Chapter 167

There’s nothing scarier than an unsolved mystery—not even ghosts. The students were gripped by shock and terror.

The police concluded it was the work of an outsider, since no one appeared on the academy’s surveillance cameras, and there was no sign of an air rifle. But the students thought otherwise.

Could the culprit be hiding among them? The greatest fear comes from the unknown. The students shivered with indescribable emotion.

Rumors spread that the academy was haunted. This was further fueled when the great archmage Merlin, who examined the remaining aura on Veronica’s body, testified, “It wasn’t human energy.”

While the academy is a secure facility, it’s not a place where people never die. Accidents can happen during live-sword duels, and occasionally casualties occur during mid-term hunting exams outside the academy as well.

Students whispered that the spirits of those who died unjustly at the academy wandered its halls at night, claiming these ghosts would call someone’s name three times before cruelly devouring their soul. Teachers dismissed this as nonsense but deep down, they too harbored a quiet fear of the supernatural.

Still, the academy is the academy.

The empire’s education system isn’t about to crumble over mere superstition.

By the afternoon, things were back to normal—but with changes, given the gravity of the incident.

Parents and guardians, fearing for their children or proteges, sent personal guards to protect them.

Eden Academy protested, but after a death, trust in their security had been shattered. Negotiations ensued.

The compromise: one guard per student, though the academy wouldn’t provide room and board for them—students had to figure that out themselves.

Not all students got guards; commoners couldn’t afford it, and even nobles hesitated, wary of creating cliques based on whose guards were stronger.

Only those confident in their status or those who absolutely needed protection sent guards.

“Knight Commander, I didn’t expect someone of your stature to come here.”

“It’s by His Majesty’s decree. To protect Her Royal Highness…”

“Even so, weren’t you defeated by a teacher here years ago? And now you’re guarding her?”

“…Please have faith. I’ve improved since then.”

The royal knight commander Franklin, assigned to protect Princess Albrecht, heir to the throne.

“…Damn.”

“Huh? Why the sour face, Hero-sama?”

“No, it’s nothing… please take good care of her.”

“Heh, no one will touch a single hair on our hero. Not even the teachers.”

“Guh…”

“Cheer up. I don’t want to be stuck babysitting some girl either. By the way, why is the Great Hero a woman this time?”

The continent’s hope, protected by the Empire’s strongest sword—the Continent’s First Sword. Known as Blood Lotus because every swing leaves trails of blood like blooming flowers.

Despite her title, Frey looked troubled. So did I.

Maria had already yelled at me. That alone was enough to make me uneasy, but I also had to worry about Frey.

Maria told me not to bother with Frey, but judging from how unfazed she was when she saw the corpse earlier, I felt something wasn’t right.

I should keep an eye on her, but now with a guard attached—it’s annoying. Especially since it’s the Continent’s First Sword.

Knowing her true identity makes me feel uneasy.

Maria had two Holy Knights assigned to her: Celt and Emelia, both elite warriors sent by the Holy Order, though not commanders.

Maria seemed uncomfortable with their presence, much like how other students feel embarrassed seeing their parents during open class days.

Some high-ranking nobles and foreign royals also received guards, causing unnecessary chaos in the academy.

To me, chaos feels like home, so I’m not bothered. In fact, I’m kind of glad.

“Hey! Celt! Long time no see!”

“Hmm? Do you know me?”

“Let’s just say I do. Small world, huh?”

I waved at one of Maria’s two guards. Holy Knight Celt looked at me like I was insane.

I get it, but still, we used to hang out a lot before I died.

Celt doesn’t remember me, but I remember him. He looks good—smooth skin, no wrinkles. Must be his holy knight phase.

The worst dungeon in the continent: Babel Tower.

Its 7th underground floor: Tartarus. While the 6th floor, Alcatraz, held infamous criminals, Tartarus imprisoned those who could sway the fate of the continent.

I was incarcerated there for 111 days before my execution. Later, Saintess Maria spent seven nights there.

Celt was a warden there, having left his position as a holy knight to volunteer for Babel Tower duty.

Thinking about it, Taeseuethes, who was once the warden chief of Tartarus, is now a first-year student at Eden Academy. Meh, doesn’t interest me much.

Taeseuethes will grow into a fearsome Demon Slayer in the distant future, but that’s too far ahead. Right now, I need to prepare for the upcoming Demon King War.

“…Saintess, this friend of yours seems a bit off…”

“Ah, it’s fine! Evans is trustworthy… um, though he does seem a little strange on the surface…”

“If the Saintess says so, I’m reassured. Evans, you say? Thank you for being close to the Saintess.”

Celt extended his hand for a handshake. Knowing his personality, he’s probably thinking, “Is this guy really fit to be around the Saintess?”

No big deal. He’s a good guy at heart, so I shook his hand happily.

“I’ll leave it in your hands too. Having you protect Maria makes me feel secure.”

This brings back memories. We had fun playing clap games in Tartarus, me as the prisoner, Maria visiting, and Celt as the warden. It feels nostalgic.

“Celt, don’t get too friendly with the students. Our primary mission is to guard the Saintess.”

“I know, Emelia. Still, exchanging pleasantries is only polite. What about you? Aren’t you going to greet him?”

“…I’m Holy Knight Emelia. Let’s get along.”

A short-haired female knight greeted me. I smiled lightly in return.

I’ve heard of Holy Knight Emelia. During my 111 days in Tartarus talking with Celt, he often mentioned her.

Celt had a crush on Emelia. He suffered from unrequited love, pining secretly for her.

Emelia wasn’t completely indifferent to Celt, as there was always a subtle tension between them. Of course, this might’ve been Celt’s one-sided perception.

But according to the Holy Order’s rules, priests must serve only God. Romantic relationships are forbidden. Celt couldn’t confess.

During this bittersweet, ambiguous period, Emelia died in battle against demons. Celt was devastated.

When the Holy Order faced subjugation by the Demon King’s Army, Celt left. He volunteered as a warden at Babel Tower, preferring to manage prisoners rather than become a servant of the Demon King.

Heh.

“Evans, why are you laughing?”

“Just happy. Things are about to get interesting.”

In the final week of my 111-day stay, I spent lonely hours with Maria. Before that, I passed the time chatting with Celt. We talked a lot.

No matter how many times I advised him to let go of the past, Celt couldn’t stop regretting. He constantly wished he’d confessed to Emelia before leaving the order.

“Yeah… Emelia, don’t pick fights with others while we’re here.”

“Tch, you should mind your own business. Last time you dragged me out for a drink and beat up half a dozen thugs.”

“That’s because they insulted you!”

“Ha. Like I care if Celt gets mad on my behalf. We’re not dating or anything.”

They practically acted like a couple without ever officially confessing. Was Emelia really not interested?

“Not that I disliked it… but your behavior was inappropriate! Do you want another reprimand from the bishop?”

Ah, they were just bad at expressing their feelings. Watching their youthful awkwardness warms my heart.

Thinking about Maria losing her temper makes me wonder what’s bothering her. With Holy Knights as her guards now, how should I arrange our nightly meetings?

My head hurts.

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