Chapter 173: First Act 42: Hero's Arrival 5

"We should go now," I urged, breaking the tense silence that hung in the air. To my words, Euphemia gracefully rose from her resting position, offering a slight nod. Although her physical strength hadn't fully recovered, the mana potion I had given her should have replenished her magical reserves considerably.

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask, but... Why are you so calm despite the things happening right now?" Her question cut through the looming dangers that surrounded us, and I could sense her perplexity at my seemingly collected demeanor.

"What do you mean by calm? Trust me, I'm anything but calm right now" "Why do you ask?"

"Hmm... nothing. It's just that, even though we're in a very dangerous situation right now, you seem to have this firm demeanor that everything will be fine in the end. It just made me curious." Euphemia's words hung in the air, revealing her curiosity about the composed facade I wore amid the chaos.

A wry smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

"Appearances can be deceiving"

"It's not that I'm calm; rather, it's the focus on the next step that keeps me going. Panicking won't change our circumstances. Besides, sometimes you need a bit of optimism to navigate through the storm."

I couldn't shake the feeling that Euphemia was growing suspicious. Despite my efforts to project an air of nonchalance, it seemed my act wasn't fooling her entirely. I knew that in reality, nothing would truly happen to us; after all, I was the architect of this scenario. But conveying that assurance to Euphemia proved to be a challenge, especially when my carefully crafted nonchalance started to unravel under her watchful gaze.

"Just like your appearance right now?" she asked teasingly.

"Haha, as much as I want to say you're right, unfortunately no," I responded with a wry smile, acknowledging her observation.

"I'm just good at keeping my cool. Besides, do you want me to overreact to everything that's happening right now? I mean, you yourself are reasonably calm also."

"Well that because you—"

"Because you—?"

"Hah, nothing. Forget it," she interjected, her words trailing off as she redirected the conversation.

"Let's just hurry up and get out of here."

She said in a fit as she avoided looking at the poor corpses on our sides.

Although most of these bodies weren't from the monsters but rather a result of natural deaths that occurred in the alleyways of Estelle Academy, there were officers assigned to keep peace here, but they couldn't possibly check every corner of the vast academy.

These unfortunate individuals likely met their end due to crime, gang wars, or other violent encounters.

Well, I didn't really care. Ignoring them, I quickly followed the brisk pace of Euphemia, who walked fast while carefully avoiding eye contact with the lifeless bodies. It was quite unexpected for her character, seemingly mature and nonchalant, to display such aversion, especially considering her penchant for experimenting with various things. I had assumed she would be desensitized to death by now.

Nevertheless, I better pray.

Though these individuals may not have added much value and offered little to no significance as sacrifices, it would still help cleanse these alleys. As the dark hands I summoned consumed the corpses, I whispered a silent prayer for their departed souls.

'Being on mom's embrace is literally paradise'

.....

"Hah...!"

I stifled a sigh as we continued through the treacherous alleys, my mind wrestling with a growing suspicion that had taken root.

'This guy has been awfully suspicious since he came to rescue me'

At first, I thought my skepticism was just my nerves playing tricks on me. But as we made our way through the streets and into these narrow alleys, his demeanor started to rub me the wrong way.

The way he glanced at the monsters and dead bodies strewn around us – it was all the same, like he was looking at random rocks on the street.

You know, the kind you wouldn't even notice unless you took a moment to really focus on them. Sure, he'd react to things, but it felt like he only did so when I called something out.

And there's this strange convenience to the whole situation. Every problem we've run into, he seems to effortlessly solve. It's almost too convenient, like all the messes we've stumbled into are just easily cleaned up by him.

Although I couldn't help but feel grateful for Adrian's unexpected strength, it also left me puzzled. His prowess with a sword was extraordinary, and it wasn't just some run-of-the-mill skill. Adrian hailed from the prestigious Tellus household, known for producing the Emperor's swords and a duke renowned as a swordmaster.

