The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 252

Chapter 56. Truth revealed (7)

13.

“I am a foreigner.”

Noah’s secret came out calmly.

However, since this alone was not very shocking, the group looked at her in silence.

Then Ian shrugged his shoulders.

“Well, if you think about it, he’s a stranger. “You come from the plains.”

“I’m not talking about the grasslands.”

Noah shook his head calmly.

Then, after making eye contact with the group again, he revealed his secret that he had been hiding.

“I come from another world.”

A completely different world from here.

A world where there are no monsters, no magic, and no threat from the abyss. Noah brought up her memories from when she lived as Yumin Ah.

‘But you don’t have to say much.’

All it would take is for the existence of another world and that she is a stranger from there, and for these stories to turn out to be true.

A little while later, after the full explanation was over.

The room was filled with heavy silence.

“Uh, so… … .”

Ian trailed off as if speechless.

The reactions of other party members were generally similar. It was only after a long time that a voice was heard that broke the silence.

“Ha, a story has come out that is even more incredible than the Ulan secret I heard earlier.”

Ibella muttered with a sigh.

Then Perticia turned to the girl who could determine the truth of the story.

“What do you think, Delia?”

“… … Surprisingly, it’s true.”

As a result of looking with my mind’s eye, I found that none of the stories Noah had just told me in a calm tone were true.

So it was even more confusing.

The secret Noah revealed was much more complicated and hard to believe than the secret Ulan had heard before.

“… … .”

The interior suddenly became quiet.

A heavy silence washed over me like a wave, like when I first heard Ulan’s secret.

How long has it been like that?

Just when I realized that quite a long time had passed, Perticia suddenly asked a question.

“Then is there a special reason why you came here from a different world?”

“Oh, that’s… … .”

Noah, who was about to answer right away, closed his mouth.

Then, after contemplating for a moment, he gathered his thoughts and quickly turned the topic to somewhere else.

“Before answering that question, I think I should first explain ‘Arsene Continental Battle.’”

“Yes? “What is that?”

“It’s a game. “Where I lived, this was the world that became the background for games.”

Virtual reality game, Arsene Continental Battle.

A game where the goal is to increase your strength by playing various characters and then block the abyss.

Furthermore, Noah compared the game to chess, just as he had explained it to Laurea in the past.

“And I was a player.”

“player?”

“By analogy, it means a person who chooses one of the pieces on a chessboard and moves it.”

Living a new life by borrowing someone else’s body, which is completely different from your original self, and inheriting all the memories, powers, and talents.

Through this, Noah repeated dozens of lives and lived the lives of numerous characters.

“During this process, I gained a lot of knowledge and experience about this world.”

It was all thanks to this that he knew of the existence of Astevan, the lord of the immortals, and furthermore, that he knew how to deal with him.

After finishing his story, Noah closed his mouth. Now that she had revealed everything she had prepared, it was time to take questions from her colleagues.

“Okay, something is a bit complicated.”

“Ugh, my head feels like it’s going to explode.”

On the other hand, there was something Noah didn’t expect.

The group was quite confused, perhaps because they were given a lot of information in a short period of time. Of course, not everyone in the group was like that.

“So what is the player’s purpose?”

“that’s right. “Is there a reason why you have to live someone else’s life dozens of times?”

Ian and Sven asked questions one after another.

When the question he had been waiting for came back, Noah gave the answer without hesitation.

“Yes, it’s to block the abyss.”

Every game has achievements.

And in the case of Arsene Continental Battle, the ultimate goal was to prevent the abyss. So Noah repeated the play to achieve this.

Meanwhile, right after her answer.

Ibella, who had been quietly listening to the story, suddenly seemed to notice something strange and asked back.

“wait for a sec! So does this mean that while this world has been repeated dozens of times, the abyss has never been defeated?”

“That’s right.”

This is an accurate inference.

When Noah nodded, Ibella looked surprised. On the other hand, unlike her, Dilia and Sven narrowed their eyes at her.

“… … “Noah, you’re incompetent.”

“He’s such a useless guy.”

