The Mob Priest Will Raise the Heroine

Chapter 310

The entrance ceremony ended, and afterward, orientation was held for each class.The current students either went home, recruited new students into clubs or committees, or stayed at the academy to focus on their studies or sports.

While the new students were receiving explanations and guidance about classes and on-campus activities, one girl made her way to the back of the school building, where no one was around.

"I see... So that's the current Saint. I could feel a terrifying power from her."

Hiding in the shade of a tree, Marianne Liatrey let out a quiet sigh.

A beautiful girl with long black hair fluttering in the wind. Marianne, who possessed an exotic aura beyond human, was now sweating from her forehead.

During the classroom orientation, she had maintained a calm expression, but she had reached her limit. Her perfectly beautiful face twisted in discomfort.

"I only meant to test the waters a little by using 'Charm'... but I didn't expect it to be nullified that completely. That girl might be even stronger than the Saint who sealed the Demon King."

'Lady Marianne... Are you all right?'

A snake slithered out smoothly from Marianne's shadow.

A snake covered in jet-black scales. It was the familiar that Marianne commanded.

Its black body and golden eyes matched the colors Marianne wore.

"It's nothing... I was just slightly overwhelmed by the Saint's power."

Marianne pressed her chest with her right hand.

Though she said it was nothing... in truth, she was far from unharmed.

The divine power emitted by Reina, the Saint, was like poison to Marianne. In the grand auditorium, she had barely managed to endure without collapsing.

"As I thought, I can't fight her head-on... I'll have to use underhanded tactics and chip away at her little by little."

'Let's use the students and teachers of this academy. We'll brainwash the rabble and turn them into soldiers.'

"Yes... If I limit the range of my power, even the Saint's strength won't be able to nullify it so easily. Though... I'm not sure how many people in this academy I can turn into puppets."

Marianne looked up at the school building with a look of disgust.

The academy's buildings and grounds were faintly cloaked in a holy aura.

It wasn't due to any special magic.

After Reina attended the academy for a year, the divine power she emitted had bathed the place, turning it into a sanctuary.

This was completely enemy territory for Marianne. Her power was greatly restricted.

"'If you want a dragon's egg, go to the dragon's nest,' huh. You won't get the results you want unless you dive into danger."

'All for the sake of the great Demon King's resurrection. Let us give it our all together!'

"......Yes, you're right."

At her familiar's words, Marianne showed a conflicted expression.

Her golden eyes, like full moons, wavered with uncertainty.

The resurrection of the Demon King.

That was Marianne and the others' goal. No doubt about it.

But... the fulfillment of that long-cherished wish would mean Marianne's own disappearance.

Marianne was an avatar created from a fragment of the Demon King's power.

If the Demon King were resurrected, Marianne would be absorbed and become part of the Demon King.

That meant the complete erasure of the individual known as "Marianne Liatrey." Her personality would be overwritten by the immense power of the Demon King, leaving not even a fragment behind.

(What is this vague, restless feeling... Could it be that I'm hesitating?)

Marianne was confused by an emotion she had never felt before.

Until now, Marianne had never questioned her mission.

She was created as a vanguard to resurrect the Demon King. So, devoting her life and existence to that cause should be natural.

(But... my chest feels oddly unsettled. My artificial heart is racing. Could this feeling be... 'fear'?)

'Lady Marianne, is something wrong? Is it the wretched Saint's influence after all?'

"......No, it's nothing."

Marianne shook her head.

She hadn't realized it herself, but... she had been affected by the divine power she received from Reina.

The Demon King's control was weakening.

She was beginning to question the future laid out by the original plan, where she would be absorbed and disappear upon the Demon King's resurrection.

"......Fine. Let's take action to eliminate the obstacles."

Marianne averted her eyes, pretending not to notice the emotions budding in her heart.

"Saint Reina Laurel... I'll seduce the people around that woman. Even if she's wrapped in powerful divine energy, it won't matter if she's stabbed in the back by a friend."

'It seems the prince of the Kingdom of Saintcl is enrolled at this academy. For the Demon King's resurrection, we must obtain his blood as well.'

"If I brainwash him, it'll kill two birds with one stone... Now, let's begin."

Marianne lifted her face and looked up at the sky as if to challenge it.

She glared at the vast sky, at the great being that must exist beyond it.

"A world ruled by the goddess. This is the beginning of the end... I will restore this world to what it should be."

Her crimson lips spun the words with a chilling tone.

Marianne raised her palm toward the sky and clenched it tightly with determination.