All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 128

64. Can’t Allow an Illegal Gathering – 2

Gust, initially surprised, paused to consider before nodding.

“Indeed. You did ascend the Tower of the Forgotten City.”

“What does the Tower of the Forgotten City have to do with this?”

“It’s related. You were preventing the world’s destruction there.”

As she explained simply, Laila and Helid, who were unaware of the full situation, exchanged puzzled glances.

They had thought it was just a simple investigation, but it seemed a rather serious story was unfolding.

“I wonder if I’m even allowed to hear this…”

Gust nodded to Laila, who was muttering to herself.

“It’s not exactly a secret, and quite a few people know about it. Of course, whether they believe it or not is another matter.”

Who would readily believe that the world should have already been destroyed?

It was similar to how many didn’t believe that the Guardians were a powerful organization fighting to protect the world.

“Anyway, if you’re already working to prevent the world’s destruction, why don’t you just join the Guardians?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Hmm. Well, fine. Anyway, the demons have one goal.”

“To destroy the world and take it over for themselves.”

Baba, who was standing behind them, answered, and Laila frowned.

“Then isn’t that a dangerous situation?”

“It is dangerous.”

“Ugh… Is this really okay?”

“It’ll be fine. We’ll stop the demons’ gathering that’s about to happen…”

Gust paused and looked at Ian.

“And prevent the summoning of the Seven Deadly Sins, thus thwarting their plans.”

Gust sighed.

“But why did you close the dimensional gate in the tower?”

“You’ve been up the tower too, right? You know, that place on the 5th floor.”

When he mentioned the desolate landscape where only the dead seemed to exist, she nodded, then her eyes widened in realization.

“Was it true that if that dimensional gate was left open, this world would become like that place?”

Gust groaned.

Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like a lie.

Besides, he had no reason to lie.

Gust nodded with a serious expression.

“To think there was such a consequence tied to the legacy of the Magic Kingdom. This is truly astonishing.”

“There are many surprising things in the world, so don’t be too shocked by things like that.”

As Ian and Gust’s conversation was about to delve deeper into the tower’s mysteries, Helid raised his hand slightly and interjected.

“I think what’s important now isn’t the tower that’s already in the past.”

“Indeed. Stopping the gathering that’s about to happen here is what’s important.”

“But why is the demons’ gathering being held here?”

“Because we orchestrated it.”

“We did?”

“Lord Holken is also a member of the Guardians.”

Shortly after, they entered the best room in the mansion, where Lord Holken, the lord of the territory, was waiting.

He greeted Gust and Baba, as well as a few other Guardians, and then bowed respectfully to Ian.

“I’ve heard the story. You helped Laila, my son’s fiancée, I believe?”

“I eliminated my enemies.”

Heisting was annoying, so he got rid of him, and he caught the tiger to obtain the energy of the moon.

He had received the rewards, so there was no need to be thanked by Holken.

Ian said bluntly, but Holken shook his head.

“Even so, it is a fact that I received help. Thank you.”

“Holken, save the thank yous for later and let’s talk more about the demons’ gathering tomorrow.”

“Of course. As far as we’ve confirmed, we believe that more than thirty demons will be participating in the gathering this time.”

“That’s a lot coming.”

“It’s a grand ritual to summon the Seven Deadly Sins. They will use their power as well.”

“Can we stop them with just us?”

“It’s not a matter of whether we *can* stop them. We *must* stop them.”

Holken looked bitter.

This operation had been three months in the making.

His relative and fellow Guardian, Robin, a priest of the Solar Church, had set fire to the temple himself and thrown himself inside [as a sacrifice or to create a diversion].

This was to make the demons lower their guard and hold a gathering here to perform the ritual.

And for three months, he had prepared with the Guardians.

In the end, they succeeded in attracting the demons.

Therefore, for Robin’s sake, this operation had to succeed.

“But Ian, why did you come here?”

Ian looked at Laila.

She raised her hand slightly and smiled awkwardly.

“I asked him to come.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to tell him about Pandemonium [the capital of Hell in *Paradise Lost*]. And I wanted to ask him to help with this.”

“Would a young friend really fight demons?”

Baba was skeptical of that idea.

Ian was strong.

But he liked to move alone.

Like the Sword Saint and the Forest Keeper, he might think that others were a hindrance.

He wondered if getting him involved would only cause problems.

Receiving his worried gaze, Ian answered calmly.

“I’ll participate, old friend.”

“Huh?!”

“Demons bother me too. And just because I closed the dimensional gate doesn’t mean I can’t bring about the world’s destruction. And that method doesn’t suit me either.”

“There’s another way? What is it?”

Gust told Baba, who was curious.

“Eliminating all life on this earth. That can destroy the world.”

Holken looked at Gust and was startled.

“Is that true?”

“It’s one of the methods passed down to the Guardians long ago.”

The faces of everyone except Ian and Gust turned pale.

Considering the powerful strength of the demons, they didn’t think it was impossible to eliminate all life in the world.

Ignoring their worries, Ian asked her.

“Ah. And is the demonic energy overflowing in the Baridan Territory now intentional?”

“Yes. Most of the continent’s ley lines [natural energy pathways] are controlled by magic towers, solar and lunar churches, and various institutions. The ley lines here are among the few that are not occupied by such institutions.”

“That’s why Lord Holken helped us and created an opening, to make the demons use this place as a gathering place. This is the result.”

Demonic energy remained within the territory.

The Guardians could purify it.

Of course, there were aftereffects, but if it was to stop the demons’ plans, they could endure it.

As Holken explained, Ian smirked.

“Demons are so foolish.”

They rushed in at the slightest opening.

As he ridiculed them, Gust gave a bitter smile.

“Anyway, this is a good opportunity. If they’ve fallen into the trap we created, there’s no reason to be lenient.”

She said simply and then got up from her seat.

“The operation will be carried out tomorrow night. Everyone, prepare thoroughly.”

Since he had decided to move with the Guardians, he had to stay in the Baridan Territory.

Ian, who received a good room, asked Kirke as soon as he entered the room.

“By the way, would the demons move so easily?”

Calling for the end through the tower’s rampage could no longer be attempted.

They couldn’t just wait indefinitely for the world to perish naturally.

So, the only remaining method they could use was to eliminate all life in this world.

To do that, a powerful demon was essential, and the Seven Deadly Sins would be suitable to fulfill that role.

Ian lightly agreed with Kirke’s opinion.

“Good. Then how do you open the gates of hell?”

“That’s meaningless now, so exclude it.”