Published at 24th of December 2020 07:54:29 PM
Chapter 287
RMSBS - Episode 287 . Rhapsody (2)
Desir’s gaze was fixed on the Red Spider Lily for a while .
As he placed his hand on it, the reddish energy seemed to flow out, and there was a voice that he thought he would never hear again .
[-I am so sorry for reaching out to you this way . Desir . ]
Desir softly closed his eyes, listening to the voice .
The image of a man slowly appeared, as though he were being painted into the world . The blue eyes that were gently staring at Desir were as deep as the open sea . His wavy hair looked as though it was the crystallization of all the wisdom this world had to offer . Though his presence was overwhelming, there was something disarming about his posture . His half-upturned lips outed his mischievous personality, like a rascal caught red-handed .
Zod Exarion .
He was Desir’s companion, his greatest friend, and his mentor . They stood back to back up until the very end of the Shadow Labyrinth, always pushing one another to do their best .
“… I am sorry, Zod . ”
Though Desir struggled to let out words, there was no response .
His heart ached, wanting to have one last genuine conversation .
[-It’s a shame . There were many things I wanted to do with you, and so many things I wanted to teach you . ]
Desir’s eyes started getting tinged with red .
He opened his mouth although he knew there would be no answer .
“You’re treating me like a kid . ”
[-Do you think I treat you like a child?]
“… Of course . I’m a fully grown man . ”
The thread of the conversation oddly matched . The two understood each other better than they understood themselves .
Desir could vividly recall what kind of looks Zod had on his face with just the tone of his voice .
The Zod in his imagination smiled tenderly .
[-But it can’t be helped . If I had a son, I always hoped that he would’ve been like you . ]
“… !”
His gasp outpoured between his tightly sealed lips .
Desir could not say anything back this time . If he opened his mouth, even a little, Desir was worried the bitter baggage he held in his heart would gush out .
‘I also… ’
Deep down he was of the same mind as him .
Zod was his companion, mentor, and something more than that at the same time .
The moment he was about to respond, Zod continued .
[-So I don’t want you to overwork yourself . ]
*Drip*
Zod’s last remaining mana, which had been imbued into the Red Spider Lily, began to coalesce around Desir . It swirled over his hair, as though it was trying to pat his head .
[-That’s what I’m asking for the last time . That’s all I hope . ]
*Drip*
Something kept falling from Desir’s jawline .
‘You’re worried about other people until the end, you really are… ’
Zod cleared his throat as if he was attempting to change the mood, and spoke with a playful tone .
[-Well, it’s not going to be easy . You always overdo it unless someone stops you . ]
“I’ll try my best to fix that . ”
Desir wore a bitter smile, thinking back to when he chased after Priscilla without further thought .
[-I guess I should get to the point . By now, you’ve probably figured out what happened . ]
From this point on, the message would go into the actual reason behind why Zod would go to such lengths to reach Desir like this .
[-Priscilla’s healing ability is a lot more powerful than we knew . There’s no magic from this time capable of matching her . I worry even your draconic magic might be bested . ]
Desir paid attention to the message with a nod as he had already observed Priscilla’s ability .
[-In my last moments, Desir, I sacrificed my mana circles in order to temporarily exceed the Seventh-Circle . In that moment, I found something that could allow you to best her . I diverted some of my mana to encode this message and teleport my cane to you . ]
There was excitement in his voice that he could not hide .
[-What I attained is… the essence of magic . ]
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There was a torrential downpour . It thundered nonstop in the pitch-black sky .
The war situation was as frustrating as the bad weather .
Dresden was completely encircled by the Artemis Church’s siege, and the Hebrion Empire found themselves in the worst crisis in their history . Across the city, high-ranking officials were scurrying about, doing their best to respond, and the Hebrion Academy was no different . The professors, single-rankers, and notable party leaders had all convened for an emergency meeting . ‘The atmosphere feels heavy . ’
Ronde Fizzlebang was there, representing the Starling Party . He glanced around the auditorium with sunken eyes . Everyone else gathered wore their anxiety on their sleeve .
It was understandable . It was their first time experiencing a crisis like this after having had more favorable battles than unfavorable ones . Ronde, who considered himself to be rather bold after being on several life and death battlefields, also could not help but be slightly nervous .
The army led by the Artemis Church was mighty . The military force was unthinkable for a mere religious body . They knocked down the knights that the Empire was proud of, and kept advancing towards Dresden .
