Chapter 325

Chapter 325

Dungeons.

Unknown spaces that scholars couldn't explain.

They were known to occur naturally without any particular cause, and were connected to a third dimension that didn't exist on the continent.

Many scholars have been working to unveil the secrets of dungeons, and the result of that research was the invention of a lifetime, 'subspaces'.

Of course, they only unlocked a small part of the dungeons' secrets. The reason why Endolas Vaudeville was one of the continent's top 10 mysteries was that his ability allowed him to create a sort of mini-dungeon.

These dungeons were scattered throughout the continent, and according to Lorain, there were even people who lived inside them.

These dungeons are controlled by a mysterious phenomenon known as the 'Ring of Blood' at their entrance, and if someone unauthorized approaches it, their blood boils until they die.

Being tightly closed with no military or security forces allowed in, occupied dungeons have become a den of criminals and a deep hollow of evil.

The territory has been neglecting these for some time, but recently, an extremely dangerous criminal was reported to have passed through the Ring of Blood.

In response, the territory requested a necromancer to clear the Ring of Blood, and Silage, one of the most powerful hemomancers, traveled there.

Currently, the Ring of Blood has been reduced by nearly half in size, and it's expected to be completely removed within the year.

Enrapturing in Lorain's story, Simon asked a question.

"Who is that dangerous criminal?"

Lorain frowned and flicked Simon's forehead. Simon yelped in pain and rubbed his forehead.

"That's enough. Professor Silage's mission itself is top secret. How much more do you want me to tell you to be satisfied? Are you an investigator from HQ?"

"..."

She was right. Simon lowered his hands, a thin line of blood trickling down his forehead.

"Then, will I be seeing Professor Silage next year?"

"Probably, yeah. Of course, the right to choose should be with Professor Walter, the current professor, but I think he'll yield it to Professor Silage because he is his master. Professor Silage should be back on campus next year."

Walter would be stepping down from his position as Professor of Hemomancy.

Simon wondered if becoming a second year would end this ominous feeling. Just thinking about it made him feel better for a moment.

"Then I also..."

"Hm?"

Lorain slightly tilted her head.

"I also have something I wanted to ask you."

"Hm? T-To me? Sure, ask away."

She hesitantly looked around for a moment, then spoke in an even quieter whisper,

"What do you think of Kizen HQ?"

"...?"

Mentioning HQ out of the blue?

The question caught Simon completely by surprise.

Waiting for an answer, her red eyes stared at Simon.

"C-Can I be honest?"

"Yeah. Be honest."

Simon couldn't understand the intent of her question.

Does she want to know what the public opinion of an ordinary student is, since she's the daughter of Nefthis?

"I'm sure they must be working hard in their own way, but... from a student's perspective, they're almost evil."

Simon decided to be honest about his feelings.

"Whenever the HQ interfered in any kind of test, there was always trouble. Either it became too hard, or something went wrong. I think the professors giving performance assessments feels far more stable."

In fact, this was the opinion of most Kizen students. Simon felt great knowing that he spoke for all of them.

"..."

Then, Simon belatedly felt like he had given an incorrect answer when he saw Lorain's expression.

She didn't look angry or disappointed.

She just looked like she had her fears confirmed.

"Th-Then, what do you think about the Ivory Tower?"

Asked Lorain again. A hint of impatience was present in her voice.

"...I don't really have any specific thoughts."

Simon literally had not much of an opinion on them.

They once tried to take the position of Commander from him, but that was in the past.

It was the main base and home of Meilyn and Serene. That was about it.

But when he saw Lorain's face becoming sour, Simon quickly added,

"B-But the Ivory Tower is too old-fashioned and strict, so it looks a little suffocating to live in. I've heard Meilyn talk about it from time to time, and she seems to find it suffocating.

"!"

Finally,

Lorain's eyes sparkled.

"Do you really think so?"

"Yeah."

Thankfully, she seemed to be satisfied, so Simon was relieved, too.

"Ah, enough of this stuff. Let's get back to the game."

Lorain nodded and looked around the banquet hall.

"Do you think the Pig Princess has arrived yet?"

"Doesn't seem like it."

The rules of this game were extremely simple.

The 'knights' protect the Pig Princess.

