Chapter 149
Simon, Kajan, and Erzebet arrived at their destination in a rush.
The place they were headed to was located on the outskirts of the Keyzen campus.
A secret base directly managed by Keyzen Headquarters, built into a sheer mountain cliff like a tunnel. For students, it was an off-limits zone, entering would result in near-expulsion, such was the level of security.
"Think of it as a sort of command-and-control center within the school."
Kajan said, running beside them.
"It's where you can monitor the entire school, and also manage the barriers and emergency networks deployed across the campus."
Erzebet added.
[That explanation makes sense, but why would a priest go to a command center?]
"Because it’s the best place to activate the Prima Materia. If you utilize the barrier system there, you can instantly disperse the monsters across all of Keyzen."
Simon, who had been listening silently, swallowed hard.
The four horrific curse bombs planted across Keyzen. From Francesca’s standpoint, these bombs had to detonate only after her barrier was complete.
But if they were discovered beforehand, or even one failed to go off in time, it would create a gaping hole in the plan. That’s why this was a critical strategy to ensure a 100% successful terror attack. Kajan had described it simply as "Plan B", but to Simon, it felt more like the difference between a sub-plan and a main plan.
"We’re here."
At Kajan’s words, the other two stopped as well. Indeed, a massive artificial cave could be seen on the cliffside.
Erzebet pointed a finger with a flick.
[But wasn’t there originally a forest in front of the entrance?]
"Not a chance."
Blocking the cave entrance was a dense, overgrown forest.
It clearly wasn’t an ordinary forest. Some trees had eyes, others had plants with gaping mouths writhing erratically.
They resembled the plant-type monsters that had guarded the Desolater. But the numbers and scale were on a whole other level, it truly formed an enormous forest.
"No time. Let’s break through head-on."
At Kajan’s words, Simon and Erzebet nodded. She pulled out spider silk from her hands, and Simon tapped on the skull of Feer that he was wearing.
"Wake up, Feer."
[Keh keh keh! So it begins!]
Feer’s skull, which had been hanging back, slowly rose and wrapped around Simon’s head like a helmet.
[But boy, didn’t you say the enemy was a Toxicology assistant?]
"Yes."
Click.
At those words, Feer’s skull covering Simon’s head began to transform. The jawbone and mouth section lightly covered Simon’s nose and mouth, turning the helmet more into a mask.
[It’s a makeshift gas mask. It’s not perfect, but it’ll keep you safe from weak toxins.]
"Nice."
Simon turned his head.
"Kajan, you don’t need any protection against poison?"
"My body’s immune anyway. Francesca probably won’t rely solely on Toxicology techniques either."
He seemed to have a body somewhat resistant to poison. Simon gave a small nod.
"Alright, let’s go."
Tat!
Kajan charged into the forest first, and Simon and Erzebet followed close behind.
Ki-ji-ji-ji-ji!
The forest’s assault began.
Simon’s eyes widened as he stared forward.
Countless toxic seeds rained down, and thorn-covered vine whips lashed from all directions. The grass on the ground sharpened like blades, and flower petals filled the air with dense poisonous mist.
‘I’m supposed to dodge all this?’
Simon ducked low as he ran. Everywhere he passed, poisonous projectiles fell, leaving behind puddles of venom.
It was way tougher than expected. He even seriously considered using Internal Darkness Divergence for a moment.
He glanced sideways, no need to worry about Kajan. His evasion techniques were so elusive it was impossible to read his movements.
While running at full speed, he weaved through the attacks like fluttering laundry in the wind, or suddenly boosted forward, dodging projectiles like a flash as he shot through the forest.
‘Ah!’
Suddenly, a horde of plant-type monsters burst from near the trees, blocking Simon’s path. He tightened his grip on his greatsword.
[Wait.]
Sha-rak.
Srrrk.
The bodies of the plant monsters split in three clean lines, then were shredded apart and flew into the air.
[You must conserve your strength before facing the priest.]
"Erze!"
Erzebet leapt over Simon like she was tumbling, landed, and swung both arms fiercely.
Tree monsters were instantly severed at the white rings of their trunks, and the bodies of the plant monsters flew into the air.
[Go ahead!]
"Thanks!"
Simon resumed running, with Erzebet following protectively, launching dark-blue spider threads.
She wasn’t a combat specialist, but the power of an Ancient Undead wasn’t something to scoff at. Her true strength wasn’t in duels, but in fighting large groups like this.
Thanks to her, Simon managed to conserve his stamina and made it through the forest without needing to use Internal Darkness Divergence.
Ki-ji-ji-ji-ji!
But as soon as he exited the forest, over a hundred plant monsters were charging at him from behind, baring their petal-like teeth.
Sha-rak.
Ssssh.
Transparent threads stretched out behind Simon. As the plant monsters crossed them, they were instantly shredded and collapsed like debris.
[I’ll handle things here!]
Erzebet shouted.
From within the forest, not just a hundred, but nearly a thousand plant monsters were rushing forward with crackling noises.
