Chapter 88
When people hear the term black magic, most immediately think of the undead.
This is because, during the time black mages roamed the Arkaria Continent, the undead left the deepest impression on the world.
However, black magic was not limited to just the undead.
The undead, feared and shunned by many, were only a fraction of what black magic could create.
‘Hohoho.’
The Flora Kingdom’s only princess, Arte Flora, smiled discreetly.
The Lorelai Kingdom’s forces were in chaos.
The special weapon she had prepared for this war was proving to be exceptionally effective.
“Your Highness, it seems to be working well.”
“Hoho, doesn’t it?”
“Shall we proceed?”
“Not yet. Let’s observe a little longer. This is just too satisfying to watch.”
Arte smiled wryly, keeping her gaze fixed on the soldiers of the Lorelai Kingdom.
The once tightly guarded defenses of the Lorelai Kingdom were crumbling rapidly.
Soldiers fled in terror, running in all directions, leaving blood splattered around the camp.
Though the mages arrived late and cast barriers, their response came far too late.
The black spikes released by the creatures easily felled the soldiers.
Twenty-four creatures had been dispatched to the Lorelai Kingdom.
Of course, due to their division, there were now at least fifty wreaking havoc.
‘It’s even more effective than I expected! Hoho.’
Arte felt a thrill as she watched the soldiers of the Lorelai Kingdom cough blood and collapse from the black spikes.
The sight was exhilarating.
She hadn’t anticipated the creatures she created would perform this well.
It was the first time she tested her creations on unsuspecting humans.
Initially, she had been slightly concerned.
What’s more, the creatures she had sent were not even among the ones she had high expectations for.
She hadn’t imagined they’d do more than buy some time and cause a few casualties.
‘Hohoho. I should name Specimen No. 67 after this.’
Arte thought to herself as she swept back her fiery red hair.
The crimson hue of her hair mirrored the blood scattered across the Lorelai camp.
“Now, let’s attack.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Arte finally turned her gaze away from the Lorelai camp, where the No. 67 creatures still rampaged uncontrollably.
Arte Flora.
The only princess of the Flora Kingdom and the most likely candidate to become queen following the death of the First Prince.
At the same time, she was the 2nd Elder of the Nameless Organization.
‘My children are far superior to something like the undead. Hoho.’
Arte didn’t bother to hide her laughter as she observed the Flora Kingdom’s troops preparing for battle.
Despite their determined faces, traces of fear lingered in their expressions.
‘My children don’t feel fear.’
Displeased by the soldiers, Arte turned her gaze away.
Arte Flora, princess of the Flora Kingdom and 2nd Elder of the Nameless Organization, specialized in creating creatures through black magic.
Each of the three elders in the Nameless Organization had distinct specialties.
Arte, the 2nd Elder, excelled in combat using black magic creatures.
Randgar, the 3rd Elder, specialized in undead and various barrier techniques.
Arte firmly believed her creatures were far superior to the undead.
Indeed, her 67th experimental specimen, the black orb creature, was performing remarkably well.
Moreover, unlike the 3rd Elder, she had completed all her tasks flawlessly.
Now, all that remained was to win this battle decisively and reveal the existence of black magic to the world.
‘My children will mark the beginning. Hohoho.’
“Advance the troops!”
“Waaaahhh!!”
Arte watched the Flora Kingdom’s soldiers charge forward at her signal, her grin deepening.
This battle would plunge the western region of the continent into chaos.
All because of her creations and the Flora Kingdom—or rather, the Nameless Organization.
***
“After multiple meetings, the Crescent Academy’s academic schedule has been finalized.”
Amilion Stappen’s words drew everyone’s attention.
Unbothered by the six pairs of intense stares directed her way, Amilion continued.
“Despite everything that has happened, our Crescent Academy will proceed with the semester as planned.”
‘Phew.’
A sigh of relief escaped me.
While Amilion’s words were reassuring to me, others didn’t feel the same.
From behind, Agnes and Marie sighed in disappointment.
With Randgar apprehended, the festival concluded as planned, and the quest cleared, I thought I’d enjoy a smooth semester as the “Academy Dark Knight.”
But unexpected developments arose.
The undead incident at the academy, along with the globally shocking events Addy had informed me about, changed everything.
In the western continent, Flora Kingdom openly utilized black magic in their war.
As a result, the entire continent was thrown into upheaval overnight, and the Flora Kingdom instantly became a common enemy.
