The Overpowered Cult Leader at the Academy Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The Brightly Burning Sun (2)

It had been a divine move to casually ask Canis, ‘Would sothing like this not work~?’

It was honestly a little frightening how she rushed at it shouting, ‘Of course it’s possible!’, but in the end, things turned out well. What I received in return was nothing much. At least to .

“It’s a high-grade tea set.”

“Canis left it behind. She said it makes no sense for there to be no black tea in a chapel.”

“Ah. Black tea in a chapel. That makes sense.”

Right now, I was personally brewing the black tea. With my pitiful skills, I couldn’t properly bring out the true value of that incredible one I had drunk before.

The one I was serving now—brewed from a slightly good-quality tea brought for practice—was for the Vice-Commander I had been waiting for.

The Vice-Commander drank the tea I brewed. I saw her eyebrows twitch and her eyes widen. For Davide, it was better than expected—that sort of impression.

Of course, it didn’t affect in the slightest. If I got hurt over sothing like that, I wouldn’t be able to live as Davide.

“These are the things you requested.”

After sipping tea and chatting for a while, we moved on to the main topic. The Vice-Commander handed over a bundle of items she had brought.

I thanked her and examined the load. Along with the promised compensation, there was an additional bonus for a job well done. A few pieces of equipnt I had requested. Even various minor docunts. Altogether, the amount was considerable.

Wearing a gentle smile, the Vice-Commander waited patiently as I hurriedly checked the compensation. It was understandably overwhelming—this was the first ti I had received sothing of this scale.

“Are you satisfied with the reward?”

“Of course.”

In cash terms, it amounted to roughly 8 million won. Including the items, it easily exceeded double that. And I had earned it simply by taking a stroll to a place like the Sea Temple.

I barely suppressed the corners of my lips from curling upward. If Winter had been here, she would have been grinning ominously.

“I’m glad you’re satisfied. In that case, please take a look at this.”

The Vice-Commander held out a docunt. So it had finally co. Without much suspicion, I grabbed it.

“It’s a request. The Imperial Knight Order, which handled the nightmare incident, has determined that the god of the Anaye Order directly exerted influence over the case. Accordingly, they are requesting that the Anaye Order appease the god’s wrath.”

“I see.”

“The costs incurred in the process will be fully covered by the Imperial Knight Order. Naturally, compensation will be provided as well.”

The Vice-Commander likely suspected that I was the mastermind behind this incident. However, since there was no physical evidence, she had judged that nothing could be done.

We’re going this far, so let’s just leave it at that. Hmm? That was the attitude she was showing. Honestly, it wasn’t bad.

They resolved the incident quickly without provoking my displeasure. At the sa ti, they didn’t bother hiding the sense that they knew everything but were letting it slide due to lack of evidence.

“You don’t need to worry.”

“Pardon?”

“‘I have already appeased The Goddess. Thanks to that, I offered quite a costly tribute, but we also have no intention of continuing this atmosphere.’”

The rumor would spread. That the matter related to the nightmare involved the Anaye Order. Even if we were technically the victims, it would still an ntal harm had been inflicted on other students.

If that happened, damage would inevitably reach the Anaye Order as well. I hadn’t wanted it to go that far. Reviving the Order was my ultimate goal, after all.

This was enough of a reprimand. Now it was ti to take a step back. The only problem was the cost of the tribute. Even if I were suspected, it couldn’t be helped.

“What did you offer as tribute?”

“For this tribute, I offered the [Fruit of the Ash Tree].”

“Eh?”

Thank you for the cute reaction. Still, things like this were far better handled by Winter.

If I ntioned the Fruit of the Ash Tree in front of others, they would probably react as if it were nothing special. But in front of a mage, it was different.

It was, quite literally, an elixir. The increase in magic power it granted was average, but the energy it contained was so pure that no matter who used it, there were no side effects whatsoever. That was what made it so valuable.

“Can you… prove it?”

“How could I possibly do anything about sothing that has already been offered? That is why the compensation I can suggest to you, Vice-Commander, would only be 500 knuckles at most.”

“Hah.”

The Vice-Commander looked regretful. Understandably so. Elixirs had attributes. Depending on the elent, there were different elixirs with specific effects.