His bloodline alone hinted at his remarkable abilities.

'But since when was he this good with the sword?'

Considering his family background, one might wonder why Adrian chose to enroll in the alchemy department.

Seeing the things he was doing right in front of me it made me wonder.

His talent with a sword was unquestionable, and he could easily have excelled in the combat-oriented disciplines.

'Yet why the Alchemy department?'

It was a perplexing choice that begged for an explanation.

Sure he was a bit better than me in terms of alchemy I'll give him that, but it was still a weird choice to make from someone who came from a martial family.

'And why hide this talent in the first place?'

Even though I'm not someone well-versed in the intricacies of swordplay or combat, I could still recognize a skilled swordsman when I saw one.

Back in my hometown, I was personally responsible for selecting my knights.

I knew the difference between those who were strong, those who were weak, and those who were considered extraordinary "geniuses" in the world of combat.

Adrian's swordplay undeniably fell into the latter category.

"It seems the world hasn't been so kind to you, child. The amount of scars and painful memories I see in your eyes is making me ashamed of myself. As an adult and a man blessed by the goddess, I offer you my sincerest apologies," Bishop Austin said, bowing his head in acknowledgment of Bert's struggles.

"Wha—? Hey, stop bowing!" Bert protested, bewildered by the unexpected gesture.

"No, it's the least I could do" Bishop Austin insisted, determined to convey his genuine remorse.

Bert's face reflected a mix of emotions as he observed his little sister's disdainful glare. He widened his eyes, as if silently asking, "What?" However, the unspoken message in their expressions was crystal clear.

"Stop, stop, okay. You're making me feel bad. Tsk, as an adult myself, I'll accept your apology," Bert conceded, attempting to mask his genuine feelings with a facade of maturity.

If not for his visibly short stature and youthful face, one might have believed him to be a full-grown adult, an impression shattered upon closer inspection of his physical capabilities alone.

Witnessing Bert play the role of the responsible elder sibling, Bishop Austin couldn't help but smile.

However, the brief reprieve of light-hearted banter was abruptly shattered as a dreadful mana once again fueled Bishop Austin's senses. Reacting swiftly, he covered the children's heads with his hands and forced them to the ground.

"Get down...!" he urged urgently.

A shockwave rippled through the air as the wall behind them cracked, and blood-formed spears pierced through it. The abrupt attack caught them off guard, and Bishop Austin's protective instincts kicked in just in time to shield the children from harm.

"Tsk... I was hoping for a barbecue, though. You still have good sense, heh, Mr. Bishop," remarked the lasciviously seductive woman who had orchestrated the attack.

Dressed in a maid uniform, the vampire gazed at them with eyes full of pity and disdain. Three more blood spears floated ominously behind her, casting a chilling shadow over the unexpected confrontation.

The blood rain around them seemed to intensify, responding to the vampire's every word, as the acidity increased, making the atmosphere even more unbearable.

"Vampire..."

Bishop Austin mumbled, a word that hung heavily in the air.

The children were stunned to hear the name of the highly regarded person in the holy world, Bishop Austin, uttered alongside the ominous word 'Vampire.' In the lore of their time, vampires were the stuff of terrifying bedtime stories, creatures that once had their own hidden city and were notorious for their activities centuries ago. However, due to their long absence, they had become more of a legend, powerful undead beings relegated to the past.

"Get behind me..."

Bishop Austin's command, though concise, carried an air of urgency. The children needed no further prompting; they immediately nodded in unison. Even the typically reckless and annoyed Bert understood the gravity of the situation. The beautiful lady in front of them exuded an aura of danger that sent shivers down his spine.

"You... you're quite cute, hmm~?" purred the vampire, her eyes fixated on Bert with a seductive glint.

In an instant, Bishop Austin reacted, covering Bert's eyes protectively as the boy blushed intensely under the vampire's gaze. The atmosphere thickened with an eerie tension, and Bishop Austin wasted no time issuing a stern warning, "Don't stare at its eyes."

