Chapter 131
Chapter 131
The Gehenna with Its Mouth Open (4)
Museion Academy had many forests. There were relatively few combat department facilities where the surrounding land had been cleared due to frequent outdoor classes, but it was more than sufficient for holding secret meetings.
“You came.”
It was close to midnight. Someone had come to the wisteria forest in the southern part of the combat department.
As a figure in a black robe approached quietly, a gloomy voice emerged from the dark forest.
“This is the regular report.”
The black-robed figure looked up at the silhouette sitting atop a tree, lightly swinging his legs. The man wore the same kind of robe, and the only thing visible on his face was a pair of eerie red eyes.
Not knowing the man’s identity, I referred to him as ‘Red Eyes.’
“Any irregularities?”
“There are none. It seems we can proceed as planned.”
At the report, Red Eyes let out a snicker. Watching him suddenly giggle, the black robe tilted his head in confusion.
“The Academy Director’s movements are unusual.”
“……The Director, you say?”
The black robe pulled a report from his chest. As Red Eyes flicked his finger, the report flew over at high speed.
After slowly reading through it, Red Eyes muttered in a low voice. The black robe frowned.
“That old hag may lack in combat power, but she’s not someone you can ever take lightly.”
“She is a Penta-class magician, after all.”
“The plan changes. We’ll go with a diversion.”
At Red Eyes’ words, the black robe lowered his head deeply. As if he had finished reading, Red Eyes tossed the report to the ground.
The moment it touched the floor, it turned to powder and disappeared.
“Then I’ll see you in two days.”
Red Eyes waved his hand lightly at the black robe in farewell. Soon, his figure melted into the shadows and vanished.
“……So he plans to use me as a disposable card.”
At the mention of the plan changing, the black robe ground his teeth.
He understood Red Eyes’ intention. However, he could not say anything to his superior.
“I won’t just sit here and take it.”
Muttering as if making a vow, the black robe left the place.
***
Around the academic buildings of Museion, there was a circular space. Shops were being set up all along that ring surrounding the buildings.
Not only the residents of Museion Island but also students who had applied for academic content were bustling about. Starting tomorrow, a festival would run for an entire week.
“You’ve arrived! Sunbae-nim!”
After going around here and there with Worden, I came here for the first time upon hearing Winter’s report that preparations were nearly complete.
Aro and Canis stayed by Winter’s side, giving their utmost effort. I had placed them there in case the timid Winter might get overwhelmed by the former CRC members.
The moment I stepped into a tent-like structure, a young girl greeted me loudly.
“…….”
Those who had been moving busily all stopped for a moment and looked toward the entrance. Of course, Winter, Aro, and Canis were visible, and the others were also faces I had seen at least once.
There were even a few among them whom Canis and I had personally visited and given nightmares to. After roughly scanning the interior, I looked at the small girl standing in front of me.
“Hmm.”
For some reason, she seemed familiar. However, I had no memory of her at all.
“Dabi~ you’re here~ Still, you should at least~ return her greeting~”
Canis approached with quick little steps and gave me a hint. The girl in front of me was sweating profusely.
“Right. You’ve worked hard.”
“Yes! Thank you very much!”
As soon as I responded, she shouted her thanks as if screaming. Wondering what was going on, I looked at Canis.
“Huh~ you don’t remember? This little one is the girl who, during the CRC incident, showed Dabi—yes, to Dabi—a petition~”
I only then went “Ah~” and nodded. If it was the CRC incident, that would be Episode 2.
Before that incident had properly begun, the CRC had once distributed a petition to students filled with complaints about me.
And there had been some small kid who didn’t recognize me and personally handed me that petition. So that was her.
“Well, it’s all in the past.”
“I’m sorry for what happened back then!”
“That’s enough. Go get back to work.”
Seeing her legs trembling as she spoke, I waved my hand dismissively. The girl bowed once more and headed toward where the former CRC members were gathered.
“You’ve gotten~ a lot kinder~”
“Still nowhere near you.”
I threw a sarcastic remark at Canis as she teased me. She burst into laughter at my response and guided me to where Winter and Aro were.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah. I came.”
“Where’s Worden?”
“He got caught by Bereninche.”
At Winter’s question about Worden, I told her the truth as it was. The atmosphere inside the tent instantly sank.
Of all people, Bereninche. Still, among those here, there were only two people she would take interest in, so it wasn’t impossible.
“How’s the preparation?”
“It’s going well.”
I slowly read the status report Winter handed me. Perhaps because Soloven was supervising, it was impeccably clean and honest.
“There won’t be any profit.”
“Well, it’s Soloven Sunbae-nim, after all.”
In business, you’re supposed to know how to mark things up. Clicking my tongue at Soloven’s overly honest management, I shook my head.
Watching me, Winter smiled gently. Somehow, it resembled the Vice-Commander’s smile.
“Ah. She’s coming.”
Winter pointed toward the entrance. Right on time, Soloven, dressed in her uniform, was walking in.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah. You’ve worked hard.”
“It’s nothing. I’m satisfied just to have been given the opportunity.”
Soloven welcomed me. Perhaps because our sense of familiarity had grown, she treated me much more comfortably now.
“Are the prices alright?”
“Yes. It’s just drinks anyway. And I have no intention of making a profit. That’s not my goal.”
“I see.”
What we planned to do was simple—sell drinks. Since it was just starting to get hot, it was a pretty good item.
“I’ve prepared the water.”
At that moment, Aro approached and spoke to me. We had decided on two items. One was the Rahorakti special drink made by the former CRC.
