223. Better Than You – 1
The Red Moon Faith was a cult that practiced human sacrifice.
Because their doctrine stated that one could gain power and pleasure through human sacrifice, those who desired power gradually became interested in the Red Moon Faith.
And.
When the Red Moon Faith spread widely within the city, things eventually went wrong.
They started holding large-scale gatherings and began human sacrifices, descending into madness for power and pleasure.
They killed each other, lusted after each other, and destroyed the city’s order, and the people of the city could not contain their anger.
It wasn’t just the Red Moon Order that the city’s people attacked.
Even innocent Lunar Order believers were targeted.
For the absurd reason that they worshiped the same moon, they were all considered the same.
Afterward, the Lunar Order priests and paladins investigated and discovered the truth.
A demon was behind the Red Moon Order.
And those who survived the moonless night also saw the demon that day.
A beautiful demon with jet-black hair.
The one who called herself the Goddess of the Night and caused the massacre.
People couldn’t contain their anger at her whispers and attacked those related to the moon without thinking.
At the time, Sword Saint Tiel, who was living as an adventurer, had adopted the daughter of a dead colleague.
After briefly entrusting her to the Lunar Temple there, she left for the Elven Forest.
This was because she needed permission to allow a human to stay in the Elven Forest.
Just a few days after she left, the moonless night incident occurred.
After that, the Sword Saint was furious and slaughtered all those related to the Red Moon Order on the continent.
That’s how she earned the name Sword Saint.
‘But it reappeared… Does that mean Gehern isn’t the only one involved in this incident?’
As Ian crossed his arms and continued thinking, Krepen frowned.
“Hey, Count Ian. Are you going to fight? Just so you know, I’m supporting Saintess Celestia.”
In other words, he subtly implied that fighting him would mean fighting Celestia as well.
“Saint…”
She didn’t want to fight Ian.
From the Lunar Order’s point of view, Ian was no different from a benefactor.
Why would she fight someone like that for some potential good outcome?
Ian, accepting her earnest gaze, shrugged his shoulders.
“War doesn’t seem so bad either. Well, fine. But you’re not hoping I’ll just back down, are you?”
“Of course not. We will concede to Fredon Academy not only in the railroad business but also in other areas, according to the agreement.”
As Ian sheathed his sword, Krepen finally felt relieved.
He had stepped forward boldly in his own way, but he also didn’t want to fight Ian.
It would be difficult to win, and even if he did, there would be nothing to gain.
Barely avoiding a fight, he grinned.
“But what about over there?”
At Ian’s question, Krepen scratched his cheek.
“The family of the guy who started it should take care of it.”
As the situation was resolved, the students of the Imperial Academy, including Swan, approached with relief.
“What will you do, Count Ian?”
Will he go with them?
Or will he go to the Imperial Academy?
At Swan’s question, Ian immediately replied as if there was nothing to think about.
“First, I need to let them know I’ve arrived at the Imperial Academy, right?”
“Haha… I don’t think there’s anyone who doesn’t know by now.”
An event occurred where the gates and walls were destroyed by a single sword.
There was no way anyone wouldn’t know that the person who did that was in the capital.
No matter how large the capital was, this rumor would surely spread quickly.
“Still, I need to inform them formally.”
“I understand. Then…”
As Swan was about to guide him, Celestia approached.
“Saint Ian, I’m staying at the Lunar Temple in the central district.”
“Is that so.”
“Would you come there when you’re done with your business? I think it would be good to share information about what I’ve been investigating.”
“I understand.”
She smiled brightly and left with Krepen.
As they walked away, Swan immediately arranged for a carriage.
“The capital is vast. Do you know the Forgotten City? The capital is that large.”
‘Really?’
He just seems to have a great sense of pride in the empire and is bluffing.
As Ian just nodded, Swan continued seriously.
“So, it will take time to walk to the Imperial Academy. Let’s take a carriage.”
“Then let’s do that.”
Ian said indifferently, and Swan prayed.
‘Please, let nothing happen now…’
Was it because Krepen had said something?
Fortunately, despite the commotion, they were able to arrive at the central district of the empire without any major problems.
Passing through the gate to the central district and entering inside, there was a clear difference between the outside and the central district.
Unlike the shabby buildings outside, even each building in the central district looked like a work of art.
Arriving at a place where the carriage could no longer go, Ian got out of the carriage, and Swan said with a bit of pride.
“What do you think? Isn’t the capital of the Vlad Empire quite beautiful?”
“It would be even more beautiful if an explosion happened here.”
“…P, please don’t do that. The central district is protected by many artifacts, magic, and holy objects.”
