Advent of the Three Calamities

A few moments prior; Hollowe's residence.

After Hollowe's words, a strange silence followed. Keeper Matthias eventually broke the silence by shaking his lowered head.

"Is something wrong?"

"....No, I was just thinking of something."

Matthias covered his mouth to hide his smile. He could still distinctively recall the events that transpired back in the medical ward. In particular, he recalled Atlas's lack of reaction when he tried to reach out to Julien.

The one who had gone up and stood for Julien was the Chancellor.

'What an interesting situation.'

Was Atlas's lack of reaction because he didn't care, or was it that Julien wasn't really a spy?

It was an interesting thing to think about.

"How certain are you that he's a spy?"

"...Not entirely certain. It's just an idea for now." "Just an idea, huh?"

It sounded a lot like he had more than just an idea.

"There's no real proof so what can I say?"

Hollowe took a quiet sip of his drink and lightly shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, it won't be too difficult to tell if he's in cahoots with the Inverted Sky. I'm sure you have the technique that will be able to find out their Emblem. How about you try using it on him?"

"I tried but it's not possible."

"How come?"

"He's protected by two fierce creatures. The moment I get close to him they'll start bearing their fangs at me."

"....I figured."

Hollowe wasn't particularly surprised by this piece of information. He had seen firsthand just how protected Julien was.

He seemed to have this certain charm with people even though he usually kept people away from him. They just naturally gravitated his way even if he didn't try.

...His charm had certainly done a number on him as well.

Thinking thus far, a smile graced Hollowe's lips.

'What a dangerous kid.'

Thankfully, Hollowe didn't have to worry too much about being too charmed by the kid. It had been a while since Hollowe had perfected the ability to sever emotional ties when the moment demanded it.

This detachment had made him the top inquisitor of his year. He could forge connections, gaining others' trust with ease, yet, no matter how close he became, he could turn on them without hesitation if the circumstances called for it.

'I hope I'm wrong though.'

Of course, if he could, he wouldn't wish to turn on people but this was his job, and he was very good at his job.

"You seem to find this situation amusing, inquisitor. You don't look very surprised by the situation."

"Truthfully, I am not."

Hollowe began to explain to Matthias his observations for the past few months that he had been at the Academy.

"So you're saying that he's also close to the Chancellor?"

"Yes, it seems to be the case from what I've seen."

"Hmm, that does match up with what I saw."

Matthias frowned.

"However, if he's close to her, then there's also a chance that he's not part of the Inverted Sky. Considering the Chancellor's nature, she wouldn't want to associate with such people."

"That's where you're wrong."

Hollowe corrected with a simple wave of his hand.

"....While that may be the case, she's also the type of person who would do anything to get rid of them. There's a chance she also came up to a similar conclusion as me and is trying to get closer to him so that she can get to Atlas."

"Oh?"

Matthias's ears perked up. This was a rather interesting piece of information. His smile widened as a lot of things started to clear up in his mind.

'I guess that confirms what I previously saw in the medical ward. He really was testing him.'

A faint chuckle escaped his lips. This was interesting. This entire poisonous game that was happening within the Academy grounds. It was so very interesting.

"I'd be careful if I were you, though."

"Hm?"

Raising his head, Matthias looked at Hollowe who had an unusually serious expression.

"I can see it from your face that you're interested in joining this poisonous game of theirs but

I suggest otherwise. You might never know and be swallowed up before you know it."

"Swallowed up?"

Matthias lowered his head, his deep green eyes piercing through the hood.

Me?

He almost wanted to laugh but held himself back. He didn't take Hollowe's words to heart. The Chancellor and Atlas were indeed powerful individuals. However, Matthias believed he stood on equal grounds with them in terms of power and background.

If anything, he was more confident in being a part of this game than a mere cadet. Not that he wasn't aware of the risks of it.

Trr-!

A sudden vibration brought Matthias out of his thoughts.

Retrieving a small communication device, Matthias glanced at the message. His brow raised

Shortly after and he stood up.

"It appears as though something has come up."

"Anything that I can help with?"

"Hm, no. It's something that only I can handle."

Matthias pocketed the communication device and made his way to the door alongside

Hollowe who opened the door for him.

"Since that's the case, I'll stay here. I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you."

Matthias stepped out and calmly walked toward the designated location.

Tik, Tik-

It was; 5:35 P.M.

He still had some time left so he decided to take his time. If he didn't receive a message in the

Following minutes, he knew to hurry.

Time ticked.

As Matthias calmly headed towards the destination, the clock continued to tick.

5:36 P.M.

5:37 P.M.

5:38 P.M.

5:39 P.M.

5:40 P.M.

"...I guess something really did happen."

Matthias looked at the building that loomed over him. His eyes narrowed and his demenour

Shifted. Without wasting a single second, he entered the building and stopped before a

Specific door.

His expression changed faintly upon noticing the movement that was happening behind the door. He reached out for the door and opened it.

"...."

The sight that greeted him wasn't one he'd expect to see. With a flick of his hand, a body flung

To the side of the wall.

Bang!

Stepping forward, Matthias calmly processed his surroundings.

"What do we have here?"

His steps paused upon noticing the Pope's body. Taking a deep breath, he managed to remain

Calm while alternating his gaze between the three other figures.