And elixirs aligned with the ice elent were especially rare. Simply because there were fewer people who used that elent. The Fruit of the Ash Tree, however, could be applied to anyone without restriction.

That was why she was reacting like that.

“It doesn’t… seem like a lie. Hoo. If that were the case, you should have sold it to instead…”

At last, she even looked dejected. It must have truly been a great loss to her. I wondered if she really believed this easily.

“You had so sort of encounter with the spirit tree.”

“I was lucky. Unfortunately, it was sothing I had no need for, so I offered it to Anaye, who guided along that path.”

The Vice-Commander nodded readily.

***

I was spending ti leisurely in the chapel.

“Here. This is your share.”

“Pardon? Eh?”

Ah, yes. This was the taste. Reactions like this were best when they ca from Winter.

Winter stared at the bracelet I handed her in confusion. I waved the hand holding it.

“Th-that… This is… what is it?”

“It’s sothing I received from the temple exploration.”

“Th-then why?”

“It’s yours.”

Why did she keep asking that? At my indifferent response, Winter finally slipped the bracelet onto her wrist.

The bracelet, with its black body engraved with red patterns, suited the snow-white Winter surprisingly well.

“Huh?”

“Do you feel sothing?”

“Yes. This—um. Should I call it efficiency? It’s beco incredibly easy to move Divine Power.”

For sothing with the option of account-bound attached, it was nothing special as a bracelet. It didn’t even reach the level of an artifact, and in the ga, the amount it boosted was so ambiguous that it wasn’t used later on.

There were designated slots for bracelets, and only two at that. There were plenty better than that one, so there was no need to let it take up space.

Of course, once reality correction applied, none of that mattered.

“And prepare during break.”

“Yes. Yes? For… what?”

Winter, who had been examining the bracelet with a fascinated expression, jolted at my words.

Had I not told her? I tilted my head.

“We’re going on a pilgrimage.”

“Ah… Ah? Ahh?”

Winter smacked her ears with her palms, checking whether she had heard correctly. So I hadn’t told her.

“A holy pilgrimage? Us?”

“Yeah. There’s a cult leader. There’s a priest. We even have the scripture. What’s the problem?”

“Th-the trials! We’re weak!”

“You’re the weak one.”

“A-anyway!”

Winter blurted out in agitation. I understood why she reacted that way.

A holy pilgrimage. It was essentially skill enhancent training. The act of going barefoot to a place called the [Sanctuary].

The [Sanctuary] was a high mountain where snow fell year-round. That alone was close to torture. On top of that, trials were given along the way.

Those were bestowed directly by the god in question, and overcoming them was a public declaration of one’s faith.

The reward was an enormous amount of Faith Status. And the tattoo received upon completing the pilgrimage was akin to a form of identification.

High-ranking facilities related to religion granted entry qualifications based on the number of pilgrimage tattoos one possessed. And beyond religious reasons, there was another reason to undertake the pilgrimage.

“The sooner, the better.”

Episode 3 was originally ant to begin after the break ended and the second sester started. I intended to bring that timing forward.

The mont one stepped outside the closed-off Academy, Episode 3 would automatically begin. That was because a key figure of the episode was outside.

“What are you worried about? We just have to overco it. So until then, build up your stamina.”

“Hoo. You’re going even if I try to stop you, aren’t you?”

“You know too well.”

She started to flare up with an “Eek!” but quickly cald down. Teasing her really was satisfying. As we chatted leisurely, a sudden knock echoed.

“Hmm? Who is it?”

It obviously wasn’t Canis. That bastard just barged in now. I only let it slide because she had brought decent black tea.

Knowing that, Winter tilted her head but still headed for the door. Just in case, I rose from the sofa.

“Uh….”

“…….”

“…….”

And then we t soone I absolutely hadn’t expected. One look at Winter’s mouth, practically about to drool, made that clear.

“It’s been a while. I’d like to have a brief conversation.”

A firm voice. A beautiful tone that didn’t quite match that upright appearance. Soloven had suddenly appeared.

“Uh, co in.”

With my permission granted, Soloven stepped into the chapel. She glanced briefly at Winter, then passed by her and ca straight to .

