Uncle Damon and I did our best to return to the Royal Academy as quickly as we could.
However, under the heavy downpour that lasted for days, it took us over a week to arrive. My carriage even had difficulties, so we had to abandon it in favor of Uncle Damon’s carriage instead.
We also had to fit the prisoners into the carriage, since they are useful witnesses. The journey was arduous and incredibly unpleasant, but we had to bear with the discomfort so we could reach our destination in ti.
However, even when we did—
"What?! It will take an entire month for you to get a license to investigate him?!"
I can’t believe my ears.
Of course, I already expected resistance from the Academy’s authorities, but even after I presented evidence and used Uncle Damon’s credibility as an alumnus and forr classmate of Professor Alaric, they still refused to budge on their strict bureaucracy.
Uncle Damon has made realize how precarious the matter is, but it is rather unfortunate that I can’t really share this urgency with my audience.
How exactly do I explain the matter of Leviathans to them, when even I have my doubts?
What I do know for certain is that Alaric Duskyrin is in wrongful possession of so very dangerous research, and in his unstable hands, they have beco even more threatening.
Sadly, I have very little power to do anything.
Even after seeking a special audience with Earl Balric Wolfshade, I couldn’t get a satisfactory response. It turns out my accusations against Professor Alaric are synonymous with slander, and I could even get arrested before the investigations comnce if I keep pushing it.
"Stop this, Javier..." Balric Wolfshade tells with a grim sigh. "I thought you already learned your lesson after our last conversation. Do you want to get expelled? That’s what will happen if you keep going around with such news. Just wait for the investigation to be approved. Follow due process..."
Such an infuriating man!
Why did I even try to rely on him?
After my failure with the Investigative Body, as well as with the Dean of Discipline & Conduct, I have once again realized how powerless I am in this world.
Even with evidence and witnesses, I do not possess sufficient power to do anything.
"We just need to investigate more..." Uncle Damon notices my crestfallen expression and encourages with a strained smile.
I know he must be grieving deeply about his loss.
My uncle’s research is his whole life, and he has had everything ripped away by Alaric. He is certainly going through a lot, yet he still has the emotional bandwidth to offer comfort.
Such a kind man.
I doubt I could show this level of consideration to anyone if I were in his shoes.
"You’re right. Based on what we know, Professor Alaric only returned to the Academy five days ago. He couldn’t have possibly prepared everything he needs, so we still have a bit of ti to gather more proof."
According to the Academy authorities, if we can provide irrefutable proof, not just circumstantial evidence and unreliable testimonies, the ti needed for investigation will shorten, and we could even get an imdiate warrant for investigation.
But where exactly are we supposed to get such evidence to incriminate him?
Even though Professor Alaric is a lunatic scum, he is still extrely vigilant, and I certainly cannot underestimate his intelligence.
Any trail we follow will likely lead to a wild goose chase.
By the ti we reach the end of the trail, it will have already been too late for us.
Which ans...
"Right now, there’s only one person who can help us." I sigh and stare at Uncle Damon with a bitter smile on my face.
"Who’s that? Don’t tell —!"
"Yes..." While nodding grimly, I mutter the na of our only option. "It’s Brutus."
Brutus is a High-Rank Knight and also the Head of Security within the Royal Academy. It’s an open secret at this point that he is filled with corruption, and his services can be bought with coin.
I’m now certain that Professor Alaric has used Brutus’s services multiple tis, and I deeply suspect that he would be using his help to smuggle in whatever materials he needs for his experints.
He probably also used Brutus to help him intercept mine and Uncle Damon’s letters.
Of course, Brutus’s range of authority and duty does not extend to all these areas, but he is a man of ans and many connections. He surely has a network that spreads to many facets of the Royal Academy—particularly among low-level staff.
In essence...
’Cleaners. Post Workers. Assistants. Dorm Officers. Etc.’ My brows crease up. ’The only person who can deliver actual evidence regarding Alaric’s actions is Brutus.’
"But why would he cooperate with us?" Uncle Damon frowns deeply.
He recognizes the reason behind my suggestion, but he is reasonably skeptical of such a plan.
After all, Brutus’s status in the Royal Academy is far higher than mine, and such a man gains nothing from snitching on one of his clients. Besides, his admitting to Alaric’s misdeanors will also implicate him and those under his influence.
Why would he willingly help when he has so much to lose and nothing to gain?
"He doesn’t have to be willing. I simply need to coerce him by showing him how much more he can lose if he doesn’t cooperate."
With an evil gleam in my eyes, I show Uncle Damon a confident smile.
Now that things have co to this, I have no choice but to use the trump card at my disposal.
’Prince Korrin... I’ll be needing your help now.’
**************
Nothing is free in this world.
This statent is especially true when it cos to the affairs of the Royals and the High Nobility.
Those people always operate with benefit in mind and would never do anything simply out of charity or goodwill. With this knowledge in mind, I already know it won’t be an easy task getting the Prince to assist .
And that’s why I have decided to create a quick sche.
The plan is split into three.
First, I write a letter to Prince Korrin explaining the situation to him, while also requesting his assistance. Of course, he won’t be very motivated to help , since that would expose him to unnecessary attacks from the Noble Faction.
