The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 187

(5)

8.

The forest north of Arsene Academy.

Sirpi looked around with anxious eyes. It was to look around to see if he could sense any signs other than Istan in front of him.

Then.

Istan suddenly spoke up.

“This is our second time meeting like this.”

As the Count said, Sirpi ran into him by chance at the academy last semester.

I was worried that I might be caught because he asked me where my hometown was, but seeing as we met like this, it looks like I was already caught.

“By the way, I was surprised.”

“… … ?”

“I never would have thought that one of the five successors to the Desert Church was a student at Arsene Academy.”

Sirpi’s eyes trembled slightly.

The successor’s information is top secret even within the church. Knowing this probably means that there is an informant planted by Istan within the church.

‘Maybe that’s why… … .’

Maybe they were able to get my information too.

Just as I was biting my lip for no reason, feeling nervous, I heard a voice again.

“Then I will ask you, Sirpi Ludrik.”

Fierce, flashing eyes.

As I was avoiding my gaze, feeling like my hidden inner thoughts were being uncovered, Istan’s question came flying in.

“What is the purpose of leaving the desert and coming here?”

“… … ?”

what? Why are you asking this?

For a moment, a doubt appeared in her eyes. After a while, Sirpi asked back carefully.

“Didn’t you already know everything?”

“I don’t know everything. “If I had known all the information in the first place, I wouldn’t have taken the trouble to meet you.”

Istan tapped the hilt of his sword.

Along with that, goosebumps appeared all over my body. Because she belatedly understood what he meant.

“So, I will ask you directly.”

Looking at Sirpi’s increasingly pale face, Istan got straight to the point as if he had no intention of going on.

“The purpose of coming here. And find out who the informer was who let you in here. Then I will not take my life.”

I’ll save you, so blow everything.

Sirpi frowned slightly at the shameless and blatant request. Then, with a scared look on his face, he asked back as if he were protesting.

“How can I believe what you say… … .”

“I swear on my name and family name. “I will also provide you with one additional piece of information.”

“… … information?”

“The latest information on the Desert Cult.”

For a moment, I felt intrigued.

It was natural. After the White Wolf incident, Sirpi almost lost contact with the church.

On the other hand, Istan is the commander of the southern front.

Moreover, if he knew the information that the church has five successors, he would certainly be knowledgeable about the church’s recent status.

“For me, I made as many concessions as possible. “If this were a battlefield and not an academy, you would be in a torture room by now.”

I was speechless for a moment.

This is because I realized that these were not empty words.

The man in front of me was an evil spirit who would kill any pagan, regardless of gender or age.

‘Actually, the answer has already been decided.’

Cooperating with Istan.

If you don’t, you might die on the spot or be taken to a carriage and tortured.

However, following his suggestion would be like betraying the church. As one of her successors, she could not help but hesitate.

“You probably know.”

Did he notice her hesitation then?

Istan tapped the hilt of the sword once again to help Sirpi make a choice.

“My patience is not long.”

“… … .”

There is not much time given.

With the moment of choice right in front of her, Sirpi swallowed her dry saliva. A moment later, she brought her quivering lips to her face as she made up her mind.

“… … “The Count.”

“Speak loudly.”

“The Count of Dermore!”

Sirpi closes her eyes and shouts.

With this, the die is cast.

From now on, cooperation with Istan is the only way out. When I thought about that, I felt a little relieved.

Meanwhile, after Sirpi’s snitching was over.

Istan narrowed his eyes.

“… … Demuel Ron Dermore?”

“Oh, that’s right. “I entered Arsene Academy with that man’s help.”

“But the recommender is different?”

“Of course it was faked.”

Her recommender was an unknown nobleman whom Demuel had prepared in advance. Istan let out a low groan along with the unexpected information.

“Then why did Demuel cooperate with the church?”

“I don’t know the details, but I heard it was to revive my daughter who died from an illness.”

This is also an understandable answer.

It was actually famous that Demuel’s daughter died from an illness at a young age, and there were many necromancers in the Desert Church.

“This needs to be investigated.”

After letting out a low mutter.

He changed the topic.

“Let’s move on.”