According to Addy’s report, an alliance led by Crescent and O’Neill was already forming.
This issue, significant enough to shake the continent, was something the Black Shadow Corps couldn’t ignore.
Two captains investigating black magic had already been sent to the Flora Kingdom, and I thought I might visit there myself if time allowed.
After all, the Flora Kingdom was conveniently near one of my private villas.
I thought it would end at that level.
‘I didn’t expect talk of a temporary leave of absence to come up.’
Since the incidents in the western continent felt so far away, I assumed it wouldn’t affect us here—but I was wrong.
When it became public knowledge that ‘black magic’ had re-emerged on the Arkaria Continent, chaos erupted everywhere.
It even reached the point where people questioned whether it was appropriate to operate the academy as usual during such a crisis.
“Even though both the principal and the vice-Principal are absent, this decision came from the faculty meeting. The consensus was that during such turbulent times, it is even more critical to provide solid education for the future pillars of Crescent.”
Professor Amilion Stappen concluded her speech with a resolute tone.
I didn’t know the faculty’s circumstances, but this was excellent news for me.
My attendance at the academy was directly tied to a quest, so if a leave of absence had been declared…
‘That would’ve been a disaster.’
“However, we are aware of the current dangers and instability across the continent. For that reason, many of the external activities planned after the festival will be significantly adjusted.”
“I have a question.”
“Yes, Elaine?”
“Does that mean the northern subjugation and tour schedule will be adjusted?”
“Yes. Under the current circumstances, it seems we can’t go to the dangerous Northern Continent.”
“Oh…”
“But it will be replaced with another activity—something safe yet equally special.”
Elaine nodded, but her disappointment was evident to anyone who looked.
The Northern Continent subjugation and tour.
I vaguely remembered hearing about such an event at the beginning of the semester.
I hadn’t realized Elaine was looking forward to it so much.
“Probably.”
Professor Amilion seemed concerned about Elaine’s reaction.
Though she could have ended the conversation there, she added more as if it weighed on her mind.
“We won’t be going to the Northern Continent, but you will have a truly special experience. Especially for our Class S students.”
“What?”
This time, Cynthia asked curiously.
Professor Amilion’s emphasis made me curious as well.
“It hasn’t been finalized yet, but we’ll likely go abroad. It won’t be the Northern Continent, though.”
“Then where?!”
Following Cynthia’s question, Agnes immediately followed up.
Going abroad.
For me, it was something I could do with a blink of an eye, but that wasn’t the case for most people.
Leaving the Crescent Empire and entering another nation was a truly special experience.
For most, it wasn’t uncommon to spend their entire lives within the borders of one nation.
This applied to nobles as well.
Unless you were part of the royal family, the imperial household, or a prestigious family like the Six Great Houses, there was little reason to travel abroad.
“I’ll tell you more once the plans are finalized.”
Professor Amilion answered Agnes’s question with a faint smile.
With that, her announcements came to an end.
The most important takeaway was that the academy would continue operating.
“It’s a shame we won’t get to see the Northern Continent.”
As Professor Amilion left, Elaine muttered her disappointment aloud.
“Isn’t that for the best? I heard the Northern Continent is barren, and the accommodations are terrible.”
Cynthia tilted her head in confusion at Elaine’s reaction.
Emily, standing nearby, also nodded in agreement.
“Even so, I wanted to experience it for myself. To see what the Northern Continent is like.”
“Why?”
“… Because my eldest brother has been there.”
‘Ah.’
At that, Elaine’s reaction made sense.
Cassis Sinclair, now a professor at Crescent Academy.
Come to think of it, Cassis had made a name for himself in the Northern Continent as the “Knight of Salvation.”
“Maybe I’ll take you there someday.”
“…What?”
“I’ll take you. As Cynthia said, it’s an incredibly barren place, but if you really want to see it…”
I didn’t know exactly where Cassis Sinclair had worked in the Northern Continent, but I had my own experience there.
At one point, like Cassis, I had also worked there.
In fact, I could take Elaine there right now if I wanted to.
“You’d really take me there…”
“If it’s too much of a burden, forget it…”
“Not at all! It’s no burden at all!”
“…Alright. Then we’ll go together someday. It might be dangerous, but you should be capable enough.”
“Really?”
Elaine’s face lit up with pride just as my vision blurred slightly.
‘Huh?’
An opaque infographic appeared.
It was a system message.
<New Sub-Quest Activated!>
For the first time in a while, a message signaling a new sub-quest appeared.
—
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