Chapter 255

Chapter 42 Come to Pick You Up

Sarah and I walked to the back row, and just as we found a corner to sit down, I saw the new teacher for Abyssology stepping onto the stone platform at the front.

“Cough, cough.”

That was an elderly man with white hair, wearing a pale gold robe that still felt familiar to me.

“First of all, being able to stand in the classroom of the Royal Academy and teach you this course on the Abyss fills me with great honor.”

His slightly official tone, combined with his quavering voice, made him sound more like a strict old scholar than a clergyman.

I seem to have seen him somewhere before…

“But at the same time, I feel deeply unfortunate… The reason, I believe, will be clear to all of you. If I could, I wouldn’t want to stand here in the classroom of the Royal Academy’s Abyssology course, replacing her who has returned to the embrace of the divine…”

I stared listlessly at his wrinkled face, and after a moment, I finally remembered who he was.

This old man, isn’t he the Bishop of the Grand Cathedral of Saint Zayeli? The one who presided over the funeral ceremony…

The old man spoke slowly, rambling on about irrelevant matters, his serious and rigid demeanor making me feel bored.

After a long while, when the impatience of the students was clearly visible on their faces, he finally began to get to the point.

“Please open your textbooks to page 28.”

“A—ah~”

I yawned widely, blinking my eyes as I opened the book as the old man requested, glancing through it casually.

On the left page, it read:

[

Devouring Abyss.

Appeared in Kudilelo Town, Valen Empire, in May of 1184 AD, deep within the cliffs outside the town.

It is one of the few abysses that appeared without any warning. As a result, it caused the destruction of three cities within days of its appearance, with tens of thousands of civilians losing their lives. It is an extremely powerful and terrifying monster.

In the disaster known as ‘The Calamity of Valen,’ the beloved Cardinal Nero of the Holy Church, along with King Scargill of the Deceitful Army, Carlos of the Silver Flash, Martina of Amber Eyes, Olivia of Mercury, and Loric of the Heavy Sword, five Papal Knights, fought the monster in a thrilling battle. Ultimately, they barely managed to kill it outside the Winter City, sacrificing Amber Eyes Martina and Heavy Sword Loric. Great heroes who deserve our eternal remembrance…

]

I didn’t want to continue reading the endless praises.

I turned my gaze to the right page, where a drawing of a monster wrapped in black smoke was depicted. It looked something like… a bull or a lion? I couldn’t make out its face at all.

This is the Devouring Abyss…?

After looking at it for a while, I shook my head with a slight smile.

What is this… They definitely haven’t seen an abyss before.

“Peyelo.”

Sarah whispered beside me.

“Don’t you think the teacher sounds like he’s just reading from a script, making it hard to listen?”

Hmm?

I lifted my head slightly, paying attention to what the old man was saying.

“…The name of the abyss was originally given by the 11th Pope of the Holy Church. For those irrational monsters, this is the most fitting name. We all know how terrible they are, especially the Devouring Abyss. Fortunately, the Holy Church responded promptly, and Cardinal Nero ordered the brave humans to sacrifice themselves to kill it. We must always remember them, remember the warriors of the church, and remember that sorrowful yet great moment…”

Ah… Indeed.

It sounded like a lullaby, making one drowsy.

“Teacher!”

A student interrupted the old man.

“Yes?”

“Have you ever seen an abyss?”

“Uh… Well…”

“What, so you’ve never seen those monsters?”

“…I haven’t, but I know several well-known heroes, including Sister Teresa, whom I am quite familiar with…”

“Ha—”

Sighing softly, I turned my head toward the huge arched window beside me, recalling the first time I came to this classroom and took this course.

At that time, the nun with silver hair stood where the old man is now, only a few feet away from me.

She held the textbook high, telling us that there were no monsters in the books, only ink.

She showed us the badge of the Papal Knight of Amber Eyes and told us her story because they were friends.

Even now, remembering all the genuine emotions she expressed, I don’t think she was lying.

I believe Teresa didn’t need to lie about such things.

[I hope you find your own path in the next lessons and walk it straight. No matter what happens in the future, do not regret, do not look back.]

The person who could say such words ultimately clashed with me in blood and fire, transforming into the most terrifying monster.

Then… What exactly were you trying to tell us with that deeply memorable phrase, or were you just reminding yourself?

Not using faith power, unwilling to teach theology. A person abandoned by the gods, or abandoning the gods…

A kind and gentle nun, a deranged demon.

Teresa, which one are you?

Of course, this wasn’t something I could figure out before class ended.

But even long after leaving the classroom, I couldn’t recall what the bishop had said.

…………

In Eisenberg, March and April belong to the rainy season.

After the 10th, the continuous light rain began to fall endlessly. The air became unusually humid and the temperature gradually rose.

Recently, the royal city sometimes heard the cheerful chirping of birds.

“After this rain ends, the royal city will enter summer!”

When Sarah said this, her expression was as excited as a little girl who had just eaten candy.

