Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

97 – Land of the Spirits (3)

Upon hearing the Saint mention that the investigation team for the land of the spirits was almost ready, I naturally went to find Lina and Nea. Since I saved you for this purpose, you should also help me, shouldn’t you?

“Senior!”

Lina approached me with a joyful expression, like a dog meeting its owner, and hugged me.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Was she always like this? There was a newfound energy that couldn’t be seen before. Even I felt better seeing her sparkling golden eyes wide open.

The rosy complexion on her face was an unfamiliar sight that I couldn’t have imagined just a month ago.

Maybe this was Lina’s original personality. It’s possible that her true nature didn’t have a chance to emerge because of the hardships she faced due to the spirits.

It was clear that the impression of her being sharp and quick-witted quickly turned into a gentle and round demeanor… It was a scene that showed how much she had been tormented by the spirits and Nea.

Moreover,

“We’ve been fine… Just the same as usual.”

“But you came sooner than expected. I thought it would take a few more days.”

“We deliberately delayed it. There’s no need for unnecessary suspicion.”

Nea said nonchalantly,

“Well done. By the way, I called you all here because there’s a land of spirits here.”

“I’ve heard about that too. It sounds quite ominous.”

“I need your help there. Especially Lena.”

“Me? Why me?”

“Well, it’s just that…I don’t really like working with the guys from the Kingdom, but what can you do? So, what kind of help do you need?”

While Lena looked puzzled, Nea accepted my words nonchalantly.

“Having conversations with the spirits in the land of spirits. And receiving their guidance.”

“Receiving their guidance? Does that mean the spirits will lead us somewhere?”

“Exactly. According to Asti, if the spirits dwelling in a land of this size have been harboring resentment for a long time and unable to find rest, there’s a high chance they are in contact with the Queen of Spirits.”

I intentionally borrowed Asti’s name. How could an ordinary human know anything about the Queen of Spirits? This is a matter that even the wisest cannot comprehend.

As even Asti, who was created by the gods at the beginning of the world, has never seen the Queen of Spirits, who is a true existence.

“The Queen of Spirits…wasn’t she just a rumored existence? I’ve never heard of anyone even among the demons from hell having seen the Queen of Spirits… But, well, if it’s Asti, there might be a chance.”

Nea seemed slightly surprised. Well, since the Queen of Spirits, Umbra, hasn’t yet revealed herself in human history, it’s only natural that there would just be rumors about her. After all, she was a presence that was originally just set up… She could even be seen as a kind of hidden piece.

Even Asti, who has never seen her, can only rely on rumors. But I am convinced.

The Queen of Spirits exists. There may have been many distortions in various narratives, but my carefully chosen setting has never wavered. There has never been a time when there was something that should be there or something that shouldn’t be there.

“I actually found out about the Queen of Spirits thanks to Asti.”

“But what will you do by contacting her?”

“There’s something I need to obtain.”

“Something you need to obtain?”

“Yes. I can’t go into details…but it’s something essential.”

“I see.”

Nea didn’t pay much attention even if I didn’t say it. Well, she must have already achieved her goal.

“What about you? What happened to you?”

“Oh, thanks to the recent victory, my rank has greatly increased.”

In other words, she became a higher-ranking demon. Nea indeed looked quite satisfied with herself.

“That’s good.”

“Thanks. So, I’ll help you wholeheartedly with this favor.”

“Thank you.”

“What is it? You have to give to receive. By the way, Lena? How much longer are you going to keep doing this?”

“…Just a little longer.”

As I looked at Lena, who was holding onto me tightly and refusing to let go, Nea smiled.

Nea’s tone of speech had become strangely gentle, while Lena’s tone of speech was oddly mischievous.

It was clear that during Asti and I’s travels, they had become quite close in various ways. They had even begun to resemble sisters.

But why was Lena acting like this again? I haven’t seen her for a while and she seems even more clingy now.

Is it because of me chasing after ghosts? But I feel like she’s depending on me too much…

I couldn’t figure out the reason at all.

“Should we start heading back now?”

At that moment, Asti spoke to Lena in a sharp tone.