They would easily jump in to criticize, saying he is disregarding due process, abusing his authority to speed up the investigative process.
They could even paint Professor Alaric as a victim, turning him into a helpless martyr who the Royal Faction is oppressing as a way to attack the High Nobility. If that happens, it would be even more difficult to succeed in my plan.
Prince Korrin also recognizes these factors, so even if he is moved by my sincerity, he won’t act.
And... that’s why I have to bait him.
Or, rather, I simply need to give him a good reason to make a move.
"The High Nobility are using Brutus, Head of Security, to smuggle things in and out of the Academy? They are also monitoring letters exchanged between students and those outside? My goodness, they are even sending spies after students of interest? Witnesses can even attest to this fact, and even though I can’t imdiately question the High Nobles about these matters, I can force the truth out of Brutus—the Head of Security—himself?!" Prince Korrin will have these thoughts after going through the contents of my letter.
As such, he will send a letter to Brutus to seek an audience with him.
Brutus would have already received my letter at the ti, seeking his cooperation.
That is the second phase.
Naturally, he is sure to disregard my letter and ignore all the threats I make inside. He will believe the High Nobles will protect him against any scrutiny from a puny person like .
Plus, if I overstep my bounds, it will simply give them an excuse to expel .
Since he has worked here for so many years, Brutus possesses a fundantal understanding of the power structure in the Royal Academy, so I don’t expect him to even be bothered by my letter.
But... I will use that understanding of his against him.
When Prince Korrin’s letter reaches Brutus and he links it to my letter, he will understand.
His imagination will do all the work for .
He will imdiately believe that the Prince and I are working together, and if he doesn’t cooperate with , he risks losing much more by exposing all of his operations.
That is the third and final phase.
Afterward, Brutus himself will co up as a witness and expose all of Professor Alaric’s cris, showing his sincerity to and the Prince. This will solve my imdiate problem, which is what I’m truly after.
As for Prince Korrin’s interrogation of Brutus—I couldn’t care less about it.
Such is politics for you.
The best-case scenario is that Brutus exposes all the Nobles and drowns alongside them, but seeing as Brutus would have already exposed Professor Alaric, the other High Nobles will do their best to cover their tracks.
Due to this, Prince Korrin won’t be able to expose all of them.
As for Brutus, he will either be imprisoned, get fired for his wrongful actions, or latch himself to the Royal Faction and act as a loyal dog in order to keep his job.
Knowing the kind of disgusting person that man is, the latter is more likely to happen.
In conclusion, Brutus will help whether he likes it or not.
That is the true nature of this plan.
And, sure enough, just two days after implenting the sche, everything has fallen into place just as I wanted it to.
After getting a credible witness like Brutus to expose Professor Alaric’s sche against , and his many unethical actions in the Academy—such as bribing Academy staff to do his bidding, smuggling supplies not allowed within Academy grounds, including Armants which he doesn’t have a license for, and also the breach of mine and my uncle’s privacy by gaining access to our letters—the investigation warrant has now been given.
The Academy will now be investigating Professor Alaric Duskryn.
"We will be bringing him in for questioning first, while our officers search his office and residence for any incriminating materials that correlate with Brutus’s accounts and the accounts of all the witnesses he brought forth..." Earl Balric Wolfshade has a complex expression on his face while explaining all these things to .
I ignore the aning behind his gaze and simply focus on the matter at hand.
"When will you begin?"
"This evening, actually. I’m already gathering all the officers needed."
"Oh? Then can I—"
"No, don’t even think about it." The Earl shuts down my suggestion imdiately. "You’re only a student. We can’t involve you in such a matter, especially since it is potentially dangerous. I’m sure your uncle here will agree."
Earl Balric glances at Uncle Damon, who sighs and nods in agreent like the traitor he is.
Sigh...
Why did I even bring him with ?
In the end, it seems I’ll be forced to sit this one out. I won’t be able to see the wretched expression on that shaless man’s face when he finally gets arrested for his cris.
Impatience gnaws at , but I calm myself.
Once he is detained, I’ll finally be able to look him in the eye and reveal the truth to him.
—That I’m the one responsible for his arrest!
"Looks like you’ll get to see him before I do, Uncle Damon..." I sigh, patting his shoulder with a hint of jealousy in my eyes.
"I hope you can sneer at him for the both of us."
Uncle Damon chuckles gently and sends a thumbs-up while nodding emphatically.
"I’ll do my best."
The evening stretches on, and I am forced to return to my dormitory after watching the officers set off for the Professor’s residence. I open the windows of my room to let in the fresh breeze and hopefully so moonlight.
However, dark clouds still obscure the full moon from sight.
Thunder lowly rumbles in the sky, and I feel a dark chill unlike the usual late evening breeze.
It looks like there’ll be another heavy downpour tonight.
************
"PROFESSOR ALARIC! SIR ALARIC DUSKRYN! OPEN UP!!!"
Officers knock on the door to the Senior Professor’s residence, loudly yelling out his na, yet no response cos from within it.
