It was fun to finally see the opponent's poker face crack.
Looking at Dowd's bewildered expression, Atallante continued with a chuckle.
"I am not lying. But it won't happen right away just because rumors are spreading. However, there is no doubt that the chances of that happening will increase."
"…the end of the world, no, just what are you talking about…?"
"For now, just focus on school life. Anyways, you'll find out sooner or later. The academy is also doing its best to prevent that."
Having said that, she handed Dowd a piece of paper with a smile.
"Why don't you take a look at this first?"
It contained a big symbol.
"I asked you about the devil earlier, right? It's because of this."
"Yes?"
"This is the symbol of a group called the 'Purifier' ."
Dowd's expression turned solemn.
'He knew this too?'
Thinking so, Atallante calmly continued.
"It's not well known to the public, but they're a pretty infamous group of devil worshipers. They've been identified to be the one behind for Princess' Tristan's attempted assassination and the monster sabotage."
Devil worshipers.
Like the name suggests, it's a group of people that worship the devil, the enemy of all mankind, as a God and gunning for its ressurection.
Their existence is like that of a cancerous tumor to society.
"With already two attacks on the Princess, there is no guarantee that there will not be a third."
"…Why are you telling me this?"
But instead of answering, Atallante just wore a mysterious smile.
She's already given enough information about the plan. She can't say any more than this.
Thinking so, she took something out of the drawer.
If she can't tell him the details, shouldn't she at least show her sincerity?
"Would you like to take this?"
It was a small black 'card'. On the surface, it looked nondescript, but Dowd's eyes widened when he saw it.
He was being quite expressive.
'…Does he know what this is?'
As she was thinking that, she heard from the other side.
"…Is it okay for the President to just hand out things like this?"
"…"
Atallante paused for a moment. His words was implying that even the president shouldn't just give away something this valuable to others.
Does he really know what it is?
No, there's no way.
Even within the academy, this is something that only a very few people, including her, know about. If he knows what this is, it's not just simply about being smart to put pieces of info together. It's almost psychic.
'But, maybe.'
Atallante asked once more with some anticipation.
"You sound like you know what it is?"
"This, in a week's time, at the Gregory Hall-"
Dowd couldn't speak any further.
It was because Atallante burst out laughing at such a natural answer.
'Ah, truly, a fine piece.'
This man always subverts her expectations.
She couldn't remember when was the last time she met someone like this.
"Just take it. People with as much bad luck as you will need it."
"…"
Moreover, he's entertained her this much, she should give him a reward.
"If you know what it is, then you should know it works. Use it properly, get what you need and then show me the result. If I like it, I'll give you an additional gift. Alright?"
Dowd took the card in a daze, as she said with a wink.
"…I've never thought of receiving homework from the President."
"Oh, speaking of. I actually have a homework for you."
"Yes?"
"How are you getting along with the hero candidate and Princess Tristan?"
Dowd's expression terribly twisted. To the extent that even Atallante herself was taken aback.
This was a man who didn't even flinch when hearing devil worshippers attack the academy.
"…Well, I'd love to, I really do."
Meanwhile, his body was screaming that he doesn't want to get involved with them.
"Then try to get along well with them."
Nevertheless, she had no choice but to leave these words.
"Is there any reason why it must be so?"
"Yes."
She replied with a soft smile.
"The world will end, otherwise."
"…"
She couldn't help but laugh again seeing Dowd's stare that says, "Is the end of the world so easy?"
Well, this wasn't a lie either.
In the end.
The ultimate goal of the plan would be achieved through these three people.
●
"The end of the world…"
I aimlessly walked, while repeating what I heard from Atallante earlier.
In truth, I don't quite understand what it means. Simply because it's such a grandiose scale.
In the game, the end of the world is the bad ending. I don't see nor feel anything on how my actions now influence it.
'…Let's think about this later.'
Rather than that.
"I got this."
I looked at the black card in my hand.
This is a kind of 'key' that opens the 'doorʼ to another world.
This is something that is never given to the player character. In fact, even within the Academy faculty, only those as high up as the Dean or President are aware of its existence.
And I think I know why the production team made it that way.
If they give you something like this from the beginning, it could completely ruin the balance of the game.
I didn't expect to receive this so suddenly. Is it because I successfully completed the main quest and emergency mission?
"…"
But that doesn't mean I like this development.
'The main scenario is out of order.'
The Purifier is only supposed to appear a few months later. Those who haven't even had their class sorted shouldn't have heard this information.
The scenario is progressing much faster than expected.
"…"
In other words, I also need to grow as fast as possible.
It's the point where the main character and the final boss intertwine. Whether I like it or not, it's obvious that I'll get involved in the scenario in one way or another.
I took a deep breath and organized my thoughts.
Chapter 1, 'Secret Society Storm'sʼ big boss 'Purifier' is quite tricky.
They're a notoriously vicious early boss, so much so that they gained the moniker of 'newbie cutter'.
Even with [Desperation] , considering their 'speciality'… I could really die.
'But with this…'
""
I turned the black card over in my palm.
Things could be a lot easier than I thought.
It all depends on how I use the materials I get from the space that I'll enter using this.
I organized the ways I can utilize.
The Monster Research Department, the access to the Vision Warehouse and Percy's one-time request ticket. If I use them all strategically…
'…It's possible.'
I'm sure there's something I can create that will make the Purifier boss fight go smoothly.
"Ah, here you are. I was looking for you."
As I was walking down the hallway, I suddenly someone calling me which snapped me out of my thoughts.
It was the Knight Faculty Dean, Conrad Baltador.
"You were looking for me? What's the matter?"
"Your class is still undecided, but there was a notice from the Academic Affairs Committee that you can't fall behind because of that. Take this."
"…"
The Dean was telling me this himself.
Am I so special for them to treat me like this?
"It's a temporary class. You can take classes together with these students starting tomorrow."
"…"
No.
Alright.
Got it.
Are you kidding me?
"…Is this correct?"
"Is there anything wrong?"
Uh, there is.
With trembling hands, I pointed to the list of students.
Class President. Elnore Elinalise La Tristan.
Vice President. Elijah Krisanax.
I don't need to look at the other students. I can already smell the scent of doom just from these two names.
Why am I being put into the same class as these two, of all people?
"Is this correct?"
"Yes."
"Why is the Student Council President taking classes with the freshmen…?"
"Ah, right. About that."
Then Conrad said with a cool smile.
"It's the President's order, so it can't be wrong."
"…"
Come to think of it, I remember her talking about some homework.
Try to get along well with them.
'I suddenly had the urge to kill someone, that hag.'
It mean it.
•×•×•×•