Simon hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Don’t overdo it."
[Yes!]
As she yanked on her threads, the plant monsters let out screams as they were torn apart. Up ahead, Kajan was waving.
Simon looked back at Erzebet one last time, then dashed to catch up with Kajan.
"You’ve got a good subordinate."
Kajan said.
"I’ve always worked alone, but having a summoned creature like her wouldn’t be a bad idea."
Simon smiled and made a playful offer.
"You should major in Summonology like me. It’s fun."
"I took that midterm once. Got a 20."
"Oof."
The two of them had made it deep into the cave. At some point, the rough natural tunnel had transformed into an artificial one, with proper walls and a ceiling. It felt like they had entered a deep underground bunker.
As the surroundings grew darker, they had to put their glasses back on.
"Are we too late?"
Kajan said, lifting his head.
There was a massive hole punched through the door sealing off the entire command center.
What kind of black magic could’ve caused this? Simon felt a chill as he ran his palm across the surface of the hole. It didn’t feel like brute force, more like the wall had been melted by something.
The two of them ran again, deeper into the darkness.
After about fifteen minutes, or so it felt, they realized they had arrived at their destination.
Instead of the cold floor, they stepped onto a carpet. And where there was no carpet, the bare floor was damp, slick, and slippery.
"Simon."
Kajan spoke quietly.
"She’s noticed us too."
"......."
Simon swallowed hard.
"The element of surprise is gone."
Kajan muttered, then grabbed a lever handle attached to the wall and pulled it down with force.
Clack!
Drrrrrk!
There was the sound of something engaging beyond the wall, perhaps the emergency mana generator powering up.
Moments later, the lights in the ceiling flickered on, illuminating the command center.
"......!!"
Simon’s eyes widened.
Blood, everywhere. The whole place was soaked in blood. Those who had guarded this location were sprawled across the floor in grotesque states.
‘She did this alone?’
The guards stationed at a critical facility like this, run by headquarters, would not have been amateurs.
Simon turned his head. In the center of the blood-soaked command center, a woman sat atop a table.
Red hair, a black scarf, a black suit with matching shoes.
Keyzen’s top assistant instructor in Toxicology, and the current professor, Francesca Belmond.
She was staring at the two of them.
"I was waiting for you."
Her tongue flicked like a serpent’s. Simon felt blood rush to his face as a surge of extreme fury boiled up inside him.
"I really wanted to kill you."
She said, eyes gleaming as she stared straight through Simon, inside Feer’s helmet.
"Thanks for walking in on your own, ‘witness’."
"......."
"And it’s been a while,"
Francesca added, glancing at Kajan.
"The ‘pursuer’ who clung so persistently for over a year."
"It’s been a hellish year."
Kajan replied flatly.
"Why?"
At that moment, both of their eyes turned. Simon was clenching his fists, glaring at Francesca with a deadly expression.
"Why did you do something this insane?"
For a moment, she blinked, as if she didn’t understand the question. Then, she let out a small chuckle.
"I’m Efnelle, you’re Keyzen."
She pointed at her chest with her fingertip, then at the two of them.
"Eliminate the enemy. Isn’t that just common sense?"
"I didn’t come here to hear some black-and-white justification like that!"
Simon ground his teeth as he spoke.
"Even if you are with Efnelle, didn’t you feel anything while you were at Keyzen? You must have seen with your own eyes that people here are just ordinary folks! And more than anything......!"
In Simon’s mind, an image flashed of Francesca passionately explaining to students, chalk in hand, standing before the blackboard.
Simon had doubted her, yes, but when she stood at the lectern, fervently teaching her students, he had believed that, at least in those moments, she was sincere.
"They were your students!"
Simon shouted.
"You don’t feel even a shred of guilt or remorse? Some of those students truly trusted you, followed you, respected you!"
"......Hmph."
She spread out her five fingers, revealing long, crimson-painted nails.
"Teaching was just an act, to conceal my true identity. Even looking at those vile, Satan-spawn brats, I felt nothing. If you ever saw passion, joy, or sincerity on my face......"
Her lips curled into a long, cruel smile.
"Maybe that was just my own satisfaction at acting so well."
Sring!
She lowered her head. A long blade of energy swept past where her forehead had been, leaving a massive scar carved into the command center’s wall.
"Thanks."
Simon, having swung his greatsword, brought it back up in front of his chest and supported it with his left hand.
"For making it so I feel no guilt about taking you down."
Kugugugugugugugu!
Darkness began to rise from Simon’s body. She smiled sweetly.
"This is the final lesson, Simon Follentia. The answer to your question is......"
Her darkness poured forth, forming a cross in the air.
"Because the Great Goddess."
Shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shu-shuk!
Countless crosses appeared in the air, wrapping around the entire command center.
"Told me to do so."
"......I don’t know how Efnelle’s system works. And even if that horror was truly commanded by a god…"
Simon gripped his greatsword tightly.
"Decisions are made by people. Murderer."
Superb.