All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 156

78. Nightmare World – 2

It started in a small village belonging to the Pelle Estate.

One day, strange things began happening to the village chief and his wife.

They spoke of strangers appearing in their home, or creatures like snakes and wolves showing up.

Suspecting demonic activity, they even summoned priests from the Solar Church in another territory.

But that wasn’t the cause either.

The strange occurrences continued, and after a few days…

The village chief and his wife disappeared overnight.

And then…

The sudden disappearances spread throughout the entire village.

“Isn’t this related to drugs? Maybe they were silenced because of that….”

“We thought so too, but… no matter how much we investigated, it wasn’t that.”

And the phenomenon that devoured one village quickly spread to other places, eventually occurring within the direct territory of Pelle County.

“That’s quite a fascinating story. It only affects people?”

Keith nodded slightly.

“Witothan Pelle, the head of Pelle County, his wife Celine Kalsi, their only son and heir Pogam Pelle, his cousin Dix Pelle, a Master, and Gordo Pelle, a 6th circle mage. There were also strong knights and mages.”

But they were all swept up in the strange phenomenon in the Pelle Estate and disappeared.

If it were a monster attack or a demon attack, it would be understandable.

But it wasn’t, and even the bodies weren’t found.

Eventually, the investigation reached a dead end.

Mac is a powerful monster that feeds on the dreams of everything that exists.

It only exists in dreams, eats those dreams, and if it eats all the dreams, it eventually devours the existence itself.

The Succubus Queen, the master of all succubi there, could bring the dream world into reality.

She then made the dream world her domain and devoured people.

It parasitizes those with intelligence and makes the parasitized person have nightmares.

It realizes those nightmares into reality.

It eats the dreams of the parasitic target and blooms flowers to spread pollen.

After that, all those affected by the pollen are taken into the dream and used as nutrients.

Ian had a hard time dealing with all three at first.

‘Is it possible that they came here?’

Mac, Succubus Queen, Nightmare Flower.

All three had the power to move through dimensions.

Besides, there is also the dimensional gate of the forgotten city, which is now closed.

It is possible that they came over through that gate, parasitized explorers, came out, and are only now moving.

As Kirke reported, Ian closed his eyes and said.

“This is going to be a headache.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Yeah.”

Rowena was surprised, and Keith was anxious that Ian, who dismissed even the Seven Deadly Sins as nothing, would say that.

“Anyway, the Pelle County is almost destroyed… to the point where there are no heirs except for Kaen Lapield, the current captain of the capital guards.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It is a problem. Kaen is very ambitious and not very nice. Anyway, the capital will be quite chaotic for a while, so don’t visit.”

He was already ambitious, and now he has the Pelle County in his hands.

Ian was quite worried about what he would do.

He didn’t know what problems would arise if Ian got involved.

“I should participate more because of this. If you leave it alone, it will continue to cause problems.”

“Can you solve it? You said it was a headache.”

“I said it was a headache, but I didn’t say I couldn’t do it.”

Keith groaned at Ian’s retort.

And after hesitating for a moment, he looked at Rowena.

“Can you excuse us for a moment?”

“Okay, Ian. Let me know if you’re going.”

After she greeted and left, Keith said firmly.

“I know your relationship with Rakid isn’t bad, Ian. Don’t you want to help the Scarlet Kingdom?”

*I can see what you’re thinking.*

He’s implying that he’s willing to let the situation worsen to politically undermine the king.

It would be even more advantageous if the king and queen disappeared due to this phenomenon.

King, Queen, and Bominda.

If these three are gone, the king’s seat will be empty.

Then, naturally, Rakid would have no choice but to become the king of the Scarlet Kingdom.

Just as Ian was about to speak, Rakid, dressed in a priestly robe, walked towards them.

“Aunt, that’s something you shouldn’t do.”

He must have already heard the story from Keith.

That’s why he came to Red City to ask Ian to help, with the relic in his hand.

“I know why my aunt came to see Ian, but Aunt, you don’t know how much damage will occur in the process.”

As Rakid spoke seriously, Keith clicked his tongue briefly.

In the meantime, Rakid approached Ian and said.

“Ian, can you solve the Scarlet Kingdom’s problem? I hope you can stop it before the damage gets worse. If you need strength, even I….”

“I’ll do it anyway. Even if I solve this problem, it’s only a matter of time before you become king.”

“What……?”

They feed on those they drag into their dreams.

That is…

If they have already disappeared from reality, it means they have been eaten, and that means there is no way to return.

“……Does that mean we should consider my brother dead?”

“That would be easier.”

Keith’s expression brightened, and Rakid’s face darkened.

Ian, who was looking at the contrasting two, turned his body.

“Anyway, I’ll go to the Scarlet Kingdom.”

* * *

The next morning, Ian left the dormitory with Aranse to go to the Scarlet Kingdom.

