Chapter 69 : Chapter 69 How to Teach a Hero at the Academy

Chapter 69 : Chapter 69

Chapter 69: A Hymn for the Avenger (1)

‘Why is no one here?’

Monika wondered, looking around the garden.

A simply decorated courtyard greeted Monika. Although small in scale, the bushes were fresh, and the flowers glistened regardless of the season. However, there was no fragrance. It was because they were plants grown by a spell.

‘Strange.’

Monika’s lips pursed senselessly.

With the sunset-tinged sky reddening, Monika had just arrived at the Arcturus family’s villa. Did he say he was going to hold a special class? According to the contents of the letter, that was the case. What a damn old man. To hold a class even when the Moonlight Day is in full swing.

She had run here with that thought, but…

“Is anyone here?”

Thump, thump.

Monika tried knocking on the door.

It was quiet. The autumn wind only shook the tree branches.

“Hello! Is anyone here!”

Thump, thump, thump!

Monika knocked on the door again. Violently.

There wasn't even a sign of a person. Instead, another reply was heard.

Creeak.

The door, pushed open by the wind.

The inside of the mansion was revealed through the gap in the door.

‘What on earth.’

Monika’s brow narrowed.

She mulled over two possibilities in her head. The possibility of being scolded for visiting without permission, the possibility of being scolded for going back like this. It was the same no matter which way she leaned. Raphael de Arcturus, that damn professor, was unlikely to offer kind words.

“...Excuse me.”

It was better to face it than to avoid it.

Better to be scolded today than tomorrow.

With that thought, Monika moved forward. Was it because the building was old? A musty smell brushed against the inside of Monika’s nose. The wooden flooring creaked with every step, and because the sun didn't shine in, the surroundings were dark.

“Professor Arcturus! It’s Monika Lohengrin!”

Monika shouted.

Deliberately making her footsteps loud.

“Professor Arcturus──!”

As she shouted again,

and at the same time as Monika reached the first-floor lobby,

Clang.

A blade sprouted from her prosthetic arm.

‘...My prosthetic arm reacted?’

Along with that, Monika’s eyes widened.

As Monika stopped and looked down at her prosthetic arm,

“──Hello!”

a cheerful voice was heard from behind Monika.

She thought her bones would freeze. Because of the extremely innocent tone.

Recalling that, Monika turned her body. At the end of the shadow-stained hallway, she aimed her blade in the direction the voice came from. It was a judgment based on instinct.

“Who are you?”

Monika asked in a low voice.

No response was heard. Instead, the sound of footsteps grew closer.

Creak, creak. The wooden flooring shook. At the same time, the sound of something being dragged. Along with that, a foul odor assailed her.

The smell of blood. Monika was certain as she brushed the bridge of her nose. The smell of blood was wafting. The foul odor seeping from the blood became clearer with the footsteps, and

“You shouldn't do that.”

ahaha, ahaha.

a man who appeared with a listless laugh.

“Good children shouldn’t hold knives.”

It was a man wearing a mask forged from iron.

He was clearly human, but he looked close to a monster. On the surface of the black heavy armor that enveloped his tall body, crimson magic circles were scrawled like an apostate’s graffiti. As if drawn with someone’s blood.

Above all, the laughter. The man wasn't smiling because he was happy or joyful. It felt closer to a convulsion.

“You could get hurt. You shouldn't.”

The man brushed past Monika.

Monika, with her blade extended, slowly turned and observed the man. From top to bottom. And so, she discovered them. The figures of two people being dragged by the man’s hands.

‘Professor Arcturus…’

One person was Raphael de Arcturus.

Monika frowned. She was used to seeing corpses. A woman who had starved to death, a man pierced by a stake, an old man with a bullet in his head. She had seen countless corpses while living in the slums.

And yet, a chill ran down her spine. With both his arms and legs severed, the blood that had poured from Raphael’s body was drawing a straight line.

‘Fleur de Saint-Pierre…’

The other person was Fleur de Saint-Pierre.

Fleur’s condition was better than Raphael’s. At least she was alive. There were only clear traces of being pierced by a blade on her body, her limbs were intact, and a breath formed on her lips, which were covered in bloody foam.

Why is that child here? And what should I do now? Monika thought, feeling the cold sweat on her temples. As the sweat slid down her cheek and formed a drop at the tip of her chin…

‘The culprit of the murder case targeting the Saint-Pierre family.’

Monika sensed the man’s identity, and

‘He’s not an opponent I can handle.’

after realizing her own strength,

‘I can’t think of any way.’

she lamented, biting her lower lip, but

“Don’t be scared. I’m not going to kill you.”

the man declared, looking back at Monika.

“Let’s see…”

Thump.

The man set Fleur and Raphael down.

The bodies of the two people collapsed in the middle of the lobby. Was he planning to hang them from the chandelier? The man was busy for a moment, then stood with a rope in one hand. In his other hand, Fleur’s flower crown was held. The vibrant flowers glistened, soaked in blood.

“You’re not a member of the Saint-Pierre family. So you don’t need to worry. I’ve only knocked out all the servants who work here.”

The man approached Monika.

Making a clanking sound of metal.

“But what should I do?”

The man’s shadow covered Monika.

“I couldn’t knock you out.”

Because you’re young.

You’re still a child.

Because I can’t hit a child.

As he whispered so, the man knelt on one knee.

“Won’t you tell me your name?”

