Chapter 91 : Chapter 91

Chapter 91: A Flower Blooming in Death (1)

‘But be careful. Nothing in this world is infinite. The same goes for Thought Devouring. That skeleton is undoubtedly remarkable, but it has its limits. If it gets too greedy, it’ll break under the weight.’

‘Breaking… you mean it’ll cease to exist?’

‘Exactly.’

After Clatter left,I recalled Guartes’s warning.

‘Clatter’s obsessed with growth right now.’

I could tell from his changed demeanor.

Clatter was hunting zombies, devouring their thoughts at random.

His slightly larger frame and altered aura proved it.

Of course, I’d be happy if Clatter got stronger.

But if Guartes’s words were true,Clatter might not be heading toward ‘growth’ but toward ‘self-destruction.’

‘Not like I can stop him, though.’

Having glimpsed Clatter’s memories, I understood his feelings completely.

Magello regretted everything until his dying breath.

That regret, even ten years later, was fueling Clatter’s heart.

‘He probably won’t stop using Thought Devouring until he’s satisfied.’

And his final target would be Zad.

“Sigh. I don’t know.”

Because I cared for Clatter, I wanted to respect and support his choice.

But because I cared for Clatter, I also wanted to stop him.

I suddenly recalled our first meeting.

Clatter, who survived the battle with the enhanced ghoul, stood out from the start.

In those pupils looking at me, I felt an inexplicable sadness, and those tremors moved my heart.

Even without [Gaius’s Insight], I would’ve taken Clatter in.

Since then, he helped with my schemes, defeated undead stronger than himself with ease, and never once disappointed me.

“Do I just have to trust him this time too?”

Wait.

Now that I thought about it, beating Zad came first.

I’d unconsciously assumed Clatter would defeat him, but that guy, born from forty vials of the Elixir of Death, was no pushover.

A being that transcended undead.

‘Why do you think Clatter’s out there, breaking free from my side, grinding like crazy?’

Because of that guy.

Clatter knew he’d lose if they fought now, so he was leveling up hard.

“Yeah, that’s it.”

Zad.

He was the cause and end of everything.

“How strong has he gotten?”

Zad wouldn’t have been sitting idle either.

I was curious about his level.

‘Maybe Guartes knows something.’

That’s when it happened.

Knock knock!

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Senior!”

It was Yuria.

“Senior Bain and the necromancer woke up!”

I immediately stood up.

“Gather the others first.”

* * *

I entered the room where Guartes was held, alongside Karina.

After a brief discussion with the others, we decided Karina and I would interrogate Guartes.

Entering the room, I saw Guartes sitting, bound with ropes.

And then.

“Ugh. Sewer stench.”

Sure enough, the foul odor emanating from Guartes filled the sealed room.

I cracked the door open and said,

“Let’s air it out a bit.”

Karina’s face relaxed noticeably.

“By the way, is he tied up properly?”

“Of course. Who do you take me for? And those ropes are magitech tools even a mage couldn’t undo alone. A necromancer like him? Not in a hundred years.”

A hundred years? More like a thousand wouldn’t cut it.

Mocking Guartes, Karina pulled out the Eye of Truth.

An artifact with a beast’s eye embedded in a crystal orb, revealing the target’s lies.

“Oh, you’re familiar with this, right? Wanna say hi?”

“Shut up.”

I sat in front of Guartes.

Thud!

Karina placed the Eye of Truth threateningly on the table and got straight to the point.

“Hey, necromancer? You’d better answer all my questions with the truth from now on.”

“….”

“Gonna keep your mouth shut? That’s not a good idea. If you cooperate nicely, I might even help you.”

Guartes scoffed.

“Hah. That’s rich. Do you think I’m an idiot? Don’t lie.”

Karina grinned at him.

She touched the Eye of Truth,making it face her, then spoke.

“If this necromancer cooperates with me, I’m willing to help him.”

The eye’s color didn’t change.

