How to Teach a Hero at the Academy

Chapter 120 : Chapter 120

Chapter 120: Four Questions for Righteousness (1)

“──Are you truly human!”

While Demian’s shout echoed, Nodens looked around.

It was beautiful. In the eyes of the monster, Portsmouth was perceived as a beautiful land. The withered blades of grass were seen as a flower garden dyed in various colors, and the gaunt, leafless trees were considered lush, swollen giants. What of the black-stained sea? It was identified as a blue and fresh ocean. That was why he was misconstrued as an abomination. The man standing before him, Abel Argento.

“Ah, Professor Abel? That’s……”

It wasn't just Abel.

To Nodens, all creations were abominations.

The same went for Monika, who was walking toward Abel.

“……It’s the banshee from this morning.”

Like a shriveled mushroom, a twisted tree branch, or perhaps what monsters look like in human eyes.

That was how Nodens perceived all creations.

Just as creations found monsters hideous, Nodens also found creations disgusting.

Nodens asked Abel.

Abel’s gaze shifted to Nodens. There was no time to chew over his thoughts. Monika had arrived, and Demian’s shout had been heard. The guard on the coast had disappeared, and something must be happening. Abel opened his mouth.

“……It is Abel Argento.”

Rustle.

The banshee's wings stirred.

Six wings, as if melted, flapped. It was closer to the flight of an insect than a bird. The rapidly flapping wings generated lift, and Nodens floated up with the dry leaves.

Nodens said, looking down at Abel.

Of course, he said.

Nodens whispered with a hint of laughter.

Do not be confident that the gods will side with you.

Nodens muttered as such.

Nodens, borrowing the body of a banshee, headed toward the sea.

It was noisy. The hideous wings flapped, stimulating Abel’s ears. At a glance, it sounded like a sneer. The monster's corpse melted into the dark clouds, and Abel remained silent for a moment. Click. The beloved sword was drawn with a murky sound. Abel gripped the hilt and turned his body. He had to follow Demian.

“Monika, why did you come here.”

Abel asked, walking briskly.

Monika followed Abel. What was happening? She opened her mouth with that question in mind.

“I’ve been looking for you. Senior Demian told me to tell you.”

Monika reported quickly. What had happened on the sandy beach. When she had expressed her doubts about Cthanid, Eleanor had made a proposal. That she would prove her faith, and for Demian to follow her.

“Lizer, lend me one of your spirits.”

Abel looked back at Lizer.

Lizer was also following Abel. It was not difficult to grasp his intention. He commanded one spirit to circle around Abel. With the request to find Demian’s location.

“Professor, Monika and I will head to the beach. We need to stand guard.”

“Alright.”

Abel nodded once.

The guard duty had to continue. Abel alone was enough to pursue Demian.

“There is no need to be flustered.”

Abel said to Monika and Lizer.

It was true. It was not worth being flustered about. Variables were bound to arise in the command structure, and conversations with enemy commanders were prone to flow in unexpected directions. Nodens seemed to truly believe he was purifying this land. It was within the scope of his expectations. Even if Portsmouth's faith was wrong, and even if they were being punished by the gods, it was all within Abel’s scope of expectations.

For he had experienced it countless times.

“You will have to get used to it, both of you.”

Thus, he said.

“Those we must save……”

Abandon the belief that they will all be good.

Abel muttered as such.

* * *

One hour ago, near Portsmouth.

The leaves rustled. Demian was following Eleanor. Looking down at his feet, he saw a faint path. It seemed there had been a road in the distant past. Had it been deserted over the years? Demian raised his head with a small question in mind. Eleanor's crudely sewn monastic habit was fluttering.

“You must be curious.”

Suddenly, Eleanor spoke.

In a small voice.

“Why I singled you out.”

“……That’s right.”

Demian readily agreed.

Was it because Monika's suspicion was firm?

It was a story that could not be a basis. Nevertheless, there was only one reason he followed Eleanor. Because it could be dangerous. It would be better for him to deal with it than for Monika to get caught up in danger. Though not as much as Monika, Demian was also vaguely wary of Eleanor.

“Lord Demian, may I drop the formalities for a moment?”

I am not yet an adult either.

I don't think we need to be so formal with each other.

Eleanor whispered as such.

“I don't mind.”

As soon as Demian spoke,

“Thank you.”

Eleanor smiled.

“There’s no one my age here. The last time a child was born was 4 years ago.”

“Why is that? The population is small, but there seemed to be a fair number of young people.”

“Mmm.”

Eleanor gently closed her eyes.

