Chapter 38: Period

[Exorcise me?]

"Yes."

Angel, as if unable to believe what she had heard, wiped her face with her hand to make sure she wasn't mistaken.

[You?]

With an expression full of disdain, she stared at me.

[It was a few months ago when I saved you because you couldn’t even respond properly to the evil spirits. I even gave you hints about necromancy.]

"......"

[But now you want to exorcise me? You want to classify me as an evil spirit!]

Angel's hair filled the entire rooftop instantly, densely occupying every inch of space as if the floor was soaked with water.

[I killed a full-fledged necromancer in an instant, and she was much stronger than you. Did you think it would be difficult to kill you?]

She?

The necromacer Gideon bought… wasn’t that person a man?

But again, it could also be a disguise to deceive kingdom’s forces.

Ignoring my inner confusion, I calmly spoke while facing Angel’s deadly aura.

"What was the reason you were able to display that power?"

[...What?]

"I've already heard about that necromancer. I know what she was planning to do in this academy."

I've said it many times, but being able to see souls is not something all necromancers can do. It's a blessing and a curse unique to me.

Other necromancers possessed powerful abilities to materialize or control spirits through harming them.

They had a similar concept to summoners, but finding souls with grudges was more difficult than I thought.

From the perspective of such a necromancer, this academy must have been an irresistible prey.

She must have coveted the numerous spirits in the academy as her own.

"She clearly had hostility, so that's why you were able to display that kind of power. She was someone who tried to seize the souls of Setima for herself."

The concept of a soul body was influenced by motivation and psychological factors more than one might think; Since it was a mentally-based existence composed of desires.

"So, that's why you were given that level of power. Because it was you who tried to protect. That's why you had to be strong."

[...I'm still the protector.]

"No, that's not true at all."

On the contrary, the current situation was the opposite.

"Right now, it's not you, but I, who continue the will of Setima."

The black sword I held in my hand was proof of that, and the souls of Setima who accompanied me was my support.

[Why...!]

‘The people of Setima didn't want what shel was doing.’ From the moment she realized that, her power gradually began to fade away.

[No, that's not it! It's not like that! Even though they died so unfairly! Even though they died in such agony! Why won’t they be dreaming of revenge!]

As cracks began to appear in the wall of absolute belief, Angel's hair, which was raging ominously, began to wither away.

[The goddess you cried out to only remained silent until the end! Forget her teachings! It’s meaningless to forgive sinners!]

After placing the sword on the ground, I walked towards her through now open path.

Musah and Angel shared many similarities. He also sympathized with the Angel's beliefs, but he kept his mouth shut because he prioritized the wishes of the Setima residents.

[I exist because you created me! Because I said I will grant your wishes! For you who died unfairly and couldn't leave even a single name behind! I'd leave an indelible scar on the kingdom!]

The desperate and sobbing appearance of Angel was truly pitiful.

She, too, was persistently heading towards her own destruction.

[I will do it! You just have to keep your mouth shut, and I will alleviate your grievances! Then why! Why! Why!]

"......"

[Why! Why are you standing by that man's side! Why are you still trying to forgive them!]

"Stop."

I couldn't understand it either.

Because I, too, was not a saint from the scriptures or a saintess from this continent.

A complete understanding of Setima's decision was impossible.

However.

"Do not deny their wishes."

The souls of Setima, transformed into blue flames through accepting my magic, circled around Angel.

[You all...!]

Distorting hope could be seen as a disregard for wishes towards individuals.

It was an act of trampling on the opinions of the parties involved, simply using it as motivation.

Yet, naturally, the souls of Setima...

Comforted and embraced Angel.

Apologized for their own inadequacy.

Thanked her for venting her anger on their behalf.

Also, for enduring so much all this time.

[Ah, aaah!]

The blue flames wrapped around my hand. Since she was a soulless entity, her end would be complete annihilation rather than eternal rest like other spirits.

"Let go of that burden. Although I can not comfort you saying I will take revenge on their behalf, as they do not desire it."

A hand wrapped in flame rested on the head of the sitting, weeping Angel.

Naturally, my flames extended through the girl's hair, illuminating the entire rooftop brightly.

"But their nobility and brilliance will be known by everyone on this continent, I assure you."

[……!]

"Deus Verdi. No..."

Slowly, I knelt in front of the girl. Hoping that I could give her comfort along with an unintended smile of reassurance.

"As Kim Shin-woo, I swear."

"Kim... Shin-woo...?"

"My real name."

When I smiled and nodded, the girl looked at me blankly and wiped away her tears before asking.

[Just tell me one thing.]

"Anything."

[The child who created me…. Where is she now?]

The girl, who proudly called her ‘Angel’, claiming that Angel would make them happy.

In a way, it could be said that the existence of Angel was shaped and created thanks to her.

"Her name is Leia."

Leia… the unforgettable name of the child I first met on the day I came to the academy.

"She entered eternal rest a few months ago."

Through our first conversation, she found peace and entered eternal rest.

[I see.]

Thump.