“Still think I’m lying?”

Guartes’s eyes widened.

“…For real?”

“The Eye of Truth turns red when it sees a lie. Take a look. Did it change?”

Guartes shook his head vigorously.

“No. It didn’t. So how are you gonna help me? Be specific.”

“That depends on how you answer. By the way, I’m Karina Zain. I can do more than you’d think.”

Karina smirked at me after saying that.

‘Leave the interrogation to me, the expert.’

I recalled her confident words before we entered.

‘Well, she’s not bad, I’ll give her that.’

Once captured here, Guartes’s fate was practically sealed.

Namely, execution by fire.

Guartes likely knew that, so he’d probably stonewall, and we’d end up wasting time and energy.

But if you dangled hope in front of him, things changed.

Guartes valued his life as much as anyone.

Trapped in a pit of fire, waiting for death, if a rope suddenly dropped from the sky, any human would only see that rope.

“Name.”

“Guartes.”

“Affiliation.”

“Be, Beltus Cult’s Death Council.”

Guartes seemed ready to spill everything.

“Beltus Cult? Never heard of it.”

Karina didn’t forget to check the Eye of Truth periodically.

“Where’s it located?”

“I don’t know the details. I’m just a low-ranking cleric.”

“Hmm.”

Karina tapped the table.

Then, suddenly.

“Do you know about the Beltus Cult?”

She asked me out of nowhere.

I burst out laughing.

“Pfft haha!”

Karina frowned.

“Why’re you laughing all of a sudden?”

I said, "I don't know.”

Did she ask because she didn’t know?

Oh, come on.

She’s pulling a fast one here.

Karina.

And the Zain Ducal Family—truly a place where you couldn’t let your guard down for a second.

“Still suspecting me?”

“Hehe. Just asking.”

I stared at the smirking Karina.

Fine.

Clearing the air like this was better for me too.

Plus, from my perspective of planning Guartes’s escape, there couldn’t be a better opportunity.

“No. I don’t know anything about the Beltus Cult.”

To let Guartes escape, I first needed to divert Karina’s attention.

‘And that’s way too easy for me.’

So, I put the plan into action.

Karina checked the Eye of Truth.

It showed no change, and this time, I asked,

“Satisfied?”

“Yup.”

I stood up immediately.

“Where’re you going all of a sudden?”

“Outside.”

“Why?”

“Because I feel like crap.”

“No way, are you sulking?”

I turned to her,my face full of irritation.

“What do you think? Still being suspected as a thief—how’s that supposed to feel good?”

And so, I continued my ‘pissed-off act.’

“Geez. Why’re you getting so worked up? It was a joke.”

“A joke? When the person on the receiving end feels like crap, it’s a joke? Do you go around suspecting people for fun?”

Karina’s expression hardened.

“…Sorry.”

And she apologized to me straight up.

‘Huh? What’s this?’

That wasn’t supposed to happen.

‘The Karina I know would’ve gotten defensive and doubled down here, not apologized.’

Her reaction was unexpected.

But that was it.

The interrogation’s momentum was already broken, and Karina’s focus had shifted from Guartes to me.

I kept pressing.

“Didn’t you already apologize last time? Oh! That apology wasn’t sincere, was it?”

“Hah! No. It was sincere then. And it’s sincere now too. Look.”

Karina held out the Eye of Truth to me.

I deliberately avoided looking at it,turning my back in a huff.

And I used [Whisper] on Guartes.

[Guartes.]

At that moment, Guartes was blankly staring at us, blinking.

‘What’s this nonsense in the middle of an interrogation?’

His expression said as much.

Then he received my [Whisper].

Flinch!

He shuddered and looked around.

I sent another [Whisper].

[Stop looking around and stay still. Want to advertise you’re listening to a thief?]

Exactly.

That’s why I drew Karina’s attention first.

[Listen quietly. When I give the signal, attack Gerard, who’s blocking the door, and escape the room.]

“….”