“There’s quite a bit of magical interference anyway. It seems like a ley line [an alignment of places of power and ancient sites] passes through here as well.”
“That’s right. That’s why the largest branch of the Magic Tower, the Imperial Branch, is included in the Imperial Academy.”
“I heard that a Magic Tower will also be built in the research and development area of Fredon Academy.”
“Ah.”
Chatting with her about trivial things, Ian walked leisurely.
The place they arrived at was a building with a large and ornate door.
The Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy was built by Xerxes Vlad III, who was called the Saint, to counter Fredon Academy.
“But it seems like the other students haven’t arrived yet…”
“Yeah. It’ll take some time.”
Ian immediately told Kirke to find out their location.
Most of them hadn’t even entered the empire yet.
The fastest ones were Haryun and Widia.
That’s good.
Ian nodded and pointed to the large door.
“Then I want to go in and talk first… How do I open that?”
As Ian approached the door, the guards standing there came forward.
“Stop.”
“This is the Imperial Academy. Unauthorized individuals cannot approach.”
Ian showed his badge and the badge he had received from Mei before.
The guards, after confirming it, were surprised and hurriedly ran inside.
“Are you going in now?”
“Ah. I think it’s better to go together…”
“It’s okay. Am I a child? And you guys have a lot to report, right? Someone will come out, so it’s okay to go with them.”
Eventually, after asking for understanding, they went inside, and after a while,
A blonde girl came out from the gate of the Imperial Academy.
She was quite a beautiful girl.
Tall with a pretty face, golden hair, and clear ruby-like red eyes were her characteristics.
With nobility and arrogance, she maintained an arrogant expression as soon as she saw Ian standing alone.
“Judging by your attire, you seem to have just come up from the countryside. Is this your first time in the capital?”
“What if it is?”
Unnecessarily authoritative words came from her red lips.
Looking at her, who showed an arrogant tone and attitude with a pretty face, Ian thought.
Whether she’s pretty or not, if she picks a fight for no reason, I’ll punch her right away.
At Ian’s blunt reply, she raised her hand wearing white gloves, covered her lips, and laughed.
“Then that’s good. By chance, this Princess Sharl de Vlad will personally bestow upon you the honor of guiding you through the capital!”
‘Why is she doing this? Is she bored?’
‘But why is she talking like that?’
Ian stared at her intently.
She, who showed the typical appearance of a noble, slightly trembled her shoulders at Ian’s gaze.
“Um… D, do you dislike it?”
“No. It’s not that I dislike it, but…”
“Then come along. It is quite an honor to be with a royal like this princess. You can think of it as an honor for three generations.”
‘Then she wouldn’t have a power base.’
Also, although she is trying, her skills are mediocre.
That’s why there are not many who look favorably on her even within the Imperial Academy.
She has no power, and no skills.
On top of that, her status is even higher, so she has to be careful.
As a result, she had no choice but to become an outcast even in the Imperial Academy.
So, she was wandering around with nothing to do when she saw Ian and approached him out of interest.
‘She hasn’t even awakened her aura yet… Is her magic around the 2nd Circle?’
‘Is it because she entered the Imperial Academy without skills?’
‘I like that she doesn’t give up and continues to resist.’
She’s similar to the original owner of this body.
Ian, who was hated by everyone at Fredon Academy.
Sharl, who is shunned by everyone at the Imperial Academy.
That’s why Ian smiled at her.
“…What are you looking at so intently? Is this princess burdensome to you? Don’t worry. By chance, this princess has time to spare.”
She glanced slightly.
Fear of rejection was hidden within her arrogance.
“It’s not particularly burdensome.”
“Is that so?! Then that’s good. Come along. I will give you the honor of serving this princess.”
At that moment, the main gate of the academy opened.
At the same time, well-dressed people came out urgently.
“T, to think we would meet like this. It is an honor.”
Praga Owen, the dean of the Imperial Academy, a 7th Circle mage, and the Lord of the Magic Tower, greeted him politely.
At that sight, Sharl tilted her head.
“You. What is your identity?”
One of the instructors, nervous, asked her, who was curious.
“Princess Sharl, by any chance, have you committed any rudeness to him?”
“R, rudeness!”
“There’s nothing like that.”
Ian smiled and said to Sharl.
“I’m late to introduce myself. I’m Ian Brandon.”
Sharl turned pale upon hearing his name.
To think that this ordinary-looking boy was on the same level as her father, the Emperor.
Ian grinned at her, who was flustered.
“I’ll be counting on you to guide me through the capital and the academy.”