The purpose of Sirpi coming here.

As soon as the question was asked, she readily confessed the truth. Since she had already handed over Count Dermore’s information, there was no need to hesitate.

“I want to be recognized by Ludrick’s family.”

Rudric’s descendants.

At the same time, Istan’s expression hardened.

Because I knew it. What is it?

Then he remembered another name given to Ludrik’s family.

‘A non-standard level demonic beast.’

Or the king of demonic beasts.

To the point where they are called by such a grand name, Ludrick’s descendants are dangerous monsters.

And this was also the reason why the Ruben Empire, with its powerful military power, could not eliminate the Desert Church from the map at once.

“But don’t you guys keep that monster separate? Why did Arsene do that… … .”

“The remaining one is here.”

“… … what?”

“Exactly, there was.”

Sirpi sighs deeply.

She relayed a story about a white tiger hiding in the fog. After some time, when the whole explanation was over, Istan opened his eyes wide.

“That’s amazing. “I can’t believe that that monster was sealed within the academy’s campus.”

As for the wolf disturbance that occurred at the academy, Bergé had already heard about it. But I didn’t know that the wolf was a member of Ludrick’s family.

It was a time when Istan was so surprised.

Sirpi bit her lip.

‘It was definitely from then on.’

I lost contact with the church.

Even if you ask your collaborator, Count Dermore, all you get is that he can’t be contacted.

To top it off, he even showed some suspicious behavior. He immediately continued sending letters, trying to invite Sirpi to her mansion.

‘I didn’t go because I didn’t feel good… … .’

From then on, Demuel persistently called Sirpi to the mansion. So, while he was thinking of going there, he received a letter from Istan.

After completing all recollections.

Sirpi cooed with her tightly closed lips.

“Now it’s my turn to listen.”

“You’re listening? “What do you mean?”

“Of course, the current state of the desert… … .”

“Oh, I can’t tell you about that.”

The answer was like a bolt from the blue.

Sirpi’s eyes turned round.

“W-what?”

“Because there is no guarantee that what you say is true.”

Istan, on the other hand, had a calm expression.

He finished his answer firmly, as if he had nothing more to say to Sirpi.

“I’ll tell you about the desert after I’ve finished researching whether it’s true or not.”

“No, it’s a different promise! This… … .”

“Make no mistake, heathen.”

A voice as cold as ice.

Soon, a terrifying killing intent attacked Sirpi.

It was the murderous force unleashed by one of the five swords of the empire. When my complexion turned pale, Istan continued speaking.

“I am a soldier of the Empire, and you are merely a criminal. “I feel fortunate that my life was spared.”

“… … .”

I wanted to retort, but I couldn’t.

If I did that, I felt like my life would be blown away. Istan turned his body to see Sirpi with his mouth tightly closed.

“Go back. “I will contact you again by letter.”

The unilateral notification is almost over.

Sirpi, who was trembling, soon disappeared as if running away. The forest became quiet again. Istan looked up at the tree and opened his mouth.

“Turden.”

As soon as the short sentence is over.

The leaves fluttered and fell.

Soon, three young men wearing masks appeared. They are former agents of the Intelligence Bureau and Istan’s henchmen from the southern front.

“Did you call me, Your Excellency?”

“Assemble the Raven Brigade.”

“If you want to investigate Count Dermore, you can leave it to us… … .”

“It is not permitted. Demuel Ron Dermore is a noble under the crown prince’s command.”

Unlike Istan, who is neutral, Count Demuel is a person of the Dauphin Chartrand. And currently, Chartrand is the closest person to the emperor.

“By any chance, it’ll be a hassle if your tail gets stepped on, so it would be safer to use the crow brigade.”

“If you say so, I understand.”

The young men bowed their heads.

Afterwards, one of the three disappeared.

According to Istan’s orders, it was to gather a unit named the Crow Brigade.

Meanwhile, the remaining two young men asked back in a cautious tone, as if they were somewhat curious.

“By the way, Your Excellency.”

“Why did you spare that heretic?”

Istan is famous as a pagan hunter.

They were famous for beheading any pagan, regardless of whether they were children or the elderly.