“...Monika Lohengrin.”

“Good, Monika. I’m Osmond Epanoui.”

The man, Osmond, took off his mask.

A beautifully drawn face was revealed. If the body clad in ominous heavy armor was like a monster’s body, Osmond’s face was like seeing the head of a fairy grafted onto a monster’s body. Between his neatly grown reddish-gray hair, his gently opened eyes held a mischievousness.

“Do not reveal your name to the enemy.”

Osmond recited a passage from the scripture.

He then offered the flower crown to Monika.

“Since we’ve told each other our names, we can’t be enemies.”

Ahat.

Osmond laughed.

No, that was wrong. Monika realized with wide-open eyes. He wasn't laughing. It was nothing more than a seizure. The corners of Osmond’s mouth would rise from time to time, and he would only let out a laughing sound regardless of his emotions.

“...Osmond.”

Monika accepted the flower crown.

Gripping it, she looked over Osmond’s shoulder.

Raphael and Fleur. She looked over the two of them and opened her mouth.

“Why did you do this?”

It was a question intended to buy time.

She had hoped for at least a slight waver, but Osmond’s answer was extremely concise.

“Because they had to die.”

That was all.

“Monika, do you think there’s a reason for death?”

Osmond asked, putting on his mask.

It wasn't a question that intended an answer. Osmond immediately continued.

“Everyone wants there to be a reason. It’s okay even if a reasonable basis doesn’t come to mind. You just have to rely on the Main Gods. Because they have set all fates, or if you believe that, you’ll feel at ease right away. I decided to do that too.”

It’s a relief.

Because you are not fated to die today.

As he muttered so, Osmond extended his arm.

After stroking Monika’s head once, Osmond whispered in an exceptionally gentle tone.

“Monika, step back now.”

“──Step back, Monika!”

Monika’s eyes widened.

Someone’s shout tearing through Osmond’s voice.

It was none other than Abel’s.

──Boom!

A roar that echoed as if measuring the moment.

It was a moment that was difficult for Monika to follow. Had a sword wind shot out, grazing the villa’s wall? She didn't know. A pile of dust had obscured Monika’s vision. Only a moment had passed, but everything had changed.

“He dodged.”

Huff, huff…

Abel, standing in front of Monika, gasping for breath.

Osmond was gone. Only a faint footprint was left behind. Beyond the crumbled wall of the mansion.

“A-Abel-sensei…”

“Are you hurt?”

Abel asked, looking back at Monika.

At the same time, he wondered. Monika held the same suspicion.

‘Why is this child here?’

‘Why did Abel-sensei come here?’

They wondered further, and they concluded further.

That there was no time for idle questions.

“I’m fine! So…”

Monika was the first to move. She approached Fleur, who was lying next to Raphael in the center of the lobby. She was faint but still conscious. After confirming that, the moment she was about to look back at Abel,

Abel quickly chanted a healing spell.

Fleur’s breath became much more comfortable. Abel, however, was looking at the crumbled wall. Beyond the inner wall that had been shattered by Abel’s aura blade, Osmond’s figure was faintly gliding. Stepping between the buildings.

“Watch over Fleur.”

Flutter.

Abel’s formal coat was draped over Monika.

It was faintly warm.

“Rest assured. My comrade will arrive soon.”

That was all.

Leaving behind a faint warmth, Abel ran out.

Monika, left alone, had a dazed expression. What on earth was happening? She needed a little time to entertain such a question. It was because her thoughts were paralyzed due to the release of tension.

‘...What on earth.’

And so, Monika’s doubt was barely mundane.

She just thought as she spread Abel’s formal coat.

‘Why are there so many holes?’

As if it had been poked by numerous spears.

* * *

The center of the capital Naflansee, the Dawn Leaf Theater.

A large crowd had gathered in front of the theater. They were all pedestrians dressed in traditional attire. The Dawn Leaf Theater was the largest concert hall in the Empire, and it was extremely difficult to watch the performances held inside. No matter how high a price one paid, the seats were limited.

Only today was different.

It was thanks to the sponsorship of the Pope that it was provided to all. To perform a musical piece based on the scriptures, by a carefully selected orchestra. That was the custom to conclude the first day of the Moonlight Day.

- Look. Penelope Plastiras, the best voice in the Empire, is standing there.

- I never imagined I would get to see her. I heard she only insists on the finest stages…

- Who could refuse the order of His Holiness the Pope? We are truly lucky. To be able to listen to Penelope-nim’s voice for free.

In the middle of the stage set up outdoors, Penelope was seated.

A simple traditional dress. Penelope’s attire was no different from the audience’s. It was simple and at the same time, plain.

However, her apricot-colored hair was tied up high, and in her gently curved gaze, an incomprehensible musical idea lurked. While the musicians, each gripping their own instrument, were positioned, only Penelope stood empty-handed.

As if she was going to play herself.

Sigh.

Penelope’s lips stirred.

Her low breath echoed all around.

It was because she had mobilized a spell. Because today’s audience was not just a concert hall, but the entire area of the capital Naflansee.

- Ooooh…!

- Everyone be quiet! What is this commotion?

- This is why commoners… don't deserve to appreciate art.

The audience’s roar was like thunder.

It was not difficult to silence it. Penelope sang without warning. An exquisite melody echoed throughout the capital.

<──Yesterday.>

The hymn of the Platinum Round Table Orthodoxy, ‘A Q&A for the Dead God’.