“Well, I guess that’s a good thing now!”

Noah waved his hands in embarrassment at the looks of reprimand poured in from the two. She then opened her mouth with a short cough.

“Hmm! Next, I will answer the question you asked earlier, ‘Why did you come to this world?’”

A being from another world.

In other words, when the rather important topic of why Noah, a stranger, came here was mentioned, the group looked at Noah with interest.

However, what came back was an unexpected answer.

“To be honest, I don’t know either.”

“yes? “You don’t know?”

“I was just trying to access the game in the original world like usual, but when I came to, I found myself stuck here.”

Noah explained in detail what he experienced from when he realized he was in the game until he met Ulan.

After some time, when the whole story was over, Ian let out a low groan.

“Hmm, that means… … .”

“It sounds like there is a possibility that you were summoned here by someone unknown.”

Ibella’s eyes widened along with Sven’s guess. She then turned to the silver-haired girl who she knew the most about magic and asked.

“really? “Is there really such magic?”

“As far as I know, there is none.”

Delia answers firmly.

It was worth it.

Summoning a being from another world requires appropriate magic and magic, but even simple calculations yield absurd results.

“Anyway, this is all my secret.”

Meanwhile, Noah kept his mouth shut.

When I think back, it seemed like I poured out the story a bit frantically, but I still felt relieved when all the secrets were revealed.

‘from now on… … .’

It is up to your colleagues to decide how they will accept this secret. Noah, with a reassuring smile on his face, waited for the group’s reaction with a nervous expression.

How long has it been like that?

Delia spoke first.

“There is one thing I want to ask you.”

There is something that must be pointed out.

The validation she needed to accept Noah as a colleague and to continue to be with her in the future.

So I asked directly.

“Are you on the side of the abyss?”

“Absolutely not. “I can swear.”

An answer without any hesitation.

It was true. Delia, who confirmed Noah’s sincerity through her mind’s eye, smiled.

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Delia finally felt relieved.

Of course, that didn’t mean everyone’s questions were answered. Just when Delia was about to end the conversation on her own, Ibella suddenly barged in.

“No, you should ask that too.”

“what?”

“Once upon a time, when Laurea fell into the abyss. “Noah opened the abyss.”

The chasm of the abyss can only be opened by an abyss worshiper. Meanwhile, when Ibella mentioned this, Noah responded as if it was no big deal.

“Well, I knew how to open it.”

“how?”

“As I said before, I have lived countless lives over and over again. Among them were seven warriors and nobles from other countries. and… … .”

Noah was speechless for a moment.

Soon after, she continued speaking.

“There were also Abyss worshipers.”

Estelle Outra.

Later, the door to the abyss opens and he becomes the leader of the worshipers. As he was explaining this to his companions, Ulan suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“… … Abyss worshiper?”

A cold voice.

The moment Noah heard this, he instinctively felt threatened and hastily came up with an explanation.

“Uh, it was just to find out about the worshipers! “Knowing about the enemy is helpful in many ways.”

After finishing his explanation, Noah looked back at the people who were there at the time. As if he was asking for help. Then Ian and Delia responded.

“It definitely helped.”

“that’s right. Thanks to you, I was able to save Laurea and Ulan, who had fallen into the abyss.”

An answer that seemed to support Noah.

Ulan narrowed his eyes and asked again.

“Did you only live as a worshiper once?”

“I swear it’s just this one time!”

“Then that’s a good thing.”

“W-what is it?”

“There is no need to use an axe.”

Ulan mutters gravely.

In both of his hands, the ax that had been pulled out was flashing an evil light. As soon as Noah closed his mouth, Ulan continued speaking.

“It’s a joke.”

“… … .”

That doesn’t sound like a joke at all.

Noah swallowed dry saliva as he felt cold sweat running down his back. After the conversation ended, Delia muttered.

“With this, all questions have been resolved.”

When Noah acted as if he knew the future, he was actually using the knowledge he gained by repeating the lives of others dozens of times.

Also, the reason I was able to open the abyss was because I had memories of living as an abyss worshiper. He further confirmed that he was not on the side of the abyss.

