2-27 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

Upon hearing the man's words, Zoe remained silent, making no attempt to step forward. "My young friend, your hesitation now is the epitome of foolishness," the man sneered. "You didn't hesitate before enrolling, nor when plotting against the princess, and certainly not when you became our accomplice. But now, when the die is cast and your future ruined beyond repair, you hesitate? Utterly foolish." "Do you naively think you still hold value? Think again. From the moment you aided us, you boarded this pirate ship, whether you wanted to or not." "Now, your only remaining value is to us. If your identity as an accomplice to the Demon Pillar Cultists is exposed, and your deeds brought to light, you'll become a wanted criminal across the human realms, facing the guillotine upon capture. Do you really believe you have the right to hesitate, to choose?" The man's tone was dripping with mockery. "So, you were deceiving me from the beginning? You never intended to spare me and my brother?!" Zoe seemed to finally come to a dreadful realization. The moment she decided, for the sake of her brother's safety, to cooperate with the "Bronze Blood," her life was irreversibly tainted—a stain that could cost her head. From then on, the "Bronze Blood" could relentlessly exploit her, turning her into their pawn without needing further coercion. Her very survival would depend on concealing her identity, binding her to the "Bronze Blood" indefinitely. Until the day she is exposed or becomes expendable due to the "Bronze Blood's" needs, she'd be discarded like a useless, rusted tool. Understanding all this, Zoe broke into a cold sweat. If this were truly the case, not only her brother's life but her own would be utterly ruined, lending her future to these madmen's whims until inevitably found out and abandoned. "I've previously mentioned, I hold no authority to answer your queries. My role is simply to convey our superiors' message, nothing more," the man replied, his voice shifting to a detached chill. His icy demeanor and evasive words served as a stark revelation of the truth. The reality was as the previous blue-haired youth had iterated. The Demon Pillar Cultists were never going to release her or her brother. Once tainted by them, she was bound to them indefinitely. Without the intervention of that youth and President Mirexia, perhaps she indeed would find herself in the circumstance the masked man described. Contemplating this filled Zoe with a deep sense of dread. "Enough dawdling. Hand over the princess. I'll take her through a secret passage," the man insisted icily. "A secret passage?" "Do not question further; you lack the right to such knowledge. Remember, you're merely a pawn placed by us within Carrysman Academy. Your life remains at our mercy, and at any moment, we can choose to end it." "You've lost your place among the human realms as a traitor. Only we offer you sanctuary." The man's laughter was derisive and cruel. "When you arrived, did you see those ignorant heretics attending the banquet? They will experience a 'horror party' tonight, right within their revered heretical cathedral!" "You should take pride in the role you played in that. We certainly won't forget it, nor will others. Ha ha ha..." the man chuckled. "But before your so-called 'horror party,' you will first encounter a bloodbath." At this moment, a clear, valiant female voice interrupted the man's laughter. The blonde girl, supposed to be unconscious and leaning on Zoe, straightened herself, stepping forward as the evening breeze played through her golden, sun-like hair. Simultaneously, several figures appeared in front of the dawn-lit dormitory. Dressed in senior instructor uniforms from Carrysman Academy, they encircled the man, eyeing him coldly with a knowing stare. "You're infesting the academy like termites, corrupting the earth—you've met your end." A tall instructor leading the group fixed his gaze. "What... what does this mean?" The man's expression froze, his eyes narrowing in panic towards Zoe. "You dared collude with heretics?" he seethed. "Do you realize the consequences of this?" "Oh, I see now. You've chosen yourself over your brother, haven't you? But you're deluded if you think this will secure your place among the heretics!" The man spoke venomously. "Impossible. Even if they pardon your death sentence, the stigma of being 'different' is indelible. Anywhere you go, you'll never be a pure 'human' again!" "Returning to the right path is better than remaining an unrepentant wretch," an instructor commented. "Detain this Demon Pillar worm. Ensure he's unharmed—we have questions." "It doesn't matter if you capture me!" The man suddenly yelled bizarrely, laughing maniacally. The instructors remained unfazed, unthreatened by his possible desperation. The group assigned to protect Mirexia and capture the Demon Pillar Cultists were among the top instructors at Carrisman Academy. In their presence, even self-destruction was beyond the man's reach. "Demon Pillar cultist, you're still in the dark, are you? The tunnel you speak of and those guarding it, along with any associates, have likely been apprehended by our forces. Soon enough, all of you vermin will reunite in the stinking sewers." The tall instructor, face marked with a jagged scar, spoke calmly. "You are the 'Boneless' Molinecat?" The man, glancing at the leading combat instructor, ground out. "Oh? You know me? Am I famous among the Demon Pillar cultists?" Molinecat chuckled. "Who wouldn't know of the one who deboned an entire Demon Pillar regiment?" "Ah, so the 'Bronze Blood' is aware. Yet you dared run rampant in Carrisman