The Academy’s Barbarian Chapter 355

Chapter 71 Crossroads (4)

6.

Imperial castle of the Leuven Empire.

An eerily quiet silence fell in the red carpeted hall.

As if reminiscent of the past when Crown Prince Chartrand had just finished the Great Purge. In this place, there was only one place where people existed.

“… … .”

A man sitting slanted on a throne made of gold, reserved only for the master of the empire.

The identity of the person whose hair turned white was none other than the next emperor, Chartrand. The moment I yawned with a bored expression on my face, as if I was bored.

Suddenly his eyes moved.

“Are you finally here?”

An unpleasant screeching sound, like scraping the floor.

A voice that was quite different from Chartrand’s original voice echoed throughout the hall. Not long after that, darkness fell on the red carpet.

Gurgling! Gurgling!

The great darkness created a shadow, and countless palms sprouted from within it.

【─Lacus Claman duratus.】

The identity of darkness is the source of the abyss.

He appeared out of nowhere and called Chartrand Lacus. In response, Chartrand did not specifically deny anything.

Because it was true.

As if to prove this, a huge eyeball sprouted from Chartrand’s chest. Lacus’ eyes. Then the source of the abyss spoke again.

【Howling eyes of the abyss.】

【Now the only thing left is you.】

【Hurry and accept the abyss.】

That’s when I revealed the reason why I came here.

Lacus rested his chin in silence and muttered in an unimpressed voice.

“is it. “Has Largtan been defeated?”

A reaction that is neither particularly surprising nor embarrassing.

It was natural. Lacus had predicted Largtan’s defeat long ago. On the other hand, he could not erase even a single question that appeared on the surface of his eyeballs.

“It’s just surprising. “I didn’t know that not a single star hero would fall against Largtan, who embraced the abyss.”

The muttering was almost over.

The source of the abyss gave an answer.

【It’s all because of the convenience of the incident.】

【Variables that create changes and bring about changes.】

【All plans went awry due to his existence.】

A voice full of anger and hatred.

The source of the abyss, who cursed the name of the Strange Side, looked at Lacus again.

【There is only one way to stop him.】

【All you have to do is accept the abyss.】

In the past, Lacus had rejected this offer. This is because the Source of the Abyss saw through the hidden scheming within the opportunity to lend its power.

But now things have changed.

Now that Largtan has fallen, there will be no fight if you don’t accept the abyss.

To begin with, Lacus was ranked 6th in the ranking of monarchs.

Of all the Abyss Lords, his combat ability is the weakest. However, contrary to what the source of the abyss had hoped, Lacus did not even move.

Just stare in silence.

At this, the voice of the abyss shook.

【Are you really planning on refusing this time?】

【Then what remains is mutual destruction─.】

As he continued his warning-laced words, Lacus slowly shook his head. Then he answered in a somewhat languid tone.

“As you said, the only monarch left is Jim.”

As a signal, he stood up from the throne with his soft words. He then continued his speech by climbing down dozens of stairs.

“If the burden is gone, it means you too will have to go back beyond the abyss. In other words, you are also in a corner.”

Lacus speaks with his mouth twitching.

At his words, the shadow on the red carpet shook once. Then he growled in a voice that was clearly displeased.

【I told you some nonsense.】

【Don’t be funny, eyeball.】

【All we have to do is promise the following.】

【If I try again in the time zone after all the star heroes have disappeared, I’m sure─.】

Then at that moment.

Lacus interrupted him.

“No, that won’t happen.”

With confident denial.

Soon he spread his arms wide. Then, numerous eyeballs sprouted from all spaces in the hall, including the ceiling, floor, walls, and windows.

“Did you forget? Jim is the eyes of the abyss. “It is a being that exists everywhere and observes all things.”

A monarch with the power to watch.

Lacus, who defined himself thus, smiled as he looked into the shadow of the darkness of the abyss.

“So Jim knows. “If there is no object called the Lord of the Abyss, it is impossible for you to even exist in this world.”

It was scary for his assertion to stop.

The source of the abyss closed its mouth. As if I had hit the nail on the head. Lacus smiled and said with satisfaction at this reaction.

“It was a question before. “Why does the abyss need a monarch?”

At first, I thought it was power.

The power needed for the abyss to pass the border of the world and swallow the world of stars. For this purpose, it was thought that a being called the Lord of the Abyss was born.

“Of course, power is not wrong. However, after observing it over and over again for a long time, I realized that there was a different fundamental reason.”

He, who was walking slowly, stopped.

The starting point of the red carpet that continues like blood. Right in front of the darkness where the source of the abyss lurks. Afterwards, Lacus whispered softly again.

“Without the Lord of the Abyss, you would neither be able to escape the border nor exist here. Because you guys are the source of the abyss.”

Source is the beginning of existence and everything.

Therefore, even if the source can be removed from the body, it cannot be sent far away.

However, there is only one way.

Changing this world into the same conditions and environment as the abyss. Accordingly, the source of the abyss created a being called the monarch and sent it out.

To lead the army of the abyss, spread the magic of the abyss, and change the world into an abyss. Only then can it exist here.

“In other words, if Jim is subdued, you will immediately return to the abyss, and you will never be able to come out of the world again.”

Without exception, the Lords of the Abyss were all created based on external beings.

Just as Largtan and Astevan were originally humans here, Lacus was also originally called the king of demons.

“Because nothing is born in the abyss.”

The so-called monsters of the abyss are also mere debris separated from the source of the abyss.

The proof is that if you lose your power, you turn to ash and disappear. Therefore, it was clearly true that the source of the abyss was also cornered.

“After realizing all the truth hidden in the abyss, Jim chose to wait a long time.”

I waited quietly, holding my breath.

Although he faced numerous deaths from a group of warriors over repeated periods of time, he did not show his fangs until the end.