“Ah, Senior Asti…”

Lena seemed unable to resist Asti’s words and suddenly let go of me. I breathed a sigh of relief. To be honest, Lena is pretty. It’s not surprising that a woman like her would be attached to me for no reason.

Lately, there have been quite a few individuals who pose a threat to my peace of mind. As if I didn’t already have enough to do.

While I was lost in unnecessary thoughts, Lena and Nea confirmed that they would join the investigation team and headed back to their separately arranged lodging.

And Asti, holding onto my arm, entered the headquarters of the Holy See. As we went back to the lodging, she complained to me.

“Prach, recently it seems like you’re getting involved with a lot of women.”

To be honest, I didn’t want to show any signs, but when I think about Lena today and Aris from last time… her words were somewhat accurate.

The problem is, I can’t figure out why they’re showing interest in me. Asti is naturally involved with me a lot, so it’s understandable, but she is indifferent to Aris and I haven’t shown any special affectionate actions towards Lena, so I couldn’t figure out why… I just couldn’t understand.

Could it be that just chasing away one ghost has caused this?

“I’m also troubled. I haven’t done anything special… Why?”

“…Are you really saying you don’t know?”

Asti looked at me with half-open eyes. Why is she acting like this again?

“If you don’t know, then forget it. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

She sighed.

* * *

“I heard that you are ready, Saint.”

“Yes. The investigation team is all set, and we plan to start quickly without any special procedures. The territory of the ghosts is continuously expanding, after all.”

Adrien reported to the Pope that the two war mages had been included in the investigation team.

“War mages… are they trustworthy individuals?”

“Yes. They are the individuals who have vouched for the identity of Prach Rancel.”

Angelo III was aware that Prach Rancel was skilled in handling a candlestick. So if he were to join forces with a strategos, there was no need to suspect any suspicious activities.

No matter how much coincidence was involved in his candlestick expertise, Angelo III knew that a candlestick doesn’t easily lend its power to someone.

So, it would be worth keeping an eye on him. After all, since Prach Rancel had joined this investigation unit, Angelo knew that his options were limited.

There was nothing but Mikael’s warning. Not to interfere recklessly.

So, all he could do was to leave things as they were. Anyway, this was also the will of God.

“In that case, I understand. I hope for a good outcome.”

“Your Majesty, before we depart for the Haunting Lands, there is one thing I would like to request…”

“If it’s a request, is it about someone committing wrongdoing within the Empire?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, leave it to me. I have already completed all the preparations. If anything comes up during the investigation, they will be duly punished.”

“…I plead for your help.”

“It’s not a favor. It is their duty. I have already selected the inquisitors who will investigate any wrongdoing in this land. They will not stop until the corruption of this land is uprooted.”

“In that case, I am at ease. Then… I should start making preparations to depart. I will go now, Your Majesty.”

“Go, Saint.”

Adrian sighed. In reality, he couldn’t deny that he had a slight sense of unease… but for now, he had no choice but to trust.

After the Saint opened the door and left, the Pope opened his eyes coldly.

“Wrongdoing, huh? There are powerful figures who might be involved… but I must not rush things.”

Whether the Saint doubted or not, the Pope had to fulfill his duty. The confusion of the Saint meant the confusion of the Empire. She must not be allowed to go through turmoil.

Also, didn’t Mikael say the same thing a while ago? For now, what the Saint wants is the will of God.

The Pope self-reproached for not even knowing that there were individuals who had committed wrongdoing.

“It’s a shameful matter.”

But now that he knew, he had no intention of leaving them alone.

“By the way, I wonder if it’s true that there is no interest in the Empire at all, despite being a high-ranking demon like Ishtar and her contractor.”

If Mikael, who is so repulsed by demons that it goes beyond mere dislike, was considering it enough to bring strategoi and investigate the Haunting Lands, then there must be another reason.

“I hope they just achieve that goal and do no harm to the Empire.”

The Pope sighed with a worried expression. From the battle of Sanctus Esthe to the High Demon Ishtar, the minor Count Rancel, and now the Haunting Lands.

With the sudden events that had come one after another, he felt like his grey hairs were growing in real time.