But this time was an exception.

Even though he was in the area, Istan did not even swing his sword. So, just as I was making a puzzled expression, Istan’s answer came back.

“This guy has value.”

“yes? but… … .”

“The battle for the heretics’ successor is in its final stages, isn’t it? “Three out of five were eliminated, and in fact, the remaining two are competing.”

This is the latest state of the desert.

It was the information about the desert that Istan presented to Sirpi as a condition earlier.

“And the Desert Church already thinks Sirpi Rudric is dead.”

“So, all related records and permissions have been erased, and from what I can see, there is no use value… … .”

The moment I asked as if I didn’t understand.

Istan’s answer continued.

“That’s why I said it has high usability value.”

“yes?”

“Because he has nowhere to return to.”

As soon as the calm answer comes to an end.

The men’s eyes widened.

“okay. understand.”

“If you tame it well, you can use it as a hand. Or, one way is to add them to the crow brigade.”

The members of the Crow Brigade were once members of the Desert Church. To be exact, they are vagabonds who have been abandoned by the religious order and have nowhere to go.

So, when Istan was kicked out of the church, he already judged that they were not heretics, so he took them under his command.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“We will also go on a mission.”

The men who answered all the questions disappeared in the blink of an eye. Istan, who was alone again, was about to get on the carriage.

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard from afar.

It was in the direction of the main playground.

“Oh, now that I think about it… … .”

Did I say today is the final?

When he remembered the schedule for the Arsene Sports Festival, he felt conflicted for a moment. Since he came all the way here, he thought he would at least see Bella’s face.

However, the worries did not last long.

‘No, this one goes first.’

Before he was Ibella Elead’s father, he was a soldier of the Empire. Therefore, he should suppress his private thoughts and give priority to public matters.

‘The result will be obvious anyway.’

Because there is Ulan in Ibella’s class.

Istan burst into laughter and got into the carriage without any hesitation. The carriage carrying him quickly left the forest, and the forest was once again enveloped in desolate silence.

9.

Meanwhile, at that time

In the main stadium, a drawing was taking place to select the last game of the finals.

Around the time everyone was watching this.

“I suddenly had a question.”

Suddenly Ybella tilted her head.

Ulan, Noah, and Delia looked at her, and soon her curiosity came out.

“I mean the items that have been released so far. “If you really think about it, it doesn’t really have anything to do with sports days, does it?”

“Hmm, now that I think about it… … .”

That’s what I heard.

Throwing a javelin, mock battle, defensive battle, etc.

Arm wrestling and tug-of-war were closer to exercise, but it was more appropriate to call them combat training rather than the rest.

Then.

A voice was heard resolving the doubt.

That was Noah’s answer.

“Arsene’s sports day is special.”

“How is it special?”

“First of all, Arsene Academy was built in preparation for the opening of the door to the abyss, right?”

“Hmm, right?”

“That’s why most sports events are combat training based on the assumption that a monster from the abyss will appear one day.”

It’s not just javelin throwing and mock fighting.

The first match called ‘Finding Eyeballs’ was also a training method to find the core of the monsters of the abyss.

“Then, as Ibella said, it was said that it was more like military training than sports day, so we added arm wrestling and tug-of-war later.”

“Oh, I see. “I heard this for the first time.”

“Noah, secretly, you’re smart.”

Ibella and Dillaa were impressed.

Of course, Noah was merely referring to the setting mentioned in the original work. When the curiosity was answered, the voices of the broadcasters were heard.

“The lottery is finally over!”

“The final game of the finals will soon be announced. “Please pay attention to each class.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to the podium.

Tension, anticipation, anxiety, etc.

With all kinds of emotions mixed in, the referee proudly announced the final game.

『Proud of Strength』

A short three-syllable word.

The moment I saw this, silence fell on the playground.

“… … .”

How long has it been like that?

Everyone’s eyes were focused on the same place, including the representatives of classes 2 and 3, who were about to play the final game, as well as students and professors in the stands.

“why?”

Straight to Ulan.

Not long after that, the three-day sports day ended with the victory of Class 3.

Chapter 43. Dream of different statues

fantasy,