Bert nodded fervently, grateful for the guidance that brought him back to his senses. For a brief moment, he had felt a strange compulsion to draw closer to the vampire, a sensation that left him unnerved.

"Though I've got to say I'm quite disappointed, Mr. Bishop. To think you would waste the opportunity I gave you to save these kids, haah... Now look where it got you," taunted the vampire, her voice carrying a mixture of disappointment and amusement.

"Don't worry, I'll kill you last. As an adult, it's your responsibility to watch them until the end, right kekeke? Oh, but that cute little boy gets to live~" she added, punctuating her words with a seductive lick of her tongue.

Bishop Austin felt a surge of revulsion listening to the vampire's words. Every fiber of his being yearned to bury the baton into her head, but he knew his strength paled in comparison to hers.

The most he could do was momentarily burn her with the holy relic, an action that would likely prove ineffective in the grand scheme of their confrontation. Evaluating the situation, he began considering passing the baton to the kids, providing them with a chance to escape the looming danger.

However, before he could put his plan into motion, the vampire abruptly unleashed three blood spears. Reacting swiftly, Bishop Austin cast a holy barrier, but it shattered under the force of the assault.

Two of the spears found their mark, piercing through his shoulder and another into his already damaged leg. The painstakingly healed wounds began to reopen, though he counted himself lucky that the barrier deflected the one aimed at his heart.

"Mhmm, how heroic of you, Mr. Bishop, risking your life for lowlives like this. Did seeing them give you a sense of purpose or responsibility now?" taunted the vampire, a hint of amusement evident in her voice.

"Do I need a reason to protect children?" Bishop Austin responded sternly, determination lacing his voice despite the pain searing through his body. The children huddled behind him, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and gratitude

"Hmm, no, not really?" the vampire questioned mockingly.

"But really now, isn't it a bit hypocritical for you to say that? You know, as you were part of the very society that ignored these poor kids in the first place. Why pity them now? Fufu... Did seeing them in pain personally make your heart soften? Your disdain and the disgust you previously held for them?" she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery.

Bishop Austin found himself at a loss for words, the weight of the vampire's words sinking in. What she said was undeniably true. He, too, had been guilty of consistently ignoring the pleas of the children in the slums. Despite possessing the power to make a positive change in their lives, he had chosen to turn a blind eye, deeming them as nothing more than repugnant in his eyes.

Now, faced with their suffering and the imminent danger they were in, Bishop couldn't find a reason to refute the vampire's accusation. Did witnessing their pain personally soften his heart? Did it erase the disgust he once harbored for them?

He didn't have an immediate answer. All he knew in that crucial moment was that he had to protect them. Whether or not he had a reason, whether or not it was hypocritical, he understood the urgency of the situation. The children needed him now.

'This is bad I have no Divine power left'

'Please give these little one's the chance to see the light once again dear goddess...'

Seeing the resolve in Bishop Austin's eyes, the vampire regarded him with a more serious glare, the mocking tone fading away. In response, she conjured a larger blood spear than usual, hinting at an escalation in the impending confrontation.

"Well, this is getting boring. I'll make sure you get the best ending, at least," she declared before unleashing the spear.

SWOOSH...!

The blood spear sliced through the crimson-stained air, hurtling toward Austin's head. Prepared for the inevitable, a clanging sound echoed, reminiscent of metal colliding.

To his astonishment, a young man with black hair and an oddly shaped white sword appeared, blocking the blood spear at its edges.

"Ha!" the man exclaimed, a scream of determination as he cut the blood spear in half, its direct force exploding into two behind them.

Bishop Austin immediately recognized the young man. With his distinctive black hair and ashen grey eyes, it was none other than Adrian Vulter Tellus, the man he detested the most – his daughter's lover.

Adrian stood before them, bravely intervening to save them from death's impending embrace.