‘So now all that’s left is… … .’

Just trying to come to terms with the shocking secret revealed by Ulan and Noah. It was a time when each person was sorting out their current situation.

Suddenly Noah lowered his head.

“I apologize too.”

“huh? why?”

“Because I hid the secret all this time.”

Towards Perticia, who asked a puzzled question, Noah lowered his head and continued answering.

Whatever the reason, as long as you keep the secret a secret, you are deceiving everyone. That’s why Noah sincerely apologized to everyone.

“are you okay. “Because I fully understand.”

“Even if I had told the secret from the beginning, I’m sure no one would have believed it.”

“Well, if it were me, I would have hidden it.”

On the other hand, the group responded without concern.

If it wasn’t for the projection eye or the mind eye, I would never have believed them either. Following Delia’s words, Perticia and Ybella also nodded.

“… … thank you. “For saying that.”

Noah smiled slightly.

The words of the three made me feel at ease in my complicated mind. That was when the conversation about Noah’s secret came to an end.

This time Ulan spoke.

“More than that, now that I’ve revealed the secret to everyone, there’s something I’d like to say.”

“huh? “What is it?”

“This is a story about the remaining Lords of the Abyss and the new enemy that exists beyond the Abyss.”

Bright red eyes that sparkle fiercely.

Meanwhile, the group looked surprised at the unexpected words that came out of him.

“A new enemy?”

“Wasn’t there only the Lord of the Abyss?”

“I thought so too.”

The center of District 5.

Until I entered the abyss through the spring of magic and came face to face with it. Ulan described the monster he had seen beyond the abyss.

“Hmm, a monster with countless hands.”

“Is it never mentioned in the Bible or oracles?”

“Yeah, I can’t think of anything right now. So I plan to investigate as soon as I get back.”

After Laurea finished answering, Perticia and Ibella spoke this time.

“Then what we have to do right now is…” … .”

“It will be about subduing the Giant King and the Lords of the Abyss called the Howling Eyes.”

Two remaining monarchs.

Among them, the Giant King must be eliminated at all costs. He is the one who has repeatedly driven Ulan to death over time.

When the eyes of the three girls, including Ibella, flashed fiercely, Noah suddenly raised his hand.

“Oh, may I also add something?”

“Of course. what?”

“Apart from dealing with the Lord of the Abyss, I think I need to go to the southern desert.”

“desert? suddenly?”

Unlike his companions who looked puzzled, Ulan silently nodded. Because he meant that there was a reason why he said this.

“I guess there are special circumstances.”

“yes. “I have to go through the eighth trial of the warrior given to me, and I’m a little worried about Asteban’s last words.”

Just before being destroyed by the star’s deity.

Asteban called Delia and Perticia Artina and Ainer, respectively.

Noah explained this to the group, and after learning the whole story, the group reacted similarly.

“After hearing it, I’m suspicious.”

“I know. “Is there any connection between the Lord of the Abyss and the founding king of Arpen?”

“I’m going to find out.”

Noah answered calmly.

Above all, this was not the only reason to go to the desert.

‘I’m also concerned that the architectural styles of the Immortal Demon Palace and the Desert Cult are similar.’

There must be some reason.

Noah’s eyes lit up as he felt that this might be an important clue to dealing with the abyss.

Meanwhile, when the story of the desert ended, Delia nodded as if she agreed with Noah’s words.

“Things to do during winter vacation have been decided.”

To visit the desert, you will need at most two months. For this purpose, it would be a good idea to take advantage of the winter vacation that will begin soon.

Around the time the other party members all agreed.

Suddenly, Ibella tilted her head.

“But to do that, don’t we have to first avoid Ulan failing the final exam?”

“… … ah.”

That’s what I heard and saw.

Delia looked at Ulan with worried eyes. Of course she was. Ulan received a failing grade in the first semester and was classified as a candidate for re-examination.

On the other hand, Ulan was confident.

“Okay. “I will pass this time.”

“No, that’s a bit…” … .”