She seemed to love summer very much.

But I didn’t like it…

I never did. Ever since I got this body, I liked it even less.

But I really enjoy watching Sarah smile. I like seeing pure-hearted people continue to remain carefree and simple.

Being around such people seems to infect me too, and gradually I forget some of the deep-seated anxieties that trouble me. So in these days, I only attend classes, go back home, carry my books, step onto the winding paths of the garden, walk past buildings lined with blooming flowers, and stay with girls who laugh when they’re happy and cry when they’re sad. Life feels light and easy.

Not long after, I welcomed my second day off at the academy.

I carried my backpack and held an umbrella, walking alongside Sarah and Sophia on the rain-soaked road, blending into the tide of people heading home.

Daisy wasn’t with us. She said she wanted to use her day off to review her lessons.

“Peyelo, I’ll bring you some homemade muffins when I come back, so don’t run away suddenly!”

“Okay.”

I nodded eagerly, my eyes shining with anticipation.

The wide-brimmed lace hat on my head was askew, so I reached up to adjust it.

“Eat, eat, all you think about is eating.”

Sophia wrinkled her nose, showing disdain for our previous conversation.

“This annoying rain, how long will it keep going… My skirt is soaked.”

“Who told you to wear such a fancy dress! Dressing up like a princess, you’re so vain.”

“Sarah, who’s being vain? Do you think I want to dress like this!” Sophia glared at Sarah fiercely, “My father has to meet Her Majesty tonight! The Queen herself! As her attendant, wearing a formal gown is basic etiquette. What do you know, you poor thing?”

Though her words sounded harsh, I could sense her pride.

But Sarah probably couldn’t agree: “Who are you calling a poor thing? You look down on me!”

Sophia lifted her skirt slightly and ignored her.

“What’s that supposed to mean…”

“Hey!”

I watched Sarah pout and push Sophia’s shoulder playfully, but she just kept her eyes forward, not willing to acknowledge her. It was quite amusing.

Let’s change the topic?

Otherwise, they might start fighting…

“Sophia, you have to meet the queen tonight?”

“Yes.”

She responded immediately, as if she had been waiting for us to ask her this. A smile involuntarily formed on her lips.

“In fact, I’m not really looking forward to it… I’ve never liked those fancy banquets. The dresses are too tight, high heels are uncomfortable, you have to smile at everyone, and you can’t eat properly… I envy you guys so much. When you get home, you can just lie down, go wherever you want, how nice.”

“But you get to see the queen…”

Sophia shook her head, “I may not get to see her, but my father definitely will.”

“You must see her! She’s the hero I admire!”

“…Whether or not I see her has nothing to do with who you admire.”

“There is a connection.”

“What is it?”

“Because I won’t get to see her.”

“I don’t understand what you’re thinking…”

I could vaguely understand Sarah’s feelings, but I wouldn’t say it out loud.

Because it’s not something that would make people feel happy.

We walked to the entrance, and as we blended into the crowd, we left the academy grounds.

In front of us were the countless white-and-green rented carriages parked on both sides, still as numerous as usual. On the other side of these carriages, there were a few carriages with family crests, and the well-dressed servants holding umbrellas stood by the snorting beasts, waiting to take their young masters and mistresses home.

The rain seemed to be getting heavier, pattering loudly on the umbrella.

“My house is close, I can just walk back. What about you two?”

Sarah asked while shaking the water off her arms.

“I have someone picking me up… Oh, I see my carriage.”

Sophia looked into the distance and pointed at a silver carriage.

“See, that one… Why does Father send this silver one again? I clearly said I liked the red one… This silver one is really ugly.”

“That’s not true, it’s beautiful.”

Having gotten used to the gilded carriages of the church, I found the silver one rather pleasant to look at.

“I don’t like it… Anyway, we’re already here.”

Sophia’s servants were already walking over. She took a step forward, then turned to ask me, “Peyelo, where are you going? I’ll drive you home.”

“No need.”

I gave her a sweet smile.

“You have to meet the queen, don’t waste time.”

“How are you going to get home then!” Sarah frowned slightly, a hint of worry on her face, “Come to think of it, we don’t even know where you live. Is it far? Isn’t it somewhere strange?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take that—”

Just as I was about to tell them I’d just take a rented carriage, the crowd on the right suddenly became noisy.

Out of the corner of my eye, two magnificent white horned horses, stepping heavily and snorting, pulled a luxurious palace-style carriage through the rain.

“This is the royal carriage…”

“How beautiful…”

“Strange, does our academy have princes or princesses this year?”

“I don’t think so…”

“Then who is this carriage here for?”

“Hold on, I remember this carriage…”

“No way…”

The crowd murmured in whispers, and beside me, Sophia seemed stunned. She stared blankly at the palace-style carriage, muttering to herself, “This looks like the queen’s…”

Creaking…

The lavish carriage with gem-encrusted wheels rolled over the puddles and came to a stop in front of me.