Croc's gaze turned towards Theo.
He hoped that the 'hero' he was talking about would be Theo.
Theo said,
"We all did it together. It was not an easy fight."
"Is that so."
After all, if they saw Maitri's corpse, anyone with eyes would know Theo killed him.
Claire would also serve as a witness.
'This could be an opportunity to take control of the Order from the inside.'
On the way back to his companions, Theo asked,
"Croc, when do you plan to deploy the troops to destroy the Shrine?"
"Hmm. It's been over a hundred years since so many demons appeared at once. We need to investigate what kind of demon is inside the Shrine first. Not all demons are the same, after all."
There are various kinds of demons.
A commander-type entity that is weak in body but commands numerous minions.
An entity that controls fewer minions but possesses formidable physical power.
An entity that supports other demons with various buffs.
An entity that is weak in close combat but proficient in magic and sorcery, etc.
Naturally, the tactics and strategy change significantly depending on the type of demon one is facing.
For instance, when facing a commander-type entity, a large number of personnel are needed to hold back its minions.
Theo nodded,
"Is that so. If you ever need my help, please feel free to ask."
"Oh! Would that be possible?"
"Of course."
"I was embarrassed when I saw you moving against the robot. Even when I read the news articles, I thought to myself, 'Well, he's just an academy student.'"
"It's understandable. After all, that's just how it is for a student."
Croc was impressed,
"Your thoughts are indeed special. Ah, and now that I think about it, Theo, being of the Waldeurk bloodline, you would wield greater power against demons."
"That's right. Even now, far from the Shrine, my blood is boiling."
"For centuries, the Waldeurk family has been famous for demon hunting. I will strongly request the higher-ups to allow Theo's participation in this demon hunt."
"That would be great. Being a student and an outsider, the Order might not take me seriously yet."
"I will do my best, Theo. Even if you cannot participate in the battle directly, facing the demons will be a great learning experience."
"Thank you for the advice, Croc."
Theo nodded, managing his expression,
'Of course, I have no intention of just sitting back and twiddling my thumbs.'
This is a great opportunity to blatantly showcase his abilities to the key members of the Order.
They have the confidence that they are experts in demon hunting.
To shatter that solid confidence, an overwhelming performance is necessary.
'First, I need to internalize what I've learned today quickly.'
Training comes first. Especially today, he has gained many insights.
'By any means necessary, stand at the forefront.'
Theo's wish soon became a reality.
The catalyst was the testimony of personnel dispatched by the Order for the post-incident handling of the [Ford Company] case.
─The contractor of the Great Demon Andros was annihilated in a single blow.
─There were no traces of holy power or magic. A demon contractor advanced to this degree negates most magic.
─It's hard to believe, but... it seems they were slain with a blade.
They questioned Guardian Knight Claire, the sole eyewitness, almost like an interrogation.
Claire's answers were consistent.
─Honestly, the rest of us, including myself, were of little help. The contractor of the Great Demon was subdued solely by student Theo Lyn Waldeurk.
─If there was something unusual... it was that the sword Theo held glowed bluish.
This fact spread across the empire and the entire continent in less than a week, as if it had wings.
Every media outlet on the continent covered the incident, Theo, and the contractor of the Great Demon who had appeared after a long time.
Of course, the focal point was the person 'Theo' himself.
Meanwhile, Theo was training in his dormitory room.
Due to the lack of training time, he declined all interview and recruitment offer requests that came in like a flood. He had asked Amy to filter out most people as a first line.
However, this only made reporters, guild & national officials more desperate.
Thus, Elinia Academy was bustling with outsiders even during the vacation period.
As Theo was circulating qi within his body with his eyes closed,
─Child, it suddenly's quiet outside.
Nay spoke to him.
Theo replied with his eyes still closed,
─I feel it too, Princess of Ashes.
Princess of Ashes.
The identity of Nay that the original owner of Theo's body had told him about.
Hearing this title, Nay raised her voice,
─! I told you not to call me by that title! My face is burning up!