The house is an exquisite one-story building, placed among several others within an imnsely spacious court. All the houses are practically identical, save for the house numbers painted on their walls.
As such, despite appearing extravagant in isolation, among the host of other similar buildings, it looks rather unremarkable.
"Hmm..." Earl Balric Wolfshade grunts, watching the call repeat itself while holding a stern gaze.
He, Brutus, and even Damon Aditi stand on the front porch, amidst the company of even more officers. As their group maintains a considerable distance from the tightly closed entrance, they watch the guards at the door frantically call for Professor Alaric; all the while getting no response from him.
Those who went to check his office have already returned, bearing news that he isn’t there.
There has also been confirmation that he was last seen venturing into his residence.
That ans, without a doubt, he is inside.
"Alaric Duskryn! This is Earl Balric Wolfshade speaking. Open your doors now!"
Still no response.
Even after the thunderous voice of the Dean of Discipline & Conduct spreads across the vicinity, no sound leaves his ho.
"This is very suspicious..."
The Earl’s brows narrow seriously at this point as he even takes a look around him.
The incessant noise is loud enough to attract the attention of all Alaric’s neighbors—staff who share the sa residential block. They slowly leave their rooms and poke their heads outside, with so even walking out the front door of their entrance to inquire what is going on.
None of them realizes that within the house... inside his sacred room... Alaric has just completed the final phase of his ritualistic preparation.
"We can’t waste any more ti. Charge in."
Under the instruction of Balric Wolfshade, the officers break down the door and charge inside.
However, barely two seconds after—
"UARRRGHHHHHH!!!"
—Horrified screams echo from within the house’s walls.
The frightening noise doesn’t last very long, though, as they are abruptly silenced by the sound of ripping flesh and sloshing blood.
So of the thick red liquid even sprays outside the door, staining the porch, stoop, and entryway. In an instant, the rowdy scene turns deathly silent, right before a devastating uproar fills the late evening air.
Terrified screeches echo out from the staff as they watch the gory sight.
Even the guards are taken aback, stunned by the sudden sight of blood and the tangy sll that now wafts in the air.
Without hesitating, Balric Wolfshade reaches for his sheathed blade, with imnse wariness now flashing in his eyes. His eternal frown turns deeper as the eerie winds cause his green hair to dance atop his head.
"Everyone, step away! This has officially beco—"
"Too late..." A voice slowly chis from within the darkness of the house’s interior. "You... are too late..."
Almost like a lodious tune, the sound eerily rings out with a hollow rhythm.
Footsteps loudly echo out.
Like heavy thuds, each step reverberates with a horrifying connotation of danger... doom...
... Despair.
Then, from within the bloodied darkness, erge silhouettes
Tentacles of all sizes slowly creep out, their fat bodies wriggling in the air like maggots all over rotten at. Like worms dancing on wet soil, their glistening skins contract and expand, bursting with imnse vitality.
Despite the absence of light, the pinkish hue of their bodies is evident for all to see.
Color similar to inner flesh or aty entrails.
They appear absolutely repulsive as they drip with blood, and voices echo from within the tiny orifices at the tip of their heads.
"The Ritual has begun..."
The distorted sound echoes out once more, so delirious as though a drunken person is speaking.
Recognizing the voice, despite its changed state, Balric’s frown grows deeper.
"Alaric, is that you?! What have you done? Co out right now!"
’Co out?!’ Many officers stare at Balric with expressions of disbelief. ’Co out and do what?!’
These tentacles are currently rearing their ugly bodies outside the room, but it’s certain they are connected to sothing—sothing far more horrifying inside the building.
Who would want such a thing to erge?!
Veins suddenly appear all over the fleshy tentacles, and they dance with delight as loud chuckles fill the air.
"Co out? Why should I? Just be a little patient... hehe!"
"You killed people! Guards of the Academy! You are automatically a criminal by the laws of the Kingdom! Co out right now and surrender!"
"Criminal? Surrender? Haha! How naive... how small-minded... how foolish! Why should I care about such paltry consequences when I am nearing my ascension?"
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Balric spits out with unbridled fury, now brandishing his blade—a C Grade Armant—with rage boiling in his eyes.
"Ahh... I feel it now... it’s so close..."
Ignoring him, the voice continues to moan in pleasure, and the worm-like tentacles dance in the air, twisting and turning in disgusting satisfaction.
"Those under my voice, prepare to welco my ergence!"
Voices overlap, and they turn even more warped as their repulsive tone intensifies.
"Fall to your knees and pay homage to my existence! Apotheosis shall now comnce, and once it concludes, there shall be great rejoicing."
Whispers of prayers leak out of the frightened audience, and many stifle their shrieks.
Amidst all this, Damon Aditi stands in frozen silence.
Confronted with the fruits of his research, fear cannot begin to describe the emotions coursing through him. After all, only he truly knows the atrocity that this man has beco.
Only he knows the horrors yet to arrive.
"For the ti of my exaltation finally draws near. Tonight, Alaric Duskryn ascends to the realm of God!" The distorted voices rise to unprecedented heights, and the tentacle worms display a corrupted thrill tainted with deep perversion.
"Tonight... I beco a Leviathan!"
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