“I don’t think I can trust even Ulan.”

Two girls shaking their heads in unison.

The other party members who were watching the conversation between the three burst into laughter as they responded that it was even more difficult to believe than the secret that Ulan revealed earlier.

Some time after that.

Ulan and his group continued to tell various stories afterwards. After learning the secrets of Ulan and Noah, there were so many things to talk about.

A story that doesn’t end even when the sun sets and night falls. The long conversation came to an end as the dark sky gradually became brighter.

It was when the morning of farewell came.

interlude. return

One.

The next morning.

Although it was just dawning early, the hotel in Murca was bustling with activity.

Men in a hurry.

Armed with silver armor and shields, they were none other than the Holy Knights of Eloden.

“Don’t hesitate, hurry up!”

“We must arrive in the next city by evening!”

The reason the Holy Knights were preparing to leave so suddenly was because Laurea said she would return to the Holy Kingdom today.

Meanwhile, around that time.

Among the paladins, there was one person who seemed especially out of place. It was Sven Isaac, a Myoman hunter with a deep hood.

“… … .”

They seemed to be mingling with the paladins as if they were planning to leave with them. Then, Ulan suddenly spoke.

“Anyway, it’s surprising.”

“Yes? what?”

“I thought you were going back to Schulfern.”

This was a natural assumption.

To Sven, Milena is like family. So she naturally thought that she would follow Milena back to Schulfern.

But Sven made an unexpected decision.

He chose the path to the Holy Kingdom, following Laurea and the Holy Knights. Sven answered these questions by shrugging his shoulders.

“That’s because I was officially hired.”

As he said, Sven accepted Laurea’s request and was hired by her as a mercenary.

There were several reasons why Sven made this decision.

“There’s no reason to be in Schulfern again.”

During the battle with Astevan, the lord of the immortals, the eastern jungle adjacent to Schulfern turned into a barren wasteland.

It was the result of Delia pouring out all kinds of bombing magic to eliminate the possibly hidden labyrinth of Astevan.

“Schulfern will be safe now.”

The disappearance of the jungle means that the habitat of the demonic beasts has also disappeared. In other words, Schulfern will not have to suffer from attacks by magical beasts from now on.

However, this means that there is naturally no reason for Sven, the demon hunter, to remain. That’s why Sven did not return to Schulfern.

“Besides, the compensation was generous, so I have no reason to refuse.”

Laurea wanted to hire Sven until the threat from the Abyss completely disappeared.

Because she didn’t know how long it would take to achieve her goal, she handed over a large amount of gold coins as compensation.

It was an amount that could be a significant help in paying consolation money to the families of fallen soldiers and rebuilding the ruined Schulfern.

‘and… … .’

one more. There was a reason.

His personal goals. Sven clenched his fists, looking towards where the Holy Knights were.

‘I want to become stronger.’

Because of this battle, Sven became acutely aware of how inadequate he was. It was the result of being stimulated by seeing Ulan, Ian, and Kadel.

So, I was planning to head to Seongguk and devote myself to training in earnest. Coincidentally, there were two people who were suitable to ask for training.

“Anyway, this is the whole reason.”

With those words, Sven clearly explained the reason for heading to the Holy Kingdom. But Ulan still looked at him with concern.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“What else?”

“The Holy Kingdom rejects sub-races.”

As Ulan said, the Holy Kingdom does not recognize sub-races as humans. I just think of them as beings one level lower than humans.

If you go to such a place, there will definitely be noise. So Ulan looked concerned, but Sven didn’t react indifferently.

“It doesn’t really matter to me. “I’ve been used to being hated by humans since ancient times.”

“No, that won’t happen.”

But then someone broke into the conversation.

It was Ian Marcus, one of the holy knights and warriors who guarded Saint Laurea.

“He is a mercenary hired directly by the saint. He is also a star warrior mentioned in the oracle, so the situation you are concerned about will not happen.”

“Thank goodness.”

If so, you are safe.

Ulan nodded silently. It was the moment when my last worries disappeared.

That’s when the conversation came to an end.