[Don’t worry about the mana-suppressing ropes—I’ll undo them. Once you’re out, follow the route I tell you to escape. Then wait for me there.]

I saw Guartes’s gloomy expression brighten rapidly.

“Hey, look at this!”

“Fine, we’ll talk later. Focus on the interrogation now, okay?”

“Are you leaving?”

“Nope.”

“Phew. Alright. Stay there. We’ll talk later.”

Karina sighed and glared irritably at Guartes.

She resumed the interrogation quickly.

“What’s the purpose of causing the zombie outbreak?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t cause it.”

“What?”

It was the truth.

“Then who did?”

“An undead called Zad.”

By then, I spread my senses to check the situation outside.

The corridor was empty, and Karina was focused on Guartes.

No, actually, she seemed oddly distracted, like a screw was loose.

Her questions were half-hearted.

She might’ve been getting annoyed belatedly, but whatever the case, this made things easier.

I discreetly drew Daybreak and used its special ability.

‘Unbinding.’

Daybreak glowed.

I saw the ropes binding Guartes loosen.

“…!”

Guartes’s eyes widened excitedly.

I sent the signal.

[Now.]

Guartes sprang up and thrust his hand toward me.

“Touch of Death.”

A hexagram formed instantly.

A mass of dark energy shot straight at me from its center.

So I ‘prepared to take the hit.’

I wrapped myself in the Bracelet of Protection’s ‘Mana Shield.’

Timing it with the Touch of Death hitting me, I leaped toward the wall with force.

“Urgh!”

And I sprawled on the floor.

Perfect Hollywood acting.

“G-Gerard!?”

I closed my eyes, pretending to be unconscious.

Thud!

Guartes leaped over me, bolted out of the room, and into the corridor.

Karina was supposed to chase after him at full speed…but she didn’t.

Instead, she came to me, lying on the floor.

“Hey! Snap out of it!”

What’s with her?

I cracked an eye open.

“Hey! Hey! Yo! Yo! Gerard! Wake up!”

I saw Karina, her face red, shaking my body.

Her spit was flying all over my face.

‘Damn it…’

Well, I decided to look on the bright side.

This would make it easier for Guartes to escape the hotel.

Soon, the others rushed in after hearing the commotion.

* * *

“So?”

“We lost him, yeah. Embarrassing.”

“You got cocky.”

Baron Tesda’s lips curled up.

“Experiencing a blunder like this makes you tougher. Don’t take it too hard.”

“Yes, sir.”

“By the way, how’s Gerard’s condition?”

Baron Tesda asked Professor Ilai beside him.

“Thankfully, nothing serious. Minor bruises at most? The hospital’s report said the same. Probably just a buildup of fatigue and stress.”

“In short, he’ll be fine after some food?”

Professor Ilai laughed and nodded.

“Exactly. Food and good rest will fix him up.”

I quickly cut in.

“Speaking of which, I’d like to rest. Could you two leave now?”

Baron Tesda gave me a sharp look, then shook his head.

“Fine. I won’t disturb you further. You worked hard and must be tired, so rest. We’ll get going.”

“Yes, Student Affairs Officer. Rest well, Gerard. Don’t worry about classes, okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

The two closed my door and left.

I’d been acting frail until then, but I subtly lowered my arm and got up from the bed.

Outside the window, I saw the backs of the two professors leaving the male dormitory.

My Hollywood act must’ve been spot-on, because after Guartes’s ‘ambush,’ I was able to return to the academy right away.

That was just a little while ago.

The two professors came to check on me as soon as they heard, and I made a solid impression.

“He escaped, right? Guartes.”

I heard Ivan chased after him later.

But, well,too late.

If he followed the route I gave him, he wouldn’t have been caught.

“Then he’ll be waiting there.”

Ladrier Hotel.

Unlike the Valand Hotel, where the investigation team was staying, that place was a secret stronghold used by the cult, particularly the Darkness Council.

Soon, night fell.