I pointed to the seat across from .

“The only thing I can offer is black tea.”

“I don’t mind.”

I poured the tea and handed it to Soloven. Watching the atmosphere, Winter quietly moved to the table where she usually studied.

“A conversation, huh. That’s unusual.”

“Things like this happen.”

“They do. So, what is it?”

Soloven took a sip of the tea, her eyebrows twitching once. It seed more to her liking than expected, as she focused solely on enjoying it.

I waited with a dumbfounded expression. She was the one who brought the business here. After giving her enough ti to appreciate the tea, I casually prompted her.

“I heard that my subordinates committed discourtesy. As their leader, it is only natural that I manage them properly. That is my failing. I sincerely apologize for the harm caused.”

Suddenly, Soloven bowed her head and apologized. I was surprised, but I didn’t show it outwardly.

I had anticipated that it might go sothing like this. Still, seeing it in person felt different.

“Forget it. It’s already resolved. They’ve probably co to their senses by now.”

“Is that so. Thank you for your understanding. Separate from that, there is sothing I wish to ask.”

I sank into the sofa and gestured with my chin. It was rude, but when had Davide ever been anything else?

Seemingly unbothered, Soloven calmly continued.

“In my view, I believe this incident was your doing. Of course, there is no physical evidence.”

“Go on.”

“However, your thods were excessive. As a result of this incident, several have decided to withdraw. The quality of the nightmares was extrely severe.”

My expression gradually cooled.

So this upright woman before had co to lay the bla at my feet.

“I demand compensation from you. Even if they were at fault, it is proper that the Academy judge and punish them.”

“You’re bringing up principles now. But do you even know what it ans to insult a god?”

“Of course. I was inford on my way here. That is precisely why I say this. Because of you, the rest of their lives will not be smooth. It would be absurd to place all the bla solely on you. I have decided to provide them with a small consolation paynt. However, I would like it to be given in your na, not mine.”

“Haha.”

It was a demand that I prove the god had forgiven them.

In other words, as the cult leader of the Anaye Order, I was to give the consolation paynt in my na and grant peace to those who would otherwise tremble in anxiety and fear for the rest of their lives.

She was unbearably altruistic. I thought she was foolish, but I didn’t dislike this sort of thing.

“That would be the case—if I were the mastermind.”

“Before coming here, I t the top second-ranking first-year of the Magic Departnt.”

At those words, Winter reacted. Her face held a mix of emotions. Why was Canis suddenly being brought up here?

“She claims to have a clue that you are the one behind this.”

“Oh?”

“And she proposed that if I were to duel you and win, she would hand over that clue.”

“And?”

“So I ca here. I ask that you grant a duel. If I obtain the clue, I will not bring the matter before the academic affairs office.”

“So we trade the clue for the na on the consolation paynt?”

Soloven nodded. I couldn’t help but laugh.

That sly little bastard. It seed Canis was trying to betray . I wasn’t surprised—I knew that was the kind of person she was—but I couldn’t help feeling displeased.

Still, this wasn’t bad either.

‘This is interesting.’

In any case, the final boss of Episode 2 was Soloven. In the original ga, Davide’s honor would be tarnished, pushing him to the brink of expulsion. He would grind for affinity events and barely avoid the crisis.

During that process, he would clash with the mid-boss, Granvi. Naturally, he would win. After that defeat, Granvi would decide to withdraw. Enraged by this, Soloven would fall into conflict with Davide, and after constant bickering, they would eventually fight.

But what about now? That troubleso fellow Granvi had already been utterly crushed at the very beginning. And the justification firmly lay on my side.

Soloven wasn’t acting out of rage. Instead, she was calmly requesting a duel like this.

“Fine. Let’s duel. If you win, the na you want? I’ll lend it to you freely.”

“……Truly?”

“Yes. In return, I have two conditions.”

“Hmm. Let’s hear them.”

“Teach shield techniques.”

“Shield… techniques?”

That last remark ca from Winter’s direction. Of course, it wasn’t for to learn. I intended to have that guy I would recruit later learn it.

“Were you interested? That much is no issue. And the other condition?”

“Just once. When I need you. You must work with as a rcenary, without compensation.”

Soloven nodded.