─You said you don't remember that. From what I've learned, that can be remedied by repeatedly mentioning it, Princess of Ashes.
─You, you brat...! I told you to train, and yet you've only improved your ability to wag your tongue!
─Circulating qi, conditioning the body, filling the brain with knowledge, and improving eloquence... aren't all these aspects of training? Ah... Indeed, Princess of Ashes, you are extraordinary. To impart such enlightenment to me today as well.
-Be quiet! Anyway, that's not what's important right now. The footsteps approaching are unusual.
-They are powerful yet light and agile.
Shortly after,
Knock, knock.
A knock sounded. It was concise yet profound.
Theo wiped the sweat with a towel and opened the door.
Outside stood a woman who appeared to be on the cusp between her late teens and early twenties. She spoke politely.
"You must be Theo Lyn Waldeurk. Seeing your face, I'm right. My name is Nesser, from the Order."
Theo nodded.
'A big catch.'
Her real name is Adrienne. Nesser is an alias.
She is a member of the Order of Light.
While the identities of the members of the Order of Light are shrouded in secrecy, Theo naturally knew this from the game.
"There are many eyes around us, let's go inside to talk."
Adrienne looked around. Numerous reporters and guild & national officials were still lurking the area.
"Ah... Then, I'll take you up on that offer."
She entered the room and closed the door behind her.
Theo said,
"This dorm room is quite small since it's just temporary. Please, sit wherever you're comfortable."
"Thank you, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."
Theo spoke to her as she sat down in front of the table.
"No need to thank me, Nesser. Or rather..."
Theo continued,
"Should I call you Adrienne?"
"!"
Adrienne drew her sword from her waist and quickly pointed it at Theo's neck.
Her voice, distinctly colder than before, demanded,
"Where did you get that information, you bastard."
Theo calmly pushed the sword away from his neck. He responded in the same calm voice as before,
"First, put that away."
"..."
Adrienne, glaring at Theo, sheathed her sword back.
Theo took a seat across from her.
"Let's talk over something to drink. Do you have a preferred tea?"
"Anything."
"Alright."
Theo clapped his hands twice.
Immediately, Amy's voice came from outside the door,
"Yes, young master. What would you like?"
"An iced Americano and a mint chocolate latte."
"Understood, young master."
Soon, Amy brought in two drinks.
Theo placed the mint chocolate latte in front of Adrienne.
Adrienne frowned.
"What are you trying to do, bastard."
Theo took a sip of his iced Americano and said,
"You said 'anything', so I prepared a mint chocolate latte. Is there a problem?"
"..."
Adrienne silently took a sip of the mint chocolate latte. She grimaced and said,
"This is surprising. Alright, bastard. Where did you hear my name?"
"You'll find out eventually. More importantly, why have you come to see me?"
"The investigation of the Great Demon's Shrine located in the Magic City. I came to see if you were fit to join the investigation team. But..."
"But?"
"It's already been decided. You must join the investigation team."
Theo crossed his legs comfortably, maintaining an impeccable posture despite the tension.
"What if I refuse?"
Adrienne placed her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"I'll make sure you join, even if I have to cut off a piece of you."
"Hmm."
A standoff.
However, Theo remained unperturbed.
'Everything is going according to plan.'
The Order of Light, despite their exceptional skills, is a group where each member has a screw loose.
They prioritize their desires over loyalty to the Order.
Their semblance of loyalty to the Order is merely because it satisfies their desires best.
Adrienne before him is relatively the most normal among them.
'To blend in with the mad dogs, I have to appear mad myself.'
Mentioning Adrienne's real name directly was in line with this strategy. It was to assert himself as not only formidable but also someone not to be taken lightly.
'The first step to gaining control inside the Order is to take hold of the Order of Light.'
After Theo organized his thoughts,
Bang──!
He kicked the table with his foot.
"Let's first see if you have the skills to back up such arrogant words."
At the same time, he drew the [Demon Sword] from its sheath.