The other was the nostalgic patbingsu. There was shaved ice here as well, but it tasted like nothing.
“What about the other ingredients?”
“They’re all ready. But… will people even eat red beans?”
For them, red beans were unfamiliar. Even the shaved ice here was nothing more than crushed ice mixed with honey and fruit juice.
There was no way I was going to be satisfied with something like that. With great difficulty, I had obtained sweet red beans, chocolate syrup, along with fruit and milk.
I had wanted to add rice cake too, but it was too troublesome and time-consuming to make, so I gave up.
“Shaved ice with red beans~ honestly, I’m not expecting much~”
“Tsk tsk.”
At Canis’ remark, I shook my head. In the modern world, countless variations had reduced its dominance, but red beans were the original classic.
I held out my right hand, still wearing the gauntlet, toward Winter.
“Hm?”
“Disinfection.”
“Huh?”
“I need to disinfect it to make it, don’t I?”
Winter looked flustered. Since I couldn’t remove the gauntlet from my hand, I had to disinfect it if I wanted to cook myself.
“Mmm! I’ll do it! The taste of the Far East is amazing!”
Instead, Aro stepped forward. If she was willing to do it for me, all the better. I nodded and activated the fragment of the star within my gauntlet. Then I stretched my hand toward a bucket filled with water.
The chill emitted from the gauntlet struck the bucket, and the water inside froze instantly.
“My word.”
Soloven, who had been quietly watching, exclaimed in admiration. Canis’s eyes also sparkled.
“That’s incredible~ to freeze this much water in an instant~ just where~ do you even get such an ability?”
“Take it out and grind it yourself, mage.”
I sent away Canis, who had been clinging beside me with sparkling eyes. The eyes filled with desire quickly cooled down.
Aro lent a hand over the ice that Canis had shaved with magic. She added the pre-boiled red beans, then poured chocolate syrup on top. After placing various fruits and nuts, she finished by pouring milk over it.
“Mix it well before eating.”
Looking at the patbingsu we had made in an instant, I smacked my lips. Aro mixed it thoroughly with a spoon, scooped a bite, and held it out to me.
Without much thought, I accepted it and ate. The taste of my homeland spreading through my mouth sent a sharp thrill through me. Aro immediately used that same spoon to scoop some for herself and ate it.
“Oh! Oh! This! This! It works! It works!”
At Aro’s exaggerated reaction, the people nearby rushed over as well. Every single one of their reactions was satisfactory.
“Indeed, the unique taste of red beans aside, preparing it like this makes it quite good.”
“Exactly. It’s incredibly sweet. It’s much more diverse than just eating it with fruit juice and honey.”
Winter, who was especially obsessed with sweets, liked it the most. Come to think of it, we had only planned it—we had never actually made and eaten it ourselves before.
Since both Soloven’s side and the Religious Order were new to food preparation, it had been a clumsy oversight.
“Oh, and by the way—anyone here dislike the club name?”
One by one, people started asking for patbingsu. Even though it must have been bothersome, Aro made it for everyone.
As everyone gathered in small groups eating, I raised my hand and asked. Naturally, no complaints came out.
“Right. If you had any conscience, you wouldn’t.”
“Ahem.”
A few people coughed awkwardly. Judging by their reactions, they clearly had something weighing on them.
“‘The Heart of Warriors and Knights.’ In short, ‘WarKnight Heart.’ Welcome. As it happens, our Mother Anaye also uses lightning.”
“…….”
At the club name, Canis openly showed her displeasure. Looking at all their awkward expressions, I gave a fierce smile.
“Well, Soloven will take care of things anyway. You all can just live like before. Ah, and if you’re bored, go ahead and insult our Goddess again. I’ll personally arrange a meeting with our Goddess for you.”
At my chilling words, the atmosphere inside the tent tightened with tension. Even Soloven, who should have stepped in by now, simply stood with her arms crossed and eyes closed.
“Well, that’s enough. Our Goddess has graciously forgiven you with her boundless magnanimity. Just be grateful. Offer prayers from time to time and give offerings, and then—”
Before my impromptu speech could finish, Soloven suddenly sprang to her feet. I also hurriedly exited the tent.
“Kyaaaah!”
“Aaah!”
“R-run! Hurry!”
Outside was utter chaos. Countless students and residents were fleeing from something. Startled by my and Soloven’s sudden actions, others began pouring out of the tent as well.
“Damn it, I was just getting into the speech.”
▶Main Quest [The Gehenna with Its Mouth Open.]
Survive the invasion of Gehenna.
Reward: Random Artifact Summon Ticket.
Episode 4 had suddenly begun. I thought it would start together with the Floating Island, but it began even earlier than that.
“Don’t tell me… poison fog?”
“Everyone, to the academic shelters!”
What chased after the fleeing people was a pure white fog. A white fog. Knowing exactly what that was, I frowned.
Upon hearing the words “poison fog,” Soloven immediately took command and moved ahead. The others followed her at full speed.
“If it’s poison fog, then the Poison Swamp!”
The official name of the Poison Swamp was [Swamp of Gehenna]. Judging by the quest name that appeared in the system, it seemed the poisonous fog from the swamp had begun spreading here.
Originally, Episode 4 started with a traitor within the academic department creating climate anomalies. But now, it had escalated further by summoning poison fog.
“These bastards.”
The poison in the fog damaged the human nervous system. At first, it only caused bodily paralysis, but eventually it spread to the entire body, and in the end, it overloaded the brain—a vicious toxin.
I could faintly grasp the objective of Magus, who was behind all this.