The 'assassins' kill the Pig Princess.

As Simon listened to Lorain talk, he watched the animals closely. In fact, this time was time for the knights to prepare.

By talking to the animals, they'd be able to identify the assassins, who'd be acting unnaturally.

All of the animals here were real characters from the fairy tale Animal Kingdom. By learning their personalities and backgrounds and asking the right questions, the knights could gradually identify the culprits.

Simon said,

"Acting foolish will only hurt the princess. We only have one demand. Everyone here must leave the mansion. If you comply with our demands, the princess will be safe."

Y-You despicable humans!"

"We shouldn't have let you in the banquet hall after all, humans!"

Hearing those, Lorain stabbed deeper into the Pig Princess' neck. The Pig Princess screamed as she reeled back, seeing her own blood spurting out.

"What are you doing?! They're asking you to leave the mansion! Come on! Faster!! Faster!!!"

The animals began to slowly step back at Pig Princess' command.

But one animal stood out from the crowd, unusually stalling.

It was a sheep, fluffy wool poking out of its suit.

"E-Everyone, wait!"

The sheep's voice trembled.

"Pig Princess is in danger if we all leave the mansion! Who knows what those humans will do to her here!"

Simon grinned.

'Try your best with your lame excuses, assassin.'

If all the animals were forced to leave the mansion, then all chances for the assassins to kill the princess would vanish.

In response, Lorain moved her dagger and made a little cut on the chin of the Pig Princess.

"Still dawdling? Do you really wanna know what's gonna happen?"

Simon signaled for her to calm down a bit.

Why did she seem so excited?

"Oiiiink! Get out of here right now! Don't provoke these barbarians and just get out!"

The fox in the suit put its arm around the sheep's shoulders as the Pig Princess shouted in violent panic.

"Calm down, will ya? Look at that female human's eyes. She's real crazy."

"...Ugh, honestly."

The sheep roughly pushed away the fox's arm and stomped its feet on the ground.

Ta-ta-tap!

Then, it charged in while jet-black coated its whole body.

"!"

The moment it was about to throw a punch towards Lorain, bouncing away all the skeletons around it with its massive body.

Slaaaaaaam!

Simon disappeared from where he stood before reappearing right next to the sheep, already swinging a kick.

"You finally revealed your identity, assassin."

"Kugh!"

The sheep barely managed to defend in time, dropping to a knee to stop itself from sliding backward.

"Lorain, I'm counting on you for the rest."

"Yeah."

Ta-tap.

Suddenly, a cat, which had been crawling along the ceiling, was dropping down toward the Pig Princess. Lorain handled the cat.

Rattle!

Rattle!

Simon moved his skeletons. He ordered some of them to point their swords at the Pig Princess's throat to prevent her from escaping and had the rest fight the sheep.

"Dammit!"

Swish! Thud!

The sheep, dressed in a suit, swung its fists wildly.

"Are you two crazy?! How could the knights kidnap the princess??! Isn't this against the rules???"

"We just made the most rational decision."

Simon ducked to dodge the punches and wrapped his right hand with jet-black.

{Hong Feng Original - Bayonet}

At the same time, the sheep did the exact same.

{Hong Feng Original - Bayonet}

Riiiiiiip!!

The two Bayonets clashed in the air, tearing through each other. Plates and cups shattered from the force of the impact.

"Kaaaaaaaaaaah!"

The sheep immediately wrapped its left fist with another Bayonet and swung it.

It was quite skillful in its changed animal form. It seemed to be a Combat Dark Magic aspirant.

'I should take advantage of its big physique.'

Simon slid between sheep's legs, both dodging the opponent's fists and giving himself an opening to place his palms lightly against the sheep's waist.

'Although it's currently incomplete...!'

Simon recalled the candle.

The skill he used to blow out the candle. The release of jet-black.

Simon's palm glowed with jet-black as he passed by the sheep's body.

{Simon Original - Candle Blowing}

Simon straightened his arm and pushed in hard with his palm. A bolt of jet-black rippled and spread out in a circle motion.

Poooooooooow!

"Kuhugh!"

Spit flew out of the sheep's mouth as its heavy body rose into the air from the huge impact.

'I did it! It worked in an actual battle!'

——