The cadets who were about to attend class looked at Ian enviously.

“Ugh… training and classes… I’m so tired of it.”

“In my experience, people don’t die from being bored.”

“That’s what I mean.”

Blanche smiled and put his arm around Ian’s shoulder.

“Hey, I heard you’re going to solve the Scarlet Kingdom’s problem? Do you need any support?”

“A magician is essential for this kind of thing.”

When Haryun intervened, Blanche frowned.

“You go to class.”

The two started a light argument.

While watching it with the other cadets, Aranse walked over with a serious expression.

“Why do you have that expression?”

“Ian, this is a big deal. Yesterday afternoon… the king and queen of the Scarlet Kingdom disappeared.”

“Aha.”

‘I guess so. The Icevin County will enter the center of power now.’

“Isn’t this a big deal?”

It is a big deal.

Of course, it’s someone else’s big deal.

“Are there any other people missing?”

“Several maids and servants, and knights from the capital guards, ministers. About twenty people who were staying at the palace disappeared.”

“So?”

“Count Keith said he would go first to assess the situation. He told you to wait because the envoy from the Scarlet Kingdom will come again.”

“Then there’s nothing bad for the Academy. Rakid will become the king of the Scarlet Kingdom.”

When Valla, who was nearby, said with a smile, Aranse shook his head.

“That’s not necessarily the case. Rakid is not even recognized as royalty by the nobles of the Noble Council.”

In addition, he has a history of being possessed by a demon and is considered a sinner by the Solar Church.

“Especially if Rakid ascends to the throne, the Icevin County will have great power.”

Eventually.

The concern is that a civil war between the anti-Rakid faction and the pro-Rakid faction may break out in the Scarlet Kingdom.

“There will be no civil war.”

“Huh? How do you know that?”

If this kind of civil war breaks out, it becomes easier for demons to obtain Stars of Talent [sources of immense power].

Would Ian just let that happen?

“I’ll have to use my connections in times like this.”

“Connections… are you going to ask Count Eldan?”

When Blanche noticed and asked, Ian nodded.

“If the Baradis County and the Icevin County support Rakid, the nobles will not resist much. Of course, there will be some small-scale battles….”

“Hmm… is that so? Then it’s not a big deal.”

As Aranse was relieved, Valla tilted her head.

“But why are you worried about the Scarlet Kingdom’s affairs, Instructor?”

“Because there are things that we were supposed to receive as support from the Scarlet Kingdom.”

It is related to the Academy’s budget management, so of course he has to be interested.

Ian smiled at him, who was relieved.

“Anyway, I can take Rakid to the Scarlet Kingdom later. I’m going too, so let’s go together.”

At that time, Kirke spoke to him.

As soon as he heard Kirke’s report, Ian immediately turned around.

‘Is he related to the dimension?’

Then that’s it.

Ian nodded and said to the three.

“I can’t go today.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“Please take care of the cleanup. I’ll talk to you when I get back.”

As he ran away quickly with Myane, the three looked at each other and wondered.

Ian immediately left the Academy and ran towards the village.

Whether it is the 1st generation or the 2nd generation, there is no problem for about a day if you are parasitized by the Nightmare Flower.

But from the next day, you will have nightmares and spread your territory around you through those nightmares.

And…

When you are active in an area to some extent and fill your stomach, you parasitize one of your seeds to a host and move to another place.

If he falls asleep in another place, the new Nightmare Flower will spread nightmares and use the people in that area as nutrients.

And create and spread another seed of the Nightmare Flower.

In this way, the Nightmare Flower destroys the world itself.

While recalling information about the Nightmare Flower, he arrived at the gate.

“Haha, isn’t that Ian? How did you know I was coming and even came out to greet me?”

A man who appeared to have just come out of the gate was standing with a girl.

Eldan Baradis.

He was the Count of the Scarlet Kingdom who had a relationship with Ian.

He asked Count Eldan, who was smiling kindly without knowing anything.

“Count Eldan, did you come straight here from Red City?”

“Huh? How did you know that?”

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“What’s wrong… there is something wrong. The phenomenon that occurred in the Scarlet Kingdom may occur here as well.”

“Wait a minute, Ian. Do you know something about that?”

It was then.

Oerina and Wildy approached the place where the gate was located.

“Hooaah… Ian! Where are you going that you’re running so fast?!”

“Huff… Huff… Oh, you’re so fast… Please, slow down….”

It seems that they came to the village to buy horticultural fertilizer sold at the dawn market and found Ian running and followed him.

Looking at them panting, Ian said calmly.

“One of the reasons why you shouldn’t peek into other dimensions is this. You don’t know what bad guys will come over and do.”

“Huh? What do you mean….”

Hearing Ian’s words, the two looked at Eldan and Leila, who were puzzled.

And…

“……Oh my god.”

He groaned and muttered softly.