Academy? Should I admire your nerve?" Molinecat smiled without warmth. "Enough. If you have more to say, do it in the interrogation room. We don't host guests here. If you wish to keep your bones intact, comply." Molinecat resumed his detached tone. "Your plot has been decisively thwarted." "Argh! Nooo!" Suddenly, the man fell to his knees, clutching his head, screaming in agony. "Petty tricks," Molinecat laughed coldly. Even if he intended to self-destruct, Molinecat was sure to debone him beforehand. However, that wasn't quite the case. After a brief moment of agony, the man lifted his head again, and his eyes, now glowing with an eerie purple light, showed a transformation unlike before. "Greetings, members of Carrysman Academy. I believe this is our first encounter, albeit under less than dignified circumstances." "Who are you?" Molinecat immediately discerned that the original soul within the man had departed, and that he was now controlled by another entity. "I am a devout servant of the Lord of Truth, Eurnes—the High Priest of the 'Bronze Blood.'" The man dusted off his clothing, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced around at everyone present. "It's an honor to meet you, Bonebreaker Molinecat, and Your Highness, Princess of the Carmela Kingdom." Watching the man's bizarre behavior, Mirexia quietly moved Zoe behind her for protection. "You cultists of the Demon Pillar sure like to yap. Just spill it." Molinecat retorted impatiently. "Patience, Mr. Molinecat. It seems you've entirely outplayed us this time, but did you consider there might be more moles within your ranks beyond those you've uncovered?" "What if they take advantage of your forces being diverted to protect the cathedral, striking at your inner defenses? What then?" "If the magic barrier of your Tower of Order collapses, what fate befalls Carrysman Academy, eh?" "Is that your entire plan?" Molinecat pondered briefly, before sneering. "You walked into the trap willingly, just as we anticipated. Did you assume we wouldn’t expect you to strike back while our defenses elsewhere were thin?" "Even before launching this operation, we predicted you'd fall into our trap intentionally. Consequently, we've secretly stationed numerous instructors near each potential breach point." "Now, the moles you placed to attack our barriers likely have been wiped out by the instructors secretly guarding those areas." "Your operation, High Priest of the 'Bronze Blood,' has failed conclusively," Molinecat stated coldly. "Next, I intend to extract some useful information from you." "...," the man paused before laughing wildly, "Hahaha!" "Oh? Is that so?" "Then let us wait and see," the man replied in a mocking tone. "With your efforts to protect the cathedral and strengthening defenses, how much remaining combat strength do you truly have?" "The night’s festivities are about to commence, so, members of Carrysman Academy, goodnight." With those words, the man's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground frothing at the mouth, life snuffed out. "Pesky vermin." Signaling two instructors to check on the man, Molinecat approached Mirexia. "Instructor Molinecat, I fear the plans of the 'Bronze Blood' are more intricate than they appear," Mirexia voiced her concern, suspecting deeper tactics beyond just baiting with pawns. The unconscious man seemed unaware he was merely expendable, sent by the 'Bronze Blood' to be used and discarded. "Is there anything we might've missed?" "Who can say? The dark schemes of these shadow-dwellers are hard to fathom. We proceed carefully, step-by-step..." "BANG BANG!!" Suddenly, a massive eruption and terrified screams erupted beneath their feet from the cathedral. "What happened? Is something wrong with the cathedral?" Molinecat's expression turned grave instantly. "Judging by the direction, it sounds like it came from the banquet hall behind the sanctuary," Mirexia observed, her expression solemn. "How could that be? There are so many instructors on alert there, and besides students, nobody else is allowed. What could have happened?" The safety of the students was of utmost importance, and Molinecat had to investigate promptly. "Mirexia, please escort Zoe and this man back with another instructor. Everyone else, follow me!” With that directive, Molinecat led the group quickly downstairs towards the back of the Saint Selena Cathedral. --------------- Currently, in the banquet hall of the Saint Selena Cathedral’s back sanctuary: "My steak! Dammit!" Wenny, unaware of the chaos around him, was simply enjoying his steak when an explosion occurred. The earth shook, sending steaks flying, almost hitting him square in the face. Panic and screams filled the room, accompanied by the frantic sound of scrambling feet. What the heck is going on? Did the protagonist's troubles turn passive? Why couldn’t he just enjoy a meal in peace? Glancing around the chaotic banquet, Wenny saw students confused and terrified, unsure where the explosion had emanated from or if anyone was injured. The sudden disturbance rendered everyone skittish, fleeing in every direction. "Don’t panic, students! Stay calm and follow the instructors to an orderly exit!" Luckily, the instructors in hiding emerged promptly, restoring some semblance of order and preventing a potential stampede. "Ugh! Wenny, what’s happening?!" Shikondell, scared stiff, curled up beside him, wishing she could bury her head in her knees. "You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? Beats me! Turns out the whole 'saintess protection, goddess protection' thing was just for show. Now it’s blown up in our faces!" Wenny couldn’t help but grumble sarcastically.