What frightened the Empire’s people more was their cruelty . Slashing down those who surrendered was far from the ideals that the Artemis Church spread, namely, the virtues of mercy and generosity .
‘Is it their strategy to cause fear… ?’
If this was their tactic, it succeeded perfectly . They had successfully made the citizens of the Empire tremble with alarm .
“What is the current situation like, Professor Platwick . ”
“The evacuation is going smoothly, following the lead of the Red Dragon Party . Thanks to His Majesty the Emperor opening up the secondary palace, I think we will accommodate everyone without trouble . ”
Although everyone was inwardly anxious, they remained calm . Now that they helped the people into the Empire’s shelter, the imperial army could solely focus on their defense .
“How’s the shield preparation going at the academy?”
“We are prepared to activate all the defensive facilities installed at the academy . ”
“We’re building traps in the invasion pathways and reinforcing the defense seals . ”
While helping people take shelter, the Hebrion Academy was also getting ready to defend the academy itself . Students who could not fight were evacuated and the parties that had enough military force were gathered .
The reason why they were getting ready to protect the Hebrion Academy instead of joining the imperial army was due to a single message .
Ronde grasped his communication pad tightly, thinking of the message .
‘Brother… ’
The message was from Desir Arman .
His message was filled with unbelievable information . There were many things it talked about, but to put it simply, the Artemis Church was aiming for the academy .
People who received it were flustered, but they quickly began moving as though it were fact . It was hard to believe, but they trusted that man, Desir .
They acted on Desir’s strategy written in the message .
“If we want to follow Desir’s plan, we’ll need to reinforce the northern business district . ”
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“I’ll take care of it . I know that area well, so I’m the right person . ”
“I’ll be in charge of the control tower . ”
“Thanks for volunteering . You’d be the perfect person for that, Professor Hersaint-Blanc . ”
Ronde felt his heart swelling while watching everyone work tirelessly to follow Desir’s instructions .
However, not everything was going perfectly .
“I think Professor Pelstar should take the lead of the core part of this plan . ”
“I’m afraid I couldn’t… ”
“What do you mean?”
Professor Pelstar adjusted his glasses . He had a terribly bitter smile .
“To make this work, we’d need professional personnel and high quality equipment . That’s practically impossible with what we can do here . What we’re trying to do here is far more difficult than simply breaking out of an artificial Shadow World . This is… it’s far beyond what I can do alone . ”
Pelstar spoke, his anger seeping out .
There was no other option when the foremost authority on Shadow Worlds studies said so .
“That’s a shame . Then, we’ll need to accommodate for it by reinforcing the east… ”
“Professor Lafon, would it be possible if I help?”
That voice came from someone totally unexpected . Professor Pugman, who had yet to say anything until now, began to speak .
“Do you know much about artificial Shadow Worlds?”
“Not directly, but I can be of enough help when it comes to magic stones . ”
“You’re right, but… ”
Pugman continued with a snort, as though he could read the apprehension in Pelstar’s voice .
“One time I nearly lost my own flesh and blood . ”
“… ”
Of course, everyone here was aware of that . No one present would forget the massacre brought forth by the Outsiders .
“At that time, I was frustrated with myself, that I was so powerless . I realized how little knowledge I had . ”
As Pugman spoke about it, the entire auditorium grew silent, turning their attention towards him .
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“Hence I studied and studied endlessly . So that I could cope if the same situation happened again . ”
Pugman spoke to the applause of the people gathered .
“Currently, I should be able to manage a Level Three Shadow World on my own . Do you think that’ll be enough?”
Pelstar’s eyes enlarged at this declaration . Pugman’s self-proclaimed skill was not too far behind Pelstar’s .
“With that… I think we can try . ”
“That’s good to know . ”
Pugman sat down again with a grin on his face, having left Pelstar in shock . Ronde felt like he met Pugman’s eyes at that moment .
‘Has he always been like that… ?’
When Ronde entered the academy, Pugman Nifleka was an infamous professor . Though his notoriety had faded, it still existed in hushed rumors . The person before him was entirely different from what he had heard .
He was even left reassured for some reason .
‘I… can’t sit and wait . ’
*Clench*
Ronde clenched his fist and affirmed his determination .
It was right then .
“That’ll be all for the basic announcements, everyone . ”
The meeting ended with Justin striking his hammer three times .
“I will deliver the details through the communication pads again . So everyone, back to your positions!”
That was how the Hebrion Academy set to work .
Chapter brought to you by Csabin .
???: …
ED: Purplemen101
TLC: N/A
QC: N/A