I Became the Savior of the Academy’s Villains

Chapter 175

Wooong!

When Luca activated Treasure Hunt in the area he had set, several question marks appeared.

'If you just use Treasure Hunt as-is, you can't tell what's what, but when combined with the additional hint, you can definitely get the information you want.'

The additional hint he had received earlier.

It was only a fragmentary clue, but when paired with the Treasure Hunt function, it was enough to be put to good use.

'Fortunately, there's only one place in this continent that counts as a cold region.'

On this generally temperate continent, the only area considered cold was the northern region of the Hernan Empire.

Luca checked the range where Treasure Hunt had activated.

'It's fairly wide.'

It wasn't the entire northern region.

It was the northernmost part, cold enough that you'd need to cover yourself with a thick blanket.

The Treasure Hunt had activated around the vicinity of the Luper Mountain Range.

'This has to be it.'

Among several question marks, one stood out as noticeably larger than the others.

'Isn't this a bit broken? Not that I'm complaining.'

Just as the description said, it seemed the size of the question mark represented how important the secret was.

And when it came to something like the Divine Standard Dominion, the chances were high that it would be the largest question mark.

'But... is that another question mark overlapping it...?'

It seemed a slightly smaller question mark was overlapping the biggest one.

Luca found it odd, but for now, he pressed the largest question mark.

Then, the question mark transformed into the image of a banner depicting an angel blowing a trumpet.

[Divine Standard 神旒 Dominion]

A divine banner depicting an angel blowing a trumpet.

It possesses the great power to declare the territory of god.

Only the chosen can activate the power of this banner.

Acquisition Difficulty: ? (If you are not qualified, you cannot use this banner, even if you obtain it.)

'Not bad. All I need to do is find the one that looks like this.'

He couldn't pinpoint the exact location since the Map wasn't fully revealed, but at least the general area was clear.

'Then I'll just have to spend the rest of the break searching for the Divine Standard Dominion.'

As Luca was thinking that, Ottbo, who had been watching his actions, asked:

"But Luca. What's Treasure Hunt?"

"Hmm? That's... wait!"

After sharing the map app, Luca hadn't really paid Ottbo much attention.

Since Ottbo knew this holographic map was a magical tool created by Herote, it was only natural for him to experiment with its features.

By the time Luca realized this, Treasure Hunt had already been activated.

Wooong!

"Ah."

Question marks floated up in an instant.

Seeing them, Luca sighed, and Ottbo panicked.

"Wh-what's wrong? Did I break it or something?"

"......."

"W-what if I tell Lady Herote... could she fix it...?"

Watching the flustered Ottbo, Luca could only make a bitter face.

'I should've revoked the sharing function right away...'

He'd been too complacent.

He couldn't blame Ottbo for this.

Luca heaved a sigh and looked at the map with Treasure Hunt activated.

"Hm?"

The region where Treasure Hunt had been cast was the area around Traverse territory.

But something caught his eye.

"There..."

There was a fairly large question mark in an undiscovered spot right below the Traverse territory.

It wasn't quite as big as the one for the Divine Standard Dominion, but it was bigger than the other question marks.

"......?"

Luca, as if entranced, pressed it.

[Gathering of Devil Worshippers]

- The remnants of Demonz hiding in the Hibro territory are conducting a ritual using a devil idol.

- Stop their blasphemous rite to protect the divine blessing bestowed upon this land.

- The idol used in this rite contains a divine relic of a lesser god.

Danger Level: 7

"!"

Devil idol.

Blasphemous ritual.

Sacred relic of a lesser god.

Intriguing information surfaced at once.

A gathering of devil worshippers, which the Eltima Cross and Heaven's Door members were trying to suppress, was being conducted just below Traverse territory.

'Is this a place they haven't detected yet?'

Whether the cultists were just that well hidden, or if it had only been established recently and Heaven's Door hadn't caught wind of it yet, Luca wasn't sure—but that wasn't important.

