All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 238

119. I’ll Help – 2

Crepen was taken aback by Ian’s words.

The Gehern of Greed, no less.

Wasn’t that one of the Seven Deadly Sins?

At his request for an explanation, Ian told him everything that had happened so far.

Crepen frowned slightly as he listened to Ian’s story.

“So, you’re saying that faith arises among monsters, and the one who gives them intelligence is the Gehern of Greed?”

“That’s right. And the faith that the monsters have is very similar to the Red Moon faith that the Kesin of Lust spread in the past. Also, considering that they’re even taking talents using human sacrifices… this is a collaboration between the two.”

“But even so, I don’t think the Iron-Blood Duke would have joined hands with a demon. And even if he did, why isn’t His Majesty moving?”

“As I said, he’s probably waiting for the one behind them to show up.”

Ian stated definitively, but Crepen looked unconvinced.

“So… His Majesty is letting the Iron-Blood Duke run rampant to allow him to empower the demons and create a situation for them to emerge?”

“That’s what I think.”

“I can’t believe it. Since His Majesty stopped handling state affairs, quite a few problems have arisen within the Empire. How much damage have the imperial citizens suffered because of that? There’s no way he would do such a thing…”

“Believe it or not, that’s none of my business. Anyway, pass it on. Then the Emperor will say something.”

With that, Ian’s piece was said.

Ian placed Kraman’s head on Crepen’s hand and said,

“Well, now that we’ve taken care of everything, let’s go.”

And without any regrets, he walked away, leaving Crepen with Kraman’s head in his hands as he returned to the Imperial Palace with a heavy heart.

On the way back after dropping Celestia off at the Temple of the Moon, Haryun stopped Ian, who had been silent.

“Hey, Ian. So, you’re saying that the reason things are going wrong in the Empire is because of the demons?”

“That’s right. The incidents in the Southern Great Plains, too. As I said before, all the events happening this time are related to demons. Wouldn’t it be stranger to think they’re not related?”

“Geez. This has become troublesome.”

“It’s not that troublesome.”

“No. I’m wondering if it’s even right to keep them in the Empire.”

Haryun scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression, pointing to Park Bare and Blanche.

“Hey! What’s wrong with us?!”

“Yeah! What about us! We can fight demons too!”

“What are you talking about? You’re the ones who got beaten.”

Willval said curtly, and the two shut their mouths.

Mya, who was sitting on Willval’s head, cried out at them.

“See? Mya also thinks you’re pathetic.”

“Ugh……”

“Damn it. It’s true, so I have nothing to say.”

Haryun glanced at them and continued with a serious expression.

“I’m worried that we might be holding you back. I’m preparing in my own way, but still…”

“It doesn’t matter even if they target you. No, it’s better that way.”

“Why?”

“You have those bracelets on, right? I can track your location with them, so even if you get caught, I can save you.”

And through the guys who caught them, he would be able to strike Kesin and Gehern.

“Will they move?”

“It’s not like demons can just use their powers freely here. In the end, they have to expand their influence, whether it’s through contracts or whatever.”

But the monster side was finished, and all that was left was the Iron-Blood Duke.

If he were taken out, Gehern and Kesin would also lose a lot of influence, so wouldn’t they move to prevent that?

Especially Gehern, who creates Stars of Talent like this, could have plenty of opportunities to manifest in the mortal realm.

“What if they don’t come out?”

“Then the demons will keep losing opportunities. In the end, it’s a battle of patience… how long can they last?”

‘That’s right. Once the world-building collection is over, it will be easier to track their location.’

Of course, the demons wouldn’t know that.

In any case, it was as good as having their prey stolen right in front of them, so they wouldn’t just let it go.

But in a head-on fight, the chances of beating Ian were low.

So, what would be the easiest way to increase those odds?

That would be to capture and use the Academy students.

“The Academy has Titan, so they can’t attack easily. Then there’s only one thing left. You guys who are out there.”

“Hmm……”

“If you’re unhappy about being bait… well. Just bear with it.”

“I’m not particularly unhappy.”

“Then that’s settled.”

As they talked, they returned to the Imperial Academy.

As they entered through the gates, the students of the Imperial Academy whispered to each other.

“What’s wrong with them?”

“It’s because of what we did earlier. The guys who went back first must have spread rumors.”

As always, Ian headed to the dormitory without any particular reaction, and the students following him did the same.

When they returned to the dormitory, Wildy and Oerina were waiting.

“I heard you guys caused trouble again?”

“What trouble? We just did something good.”

Oerina said teasingly with a beaming smile, and Wildy crossed her arms and thought seriously.

“Should I ask Instructor Aranse to ban them from going out…?”

Blanche and Park Bare groaned at her serious tone.

Haryun nodded at them.

“I agree. I wonder if they’re going out to get something good to eat.”

“Hey, hey. It’s supposed to be an exchange event, so we have to do some exchanging.”

“That’s right. That’s right.”

“That’s right, my ass. Just do your exchanging here. Anyway, you guys have worked hard. Go in quickly.”

“But why are you guys out here? Don’t tell me you were waiting for us?”

Ian asked with a smile, and Wildy nodded.

She said that other students were worried and waiting in the lobby, and Ian chuckled.

“Why would they need to worry when I’m there?”

“Still.”

“Okay, go to sleep. You have to train tomorrow, right?”

In the end, the students nodded and went inside.