Suddenly, the Holy Knights called Ian.

“Lord Marcus!”

“Can you help us for a moment?”

“Ah, I got permission from the saint in advance, so don’t think about running away.”

On the other hand, Ian had a puzzled expression.

The preparations for departure were already over, and there was nothing I could do to help. Then, suddenly, someone came into view.

“Saint?”

It was Laurea.

She looked back and forth between Ulan and Ian, then waved her hand at Ian.

Familiar hand gestures. It means to leave the room for a moment. Ian, who was watching this scene, quickly realized what Laurea’s intentions were.

“Ah, that was your purpose.”

She wanted to be alone with Ulan.

The other girls who always stayed by Ulan’s side were also away as they were preparing to leave, so it was probably the perfect time to say goodbye.

Ian nodded willingly.

“Yes, I’d be happy to help.”

Ian, who understood the situation, nodded willingly. Afterwards, he grabbed Sven’s arm and walked with him.

“Wait, why are you taking me with you?”

“From now on, you are a mercenary hired by us. “Shouldn’t you pay for the food?”

To create a situation where Laurea can be alone with Ulan, of course she has to take Sven with her.

As the two warriors disappeared, Laurea, who had been watching from afar, walked forward as if she had been waiting.

Towards Ulan who was alone.

2.

“Ulan.”

A soft voice suddenly sounded.

It’s Laurea’s voice.

Wearing pure white robes symbolizing a saint, she soon narrowed the distance between herself and Ulan to about three steps.

“It’s time to part ways.”

“So that’s it.”

“I have no regrets because I had a lot of fun the day before yesterday, but I still feel a little sad that I’m actually leaving.”

After answering, she sighed.

On the other hand, the complexion was not very dark.

Although it is sad to say goodbye, I know that we will meet again soon. However, there was something else I wanted to hear.

“Hmm!”

Right after I cleared my throat briefly.

Laurea spoke softly.

“… … “What about Ulan?”

“what?”

“Aren’t you sad about breaking up with me?”

“I’m not particularly disappointed.”

What’s wrong?

Laurea’s eyes lit up at the unexpected answer. However, it was too early to sulk. Ulan’s words aren’t over yet.

“Because our relationship is not strong enough to change even if we separate for a moment.”

The two are colleagues bound by the fate of being heroes.

I didn’t feel any regrets because I knew that we were just separated for each other’s work and that we would meet again soon.

Meanwhile, after his answer was finished.

Laurea had a slightly subtle expression.

“Well, it’s not really wrong, but… … .”

But if you were to ask me if this was the answer I wanted to hear, it was no. So Laurea pouted her lips with a dissatisfied face.

But that too for a while.

She burst out laughing.

“Still, I’ll look at it this time. “Because I received a gift from Ulan that she really liked.”

After answering, Laurea stroked her hair. Then, on the ear that was revealed, there was an earring that Ulan had given as a gift the day before.

“Then stay healthy until we meet again.”

“Okay, take care of yourself too.”

After saying a simple goodbye.

The man and woman turned around.

Because each person had a different place to return to. But not long after, Ulan suddenly stopped in place.

“Laurea?”

It was because I felt a presence.

Laurea, who was about to head towards where the Holy Knights were, turned around and came this way.

Then.

Laurea muttered in a whisper.

“… … “It can’t go on like this.”

What’s wrong?

Just as Ulan was about to ask back with a puzzled look on his face, he suddenly felt a soft touch behind his back.

Laurea, who had already narrowed the gap, hugged Ulan from behind. Her unexpected behavior did not stop there.

“Just stay still.”

Laurea, standing on tiptoe, held Ulan’s arm and forced him to lower his upper body.

Then at that moment.

I felt a warm breath on my neck, and something moist.

It was Laurea’s lips.

“Hi-Hi.”

Some time after that.

With a whisper of laughter, Laurea took a step back.

Cheeks stained red.

Having achieved her goal of kissing Ulan’s neck, she immediately smiled with satisfaction.

“I kind of like it now.”

She smiles as if she is embarrassed.