What mattered was that Demonz's remnants were within his reach.

'This is... hmm... interesting.'

Right now, Luca had two choices.

One was to immediately contact Herote and let her deal with them.

That would be the safest and fastest way.

'The other option is...'

The other was for Luca to take them out himself.

He lightly licked his lips.

'I don't know just how tough a Danger Level 7 is... but could I manage it?'

He suddenly grew curious.

Just how strong had he become?

'Compared to before I entered the academy, I'm almost unbelievably stronger.'

There had been many hardships he'd overcome and much strength gained.

Frankly, he even felt confident that if he fought Martin again now, he could win solo.

'It hasn't been that long in terms of days, but...'

If you counted, it hadn't been much more than six months.

Some might say you couldn't get that much stronger in that time, but Luca really had changed a lot.

'My power from the sky, my swordsmanship, my body—they've all improved.'

Luca glanced at his palm.

A rough hand, covered in calluses that didn't suit his appearance.

Those hands testified to the effort he'd put in.

'... Should I give it a try?'

Luca grew curious to see just how much he'd grown.

"Luca...?"

Ottbo, anxious as he watched Luca zoning out, fidgeted nervously.

Noticing his friend's unease, Luca glanced at him.

"... It's fine. There's no problem."

"R-really...?"

"More importantly, Ottbo. I think you've gotten used to this by now, but I'll ask one more time. Are you able to kill a person?"

He'd asked this before as well.

His opponent now was a devil worshipper—that is, a human.

Ottbo was still a boy, not yet of age.

He didn't want to ask such a boy to commit murder.

Even if Ottbo was the same age as Luca.

"Well... I guess... I can do it if I have to?"

Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"It bothers me, but you're not the type to want to kill someone innocent, right, Luca? If it's someone who deserves to die, I won't hesitate."

"That's good, then."

Splash!

As he spoke, Luca stood up.

"Let's test just how much we've grown."

It was also a good opportunity since they had people to watch their backs.

It was time to check their progress.

* * *

Hibro Viscountcy.

As could be inferred from its location, slightly neglected even in the central region near Traverse territory, this land was not particularly developed either.

Thanks to decent climate, crops grew well and people didn't have to worry about survival.

For that reason, the lord of the Hibro Viscountcy had little desire to seek higher status in the capital.

Likewise, no one in the capital cared about him or his domain.

That made it the perfect place for Demonz to hide.

"......"

One of the farms scattered throughout the Hibro Viscountcy.

It was quite a large one, and people were gathering one by one at the warehouse.

"......"

Nod.

Without a word, they bowed their heads slightly in greeting.

They waited briefly in front of the warehouse, then rushed inside as soon as the doors opened.

The inside had been transformed through special magic.

It was now a massive chapel, large enough to hold hundreds.

Inside, countless people were already praying.

The latecomers immediately pulled the prepared hoods over their heads.

"Hi... malasado... Menomostia..."

"Hi... malasado... Menomostia..."

"Hi... malasado... Menomostia..."

They all repeated the same incantation, bowing their heads.

Everyone wore the same hood.

Those who arrived late went to sit among the others and chanted along.

The object of their prayer was a skull, crucified on a cross.

Curiously, a gold cog-like object was bound by black brambles at the skull's heart.

Fwoosh!

Beneath it, black flames burned endlessly.

The flames of hell, conjured by devil's magic.

The demonic energy emanating from it seeped into the worshippers' bodies.

"The Apostle Larbhim has arrived."

At that moment, a priest announced in a low voice.

Everyone stopped praying and looked to the altar in the center—to the person standing before the devil idol.

"Ooh... Apostle Larbhim...!"

"Grant us mercy... grant us salvation...!"

"Ahh... may honor be upon Demonz..."

Amid their fervent praise, the man called Larbhim silently drew a dagger.

At the same time, the priests brought forth prepared sacrifices and placed them on the altar.

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"

It was a mother and daughter, both thin and frail.