Right after roll call, I slipped out of the academy and headed for Ladrier Hotel.

* * *

Bain was annoyed.

Right after waking from the aftereffects of overexertion, she was honestly thrilled.

Because they’d caught the necromancer.

‘My effort and sacrifice paid off!’

Now, all that was left was resolving the zombie outbreak.

Yes.

That’s what she thought.

Until the necromancer escaped.

“What, what happened!?”

“The necromancer escaped!”

“…What?”

But an even bigger problem arose.

Namely, Gerard.

Gerard got injured in the necromancer’s ambush, and as a result, he returned to the academy.

That caused all sorts of chaos.

‘Goddamn it, I couldn't even catch one necromancer.’

Bain Winter found herself in an awkward position.

‘So who’s gonna lead the investigation team now? Me? Or the princess?’

It made sense for her to take over, but the first-years she’d seen briefly were no pushovers.

Actually…

Bain was still uncomfortable now.

Because the very thing she feared was unfolding before her eyes.

“It’s your fault. You’re the reason Senior got hurt.”

“…Shut up.”

“Why’d you do it?”

“I said shut up.”

“Why’d you do it?”

Bang! Karina slammed her fist on the table.

“I told you, Yuria. Shut up! I’m already the most pissed and annoyed, okay? Can you keep quiet?”

Yuria stared at her and asked again.

“Why’d you do it?”

Finally, Karina exploded.

“This is ridiculous!”

Bain quickly stood to calm her down.

“Calm down, Princess.”

“Hmph.”

“Hey, you shut up too. You think the princess did it on purpose?”

“Why’d you do it?”

Yuria casually ignored Bain.

Her expression said he wasn’t even worth her attention.

That made Bain explode too.

“Ha, this little brat, really.”

Bain approached Yuria.

“Hey, you don’t take Senior’s words seriously—”

It didn’t take long for him to realize something was wrong.

‘…What’s with this girl? Why’re her eyes like that?’

The moment he met Yuria’s pitch-black eyes, Bain froze.

It felt like peering into a deep abyss that swallowed even light.

Like being crushed by sleep paralysis, he couldn’t move a finger, and cold sweat trickled down his back.

‘Is this really that quiet, doll-like girl?’

No.

She was completely unhinged.

Bain instinctively knew.

If he pushed further, he’d cross a river he couldn’t return from.

He hoped Karina would intervene, but…

“What, standing there doing nothing instead of disciplining a junior? Having a staring contest?”

…she was egging it on instead.

‘Ugh. Should’ve just gone back with my classmates.’

Suddenly, Bain thought Gerard was impressive.

Thankfully, salvation came her way.

“I’m back.”

Gwyn, who’d seen Gerard off, returned.

As if the standoff never happened, Yuria rushed past Bain to Gwyn the moment he appeared.

“How’s Senior?”

“…Huh?”

“Senior Gerard? Is he okay?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

Yuria closed her eyes in relief.

In an instant, she was back to the quiet, doll-like girl Bain first saw.

‘…She’s crazy.’

Bain looked at her with an uneasy expression.

Soon after, Ivan and Rachel, who’d chased the necromancer, returned.

Everyone stood up.

Bain asked,“What happened!?”

“Couldn’t catch him.”

“Ugh. We lost him.”

Bain sighed.

‘Great.’

Where do we even start again?

As she sank into complicated thoughts,“But, I saw this on the way back.”

Bain took what Ivan handed her.

It was a Royal Dream.

“Why a newspaper?”

“…Read it.”

An article marked ‘Urgent.’

And within it was shocking news.

[Central Knight Slain]

The death of a Central Knight.

The Central Knights were undeniably the empire’s premier knight order and the strongest martial force upholding the capital.

Such a death was a massive shock in itself.

Bain read the article with her mouth agape, her eyes growing wider with each line.

When she finished,

“Ha.”

A short sigh escaped her lips.

The slain knight’s name was Paxen.

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