Chapter 209 : Mystery at the royal palace
“Is it really in our best interest that we go back to the surface?” Sasha wondered with a look of suspicion on her face.
“I feel like this must be part of a scheme of some sort…” (Sasha)
“It could be.” (Anos)
I turned my gaze to Misha.
“What do you think, Misha?” (Anos)
“…I can’t see the gods’ emotions. It was the same with Eugo La Raviaz, Nosgalia, and Nutra Do Hiana…” (Misha)
In most cases, gods simply followed their order. Just as people’s actions were fueled by their emotions, those of the gods were fueled by their order.
“But in Arcana’s case, it was different.” (Misha)
“Oh? Did you see anything?” (Anos)
Misha looked down and immersed herself into her own thoughts, as if to peer into the abyss of what she saw in Arcana.
“…A thirst…” Misha said with a sad expression.
“As if she was wandering forever through a desert with no water.” (Misha)
Saint Gazel was a draconid from the Kingdom of the Divine Dragon Jiordal. According to the stone monuments, this Underground World was divided into nations based on their religions.
Ahid the cardinal and Gazel were residents of the same nation and followed the same teachings.
And yet, Ahid made an offering of the summons and Selection God of his fellow believer to his own Selection God.
But that didn’t necessarily mean that Arcana herself wished for it.
She tried to save Gazel’s life by putting him in a state of suspended animation when he was about to commit suicide. Then she reincarnated him after he died.
If Arcana was truly trying to save Gazel out of kindness, then this made her the only god I had met beside Militia that was capable of such emotion.
“Hmm. I’m also concerned about the state of things with the dragons that appeared above ground. I guess we should call it a day and go back.” (Anos)
I extended my hands to Misha and Sasha.
As soon as they grabbed them, I cast the <Transition Gatom> spell.
Our vision turned white, and the next thing we saw was the earth dome in the sky of the Underground World — the canopy.
“Huh? Weren’t we supposed to reappear on the surface?” (Sasha)
“This must be because the canopy is surrounded by the dragon domain. The magical environment is a bit too inadequate for connecting the surface to the Underground World with <Transition Gatom>. It’s still feasible, but it would take too long. Flying back would be faster.” (Anos)
After I finished explaining to Sasha, we entered a hole in the canopy using the <Flight Fless> spell.
The Underground World seemed to shrink away, and we kept flying upwards.
After a while, the tunnel came to a dead end because of a dirt wall.
This part of the canopy was full of magic power. Due to this, any hole made in the earth would close up immediately.
I held up my hand, and cast the <Demon Quake Deyas> spell to split the earth, allowing us to go back the way we had come.
Before long, the light and the sky came into view.
I turned myself back into Anosh again using the <Reverse Growth Kursla> spell and flew out of the tunnel with Sasha and Misha.
There was a lone tree where we emerged.
And many students all around it.
“Khahaha! See? I told you they would be back!” (Eldmed)
As I emerged from the hole, Eldmed walked up to me.
“Hmm. Did we take too long?” (Anos)
“Oh no, you’re just in time, Anosh Polticoal. Look, the last one is about to finish the race!” (Eldmed)
Eldmed pointed with his cane at a student from the Demon King Academy wearing a collar, and running at full speed while being chased by a dragon.
It was Ramon the Royalist.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!” (Ramon)
He was running for his life.
It seemed that his Hourglass of Conflagration had long run out of sand, so the only way for him to survive was to reach the tree as soon as possible.
Considering the timing as well as the dragon’s and Ramon’s respective speed, the latter would just barely make it first.
However, the next moment, another dragon burst out of the ground and blew Ramon into the air.
“GAH-HAAAAHH…!” (Ramon)
He flew through the air like a ball in our direction and crashed into the tree.
It shook from that impact, causing its leaves to flutter down.
His eyes had lost all life.
“To think he achieved his goal even in death. Isn’t that resolve just worthy of admiration? This is how demons should be.” (Eldmed)
Eldmed pointed his cane at Ramon.
Then he used the <Resurrection Ingall> spell to heal his wounds and bring him back to life.
“Every one of you passed! Wonderful, really wonderful! There’s no better way to say it! You all went beyond the expectations of the Conflagration King. At this rate, you may even manage to slay the dragons earlier than planned. I can’t wait for you guys to show those incompetent humans at the palace what you can do. Khahaha!” (Eldmed)
Not only the Demon King Academy students, but even the Hero Academy students looked somewhat motivated by Eldmed’s words. Perhaps because they had been suppressing their anger regarding the royal court’s order to slay the dragons.
“Well then, this concludes today’s class. You’re all dismissed. In preparation for tomorrow, take a good rest, review your lessons, and work hard. If you have any questions, come to me and I’ll answer them.” (Eldmed)
As he said that, students began to gather around Eldmed.
When I turned my gaze to the meadow, I saw that Shin had easily chopped off the head of the dragons that had burst out of the ground.
“H-Hey… Anosh…” (Ramon)
Ramon came up to me as he called my name.
“What is it?” (Anos)
“Zerceus-sama sent me a <Thought Communication Leaks> saying that he couldn’t get in touch with you…” (Ramon)
“Ahh, that’s because I was on an underground expedition.” (Anos)
And the dragon domain caused an interference.
Without establishing a magical connection with me, he couldn’t send me his <Thought Communication Leaks>.
“What did he want?” (Anos)
“Apparently, the guy who gave the Royalists the dragon made contact with us again. Only this time, he used a familiar for that.” (Ramon)
“Oh?” (Anos)
“He said that he had a solution to save Midhaze from the Demon King’s rule. For now, Zerceas-sama is pretending to be interested, but he hasn’t heard any details about it yet.” (Ramon)