In this life, he did not take the lead and encouraged other monarchs to commit suicide.

Lacus had only one goal.

This is to create a situation in which the Lord of the Abyss becomes the only one himself. And now, Lacus’ goal has become a reality.

【So what do you want to say?】

Around the time I finished reminiscing for a long time.

The source of the abyss, who had remained silent until now, spoke once again. Lacus raised the corners of his mouth and got to the point.

“The abyss accepts. However, I have no intention of drinking the poisonous liquor hidden within the opportunity.”

Lacus knew.

The moment you accept the opportunity that the source of the abyss spoke of, you will be swallowed up by him. Then you will meet a vain end like Largtan.

That result was a specification.

Meanwhile, as soon as Lacus finished answering, the source of the abyss stirred once.

【Right. I finally understand.】

【You plan to devour us.】

As if I finally figured out his intentions.

Lacus grinned at those words.

“okay. “What I want is not the Abyss, which contains the will of the source, but only the pure power and magic of the Abyss itself.”

After saying a word that revealed my true feelings.

Eyeballs sprouted from the ceiling, walls, and floor of Daejeon all at once. Then he began to creep towards the source of the abyss.

【It’s a foolish choice.】

【With such shortcuts and such】

【Do you think it will become a true abyss?】

The Source of the Abyss, realizing what he was about to do, growled. However, there was no emotion of surprise or embarrassment in his voice, and he did not particularly resist Lacus’ actions.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

With this scene in my eyes.

Lacus smiled happily.

“So don’t resist, just accept your fate. “This is the only way for you and me to stay in this world.”

As soon as those words were finished, all the eyeballs opened their eyes at once.

Then, the source of the abyss in front of my gaze scattered in all directions and was slowly sucked toward the direction where many eyeballs were.

【You’ll regret it, Lacus.】

With a word whispered as if warning, the darkness of the abyss completely disappeared from the hall.

Afterwards, the sprouted eyeballs intertwined with each other and soon created a huge cocoon. Lacus looked behind his throne and opened his mouth.

“Then leave the rest to me.”

“Yes, master.”

Apostle of Lacus, Demuel Ron Dermore.

The commonly known Earl of Dermore bowed his head politely and answered. With this, Lacus placed his hand on the surface of the cocoon.

Sreuk! Slurp!

After a while, Lacus’ body slowly melted into the cocoon and disappeared completely. At the same time, Demuel’s lips twitched.

“Everyone move to location.”

With a single word scattered in the air as a signal, the Abyss worshipers waiting behind the pillar appeared.

The masked worshipers stood quietly as if waiting for further instructions, and soon after, Demuel continued speaking.

“Completely block all access until the master absorbs the power of the abyss.”

“Yes, Apostle.”

With a low and gloomy reply, the Abyss worshipers also focused on their respective missions.

Finally, after all preparations were completed.

Silence fell once again in the hall where the huge cocoon had been created. It was an eerie feeling of silence, with no sign of anything.

7.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Immediately after leaving the Desert Church, Ulan and his party’s return journey went smoothly.

Disorienting fog and fierce sandstorms that blocked visibility often blocked our path, but there was no need to worry.

Because the group currently had a much more reliable guide by their side than Sirpi.

[purr!]

None other than the white wolf.

Unlike other members of Rudric’s family who decided to remain in the Desert Church, he chose to return to the academy with Ulan.

The reason was simple.

Because the threat of the abyss has not yet disappeared.

According to Perticia, the white wolf believes that eliminating all abysses is the way to continue the legacy of its previous owner, Kazan Rudrik.

Thanks to this, the party was able to focus only on moving without the trouble of getting directions or finding a route under the guidance of the white wolf.

In addition, because the white tiger, which had split its body, moved through the desert carrying the group, they were able to reach their destination much earlier than expected.

“Wow, that’s really fast.”

Perticia briefly exclaims in exclamation.

It was worth it.

The white wolf covered a distance that would have taken more than two weeks on foot in two days. Noah also muttered with a surprised expression on his face.

“My worries were unfounded.”

“Iknow, right. “At this rate, we’ll be able to reach the academy before the vacation ends!”

Perticia answered bravely.

On the other hand, not everyone was happy. Bella, who had vividly realized the speed of the white wolf for two days, suddenly furrowed her brows.

“I feel like I lost something somehow.”

“huh? “What do you mean?”

“That’s right. “It would have been nice to move like this when I first came to the desert.”

Then the time would have been much shorter.

I feel like I wasted time because I didn’t know if the white wolf had this ability. The moment I suddenly got those thoughts out of my mouth.

Delia shook her head.

“At that time, I didn’t know the situation in the desert.”

Even who is friend and foe.

I didn’t even know the situation inside the Desert Church until I joined Muak Rudrik. So, the white wolf could not be taken out hastily.

“Also, there was an imperial army in the desert at that time. “If you bring out the white wolf in such a situation, it’s perfect for causing unnecessary misunderstandings.”

At that time, following Delia, Noah also brought up the reason why he could not cross the desert on a white wolf.

From the perspective of the imperial army, the white wolf must be a magical beast itself. There would have been more room for misunderstanding.

“Well, that certainly makes sense.”

“I understand too!”

In response, Ibella and Perticia nodded as if they understood.

Some time after that.

After finishing the conversation, the group began preparing for camping near their destination. Because it was close to midnight, it was difficult to continue moving.

“Perticia, dig some ground here.”

“yes! “Please leave it to me.”

“Would you like to start a bonfire?”

“OK. “I have to cook anyway.”

The team’s workmanship in building the temporary campsite was very skillful. Of course. Because I spent my entire winter vacation in the desert.

After completing all preparations.

The Ulan group gathered together around the bonfire. So the last night in the desert came.

fantasy,