One priest loosed their gags.

As soon as her gag was off, the mother pleaded desperately.

"P-please spare us... Spare us... Please... Please..."

Her face was streaked with tears as she begged.

Larbhim replied in a flat voice.

"You will not die."

"... What?"

She flinched at his words that she would not die.

Larbhim's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Your body and mind, and your soul, will become nourishment for the great ones. That is not death."

"W-wait. That means—"

"You innocent one. Offer your pure flesh to them."

Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!

Larbhim, without hesitation, stabbed her in the neck, heart, lower belly, and both eyes.

She was extinguished in an instant, unable even to scream.

Larbhim then did the same to the daughter, stabbing her in the same places, and then raised the blood-stained dagger high.

"By offering both the sacrificial blood and the apostle's blood! Demon of Hunger, please enjoy this feast!"

Stab!

Larbhim plunged the dagger into his own heart and twisted it hard.

Pshhhhhk!

Blood spurted out like a fountain.

It hovered in midair before being sucked into the devil idol.

Chuaak!

"Ooh...!"

"Demon of Hunger..."

"Please, grant us salvation..."

The congregation gazed in ecstasy, entranced by the spectacle.

As he bled, apostle Larbhim suddenly stiffened.

He writhed and coughed up blood, breathing in harsh gasps.

"Gasp... gasp... gasp..."

"Apostle!"

"Apostle Larbhim...!"

Even after stabbing himself in the heart and losing so much blood, larbhim did not die.

The congregation was ecstatic.

"Ooh... To survive stabbing his own heart... Truly, the devil's power is astonishing..."

"If we receive the devil's blessing, we can live forever!"

"No more pain, no more sorrow, nothing will trouble us..."

In the height of fanaticism, larbhim slowly spread his arms and shouted.

"As long as they exist, we are immortal!"

Tzztzztz—

Then, even though it was broad daylight, it steadily grew darker outside.

One of the priests on guard peered out the window with a puzzled look.

"Huh? Was it always this cloudy today?"

Just moments ago, the sky had been clear.

But now it looked as if it might pour at any moment.

Sssshhh!

And sure enough—

Rain suddenly began to fall in torrents.

"A shower?"

"But it's coming down pretty hard..."

Krrrrmble! Krrrumble!

Thunder rumbled in the distance.

"... This doesn't feel right. Doesn't seem like ordinary rain."

Sensing something was wrong, a priest hurried over to Larbhim.

"Apostle Larbhim! Something strange is happening outside. Please come and—"

KWA-BOOM!

At that moment, an explosion tore through the ceiling of the chapel—or, from the outside, the warehouse.

"!"

At the sudden commotion, larbhim's eyes widened as he unleashed his demonic energy.

Swoooosh!

With the blast, part of the ceiling was blown away, leaving a gaping hole.

Rain poured in through it.

Sssst! Ssssst!

"Huh?"

As the rain hit him, larbhim's demonic energy fizzled, like fire doused with water.

"What... what is this...?"

Krrumble!

Just then, a thunderclap sounded as a shadow blocked the light.

Larbhim looked up toward the sky.

High in the dark sky, the shape of a sky-blue wing shone.

A sword crackling with lightning.

And transparent blue eyes gazing down at them.

"You were all gathered here like cockroaches, huh?"

A gentle voice, yet paired with venomous mockery.

The boy pointed his sword skyward.

Krrrumble!

At the same time, a great resonance echoed from above.

Instinctively, larbhim gathered his demonic energy to its limits and shouted:

"What are you planning, you insolent whelp!"

Shaaack!

His demonic energy turned red as blood, forming into a massive wave set to engulf Luca.

But before it could reach, the sky turned a pure, dazzling white.

Looking down at him, Luca murmured:

"I am acting on behalf of god."

KWAJIIIIIIIK!

And then, a gigantic lightning bolt crashed down into the chapel.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Damn, cliff...

【(⩌‸⩌ )】