Ian, watching them go in, slightly raised his head.

Charles was looking this way through the dormitory window.

Ian smiled at her and entered the dormitory, and Charles, who was watching him through the window, let out a heavy sigh.

* * *

Crepen, who had returned to the Imperial Palace, checked the incoming reports.

There was a report that the interrogation of those captured in Tokilon’s territory had begun, along with a report that preparations were complete for the interrogation of the newly captured high-ranking officials.

Crepen covered his face as he looked at them.

‘Your Majesty…….’

Not handling state affairs was to attract demons?

He was ignoring the fact that the Empire’s citizens were suffering in the process?

His loyalty to the Emperor was wavering.

‘That can’t be.’

Crepen jumped up from his seat.

“Oh, Commander. Where are you going?”

“If you’re going to the interrogation room, let’s go together. The disposition of the high-ranking officials captured this time is……”

“For now, just keep them in custody.”

“Understood.”

After speaking to his subordinates, Crepen headed straight for the inner palace.

When he arrived at the inner palace where the Emperor resided, the Black Knights directly under the Emperor blocked his way.

“Stop.”

“His Majesty is currently with Empress Holledenin.”

“It’s urgent, so let me have an audience with His Majesty.”

Crepen said firmly, but the Black Knights didn’t even pretend to listen.

As they stared at him with cold eyes, Crepen eventually sighed.

“Your Majesty!! This is Crepen!!”

And he knelt down and shouted.

As he shouted with his aura, the Black Knights frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“Are you planning to disturb His Majesty’s rest? Stop immediately.”

Despite the Black Knights’ warnings, Crepen didn’t stop.

As he continued to shout, a young woman came out from the inner palace.

A slender beauty with hair as red as blood, she was a woman from a small baronial family in the Imperial territories who had become the new Empress a few years ago.

Her beauty and medical knowledge were excellent, and Crepen sighed as he saw her, who continued to practice medicine for the Emperor even after becoming Empress.

“Empress Holledenin.”

“His Majesty has said to let you in.”

As she spoke, the Black Knights opened the way.

Crepen glanced at them once and went inside.

Holledein headed to her room as he went about halfway in.

“Please wait a moment.”

“Understood.”

Crepen tilted his head as she took the prepared medicine from a room full of precious medicinal ingredients and left.

‘This is…….’

“His Majesty has been saying that he hasn’t been feeling well lately. So, I’m making medicine separately.”

“Empress Holledenin, wouldn’t it be difficult for you alone? Other doctors……”

“Thank you for your concern. But I am the Empress and also His Majesty’s physician. I am just doing what I have to do.”

Holledein said calmly.

Arriving at the inner part of the inner palace after walking like that.

An old man was sitting in a large chair.

An old man who seemed too weak to even hold a quill, let alone a sword.

The Emperor, who seemed so weak that he couldn’t be considered one of the four strongest on the continent, looked at Crepen powerlessly.

“Oh…… you have come…….”

“Yo, Your Majesty……? Wh, what on earth is going on?! Your Majesty’s health has deteriorated greatly!!”

“He has been saying that his energy has been declining lately. It’s nothing, so Count Crepen, please don’t worry about it.”

“No, how can I not worry when you’re like this?!”

“He’ll feel better if he takes his medicine.”

Saying that, Holledein went outside.

Crepen, who saw her leave, looked at the Emperor with an almost crying expression.

“Your Majesty…… Your Majesty, how…….”

“It’s okay. It’s okay, so don’t worry about it.”

“Ah. Ah……”

Crepen trembled with anguish.

The Emperor, who was looking at him with a smile, asked as he struggled to raise his arm to the armrest of the chair.

“Yes. Why did you shout so loudly…… and want to see me? If it’s a report, you can receive it separately in writing…….”

“Th, that’s…….”

How should he say it?

Should he convey what Ian had said as it was?

The Emperor smiled weakly at him, who was hesitating.

“What are you so afraid of?”

“I am…… Your Majesty. I am…….”

“It reminds me of the old days. I keep thinking about the time when you and I ran on the battlefield together…….”

At that time, Holledein came in.

She was holding a tray in her hand.

Crepen, who glanced at the medicine in the luxurious bowl on it, said cautiously.

“As I reported before… Count Ian Brandon of the Scarlet Kingdom has entered the capital.”

“I see…….”

“He asked me to deliver a message to Your Majesty.”

“Really……? What did he say……?”

“Th, that’s.”

Crepen hesitated.

The Emperor, who smiled at him hesitating, reached out to the medicine bowl, and Crepen, who saw it, tightly closed his eyes.

“……Th, that is.”

“Speak honestly. Honestly.”

“It’s a story that’s hard for even my lips to utter…… Well. That’s…….”

The Emperor smiled at those words.

“If it’s hard for you to convey, tell him to try doing it directly in front of me…….”

After Crepen bowed his head and left, Holledein said politely.

“He’s arrogant, even though he’s strong, Your Majesty. To tell you to convey words that Count Crepen can’t even bring himself to say.”

“That’s right……. Ah…… I should take my medicine and rest, so you can go now.”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

After Holledein also left, the Emperor glanced at the medicine, drank it all at once, and smiled.

And in a voice that was not as weak and trembling as before, but in a chillingly cold voice, he muttered lowly.

“He’s not just strong, he’s also smart. To create an opportunity to meet so easily.”