The fallen Angel's head trembled slightly. The hot tears streaming down carried a sense of relief.

[I'm relieved.]

"..."

[I will believe in you.]

The girl's manifestation burned brightly and disappeared. Eventually, the entire rooftop was swept away by blue flames, and after a moment...

The darkened sky began to shimmer with silver as the cold moonlight shone through.

Amidst the screams of the evil spirits echoing from all directions, the sounds of people cheering could be heard.

The obscured view of the city, as if covered in fog, unfolded, revealing the familiar rooftop scenery that hadn't been seen for a while.

The blue flames extinguished.

The souls of Setima, who comforted Angel, closed their eyes one by one and began to find their eternal rest.

"Unlike you, I can not seek forgiveness instead of revenge from my enemies."

I had simply agreed to help them without hesitation because forgiveness was what they desired.

"But the direction and belief in the life you showed..."

The flames that faded as they floated up into the sky looked like divine stars that graced the land.

"It was undoubtedly so noble, it couldn’t be comprehended."

Raising my head, I could only pray for their peace and eternal rest.

* * *

"What's wrong? Is it over?"

Finden Ai, who had come up to the rooftop, looked at Deus, who was praying for their eternal rest.

Having already heard that a powerful necromancer had died, Finden Ai came to find him after saving the students, fearing he might be in danger.

"Hmm."

Surprisingly, he looked perfectly fine without any visible wounds.

Rather, he seemed somewhat relieved, and there was even a slight smile on his face.

“I don’t like it.”

Finden Ai didn't like it at all. She was still upset that her efforts had been wasted, and it made her uncomfortable.

"Is it all over then?"

Looking up at the bright moon, Finden Ai asked, and Deus nodded gently.

"Yes, the evil spirit incident at the academy is completely resolved."

"Hmm?"

Something about his words sounded strange.

Instinctively, Finden Ai felt that there was some clever wordplay involved, but she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong with it.

"Are all the injured students healed?"

"Any injuries or damages that occured after the barrier was created would have returned to their original state."

Blurring the boundary between life and death was not fully established. As a result, the situations that would have become real as a consequence of the damage were unable to materialize and simply vanished.

"Well, that doesn't mean they've lost all their memories, right? It will be quite complicated for a while, won't it?"

"It will indeed."

Deus didn't deny it. In reality, the path ahead for the academy would become quite arduous.

"Well, still, master got paid a lot and good things are good, aren't they?"

The reason Finden Ai deliberately continued to awkwardly speak was only one.

She wanted to find the contradiction she felt in Deus' first words.

She was forcing herself to think and ponder, but the answer wasn't coming.

However, at that moment...

Deus, with a contemptuous expression, revealed the answer.

"The 'evil spirit incident of the academy' is resolved. It is the essence of the uneasiness you feel."

"What?"

"Finden Ai."

Slowly standing in front of the railing, Deus looked at Finden Ai with a slight smile.

Even though his expression was calm, his black pupils, for a brief moment, were enough to freeze Finden Ai’s body.

Then, Daeus uttered words that went beyond what she could comprehend.

"Do not save me."

* * *

"Wow!"

"It's o-over! It's over!"

As the barrier broke, the bright full moon greeted the students of the academy. They all screamed, shedding tears and expressing their gratitude.

The professors, who had been fighting the evil spirits to protect the students, gathered them on the field and wiped their sweat, letting out a relieved sigh.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"You've worked hard."

When Professor Karen, who had stood alongside them, extended her hand for a handshake, Erica smiled slightly and shook hands with her.

Both of them were today's MVPs, showing that the academy professors were not only teachers but also capable in practical situations.

"Is everything resolved now?"

"I believe so."

As Karen spoke, Erica let out a sigh, feeling a burden that had lingered in her chest completely melt away like a snowflake.

However, her relationship with Professor Deus had become completely estranged now.

‘But at least he's safe now.’

Considering that even the spirit who possessed him must have vanished, Erica felt a sense of relief in her heart.

From now on, even if Deus remained in Robern, he wouldn't be possessed anymore or attempt suicide as before.

"Oh."

Just then, Deus appeared on the rooftop railing of the main building.

Seeing that, Karen burst into hollow laughter.

"What's with him? Did he expect us to praise and thank him since he rescued us?"

"..."

The moment Erica heard Karen’s words and was surprised, thinking that Deus had such a side to him…

Die!

She remembered the scream that echoed in her memories.

It was a cry of resentment filled with bitterness deeply rooted in the heart like a trauma.

Upon hearing it, Erica suddenly realized that she was running forward in a hurry.

She attempted to summon mana, but the mana that had been depleted from facing the evil spirit for a long time dwindled like dust, powerless and dispersing.

And then...

Deus threw himself off the rooftop.

Thud!

Without any interference, he collided with the floor… Right in front of her.

Erica discovered herself kneeling with her white-gloved hand soaked in blood.

"Nooooo!"

And with the desperate scream of a woman, the long and arduous incident at the academy came to an end.

--- End of The Chapter --

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