She spoke with her lips sealed. Her voice was as sweet as a song. Unlike the image she presented in front of everyone, Eleanor without her formalities somehow seemed her age.

“Most of the children are stillborn. As if they’re cursed.”

“……Cursed.”

Demian bowed his head.

He mulled over Eleanor’s words. The word ‘curse’ felt absurd. Therefore, he thought about divine punishment. A land punished by the gods. He knew about such places. A land stained with sin is destined to receive divine punishment. For instance, the Demon Realm was such a place. The Demon Realm was the land that had received the oldest and greatest divine punishment.

‘I heard that children cannot be born near that place either.’

The energy flowing from the Demon Realm was killing the fetuses.

To be precise, it was devouring their souls. It was known that only babies without souls were born near the Demon Realm, and for this reason, pregnant women were forbidden from entering.

‘Has this place also received divine punishment?’

Certainly not to the extent of the Demon Realm,

but the environment of Portsmouth was also absurdly bizarre.

“Demian, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“What kind of place is the capital?”

“……The capital?”

Demian tilted his head.

Why was she suddenly asking about the capital?

“You came from the capital. But I don't know much about it.”

“Ah……, I suppose you wouldn’t.”

“It’s a little frustrating.”

Eleanor glanced back at Demian.

She smiled once, then looked forward again.

“You wake up in a warm bed every morning, don't you?”

I’m sure you do.

You must live in a splendid mansion.

What are your parents like? They’re probably rich.

What does it feel like to live as a rich person, a noble? Have you ever cried because you were hungry? I bet you haven't.

You have a pet like a cat, right? I hear that people with leisure covet small animals. I’ve heard they raise small animals not because they need eggs or meat, but just to find them cute. If by any chance that’s true, your cat’s food will always be more valuable than my meals.

Eleanor whispered as such.

“So I can't help but feel frustrated. I grew up in a place stained with barnacles and the smell of the sea, but you grew up in the capital and came here, right? To save this shabby place.”

“……That’s right.”

Demian nodded.

Some are born in the capital, and some are born in a village. Some live as nobles, and some live as refugees. Demian understood how social status changed the direction of one’s life.

“I would also like to ask one thing, Lady Eleanor.”

“Go ahead.”

“Was what you said to Monika true.”

Were you really found on the beach?

Do you believe you were born of the sea?

Demian asked as such.

“I have never heard of such a being. Gods cannot give birth to children. Nor can they create them. They only laid the foundation for us to give birth to children, to be able to reproduce. That is why they are gods.”

“Is that so?”

Eleanor shrugged her shoulders.

“But the people here firmly believe it. That the sea can give birth to a child. They believe without a doubt that I, Eleanor Portsmouth, am a miko born of the sea. Why do you think that is?”

That’s because, she said.

Muttering quietly, Eleanor came to a halt.

She turned to face Demian. Eleanor’s expression was not at all like that of a miko. The piety she had feigned as a miko had long been discarded. A clear sneer was on Eleanor’s face.

“Because the world you live in and the world I live in are different.”

Demian remained silent.

Inwardly, he was certain. This girl knows.

That she was not born of the sea. That the faith in Cthanid was a sham.

“I was waiting for you all to arrive.”

Rustle.

Eleanor’s footsteps were imprinted among the leaves.

Eleanor stood facing Demian.

“I always prayed. I would join my hands every night and wish. I was whispering to the Main Gods, not Cthanid. To please save me.”

“……Lady Eleanor?”

“I thought it would be best to ask the professor for help, but he seemed busy for some reason. While I was waiting for an opportunity, a girl named Monika came and questioned me. About whether Cthanid was a monster.”

What do you think?

Is he really a monster, she said.

Eleanor muttered with her index finger on her lower lip.

“I wouldn't know. In any case, I needed you more than Monika. You seemed a bit stronger. And above all……”

Eleanor reached out her hand.

She smiled as she stroked Demian’s chest.

“You’re older than that girl. So you handle it.”

“Lady Eleanor, what is this……”

Demian narrowed his eyes.

He couldn't keep up with the pace of the conversation.

He just rolled his eyes. He stared at the altar set up behind Eleanor, among the bushes. Beyond the gaunt tree branches, a statue of Cthanid was set up. It was smaller than the one erected in the temple, but because it was smeared with dark red marks, it looked even more eerie.

“Hide here, Demian.”

And watch, she said.

After whispering with a light expression, Eleanor turned her back.

She walked straight to the center of the altar.

Amidst the gently blowing night sea breeze, Eleanor’s whisper tickled Demian’s ear.

“And think.”

Whether to save me.

And in order to save me,

whether it is right to commit murder.