Meanwhile, at that time, Ulan looked puzzled by the sudden situation.

Tuk!

There was the sound of something falling not far away. A backpack rolling on the floor. And there were familiar girls next to them.

“You, you, you… … !”

Ibella, Delia, and Perticia.

The three girls who gathered their bags and came out witnessed the moment Laurea kissed Ulan’s neck and all frowned.

“What are you doing now?!”

When Delia, with her eyes wide open, shouted in protest, Laurea responded with a naturally virtuous face.

“huh? “Did you leave a kiss mark?”

“So why did you do that!”

“Yeah… … .”

Laurea trailed off.

It wasn’t that I was speechless or embarrassed.

All I had to do was think about which answer to give out of the answers I had already decided on.

After some time, she made her choice.

Decide not to lie about your current feelings.

I wanted to express out loud this feeling that came straight from my heart. So I pursed my lips with a shy smile.

“I started to like it too.”

The three girls’ faces hardened.

Although it was an answer that did not mention a clear target, everyone noticed it. Who is the person Laurea is talking about?

The three girls glared at Laurea with strong wariness in their eyes. Laurea did not avoid the gazes of the three and faced them confidently.

It was a time of intense tension.

Ian, who had been away for a moment, came to Laurea’s side.

“Saint, now… … .”

It was to announce that preparations for the departure of the Holy Knights were complete. But at that moment, Ian felt something strange and stopped in his tracks.

“… … But why is the atmosphere like this?”

The atmosphere is as chilly as if cold water had been poured on it. Just as I was rolling my eyes here and there at the sudden change, the answer came.

“It’s no big deal. “Are you ready?”

“Yes, we can leave at any time.”

“good. “Let’s move right away.”

Laurea nodded.

Then Ian left for a moment to announce the departure, and Laurea took advantage of this to wave at Ulan with a smile.

“Then see you later.”

After saying a short goodbye.

She suddenly stretched out her finger and tapped her plump lips. Then she spoke in a whisper with a strange smile on her face that I don’t know why.

“Then I’ll do it somewhere else, not your neck.”

“… … !?”

A word that sounds like a declaration of war.

The three girls’ faces became as hard as stone.

“Ooh, don’t be ridiculous!”

“That will never happen.”

“Now you are off limits!”

The three run wild with angry faces.

Laurea, on the other hand, turned away without responding. The same goes for saying goodbye, as if you’ve finished everything you wanted to say and there’s nothing more to do.

“Everyone get on your horses!”

“Return to the Holy Kingdom!”

Afterwards, the Holy Knights’ cry served as a signal.

The group, including Laurea, Ian, and Sven, set off toward the south of Murca.

As I was staring at my back, which was getting farther and farther away, a familiar voice knocked on my ear.

“Phew, I’m back.”

It was Noah who had been away for a while.

As she approached Ulan’s side, she immediately seemed to sense an unusual atmosphere and asked a question similar to what Ian had asked earlier.

“… … “Why is the atmosphere like this?”

“I’m not sure.”

How could you not know?

Looking at the three girls’ expressions, it was clear that it was related to Ulan. Noah, who was looking around her as if observing her, soon saw her eyes widen.

This was because the cause was found.

“ah.”

A kiss mark left on Ulan’s neck.

It was a clue that made it easy to understand why the atmosphere was like this. Noah, who understood the situation, silenced her.

Then Ulan asked a question.

“What about the carriage that goes to Flute?”

The reason Noah was away for a moment was to find a carriage heading to Flute.

First, I planned to move to Flute, the original school trip destination, and then find a way to return to Arsene Academy from there.

Meanwhile, in response to Ulan’s question, Noah nodded willingly, as if telling him not to worry.

“I just found it. “We agreed to meet at the north gate, so we can leave right away.”

“good. “Then let’s leave.”

Ulan immediately turned around.

With Laurea and the Holy Knights leaving, there was no reason to stay here anymore.

So the group moved on to get into the carriage Noah had mentioned. It was to embark on a journey towards Arsene Academy.

fantasy,