"Two dead, and two alive...'

The scene was clear to Matthias.

Judging from the sword mark on Priest Marian's body, he had been slain by a sword. Knowing

Full well that the only one who could use a sword in the room was Priest Kyle and thinking

Back to the scene he had witnessed, the scene was clear in his mind.

'Priest Kyle went rogue.'

....At least, that was how it looked like.

"Hahaha."

A laugh suddenly escaped his lips.

What a scene. What a scene. Eventually, his head turned to look at Julien who was sprawled on the ground. The sight of

Him made him smile.

"It's a beautiful scene that you've crafted. It almost makes me want to believe that this is

What really happened."

The Keeper took a step forward, his expression and demenour shifting to a more serious one.

Suddenly, the room was plunged into an unbearable tension.

"...But like I said. Almost. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Raising his hand, Julie's body suddenly lifted from the ground. His expression changed but he

Was left helpless under the Keeper's actions and soon his grip closed firmly around his neck,

Leaving Julien suspended in the air.

A deathly silence filled the room.

One that was broken by the Keeper's rough and hoarse voice.

"I know you did all of this."

His grip over Julien's neck tightened.

"I don't understand how you managed to kill His Holiness, but I wouldn't be surprised

Considering your affiliation."

With a slight motion of his finger, Julien's hand snapped upward.

The Keeper moved Julien's right hand closer, pressing lightly against his wrist. Bits of skin began to flake away, drifting to the ground and unveiling a hidden tattoo—a four-leaf clover

Etched into his skin.

"Ah."

His eyes fell on Julien.

"What do we have here?"

His voice was calm, almost amused. He had seen this scenario coming from miles away. His

Hunch was correct.

"....I guess we now have an answer as to how you've managed to defeat His Holiness. If it's

Them then I'm sure they can figure something out."

Once again, a faint chuckle escaped the Keeper's mouth as his grip tightened further. It was so

Tight that Julien could hardly get any words out despite his best attempts.

"Stop struggling. It's over. I've caught you."

His voice was laced with a tone of finality.

Staring at the panicked hazel eyes in front of him, Matthias shifted his attention towards

Priest Kyle. While he was injured, he was still alive. If he could get him to testify about what

Had happened, followed by the reveal of the tattoo, there would be no place where Julien could escape.

Like a rat who had fallen into a trap, he was done.

There was nothing else that he could do.

Nothing els-

"Hm?"

The Keeper's brows suddenly knit as he noticed the faint trace of a smile appear on Julien's

Face. He's smiling...? Why would he be-

"What's going on here?"

A voice echoed from behind and the Keeper's head flicked back.

"....Huh?"

His meticulously groomed blonde fluttered silently, matching his pale yellow eyes that

Shimmered like two balls of fire that flickered with a strange intensity Atlas's figure appeared standing behind the door, his unusually calm expression showing cracks.

Behind him were several figures.

Of which was none other than the Chancellor who stared at the scene with her deep obsidian

Eyes.

As her gaze shifted from the bodies sprawled across the ground to Julien, still caught in the

Keeper's grip, her eyes darkened even more. An intangible and almost suffocating pressure

Permeated every corner of the room.

"Ukh..! Ukh!"

Faint noises started to come out of Julien's mouth. It looked like he was struggling to say

Something.

The Keeper kept his grip firm.

In spite of the situation he found himself in, he remained calm.

'Was this your plan?'

He almost wanted to laugh, but was quickly stripped away of it when he heard a faint

Snapping sound and priest Kyle's eyes turned slack.

He looked to be deprived of all thoughts.

'Emotive Magic?'

When?!

That distraction was enough for his grip over Julien's neck to loosen, allowing his voice to

Finally come out.

"W,what.. W,what are you d-doing to me?"

When all eyes fell on Julien, his eyes shook while he stared at the Keeper.

"...H-help. He... is trying to pu-t something in my body! He...!!!"

Julien's face suddenly twisted, turning pale white as his body started to tremble. It all

Happened relatively fast but Delilah was quick to move, snatching Julien from the Keeper's

Hand.

Her movements were so quick that he hardly had the time to react as she settled Julien's body by the side of the wall where it eventually calmed down.

Eventually, his eyes snapped open and his face started to twist.

"Fucking bastard! I'll kill you!"

Julien's demeanor had shifted entirely, catching everyone off guard. Even Delilah's face

Betrayed a flicker of surprise as she moved her head back while he continued to scream at the

Top of his lungs.

It didn't seem like the situation had registered in his mind just yet.

"I'll fucking kil—"

In that instant, someone appeared beside her, swiftly striking the back of Julien's neck and

Knocking him unconscious with a single blow.

Plak!

When all eyes fell on Atlas, his expression fell. Bending over to touch Julien's head, his brows

Furrowed tightly.

"....I'm afraid he's been possessed. Call a Cleric later to check."

Gradually, Atlas's head turned to face the Keeper who stood still the entire time. All eyes

Flickered in his direction.

'Ah.'

Matthias looked at everyone in the room before settling his gaze over to Atlas.

It all clicked for him then.

The one that Julien was trying to frame.

It wasn't Priest Kyle.

No.

....It had been him the entire time.