those oddly light-hearted words, Glast relaxed his body.

But seventeen years with my daughter werent so bad

Was she seventeen?

Yes Seventeen years long in some ways, short in others

Glast spoke only to sputter out blood. Yenika began trembling in shock, but found no words of worry to express.

His power for maintaining haemostasis had run out. His physical condition was beyond mere help from first aid; his body had reached its limits after excessively overloading it with heroic power.

Now he had barely enough vitality left to speak. Despite this, the corners of his mouth refused to droop, which was really quite exasperating.

After a few coughs and the gurgle of boiling blood, he cracked a faint smile.

If I consider dying alone as atonement, then the sins Ive committed dont seem too harsh a trade.

Glast closed his eyes gently.

Leaning against the oak tree, he slowly reflected on his life, alone.

Ultimately, he held a students life at risk, gone astray; it was a fact irrefutable by anyone.

I visited Assistant Professor Claire. Despite all her complaining, she acknowledged you greatly. Surprised me how she wept, declaring you were truly the most scholarly individual.

Unable to muster a response, there was no sign from Glast.

Your relationship with Claire wasnt long? Through her postgraduate studies for four years, and five more while she achieved her educational qualification. If she had stayed until your retirement, that would have been nearly seventeen years.

Silence.

Looking up between the leaves of the oak, the moon seemed gentle.

Seventeen years long if you think about it, short if you dont

At those words, Glasts eyes snapped open. He tried to raise his voice as if to speak, but no strength was left within him.

He seemed to lament dying alone, but that was only his limited perspective. Glast need not feel lonely; his death wouldnt be a cold, mourned-by-none end. Humans, by nature, lack the comprehensive vision to see beyond their immediate surroundings. Even a distinguished scholar, well-versed in countless magical tomes, cannot fathom the human soultheir own included.

Struggling under the weight of his drooping eyelids, the last person to enter his vision was Lucy.

As Lucy gripped my forearm and looked at him, I wondered what her expression conveyed. Unfortunately, I could not see from my vantage point.

Thats wise

Murmuring as if drifting to sleep, Glast closed his eyes for the final time through inference alone.

The second act drew to a close, and the world slowly drifted into slumber.

Beneath the moonlight, resting peacefully upon the oak, the body looked as though it were merely succumbing to deep sleep.

And we just stood there, watching for a while.